The enthusiastic young students, full of boundless enthusiasm, came to the south camp of the city to apply.
In the camp, Qu Moxuan, Shi Huai, Xue Jin, Cao Lie and other generals were arranging the recruitment of new soldiers.
After hearing the guard's report, Qu Moxuan was extremely surprised, "You are here now? Are you still a scholar?"
He was originally the chief advisor of the East Guards Instructor Corps, but after half a year, he became proficient in King Yan's training regulations, making him the chief instructor of the East Guards and in charge of military affairs.
Cao Lie led Ma Xingsi's right army to rescue Queen Yan, but he never returned to the army, and the court did not give any further instructions. It was considered acquiescence that this army was under the control of King Yan.
King Yan recruited him into the Eastern Guard Instructor Corps. He was very interested in King Yan's new military system, so he was very active.
Xue Jin was originally the commander of the front department of the palace, responsible for the imperial equipment, responsible for the emperor's guard affairs, and assisted in the management of the twenty-four squads in front of the imperial palace. Simply put, he was the captain of the personal guard of Zhao Guan's family.
He had shown his inclination towards King Yan before. In order to avoid suspicion, although his official position remained unchanged, he could no longer continue his original position. Now he simply stayed under King Yan.
Zhao Mengqi planned to let him serve as the commander of the Eastern Guard, but he didn't know yet whether he could adapt to the new army, so he was temporarily placed in the instructor corps.
As for Shi Huai, he still has to command the troops of the Ten Thousand Palace Front Division. He is here mainly for a visit, because he believes that if the new army succeeds, other armies may also need to be reorganized.
With surprise and suspicion, a group of generals came to the gate of the camp.
Outside the camp, there were crowds of people, and the gate of the camp was packed to the brim.
Moreover, many people were still shouting and cheering, looking very ambitious. If you didn't know better, you would think that these scholars were going to attack the military camp.
Cao Lie was dumbfounded, "There are at least more than three thousand people here, and most of them are scholars in plain clothes, who are all here to apply!? Could it be that they all took the wrong medicine?"
"In the past, when recruiting soldiers, the common people would avoid it, especially in wealthy places. Everyone was ashamed to be a soldier. Today, it's gone too far..." Shi Huai was also surprised.
Xue Jin said, "These days, as long as life goes on, even ordinary people are not willing to join the army, let alone scholars who claim to be disciples of saints. Now... His Highness should not be feeding them some ecstasy." Bar?"
Qu Moxuan knew the content of the recruitment propaganda, but he did not expect the effect to be so good.
"Your Highness is so able to control people's hearts, especially the hearts of scholars. He just composed music and songs casually and wrote some poems, but it is so powerful."
At this time, when the scholars saw the generals appearing, they chanted poems and shouted about killing the enemy and serving the country.
Qu Moxuan was in trouble, "With so many people applying, it is indeed a good thing, but the camp is not ready yet. What should we do now?"
"I think the opportunity is rare right now. We should strike while the iron is hot and recruit people first, lest these scholars calm down and regret it." Shi Huai suggested.
Xue Jin did not agree very much, "The rules in the military cannot be changed easily. It is better to report this matter to His Highness as soon as possible and let His Highness make a decision."
Faced with this unexpected situation, all the generals expressed their opinions.
Finally, Qu Moxuan thought for a while, "The report must be reported. However, I think His Highness should have anticipated this matter, but did not give any instructions... Well, I think there is no need to strike while the iron is hot. Being a soldier is a must. It’s not impulsive. If you don’t really make up your mind, you will probably be a deserter before the battle... I think it’s better to persuade them to retreat first.”
Hearing what he said, the generals also felt that it made sense. After all, the affairs of this new army were very different from the past. It was better not to make changes without permission, so as not to ruin His Highness's plan.
Qu Moxuan walked out of the camp gate and stood in front of the soldiers. Then he raised his hand and a horn sounded from the camp wall.
The scholars gradually became quiet amidst the powerful and long sound of the trumpets, and looked at the general-looking man in front of the camp gate.
Qu Moxuan put his hand on the hilt of his sword, stood up and raised his head, and shouted loudly, "You talented men, please listen to what I have to say."
"I am General Qu Moxuan, the chief advisor of the Eastern Guard Instructor Corps, responsible for military training matters."
"I feel sorry for your desire to serve the country with your fists, and I can't help but wish that I could kill the enemy side by side with you and make contributions as soon as possible."
"However, the army has its own rules. It has been decided that the recruitment of new recruits will be on the eighth day of the lunar month, so it will not be changed. Besides, it is already late today and there is no time to arrange things."
"So I would like you all to go back first and come back on the eighth day of the lunar month. At that time, His Highness King Yan will come to the barracks in person to take charge of recruiting troops."
After hearing this, the scholars couldn't help but feel disappointed, and started talking among themselves.
"It's rare that we have the heart to serve our country, but this military camp refuses to accept them. How is that possible!?"
"That's right. We condescended to be the leading soldiers. It's okay if they don't step back to meet us. Why do we still resist?"
"You can't say that. It's unusual in the military. The rules are always the highest. You can't change them overnight."
"Is it possible that our trip was in vain? We saved a lot of energy, but in the end we punched nothing. It feels so uncomfortable."
"Actually, it doesn't matter. I just have to wait two days. If you really want to serve your country, you should have this patience..."
"Well, that's true. By the way, did the black-faced general just say that His Highness will be here in person then? Wouldn't that mean we can meet him in person? It would be great if His Highness could compose poems on the spot. .”
