Chapter 121 Recruiting Soldiers: Magistrate Jiang is relieved.
Zhu Di couldn't help but scrutinize the first emperor who had created a new era.
"As for looks..."
Judy thought to himself, "No one is as heroic as me with my sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes." He subconsciously straightened his back. "As for physique... I have been fighting on the battlefield for many years, so naturally I am three times more robust than him who lives in seclusion in the palace."
Reflecting further on his achievements, Zhu Di felt even more confident. The TV dramas all talked about his northern expeditions against the Mongols, his pacification of Annam in the south, the compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia, and his voyages to the Western Ocean... weren't all these earth-shattering feats?
only...
Qin Shi Huang's entrance seemed to have a bit more style than his.
Although Zhu Di believed himself to be more handsome, more physically imposing, and more outstanding than Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor possessed a mysterious allure that made him seem unapproachable.
Ying Zheng smiled at Jiang Ge, a smile as warm as the March sun, melting away the thin ice of early spring. "Magistrate Jiang, I left in a hurry last time and didn't have a proper chat with you. Today, Hei Fu caught a cold and specially asked me to cover his shift for the day."
He spoke with relaxed eyes and a gentle tone, completely unlike the Qin Shi Huang described in historical records.
Everyone in the hall was startled upon hearing this—who didn't know that Hei Fu was as strong as an ox, how could he suddenly fall ill?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ge said, "I see. Then I'll have to trouble the First Emperor."
The people standing in the corner exchanged glances. Yuchi Jingde covered his mouth with his sleeve and whispered, "That kid Hei Fu is probably sick."
Zhu Di nodded, feigning seriousness, which made Yuchi Jingde roll his eyes slightly. Hei Fu was sick, but wasn't Zheng He also sick?
But no one would be foolish enough to expose this secret. After all, even they might have to take on extra duties in the county government office sometimes.
As long as someone else does the work, it's fine.
Ying Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, sizing up the young general, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
"Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Champion?"
Ying Zheng spoke slowly, his voice deep and majestic, "I have heard that you led troops at the age of seventeen, swept across the northern deserts, and sealed the wolf's lair. You are indeed a young hero."
I dug and dug and dug in the corner of Emperor Wu of Han's wall, and dug up Huo Qubing, who then took him back to my home.
Huo Qubing clasped his hands in a respectful bow, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty is too kind. You swept across the six kingdoms and unified the world; you are the true great ruler."
There is always a mutual respect among the strong.
Ying Zheng's lips curled slightly, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes: "It's a pity you were born in the Han Dynasty. If you were under my command, you would surely have achieved unparalleled feats."
Hey young man, I have a very good impression of you. Come and develop your career with me!
The First Emperor of Qin, a figure of unparalleled power, greatly admires you.
Huo Qubing laughed heartily: "Your Majesty is joking. But since we have already divided these soldiers together today, why not meet on the battlefield another day and then determine who is superior?"
He was politely refused, but Ying Zheng was not discouraged. He revealed a rare smile: "Good courage, I'll be waiting."
The two looked at each other for a moment, and although they had different positions, they had a subtle sense of mutual respect between heroes.
At this moment, a steady voice came: "Emperor Qin Shi Huang, I have long admired you."
Ying Zheng turned his head and saw Zhu Di striding towards him with great strides. His general's belly trembled slightly. Last time, he had only met Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Di was a completely different person.
He had heard Hei Fu talk about the dynasties and origins of these people in Songyang County, and there was even a dynastic record in his palace with detailed information about the people and their families.
"Emperor Yongle?" Ying Zheng's gaze narrowed slightly. "I never expected that there would be someone like you in later generations."
Zhu Di smiled slightly, not modestly: "I never thought I would meet the First Emperor one day."
Faced with such words, Ying Zheng said calmly, "You were able to personally lead five expeditions to the northern deserts, so you can't be considered an incompetent ruler."
A glint of light flashed in Zhu Di's eyes: "Your Majesty is indeed insightful. However, since we must divide our forces today, why don't we each take a step back?"
Taking a step back opens up a whole new world.
Ying Zheng stared at Zhu Di for a moment, then suddenly said, "You are much better than that Zhu Yuanzhang."
After saying this, Ying Zheng strode out, and without him even having to say a word, Bai Qi, who usually looked down on everyone, followed him.
