As Jiang Ming returned with a full load of goods, he also took a headcount!

The attack last night was too sudden, and... the defenses in the Hun camp were also quite weak.

Jiang Ming's 500 warriors, apart from a dozen or so who were injured, managed to achieve zero casualties!

This is nothing short of a miracle!

He did not immediately lead his troops back to the village, but instead held a meeting for the 500 county soldiers at the foot of Yanshan Mountain!

"Lord Jiang, do you still stand by your word?"

"Yes! Are you really willing to share half of this gold and silver with us?"

......

Happiness came so suddenly that the soldiers could hardly believe it was real.

"What are you saying?"

Jiang Ming frowned and said, "A real man's word is his bond! There's no reason for him to go back on his word!"

"Hahaha!"

"I knew it! Lord Jiang always keeps his word!"

"My God! I have so much money, I don't know what to do with it!"

"How to spend it? Marry three wives and four concubines, buy hundreds of acres of land, and live a comfortable life! Hahaha!"

......

The soldiers were laughing and joking.

"Brothers!"

Jiang Ming raised his hand and said, "Don't just focus on the immediate benefits and forget the disaster to come! Although... we framed the Zhongshan Kingdom, if you go back and brag about it, the news will spread like wildfire... and soon it will be leaked! When that happens, and the Xiongnu lead a large army to attack us, the consequences will be unimaginable..."

Upon hearing Jiang Ming's words, the soldiers all frowned and nodded.

"When we get back, no one is allowed to show off!"

"Everyone remember this! Keep quiet and make a fortune!"

......

"Brothers!"

Jiang Ming said loudly, "I'm not going to beat around the bush with you anymore. I'll just ask you one question: Is it more comfortable to be a county soldier, or to follow me?"

"Of course it's more comfortable to work with you!"

"Lord Jiang, our monthly military pay is only 800 coins... This one night of running around with you has earned us more money than we could earn in ten lifetimes!"

"Yes! Lord Jiang, we are willing to follow you!"

"It's just that we're currently serving in the military and are bound by national law; otherwise... who would want to be one of those damn county soldiers?"

"Alright!"

Jiang Ming said, "I have a proposal. I want to give some of these horses as a tribute to the Prefect, and then you will follow me forever! Are you willing?"

"Really?"

"Lord Jiang, can we really...follow you forever?"

"Lord Jiang, I have a younger brother. May he come along too?"

......

"Let's take it one step at a time. You'll be mine first... We'll talk about the others later!"

Jiang Ming said loudly, "See these mountains? The Prefect has agreed to give them all to me. From now on, you will help me look after these two mountains, as well as the villages nearby... As for your parents, wives, and children, you can bring them over as well. I'll arrange that! I'll say it again: are you willing to follow me, Jiang Ming, for the rest of your lives?"

"willing!"

"We are willing!"

"We are willing to follow Lord Jiang to the death!"

"We'll go through fire and water, even sacrifice our lives!"

......

The soldiers were filled with righteous indignation and raised their left arms to show their loyalty.

Jiang Ming had his reasons for making this arrangement.

These people... are formal military personnel with state status. Taking so much money back home and indulging in eating, drinking, gambling, and prostitution to satisfy their desires will surely cause trouble and arouse the jealousy of those around them.

Although I have Ji Bochang's deep trust, I cannot do without armed forces!

Now that I've taken over these mountains and become the king of the mountains, how can I be a commander without troops?

Therefore, these brothers who had risked their lives with him naturally became his initial investment!

After that, the team can be expanded gradually...

The powerful figures of this era all had their own fiefdoms and private armies, and Jiang Ming also began to prepare to build his own power.

The key is... we must handle the public relations work with Ji Bochang properly!

Unauthorized use of state soldiers and unauthorized maintenance of private armies are extremely sensitive topics... If one's status and position are insufficient, it is tantamount to treason!

Some responsibilities are too heavy even for Ji Bochang to bear!

Therefore, Jiang Ming planned to raise the child under Ji Bochang's name...

In this way, one can achieve one's goals without causing trouble.

"Brothers!"

Jiang Ming said, "Since you are willing to follow me, I order you to set up camp in these mountains. Then, a dozen or so brothers will follow me back to the prefecture. I need to negotiate with the prefect!"

"Alright! We'll do as Lord Jiang says!"

"remember!"

Jiang Ming instructed, "Don't flaunt your wealth. Hide your gold and silver in these mountains. Don't tell the people in these villages what you did last night or how much money you brought back. Got it?"

"I've got it!"

"Keep a close watch on these horses, and don't let a single one escape!"

"Don't worry, Lord Jiang!"

......

After explaining everything, Jiang Mingcai led a dozen or so trusted men down the mountain.

He wanted to go home first to explain things to Chen Damei, and then prepare to go to the county.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!