Surviving in the chaos of war begins in the wilderness.

Chapter 134 Preparations Before the Expedition

To be honest, Zhou Ye was absolutely furious at that moment. He had never encountered anything so unlucky in either of his lives.

Du Keyuan, standing to the side, felt somewhat embarrassed; Zhou Ye had clearly been implicated by them.

Du Keyuan quickly stepped forward to plead, "Sir, Zhou Ye is also a disciple of our martial arts school. The school's affairs are none of his concern. Could you please be lenient? We are willing to provide financial assistance—"

The steward interrupted with a smile: "Master Du, it's not that I'm not giving you face. But if you don't go and I don't go, who will go in the end? Your martial arts school needs someone to go. Other martial arts schools will also be recruiting many skilled fighters. It's impossible to leave out your Fenglei Martial Arts School, right? But your school is full of elderly, weak, women and children, and the only able-bodied man left is this young brother."

"Who else could it be but him? Here's what we'll do! After all, from now on—we're family. Military rules are based on human relationships. I'll instruct them to take care of us once we're in the army."

Ok!

After much discussion, the only good news was that Zhou Ye could temporarily leave with Du Keyuan and Du Juan. Once they got home and settled in, they would all report to the prefectural governor's office the next morning, along with the other recruited martial arts instructors from various martial arts schools.

However, after reporting for duty, you will be living and eating in the military camp and will not be able to leave at will.

After saying goodbye to Du Keyuan and Du Juan, Zhou Ye hurriedly returned to his home on the city wall.

When they heard that Zhou Ye had been suddenly conscripted into the army, everyone in the family was taken aback.

"Young master, aren't they bullying us too much? Hasn't the government already taken our money and grain?" Wenxiu said indignantly.

"Military orders are absolute! There's nothing we can do about it," Zhou Ye said with a smile, trying to comfort him.

"Then can't we just not go? Whoever wants to fight this damn war can go ahead. Aren't there still those stinking soldiers around?"

"Hehe." Since the die is cast, all I can do is grumble a few words.

Zhou Ye's first instruction to Li Gui was: "Uncle Li, everything at the shop remains the same. If anything happens, please be patient and wait until I return. Also, keep a low profile. It's best not to let anyone know that I'm in the army."

"Understood, Master." Li Gui hesitated for a moment before suggesting, "Master, Xiao Gu and Da Zhu have both achieved considerable skill in martial arts. Should you bring a few companions with you? At least a few trusted confidants?"

"No need, no need," Zhou Ye politely declined with a smile. Bringing them along would only be a burden. How would he escape then?

That's true. Zhou Ye didn't want to disobey military orders; he planned to go to the army and act according to the circumstances.

Since Zhou Ye is already a late-stage Ming Jin master who has surpassed the standard, it can be said that he is basically invincible in the Ming Jin stage.

As for the experts in the rebel army? Because they had only practiced martial arts for a very short time, even if they were incredibly talented, they were at most at the Ming Jin stage, so they posed no threat at all.

As long as Zhou Ye doesn't act recklessly, doesn't get trapped in enemy lines and be surrounded, and isn't subjected to concentrated fire from enemy crossbows and arrows, he'll generally be safe.

Of course, if bad luck strikes and you encounter a complete rout, you'll definitely choose to run away.

Anyway, you don't need to run faster than the enemy, you just need to outrun your teammates!

"Young master, let us help you pack! What do you need to take with you?"

"You don't need that much stuff. Just bring the things you need for mountain running."

"Master, you should bring a horse. It can carry goods and also be ridden."

"Okay. Yes, you can."

"Brother Tian, ​​when are you coming back?" Li Wenwen's big eyes blinked, as if they were about to drip water.

Zhou Ye chuckled. He patted the girls' cheeks: "Be good! Wait for me to come back. My military service shouldn't last too long, otherwise even our Fufeng County can't afford to wait. Besides, I won't go far; I'll definitely be fighting near the county seat. If there's an opportunity, I can send someone to deliver messages to you."

"Alright then! Young master, you must be careful!"

'

Early the next morning, Zhou Ye, fully armed, led a horse laden with various supplies to the prefectural governor's mansion. For this expedition, he even brought the two crossbows He Jing had gifted him previously. The other crossbow was still at his small family home, so he couldn't bring it along.

In addition, I brought all the elixirs and monster meat needed for cultivation. This should last me at least several months. I also brought spare weapons, some daily necessities, 1 taels of silver, and so on.

Unlike yesterday, there were quite a few martial arts instructors at the martial arts school today. The courtyard of the prefectural governor's mansion was bustling with people; there were at least six or seven here.

