I wield power with my innate talents, and forge the Heavenly Court.

Chapter 123 Returning to the Military Camp, Plotting

After the Ming soldiers served themselves their food, they immediately took their trays, quickly found a table, sat down, and began to wolf down their food.

"Mmm, this is so delicious! I haven't had meat in so long!"
It smells so good!

"Even when General Yang was alive, we didn't eat much meat."

"Hey, sir, was this specially made to welcome us?"

"Hey~, don't call me 'soldier' ​​anymore."

My name is Su Da, you can just call me Su Da.

"Hehe, how can that be?"
We'll call you Brother Su.

Although they all looked older than Su Da, here, no one dared to offend them, whether they were ordinary soldiers or cooks.

"As you wish"

Su Da didn't dwell on the issue of address and spoke very casually.

"Brother Su, was this prepared especially for us?"

"You're overthinking it. This is the food the militia provides; it's not worth making special preparations for you."

Su Da glanced at everyone, rolled his eyes, and said.

"Hehe, that's it, that's it."

Although Su Da's words were unpleasant, no one seemed to feel any dissatisfaction.

However, upon hearing Su Da say that this was normal food for the People's Salvation Army, everyone paused their wolfing down of food and looked at Su Da with some disbelief.

"Do the soldiers of the militia get to eat like this every day???"

"This is just too wonderful!"

"Hehe, it's not like we can eat that every day."

"Oh, I knew it!"

The crowd nodded in relief.

They said, "How could we possibly eat such a lavish meal every day?"

However, just as this thought crossed everyone's minds, Su Da spoke up again.

"It's three meals a day."

"One day, three meals"

He spoke almost word by word, and everyone's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Yes, that's three meals a day."

"I can eat this kind of food three times a day."

"Well, although the food is different, it's about the same."

The group exchanged glances, their eyes revealing disbelief.

Even when General Yang was alive, they didn't get to eat like this, let alone three meals a day.

This must be such a wonderful thing to be a soldier in the People's Liberation Army!

"Um, Brother Su, can we join the People's Salvation Army too?"

Of course!

However, you will need to undergo a physical examination to see if you pass before you can enter the recruit camp for training. Only after passing the training can you truly join the regular army of the People's Salvation Army.

"Oh, so is the food like this for the new recruits of the militia?"

They didn't care which army they joined; all they cared about was the food.

"Hehe, of course, military training requires ensuring sufficient food."
Moreover, even new recruits receive a monthly military pay of 500 cash, which is paid on time and in full by the Logistics Management Department.
Regular soldiers received one tael of silver per month, while combat veterans received two taels.

If one can become an elite
"Hehe, that's five taels of silver a month."

This, this, this.
Listening to Su Da's somewhat arrogant introduction, the group of Ming soldiers were dumbfounded.

They had never heard of military pay being so high anywhere.

After realizing what had happened, people immediately started asking questions.

"We'd like to join the People's Salvation Army too. Where do we register?"

The rest of the group looked at Su Da with anticipation, and even the food lost its appeal.

Su Da glanced at everyone and said casually.

“Our militia is different from ordinary armies; our new recruits all undergo unified training.”

Therefore, if you want to join the People's Salvation Army, you can only join when this war ends and new recruits are recruited.”

"Oh, that's how it is"

Unsurprisingly, everyone was somewhat disappointed.

"but."

But at that moment, Su Da suddenly changed his tone and smiled at everyone, saying:

"Because you were originally soldiers."

So, if you want to join, it should be easier; you just need to pass the selection process to go directly into the recruit camp.”

"We'd love to join! We'd love to join!"

"Heh, then you should all look forward to the war ending soon."

"Can't we do it now?"

"That definitely won't work."

The war isn't over yet, you can't leave here. We don't have any new recruit camps here.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded thoughtfully and exchanged glances.

"Oh!"

Immediately afterwards, everyone buried their heads and began to wolf down their food.

After everyone finished eating, they immediately found Li Hu and said that they were going back now to persuade more people to surrender and save the militia.

Li Hu and the others had no reason to refuse the offer, so they readily agreed and released them back outside the city.

The group quietly returned and went back to the military camp.

Because of the rationing, the Ming army's patrols are now far less frequent than when Yang Jiamo was in charge.

After all, everyone was too hungry to even patrol.

Even when there are patrols, they are just perfunctory.

If it weren't for the surprise attack a few days ago, Wang Dahu and his men wouldn't have been able to find any weaknesses or achieve anything significant.

So if Wang Dahu and his men didn't launch another sneak attack during this period, the Ming army camp might actually have been breached.

Even if we can't defeat them in one fell swoop, the repeated attacks will be enough to seriously injure them.

Because the group of more than ten people were Ming soldiers, they were very familiar with the Ming army's deployment.

Therefore, they returned to the military camp without attracting much attention.

However, those who had watched them leave noticed their return.

"What happened? Why are they back?"

"Strange, could it be that the militia is not accepting their surrender?" "But that shouldn't be the case."

