I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

The snow has finally stopped.

Niangziguan, also known as Weizeguan, is the choke point of the ninth of the eight passes of Taihang, and is the so-called bulwark of the capital region.

If Jingxing is the throat of the Taihang Mountains, then Niangziguan is the toughest bone in that throat.

Nestled amidst towering mountains and flowing water, this majestic pass stands proudly.

Beyond the Great Wall lay the Khitan's butcher's knife and the Central Plains, which had become a living hell.

Inside the pass, at least there was Hedong, where people could at least have a peaceful life.

As long as this place is secured, no matter how turbulent Hebei may be, Taiyuan Prefecture will remain safe and sound.

But now, it seems that this lock is about to be broken by the refugees.

Now Shen Lie was only wearing that tattered clothes, with a straw rope tied around his waist, a horizontal knife hanging on his left hip, and the head constable's plaque tucked in his pocket.

This was all his possessions.

This is also the foundation for his future livelihood.

"Brother Shen."

Liu Laosan, who was behind him, suddenly stopped and tugged at Sanlang, who was walking silently beside him.

Shen Lie turned around.

Along the way, Liu Laosan looked ten years older, his face full of fatigue.

"What?" Shen Lie didn't turn his head, his gaze fixed on the armored soldiers at the gate of the city.

Although they were all troops under Shi Jin, the Hedong troops were clearly different from the cowardly soldiers from the Central Plains who had surrendered under Du Chongwei's leadership.

The soldiers on the wall were all clad in armor and armed with weapons, their eyes coldly fixed on the tide of refugees below, their crossbows always half-drawn.

This is common sense.

With the Central Plains in chaos and the Khitans right behind us, if we open the gates and let the refugees in, the defenses of Taiyuan Prefecture will no longer be needed.

Liu Laosan didn't say anything, but simply reached out and pushed Sanlang in front of Shen Lie, then knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Uncle! What are you doing?!" Sanlang exclaimed in surprise and went to help him up.

"Don't move!" Liu Laosan shouted sharply, then looked at Shen Lie and shakily pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket, inside which were a few loose pieces of silver.

"Young Master Shen, my name is Liu Yan, and this child's name is Liu Qing." Old Man Liu held the silver above his head.

"I'm not well-educated and don't understand any grand principles. But I know that Brother Shen is a capable person, someone who can accomplish great things."

Shen Lie didn't take the money; he just watched him quietly.

"I've thought about it. Once we get through the pass, this old man can just find somewhere to make a living. But this silly boy... could you please take him with you, my lord?" Liu Laosan kowtowed to the ground.

"This boy is very strong and honest. Please, sir, take him in as a servant to lead the horse and hold the stirrups. In these chaotic times of war, following you will at least give us a way to survive."

Shen Lie remained silent for a moment.

He glanced at the young man named Liu Qing, also known as Sanlang.

The latter was looking at his uncle with a blank expression.

Although this kid isn't very bright, he's definitely sturdy. He hasn't lost much weight during this escape.

During this chaotic Five Dynasties period, warlords preferred to recruit such people as their personal guards.

The so-called "Yabing" refers to the private soldiers and personal guards of the Jiedushi (military governor).

It was often a father and son succeeding each other, or even adopted as godsons.

The history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms can be simply described as a history of rebellions by imperial guards and the suppression of those guards.

Shen Lie looked down at himself.

With his body, eight feet tall, long arms and a slender waist, skilled in archery and horsemanship, he was more than qualified to be a soldier.

This is currently his only path to advancement.

"I'm going to join the army," Shen Lie said calmly, looking at Liu Yan. "Not to enjoy a life of luxury."

"I know." Liu Yan gritted his teeth. "My lord is probably going to become a soldier. That's a job where you risk your life."

"Since you know that, why did you still let him come with me?" Shen Lie pointed at Liu Qing. "Once we're on the battlefield, I can't take care of him."

"Following my lord is risking my life; staying here is waiting to die." Liu Yan saw things clearly and pushed Liu Qing forward.

"This lad is strong and obedient. If the master tells him to go east, he will never go west. Even if he has to carry a flag or take an arrow for the master, that would be a blessing for him."

Shen Lie remained silent for a moment.

He looked at the simple-minded Liu Qing.

In this chaotic world, to achieve anything, you really need a few absolutely loyal people.

Although Liu Qing is simple-minded, he is obedient and has maintained a relatively good character throughout his life.

Shen Lie didn't say anything more, he just nodded slightly.

"Stay close. Whether you get military rations after you pass this point depends on your own luck."

Liu Yan was overjoyed and was about to kowtow to his nephew when Shen Lie stopped him.

"There's movement ahead."

Shen Lie raised his chin.

The crowd was unable to advance an inch in front of the barricades.

Several refugees who tried to break through the checkpoint had been hanged on the gate wall, their bodies swaying in the cold wind, serving as the best road signs.

In an era where food is more expensive than gold, Liu Zhiyuan did not want to accept these burdensome creatures who could only open their mouths to eat.

"Step back! Anyone who dares to advance again will be killed without mercy!"

A captain from the Hedong Army stood behind the barricades, brandishing his horsewhip, appearing particularly agitated amidst the rising and falling cries of agony.

Shen Lie took a deep breath, straightened his short brown coat, and tightened his belt to make the horizontal sword more conspicuous.

Instead of squeezing through like the refugees, he went straight to a small door on the side.

There was a large flag there with the word "recruitment" written on it.

In chaotic times, human life is the cheapest, but the life of someone who dares to die is the most precious.

Liu Zhiyuan doesn't want refugees, but he absolutely needs soldiers.

"stop!"

The guard at the side entrance held out his spear, "What are you doing?"

Shen Lie stopped in his tracks.

He took out the waist token from his pocket and handed it over.

"Shen Lie, Infantry Commander of the Fengguo Army."

The guard hesitated for a moment, then took the waist tag.

The bronze medal is heavy in the hand, with intricate patterns on the back and the three characters "Feng Guo Army" engraved in the center.

This thing can't be faked, and no one dares to fake it.

The guard's attitude changed, and he looked the ragged man up and down.

"Wait."

The guard left a message and ran into the pass.

Although the position of "Du Tou" (a military officer) is commonplace in this chaotic era of the Five Dynasties and seems worthless, it carries a very different weight in the eyes of those in the military.

Back in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the head of the army was the commander-in-chief, leading an army of ten thousand men. He was a true regional warlord.

Even during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang, when his power had diminished slightly, he was still a powerful figure who commanded thousands of people.

Although the world is now in a state of moral decay and organizational chaos, with some constables only able to lead a hundred or so men,

A moment later, the side door opened.

A burly military officer stepped forward, holding the waist token in his hand, his gaze sweeping over Shen Lie.

"From the Fengtian Army?" the general asked, fiddling with his waist badge. "Wang Qing's men?"

"Yes," Shen Lie answered crisply.

"Du Chongwei has surrendered, why don't you?" the general suddenly asked.

"I am Han Chinese," Shen Lie answered crisply. "My knees are hard; I won't kneel before a Khitan."

The general smiled.

He liked the answer.

"The commander-in-chief is recruiting elite soldiers."

"Since you're a captain in the Fengguo Army, you must be quite capable. If you can pass the entrance exam, I'll give you a job."