This surprised everyone. Was Bai Qi usually so perceptive?
Thinking to himself, he naturally slowed down a bit. Jiang Ge added leisurely from behind, "If we're too late... those elite soldiers and generals might have already been recruited by His Majesty the First Emperor."
Ahhh!
They said Bai Qi was incredibly perceptive; he must have clicked with Qin Shi Huang. Smart people don't need words; a single glance is enough.
Bai Qi followed behind Qin Shi Huang in silence.
Ying Zheng walked ahead with his hands behind his back, but out of the corner of his eye, he was sizing up the legendary general. He had initially considered taking the opportunity to recruit Bai Qi into his ranks—after all, they were family, and poaching a member wouldn't be a big deal. But then he thought again; there were more pressing matters to attend to.
He came today to check the situation, to see if Hei Fu was hiding anything, and to see the current situation in Songyang County.
Six thousand elite soldiers were already standing on the training ground. Fortunately, the place was spacious, otherwise there would definitely not be enough room for them to stand.
The moment Qin Shi Huang appeared, the entire training ground fell silent. His imposing presence, though not angry, exuded an aura of authority, and his tangible pressure seemed to transform into thousands of swords hanging overhead, compelling everyone to kneel in reverence.
"All soldiers, follow me to move camp."
Ying Zheng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. He turned and left, as if the six thousand elite soldiers behind him were his own men.
This is hardly an attempt to recruit.
They were clearly trying to abduct the person before anyone else could react.
Bai Qi looked at the soldiers exchanging bewildered glances, then at Ying Zheng, who had already taken more than ten steps forward, and couldn't help but shake his head. This method... was truly shameless, yet surprisingly effective.
The soldiers looked at each other, and finally, someone took the first step, and the entire army actually began to move slowly following the figure in black. Like iron filings attracted by a magnet, they moved forward involuntarily.
Bai Qi stood there, watching the army march away into the distance, and suddenly found it somewhat amusing. He had fought for many years and had seen all sorts of methods of recruiting and plundering, but he had never seen anything like this...blatant and justifiable act of forceful plunder.
"Your Majesty," Bai Qi hurried after him and whispered, "aren't you afraid they'll mutiny halfway through?"
Without turning his head, Ying Zheng smiled meaningfully and asked, "General Bai, do you think they can still go back now?"
Bai Qi was taken aback upon hearing this. He turned around and saw a huge crowd following behind Ying Zheng. People have a herd mentality; even if some had doubts, they still followed the crowd.
Just as they were about to leave the training ground, Yuchi Jingde and others arrived in time.
"etc!"
Liu Zi gripped the spear in his hand, the wooden grain on the shaft glistening with the sweat from his palms. He had just moved with the group to the archway when a figure flashed in front of him, and a man blocked the road like lightning—Huo Qubing, sword in hand.
"If you go any further, you will be dealt with according to military law." The young general's voice was colder than swords and spears.
Liu Zi shrank back in fright and hurriedly grabbed Li Datou in front of him: "Brother Datou, who are we on?" His gaze went past Huo Qubing's shoulder and went straight to the center of the training ground.
Dust billowed everywhere as several renowned generals each marked out a square area, facing the garrison of Songyang County, displaying their skills like street performers, yet exuding the murderous aura of a thousand troops.
Yuchi Jingde had been holding back his energy for a long time, and now he strode out, his black cloak sweeping across the ground and kicking up fine sand. His charcoal-like face gleamed in the sunlight, and he held a steel whip in each hand, the blades wrapped with ferocious scales.
"A certain Yuchi Jingde!"
He roared, his voice ringing in everyone's ears, "The two words I value most in my life are loyalty and courage!"
Before he could finish speaking...
He whirled around abruptly, his arms bulging with veins like old tree roots. His left whip sank downwards, while his right whip rose high, whistling through the air as it slashed at the millstone-sized blue stone beside him.
"Watch this move—Mount Tai Pressing Down!"
The moment the steel whip struck the stone, a muffled thud made people's eardrums ache, and pebbles flew out like raindrops, creating shallow craters on the ground.
“Those who follow me,” Yuchi Jingde said, hefting the steel whip in his hand, the tip still dripping with stone dust, “must learn this formidable skill! On the battlefield one day, we will smash through even the most impregnable walls! We will expand our territory and never retreat!” Beside him, Qin Shubao clasped his hands in a salute, the tiger-head pattern on his black robe fluttering in the wind: “We two brothers have always advanced and retreated together. Follow us, and we will share the spoils and fight the battles together. We will never let our brothers suffer the slightest grievance.”
