Selecting Men and Horses

Selecting Men and Horses

Unfortunately, after some intense bargaining, Luo Ning still failed to get many guards.

However, Rulans relented and had Wiggins arrange thirty guards for Luo Ning, while also providing him with additional resources:

1000 jin of barley, 1000 jin of wheat, 500 jin of flour, 300 jin of dried meat, 300 jin of vegetables, 50 jin of coarse salt, 20 jin of fine salt, five carriages, one Excellent Quality warhorse, and 100 gold coins.

Although the number of guards was unsatisfactory, the supplies that followed kept Luo Ning from saying anything further.

Honestly, he had not expected Wushan Castle to give him so many additional resources.

Aside from the food, there were also four carriages and a fine steed!

After expressing his most sincere gratitude to Rulans and Wiggins, Luo Ning happily left the room and followed Holwart to select guards.

"Father, why did you give Luo Ning so many resources?"

After Luo Ning left, Wiggins finally could not hold it in any longer. "Just yesterday, we lost a huge amount of resources and even territory because of him. Why are you still protecting him?"

Rulans smiled. "As his father, haven't you noticed that Luo Ning has grown?"

Wiggins froze for a moment, then thought carefully. Though reluctant to admit it, he still nodded. "He has indeed changed a little. At the very least, he hasn't gone to some manor to attend banquets these past two days."

"Actually, he already knew that the guards' betrayal had nothing to do with you. The reason he blamed you was probably just to get some benefits."

Wiggins was stunned, then seemed to understand as well. He could not help widening his eyes. "That bastard!"

But Rulans chuckled. "Selena's matter had a great impact on the boy this time. It made him grow up a lot, so I am willing to give him some resources and see whether he can accomplish anything."

He sighed. "Our Wushan Family has only been around for three generations. There are too few of us by blood, and now you can't do it either. We can only place our hopes on the two remaining men!"

"Although Luo Ning changed his surname, his bloodline remains. If he develops well, it will not be a bad thing for the Wushan Family."

Wiggins was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His face flushed red, and he could not say a word.

But it was the truth. At fifty-two, he should still have been capable of producing children, but his excesses in his youth had drained away his potential.

Ever since Brayden was born, no matter how hard he and Diane tried, nothing worked.

Privately, Wiggins had tried with other women as well. Without exception, it had been useless.

"Fine, then we'll do as Father says. I hope Luo Ning won't disappoint you!"

Wiggins stood, gave a bow, and quickly left the room.

Rulans glanced at the old steward. "When Holwart gathers all the guards, have someone drag over the five traitors Luo Ning brought back and kill them. Let those guards understand that betrayal of the Wushan Family leads only to death!"

"As you wish!" Most respectfully withdrew.

On the western side of Wushan Castle was a huge square where the knights and guards usually trained.

At this moment, beneath the lingering glow of the setting sun, every guard in the castle had gathered there at Holwart's summons.

Besides them, several cavalrymen were watching from the outer edge.

Luo Ning looked over. Every one of those cavalrymen was tall and spirited. One glance was enough to tell that they were no ordinary men.

"They should be members of the Knight Squad that defended the castle today."

Luo Ning's eyes lit up. How good would it be if he could get a Knight Squad like that to accompany him to Mountain Forest Town?

Unfortunately, according to Rulans, a place like Mountain Forest Town only needed Macken, one knight, along with a squad of regularly trained guards.

Wiggins had also said that the Demon Beasts in Mountain Forest Town only needed to be avoided in winter. Usually, as long as they stayed away from the Wushan Mountain Range, the barbarian tribes in the forest were no threat...

What else could Luo Ning say?

"My lord, all the guards have assembled. There are sixty in total."

Holwart walked over and respectfully said, "By the master's orders, you may select thirty of them to accompany you to Mountain Forest Town."

Luo Ning swept his gaze over the guards below. They were merely standing together in a loose cluster, with no proper formation to speak of.

"Only sixty men?"

