C75. Conscription.

C75. Conscription.

Yuan Li knew that he had provoked Chu Hechao's anger.

He felt a mix of conflicting emotions.

In the artificial mountain cave, Chu Hechao made it clear, it was the last time he would indulge. Yuan Li understood his hint, knowing that Chu Hechao just wanted to cross a boundary, after which, they could go back to their normal brothers-in-law relationship.

Sure enough, after they left the cave, Chu Hechao treated Yuan Li politely and respectfully. Yuan Li also acted sensibly to avoid any confrontation with Chu Hechao. They cooperated and chose to forget about anything inappropriate, which was the best outcome.

Yuan Li knew that even though he could handle the consequences of what happened between him and Chu Hechao, Chu Hechao couldn't. He couldn't bear the pain of taking his elder brother's wife, nor could he bear the disappointment and blame from his parents.

Being a man of ancient times, how could he endure it?

Therefore, when Chu Hechao said it was just a one-time indulgence, and when he referred to Yuan Li as sister-in-law, it all meant that it was time to stop.

In this aspect, they both understood each other completely.

Yuan Li was aware and had always been rational. But as he watched Chu Hechao leave enveloped in anger, he felt bewildered and uneasy in his heart.

Why was Chu Hechao angry?

Wasn't that what he also thought?

Love...is it really this complicated?

For the first time, he encountered this matter, feeling awkward and lost. Yuan Li tried to analyze it logically, but he found that emotions were too complex and personal for him to decipher.

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Li tried to let go of his pent-up frustration. He ignored the bitterness in his heart, rationalizing and even coldly thinking that if he made Chu Hechao thoroughly disappointed and angry, it would be the desired outcome for both of them.

"Master..."

His subordinates looked at him with concern.

Yuan Li replied, "It's nothing."

He collected the remaining food that Chu Hechao and the others hadn't finished and gave it to the most hardworking prisoners.

These prisoners were grateful for the extra food and did not mind that it had been eaten before.

They bent down, expressing their gratitude, "Thank you, sir, thank you."

"Thank you for the food, sir."

In truth, these prisoners lived well under Yuan Li's care. Compared to the chaos of rebellion, they had a stable place to stay and enough food to eat. For most of the misguided rebels, having these comforts was enough to make them content.

They were thankful to Yuan Li for providing them with such a life, so they worked diligently and earnestly each time, never slacking off.

In the afternoon, the prisoners, having been fed, worked even faster. The planting of potato chunks and cotton seeds was a small task, but by working throughout the day, they managed to finish planting all the crops.

After finishing this task, Yuan Li went to find Chu Hechao.

He didn't go to talk about the previous incident with Chu Hechao, but to discuss official matters about conscription.

Upon hearing this, Chu Hechao raised an eyebrow, "Is that all you wanted me to say?"

Yuan Li kept his eyes down, sitting in next to Chu Hechao's seat. Despite already being of age, in Chu Hechao's eyes, he still appeared as a youthful young man. He was as graceful as green willows and clear lotus flowers, as handsome and agile as a gentleman carved from jade.

Chu Hechao's gaze lingered on the strands of hair drifting around his face and on the fingers holding onto his sleeves, each inch carefully perused, stirring an unnamed flame in his heart.

It was this endearing face that could say words that pierced Chu Hechao's heart with every soft and beautiful utterance.

The last remnants of anger within Chu Hechao quietly ignited. He approached Yuan Li, his heart momentarily entranced by the fondness for the man before him.

The tall figure drew closer, and the more Chu Hechao looked at Yuan Li, the hotter the fire burned within him. His eyes were like icy sharp blades, but deep inside, there was a burning inferno, as well as a cage trapping a bewildered beast.

Yuan Li may have sensed Chu Hechao's cold yet fiery gaze because his eyelashes quivered and he subtly pursed his lips, looking a bit nervous.

Chu Hechao watched his fluttering eyelashes, almost in a trance.

Suddenly, he felt a perplexity arising from the depths of his being.

What am I really suppressing?

Even if Chu Mingfeng had not died, what does it matter if I took his wife?

Chu Hechao didn't care about his parents' scolding or curses, or what his subordinates and the rest of the world thought of him. Yuan Li disregarded all the emotional restraint he had exerted to avoid touching him when speaking about arranging his marriage.

Why should he care about hurting the feelings of the man he deeply loved?

His rationality was on the brink of collapse. Chu Hechao's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice hoarse, "Why, cat got your tongue?"

Slowly raising his eyelids, Yuan Li looked at him.

Upon meeting Chu Hechao's gaze, the fire within him suddenly extinguished.

Like being hit with a bucket of cold water, he was confronted with the image of Chao Mingfeng, looking withered and worn before his death.

Chu Hechao fell into silence.

After a moment, he wiped his face wearily, fatigue evident in his eyes. He no longer glanced at Yuan Li, instead walking back to his seat and sitting down. "Let's continue discussing the conscription matters."

When it came to official business, personal feelings should not be allowed to interfere.

Troops from Youzhou needed to be conscripted. Chu Hechao's one hundreds and thirty thousand soldiers were essential for border defense, and there was still a need for recruitment and training within Youzhou.

This time, at least a minimum of ten thousand troops needed to be recruited. Considering the soldiers from both the front and back lines, along with the captured civilians, there would be approximately two hundreds and seventy to two hundreds and eighty thousand mouths to feed.

The pressure was immense, but the soldiers needed to be conscripted. Despite the seemingly high numbers, the actual troops available for immediate combat wouldn't exceed fifteen thousand.

