"By the way, how is the militia recruitment going?" Xiao Jing asked.
So as not to waste them, he had incorporated the 106 Yellow Turban soldiers from before into the Huangshan Village militia tasked with maintaining order.
The original militia, however, only had twelve members. With the sudden addition of 106 Yellow Turbans, Xiao Jing worried something might go wrong. After discussing it with Guo Yun, he decided to expand the militia through recruitment.
Guo Yun didn't hesitate and answered immediately.
"The villagers were very enthusiastic. We quickly recruited the full 100 men..."
"However, I must remind you, the soldiers' rations are a heavy drain. Now that we've recruited another 100, I'm afraid with our village's current grain supply..."
'Food again!'
Xiao Jing rubbed his temples in pain.
"I understand. You, go and get Xu Tai..."
"As you command!"
Guo Yun bowed respectfully with cupped fists, then left the Lord's Residence.
Guo Yun hadn't gone far from the Lord's Residence when he heard a familiar voice.
"Steward Guo! Steward Guo!!"
He took a closer look and saw it was the militia leader, Li Ye.
He jogged up to Guo Yun in just a few strides, a sheepish look on his youthful face.
"Steward Guo, I... I was wondering... The village just recruited 100 men for the militia, didn't it...?"
Hearing this, Guo Yun's expression turned stern. He chided him gently, "Is that something you should be asking about?"
Li Ye gave a sheepish smile.
Seeing this, Guo Yun sighed internally. He looked at the naive young man from his own village with a sense of frustration, as if disappointed by his unfulfilled potential. He said,
"Don't get any ideas about leading these new militia recruits! The Village Chief already has someone in mind!!"
Hearing this, Li Ye looked crestfallen.
Guo Yun saw this and offered some comfort. "Li Wa'Er, your handling of the Yellow Turban situation last time was indeed clumsy, but don't worry. The Village Chief is always fair with rewards and punishments. Just make sure you distinguish yourself next time!"
"The Village Chief is a brilliant strategist. I expect there will be more fighting soon. You can prove your worth then..."
Li Ye nodded emphatically, a fire igniting in his eyes.
...
"I pay my respects, my Lord!"
Inside the Lord's Residence, Xu Tai gave Xiao Jing a stiff, formal salute.
A slight smile appeared on Xiao Jing's face. He helped Xu Tai up, nodded, and said, "Captain Xu, no need for such formalities!"
Looking at the solemn man of the Great Han before him, Xiao Jing felt a bit wistful.
He wasn't sure if it was his 200-plus points of renown, his 'First Under Heaven' trait, or the fact that Huangshan Village's fame was gradually spreading.
He'd never thought his little Huangshan Village would one day attract a general of Tier Seven strength—a fierce talent who came to pledge his loyalty of his own volition.
[Name]: Xu Tai
[Occupation]: Martial General
[Status]: Huangshan Village Militia Captain
[Level]: 70 (12,266/14,100)
[Loyalty]: 75
[Innate Talent]: Martial Fanatic (Martial Will +20)
[Potential]: Second-Rate (Blue)
[Attributes]: Might: 69+4, Martial Will: 22, Strategy: 0
[Experience-based Abilities]: Command: 45, Strategy: 32, Administration: 17, Renown: 2
[Martial Arts]: Roaming Dragon Spear Technique (Blue, Proficient, Might +4)
[Hundred Schools Arts]: Farming (Proficient), Woodworking (Proficient), Intermediate Command (Proficient), Art of War (Beginner)
[Equipment]: Ironwood Spear
[Skills]: Roaming Dragon Flash (Martial Will -15, greatly increases evasion rate for a short time)
[Treasures]: None
[Personal Traits]:
1. Icy Pride (Blue): Possesses an unyielding spirit. Charisma +5.
2. Spear Formation (Blue): When commanding spearmen in battle, spearmen under command gain Might +1, and damage taken is reduced by 2%.
[Special Units]: None
Looking at this status panel.
Xiao Jing sighed.
Xu Tai was a Tier Seven expert, but he was no match for Zhou Cang.
'He only has two traits, and not only are they just blue rarity, but one of them actually boosts Charisma. What use is Charisma to a great general?'