Luo Ning did not know much about Wushan Castle's defenses, so he was quite surprised upon hearing that number.

This was Wushan Castle, the Marquis's Base Camp, yet it only had sixty guards.

"Sixty guards are already enough."

Holwart explained, "The true core strength lies in the twelve Professional Knights. Most of the Retainers' and guards' duties are to stand watch and serve the Professional Knights."

Luo Ning nodded slowly.

Indeed, Macken alone, a Beginner Knight, had beaten nine traitors into a miserable rout. Before extraordinary individuals, ordinary people's combat power truly was not worth much.

Looking at it this way, the Marquis's Manor had fairly solid defenses.

Ordinary people simply had no way to stir up trouble here.

"How are these guards paid?"

Luo Ning turned to ask about the guards' wages.

Although Holwart was not responsible for the guards' pay, as the steward, he still had a certain grasp of such information.

"One Copper Coin per day, with food and lodging included."

Luo Ning could not help sighing inwardly. Only one Copper Coin a day. That was too little.

Fortunately, food and lodging were included. Otherwise, these guards would struggle even to survive.

"Announce the Count's arrangements to them."

"Very well."

Holwart faced the guards. "Guards, standing before you is a noble descendant of the Wushan bloodline, grandson of the Marquis of Wushan Territory, son of the Count of Wushan City, and Baron Luo Ning of Mountain Forest Town!"

Although the guards already knew Luo Ning's identity, hearing the steward introduce him in such a manner still made them cheer loudly and offer Luo Ning their sincere greetings.

Holwart chuckled and continued, "Baron Luo Ning is about to set out to build a new city for the Wushan Family. He needs to select thirty of you to serve as his guards in Mountain Forest Town. When Mountain Forest Town develops into a new city, you will be the first Meritorious Officials!"

"This is a great undertaking! Now, those willing to follow Lord Luo Ning, step forward!"

After his words fell, unlike the reaction to his previous statement, the guards did not cheer. Instead, they whispered among themselves.

The matter of Luo Ning being stripped of his Right of Inheritance had already spread. As guards of the castle, they naturally knew about it, and thus knew exactly what kind of place Mountain Forest Town was.

Aside from being remote and dangerous, it was also far from Wushan City, while the guards' families were all here. Naturally, they were somewhat resistant to going willingly to Mountain Forest Town.

For a moment, no one stepped forward.

Holwart frowned slightly. "Are you cowards? Do you not even dare seize such an honor? Hmph. If no one volunteers, then I will choose!"

All the guards stopped talking. They looked nervous, like students afraid of being called on to answer a question.

Luo Ning stepped forward and signaled for Holwart to let him handle it.

He looked at the guards below and raised one finger.

"Anyone willing to follow me to Mountain Forest Town will immediately receive a reward of one Silver Coin!"

Discussion broke out below once more.

Luo Ning raised a second finger. "Anyone willing to follow me to Mountain Forest Town will receive food and lodging, as well as a daily wage of two Copper Coins!"

The discussions instantly grew much louder. Three to five people even stepped forward excitedly.

Luo Ning smiled and raised a third finger. "Any guard who goes with me to Mountain Forest Town and dies in battle will have a Pension of one Gold Coin paid to their family!"

"I'll go! I'll go!"

At last, more than half of the sixty guards stepped forward.

At that moment, Luo Ning raised a fourth finger.

"I can promise that by the end of next year, if you wish to return to Wushan City to live, I will not stop you in any way!"

"Of course, if you wish to bring your families from Wushan City to live in Mountain Forest Town, I will also apply to my father and guarantee that your families arrive safely in Mountain Forest Town!"

After those words, the remaining dozen or so who had not stepped forward could no longer hold back.

Higher wages, more reliable benefits, and they would be part of the original core. In the future, they could even bring their families to Mountain Forest Town.

With such good terms, there was no reason for the guards not to be tempted.

"I'll go too!"

"I'll go too!"

They all surged to the front.