Chapter 33: The New Recruits-A Donzela da Flor de Pêssego Vai Cancelar o Noivado, Forçada a se Tornar Imperatriz Ela Chora(Quantas primaveras e outonos há na vida humana?)

Zhongli Wanxue’s beautiful eyes brightened. "Father, what do you mean?"

Zhongli Xiu cast a wry smile at his beloved daughter before turning to his son. "Qingfeng, what is your take on this?"

Zhongli Qingfeng pondered for a moment and replied, "He is indeed a rare talent. I believe that after the first round of selection concludes, we should send people to verify if the majority of those selected are locals. If my suspicions are correct, it implies that as long as he remains, Pei County will be secure."

Zhongli Xiu nodded slightly, his own eyes gleaming.

It was true that Liang Xiao was destined to be at odds with the Sima family. However, would the Zhongli family necessarily win the Sima family's favor simply by opposing him? Was it not possible for Liang Xiao to ascend rapidly and reach the height of his powers? Even if Liang Xiao were to fail, the Zhongli family was not without a retreat.

He thought of his wife. Had she not defied her own family's objections to marry him? Even when his official career faltered, she had never abandoned him.

After a long silence, Zhongli Xiu said, "If the day comes when the Zhongli family falls alongside him, my lady, take the children to your maiden home."

Madame Qin was startled, then nodded. "Very well."

Zhongli Wanxue nearly wept with joy.

"Xue'er, don't celebrate just yet," Zhongli Xiu said with a touch of melancholy. "Perhaps he is not as gifted in literature and strategy as you claim. Let us first verify your brother's hypothesis."

"He certainly is!" Zhongli Wanxue insisted, her gaze unwavering.

Zhongli Xiu did not respond, though he shared the same anticipation.

By dusk, Liang Xiao had finally selected the three thousand men. The chosen recruits were jubilant, yet as they gazed at the majestic, imposing figure on the platform, they dared not even breathe loudly. They had witnessed him personally observing each candidate, even asking questions, to finalize the selection. Most of those chosen were honest, sturdy folk with families to support. This proved that the County Magistrate was conducting a serious recruitment, not the casual farce of the likes of Yuan Bailong.

Surveying the bustling crowd below, Liang Xiao was satisfied and finally addressed them.

"You have only been selected provisionally. If more suitable candidates appear, or if your own performance proves unsatisfactory, you will be weeded out by the bottom-ranking policy."

"Furthermore, once you are part of the Pei County army, military law is like a mountain! From this day forward, you are strictly forbidden from taking so much as a needle or thread from the common people, nor may you bully the weak. Violations will be met with severe punishment, up to and including execution, with the consequences extending to your families."

"Once the army is finalized, you will receive regular monthly stipends. However, if you are here only for a government salary, I advise you to leave now. I intend to subject the combat units to the most grueling training and the logistics units to the most arduous labor. Those who cannot keep up will be dismissed or even punished."

"When war begins, it is a fight to the death! You must kill the enemy with courage. Those who shrink back will be executed without mercy! Those who violate military orders will be executed without mercy!"

"In the face of battle, any commander who retreats before his troops will be summarily beheaded. If the troops retreat before their commander, the rear ranks shall execute the front!"

Liang Xiao’s stirring, majestic, and bold declaration echoed in the ears of every soldier. It was thunderous, deafening, and profound. They had never heard such rigorous military discipline—not even the former garrison had known such rules.

Liang Xiao overlooked the field and stated, enunciating every word, "I have said what needed to be said. You have one last chance. If you believe you cannot adhere to these terms, you may leave now. No one will be blamed. Do not wait until you are on the battlefield to regret it!"

The crowd below trembled. After a long moment, they knelt in unison.

"We are willing to follow you, my lord, to build our legacy. We obey your every command!"

Liang De, the Commissioner of Military Affairs, Cao Chen, the Right County Lieutenant, and all the garrison officers and officials were moved to awe, their blood boiling. In that moment, they remembered: this man was the descendant of a renowned military lineage, the heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor! The Liang manor, once the seat of the Marquis, had been a house of supreme loyalty, with Liang Xiao’s father and brothers all perishing on the northern frontier. "Loyalty and Valor" was the highest recognition the state could bestow upon a general.

Liang Xiao immediately ordered them to be quartered in the barracks, awaiting the final headcount to begin drills.

Back at the county office, Zhuo Zifang and the Pei County officials were waiting with joy. They had already heard reports from the barracks. According to Liang Xiao’s plan, those who signed up first were the most motivated, so filling the three thousand spots—leaving only five hundred vacancies—was not a problem. Furthermore, the original garrison could also be filtered through the same selection process. Those who failed to qualify could be reassigned to construction or agricultural duties.

"Military colonies, civilian colonies..." Zhuo Zifang murmured to himself, finding the path ahead suddenly clear. This was the vision Liang Xiao had proposed: mobilizing civilians and soldiers to reclaim wasteland and cultivate crops, ensuring food self-sufficiency so they would not be beholden to others. Soldiers in military colonies would split their time between farming and training, serving as reserves for the front line. To this end, Liang Xiao had specifically arranged to purchase grain from the Zhongli family to sustain the military and civilians through the year. This would effectively address the issue of refugees and vagrants, becoming a vital tool for gathering displaced people in the future.

Pei County lay north of the river; it was not short on arable land, but much had been abandoned since the migration of northerners to the south, and Yuan Bailong and his cohorts had refused to support reclamation. This left room for Liang Xiao to make improvements. As for his feat of lifting a cauldron with one hand, it was enough to awe the troops and would prove useful in future training and operations.

When Liang Xiao returned to the office, Zhuo Zifang led the officials in kneeling before him. "My lord is wise. The recruitment was a complete success. Congratulations!"

Liang Xiao hurriedly helped Zhuo Zifang up. "Zifang, there is no need for such formalities in the future."

Zhuo Zifang handed over a document, which Liang Xiao reviewed. It was the summary of the day's work. "You have all done well. Let us work together with one heart from now on."

Wang, the Chief Clerk, and the others accepted with joy, filled with hope. While Liang Xiao had been away, Zhuo Zifang had already hinted to them: even if a more talented person were to replace them in the future, Liang Xiao would provide them with a generous severance—at least a year’s salary! With such an attractive guarantee, they had no worries and naturally devoted themselves to serving the County Magistrate, hoping to follow him for a long time. Even the few officials originally promoted by Yuan Bailong finally felt at ease; Liang Xiao had not made things difficult for them.

Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang returned to the courtyard, where Ning Yan had already prepared a meal. At Liang Xiao’s insistence, Ning Yan sat down with them, joining the two for the meal with cautious reserve.

"Establishing a reliable army is the top priority. But the peace of Pei County cannot rely solely on soldiers and constables; it requires laws that take root in the hearts of the people. I have learned from Chief Clerk Wang that there are still many bullies and thugs in the county—remnants of Yuan Bailong’s faction—who frequently oppress the people. We should clarify the laws and regulations to deter these scoundrels," Zhuo Zifang advised.

"I already have a strategy in mind. You understand," Liang Xiao nodded.

Zhuo Zifang nodded in understanding, saying no more.

As night fell, the Zhongli family waited anxiously for news, unable to eat or sleep. For them, this was a choice involving their very survival. Moments later, their guard finally returned to report on Liang Xiao’s recruitment.