Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 212 Gao Shun
Jinyang City, the rear residence of the former general.

Inside the warm pavilion, the charcoal fire burned extremely brightly, and a faint, soothing medicinal fragrance floated in the air.

Zhang Xian removed his cold armor, wearing only a plain dark robe, and sat by the couch.

Zou Wan leaned against the thick brocade quilt. Although her belly was not yet obviously protruding, there was already a hint of tenderness and fatigue between her brows as a new mother.

She looked a little pale; the early pregnancy symptoms had left her with a poor appetite and listless.

Zhang Xian held a small, warm white jade bowl containing a cabbage and tofu soup that he had cooked himself. The soup was crystal clear. After returning home, he noticed that Zou Wan couldn't stand the slightest fishy smell, so he had taken the time to personally prepare a light yet nutritious dish.

"Wan'er, would you like to have a couple more sips?"

He scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it, and brought it to Zou Wan's lips in an unusually gentle voice.

"It's warm on the stove, it's not hot anymore."

Zou Wan frowned slightly due to pregnancy-related nausea, but seeing the undisguised concern in her husband's eyes, she obediently opened her mouth and took a small sip.

The clear, salty broth, coating the tofu, slid down my throat and did indeed dispel some of the nausea in my chest.

She forced a smile, her voice soft: "I'm sorry to have troubled you, my husband. I'm so useless, I can't even handle such a small matter..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhang Xian interrupted her, put down the bowl, and gently covered her slightly cool hand, which was resting on the brocade quilt, with his warm, large hand.

"Pregnancy is hard work, and it's a huge deal in itself. It's because I'm busy with military and political affairs all day that I haven't spent enough time with you."

His eyes were filled with apology as he gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

Zou Wan grasped his fingers in return, shook her head, and said with gentle eyes, "My husband is responsible for the safety of Bingzhou, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians rely on him. How can he delay important matters for the sake of me alone? I... am just a little homesick, and also a little... scared."

Her voice lowered. Far from her family home in Wuwei, in this unfamiliar Bingzhou, she was about to face the most important change in her life. Even though she was very sensible, she couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

Zhang Xian felt a pang of sadness and gripped her hand even tighter.

"Don't be afraid."

His voice was deep and firm: "With me here, Jinyang is your home. I have already sent someone to Wuwei to deliver the news. I expect your maternal uncle and aunt will send a letter soon."

"The servants and physicians in the manor have all been arranged. Besides, I personally examined you; you have a good constitution, so just rest and recuperate."

He paused, his gaze falling on her still flat stomach, his eyes softening with the tenderness of a new father: "Our child will surely be blessed."

When the child was mentioned, a blush of maternal glow finally appeared on Zou Wan's pale face.

She lowered her head, gently stroking her lower abdomen with her other hand, a tender smile curving her lips.

"Most definitely."

“General.” A guard’s respectful voice rang out from outside the warm pavilion.

"Chief Clerk Xun, Senior Colonel Gao, and Commander Zhang are already waiting in the study. The matter of recruiting the Anbei Army needs to be decided by the General."

Zhang Xian frowned almost imperceptibly, then relaxed his brow.

He gently patted Zou Wan's hand and said softly, "I'll be right back. You rest well and finish your soup."

Zou Wan nodded understandingly, her eyes filled with affection but without a trace of dissatisfaction: "Husband, business is more important."

In the study room.

The atmosphere was completely different from that of the inner courtyard.

The charcoal fire burned brightly, but the air was filled with ink and a tense atmosphere.

Xun Yu, Gao Shun, and Zhang Bailu were already waiting.

Upon seeing Zhang Xian enter, the three men rose and bowed, saying, "My lord (General)."

"sit."

Zhang Xian sat down in the main seat and glanced at the three men: "How about recruiting soldiers?"

Xun Yu spoke first, his speech slow and clear.

