Chapter 49: Competition
Song Yuzhu came back and conscription was put on the agenda.
Yang Yuanqing had done so much evil in Xuzhou before, which caused the people to have a very bad impression of the officers and soldiers. Although Zhao Xiao was strict in governing the army, he still couldn't eliminate the resistance in the hearts of the people, so it was very difficult to recruit soldiers in Xuzhou.
He now needs word of mouth, and more importantly, the support and backing of the people, otherwise relying solely on the few soldiers and prisoners he has on hand will definitely not be a long-term solution.
Song Yuzhu thought of a person - Zhang Yi, this man has a clever tongue and can turn black into white, maybe he can help him resolve the conflict with the people.
After meeting Zhang Yi last time, Song Yuzhu gave him to Liu Yanzi. Liu Yanzi then gave him to Taoist Chang Ming. Wow, this time they were a perfect match.
At first, Zhang Yi was not convinced by Chang Ming and ignored him. He always felt that being with a Taoist priest who pretended to be a ghost was a disgrace to his identity as a scholar.
Unexpectedly, after spending a few days with him, Zhang Yi was so impressed by Chang Ming's ability to speak fluently that he directly worshipped Chang Ming as his master.
In the past, he could only deceive illiterate people, and the rich and powerful would not listen to him.
Taoist Priest Chang Ming is different. He specifically picks on the rich and powerful, and often one household is enough to feed them for half a month.
*
When he saw Song Yuzhu again, Zhang Yi knelt down and kowtowed respectfully.
"Stand up. You don't have to kneel down when you come to me from now on. Just bow."
"Hey, hey." Zhang Yi quickly got up and stood beside Chang Ming nervously.
"I called you here today because I have something very important to teach you. I want you two to make up a story."
The two were stunned when they heard the voice. Chang Ming asked, "What kind of story are you going to make up, young master?"
Song Yuzhu pointed at Zhang Yi and said, "Make up a few decent stories based on the ones you made up in Zhongzhou. I need to dispel the concerns of the people and make them support the Chengtian Army."
"Yes!" Zhang Yi nodded quickly in response.
In fact, when it comes to making up stories, Song Yuzhu can do better than any of them. Having read so many mythological stories in her previous life, she can make up a story by simply cutting off the beginning and the end.
However, he lacks the kind of incitement like Zhang Yi. It must be said that this kid's words are very contagious. If used well, it is very suitable for building momentum among the masses. This is also the main reason why he was able to succeed in the rebellion.
"Remember to let me see your story first. Go ahead."
After the two left, there was a knock on the door again.
Lin Dayong led a middle-aged man in and said, "Sir, this is Master Wu from the escort agency."
"Hello, Mr. Zhu." Master Wu saluted Song Yuzhu with his fists clasped.
"No need to be polite, please take a seat."
Master Wu didn't dare to sit down. He lowered his head and said, "General Sun has instructed that if you need anything done, just let us know. We will give priority to your affairs."
Song Yuzhu said, "This is what I mean. I'm planning to buy some kerosene. Can you deliver it to me as soon as possible? The price is negotiable."
Master Wu said, "The production of kerosene is low, and only people along the coast will stock up some to make lamp oil. I wonder how much you would like?"
"Take as many as you can. Bring me as much as you can." This thing is a treasure and may be of great use in the future.
"Yes, sir."
"Also, I want to stock up on some food. Does Master Wu have any help?"
"The escort agency doesn't have many goods, but I know a lot of merchants. If you need it, I can help introduce them."
Song Yuzhu said happily: "That couldn't be better. Master Wu, please help me contact the grain merchant as soon as possible."
After the people from the escort agency left, Song Yuzhu looked through the letters that had been sent from Dongzhou in recent days.
After Gong Yangqing took over Dongzhou, he was somewhat self-aware and knew that he had taken this position with the help of Song Yuzhu, so he was extremely loyal to him and reported all the major and minor events in Dongzhou to Song Yuzhu in detail.
Zheng Jia was a good businessman. He sold his private salt to several nearby states and made 70,000 taels of silver in the first month.
After deducting the expenses of the refugees from the salt field, there was a remaining 65,000 taels of silver. This was almost a business that was extremely profitable, and it was really enviable!
Song Yuzhu opened the map in his mind and clicked on Dongzhou to take a look. The climate in Dongzhou was clear and no major incidents had occurred there.
This is also one of the newly developed functions of the map. In addition to checking the terrain and weather, once a major incident occurs in the city under its jurisdiction, a red dot will light up on the map. This function will greatly facilitate future management.