'They're both Tier Seven, but with the 'Fierce General of the Western Pass' trait (Personal Combat Power +30% during duels), Zhou Cang could probably take out Xu Tai in an instant...'
'And that's not even mentioning that Zhou Cang has four traits, one of which is exclusive to historical generals...'
'But, no matter how you look at it, talent is talent!'
A smile spread across Xiao Jing's face. "Captain Xu, please, sit!"
Once Xu Tai was seated, he continued.
"The village recently recruited 100 militiamen. I plan to combine them with the 106 Yellow Turban soldiers to form the Huangshan Defense Force. I want to put them all under your command. Captain Xu, are you confident you can lead this army well?"
Xu Tai's solemn expression wavered, touched by the offer. "My Lord, I... I... have yet to accomplish anything of merit. How can I..."
Xiao Jing waved his hand, cutting Xu Tai off. "I don't stick to conventions when promoting talent!"
"I know what you're capable of, Captain Xu, which is why I'm entrusting you with this great responsibility! All you need to do is tell me if you have the confidence!"
Xu Tai nodded gravely. "I do! I will do everything in my power to train this army for you, my Lord!"
"Haha! Excellent! The Yellow Turbans are running rampant, and the lands are in turmoil. I expect a major battle will break out soon. You must be ready, Captain Xu!"
"Yes!!"
...
「On a plain twenty kilometers from Huangshan Village.」
Da Liu Town!
A bloody battle was unfolding.
On the simple wooden walls of Da Liu Town, the town's leader, Ma Fu, watched with a grim expression as the Yellow Turbans swarmed below like a tidal wave.
"Hold the line! Hold the line!"
"Endure! Hold on! Reinforcements will be here soon! The County Magistrate won't abandon us!!"
Ma Fu's voice was hoarse as he stood on the walls, braving a rain of arrows to rally the militia defending the town.
But it was no use. The Yellow Turbans came in wave after wave—so many, so many, they seemed endless...
"The Blue Sky is dead, the Yellow Sky shall rise!!!"
The Yellow Turbans' fanatical chant relentlessly eroded the confidence of the soldiers defending the walls.
Meanwhile, the county reinforcements Ma Fu had spoken of were nowhere in sight. The morale and confidence of the militia on the walls were on the verge of collapse...
"Damn it!!!"
'Has the County Magistrate truly abandoned us?'
Ma Fu's heart hammered in his chest, and despair slowly crept onto his face...
Just then, Da Liu Town's advisor rushed onto the wall. He came to Ma Fu's side and, suppressing his own despair, said.
"It's not good, sir. A scout just delivered an urgent report. Shanwu City is under siege by a massive Yellow Turban force. They won't be able to help us..."
The advisor's voice was so low that Ma Fu, his face a mask of disbelief, thought he had misheard. He grabbed the advisor's arm. "What?"
The advisor repeated despairingly, "Shanwu City is under siege by the Yellow Turbans..."
Ma Fu's vision went dark, and he nearly collapsed.
But just then, as if struck by an idea, the advisor helped Ma Fu steady himself. His voice filled with excitement as he said.
"Sir, I have an idea! Do you remember that Huangshan Village that suddenly appeared nearby a few days ago?"
Ma Fu fought off a wave of dizziness. "Huangshan Village?"
The advisor, like a drowning man clutching a straw, said excitedly, "Yes, that's it! Huangshan Village!"
"Huangshan Village's army is exceptionally strong! If we ask them for aid, they could surely save us!"
Hearing this, a complicated expression crossed Ma Fu's weary face. He said:
"Huangshan Village? I know of it. They have a great general of peerless strength. To avoid drawing their attention, I even sent them a gift of grain to stay on their good side."
"They might be able to save us, but that village is immensely ambitious and harbors ill intentions. Not long ago, they seized the public salt and iron mines and brazenly claimed vast tracts of land. I'm afraid..."
The advisor grew anxious. "Sir, this is no time for that! Never mind their ambitions! We need to ensure our people survive first..."
Ma Fu sighed. "Very well. Men, send a request for aid to Huangshan Village!"