"Recruitment notices have been posted throughout the major refugee camps. The treasury has allocated the first batch of emergency funds and rations as instructed by the general, prioritizing the resettlement of the families of the soldiers of the Anbei Army and the rations for the new recruits in the early stages of their entry into the camp."

The artisan workshops in Taiyuan and Xihe have commenced full-scale production, prioritizing the manufacture of leather armor, ring-pommel swords, and simple wooden shields needed by the Anbei army.

Gao Shun sat up straight and said, "The reaction of the refugees is somewhat polarized. Those who are used to risking their lives are extremely happy and flock to the various recruitment points."

However, many still harbor deep-seated doubts, fears, and hatred towards the government. Commander Zhang personally went to the Zhaoyuze camp today to give a speech; the results… await further report.”

All eyes were on Zhang Bailu. He knew best how effective Zhang Ning's work had been that day.

Zhang Bailu took a deep breath and straightened his back: "Today, the young lady, Zhenfu, will give a speech at Zhaoyuze South Camp."

"Many commanders responded enthusiastically and were willing to enlist and serve, with Chen Zhong being the most determined."

"Chen Zhong?" Zhang Xian's gaze sharpened.

He had heard Zhang Ning mention this person before; he was a former Yellow Turban leader who was quite prestigious among the refugees.

"Yes." Zhang Bailu nodded.

"He was the first to sign the enlistment form! Facing the direction of the general's flag, he kowtowed heavily! He was willing to die for the general! After he took the lead, the recruitment point was immediately crowded with people! Most of them were old Yellow Turban soldiers and strongmen!"

Xun Yu stroked his short beard, his eyes gleaming: "Chen Zhong is a capable man! His prestige is enough to motivate a large number of doubtful and strong men, and he can serve as a backbone or even a battalion commander!"

Zhang Xian nodded: "But Boping can be set as a benchmark."

"Your subordinate is here." Gao Shun bowed.

"Promote him to be your deputy, and put him in charge of the recruitment of soldiers on par with Bai Lu."

"promise!"

A discussion broke out in the study.

Everything was handled properly.

Xun Yu hesitated for a moment, glanced at Zhang Bailu, and then turned to Zhang Xian.

The latter waved his hand knowingly: "No matter how big or small the matter, we must consider the actual situation. Boping and Bailu, you should go back to the recruitment field to select soldiers."

"As the General commands!"

The two got up and left.

After everyone left, Xun Yu carefully spoke: "General, the Anbei New Army is newly established, and morale is low. It urgently needs a boost. Commander Zhang has a special status and unparalleled prestige among the refugees. He is truly a pillar of strength to stabilize the army's morale."

However, the garrison commander was ultimately a woman, and being stationed in the military camp would likely cause her many inconveniences and attract criticism.

For the long-term benefit, and to solidify the foundation of the Anbei Army… General, why not grant the garrison commander a formal title as soon as possible? Taking her as his concubine would firstly preserve his status and facilitate his actions, and secondly, it would also appease the displaced people.”

He spoke tactfully, but his meaning was clear: a marriage alliance to completely bind Zhang Ning to the Bingzhou war machine was the fastest and most effective political means at the moment.

The study fell silent instantly.

Zhang Xian remained silent for a moment, then slowly got up, put his hands behind his back, walked to the window, and opened it.

“Ning’er also said the same thing to me.”

"Oh! Since the governor is interested, then my lord should marry her as soon as possible."

"This matter cannot be rushed."

To Xun Yu's surprise, his lord showed no resistance whatsoever this time.

"Why?" he asked.

"Wenruo should also be able to guess that the Zhang Jiao corpse handed over to the court is fake, and his real body is still in Guangzong. I promised her that I would bury her father's body in Bingzhou. If I fail to do so, there will be rifts sooner or later. It is better to wait until spring when the storm has subsided and send someone to retrieve the body and bury it before we can get married."

