Chapter 13: 13 Selecting Personnel

Unfortunately, after some intense bargaining, Luoning ultimately did not manage to get many guards.

However, Lulansi did relent, letting Weijinsi arrange thirty guards for Luoning, while also providing Luoning with additional resources:

1,000 jin of barley, 1,000 jin of wheat, 500 jin of flour, 300 jin of dried meat, 300 jin of vegetables, 50 jin of coarse salt, 20 jin of fine salt, 5 carriages, 1 fine-quality warhorse, and 100 gold coins.

Although the number of guards was not satisfactory, the supplies provided later managed to keep Luoning quiet.

To be honest, he had not expected Wushan Castle to give him so many extra resources.

Besides the food, there were also 4 carriages and a fine steed!

After expressing his most sincere gratitude to Lulansi and Weijinsi, Luoning happily left the room and followed Huoerhuate to select the guards.

"Father, why did you give Luoning so many resources?"

After Luoning left, Weijinsi finally could not hold back, "We just lost a large amount of resources and even territory because of him yesterday; why are you still protecting him like this?"

Lulansi smiled, "As a father, haven't you noticed that Luoning has grown?"

Weijinsi was stunned for a moment, then thought about it carefully; although he did not want to admit it, he still nodded, "He has indeed changed a bit; at least he hasn't gone to any manor to attend banquets these past two days."

"Actually, he knew long ago that the matter of the guards' betrayal had nothing to do with you. The reason he wanted to blame you, I suspect, was just to demand some benefits."

Weijinsi was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand a little, and could not help but widen his eyes, "That bastard!"

Lulansi, however, chuckled, "This incident with Selina has had a great impact on this child, making him grow up a lot, so I am willing to give him some resources to see if he can achieve some results."

He sighed, "Our Wushan Family has only been around for three generations, the bloodline is too thin, and you are not up to the task now, so we can only count on these two remaining male descendants!"

"Although Luoning has changed his surname, the bloodline is still there. If he develops, it is not a bad thing for our Wushan Family."

Weijinsi was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his face flushed red and he was unable to speak.

But this statement was a fact; at 52 years old, he should have still had the ability to sire offspring, but unfortunately, he had been too indulgent in his youth, draining his potential.

Ever since Breton was born, no matter how much effort he and Daianni put in, it was useless.

Privately, Weijinsi had also tried with others, but without exception, it was also useless.

"Fine, then let's do as Father says. I hope Luoning will not disappoint you!"

Weijinsi stood up, bowed, and then quickly left the room.

Lulansi glanced at the old Steward, "When Huoerhuate gathers all the guards, have someone drag the five traitors Luoning brought back over and kill them, so that group of guards understands that there is only one path for betraying the Wushan Family: death!"

"As you wish!" Moste bowed respectfully and retreated.

……

On the west side of Wushan Castle, there was a huge plaza where the Knights and guards usually trained.

At this moment, in the afterglow of the setting sun, under the summons of Huoerhuate, all the guards in the castle had gathered here.

Besides them, there were also a few cavalrymen watching from the outside.

Luoning looked over; these few cavalrymen were each tall and spirited, and one could tell at a glance that they were extraordinary.

"They should be the people from the Knight Squad defending the castle today."

Luoning's eyes lit up; if he could get a Knight Squad like this to go to Shanlin Town with him, how wonderful that would be.

However, it was a pity; according to Lulansi's words, for a place like Shanlin Town, having one Knight like Maiken plus a squad of regularly trained guards was about enough.

Weijinsi had even said that in Shanlin Town, one only needed to avoid the Magic Beasts in winter, and on ordinary days, stay away from the areas near the Wushan Mountains, and the savage tribes in the woodlands were of no concern...

What else could Luoning say?

"Young Master, all the guards have gathered, 60 in total."

Huoerhuate walked over and said respectfully, "According to the master's instructions, you can select 30 from among them to accompany you to Shanlin Town."

Luoning scanned the guards standing below; they were just standing together relatively closely, with no posture to speak of.

"Only 60 people?"