"Yes, if I can catch a glimpse of His Highness, there is no harm in waiting a few more days..."
"I heard that His Highness used to train with the soldiers. In other words, when we enter the camp, we will be His Highness's comrades."
"Is this true? Your Highness is so noble and you train like a soldier?"
"Let's go, let's go. I'll come back the day after tomorrow. It's just a good time to take advantage of these two days to settle some trivial matters..."
Qu Moxuan breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that the scholars started to leave without much fuss.
In the following two days, the recruitment propaganda intensified. Gusu City and nearby counties were noisy. Even Jiaxing Prefecture and Changzhou were affected. There were voices talking about this matter everywhere in the streets and alleys.
Most of the ordinary people talked about the generous treatment in the army. The literati and gentry talked more about the poetic talent of King Yan, but the young students were attracted by making contributions and serving the country.
It is true that most people do not want to be soldiers, but the conditions given by King Yan are too tempting.
The minimum military salary of six guan, according to the current rice price, can buy four or five shi of rice, enough to feed seven or eight people for a month, and it can guarantee the harvest during drought and flood. Where can I find such a good job?
If others, even the imperial court, gave such treatment, the people might not dare to believe it.
But after the food crisis, King Yan's reputation in the Pingjiang Prefecture was extremely good. Some people even offered him a living shrine, and now everyone knows that King Yan is rich, very rich.
In addition, young people aged fifteen or sixteen are usually very good at eating when they are growing up. As the saying goes, a half-grown boy will eat a poor man. In this case, if nothing else, he will be thrown into the army to take care of food. Also excellent.
As for scholars, regardless of the desire to serve the country, what matters most is the way forward.
King Yan is the crown prince. In the army directly under his control, there is a high probability that he does not have to worry about being robbed of credit by his superiors. As long as he is willing to work hard, he can be rewarded and promoted, and it is not impossible to become a marquis or general.
There must be some scholars who are determined to pursue the imperial examination, but not all scholars are stubborn. Even if military commanders are not as good as civil servants now, when King Yan becomes an official, the rules of the world may have to be changed. .
As a result, the Wuzhong area, which has always had a prosperous literary style, set off a wave of enthusiasm to join the army. Whether they were children of farmers, businessmen, students, or even nephews of small landowners and merchants, they all carried a simple burden. Rushing to Gusu City from all directions.
Some people from nearby villages arrived early. Perhaps to save money, they did not go into the city and found a place to hang out near the military camp.
The generals, who had never seen such a positive scene before, couldn't help but feel dumbfounded.
Qu Moxuan scratched his head, "Although it's not too cold in September, and these teenagers are young and strong, it's not a big deal if they really sleep in the open like this."
Xue Jin echoed, "If someone catches a cold, I'm afraid it will affect the camp entrance exam. If something happens again, it will also be detrimental to His Highness's reputation..."
"Qu Tou, there are quite a few marching tents in our army. Let's take them over and give them to them." Cao Lie came up with an idea.
After such a discussion, we quickly came up with a solution.
Not only did they set up temporary barracks in vacant land, they also sent sergeants to maintain order. Even drinking water and food were provided free of charge. If anyone encountered any difficulties, they would do their best to help.
When the young men who came to join the army saw it, they felt warm in their hearts and felt that they had come to the right place.
"This is the first time we have seen a soldier who is so kind to others. The year before last, a group of forbidden soldiers passed by our village. I just stood at the intersection and watched the excitement, and was whipped on the head by the soldier..."
"Well, where are you from? What kind of business is our Pingjiang Mansion doing now? King Yan's soldiers are running all over the countryside and villages, but they never bully people. Sometimes they even help us people do some work. What's the challenge? They would help you with things like water, chopping firewood, milling and repairing the house. If you let them eat, or give them some eggs and fruits to thank them, they would never ask for it. At most, they would only drink a few sips of water. It was said that it was decided by King Yan. If anyone dares to break the rules, he will be beaten with a military stick when he returns home..."
"I came from Anji Prefecture. I originally wanted to live with my relatives, but when I got there, even the villages were evacuated. I was worried. When I heard about the recruitment, I wanted to come here to make a living."
"Haha, who told you not to inquire clearly before coming? Aren't you managing Taihu Lake now? Your relative's village probably happened to be on the drawn river boundary, so he moved it, probably to a farm. From now on, it will be You’re going to live a good life.”
"Really?"
"Brother, what they said is true. After King Yan came to our place, everyone's life gradually got better. Last month, my father accidentally broke his leg. The working group stationed in the village sent soldiers to arrest my father. I was sent to the city and was cured by the imperial doctor for free. Now I am almost in good condition. This time I heard that King Yan was recruiting troops, so my father hurriedly kicked me out and stuffed me. I had two nests of cornstarch to eat on the road, saying that I would definitely not be hungry when I arrived at King Yan’s military camp.”.br>
"Your father is really good at calculating things, hahaha."
"No, these white-flour steamed buns stuffed with fatty meat slices taste delicious. The young general who gave us food just now said that they eat it every meal in the camp."
"Ah!? Is this such a good thing? Then I pray to God that I can be recruited into the camp smoothly tomorrow, and I can eat meat every day in the future."
"When I enter the camp, my sister's dowry will be settled, so she won't have to marry that idiot at the head of the village."
"Well...if I receive my salary, I will buy some new clothes for my father and my mother..."
After all, there are some differences between farm children and educated men. What they long for is nothing more than having enough food, clothing, and warmth for their families to live a good life.
