Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

Three days. In just three short days, Sanguotou became a massive sensation in Fengchuan City.

Tingyu Restaurant was packed to capacity every day. Many people came specifically because of the wine’s reputation, demanding to taste just how good this so-called “top-tier brew” actually was. Some men who could usually handle several jin of normal alcohol found themselves dizzy and floating after less than a single jar of Sanguotou. This feeling of being “carried away to the heavens” only served to make the wine’s fame explode further.

Luo Yu, the mastermind behind it all, remained indifferent. He stayed in Cangqi to supervise the construction of the new city. In his view, the wine becoming a hit was entirely expected; it was simply a matter of finding the right sales channel.

Tingyu Restaurant was merely the partner he had chosen.

Luo Yu summoned Xiao Shaoyou and the others into the military tent, getting straight to the point.

“The market for the wine has opened up. Now that we have silver, the grain issue is naturally solved. The first row of the wooden palisade is also complete, meaning we have officially established a foothold in Cangqi. However, having silver and territory is not enough to be secure. To put it bluntly, in the Longxi region, whoever has the biggest fist makes the rules. Therefore, Cangqi must have its own personal troops.”

“I agree,” Xiao Shaoyou echoed. “Whether it is to prevent future Qiang invasions, to handle disputes between the great families, or even just to fend off bandits and mountain rogues, Cangqi must have an army. And it must be an elite one.”

Thinking of this, Luo Yu found it somewhat amusing. Xiao Shaoyou had once looked down on the personal troops of the great families, yet here they were, beginning to form their own.

“I have spent the last two days tallying the numbers in the city,” Luo Yu said methodically. “Between the veterans who followed us to Cangqi and the able-bodied men willing to join the military, we have a total of three hundred men. The rest are mostly the elderly, the weak, women, and children. I intend to organize these three hundred men into a single command. They will be the first generation of Cangqi’s personal troops! I believe that as the population of Cangqi grows in the future, our military strength will grow with it.”

Though it was only three hundred men, every single one of them had survived bloody battles. They were far superior to any disorganized rabble.

“The previous military structure used squad leaders, decurions, and standards of fifty men, followed by centurions and commandants,” Luo Yu said in a heavy tone. “But since we are using the Three-Three System, the basic military structure must change. From today onward, there will be no squad leaders. The decurion will be the most basic officer. Ten men make a decurion unit, divided into three groups of three. Three decurion units make a standard, led by one standard leader, totaling thirty men. Three standards make a banner, led by one centurion. In addition to the three standards, the centurion will be assigned ten personal guards, bringing a banner to a total of one hundred men. Three banners make a command, led by one commandant, totaling three hundred men.”

“Reasonable.” Han Shuo nodded slightly. “I have looked over the Three-Three System you proposed. Its practicality on the battlefield is immense. One veteran coordinating with two new recruits can kill more enemies than three veterans fighting individually. If three people can establish a small advantage, then hundreds or thousands of these three-man groups placed on a battlefield would possess limitless combat power.”

Han Shuo was a veteran with deep experience. When he first saw the Three-Three System, he had been stunned. He felt Luo Yu was a genius. Such a small change in organization could bring about a world-shaking transformation in the army.

“The problem now is that three hundred men need a leading commandant. I am already the city lord of Cangqi, so naturally, I cannot take that role. Who will lead the troops?”

Luo Yu, along with Meng Hu, Dong Chuan, and Lü Qingyun, all turned their gazes toward Xiao Shaoyou and Han Shuo. Clearly, only these two were qualified and capable enough to be the commandant.

“It should be Commandant Han, of course,” Xiao Shaoyou spoke first. “Commandant Han has the seniority and the ability. Among the several commandants at Yunyang Pass, you had the most military merits. This position belongs to you.”

“Forget it. I spent over a decade just to become a commandant. If word got out, people would laugh their teeth off.” Han Shuo waved his hand dismissively. “We all know in our hearts that whether it is ability or strategy, Shaoyou surpasses me by far. He was under my command for two years, and I watched him grow step by step. No one knows his talents better than I do. If I am the commandant, I am at most a qualified commander. But if he is the commandant, he has the ability to rapidly expand Cangqi’s military strength and make this unit even stronger.”

“No, I…” Even though he knew Han Shuo was right, Xiao Shaoyou still wanted to decline. Otherwise, he would feel the guilt of having snatched a position.

“Stop hesitating. At the very least, I am still your superior for now. This is an order!” Han Shuo glared at him. “I know you have always wanted to forge an elite iron army. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to display your talents? I am not stepping aside for your sake but for the sake of making Cangqi better and stronger! The matter is settled!”

“I agree with Brother Han,” Luo Yu said, looking at Xiao Shaoyou. “From this moment on, the three hundred brothers of Cangqi are in your hands. This is not a promotion for wealth or status, but a heavy burden placed upon your shoulders. Do not disappoint the brothers, and do not disappoint your parents in the afterlife.”

The atmosphere in the tent grew solemn.

