As the capital, Chang'an City still had a sizable population.
Although the Imperial Court had recruited soldiers several times before, and most able-bodied young men had already enlisted, Cao Cao's relocation of the populace southward had sparked riots last time. Many commoners had fled all the way to Guanzhong after rebelling, so some able-bodied young men could still be recruited now.
"Too few."
Jia Xu frowned at the report, deeply dissatisfied with the number. "How can so few men defend Chang'an City?"
"Keep recruiting. Raise military pay, and recruit as many men as possible before that scoundrel Ma Chao's army arrives."
"Take as many as you can get!"
"And go hurry the Foundry Bureau along. Weapons and armor must be supplied without any shortages!"
Although Jia Xu's face was full of exhaustion, he still forced himself to stay alert.
He had barely slept, day or night, in recent days.
Chang'an had little time left. They had to recruit enough men before the enemy army arrived.
He did not ask that these new recruits, untrained and untempered by war, repel the enemy. He only asked that they keep Ma Chao from taking Chang'an before the army returned to relieve them!
"Yes, Director."
Fa Zheng bowed slightly in acknowledgment, then hesitated briefly before asking, "Also... the court officials have been voicing more and more doubts lately. Some have even begun saying that you are deliberately plotting rebellion."
"Do you think we should find some reason to explain things?"
Although Jia Xu was the Son of Heaven's trusted confidant and personally appointed chief of logistics, responsible for deciding all matters great and small while the Son of Heaven was away from court, what he was doing now left everyone utterly baffled.
Expanding the City Defense Army, fortifying the walls and clearing the fields,