Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 112 Military Spirit (Please read 4k words)

After offering his regards to the soldiers at the drill ground, Zhang Xian also joined in the exercises.

He can't stop using his leadership and combat skills. Now he's reaping the benefits of his personal strength and is invincible wherever he goes.

With the added boost of combat ability and the weight-bearing bonus, he could overwhelm a group of generals who were nearing the limits of their personal reference attributes with only nine points of strength.

It can be said that his attributes are all complementary, and their combined effect is far greater than the sum of its parts.

So as long as he continues to improve and pushes his personal attributes to the maximum value of 14 points, he might not be invincible in the heavens, but he can certainly be invincible in the world.

Seeing that their lord was almost shirtless and training hard, all the soldiers, including Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun, also became more diligent.

The greatest fortune for a soldier is to share joys and sorrows with his commander.

The evening drills continued until sunset, and the sound of horses' hooves outside the drill ground grew louder.

After a hearty meal at the school canteen, Zhang Xian was overjoyed.

Hansheng is back!
He went out to greet them and saw that, as expected, more than four hundred riders entered one after another from several gates in different directions of the training ground.

They were quite cautious, entering the city through different gates instead of the same one, and then splitting into several groups that entered through different gates, before entering the drill ground through different gates.

"Hansheng!"

Zhang Xian strode away.

On horseback, Huang Zhong smiled as he saw Zhang Xian dressed in short clothes, and gestured with his chin to someone beside him: "Our lord is at the training ground, and Zhicai is about to run away."

After saying this, he jumped off his horse and went to meet his own Zhang Xian.

"Lord!"

Mr. Huang stopped about a meter and a half in front of Zhang Xian and clasped his hands in a salute.

Zhang Xian laughed heartily and stepped forward to put his arm around Hansheng's arm: "Well done, Hansheng! I've heard about that in Lüchi!"

"Haha, thanks to Zhicai's advice, we were able to complete the task smoothly."

Who?
Wait, who are you talking about?

Zhang Xian was stunned for a moment.

Wait, when did another person join the family? Why didn't anyone tell him?

志才
Hmm, that name sounds familiar.

His heart was churning, but his face still showed an expression of concern for Huang Zhong and the others.

"Hansheng, you've had a long and tiring journey. Hurry up and head to the restaurant for a good meal!"

Having said that, he grabbed Huang Zhong's forearm and pulled him toward the mess hall, calling out to the others, "Generals! Eat first!"

"Oh!"

The Peach Blossom Spring soldiers responded with shouts.

Xi Zhong narrowed his eyes and curled his lips, then followed the group of Peach Blossom Soldier.

When Huang Zhong and the others returned, it was just as the county soldiers had finished their meal, and there were only some leftovers in the food bowls.

But it didn't matter; Zhang Xian had already rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the stove.

"Cook, come and help out!"

Zhang Xian naturally equipped the county with 1,300 soldiers, including soldiers from various branches of the military.

It had everything: cooks, flag bearers, and sentries.

Hearing the shouts, more than thirty cooks rushed over.

Seeing Zhang Xian roll up his sleeves and prepare to cook, the soldiers of Taoyuan were not too surprised. Back in Taoyuan, their lord often personally cooked for them.

Xi Zhong laughed even more heartily. He was a maverick scholar who scoffed at many of the Confucian rules and etiquette. Otherwise, he wouldn't have only two or three friends in Yingchuan.

Watching Zhang Xian cook, he felt more that this man had such a talent for winning people over, he really used every means at his disposal.

He's a character!

The iron wok was heated up, and steam billowed from it. The cooks nearby chopped vegetables and cooked rice, while Zhang Xian picked up an iron spatula and started stir-frying the vegetables.

A simple yet delicious dish, this farmhouse-style meal combines chili peppers, pork, poultry, and eggs in a perfect way.

This is probably the dish that the soldiers of Taoyuan eat the most. It has meat, eggs, and chili peppers to supplement vitamins, making it a well-rounded nutritional dish.