“I accept this burden.” Xiao Shaoyou stopped being hesitant. He cupped his fists and bowed to everyone, making a formal military pledge. “City Lord, brothers, rest assured. If Cangqi does not have an iron-blooded elite force within one year, you may take my head!”

“Good! You said it!” Luo Yu stood tall and spoke loudly, “From today, Xiao Shaoyou is appointed commandant, and Han Shuo is vice commandant. Dong Chuan, Meng Hu, and Lü Qingyun are centurions, each leading one banner. We have about a hundred warhorses brought from Yunyang Pass. Divide them equally among the three banners. Each banner is to form one standard of cavalry. Moving forward, aside from building the city walls, you must lead the soldiers in training. Do not slacken for even a moment.”

“We obey your orders!”

Everyone was filled with fighting spirit. For them, this was a new beginning. Perhaps years from now, an iron-blooded army would truly gallop across the lands of Longxi.

Little Wu suddenly entered the tent and cupped his fists. “City Lord, Manager Jiang of Tingyu Restaurant has arrived.”

Little Wu had become a personal guard and would remain by Luo Yu’s side from now on.

“He finally came.” Luo Yu smiled slightly. “Let’s go. I will go meet him.”

* * *

Dressed in fine silk, Jiang Shu did not seem to mind the dust of the camp. He allowed his robes to trail on the ground as he looked around in surprise.

“City Lord Luo, what a grand vision. You ignored the perfectly usable old walls of Qicheng and instead blocked the mountain pass to rebuild the city. By doing this, you only need to build one wall. It saves time and effort, and you can use the advantage of being flanked by mountains on three sides to keep Cangqi safe in the middle. It is truly secure. Brilliant.”

“Manager Jiang has a good eye,” Luo Yu said with a light laugh. “I heard business at Tingyu Restaurant has been incredibly prosperous these past few days. How do you have the time to visit me?”

“Of course, I have come to thank City Lord Luo. In just a few days, Sanguotou has doubled the business of Tingyu Restaurant. I, Jiang Shu, have come specifically to show my gratitude. And, while I am here, to discuss our next deal.”

Jiang Shu bowed. With a wave of his hand, a servant brought forward a tray filled with silver.

“Three hundred taels of silver. Please accept it, City Lord Luo.”

“Three hundred taels? That doesn’t seem right.” Luo Yu remained calm. “I remember I only took a fifty-tael deposit. The remaining payment for the goods should be four hundred and fifty taels.”

“You misunderstand. This is not the final payment for the first batch but the deposit for our second deal,” Jiang Shu explained. “In a little over a month, it will be the Fengchuan City wine market. At that time, not only the people of Fengchuan but also guests and merchants from other cities will come. Every restaurant will bring out their best vintages to attract customers. It is both a competition between the houses and an opportunity to solicit business. Sanguotou is of superior quality; it will surely make a name for itself at the wine market, and Tingyu Restaurant will naturally benefit. Therefore, I have come to order the next batch: two hundred jars. According to what you said before, the price will be eight taels per jar. Two hundred jars total one thousand six hundred taels. These three hundred taels of silver serve as the deposit.”

“A wine market? We can sell the wine to other cities?” Luo Yu’s eyes brightened instantly. If that were the case, wouldn’t Sanguotou sell everywhere? He would be able to earn a fortune.

“The second deal is easy to agree on. As long as Tingyu Restaurant pays, the Sanguotou will naturally be sold to you.” Luo Yu raised an eyebrow. “But I must ask, what about the final payment for the first batch?”

Jiang Shu smiled and looked toward the bustling camp. “City Lord Luo, you have so many people under you who need to eat. You are a newcomer here, and this is a remote, desolate place where buying grain is inconvenient. It just so happens that I know some friends who are grain merchants and can acquire grain at a low price. I have already converted the four hundred and fifty taels of the final payment into grain—exactly five hundred shi. It will arrive in Cangqi before sunset today. I took the liberty of making this decision. I hope City Lord Luo does not take offense.”

Luo Yu was slightly surprised, a playful smirk curling his lips. “Very good. I like doing business with smart people. You have been very thoughtful, Manager Jiang.”

“Since I sincerely wish to do business with City Lord Luo, I must naturally put in the effort.” Jiang Shu bowed with his hands together. “Furthermore, according to your requirements, I have not leaked a single word regarding the source of the wine. No one in all of Fengchuan City knows that Sanguotou comes from your hand.”

Luo Yu suddenly found himself liking this young manager. He gave a light laugh. “Before the wine market begins, two hundred jars of Sanguotou will be delivered to you, not a single jar less. Rest easy.”

Translator’s Note: Luo Yu is finally getting his “Three-Three System” off the ground! It’s a real-world tactical doctrine used by the PLA, and seeing it applied in a wuxia setting is always a treat. Also, Jiang Shu is proving to be a top-tier business partner. Converting the payment into grain without being asked? That’s how you build a long-term alliance. Do you think Xiao Shaoyou can actually turn these three hundred guys into an “iron-blooded elite” in just a year, or did he just bet his head on a pipe dream?

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