Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

Qingshiling Village, Guobei County.

The villagers were gathered around two thatched huts.

"Do you think Mr. Zhou and Doctor Zhang can join the imperial court?"

"I think it's difficult!"

"I think Mr. Zhou and Dr. Zhang are definitely qualified to enlist."

"Father, are Mr. Zhou and Dr. Zhang really leaving the village?" A little boy with a small braid at the back of his head asked, carrying a package in one hand and holding his father's hand in the other.

The boy's father patted the little boy's head and said, "That's right, Er Gou, Mr. Zhou and Dr. Zhang are both very capable people."

The little boy, Er Gou, nodded thoughtfully.

"Then I must give these eggs to Mr. Zhou."

inside the room.

The old village chief of Qingshiling Village was sitting next to a wooden table.

"Dr. Zhang, since you have decided to enlist, I won't say anything more. Here are five taels of silver, which I'm giving to you on behalf of the village as travel expenses."

The old village chief took out a bulging cloth bag from his bosom and pushed it to Zhanghe's side across the river.

"Village Chief, you're too kind. Brother Zhou Yuan and I should thank you for taking us in over the past six months. We're just going to the county town, so we don't need any money." Zhang He looked to be in his early thirties, thin, with a sharp glint in his eyes.

Qingshiling was already poor, and it was only in the last few months, after the government cleared out the bandits, that the villagers' situation improved slightly by hunting in the mountains.

Zhang He absolutely cannot accept this money.

The old village chief pretended to be serious, "Dr. Zhang, you and Mr. Zhou have been providing free medical treatment to the villagers and teaching the children to read for the past six months."

"It's only five taels of silver. Besides, no matter where you two are, Qing Shi Ling will always be your home."

The two went back and forth, neither able to prevail over the other.

Finally, Zhou Yuan, who was packing his things, intervened, saying, "Village Chief, we appreciate your kindness, but how about this, Brother Zhang and I will accept half, is that alright?"

Old Li sighed, "Alright, if you don't like staying outside, you can come back anytime."

Zhou Yuan is forty-two years old this year, and he is wearing a faded and patched Confucian robe.

Don't worry.

Zhou Yuan shouldered his bundle and took a deep look at the thatched hut where he had lived for half a year.

He was originally a scholar in Zezhou City. When the rebels rebelled and the government troops failed to act, he wrote a satirical article that had a great impact. He was persecuted by villains, but later escaped from Zezhou City with the help of his friends.

He eventually came to Guobei County to live in seclusion and became a teacher. He thought that he would just drift through the rest of his life in a daze.

Unexpectedly, a few days ago, officers and soldiers from the Baihu Police Station of Guobei County came to Qingshiling to post recruitment notices.

One of the requirements was to recruit scholars who could read and write.

Zhou Yuan's heart couldn't help but flutter. Everyone knew that he was good at writing poetry, but few knew that he read military strategy the most.

Over the past six months, he has witnessed the actions of the Baihu Police Station in Guobei County. It is a brave and valiant team that dares to fight and is skilled in combat.

Zhang He happened to have the same idea, and the two hit it off immediately and decided to enlist.

"Brother Zhang, let's go." Zhou Yuan's eyes showed determination as he strode towards the door.

Zhang He stood up and said to the old village chief, "Village chief, until we meet again."

The old village chief watched the two figures as they walked away, muttering to himself, "It's good to be young. If I were twenty years younger, I would have joined the army too. This world is too hard."

As soon as Zhou Yuan stepped out of the room, he saw the villagers surrounding him.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Mr. Zhou thanks everyone for taking care of me over the past six months."

"Master Zhou, these are eggs my mother cooked for you to eat on your journey."

Er Gou broke free from his father's hand and presented the cloth bag to Zhou Yuan with both hands.

"Ergou, thank your mother for me. Even after I'm gone, you must study hard, understand?" Zhou Yuan smiled as he looked at the little boy who was learning from him.

Er Gou nodded emphatically, "Don't worry, Master Zhou, I will."

Just then, someone called out, "Mr. Zhou, Dr. Zhang, take care on your journey!"

In the end, it turned into hundreds of villagers offering their blessings in unison.

Zhou Yuan and Zhang He exchanged a smile and walked towards the direction of Guobei County.

……

……

……

Guobei County Hundred Household Office.

After practicing martial arts early this morning, Cao Xiong arrived at the training ground.

It was just past 9 AM, and the officers and soldiers of the Third Banner were still practicing martial arts on the drill ground.

More than thirty people who came to participate in the recruitment had already gathered outside the Hundred Household Office.

These people arrived yesterday. For this special recruitment, the centurion's office set up tents outside the military camp and arranged for those who arrived a day in advance to stay there.

Cao Xiong wasn't in a hurry. He sat in the main seat and slowly sipped his tea.

There's still almost an hour until it starts.

Under Liu Mingzi's command, the training ground was divided into several interview areas.

The area for interviewing craftsmen contained a small forge, along with hammers and anvils for blacksmithing, and ink lines, saws, axes, and logs for carpenters.

The examiners were Lu Qing and Wang Er, each with a wooden board beside them, inscribed with "Mechanical Engineering and Forging" and "Carpentry" respectively.

The two arrived even earlier than Cao Xiong, dressed neatly and cleanly, with serious expressions.

Lu Qing, in particular, wore a blue long gown with the words "Lu Clan" printed on it specifically for this recruitment.

Not far from the artisan interview area, there was a wooden board with the words "Military Physician" written on it. Next to it were various kinds of medicinal herbs and a furnace for brewing medicinal ointments.

Sitting behind were two doctors whom Cao Xiong had invited to serve as the chief examiners.

The third area was overseen by Liu Mingzi, who recruited both martial artists and civil officials. There was only a low table with the Four Treasures of the Study on it.

Cao Xiong's task today is to finalize the recruitment process and interview other talented individuals besides blacksmiths, mechanics, carpenters, doctors, junior officers, and clerks.

After everything was arranged, Liu Mingzi came to Cao Xiong's side and said, "Commander, everything is ready. We just need to wait for the time to start recruiting soldiers."

"Okay, is the meat congee ready?"

Cao Xiong glanced at the giant sundial next to the training ground.

"Reporting to the centurion, the officers and soldiers are distributing supplies to the warriors and civilians who have come to participate in the recruitment." Early this morning, Liu Mingzi slaughtered three domestic pigs.

Outside the Hundred Households Office.

The people who participated in this recruitment have almost all arrived, numbering about two hundred. Qin Dan is currently feeding the troops.

Zhou Yuan and Zhang He were inconspicuous among the group. "Brother Zhou, it seems like the competition is fierce this time. Will we be eliminated?"

Zhou Yuan smiled enigmatically. "Most people are just here to try their luck; there aren't many who are truly capable."

Zhang He was still uneasy, as the medical certificate that could prove his identity had been lost during his escape.

He was worried that this might be the reason he was eliminated.

Moreover, Zhang He noticed that many people were carrying medicine kits, which made them look professional, while he was empty-handed.

"Hey, buddy, you're also aiming to become a military officer, right? How do you think the imperial court will assess you?"

After thinking it over, Zhang He decided to sound him out. He poked a middle-aged man carrying a medicine box not far from him.

The man turned around, glanced at Zhang He, and said, "How is the assessment conducted? It's nothing more than identifying medicinal herbs and imitating a medical consultation."