Moreover, if their surrender is not accepted, wouldn't they be shot dead if they went to Xining Garrison City, where the militia was stationed?

"Looks like I need to find out a way."

In fact, no one was asked to inquire about it.

The next day, a rumor began to circulate in the army, though it was unclear when it started.

It details the food and pay of the militia, as well as the preferential treatment given to Ming soldiers who surrendered.
In addition, if they surrender, those who are willing to serve in the army can continue to serve, and may even receive up to five taels of silver per month.

Those who do not wish to serve in the military can become farmers.

Starting that night, more and more people began to desert the military camp.

However, many people will return that night.

Of course, some people stayed in Xining Garrison City.

Therefore, the issue of desertion in the army gradually reached the participating kingdoms.

"Damn it, they actually joined the rebels just because of a few meals."
When General Yang's army returns to reinforce, they will surely be captured and executed.

However, although the kingdom was furious, it showed no intention of launching an attack.

The army's food has improved somewhat; at least they can eat until they are about 80% full at two meals a day.

Normally, everyone would have already settled down.

If you can eat two meals a day and be 80% full, what more could you ask for?
However, after seeing the food provided by the People's Salvation Army and learning about their pay, they became somewhat dissatisfied with the meager two meals a day.

Therefore, desertion has not been curbed much; on the contrary, it is increasing.

One day, inside a tent, several people gathered together and talked quietly.

"If this continues, everyone in this military camp will become part of the militia."
Aren't we leaving yet?

"Hey, if we go over there now, they'll just be ordinary soldiers surrendering; they won't get much out of us."

"Then what do you want?"

"Hehe, what do you think? If we capture that kingdom, we can just lead our army to surrender."

"How can this be?"

"That kingdom has always been protected by its personal guards and retainers. Given our status, it would be difficult for us to get close to it, wouldn't it?"

"Not always."

"Do you have any idea?"

"What if we tell him we've caught the escapees? Will he make an example of them and personally deal with the rebels?"

"This is probably not easy."

"Kill the chicken to scare the monkey; once it's killed, that's enough."

"But what about generals?"

"."

If it is a general, the kingdom will certainly take personal charge.

However, this must be extremely dangerous. What if the kingdom kills him without saying a word? Wouldn't that be a miserable death?
"Heh, wanting to be valued but not wanting to take risks? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Looking at the silent crowd, someone couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Then you be the bait."

"."

Instantly, the man shut his mouth.

After a moment, the man seemed to have made up his mind and spoke again:
"I'll do it."

However, I'll be the one who gets the most credit this time.

"Good! You deserve the credit!"

Seeing that someone was willing to act as bait, everyone immediately nodded in agreement.

The group of people here were basically mid- to low-ranking officers of the Ming army.

However, they were neither the direct descendants of the kingdom nor under Yang Jiamo's command; they were just a group of ordinary border soldiers.

Naturally, they were not valued by the kingdom, and this time, the benefits of cutting back on rations and pay did not reach them at all.

In fact, they were only slightly better than ordinary soldiers, barely able to fill their stomachs.

Naturally, they harbored many grievances against the kingdom and its loyal generals.

Therefore, when they discovered that someone was preparing to defect from the militia, they did not stop them.

On the contrary, they deliberately or unintentionally let the water flow during patrols.

In addition, with the increasing amount of information about the preferential policies for the People's Salvation Army recently, they have begun to have some ideas.

However, they clearly did not want to surrender like ordinary officers and soldiers, as that would not bring them much benefit.

They sought greater wealth and recognition.

Ultimately, they chose to capture the Kingdom of Counselor.

Of course, it was mainly during this period that they discovered this.

Many people in the military camp had returned from the People's Salvation Army to persuade more people to surrender.

The remaining people, apart from the kingdom's elite guards, were mostly dissatisfied with the kingdom.

This is what gave them the idea to take a risk.

They believed that once they captured the kingdom, most of the soldiers would likely join them.

The next day, the king sat upright in the central command tent with a gloomy face, listening to his subordinates' reports.

Yesterday, more than a dozen people deserted.

"General, should we revert to three meals a day?"

One of his generals spoke up.

"Three meals a day? Where would we get so much food and supplies here?"

Wang Guo frowned and said somewhat impatiently.

"."

The general opened his mouth, but ultimately did not say anything.

Once it enters the kingdom's coffers, it can no longer be considered military supplies.

In that case, maintaining the current diet is indeed the limit.

In this respect, the kingdom has done its best, but it is simply that it is lacking in food and supplies.

Thinking of this, Wang Guo couldn't help but curse inwardly. Those ignorant soldiers didn't understand his difficulties at all.

Since they're not attacking, why would they need to eat so much?
What a bunch of bastards.

Thanks for your support, everyone! ().:*

I had to attend a parent-teacher meeting yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to write this down.

The next chapter will probably be released in the morning, so you guys don't need to wait before then. (ó﹏ò)
Sorry! o(╥﹏╥)o
Xinghuo expresses his sincere gratitude! \(ω)/
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(End of this chapter)