Recruiting Troops and Buying Horses

Northern Lands, within Lingping County.

The blazing sun hung high, and the noon heat scorched the skin.

Jian Shang, Jiang Yao, and the other nine men, nine riders in all, arrived at the edge marked on the sheepskin map. Beyond that lay utter darkness to their eyes—they had no idea where they were!

"Name: Jian Shang

Merit: 218;

Fruition Rank: Commoner, unranked;

Prestige: 220, beginning to make a name for himself;

Command: 23, Martial Might: 37, Intelligence: 13, Politics: 21.

Total Internal Energy: 70 (proficiency of cultivated internal art * grade = ?)

Cultivation Arts:

Basic Spear Technique, realm: Thorough Integration, 11828/99999;

Northern Di Horsemanship, realm: Thorough Integration, 12535/99999;

Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, realm: First Glimpse of the Way, 1/99;

Basic Saber Technique, realm: Perfect Mastery, 13/9999;

Northern Di Saber Technique, realm: Perfect Mastery, 3/9999;

Wind-Sweeping Staff Technique, realm: Perfect Mastery, 11/9999;

Mount: Northern Plains Biao;

Weapon: Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear, mid-grade weapon;

Special Unit: Black Wolf Cavalry, 0/10000 (Merit), Human Grade Red, a special unit with the traits of Northern Di Barbarian Cavalry: iron-blooded, united, tenacious, resolute, frenzied, loyal.

Wealth: 15 Diamond Coins, 187 Gold Coins."

"Brother Jiang, beyond here is unfamiliar territory to us! We've traveled day and night, and I think everyone is tired. Why don't we rest in Lingping County before continuing our journey?"

After checking his attributes, Jian Shang's heart stirred. He looked at Jiang Yao and made the suggestion.

To Jian Shang's surprise and delight, the newly acquired special unit, the "Black Wolf Cavalry," actually had something akin to a proficiency indicator. If his guess was right, they would advance once it reached the required mark. Though the Black Wolf Cavalry was currently Human Grade Red, the lowest rank of special unit, once trained, they would still be equivalent to elite soldiers—fierce troops with Martial Might between 20 and 30.

If they could advance, they would be equivalent to Battle-Hardened Elite troops.

What troubled him was that the Black Wolf Cavalry started at ten thousand men. One could imagine how difficult it would be for them to advance. Moreover, what they required was merit, which meant only killing system-designated enemy forces would count; indiscriminate slaughter would not do.

As for the special unit "Black Wolf Cavalry," it had originally been a black wolf-shaped statue that could be sold—and would certainly fetch a sky-high price. But Jian Shang was now quite wealthy, and selling it in reality would still bring a considerable fortune. Jian Shang was no fool; he understood the principle of killing the hen for its eggs. Naturally, he immediately chose to learn it, and much information on how to train the Black Wolf Cavalry appeared in his mind.

As for his wealth, the sudden addition of ten Diamond Coins made him immensely rich. They had belonged to the barbarian cavalry leader, likely a combination of system rewards and the barbarians' plundered riches.

"Sounds good!"

Hearing Jian Shang's proposal, Jiang Yao looked over the group. Most wore tired expressions. Even Sun Ji and Shi Jin, usually the more lively ones, were covered in dust and weariness, seemingly with little interest even in speaking.

"Where are you going?"

The moment the group entered Lingping County, Jian Shang casually asked someone where the barracks were and prepared to ride there. Jiang Yao could not help asking in confusion.

"To the barracks to recruit some brave men. There are only nine of us, and the risks are ultimately too great. Better to recruit more people before setting out, so we'll have at least some assurance of safety!"

Jian Shang pondered briefly before answering honestly.

"Recruit?" Jiang Yao was rather puzzled.

"Don't forget, he's a landowner. He probably has plenty of wealth. This is good too—if he joins the army, at least he'll receive more attention and start from a higher point!"

Sun Ji suddenly chimed in with an explanation.

"Let's go take a look together!" Jiang Yao said after some thought. In the end, he was uneasy about letting Jian Shang go alone.

Before long, the nine men arrived at Lingping County's military camp together and found the Military Affairs Office.

"These are the Recruitment Decree and lists of the various troop types. You may choose to recruit directly from the barracks, or take the Recruitment Decree and recruit on your own. The settlement allowance, provisions, pay, and so on can all be set by you!"

Just as Jian Shang was wondering how the NPC official would distinguish Otherworlders from natives, the official merely swept a bland glance over Jian Shang and the others. His gaze finally settled on the Game Dragon Ring in Jian Shang's hand. Before Jian Shang could speak, he took out two lists and placed them on the desk, then leaned back, closed his eyes to rest, and ignored Jian Shang's group.

"Uh..."