If I had to point out anything wrong with it, it would be that people who are eating this dish for the first time might find it a bit too much.

辣。

The Peach Blossom Village soldiers chatted in twos and threes, glancing occasionally toward the stove where the iron spatula was churning. Even when cooking, their lord was surprisingly skilled.

If someone watching from a distance saw the shovel flying around, they would definitely think he was practicing martial arts!

The enticing aroma gradually filled the entire canteen, and countless Peach Blossom Villagers couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

My lord's cooking is so delicious! This is the first time I've eaten his cooking since I came to Luqi.

Xi Zhong moved closer to Huang Zhong and quietly asked, "Is Lord Zhang skilled in cooking?"

He originally thought Zhang Xian was just putting on an act, but he never expected that his cooking skills would be so good just by looking at his technique.

Huang Zhong chuckled and shook his head, saying, "I'm not good at cooking."

"But everything is good!"

"This lord of mine is a genius when it comes to learning skills. He can master any skill in four or five days at the latest, or in a few quarters of an hour at the fastest."

"Moreover, after a period of separation, the lord's learning has surpassed that of the person who taught him."

"People generally say that he is a chosen one of heaven, but if you ask which chosen one of heaven can compare to my lord, there is no one like him!"

Huang Zhong said with certainty!
Xi Zhong smacked his lips.

There are people like this? I'd better see them for myself!
He spent thirty or forty minutes cooking four large pots of stir-fried dishes, gaining a lot of culinary experience. Now he rarely cooks himself, so his cooking skills have improved somewhat slowly.

The vegetables were stir-fried, and the steamed buns and rice over there had been cooked for quite a while.

The cooks helped distribute the stir-fried food and steamed buns into bowls and serve them on the tables, ten people per table, making more than forty tables in the large canteen.

Zhang Xian took off his apron, washed his hands in the water vat next to the stove, picked up a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and walked towards Huang Zhong's table.

Upon seeing a strange young man sitting next to Huang Zhong, he paused slightly, but quickly continued walking over.

"Are you the Zhicai that Hansheng mentioned?"

He pulled out a stool and sat down, casually asking a question.

Xi Zhong put down his chopsticks, turned around, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Xi Zhong Xi Zhicai of Yingchuan greets Lord Zhang."

Xi Zhicai!
Zhang Xian was overjoyed. This was a well-known figure in the early days of Cao Wei. If he hadn't died so young, his status might have been much higher later on.

However, even if you are overjoyed, you must remain calm on the surface and not give people the impression of being too frivolous or overly reverent.

He nodded: "Hansheng said that you helped him achieve everything this time. What is your plan?"

He took a bowl, added some rice and some non-spicy vegetables, and placed it in front of Xi Zhong.

"Talking while eating."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang."

Slightly moved, Xi Zhong accepted the bowl and chopsticks and began to talk about the plan.

“That’s how it is,” Xi Zhong swallowed the rice in his mouth. The salty and fragrant rice was very delicious. He could hardly believe that this was done by a county magistrate. “The main purpose of this plan is not to attack the Wang family’s assets, but to take advantage of the Taiyuan banditry to benefit Lord Zhang. The benefits that can be gained are prestige. With a general like Brother Hansheng, no one in the entire Bingzhou can defeat that group of barbarian cavalry.”

"If the county magistrate were to intervene and win the battle, then..."

Xi Zhong didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was already clear to everyone.

He smiled and continued, "Secondly, the powerful families care about their own interests. With the barbarian cavalry causing trouble, their interests will naturally be harmed. So if we were to say who in Taiyuan wants to get rid of that group of barbarian cavalry more than the prefect, it would only be the powerful families of Taiyuan. If Lord Zhang were to request help in the name of eliminating the bandits, I think the powerful families of Taiyuan would gladly agree."

He talked about many things, and Zhang Xian listened attentively, nodding frequently.

He was originally planning how to take advantage of the turmoil caused by the Wang family in Taiyuan to gain more time for development, but now someone has already planned it out for him.

