In a chaotic world, border soldiers begin their journey by enlisting in the army and getting married

"Okay, don't worry about that."

"I never said I was afraid of these people."

"Besides, even if they don't cause me trouble, I'll still cause them trouble."

"Let's settle in here first and then observe how things unfold."

Chen Shan comforted him and also planned to go out for a stroll to see what was happening in the outer city.

After giving the two women a few instructions, Chen Shan went out.

However, Chen Shan did not bring the Trapped Camp. With his strength and skills, he did not need any guards.

It would be better to keep them in the yard for protection.

outer city.

Chen Shan strolled around alone, passing by vendors, occasionally stopping to look at them or ask about their situation.

After a tour, the outer city had everything one could need.

There were many rice shops, cloth shops, restaurants, gambling dens, and even brothels.

However, what intrigued Chen Shan the most were the literary and martial arts schools in the outer city.

These two places are very close to each other, and they are always bustling with people, either warriors or scholars.

They disliked each other, and verbal provocations were commonplace.

"Oh dear, General Chen!"

Suddenly, just as Chen Shan was about to watch the show from the sidelines and try to find out some information, a figure stepped forward and instantly stood in front of him.

I looked up.

This man was dressed in plain clothes, with a burly build and a robust appearance, quite comparable to Liu Tiehan.

However, the scar running from the forehead to the chin on this person's face was very noticeable.

It gives people a fierce and menacing feeling at first glance.

Do you know me?

Chen Shan could tell that the other party was a soldier.

However, I've never had any contact with them.

"Hehe, I am an unofficial soldier of the Xia Kingdom. Although I am not a citizen of the Xia Kingdom, I am still a captain."

"We soldiers have all heard of General Chen Shan's achievements."

"I'm just a roughneck, not good at flattery, but General Chen's achievements prove he's definitely more capable than me!"

The big man spoke with a straightforward manner.

"What's your name? And what does 'extra-member' mean?"

Chen Shan was somewhat surprised.

Even after reaching the rank of Major General, he realized that he still had some questions about the organization of the Xia Kingdom's army.

Especially this so-called unofficial army.

"General Chen, my name is Wulu, and I am from the Qing Dynasty."

"That's why I couldn't join the army in Qing China, and I didn't like it there, so I came to Xia China for nothing."

"This unofficial army is composed of non-Xia people like us; we basically go wherever we are needed."

"General Chen, don't you know? These seven kingdoms basically all have this kind of thing."

Okay, so I'll hire mercenaries?

Chen Shan understood.

I never expected the Seven Kingdoms to have such a tactic.

"Are you willing to help the Xia Kingdom attack your Qing Kingdom?"

Chen Shan was curious.

Even among the mercenaries he knew from his previous life, very few would help an enemy country fight against their own.

Of course, this excludes those who already have a bad reputation.

"Why wouldn't I want to? The Xia Kingdom offers such good treatment, and as long as I have enough military merits, I can become a citizen of the Xia Kingdom."

"Many of us in the unofficial army dream of serving under the general."

After all, the achievements of the Deficit Battalion were so great that many Xia Kingdom troops were envious.

Even if their generals looked down on it, it was very attractive to the soldiers below.

Who doesn't want to earn more military merits? Who doesn't want to have achievements?

Even those working in logistics can benefit from it.

"I see."

"Uru, what are you doing here? This martial arts school and literary school, could they have been set up by some bigwigs from the imperial court?"

Chen Shan did not ask him any further questions about his situation.

And then he inquired about what was in front of him.

The fact that this place could gather so many warriors, soldiers, and scholars shows that it was no ordinary place.

"General, I don't know whose place this is, but this martial arts school is a good place. Those who can win the championship here will be highly valued by the imperial court. I heard that the Imperial Guards are selected from here."

"Even without a champion, as long as you have good skills, you will rise to prominence."

"And this literary academy is the same."

After listening to Uru's explanation, Chen Shan understood the purpose of these places.

He just hadn't expected that the Xia Kingdom's method of selecting soldiers and officials would be so... peculiar.

Could it be that none of these seven kingdoms had a civil service examination system?

Upon reflection, Chen Shan realized that Xu Sijing had never mentioned anything about the imperial examinations.

"Does becoming an official in the capital require attending this literary academy? Are such places only found in the capital?"

Chen Shan asked.

Uru immediately scratched his head and said, "Only the capital city, I think. I haven't seen it in other places, but I haven't been there much either."

"I heard there are some in the inner city too. As for becoming an official, I heard you need to be recommended by an official. Anyway, we soldiers don't need that."

After hearing this, Chen Shan understood the situation.

So the Xia state had a recommendation system, just like the weak Song state.

This made Chen Shan dislike the imperial court even more.

After all, there were precedents of winning battles only to cede territory and pay reparations, which Chen Shan was truly displeased with.

Just then, several young men walked out of the library.

Head held high, chest out, striding confidently.

Each of them wore a proud expression, especially the young man at the head of the group, who was extremely pleased with himself amidst the flattery of the surrounding scholars.

"Young Master Yu is truly a man of great talent. He has won the title of top scholar in the literary academy twice in a row. He will surely become a high-ranking official in the court."

"Indeed, Young Master Yu is exceptionally talented in literature and also remarkably handsome. I've heard that the daughter of the Southern King has returned to the capital, and Young Master Yu is probably preparing to propose marriage."

The scholars around him were talking incessantly, and Chen Shan was also surprised to hear it.

A marriage proposal?

Nan Tu Rou?

Based on his understanding of Nan Tu Rou, he doubted she would even give this kind of person a second glance.

Chen Shan had intended to continue watching, but he didn't expect that Young Master Yu would walk towards him.

"You're Chen Shan?"

"Rou'er's soldiers?"

When Young Master Yu opened his mouth, his face was full of smugness, which made Chen Shan very unhappy.

"Who do you think you are, Rou'er? How dare you call me that in front of Nan Tu Rou?"

Chen Shan retorted without hesitation.

He realized that this guy was even more disgusting than Kong Qingzhi, and his vanity was even greater.

Although Kong Qingzhi is dead, at least he knew how to restrain himself and pretend normally.

The person in front of me was simply arrogant and domineering.

"How dare you! I'm speaking to you properly, Young Master Yu. Don't think that just because you have some achievements you can talk to him like that!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Young Master Yu!"

Before Young Master Yu could speak, the scholar beside him began to complain.

That posture was like that of a protective dog.

"Oh? Is this what you scholars are like? You've become dogs, good for nothing but barking."

"This general has no interest in teasing dogs; after all, not just any dog ​​is worth teasing."

Chen Shan's humiliation enraged the group of scholars, who gathered together and charged forward, seemingly intending to bully him.

Seeing their posture, Uru shouted, "You bunch of bookworms, you'll have to ask us first before you can touch the general!"