The Great Rebel at the End of the Ming Dynasty

"What's wrong? Are you laughing so hard you're speechless?"

Seeing his expression, Zhou Lun burst into laughter.

Hao Dage then came to his senses and quickly stood up to thank Zhou Lun, saying that he was naturally willing to be the captain and thanking Zhou Lun for his promotion and important appointment.

Hao Dage wasn't an ungrateful person. From now on, he would go through fire and water without hesitation.

Seeing the other party's attitude, Zhou Lun was very satisfied.

Hao Dage was someone he specifically asked Gao Yingxiang for, because he valued Hao's bravery.

Although his old camp was capable of fighting, it lacked a fierce general like Hao Dage. Although Zhou Lun had never led troops in his previous life, he had been leading a rebellion for more than half a year now, and had fought several battles, large and small. Combined with his own knowledge, he had also gained his own understanding of military affairs.

As the saying goes: A pack of wolves led by a sheep can never defeat a flock of sheep led by a wolf.

No matter how well the training is conducted in the camp, it's uncertain how much combat effectiveness can be achieved on the battlefield without a daring and courageous general leading them.

As the leader of the rebel army, Zhou Lun is now effectively the fifth-ranking officer in Gao Yingxiang's forces. He commands nearly two thousand men, including the main force and ordinary rebels. In the future, when they go into battle, he can't be expected to always be at the forefront leading the charge.

Even though Zhou Lun was no slouch in martial arts and was willing to fight, he was still the commander-in-chief. What kind of battle is it where the commander-in-chief personally goes into battle? If it really comes to that, it means the outcome of the war has reached a very dangerous point.

Now that we have enough soldiers, the training of officers, especially junior officers, will take time. Even if we train a group of capable junior officers, the army still needs someone with sufficient courage and bravery. That's why Zhou Lun took a liking to Hao Dage, who turned the tide in the Battle of Gaohanling, and specifically asked Gao Yingxiang to bring him over.

After bringing Hao Dage over, Zhou Lun immediately put him in the old camp as a common soldier. This was not because he didn't value him, but because he wanted to hone him and help him integrate into the group quickly.

Things are going more smoothly than he imagined. Hao Dage now truly considers himself a member of the old camp. Since that's the case, Zhou Lun can't let such talent go to waste. Promoting him to captain is just the first step. As for future merits, Zhou Lun won't hesitate to promote and reward him. How far he ultimately goes depends on his abilities.

Seeing Hao Dage's overjoyed and somewhat incoherent declaration of loyalty, Zhou Lun smiled faintly and waved his hand at him, saying, "Being a captain isn't easy. Once your team is formed, I'll have a very good use for it in the future."

"Don't worry, General! I, Hao Dage, am not an ungrateful person. Today, I am grateful for your favor, and I will do anything you ask!" Hao Dage thumped his chest loudly, his face flushed as he made his promise.

Zhou Lun nodded and told him: He would be given a special privilege—he could freely choose the men in his team from the old camp. In short, he could choose whomever he wanted, as long as they reported it to him afterward.

Moreover, his team was directly under Zhou Lun's command, meaning that although Hao Dage was only a captain, his position was equivalent to that of a directly subordinate elite force. That wasn't all; Zhou Lun also told Hao Dage that once this team was formed, its equipment and benefits would be the best in the old camp, even surpassing those of ordinary old camp elites.

But there's one crucial requirement: this team must be fearless and daring, becoming Zhou Lun's sharpest blade. They must understand that once war breaks out, the most difficult and dangerous tasks will fall to them.

In other words, Zhou Lun granted Hao Dage immense power and a high position and privileges within the old camp, but the corresponding expectations were also the highest. The saying goes, "An army is raised for a thousand days to be used for one," meaning that once Hao Dage's unit is fully formed, it will be of great use in the future. Moreover, the battlefield is ruthless, and accidents can happen at any time. If Hao Dage feels he cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility, it's not too late to back out now.

No sooner had Zhou Lun finished speaking than Hao Dage became anxious. His face flushed red as he said to Zhou Lun: Since the general values ​​me so much and has entrusted me with such an important task, how can I, Hao Dage, say no? I'm the kind of person who can pee standing up; since joining the righteous army, I've long since disregarded life and death.

