Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

Commander Zhao gave a wink to the squad leader next to him.

The squad leader understood and beckoned several of his companions over. Upon arriving before them, he clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Brothers, you must be tired after traveling such a long distance. Why don't you come with us into the tents to rest for a while and wait?"

He looked at the herd of horses being led by the crowd.

These hundred or so warhorses were gathered together, each one plump and strong, all of them top-quality military horses.

The squad leader originally wanted to call a few grooms over to lead the horses to the rear camp and feed them properly.

But he noticed that the Nirvana Army soldiers, upon catching his gaze, all became wary and gripped the reins tightly.

He then recalled that it was his own general selling his horses that forced many of his soldiers to desert, though there were other reasons as well.

These people in front of us are the defeated soldiers we've found. If we take their horses away now, these newly found men will probably run away again.

"Tie these horses up outside the tent and take care of them yourselves. I will send someone to bring them fodder."

Dang Shousu returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you for your trouble."

"You're welcome." The squad leader waved his hand and led the group through the camp, winding their way to several empty tents.

The place was remote, the tent was old, and there were unrepaired tears in it.

The squad leader said apologetically, "The camp has limited space, and these tents are not very big. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with separate tents for now and rest on your own."

Dang Shousu nodded: "It's alright, they're just small things."

He looked at Liu Er, and their eyes met briefly.

Liu Erwei nodded slightly to reassure him.

The more than sixty people were divided into five or six groups, each led away by a few soldiers.

Dang Shousu led a group of people into the tent, which was empty. Several old felt blankets were laid on the ground, their edges worn and frayed.

"Rest first, don't wander around." The squad leader who was leading the way didn't come in; he left after saying this.

The moment the tent flap fell, Dang Shousu glimpsed through the gap that several soldiers with knives were approaching.

They said they were letting them rest, but they separated everyone and even stationed people there, clearly to prevent them from causing trouble.

Dang Shousu sat down on the felt rug, ate some candy, and closed his eyes to rest. Seeing this, the Nirvana Army soldiers also sat down quietly.

About half an hour later, there was movement outside the tent. The curtain was lifted, and Wu Zimian's confidant poked half his body in: "General Wu summons you."

Dang Shousu opened his eyes and said in a low voice, "Wait for me here, I'll be right back."

"it is good."

After leaving the tent, I followed my confidant through two rows of tents. A central command tent, larger than the others, stood before me, with two guards standing at the entrance, their hands on their swords.

The confidant raised his chin and said, "Go in."

Dang Shousu lifted the curtain and entered.

Wu Zimian sat cross-legged behind the desk, twirling two copper coins in his hand.

A roster lay open on the corner of the table, with two trusted confidants standing behind him.

Dang Shousu cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, General Wu."

Wu Zimian said in a deep voice, "So you were working for Li Chengshan?"

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

"Dang Shousu."

Wu Zimian put the copper coins on the table, reached for the roster, and flipped through it page by page, but the speed at which he flipped through it became slower and slower.

He then asked for the names of the other people, and after receiving their answers, Wu Zimian closed the roster without expression.

"Dang Shousu?"

"Yes."

Wu Zimian asked thoughtfully, "How long have you been following Li Chengshan?"

Dang Shousu paused for a moment and said, "Not long after, I had been working elsewhere before, and that's when I met Commander Li."

Wu Zimian squinted.

The number matches, and the banner is also correct.

However, none of the names of these sixty-odd people could be found on the roster in his hand.

Wu Zimian looked up and asked, "Do you have a grudge against the Jurchens?"

Wu Zimian began to let his mind wander.

These people before me must have had their homes slaughtered by the Jurchens, which is why they have been relentlessly pursuing them.

While it may not all be true, at least one thing is certain.

These people wanted to kill the Jurchens, and since they had come, they must also be eager for fame and fortune, which they could then exploit.

This is enough.

Whether they were actually soldiers under Li Chengshan's command was not that important.

Deserters were everywhere in the army, and each battalion was severely understaffed. Local militia were recruited along the way to fill the ranks, and the chaotic military registration was nothing new.

As long as there's a plausible title, how much effort does it take to create a new booklet?

He sold his warhorse, did everything he could, and even infuriated the governor. He didn't care about the money, as long as these people were worth it!

The real troublemaker is Li Chengshan!

Wu Zimian pondered for a moment, weighing the options in his mind, and asked, "Will Li Chengshan come back?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Dang Shousu replied, "Absolutely not!"

Wu Zimian smiled: "That makes things easier. After all, you are deserters. I'll give you a chance to redeem yourselves through meritorious service."

Wu Zimian waved to his confidants.

The confidant brought out a map and spread it on the table.

Wu Zimian pointed to one of the spots: "The scouts just sent back news that a group of Jurchens has been spotted nearby."

"Take some men and go investigate. Once you've gathered the information, come back and report to me. You'll all get the credit."

Looking at the map, Dang Shousu asked, "Just scouting?"

"nature."

Wu Zimian said slowly, "If you really have the ability to kill those Jurchens and escape unscathed, that is your ability. After you return, there will naturally be other tasks for you."

He said meaningfully, "The army is short of manpower. Once you have merit, many things will be easier to handle."

Dang Shousu cupped his hands and said, "Since the General has given the order, we will do our best."

Wu Zimian nodded: "Go ahead."

"Yes." Dang Shousu left.

The curtains fell.

Wu Zimian leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "I heard they brought back quite a few warhorses?"

The confidant cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to your Excellency, there are over a hundred horses, each one plump and strong, clearly rare and top-quality warhorses."

A strange light flashed in Wu Zimian's eyes.

More than a hundred horses?

And they were all top-quality warhorses?

He asked, "Where have they all been taken now?"

"It's still in their hands. Those people are keeping a close watch on it, so we have no choice but to let them take care of it themselves."

The trusted aide cautiously said, "Sir, perhaps we shouldn't move these horses."

"These men are just defeated soldiers we recently found; if we take their horses now, they'll probably run away again!"

Wu Zimian remained silent.

The last time deserters caused such a huge uproar, it was because he completely lost the support of the people by selling his horse.

If we had to do it again, not only would these sixty-odd people be gone, but many of my own men would probably have to leave as well.

"Don't move for now."

The confidant breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes."

Wu Zimian was fiddling with a copper coin.

Not moving doesn't mean not wanting to.

It would be best if we could find a way to turn these hundred-odd fine warhorses into official horses for the camp.

If we fill the gap created by selling warhorses, then it's as if we didn't sell any horses at all!

Once these horses are in his camp, there's no reason for them to be easily released.

As for how exactly they managed to stay...

There are plenty of ways!