A Visit

In the center of the camp stood over twenty men, including familiar faces like Dong Chuan, Meng Hu, and Xiao Wu. Each stood straight and alert.

These were the men Luo Yu had carefully selected from his troops. Most had fought in both Cockcrow Fort and Black Gorge Fort, displaying courage, skill, and loyalty.

Luo Yu called out loudly:

"Thanks to all of you fighting bravely in Cockcrow Fort and Black Gorge Fort, we've earned significant military merit, and I've been promoted to captain.

I remember how you all used to fear the Qiang soldiers like tigers. Take Xiao Wu for example, he was scared out of his wits the first time he saw Qiang bandits. Now look at him - he's a real tough guy."

In the crowd, Xiao Wu grinned, not embarrassed at all. Instead, he looked proud. In the Black Gorge Fort battle, his three-man team had killed six Qiang soldiers - something unimaginable before. Now he wasn't afraid of Qiang soldiers; he was actually excited to see them.

"You're all my most trusted brothers. Today, I have a task for you."

Luo Yu announced:

"Captain's team, captain's team - how can we call it a captain's team if we don't have a hundred men? Our priority now is to recruit soldiers and strengthen our team. More men means more strength!

Now, I want you all to recruit soldiers. Fellow villagers, scattered comrades - anyone you know. Tell them that when they come to me, no one will withhold their food or salary, no one will beat or curse the soldiers, and no one will treat them as cannon fodder on the front lines.

You have two days. For each soldier you recruit, I'll give you two taels of silver, with a maximum of two recruits per person."

Everyone's eyes lit up. Recruiting dozens or hundreds of men might be impossible, but bringing one or two was doable. Four taels of silver? That's worth half a year's salary!

"Don't get too excited yet."

Luo Yu's words immediately dampened their enthusiasm:

"These two taels of silver aren't easy to get. We don't care about background - we're all from poor families, so no one should mock anyone else.

But cowards and cheats need not apply. You must be honest and straightforward.

After recruiting someone, the two new recruits will form a three-man team with you. Training and cooperation will follow your lead. If they cause trouble, you'll suffer the consequences."

Everyone was sobered. They understood Luo Yu's meaning - if they recruited someone who wasn't up to scratch, they wouldn't just lose their reward; they might even get punished.

"Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Go!"

Luo Yu waved his hand, and everyone scattered. Dong Chuan came over with admiration:

"Boss, this move is brilliant. Making three-man teams share hardships means no one will dare recruit someone who's not up to the task. The recruits will definitely be reliable."

"That's one reason."

Luo Yu smiled:

"The second reason is to train the three-man system. If three people are already old friends, their battlefield coordination will be better. It's more reassuring to entrust your back to a friend."

"Ha ha, brilliant!"

Dong Chuan laughed: "I should go recruit someone too. Four taels of silver is worth earning."

Watching the crowd disperse, Luo Yu smiled. Strength in numbers - he was confident they could gather a hundred men in two days.

"Um, can I recruit soldiers too?"

Just as Luo Yu was about to leave, Shen Li's hesitant voice came from behind.

"You?"

Luo Yu was surprised: "You want to earn money? Women can't fight in battle."

"No no no, I don't want money."

Shen Li waved her hands frantically:

"We've been eating and drinking your food all day. We should help you with something.

I heard there are some young men who escaped from the slave court in the city. Rather than let them be forced to build walls as laborers and starve to death, why not let them join the army?

You need people, right?"

"Hmm…"

Luo Yu hesitated. It didn't sound impossible.

"You think people from the slave court are all cowards? No way."

Shen Li said urgently:

"Please believe me, men from the slave court aren't bad. They're definitely not worse than Qian soldiers!"

"Alright, give it a try!"

After careful consideration, Luo Yu finally nodded:

"If you recruit someone, I'll give you the reward silver as usual, but remember, if they cause trouble or make mistakes, you'll be punished along with them!"

The next morning, the camp welcomed a special visitor.

Li Chengxiao of the Li family.

"General Li, what brings you to my humble camp today?"

Luo Yu politely poured him a cup of tea. Behind Li Chengxiao was a guard carrying a wooden tray covered in red cloth.

"Ha ha, Little Brother Luo has become quite famous in Yunyang Pass. It's only right to come and visit."

Li Chengxiao spoke familiarly:

"Little Brother Luo has talent. You fought well at Cockcrow Fort and Black Gorge Fort. I heard you killed a Qiang captain at Black Gorge Fort - what was his name?"

"Valig."

"Right, Valig!"

Li Chengxiao widened his eyes: "I heard this bandit was fierce, conquering several of our forts. Killing him shows you're no ordinary man."

"General Li flatters me. Just lucky, that's all."

"Too modest, ha ha."

Li Chengxiao looked around the camp:

"General Kong really should give you better quarters. This place is shabby - it's unfair to you."

"General jests. I'm just a soldier - having a place to stay is more than enough."

After some small talk, Luo Yu asked: "I wonder if General has something to discuss."

"Of course."

Li Chengxiao waved his hand, and the guard quickly placed the wooden tray on the table. The red cloth was lifted, revealing ten large silver ingots - a hundred taels.

Luo Yu pretended not to know:

"What does this mean?"

"I don't like beating around the bush."

Li Chengxiao smiled: "Little Brother Luo has proven your military talent in Cockcrow Fort and Black Gorge Fort. General Kong's camp is too small for you. Why not join me, Li Chengxiao?"

"General Li must have your eye on more than just me?"

"Of course. Your dozens of brothers have fought two hard battles - they're all brave men. Come with you, and their salary will be better than what the court offers."

Li Chengxiao laid out his conditions:

"I have two hundred elite soldiers under me. Adding your hundred men makes three hundred. As a colonel at seventeen, you'd be unique in Yunyang Pass.

These hundred taels of silver are my gift. What do you say?"

Above captain was colonel. Li Chengxiao's offer wasn't small.

Looking at the hundred taels of silver, Luo Yu knew this was Li Chengxiao's price. Accepting this silver would make him and his brothers Li family's private soldiers.

The tent fell silent. Under Li Chengxiao's slightly disappointed gaze, Luo Yu finally shook his head:

"Since I've accepted General Kong's command, switching to your side now would look bad. If General Kong punishes me, I won't be able to bear it."

"Boy, don't be ungrateful."

Li Chengxiao didn't speak, but his guard said coldly:

"General Li came to visit you personally - that's giving you face. You fear offending General Kong, but what about offending the Li family?"

"Ah, don't scare Little Brother Luo."

Li Chengxiao waved his hand, smiling insincerely:

"Think carefully. Kong Xian is just an outsider with no roots. In Quezhou territory, the Li family has the final say."

His tone was soft but carried a hidden threat.

"Sorry, I've already said what I needed to say."

Luo Yu bowed slightly: "Please don't make things difficult for me, General."

"Ha ha, bold."

Li Chengxiao's gaze turned cold:

"Let's see what benefits you'll get from following Kong Xian!"

"Let's go!"

"Ungrateful!"

Li Chengxiao stormed out. Luo Yu wasn't worried about offending people - with three generals, following one meant offending the other two, which was expected. But he was curious about something else.

Watching Li Chengxiao's retreating back, Luo Yu's eyes turned cold:

"Why bring up Valig?"