Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

That night, Lu Xiao slept soundly. When he woke up, he felt a little hungry, so he went to the kitchen to find something to eat.

As soon as he showed his face, he saw Luo Yang sitting on a platform not far away, gazing at the moon in deep thought.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Xiao walked over and sat down beside him:

"What are you worried about, Brother Luo?"

"Did you see General Long when you returned?"

Instead of answering, Luo Yang asked a question, and after getting the answer from him, he shook his head and said:

"It would be best to go if you have the time."

"Changyang County is too small to meet your needs for expanding your army, and recruiting young men from other counties will require you to ask the prefectural city for permission."

"Otherwise, the county magistrate will definitely not agree, and might even file a complaint against you!"

Hearing this, Lu Xiao was deeply moved and thanked the other party for their kindness.

"Brother Luo, to be honest, I plan to go to the county town to meet General Long tomorrow after I've finished talking with the brothers and arranged the expansion of the army!"

"After all, we're all family."

"Such a major matter as expanding the army not only needs to be known by General Long, but General Long also needs to make a gesture."

For a moment, Luo Yang was shocked, but after understanding the meaning behind his words, he laughed and joked:

"You little rascal, you're really something else, always trying to take advantage of others!"

"Since you have already made up your mind, then I won't say anything more."

"Don't worry, during the days you go to the county town, I will keep a close watch on the outposts for you, just like always."

Thank you.

Lu Xiao clasped his hands in thanks again.

……

Silent all night.

The next morning, Lu Xiao got up early and arrived at the drill ground. He saw that several squad leaders, including Zhou Daxing, Huang Shan, Zhao Xiaoqi, and Gao Hong, had already gathered the soldiers together. They were standing tall and waiting for instructions. Lu Xiao smiled with satisfaction.

He walked to the platform and gestured for everyone to sit on the ground and not to be shy.

Then he said loudly:

"Gentlemen, I have some good news to announce—White Wolf Outpost is preparing to expand its army, and it will be an army that we can fully command!"

"From now on, all of you platoon leaders, squad leaders, and even ordinary soldiers present here, as long as you have the ability, will have the opportunity to have your own subordinates and shine in the army!"

boom--

Immediately, a murmur of discussion arose in the room.

The lower-ranking officers, such as Zhou Daxing, who had prior knowledge of the situation, were relatively calm, but the ordinary soldiers were all dumbfounded, with many even feeling as if they hadn't woken up yet.

After a brief discussion, Zhong Wei stood up and loudly requested:

"Lord Centurion, I have something to say!"

"please."

Zhong Wei greeted them and voiced the concerns of most of the soldiers, while Lu Xiao, just like yesterday, explained to everyone that the food problem had been solved.

But he was still full of worries:

"My lord, I was originally a schoolteacher, meant to educate students in a private school. But do you know why I joined the army?"

"Although the imperial court's exorbitant taxes and levies were suffocating everyone, and families who could afford to eat two meals a day were considered moderately well-off, people still preferred to stay and tend to their own small plot of land!"

"These days, those willing to join the army are either seeking revenge for their relatives and friends, or are desperate and want to earn a living in the military!"

"There are no more people outside willing to join the army."

"After all... even you were forcibly conscripted back then."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers all showed expressions of agreement, and many whispered among themselves about why they had joined the army in the first place.

Zhong Wei's meaning was simple: unless there was no other way out, no one would be willing to take up a knife and fight the Hu people.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded, because he had discussed this matter with Luo Yang the previous night and already had a plan in mind:

"I have considered the matters you have mentioned, which is why I have gathered you all here today."

"You all have relatives and friends, and neighbors in your own families. You must have experienced days of poverty when you didn't have enough to eat or clothes to wear."

"This centurion cannot guarantee that every soldier will survive the battle against the Hu people, but I can guarantee..."

"Anyone who joins my army will have meat at every meal and clothing for everyone!"

His words made the soldiers realize something, and they all showed expectant expressions.

Lu Xiao lived up to expectations and continued:

"Therefore, I have decided not to conscript soldiers myself, but to send you all back to your hometowns and let your experiences in the army show every villager that if you follow me, you will have meat to eat!"

"What do we do after we finish eating?"

"Just go and snatch it from the Hu people!"

boom!

The crowd erupted in cheers once again.

They chattered amongst themselves, thinking that if Lu Xiao could truly keep his promise, joining the army would definitely be a good choice in the current environment.

Lu Xiao then said:

"This day won't be long. Once I've settled my affairs, it will take me five or six days, or at most half a month, to let you return home and reunite with your families and friends to ease your longing!"

"Your task is to bring in new recruits for this centurion!"

"And the more the better!"

After saying this, he dismounted amidst the astonished gazes of the soldiers, instructed the squad leaders to continue training as required, and then rode his warhorse towards the county town.

He wasn't worried about the situation at the outpost, since there had been precedents of people leaving for over a month, and the soldiers hadn't been treated unfairly.

They get excited for a while, but then they can return to normal.

What Lu Xiao lacks most right now is time and manpower!

As long as these two conditions are met, he can fulfill his promise to the soldiers immediately.

……

Changyang County.

When Lu Xiao arrived in the city, Luo Yang was already waiting there.

When the two met, the latter said:

"I have already spoken with the generals in the army overnight, and asked them to do their best to persuade their fellow villagers to join the White Wolf outpost and complete your plan to expand the army."

"The news brought joy to some and sorrow to others."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao nodded:

"It's normal to be worried, after all, they probably don't believe the promises I made to the soldiers."

"yes."

Luo Yang smiled bitterly, because even his garrison camp couldn't guarantee meat at every meal.

After chatting for a while, Lu Xiao said he wanted to take a walk around the garrison.

He was a little confused at first, but after walking around, he noticed that Lu Xiao was showing off his superb marksmanship and archery skills to the soldiers from time to time, and he instantly understood his sworn brother's intention.

Upon returning to the city, Luo Yang smiled and said:

"Are you worried that I, your brother, won't be able to control them?"

"Brother Luo saw right through me after all."

Lu Xiao smiled, and before he could express his thoughts, Luo Yang proudly said:

"Don't worry, they wouldn't be stupid enough to fire me, the newly appointed captain!"

"The soldiers were already greatly disappointed by Captain Yun's misconduct of embezzling military pay and indulging in pleasure. Now, I'm just helping them get what they deserve, and they're already extremely grateful. How could they possibly continue to make things difficult for me?"

"However, why do you need the magistrate's help, Brother Xiao?"

He looked over with great curiosity:

"Our Magistrate Qian is absolutely unwilling to forcibly conscript soldiers anymore."