Chapter 567 Recruitment Order!
(Thanks to the daughter of the person who chases the sun for casting 4 monthly votes.)
Li Shiyue sent Chang Hai to recruit soldiers, both as a test for him and as a way to give him a way out.
If things are handled well, the previous offenses may be forgiven;
If things aren't handled well, both old and new grievances will be settled!
When Chang Hai realized this, he broke out in a cold sweat on the spot. He was filled with admiration for Li Shiyue's methods, and a sense of gratitude and awe for escaping a desperate situation welled up in his heart.
Chang Hai immediately tore up the petition he had just put in the envelope, the ink of which had barely dried, and threw himself into recruiting soldiers with all his might.
Li Shiyue's use of the "carrot and stick" approach was masterful.
Eliminate the ringleader with swift and decisive action to establish a deterrent effect on the public;
She also used practical matters to bind and utilize the old official system to maintain the basic operation of Jian'an, and gave guilty officials a glimmer of hope, forcing them to serve her.
Meanwhile, large-scale recruitment is Li Shiyue's next step in her well-thought-out plan.
She wanted to take advantage of the time when Liu Tan was too busy in Jinzhou and make good use of the "decisive action and subsequent reporting" order he had given her.
Only in this way can she maximize the benefits she desires!
In order to address potential problems in the future.
Li Shiyue knew that integrating the garrison and training elite troops like the "Xuanjia Elite Warriors" and "Xuanjia Dark Blades" were only the starting point for her future dealings with the Japanese pirates.
To completely eradicate the Japanese pirates, protect the sea frontier, and even to follow the path planned by Li Shiyue in the future;
Therefore, she must have a larger army that is loyal and reliable to her.
Li Shiyue entrusted the recruitment of soldiers to the terrified Chang Hai, thus utilizing his talents while also firmly grasping his weaknesses.
At the same time, it also sets a good example for other officials in Jian'an – rest assured, as long as you are obedient and work hard;
I can forgive past mistakes;
But you must put in your utmost effort to work for this general!
At this moment, Chang Hai held the heavy recruitment order delivered by the messenger as if he were holding the lives of himself and his entire family.
He dared not, and absolutely could not, mess up the "favor" that Li Shiyue had bestowed upon him.
Chang Hai was originally the Registrar of Jian'an and was very familiar with the local situation;
In order to atone for his mistakes, he worked with exceptional efficiency, never daring to slack off in the slightest when it came to the tasks assigned by Li Shiyue.
He immediately summoned all the clerks under his command and discussed the matter of recruiting soldiers with them. The lights in the room where they were were kept on all night.
However, recruiting soldiers is no easy task.
After years of exploitation by Huang Wanchang and the harassment by Japanese pirates, the people of Jian'an City and the entire Jian'an region were in dire straits.
Furthermore, Cai Hua had previously been accused of embezzling salaries and exploiting soldiers in the garrison, which had tarnished the government's prestige. As a result, the people were filled with doubt and fear about the idea of "serving as soldiers for food."
Ordinary men would rather live a hard life on meager land or work as apprentices or laborers for merchants than risk their lives by risking their lives to face the brutal Japanese pirates.
In the first few days of recruiting soldiers, very few people responded in Jian'an City.
Even though Chang Hai had already sent many yamen runners to various fishing villages outside Jian'an City, the few who came to apply were either local ruffians trying to make a living or destitute people who couldn't survive and were physically weak, making them unsuitable for important tasks.
As the days passed, Chang Hai grew so anxious that blisters appeared on his lips. If he failed to complete this task, he dared not imagine what Li Shiyue's cold gaze and the chilling blade in her hand would do.
Just when Chang Hai was at his wit's end and almost in despair, Li Shiyue sent someone to look for him again.
Inside the governor's study, Li Shiyue was writing furiously at his desk without even looking up. He simply said, "Military Advisor Chang, is it not going well with recruiting soldiers?"
Chang Hai knelt down with a thud, sweat pouring down his face: "This humble official is incompetent!"
I implore you, General, to grant me some more time. There are still two and a half months until the three-month deadline you set!
"In the past two and a half months, I have traveled to every village in Jian'an, and I will certainly do my utmost for the General..."