It was already noon when Xiangyu finished her work. She knocked on the door and asked if he wanted to eat.
Song Yuzhu stood up and said, "No need, I'll go home to eat at noon." It's good to have my parents here, it feels like going home from get off work.
After packing up his things, Lin Dayong escorted him back to the courtyard.
The meal at home was just ready. Xiaomei cooked and Jiang Rong helped her look after the child. The little girl sat beside Jiang Rong obediently, not making any noise or trouble. She looked so cute.
Seeing Song Yuzhu coming back, Jiang Rong smiled and waved at him: "Zhu'er is back, are you tired?"
"It's okay. Thinking of you guys being by my side, I don't feel tired no matter how tired I am."
Song Yuzhu reached out and picked up the little girl to tease her. The little girl was probably about to grow teeth, and she hugged Song Yuzhu and started to bite her face.
Xiaomei was startled when she came into the room and quickly took the child from him, afraid of dirtying Song Yuzhu's clothes.
"Where's Dad?"
Jiang Rong said, "He went out with Song Quan."
In the morning, Song Bai took Song Quan for a walk on the street to see if there were any vacant shops, planning to buy one to open a clinic.
As they were talking, the door opened outside and Song Bai and Song Quan came back from the street.
Song Yuzhu asked: "How is the shop?"
Song Bai said, "I've picked two that are both suitable. One is in the south of the city and is quite far from here, but the shop is large, so your mother and I can live there in the future."
"The other one is not far from here, but it's smaller, and the warehouse at the back is only enough to store medicinal materials."
Song Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "Just buy the smaller one. I'll make some other accommodation for the two of you."
Working in Louwailou all the time is not a long-term solution, so Song Yuzhu plans to choose a new house as a place to live and work.
*
After lunch, Song Yuzhu returned to Louwailou and handed the housing matter to Xu Bing, asking him to help find a suitable house.
Xu Bing hesitated and said, "Sir, the Fourth Prince's Mansion is still vacant. Why don't we have someone clean it up so you can move in?"
After Yang Yuanqing's death, the Four Princes' Mansions became vacant. Many of the servants and maids were dismissed. Only a few elderly people were left who had no relatives to live with and stayed to look after the houses.
The place was very big and luxuriously decorated, with all the necessary supplies available. Living there really saved me a lot of money.
Xu Bing said: "There is one more thing I don't know whether I should say or not."
"Sir, please speak."
"In the past, we were in the dark, so we had to hide in restaurants. Now that we have taken control of Xuzhou, we should declare ourselves king in an upright manner." Once you declare yourself king, it is equivalent to raising a flag, and those who want to join you will know where to go.
Now the people of Xuzhou don’t even know who the city lord is, which is very unfavorable to their future development.
Song Yuzhu was somewhat embarrassed about becoming the king, because he and Zhao Xiao had established Xuanyi Tower together, with Zhao Xiao in the open and himself in the dark.
Later, he planned to assassinate Yang Zhao, but it was Zhao Xiao who actually carried it out. It was also Zhao Xiao's credit that he fought against Yang Yuanzhen and captured Dongzhou. Zhao Xiao was more suitable to be king than himself.
"Let's wait for General Zhao to come over to discuss this matter."
Xu Bing knew what he was worried about: "Sir, please forgive me for being blunt. General Zhao is a talented general and a hero, but he is not suitable to be a monarch."
Because he lacks kindness.
An emperor who is decisive in killing people is certainly a good thing, but an emperor without benevolence will also bring disaster to the people.
Xu Bing could see that Zhao Xiao was loyal to Song Yuzhu, because Song Yuzhu didn't let him kill innocent people, so he didn't kill them. If Song Yuzhu asked him to kill someone, he would definitely not blink an eye, no matter if the person in front of him was an old man or a child.
"Zhao Xiao is like a sharp blade, and you are the scabbard. Only under your control can he play his greatest role. Becoming king is not only for yourself, but also for the people of the world!"
Song Yuzhu understood Xu Bing's concerns. Zhao Xiao was not a good person. He understood the principle that a kind person cannot command an army and a righteous person cannot make money.
However, the relationship between the two is extraordinary. If Zhao Xiao wants to become king, Song Yuzhu doesn't mind assisting him to ascend the throne.
"Let's wait until he arrives before discussing this matter. However, the Four Princes' Palaces should send someone to clean it up. Remember not to be extravagant, but to keep it simple and practical."
Xu Bing bowed his head and said, "As you command."