0 people.

So, today was actually the day the martial arts school was recruiting instructors. Was yesterday Zhang Hu's show of force?!

When Zhou Ye secretly observed the martial arts masters around him, he discovered—well! In fact, most of them were only at the entry level of internal strength, and there were very few at the level of external strength.

It's important to understand that Ming Jin martial arts masters are not a rare commodity, no matter where they are; there aren't that many in the entire Fufeng County. They would never be casually used as expendable resources in the army.

That's why the martial artists looked bewildered, and their weapons were rather rudimentary. They were nothing like Zhou Ye, who had practically become a human armory.

If I'm not mistaken, these people are probably martial arts school disciples with no money or connections, thrown out as cannon fodder by various martial arts schools. And most of them are outer disciples with poor talent and little potential for development?

Just then, several officials entered. A loud announcement rang out: "The Prefect has arrived!"

Everyone quickly lined up neatly and bowed in unison to the official at the head of the table: "Your Excellency, Prefect!"

"No need for formalities!" The speaker was a robust man in his thirties, who turned out to be Zhang Hu's father, Zhang Qianshun, the new prefect of Fufeng County.

Because he dared not actively sense Zhang Qianshun, Zhou Ye could not determine Zhang Qianshun's specific martial arts level, only that it was definitely higher than his own. Therefore, Zhang Qianshun must be a master of internal energy.

After everyone had finished paying their respects, Zhang Qianshun said, "I am very pleased with your fervent loyalty to the court. The old brothers in the army know that I never mistreat my comrades. Each of you will receive a reward. Take the rest of you to the military camp outside the city to await orders! Also, I heard that six Ming Jin masters have arrived this time? Would you do me the honor of joining me in the back hall for a chat? I have prepared a cup of wine."

Alright! That's just how realistic the martial arts world is. Entering the Core stage and becoming a Master of the Mind are treated completely differently!

However, at this moment, Zhou Ye suddenly had a flash of inspiration. At this point, was there any need for him to hide his strength anymore? Or rather, was there no need to hide so much at all, and he could openly display his early-stage Ming Jin strength?

In this way, one can still hide most of their strength and continue to lie low, while still enjoying many of the benefits of being a Ming Jin master.

Furthermore, he has been practicing martial arts for almost three or four years. If he were to break through to the Ming Jin stage, others might be slightly surprised, but they wouldn't have much suspicion. Isn't it just a stroke of luck? He's far inferior to those geniuses who reach Ming Jin in a year.

Thinking of this, and seeing the other six people step forward, Zhou Ye silently followed suit.

Suddenly there were seven people? Zhang Qianshun was taken aback: "How come there are—?"

Zhou Ye quickly clasped his hands in a salute: "Your Excellency, I only managed to break through the barrier a few days ago. I hope you will forgive me."

"No problem, no problem at all," Zhang Qianshun laughed, warmly offering a gesture of support. "That's an auspicious sign; this expedition is sure to be a resounding victory. By the way, which martial arts school do you belong to?"

"Fenglei Martial Arts School, Zhou Ye!"

Zhang Qianshun was taken aback again, then burst into laughter: "Good! So you're Master Du's top disciple. You and Hu Zi were fellow disciples before, weren't you? When you return victorious, you two brothers should have a good get-together."

"Definitely! Definitely!"

But at that moment, Zhou Ye also noticed that there was another gaze watching him from the side.

Zhou Ye glanced at the person and was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that the person was Yuan Zhen, one of the two genius disciples of the Fenglei Martial Arts Academy.

If I remember correctly, wasn't Yuan Zhen supposed to reach the Ming Jin stage in just ten months? How come he's still only at the early stage of Ming Jin? And he's even been surpassed by his junior sister?

Especially since he actually appeared here? Yuan Zhen is clearly just cannon fodder pushed out by their martial arts school?

Then why did they switch jobs back then? Maybe the inner city martial arts schools are just like that, poaching geniuses from poor backgrounds with the real purpose of ruining them? Is it to suppress the rise of ordinary people as much as possible?

Forget it. Everyone has their own choices anyway, so even if you fall into a trap, no one should blame anyone else.

Zhou Ye smiled and nodded at Yuan Zhen as a greeting. Yuan Zhen clearly didn't recognize Zhou Ye.

He gave an awkward smile and nodded in return.

And you know what? At the subsequent banquet, Zhang Qianshun did indeed treat scholars with respect and courtesy.

Even if they're cannon fodder, Zhou Ye and his group of seven are still Ming Jin martial arts masters. Maybe they can gain another connection in the future?

