Chapter 22: Edict to the World, Recruiting Soldiers in Han Zhou

After Jiang Che's Edict to the World was released, the world trembled once more.

The edict contained no flowery rhetoric.

It listed only case after case of old grievances.

White Bone Pass fell twenty years ago, yet the court took no action.

Lu Heng invited the Barbarians through the pass, yet the court ennobled him as a King.

Marquis of Zhenbei, Jiang Xuan, died in battle, yet the court seized his troops.

Jiang Che reclaimed White Bone Pass, yet the court questioned his crime.

The final sentence spread across the Great River, north and south:

"Jiang Che does not rebel against the Human Realm; he only questions the corrupt court."

"To all in the world who refuse to kneel: come to Han Zhou."

This Edict to the World ignited hearts faster than the Emperor's decree to suppress rebellion.

The border folk of the Northern Border moved first.

Countless young and strong shouldered dried rations, led thin horses, and converged on Han Zhou.

Some blacksmiths closed their shops and came with the swords they had forged all their lives.

Some hunters came with their ancestral composite bows.

Some scholars took up their brushes to write "Willing to record the heroic souls of Han Zhou" and came as well.

Even some criminal soldiers previously exiled by the court escaped from the bitter cold mines and rushed north day and night.

Outside the Han Zhou military camp, long queues formed every day.

Chen Shanhe was so busy his feet barely touched the ground, yet his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Young Master, we have recruited eight thousand soldiers in three days!"

Jiang Che looked at the ragged new recruits on the parade ground.

Some could not even hold a spear steady.

Some stood in formation crookedly and askew.

Yet there was fire in their eyes.

Jiang Che asked, "Is the grain and fodder sufficient?"

Chen Shanhe replied, "The people of Han Zhou are delivering grain themselves, but they cannot sustain it for long."

Just as they spoke, the sound of carriage wheels came from outside the city.

A long Merchant Caravan entered Han Zhou.

At the head was a fat Shopkeeper wearing a sable fur coat, smiling like a Maitreya.

"I am Shen Wanjin of the Wan Tong Merchant Association, greeting Young Master Jiang."

Chen Shanhe grew wary: "A Merchant Association?"

Shen Wanjin smiled and said, "Young Master, do not misunderstand; I am not here to make a fortune, but to seek refuge."

Jiang Che asked, "Why?"

Shen Wanjin sighed.

"In recent years, the court has imposed harsh taxes and miscellaneous levies; the Three Kings have exploited the trade routes; and the Heavenly Gate Lackeys treat the world like a pigsty. I do business, and what I fear most is uneven roads."

He raised his hand and waved.

The carriage curtains were pulled back.

Grain, medicinal herbs, iron, and cotton clothes filled the carriages.

"One hundred thousand shi of grain, three hundred carriages of medicinal herbs, and fifty thousand jin of refined iron."

Chen Shanhe gasped in shock.

Shen Wanjin continued, "Additionally, there are five million taels in Silver Notes, offered as a loan to Han Zhou."

Jiang Che looked at him: "A loan?"

Shen Wanjin smiled: "If the Young Master wins, I will be repaid tenfold."

Chen Shanhe glared angrily: "You dare ask such a thing!"

Shen Wanjin remained calm: "If the Young Master loses, my head is gone as well. For a gamble on life, tenfold is not expensive."

Jiang Che suddenly smiled.

"Very well."

Shen Wanjin's eyes lit up: "Does the Young Master agree?"

Jiang Che said, "If I win, I will repay you tenfold."

"But for all goods needed by the people and soldiers of Han Zhou, prices must not rise."

Shen Wanjin immediately became serious.

"I, Shen, swear on the hundred-year reputation of the Merchant Association."

On the same day, Han Zhou began to expand its army.

Jiang Che divided the new army into three camps.

The Northern Frontier Camp, personally trained by Chen Shanhe, will primarily defend White Bone Pass.

The Han Mountain Camp, composed of border folk and hunters, specializes in mountain guerrilla warfare.

The Green Blade Camp, formed by Sword Cultivators from the martial world who came to Han Zhou, will be temporarily led by Xie Tingxue.

Some were dissatisfied.

Sword Cultivators from the martial world are arrogant; how could they submit to the command of a woman?

Thus, Xie Tingxue placed her sword on the parade ground.

In a single day, he defeated thirty-seven people in a row.

Green Blade Camp was convinced.

At night, Jiang Che stood atop the city wall, watching the campfires below.

Xie Tingxue walked over.

"Putting Sword Cultivators into a military formation is a very dangerous thing."

Jiang Che said, "I know."

"Sword Cultivators don't like being bound."

"That's why I need to give them a reason greater than freedom."

Xie Tingxue asked, "What reason?"

Jiang Che gazed toward the darkness to the south.

"To let them know."

"That their swords aren't only for brawling in the jianghu."

"They can also defend a city."