I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

In the evening, the army arrived at a county town called Yunle County!

Because the army was too large, it could only be stationed outside the city, and only a small number of people were allowed to enter the city.

Qin Li certainly didn't need any permission; he could enter the city whenever he wanted.

However, because the carrots had angered Wangcai, it refused to enter the city no matter how much Qin Li dragged or pulled it, so he had no choice but to leave it outside the city to be looked after by a special person.

He himself entered the city with a small number of guards, swaggering in.

Before even entering the city, notices were posted on the bulletin board at the city gate, recruiting soldiers with very generous conditions.

Those who enlisted in the army could immediately receive a settlement allowance of twenty taels of silver and a wife provided by the government for free, most of whom were women from criminal backgrounds.

For Qin Li, twenty taels was nothing more than the price of a single ordinary silk thread on his clothes.

For people like Zhou Biao, it was nothing more than the cost of a simple prostitute's meal, insignificant.

But for ordinary people in Yunle County, twenty taels of silver could buy several acres of good paddy fields, and if they used it sparingly, they could even build a house.

Most importantly, you can get a wife for free and have children to carry on the family line!

Despite such favorable conditions, few people signed up at the conscription office set up at the city gate; it was deserted!

Even ordinary people entering and leaving the city would avoid the conscription office, fearing that they would be forcibly conscripted into the army.

"Let's go take a look!"

Qin Li led his men straight to the conscription office.

It was supposed to be the conscription office of Yunle County, but it was just a temporary shed set up at the city gate, with drafts coming from all sides.

It's fine for providing shade during the day, but when it rains, it's like a light drizzle inside while it's pouring rain outside.

Fortunately, it won't be used for long, just for this short period of time. It's good enough that it works. Money should be spent wisely!

Upon seeing Qin Li's arrival, the conscription officials who had been sitting and resting, drinking tea and chatting, immediately stood up, bowed, and saluted Qin Li.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Qin Li hummed in agreement and waved his hand, telling them to go about their business.

He's not here to inspect the work; he's just here for a casual visit. There's no need for everyone to be so tense.

He picked up the conscription book from the table and flipped through it.

The officials' hearts leaped into their throats at the sight, and some even broke out in a cold sweat.

There's no other reason than that the conscription has been far from ideal these days, and the Crown Prince will surely blame them. They'll be in deep trouble then!

After flipping through two pages, Qin Li put the conscription book down again.

It's not that I don't want to continue reading, it's just that there are only two pages left.

In recent days, fewer than fifty people from Yunle County have signed up to join the army.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

The officials immediately knelt down, their faces pale with fright.

They had already heard about Qin Li's luring and killing of deserters.

If Qin Li is so ruthless towards deserters, he will certainly be even more ruthless towards officials who are incompetent.

But Qin Li didn't say anything, and turned around to lead his men into the city.

The officials kneeling on the ground were completely bewildered as they watched Qin Li and his men leave.

They're leaving already?!

unusual!

As they passed through the tall city gate, Qin Li deliberately tested his personal guards, saying, "Do you know why I didn't kill them? They weren't even punished?"

The guards looked at each other, and one of them shoved Zhou Biao with a laugh, "Zhou Biao, didn't your mother say you've always been smart and quick-witted?"

Upon hearing this, the other guards burst into laughter.

Only Zhou Biao stood straight, head held high, "What are you laughing at? My mother was right, I, Zhou Biao, have been clever and quick-witted since I was a child."

After speaking, Zhou Biao cupped his hands to Qin Li, "Then, Your Highness, shall I speak?"

Qin Li nodded.

"Because those people did nothing wrong, Your Highness will neither kill nor punish them!"

"It's not their fault they can't recruit soldiers; killing them won't solve anything!"

"His Highness is known for his clear distinction between rewards and punishments!"

While answering, Zhou Biao didn't forget to flatter Qin Li.

After listening, Qin Li nodded in satisfaction and patted Zhou Biao on the shoulder as a sign of praise!

This is one of the reasons why Qin Li prefers to use Zhou Biao, even though he has so many guards around him.

Although he's not very smart, he's definitely clear-headed when he needs to be, and he's not confused at all!