Therefore, those who had reached the level of "intermediate strength" were only rewarded with 20 taels of silver. But for Zhou Ye and other martial arts masters of the "manifest strength" level, they were not only rewarded with 200 taels of silver, but also given two bottles of low-grade Qi and Blood Pills and five bolts of high-grade silk.

And after they had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhang Qianshun even escorted them directly to the gate of the prefectural governor's mansion.

After arriving at the military camp outside the city, the two groups received completely different treatment.

Those who have reached the level of "Entering the Core" are equivalent to generals of a hundred men, while Zhou Ye and his group are generals of a thousand men.

"Quan" means acting on behalf of someone else; he was the acting commander of a thousand men in the new army.

After all, this was conscription, a form of military service. Zhou Ye and his comrades didn't have military status, so they certainly wouldn't receive any military pay. Of course, once the war ended, there would be no obstacles to their retirement.

However, as a general with a thousand men, he still enjoys relatively comprehensive benefits and perks.

They provided a fully saddled warhorse and a mule to carry supplies. They also gave them a set of scale armor, far superior to the previous chainmail, though slightly less protective than crocodile skin armor. But it was still inferior to heavy armor, which was like an iron can.

In addition, there are standard military weapons; you can choose any of them from the armory.

It must be said that Fufeng County is indeed brimming with martial spirit. Such armor and weapons should be sufficient to protect officers like Zhou Ye.

However, Zhou Ye didn't want those; what he really wanted were the iron-pole arrows and crossbow bolts.

At the armory entrance, the treasurer in charge of distributing weapons looked troubled: "General Zhou, aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"

"No problem, no problem." Zhou Ye casually handed over a bundle containing 100 taels of silver. Half of the reward he had just received had already been spent.

The treasurer immediately beamed: "Hey! We can't let our brothers fighting on the front lines suffer. How about this? Two carts only?"

"Thank you very much!" Taking the opportunity, Zhou Ye casually asked, "Treasurer Qin, you are very experienced. What else might be lacking in a battle? Could you give me some advice?"

As he spoke, Zhou Ye secretly slipped him two more gold leaves.

Unexpectedly, the treasurer seemed to have misunderstood, so he laughed and said, "You've come to the right person. What the front lines need most are Qi and Blood Powder and Qi and Blood Pills. You know, before every major battle, even a little extra strength is good, so those soldiers are willing to spend their entire fortunes to buy them."

Buy it. The price can often be several times higher. Furthermore, Qi and Blood Powder and Qi and Blood Pills are still hard currency. They're much more useful than silver or anything like that.

Zhou Ye couldn't help but chuckle. Why would he suggest that he profit from the war?

But then I thought about it again, and it seems like—damn, that makes a lot of sense, huh?

Ordinary soldiers are generally ignored; they're considered expendable. But veteran soldiers often acquire military techniques and skills. When war breaks out, they'll definitely need Qi and Blood Powder and Qi and Blood Pills.

Perhaps this means whether they can survive? These veterans will certainly do whatever it takes.

Since that's the case, all those silver notes I have are of no use.

So Zhou Ye entrusted Qin, the treasurer, to purchase 1000 packets of Qi and Blood Powder and 200 bottles of low-grade Qi and Blood Pills from various pharmacies in the county town. Besides paying 7000 taels for the goods, Zhou Ye also gave Qin a 300-tael commission.

After finishing these tasks, Zhou Ye prepared to return to his camp. He had no idea what Quan Qianren was up to.

Just then, someone came looking for him outside the military camp. Zhou Ye quickly saw him—Du Keyuan?

"Master Du?"

"Ah Ye, you've taken the blame for us this time. Please accept this silver." Perhaps out of guilt, Du Keyuan was quite generous this time, directly offering 500 taels of silver?

"Master Du, no need. I really don't mind," Zhou Ye said with a smile.

Du Keyuan gave a wry smile: "Aye, who would have predicted this would happen? But when disciples from other martial arts schools come, the school will give them a settlement allowance. So don't be shy, it's the old rule."

Alright! Since it's the same old rule, I'll reluctantly accept it!

Seeing that Zhou Ye had accepted the silver, Du Keyuan finally smiled: "Aye, I just heard from the Prefect's Office that you've already broken through to the Ming Jin stage, right?"

"Heh. What a lucky break." I didn't expect the news to spread so quickly.

"That's fine then. I think I misjudged you back then. Now that you're back, you can join the inner sect. Your third senior brother has been busy breaking through to the inner strength stage lately. From now on, the task of passing on skills to the outer sect disciples will be entrusted to you."