Besides, how can there be no war without deaths? At worst, a head will fall off and leave a scar, but eighteen years later, he'll be a hero again! He's determined to be the captain! As for what happens on the battlefield, let Zhou Lun watch with his own eyes how Hao the Big Guy makes his mark!

"Hahaha! Good! Good!"

Hao Dage's attitude greatly pleased Zhou Lun. This was exactly the kind of formidable person he needed. Only someone like Hao Dage could lead a top-notch team, becoming his trump card, or even his ultimate weapon on the battlefield.

And so, Zhou Lun immediately announced: From now on, Hao Dage is the captain. Next, select suitable personnel to form a team as soon as possible, and then report to him. In the future, if anything happens, Hao Dage can come directly to him; Zhou Lun has given him this authority.

Hao Dage was overjoyed and grinned from ear to ear. Just as he was excitedly preparing to get up and say goodbye, eager to go and choose people, Zhou Lun called him back.

"By the way, all I know is that you're called Hao Da Ge. What's your real name? We can't keep calling you 'Big Guy' after you become the captain, can we?"

It would have been better if he hadn't asked, because once he did, Hao Dage became a little hesitant.

He chuckled and told Zhou Lun that he didn't have a formal name. Because he weighed seven jin (approximately 3.5 catties) at birth, his parents gave him the nickname "Seven Jin" (七斤).

As he grew older, he became taller and stronger than other children his age, so everyone started calling him "Big Guy." Over time, the name "Hao Big Guy" stuck. Rural farmers didn't care about such things, so even after joining the rebel army, he continued to call himself "Hao Big Guy."

"That won't do. 'Big Guy,' it was okay to call you that before, but now that you're about to become the captain, it's not appropriate anymore. How about this, I'll give you a name?" Zhou Lun asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Hao Dage was overjoyed and immediately agreed. To have Zhou Lun give him a grand name was an incredible stroke of luck!

It's true that Hao is tall, but he's not stupid. Zhou Lun giving him a name is tantamount to treating him as a true confidant. Add to that the captaincy and the heavy responsibility entrusted to him, and wouldn't his future be bright?

What should we name him?

Zhou Lun pondered for a moment.

As he pondered, he suddenly recalled the scene of Hao Dage fighting on the front lines, waving flags and shouting during the Battle of Gaohanling. That scene left a deep impression on Zhou Lun, and it was then that Zhou Lun developed a fondness for Hao Dage's talent and specially sought an opportunity to recruit him from Gao Yingxiang.

"Since that's the case," Zhou Lun thought, and an idea immediately came to him.

"How about Hao Yaoqi, or Hao Yaoqi?" Zhou Lun asked.

"Is there a difference? They all sound the same." Hao Dage asked, completely bewildered.

Zhou Lun smiled, beckoned him closer, then dipped his hand in the tea and wrote the characters "摇旗" (Yaoqi, meaning "waving the flag") and "尧奇" (Yaoqi, meaning "Yaoqi") on the table. Pointing to the characters, Zhou Lun explained: "摇旗" is quite simple, it comes from your gesture of waving the flag during the Battle of Gaohanling, which left a deep impression.

As for "Yaoqi"—"Yao" means tall and is also the name of an ancient emperor; "qi" is simple, meaning extraordinary and magnificent. Put together, it means tall and extraordinary, which fits your nickname "Big Guy". In addition, the pronunciation is the same as "waving a flag", so it can be said to be a double entendre.

Hao Dage scratched his head. He had never been to school and couldn't read. He looked left and right, and after a long pause, he finally said, "Yaoqi" is too literary and its meaning is too profound. He really couldn't understand it, nor did he have the brain to think about it. The word "waving the flag" sounded much better, and he liked it too.

Seeing his expression, Zhou Lun burst into laughter again.

After laughing, he nodded. Since this kid likes "waving the flag," then "Waving the Flag" will do. From now on, Big Hao will have a famous name.

And this famous name is "Hao Yaoqi".