Not only can it balance the conflict between itself and the Wang family, but it can even gain benefits from it.

Strategist, strategist, indeed, professional matters should be left to professionals.

After listening to everything, Zhang Xian bowed and said, "I admire your abilities, Zhi Cai. I wonder if you have any interest in entering officialdom? I am willing to recruit you!"

Upon hearing this, Xi Zhong knew that the serious matter had arrived. He put down his chopsticks, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Your wish has been fulfilled. Xi Zhong, Xi Zhicai, greets my lord!"

"Hahaha, excellent! With such talent and ambition, why should I worry that this place won't prosper!"

Zhang Xian laughed and stood up to help Xi Zhong up.

He pulled him back to his seat, saying regretfully, "My position is still too low, and I may not be able to satisfy Zhicai. So I can only ask Zhicai to serve as a registrar for now. But! Even as a registrar, I would like to ask Zhicai to be my strategist and offer me many suggestions!"

"I will serve my lord with my life as he has entrusted me with this task!"

Xi Zhong smiled and said that he didn't care much about official position. Before coming to Luqi, he had already considered the constraints of a county. What he cared about was Zhang Xian's ambition. Now, after experiencing many things, he had also learned a lot. Zhang Xian was indeed a wise ruler!

A lively chatter broke out at the table.

Many of the soldiers from Peach Blossom Village had witnessed Xi Zhong's prowess, and now that he was one of their own, they were naturally overjoyed.

If it weren't for the strict discipline of Zhang Xian's troops, they would probably have to drink several liters of alcohol by now.

After the meal, Zhang Xian told the soldiers of Taoyuan and Huang Zhong to go and rest.

He left Xi Zhong behind alone.

Seeing that no one was around, Xi Zhong looked at Zhang Xian with confusion: "Does my lord have a secret to tell me?"

Zhang Xian shook his head: "No."

"Zhicai was left behind because there are some things that are not easy to say to others."

"Give me your hand."

He extended his right hand and looked at Xi Zhong.

The latter was taken aback, but also extended his hand.

Zhang Xian took his pulse and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them: "The pulse is wiry and slippery, indicating qi stagnation and dampness obstruction."

"Open your mouth and stick out your tongue."

"ah,"

Xi Zhong understood and obediently stuck out his tongue.

"The tongue coating is white and greasy." Zhang Xian felt slightly relieved and asked again.

Do you often experience bloating?

Occasionally.

Are your lower limbs strong?

"I feel tired occasionally."

"You like to drink?"

"Drink it regularly."

The two engaged in a question-and-answer session for a long time before Zhang Xian reached a conclusion.

Early stage of cirrhosis.

Fortunately.

When he first met Xi Zhong, he noticed that Xi Zhong looked strange. Recalling Xi Zhong's life in history, he decided to keep him behind for a thorough examination.

Can one abstain from alcohol?

Xi Zhong looked troubled: "Is it possible to not abstain?"

He loves wine, and he especially loves the feeling of oneness with nature that comes with being in a trance.

Making him quit drinking is truly like tearing a piece of his heart out.

"Then we must be prepared for the thirty-four or thirty-five-year-old soul to return to Mount Tai."

“If you have a wife and children, then your wife and children will take my reward and call other men husbands and fathers.”

Zhang Xian spoke frankly, though saying thirty-four or thirty-five was an exaggeration. If Xi Zhong took good care of his health in the future, he could live to be over forty even if he drank alcohol.

Of course, this is on the premise of not working hard and not using your brain too much.

But is that possible?
impossible.

"This"

"Does my lord have any other solution?"

Zhang Xian shook his head: "There is no way to treat this. It is a liver ailment. If you don't abstain from alcohol, the pain will worsen and it will be difficult to cure."

"Furthermore, your blood count isn't good either; you probably occasionally experience headaches, chest tightness, and shortness of breath."

Xi Zhong remained silent, head bowed.

Zhang Xian sighed and patted him on the shoulder.