Upon hearing this, the other guards stopped laughing and felt a mixture of envy, jealousy, and resentment towards Zhou Biao.

Fools are sometimes lucky!

Passing through the tall city gate marks the official entry into Yunle County.

Unlike the clean and wide streets of the capital, which allow several carriages to pass side by side, the streets here are not as clean and spacious.

Yunle County is just a small county with narrow, dilapidated streets full of potholes. Sitting in a horse-drawn carriage would definitely make you question your existence.

With his hands behind his back, Qin Li led his men along the bumpy street, and said, "Then let me ask you again, do you know why our recruitment efforts have been unsuccessful?"

This time, before Zhou Biao could answer, the other guards eagerly chimed in, each offering their own opinion, chattering away:

"Your Highness, I know, I know. Of course, it's because the Northern Barbarians are powerful and have a large army; they are invincible this time!"

"That's only one reason. Secondly, several of our dynasty's renowned generals have died on the frontier, leaving our dynasty facing a situation where we have no generals to command!"

"The Northern Barbarians excel at riding and archery; their cavalry are fierce and elusive, appearing and disappearing like ghosts. Our dynasty's cavalry cannot compare!"

"Our army has suffered a crushing defeat, morale is low, and even the common people don't believe that our Great Zhou can win this time!"

"..."

As everyone was engaged in a lively discussion, suddenly a gruff voice rang out:

"fart!"

"None of what you've said is a valid reason!"

"The recruitment difficulties in Yunle County are entirely due to rampant banditry in the area!"

Upon recognizing the newcomer, the guards clasped their hands in salute, their eyes filled with admiration. "Greetings, General!"

Qin Li stepped forward and bowed, "Li'er greets Uncle!"

The person who came was none other than Qin Li's uncle, Wang Hu, the Great General of Zhenwu of the Great Zhou Dynasty!

Wang Hu stepped forward, lifted Qin Li's arm, and then casually slapped Qin Li on the back, saying:

"You little rascal, trying to pull this on your uncle?"

"I've never seen you bow to your uncle before!"

Wang Hu's slap was so powerful that Qin Li almost saw his great-grandmother.

Got it!

He's even more reckless than Zhou Biao, simple-minded but physically strong.

After slapping him, Wang Hu quickly reached out and wrapped his arms around Qin Li's neck.

From behind, they don't look like an uncle and nephew, or an elder and a younger generation, but rather like good brothers.

"Hey nephew, if you don't come soon, your uncle is really going to have to conscript you into the army!"

"Hurry, hurry, think of a way to recruit soldiers!"

"Yunle County has a population of tens of thousands, and in the past few days, they've only managed to conscript less than fifty people. It's driving your uncle crazy!"

Wang Hu was on the verge of tears as he said this.

If he can't recruit soldiers and deserters are appearing, how can he fight against the Northern Barbarians?

He admitted that he was a good fighter, but one man can't fight against many, and he couldn't possibly fight against hundreds of thousands of Northern Barbarian troops all by himself.

The Northern Barbarians could drown him with a single spit from each of their men!

Before setting off, Qin Li deliberately sent a message to him.

Forced conscription is not allowed; the principle of voluntary enlistment must be adopted.

These past few days, Wang Huchou's hair has been falling out in clumps, and he's almost bald.

Seeing Wang Hu acting like a child in front of their prince, anyone who didn't know better would think that their prince was the uncle and Wang Hu was the nephew.

The guards couldn't help but suppress their laughter.

Upon hearing this, Wang Hu turned around and glared fiercely. The guards immediately stood up straight, their expressions serious.

"Get the hell out of here! Get as far away as you can and don't disturb this great general's conversation with your eldest prince!"

At the command, the guards quickly made their escape, running as fast as they could.

If you anger General Wang Hu, you're sure to suffer the consequences.

After everyone left, Wang Hu's expression changed in an instant, and he was about to cry again. He said anxiously to Qin Li, "Nephew, what should we do?"

"Or, let's conscript men! I guarantee we can find tons!"

"By the time we reach the border, we should be able to muster an army of several hundred thousand!"