"The Prince of Chen in Jiangdong claims to have five hundreds thousand soldiers, but in reality, there are only around three hundreds and fifty thousand," Chu Hechao regained his composure, "The land in Jiangdong is fertile, with abundant food supply, enabling them to support these three hundreds and fifty thousand soldiers. In contrast, Youzhou is desolate and remote, with scarce population. Recruiting ten thousand soldiers this time is already a lot."

Deep in thought, Yuan Li spoke up, "General, do you remember the veteran from Bingzhou who taught me martial arts?"

Chu Hechao thought to himself, who would remember such trivial matters, but he still responded, "Yes."

"The soldiers from Bingzhou amount to two hundred thousand, and this number shouldn't fluctuate much, but the majority are militia members," Yuan Li sighed, "Out of the few who survived alongside not even a single one remains."

Militia members are farmers who are recruited into the army without professional training. They serve mostly as numbers, used to bolster frontline forces and intimidate enemies.

However, during actual combat, these militia members are the first to die, their bodies used to slow down the enemy's advance.

Chu Hechao asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"All the troops conscripted this time will be under my supervision and training," Yuan Li spoke directly, his tone unwavering, "I don't want to conscript soldiers who will needlessly die in battle. I will personally train them to become an elite force."

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Chu Hechao responded with interest, "I admit your personal guards are well-trained, but handling ten thousand soldiers is far different from the eight hundred guards you initially trained. Are you sure you can manage?"

Yuan Li smiled, he wouldn't boast about other matters, but when it came to the scientific and professional training of soldiers, he was well-versed. "General, have you ever seen me make a promise about something I wasn't sure of?"

"No," Chu Hechao murmured softly, "You have always been cautious."

He could sense Yuan Li's inner resolve.

Thinking about the fearless and decisive actions of Yuan Li's personal guards, Chu Hechao felt a sense of anticipation. Entrusting these soldiers to Yuan Li for training could truly bring about a sharp and effective military force.

As the Governor of Youzhou, conscription fell under Yuan Li's jurisdiction, it was his money that funded the soldiers. Since he had agreed to it, Chu Hechao did not object. However, Yuan Li was still young, and handling a hundred thousand soldiers was no easy task.

Eventually, he said, "I will assign General Guan Huai, a skilled trainer, to assist you."

Pausing for a moment, Chu Hechao continued, "You have full authority, he will only assist you in handling any difficult matters."

Unable to hold back a small smile, Yuan Li thanked the General in advance.

With this, the atmosphere eased considerably. Chu Hechao looked at him and cleared his throat.

The conscription standards for the Youzhou soldiers differed from those of the personal guards. Despite this, Yuan Li's requirements were equally strict, particularly with regards to height and physical stature.

For age requirements, he demanded that only men between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five could join the army.

Apart from this, the recruitment process was just as stringent as when Yuan Li enlisted his personal guards, especially in terms of accepting individuals with tainted backgrounds.

Youzhou being a place where criminals were exiled, Yuan Li refused to allow criminals to be enlisted in the army. Including criminals in the army would not only affect the soldiers' morale and cohesion but also their honor.

To ensure the quality of the army's development, the most effective method was to instill a sense of pride and honor within the troops. Every member of the army should feel proud of their identity as a soldier.

Only then would the unit have a soul, with soldiers willingly upholding military regulations and discipline. Such spontaneous actions set them apart from other armies.

When the goal of an army is not to fill its stomach but to have other beliefs to support it, this army will be an indestructible victory division.

Upon the announcement of the conscription by Yuan Li, many people rushed to Ji County to enlist.

Yuan Li was already a famous figure, renowned in Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Yizhou. His teacher, the great scholar Ouyang Ting, and his mentor, the master Cui Xuan, had already garnered much admiration for him.

Not to mention Yuan Li's feat of assisting Chu Hechao in killing the Xiongnu chieftain Huyan Wuzhu!

Just this achievement alone attracted many righteous individuals in Youzhou to join Yuan Li without hesitation.

Additionally, Yuan Li had also dispatched troops to eliminate bandits in Youzhou. This compassionate Governor, beloved by the people, naturally gained the admiration and support of the local residents.

Within a few days, Ji County was filled with people from all walks of life.

While many came to enlist, Yuan Li's strict requirements made some hesitant to step forward.

In the end, only a few selected individuals were enlisted.

Upon learning of this, Yuan Li pondered for a while and came up with a solution.

The next day, Yuan Li personally supervised the conscription process. As the chosen individuals gathered, he publicly issued them with military uniforms, weapons, and rewarded them with money and provisions.

This reward was not a military stipend but a gift they could take home. Yuan Li made it clear that this was his way of thanking the soldiers' parents for raising talented individuals who could protect their families and their country.

Though the amount provided was not substantial, it was all complimentary from the government. People in that era had never experienced such generosity, causing a stir among the onlookers when they heard the Governor's heartfelt words.

The soldiers who received their gifts in public were inexplicably moved, caught between embarrassment and pride. Their faces flushed, and under the admiring and envious gazes of those around them, they felt a surge of pride.

Even the impoverished parents whose sons were enlisted as soldiers felt a change in their previously sorrowful expressions, proudly telling everyone, "The Governor personally chose my son as a soldier..."

Following the distribution of money and provisions by Yuan Li, more righteous individuals flocked to join him, and even those who had hesitated before were now determined. The pace of recruitment increased rapidly, as if covering a thousand miles in a single day.