Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 30 A Thunderclap from Out of the Blue (Please continue reading)

“The brothers have all arrived, thirteen in total, including the eldest brother’s men, not one is missing.”

A remote farmhouse.

A man led thirteen people into the house.

"Well, you've finally arrived. I don't know if the officials have gone mad lately, they've been chasing us relentlessly, we've had to move to several different places before they finally settled down."

"You didn't leave any loose ends when you came, did you? Cough."

"Brother, what you're saying is a bit disrespectful. We're all old brothers from the mountain, how can we leave any loose ends?"

"That's fine then." The bandit leader, whose sleeves were tied very tightly so that not even a glimpse of flesh was visible on his neck, nodded.

"Third brother's cough is getting better. Fat Sheep isn't far from here. It's a newly established farm, so they don't have many weapons, just some sticks. Besides, they're exhausted every day and definitely won't have any energy by night. After we finish tonight's job, we'll head to Black Mountain!"

"I'll do whatever your older brother says."

"But brother, can your body handle coughing every now and then?"

"Hey, it's nothing, just a cold. We'll be fine in a couple of days. Let the brothers rest. There's meat in the kitchen, eat it and get some sleep!"

As if something had been touched on, the chieftain's face darkened and he shouted.

"Okay, okay, let's go to sleep now."

The man didn't dare to contradict his elder brother, so he quickly agreed and led the others to the kitchen.

Pushing open the thatched door of the kitchen, a stench of blood assaulted the nostrils, and animal feathers were scattered everywhere, occasionally mixed with some black hair that was clearly human.

However, these few didn't react much, as they had been to even dirtier places before.

The earthen stove was still warm, and chunks of meat in the ceramic pot were stewed until they were so tender that it was impossible to tell whether they were pork or poultry.

They had run all the way from Jingxing Pass, hiding and dodging, and they were starving.

They picked up the earthenware steamer and went into the inner room to start sharing the food.
-
dusk.

The houses in Taoyuan are now nine in number, plus the original five thatched houses with courtyards, making a total of fourteen houses.

Although it's still a small number, a hundred or so people can still squeeze in and barely make room.

The house closest to the stream is now occupied by Zhang Xian alone, while the three small courtyards on either side are used as resting places by the guards of Huwa's gang.

Beside the stream.

Ten men were practicing with spears, and in front of them, Zhang Xian stood with his arms crossed and shouted commands.

"prick!"

"call!"

"tie!"

"what!"

"prick!"

"."

It's an absolutely monotonous and repetitive slogan, but it's the most effective for a spear.

The saying "an inch longer, an inch stronger" is not just empty talk.

After a series of dozens of empty thrusts and jabs, Zhang Xian clapped his hands and said, "Alright, that's enough for today. This was just to let you get familiar with the weapons. Dismissed."

"promise!"

The ten young men were all in good spirits. They were originally supposed to work until nightfall, but Brother Yun came in the afternoon, so Brother Xian let them rest, saying they should familiarize themselves with the weapons.

You know what, no wonder they've all been practicing martial arts since they were little, Tiger Cub and the others are exceptionally quick to get used to weapons.

Not to mention those who go up the mountain to hunt wild game whenever they have free time. Switching from a short bow to a long bow is exceptionally smooth for them, although they are still a bit weak and can only draw the bow to about two-thirds full.

However, with the iron arrows and Zhang Xian's skill's 10% damage bonus, it's enough for now.

[Drill complete, Commander experience +3]

Zhang Xian finished the drill right on time. The minimum time unit for gaining command experience is 30 minutes, and he has figured it out after so many days.

In the courtyard, steam was rising as Zhou Cui and Li Zhen steamed buns and eggs.

It's definitely a steamed bun. It's obvious that this was Zhang Xian's doing; he wasted almost ten kilograms of flour to cultivate a starter dough that could act as yeast.

I've now achieved my goal of "steamed bun freedom." It would be even better if the steamed buns were less sour and had a higher degree of fluffiness.

The guards walked back to the courtyard in twos and threes to put away their weapons, while their brother Xian walked towards the stream.

He set up several fish traps over there, but he didn't know if he caught anything.

However, since it was just a small stream, he didn't have high hopes. If there were fish or shrimp, he would consider it an extra treat; if not, that would be normal.

Approaching the stream, he squatted down and pulled up the fish trap.

I was lucky today; I caught about ten small fish, about the length of a finger joint, along with two or three small crabs.

"Won't this just turn into another pot of meat soup after boiling it up?"

He opened his mouth and laughed.

There's no way to know the cost of living until you're in charge. He's supporting over a hundred people, and the food supplies are going out of stock every day.

Ordinary farmers can manage on grain alone, but the guards need to eat meat, otherwise they really can't keep up with their daily training.

Fortunately, he was somewhat overpowered, as his farm provided him with 36 chicken eggs and 27 duck eggs every day, which barely sustained his training.

The output of a level 1 farm is still too low, with only 27 pens, including 18 chickens and 9 ducks.

Eighteen chickens lay two eggs a day, and ducks lay three eggs a day. However, the chickens only need bran and hay to be fed, while the ducks need some meat.

He has now separated the land for raising chickens from the land for raising ducks.

The duck shed was built downstream of the stream, with half of the stream blocked off for semi-free-range farming, while the chickens were raised directly in the yard.

He emptied the fish and crabs from the trap and then threw the trap into the stream.

"This fish is so white."

Zhao Yun's voice came from behind Zhang Xian.

"But it's way too small."

"You're lucky to have anything to eat, and you're being picky. Hurry up and come help me pick them out to make soup." Zhang Xian turned around and glared at Zhao Yun in annoyance.

Zhao Yun, whose face still had mud stains, grinned and said, "Brother Xian, I bet you'll keep saying you can afford to raise him all the time, hahaha."

"roll roll roll."

Zhang Xian was furious and impotent.
-
night.

After a hearty meal around the campfire, a bowl of fish and egg drop soup is the perfect way to fill the gaps in your diet. It's a delightful treat.

"Brother Xian, it's time to tell the story, right? We're all waiting to hear it. Why do you think Sun Wukong gave up his official position in heaven and insisted on running back to the mountain?"

"Yeah, Brother Xian, hurry up and tell us. You still owe us a bit from yesterday."

"Yes, yes."

"."

After a lively time around the campfire, even the little girl Li Zhen sat down next to Zhang Xian with her knees drawn up to her chest, looking up at him.

"Master, Master, what do the peaches from heaven taste like?"

"How would I know?"

Zhang Xian tapped Li Zhen's forehead in an annoyed manner, causing her to involuntarily fall backward.

"Of course we'll tell the story, but shouldn't the patrolmen be heading out to hand over their duties now? Are they trying to starve Stone's team to death?"

He glanced around at the crowd. Several of the young men who had been discussing the plot had lost their spirits, stood up, picked up the spears leaning against the earthen wall, and walked out, looking back every few steps.

"There's a thief!"

"There's a thief!!!"

A scream rang out in the distance.

It was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

(End of this chapter)