Liu Zi stared wide-eyed, about to shout "Bravo!"
Then Bai Qi slowly said, "I am Bai Qi. I have fought for forty-seven years, killed twenty-four generals, and captured one hundred and twenty cities."
He made no move, only saying, "Follow me. You don't need to learn any fancy tricks. Just remember, obey orders, kill, and survive." He had barely finished speaking when...
"Wow! That's real!" A gasp erupted from the crowd, and looking at Bai Qi Liu Zi, it felt like the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
Before the energy had even subsided, a clang of metal suddenly came from the east—Qin Shubao was wielding his double maces, the shadows of which wove into an impenetrable net of light. A dozen copper coins fell from the sky, only to be deflected by the maces and embedded in the wooden pillars opposite.
"Qin Shubao," he said, standing still with his mace sheathed, his breathing perfectly steady, "follow me, first learn self-defense, then learn to kill. We are brothers on the battlefield, bound by life and death."
Huo Qubing heard this at the entrance and sneered. Suddenly, he flipped over and leaped onto the flagpole next to him.
His silver armor and white robes stood out starkly against the high sky. He drew his bow, and three arrows flew simultaneously, piercing three copper coins hanging a hundred meters away with incredible precision. "What's the point of mere bravado?" His voice drifted down on the wind, carrying the sharp edge of youth. "Follow me, a light cavalry raid, straight to the heart of the enemy! Three days to breach the city, five days to capture the king, and I'll show you what the power of lightning truly means!"
Liu Zi looked at this and then at that, almost dropping his spear. Li Datou suddenly nudged his arm and gestured towards the west—over there.
"Follow me, Zhou Yu," Zhou Yu's voice, clear and melodious with a Jiangnan accent, couldn't conceal his sharp edge, "practice naval warfare, train in fire attacks, our warships will cut through the waves, their sails obscuring the sky. When we conquer the five cities, I'll treat everyone to a feast!"
The generals each displayed their unique skills, and the atmosphere on the training ground grew increasingly heated. Liu Zi glanced at Yuchi Jingde's steel whip, then touched his head, suddenly feeling his palms sweating even more. Li Datou patted him on the shoulder: "Don't panic, let's take another look—there's bound to be one that suits our taste."
But no sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of hooves echoed in the center of the drill ground. Zhu Di, dressed in black casual clothes, was riding around the field, his whip pointing in the distance: "Gentlemen, whoever you follow, you must make a clear choice today. Half an hour from now, each camp will muster its troops; those who are late will not be waited for!"
The golden rays of the sun shone on the training ground, casting long shadows of several figures. Liu Zi took a deep breath and gripped his spear tightly—he knew he had to make a choice.
The soldiers gasped in amazement. Li Datou noticed that the soldiers behind Yuchi Jingde all stood straight with firm eyes; they were indeed an iron army.
"Hahaha, Brother Yuchi, what skill you have!" Qin Shubao walked out laughing, holding two maces, his face as handsome as jade. "But I, Qin Qiong, believe that a general's most important quality is loyalty!" He turned to the yamen runner and said, "Bring me some wine!" The yamen runner immediately brought over a jar of old wine and several earthenware bowls.
Qin Shubao personally poured wine and handed it to the soldiers beside him: "Brothers, you have followed me through thick and thin, sharing both good times and bad!" He tilted his head back and drank it all, then smashed the bowl on the ground.
"Those who follow me will never betray the bond of brotherhood!"
Seeing Qin Shubao's actions, Li Datou couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. The other soldiers also went to find their favorite generals.
Jiang Ge gazed at the bustling recruitment scene on the training ground, but when he turned around, he saw Zhuge Liang standing calmly to the side, his feather fan waving lightly, not even the hem of his clothes swaying.
She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why doesn't the Prime Minister recruit soldiers?"
Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and said confidently, "Magistrate Jiang, please don't worry."
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Author's Note: After being rejected by Huo Qubing, the First Emperor loved him even more. [doge emoji]
I'm an hour late today, so as compensation, there's a little surprise dropping in the comments section! [milk tea][milk tea][milk tea]
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