"With your talent, it's not difficult to make a name for yourself in history. What's difficult is to live and do something that will make you a name for yourself in history before you do so."

"A certain organization will personally prepare a prescription to relieve your pain, but how to use it is up to you to decide."

When it comes to persuading someone to give up a hobby, outsiders can only serve as a warning. If you don't have that idea yourself, then no matter how much outsiders say, it's all in vain.

Therefore, Zhang Xian did not offer any advice, but only explained the consequences.

Otherwise, even if he forcefully made Xi Zhong quit drinking, he couldn't guarantee that Xi Zhong wouldn't secretly drink when he wasn't looking.

"Zhong understands."

Xi Zhicai sighed.

"Our lord's reputation as a physician is renowned far and wide, and we will always believe in his words."

Zhang Xian, who started his career as a doctor, probably didn't even know his reputation in the medical field.

But for someone suffering from chronic illnesses, his reputation was legendary.

"Hmm." Zhang Xian stood up: "Zhicai, you can rest in the army for the night. Tomorrow I will have someone arrange accommodation for you, and then you can move out of the army."

Xi Zhong also stood up: "I have no need for lodging, just a place to stay. Is it time for the lord to begin evening exercises?"

He had heard about the soldiers of Luqi County practicing their evening exercises from Huwa, and he was quite interested in it now.

Zhang Xian nodded and smiled, "It is indeed time for evening exercises. Is Zhicai also interested?"

“Of course I have it, and I would like to hear what my lord has to say.”

"Haha, alright, if you don't mind the trouble, then you can listen in."

Soon, it was eight o'clock in the evening.

The county soldiers gathered familiarly and then sat in a row.

There were two teams of about a hundred people in each square formation.

Zhang Xian also took the textbooks from the school's study room and then began teaching.

With more people, it becomes difficult for him to teach alone. He has to explain the same lesson thirteen times to ensure that all thirteen groups of one hundred people can learn it.

Fortunately, it only needs to be told nine times today, because the Peach Blossom Spring has gone to rest.

They moved back and forth in the various formations, each soldier carrying paper and pen. The paper was Taoyuan grey-white paper, and the pen was a charcoal pencil.

Although the soldiers' handwriting was crooked, they had indeed mastered writing.

Some soldiers would ask questions when they encountered problems. Zhang Xian walked in and found that there were a few characters they couldn't write, so he taught them by hand.

Holding the recruit's hand, he corrected the character: "The right side of the character '杀' (kill) is '殳' (shu). In ancient times, a shu staff could penetrate armor, so to kill the enemy, you must find their weak point."

After instructing several soldiers who were less literate, Zhang Xian continued in a clear voice: "Characters are like troops in formation; horizontal and vertical strokes represent battle formations."

Xi Zhong also sat in the square formation, and next to him, an older soldier was also writing, the thick paper almost forming a book.

Curious, he asked, "May I take a look at what you've written, sir?"

"Haha, take it and see!"

The old soldier generously gave all the paper below the paper he was writing on to Xi Zhong.

Xi Zhong flipped through the pages, only to find them filled with trivial matters.

"On the 18th of November, I received three bushels of millet. My mother recovered from her illness. I thank my lord for the medicine."

"Today we learn the character 'righteousness.' What is righteousness? Our lord said, 'Righteousness is to fight alongside one's comrades, to share one's hatred with one's comrades, and to kill the enemy for the people!'"

"Today I'm learning 'loyalty'. What is loyalty? My lord's words."

Xi Zhong flipped through the pages one by one, every word and phrase straightforward and easy to understand.

Moreover, what his lord taught him were all military strategies and tactics.

The explanations of the words often refer to the camaraderie among soldiers and the experiences of ordinary people.

These were very helpful to the soldiers who came from poor families, and they enjoyed listening to them.

He glanced at Zhang Xian, who was still moving between the formations, and understood why the morale of the soldiers from Luqi County was much higher than that of the other soldiers.

It turns out that someone was instilling a military spirit in them!

(End of this chapter)