Jian Shang had not expected Great Qin officials to handle matters with such simple directness and clean efficiency. Since the other party had clearly shown he would say no more, Jian Shang did not waste words either and directly picked up the two sheets.

There was not much written on the Recruitment Decree. It merely stated that Otherworlders had answered the summons of immortal masters, had the right to recruit troops, support the state, save the common people, and other grandiose phrases. The most important part was the official seal, which legalized recruitment by Otherworlders.

As for the list, it contained the prices of the various troop types, military supplies, weapons, and equipment.

"Podao Troops, Martial Might 10–15, settlement allowance: 10 silver, provisions and pay: 1 silver/month;

Spearmen, Martial Might 10–15, settlement allowance: 12 silver, provisions and pay: 1.2 silver/month;

Axemen, Martial Might 10–20, settlement allowance: 20 silver, provisions and pay: 1.5 silver/month;

Shieldbearers...

Halberdiers...

Archers...

Cavalry...

Elite Lancer Cavalry, Martial Might 20–30, settlement allowance: 1.2 gold, provisions and pay: 10 silver/month;

Elite Mounted Archers, Martial Might 20–30, settlement allowance: 1.8 gold, provisions and pay: 18 silver/month;

Elite Axe Cavalry, Martial Might 20–30, settlement allowance: 1.5 gold, provisions and pay: 12 silver/month;

Elite Heavy Cavalry, Martial Might 20–30, settlement allowance: 1.8 gold, provisions and pay: 15 silver/month;

Elite Light Cavalry...

Elite Crossbow Cavalry...

Elite Saber Cavalry...

Battle-Tested Lancer Cavalry, Martial Might 30–40, settlement allowance: 12 gold, provisions and pay: 50 silver/month;

Battle-Tested Archers Cavalry, Martial Might 30–40, settlement allowance: 15 gold, provisions and pay: 90 silver/month;

Battle-Tested Axemen Cavalry, Martial Might 30–40...

Veteran Squad Leader, Martial Might 20–30, settlement allowance: 5 gold, provisions and pay: 50 silver/month;

Veteran Section Leader...

Garrison Commander...

Red-Maned Horse, 3 gold each. A trained finished warhorse popular in the Central Plains, average in all respects and without any notable traits;

Black-Mane Horse, 5 gold each. A trained finished warhorse popular in the Central Plains, strong and tall, outstanding in speed, endurance, toughness, and so on...

Bay Horse...

Badger-Red Horse...

Peach-Red Horse...

Leopard-Spotted Biao...

Black Liuliu Horse...

Ordinary Spear, spearhead forged from refined steel and shaft of ebony wood, 5 silver each;

Wrought-Iron Spear, a mid-grade sharp weapon forged from wrought iron, weighing fifty to sixty jin, 1 gold each;

Shields, great shields, axes, great axes..."

The list ran to more than ten pages. It basically had every kind of ordinary troop, weapon, equipment, warhorse, and more—extremely convenient!

Only...

Jian Shang had originally thought himself wealthy, but he suddenly discovered that even though his wealth could be exchanged for tens of millions in real-world currency, when it came to recruiting troops and buying horses, it seemed he was rather stretched thin!

Furthermore, perhaps because this was only a base-level location, the highest rank of soldiers here only reached Battle-Hardened Elite level. Officers went no higher than centurions, while weapons and armor only reached high-grade weapon level; even sharp weapons could not be purchased.

"Are all the talents here? Can their quality be guaranteed?"

Jian Shang still could not adapt to treating these soldiers awaiting recruitment as real people. Although the officer clearly did not wish to speak, Jian Shang still forced himself to ask.

"If you recruit here, they will be randomly selected directly from registered soldiers. As for what they are specifically like, that depends on your luck. Of course, you can also recruit outside the barracks yourself. Perhaps you might recruit martial arts experts, Jianghu heroes, disciples of the Hundred Schools, or even fallen young heirs!"

Fortunately, the officer was not quite so devoid of human feeling. He still opened his eyes and slowly gave an explanation.

Jian Shang was speechless...

Randomly selecting from registered soldiers at least guaranteed their Martial Might. As for recruiting officers, that depended entirely on luck. Perhaps one might recruit a centurion, even a Junior Commandant or Deputy General, only to find him inferior to ordinary veterans; perhaps one might recruit an ordinary troop type, only for him to be a genius commander or a valiant general.

"Can I choose from among the soldiers myself?" After pondering for a moment, Jian Shang forced himself to ask.

"You think you're buying vegetables? Picking whatever you please? I can give you a list, and you can select names for the draw. But with that attitude of yours, I advise you not to recruit at all! If a commander is cruel and unjust, his soldiers will lose heart. They may desert. When that happens, you can register them with the authorities for a wanted notice, or handle them under military law yourself, but the settlement allowance and provisions and pay you have already paid will not be refunded!" The officer looked Jian Shang up and down, then sneered meaningfully.