Luoning was not clear about the defense situation of Wushan Castle, so he was very surprised when he heard this number.

This was Wushan Castle, the base of the Marquis, yet there were only 60 guards.

"Sixty guards are already enough."

Huoerhuate explained, "The true core combat power is the 12 Professional Knights; most of the work of the Attendants and guards is to stand watch and serve the Professional Knights."

Luoning nodded slowly.

Indeed, Maiken, a single Primary Knight, could slaughter nine traitors; in front of a Transcendental, the combat power of ordinary people was indeed not worth mentioning.

Looking at it this way, the defense of the Marquis Mansion was still acceptable.

Ordinary people simply had no way to stir up any trouble here.

"What is the salary of these guards?"

Luoning turned to ask about the guards' pay.

Although Huoerhuate was not responsible for the guards' salaries, as the Steward, he still had a certain grasp of information in this regard.

"1 copper coin per day, with food and lodging included."

Luoning could not help but sigh in his heart; a salary of only 1 copper coin per day was truly little.

But fortunately, food and lodging were included, otherwise, these guards would have trouble surviving.

"Announce the Count's arrangement to them."

"Very well."

Huoerhuate faced the guards, "All guards, standing before you is the noble Wushan Bloodline, the grandson of the Marquis of Wushan Territory, the son of the Count of Wushan City, the Baron of Shanlin Town, Luoning Liehuofengbao!"

Although the guards knew Luoning's identity, upon hearing such an introduction from the Steward, they still cheered loudly, expressing their sincere greetings to Luoning.

Huoerhuate chuckled and continued, "Lord Baron is about to set off to build a new city for the Wushan Family. He needs to select thirty of you to go to Shanlin Town to serve as his guards. In the future, when Shanlin Town develops into a new city, you will be the first batch of meritorious subjects!"

"This is a great undertaking! Now, those willing to follow Lord Luoning, please step forward!"

As the words fell, unlike the reaction to the previous sentence, the guards did not cheer, but instead began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

The news that Luoning had been stripped of his inheritance rights had already spread; as guards of the castle, they naturally knew this, so they certainly knew what kind of place Shanlin Town was.

Besides being remote and dangerous, the main issue is that it is quite far from Wushan City, and since the Guards' homes are all here, they are certainly somewhat resistant to voluntarily heading to Shanlin Town.

For a moment, no one stepped forward.

Huoerhuate frowned slightly, "Are you cowards, not even daring to grasp such glory? Hmph, if no one volunteers, then I shall make the selection!"

All the Guards stopped talking; their expressions were nervous, just like students afraid of being called upon to answer a question.

Luoning took a step forward, signaling to Huoerhuate to let him handle it.

He looked at the Guards below and held up one finger:

"Anyone willing to accompany me to Shanlin Town can immediately receive a reward of 1 silver coin!"

Sounds of discussion rose up from below again.

Luoning held up a second finger, "Anyone willing to accompany me to Shanlin Town, besides having food and lodging covered, I will pay you a salary of two copper coins per day!"

Immediately, the sound of discussion grew several times louder, and even three or five people excitedly stepped forward.

Luoning revealed a smile, and he held up a third finger, "For any Guard who goes with me to Shanlin Town, should you die in battle, I will issue a pension of 1 gold coin to your family!"

"I'll go, I'll go!"

Finally, more than half of the sixty Guards stepped forward.

At this time, Luoning held up a fourth finger.

"I can promise that by the end of next year, if you wish to return to Wushan City to live, I will not place any obstacles in your way!"

"Of course, if you wish to bring your families from Wushan City to live in Shanlin Town, I will also apply to my father and guarantee that your families arrive safely in Shanlin Town!"

After these words were spoken, the remaining dozen or so who had not stepped forward could no longer resist.

Higher pay, more reliable benefits, and being part of the original core team, plus the ability to bring their families to Shanlin Town in the future.

With such good conditions, there was no reason for the Guards not to be tempted.

"I'll go too!"

"I'll go too!"

They all surged forward.

(End of this chapter)