Xun Yu listened and nodded from time to time. He suddenly smiled and said, "It seems that our lord is no longer opposed to the marriage."

Zhang Xian smiled and said, "After going through it once, it's really not that bad. My initial dislike was mostly due to nervousness. Besides..."

He looked out at the dark sky: "A woman whose dowry is worth hundreds of thousands of people, it would be foolish of me not to marry her." "My lord is wise." Xun Yu smiled and bowed.

The next day.

On the banks of Zhaoyu Lake, the temporary recruitment point for the Anbei Army was teeming with people.

"Line up! Line up properly! What are you pushing for! If you want to join the army, line up here!"

A recruiting officer wearing a military fur coat stood on a broken table, shouting with spittle flying everywhere.

Several equally skilled auxiliary soldiers stood beside him, maintaining the orderly formation.

The queue stretched as far as the eye could see.

Most of the men in the group were thin and emaciated, but their eyes no longer held the same lifelessness they had when they were in Guangzong and when they first arrived in Bingzhou.

They had personally experienced the differences in Bingzhou, and with the scene of someone taking the lead yesterday, most of them now wanted to improve their future through Wubo.

"Me! My name is Liu San! I'm from Julu! I fought alongside General Tiangong in Julu! I was a squad leader!"

A burly man with sunken cheeks pushed his way to the front, eagerly tearing open his tattered coat to reveal a hideous knife scar on his chest.

"It was the soldiers who killed me! I survived! I'm strong! I can kill those barbarian dogs!"

The recruiting officer glanced sideways at the scar, then squeezed Liu San's thin but still muscular arm, and said in a gruff voice, "Alright! Move to the right! Next!"

“I…I can ride horses! I used to herd horses for wealthy families back in my hometown!” A relatively young man squeezed forward, his eyes timid yet filled with longing.

"How many days have you ridden? Are you able to draw a bow?" the recruiting officer asked.

"I rode...I rode for a few years...but I haven't really used the bow much..." The young man's voice trailed off.

"Stand on the left! Next!" The recruiting officer pointed to one side, and the young man ran over.

Chen Zhong stood under a makeshift thatched shed next to the recruitment point, wearing a brand-new set of Bingzhou army-style leather armor and a ring-pommel sword at his waist.

This outfit made his thin body stand up straighter and his eyes sharper.

Yesterday, Gao Shun and Zhang Bailu found him and appointed him as the Recruitment Officer. Now he stands aside, occasionally calling out names for people.

"That guy! Yes, the one with the dark face in the third line! Don't let his thin appearance fool you, he's starving! Did you see the look in his eyes? He's definitely killed someone!"

"And that guy in the back with his neck hunched over! Don't let his timid appearance fool you! He walks with a steady stance and swings his arms powerfully. He probably used to be a straw shield bearer! Our lack of equipment has corrupted some of our soldiers' habits, but he's absolutely effective!"

"That guy! That guy who's been yelling about killing government troops! What a braggart! He might fool ordinary people with his airs, but I can tell he's not a fool. Get him out of here!"

With Chen Zhong and his seasoned Yellow Turban leaders having keen eyes to screen recruits, the speed and efficiency of recruitment greatly improved.

The selected man's face instantly lit up with ecstasy. He was led to the side to receive a number plate symbolizing his selection, as well as a small bag of five compressed rations.

Meanwhile, another resettlement was underway on an open space not far from the recruitment point.

A group of women, elderly people, and children, all with sallow complexions and thinness, were queuing in a long line in front of a simple wooden shed.

A sign for the Anbei Military Dependents Registration Office hangs in front of the shed.

Zhang Ning, dressed in a well-fitting leather armor, sat behind his desk, assisted by several literate clerks from Taiyuan.

Her voice was clear and had a calming power.

"Name? Place of origin? Names of family members who have applied? How many people are in your family? Are there any seriously ill members?"

"Zhang Li Shi? From Qinghe, Jizhou? Your husband is named Zhang Tie? He just joined the Anbei Army? Good."