*
The military camp was extremely lively today because Zhao Xiao had ordered the captured soldiers to be distributed into various camps.
These people will be teammates in the future. The stronger they are, the greater their chances of survival, so the captains are all competing for strong and brave soldiers.
"It was obviously me who spotted this guy first, why should he go to you?" A tall and strong soldier was being fought over by two lieutenants.
"I thought there was no sign of your name on his body, so how did he become yours?"
"Hey, you are doing this on purpose, right?"
"If you're not convinced, let's have a fight. Whoever wins gets to pick the first person."
The people watching nearby started to make noises: "Alright! Let's have a competition, whoever wins gets to pick someone first!"
The two captains were rubbing their hands together, ready for a fight. Whoever was scared at this moment would be a wimp. Even if one wanted to pick some strong soldiers, no one would be willing to follow him!
Zhao Xiao was eager to watch the fun and even came over to say, "Since you want to compete, all the captains should come over and compete. Whoever wins gets to pick first!"
"Great!!!" The soldiers clapped their hands and laughed happily. General Zhao was really awesome!
Even the prisoners were infected and started cheering. Being fought over was a matter of face, so why wouldn't everyone be happy?
The eight captains were divided into four groups, and they drew lots in pairs. The winners would then proceed to the next round to decide the final champion, who would then have the right of priority selection.
Zhao Xiao ordered his men to draw a three-meter-wide circle on the training ground. Those competing were not allowed to use weapons and were only allowed to fight with their fists and feet. Whoever stepped out of the circle first would lose.
Everyone surrounded the parade ground tightly, and some people even set up a place to bet on which captain would come in first. The favorites to win were Bai Yizhou and another guy named Chai Rong.
Bai Yizhou was born in the martial arts world, so his skills were naturally beyond doubt, and Chai Rong was also a leader in the army. Everyone was eager to see who would take first place.
The bets were not big, most of them were just a few taels, so Zhao Xiao just turned a blind eye and let them do what they wanted.
After all, soldiers are also human beings. These young men full of vigor and vitality have no other entertainment activities except training every day. Small gambling is for fun, but they don’t have enough money for big gambling.
Ma Zhenwei took out a gong from somewhere and banged it with a smile, "Begin!"
The first person to compete was Captain Ge. He had been a soldier for nearly fifteen years, and although he was old, his skills were no worse than those of the young men.
Moreover, these old soldiers were so cunning and ruthless that the young men were no match for them. It took them less than half a quarter of an hour to knock Captain Chen out of the circle.
"Captain, you're awesome!" The people in Captain Ge's barracks shouted with joy.
Captain Ge pulled Captain Chen up and said, "Thank you, thank you."
Captain Chen was not angry either. He held his hand and said with a smile, "Old Ge is amazing!"
As each group finished competing, only Bai Yizhou and the captain named Chai Rong were left.
Zhao Xiao was in the mood. He was familiar with Bai Yizhou. This guy had solid skills and was very measured in his attacks. But he had never paid much attention to the boy named Chai Rong.
He was only about six feet tall, shorter than the woman, but his body was very flexible, like a monkey, and he was so slippery that he could not be caught at all.
The competition began, Bai Yizhou clasped his fists and said, "I'm sorry!"
Before he could finish his words, Chai Rong had already rushed over, jumped up, grabbed Bai Yizhou's arm, turned over and sat on his shoulders!
Bai Yizhou immediately grabbed his ankle and threw him to the ground.
Unexpectedly, Chai Rong took advantage of the force to get under his crotch, kicked him in the back, and almost kicked him out of the circle.
"Good!" Zhao Xiao couldn't help but clap and cheer.
Although Chai Rong did not practice orthodox Kung Fu, he was able to use his physical defects to his advantage and his speed was very fast, which many Kung Fu masters could not do.
Bai Yizhou braced himself and did not dare to underestimate the enemy. When Chai Rong attacked for the second time, he was on guard and looked for an opportunity to counterattack.
The two men fought back and forth, with constant cheers, and the group of captured soldiers unknowingly joined in, becoming friends with the Chengtian army.
This was a result that Zhao Xiao was happy to see. This competition was intended to allow the two armies to merge together.
In the end, Bai Yizhou was successfully attacked from behind by Chai Rong and kicked out of the circle.
Everyone cheered and lifted Chai Rong up and threw him into the sky.
Captain Chai, who was usually stern and a little self-deprecating, wanted to scare them with a red face, but couldn't help laughing.
(End of this chapter)
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