"Stand up and speak."
Li Shiyue raised her head and interrupted Chang Hai.
She put down her pen, looked at the terrified Chang Hai and smiled gently, "This general is not Huang Wanchang, and I don't like people kneeling at the drop of a hat."
The failure to recruit soldiers is not solely your fault.
"It was my oversight that I failed to give the people of Jian'an a reason to enlist."
She picked up the document she had just written and handed it to Chang Hai: "Make a thousand copies of this notice and post them in Jian'an City and in all the villages, towns, and fishing villages."
He then ordered all clerks and yamen runners to loudly proclaim the contents of the document to this general, accompanied by gongs and drums!
Chang Hai stood up, took two steps forward, and with trembling hands accepted the document handed to him by Li Shiyue—a recruitment order!
He only read a few lines before his eyes widened instantly, and his breathing became rapid.
The notice contained terms he couldn't believe, but the words were clear and legible in black and white, and it bore the bright red seal of the Prefect of Jian'an.
"A message to the people of Jian'an: The Japanese pirates are rampant, repeatedly invading our coastal borders, plundering our wealth, slaughtering our people, and humiliating our women and children. This is a blood feud that is beyond reproach and arouses the wrath of both gods and men!"
General Li Shiyue, by order of the King, is stationed in this land and has the authority to make decisions on the spot, with the power to execute first and report later.
We now intend to strengthen our military preparedness and exterminate all the Japanese pirates!
This action is not for the purpose of waging war, but for the purpose of protecting our territory, ensuring the safety of our people, and safeguarding our homeland.
However, powerful bandits need sharp blades to eliminate them, and fortified cities need loyal and brave men to defend them.
This decree is hereby issued to recruit the brave men of Jian'an to form an army and annihilate the Japanese pirates!
In fact, when Chang Hai saw this, he already felt that Li Shiyue was indeed worthy of being a woman who could achieve the rank of general.
Previously, there was an "Order to Kill the Pirates," which aimed to drown the Japanese pirates, treating the people as the sea.
This was a last resort for Li Shiyue when she was short-handed and the garrison troops were disobedient, but it was indeed surprisingly effective.
Now, Li Shiyue has issued this "recruitment order" in order to transform the "anti-pirate order" from fragmented to unified, recruiting elites, training them into an army, and using a large army to fight against the Japanese pirates. This is preparation for a future war.
Chang Hai was naturally a smart man. He only looked at the first half of the "recruitment order" and he could tell that Li Shiyue really intended to kill all the Japanese pirates!
This is not just empty talk!
With his heart pounding, Chang Hai continued reading—"Those who join the army do so not only for the country and its people, but also to bring happiness to their families."
Having received this favor, I will never break my promise: the salary will be paid in full every month, and the army will supervise the process. If even a penny is withheld, the person in charge will be beheaded and made to pay ten times the amount!
If one person in a household joins the army, the family can choose another strong relative to work in the supply depot or salt field, earning a daily wage and enjoying the benefits of the soldier's service.
Those who are interested may also join the auxiliary troops.
All those who die in battle are mourners for the nation!
The compensation was doubled, and a monument was erected to commemorate their achievements.
His parents, wife and children can all move into the market and be settled there. Their food, clothing and shelter will all be provided by the general's private property, ensuring that the living have food and the young are raised.
Their children, regardless of gender, can all attend elementary schools to learn to read and write until they reach adulthood and become independent.
My words are spoken, and Heaven and Earth bear witness. If I break this oath, may I be punished by both gods and men!
Those who are disabled due to war are considered heroes!
They could be transferred to positions in the supply battalion, training battalion, or various market areas, and would be supported by the military for life, receiving land and housing as a reward, ensuring a worry-free life for half their lives.
Those who train diligently and fight bravely will be rewarded with money, silk, land, and houses by this general.
Those who kill Japanese chieftains, are the first to storm a city, or capture military supplies will be promoted immediately according to the merit book!
The positions of squad leader, brigade commander, colonel, and even general are held by those who are capable, regardless of their background!
"With just this sword in hand, I can amass a fortune and make a name for myself in history!"
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