"Three people? How old is the child? Five? Okay, take this wooden plaque and go to the side to collect three days' rations! Then go to Camp C, there will be people to arrange things there! Remember! The general said that land will be distributed in the spring! Tax exemption for two years!"

"Old man, slow down... Your son joined the Anbei Army? And you're all alone? Take this token and go to the Dingzi Camp. There's a special place for the elderly living alone there, and they have hot soup!"

For each registered household, a rough wooden plaque representing their identity and a small bag of miscellaneous grains were given.

Some elderly people and children even knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the wooden shed, murmuring words of gratitude for the general's kindness and the lady's compassion.

Ten days later.

Outside Jinyang City, the newly established Anbei Army camp.

Nearly 10,000 newly selected soldiers of the "Anbei New Army" stood haphazardly on the empty drill ground.

The line was crooked and swaying, like weeds scattered by a strong wind, with buzzing discussions, coughs, and sniffling mixed together.

On the command platform, Gao Shun stood there like an unyielding block of ice.

He was clad in heavy black iron armor, and his eyes beneath his helmet were as sharp as a hawk's, scanning the rabble below the stage.

Zhang Xian stood to the side and behind Gao Shun, while Zhang Ning, Zhang Bailu, Chen Zhong, and others were also on the stage.

"Silence!" Gao Shun's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally cold and stern.

An invisible pressure enveloped the entire venue, the buzzing stopped abruptly, and countless defiant gazes were cast onto the stage.

Gao Shun stepped forward: "From this day forward! You are no longer vagrants and bandits! You are the Anbei New Army! You are the Bingzhou Border Army! You are soldiers who guard the border walls, protect their families, and cut off the heads of the barbarians to receive merit and rewards!"

He suddenly drew the sword from his waist, its gleaming blade reflecting a blinding cold light in the dim daylight!

"Military law! It is the sky above your heads!"

"Seventeen articles! Fifty-four cuts! These are the swords hanging over your necks!"

Those who cower and retreat! Slay them!

"Anyone who fails to advance upon hearing the drum will be executed!"

Those who do not respond to cries for help shall be executed!

Those who bully the common people shall be executed!

"Anyone who deserts in the face of battle! Execute!"

Anyone who disrupts our formation shall be executed!

"..."

Gao Shun's voice grew louder and colder with each note, like a death knell striking the hearts of every new recruit.

Each execution order was read aloud, and the crowd below erupted in commotion. Some of the more timid recruits' legs began to tremble.

"Military orders are absolute! Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy, no matter who they are!"

"Don't think you're above the law just because you outnumber us! Don't think you can escape punishment just because there are so many! My blade is only for beheading those who disobey orders! Within three months, I will forge your military spirit with my sweat and blood! Do you understand?!"

Dead silence.

A moment later, a chorus of disorganized, terrified responses erupted from the audience.

"I...I heard you clearly..."

"Speak louder! Haven't you eaten?!" Gao Shun shouted, his voice like thunder!

"Listen carefully!!!"

This time, nearly 10,000 people roared with all their might, the sound causing the snow around the training ground to fall in a rustling sound.

"Alright!" Gao Shun sheathed his sword with clean and swift movements.

"Now, all battalions and detachments, take back! Distribute weapons and rations! Tomorrow at the first quarter of Mao hour, roll call at the drill ground! Anyone late will be whipped twenty times!"

The order was given, and under the shouts and intimidation of the veteran Bingzhou soldiers, the chaotic troops began to move slowly toward their assigned camps.

Zhang Xian looked at the chaotic gray crowd below the stage, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

He turned to Gao Shun and said, "Boping, in three months, I want to see a knife that can be nailed to the side wall."

Gao Shun clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice resolute: "This subordinate understands! I will certainly not fail the general's trust! If this army is routed, this subordinate will bring his head to see me!"

(End of this chapter)