Chapter 242: A Somewhat Cumbersome Reorganization

They knew the original Master He's entire household had been slaughtered, but everyone came here to earn money, not because of He Weiyuan. So they came anyway. They also knew the estate had changed hands. Over the past few days, large numbers of able-bodied young men had moved in. Today, hearing the real master had arrived, they all came to see the excitement.

Zhao Jin brought nearly two hundred of his own men, and a large group came out from inside to receive them. Add in these onlookers, and the place was truly a boiling sea of noise.

"Drive away everyone who doesn't belong here. From now on, the area where we camp and train inside the estate must be separated from where they do business." As Zhao Jin said this, he sighed inwardly. His brothers had followed him for so long, yet everything still had to wait for him to arrange.

His own men had been stationed at the He Estate for some time now, but no rules had been established. Everything was still very slipshod.

However, once he gave the order, their reaction was not slow. Shi Manqiang immediately turned and named a few individuals, all retainers who had followed from the very beginning. After the order was passed down, those retainers each called out to others and led men off in every direction.

Watching this scene, Zhao Jin mentally noted another item: he had to establish an organizational structure as quickly as possible. Otherwise, when facing major or urgent matters, chaos would easily erupt. The hierarchy was still very vague. Zhao Jin and his brothers were the superiors; all the retainers and new recruits were subordinates. But beyond that, everything was a blur. It had to be clarified so orders could be passed down layer by layer, with authority and responsibility assigned to specific individuals.

These theories and experiences did not come from any military treatise. Zhao Jin had seen and experienced such things back at his company, and had undergone specialized training. It was easy for him to draw inferences.

The retainers reached the perimeter and began driving away the watching merchants. These gawking merchants were different from ordinary commoners and idlers, especially those who dealt in cattle, horses, and livestock. They had traveled far and wide, were experienced and knowledgeable, and also carried weapons to guard against bandits. They had quite a few hands working for them to drive the livestock. These people were far more arrogant than the average man.

Watching the young retainers approach to drive them off, some turned and left immediately. Those with a temper inevitably had to argue a few words, and there was no shortage of cursing and shouting.

Although the retainers' organization was currently a mess, they were not the least bit sloppy when encountering such matters, because there was already a precedent. For those who refused to back down and challenged them, they directly struck out with long staves, beating them over the head and face. If they still refused to submit, the long spears here were leveled directly at them.

Cries of cursing and pain rose from all around. For a moment, there was utter chaos, with chickens squawking and dogs jumping. No matter how bullish and arrogant the merchants were, none dared to oppose so many men armed with blades and spears. They immediately scattered completely.

Just then, Lei Cai arrived with Zhou Xuezhi. The first time Zhao Jin saw Zhou Xuezhi at the He Estate, although Zhou Xuezhi had been in a sorry state, he was still neatly groomed. Now he looked utterly destitute, his eyes completely bloodshot, his face a mess of stubble. It was clear he hadn't tidied himself in a long time.

Although destitute, Zhou Xuezhi's face was full of excitement, his eyes shining. Knowing that Zhao Jin was asking for him, he felt his good luck must have arrived.

"Master Jin, that old thief He Weiyuan's manor can house at least three hundred people. Adjacent to his manor are two more residential compounds. They're said to belong to other families, but in reality, they're also his property. Adding those two compounds, housing four hundred people would be very easy." Zhou Xuezhi was indeed very clear on everything about this He Estate.

Before Zhao Jin could speak, Lei Cai beside him asked, "There are only a few beds in those houses. How can they be enough for so many people?"

After he asked this question, Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads slightly. Zhou Xuezhi smiled and answered, "Any room in those manors, whether a study, a guest hall, or a storehouse, can be converted into a sleeping quarters. The beds are simple too. Just push the original ones together. For the rest, go get them from the mule and cart inn. They have many ready-made communal bunks there. It's just that the bedding there can't be used. When bringing the bed frames over, you must first sprinkle quicklime on them to prevent any pestilence or the like."

"Leizi, how did you originally arrange the retainers' lodgings?" Zhao Jin asked.

"One group in the He family's residential compound, one group at the mule and cart inn and a few guesthouses, one group in a few of the larger wealthy households…" Seeing Zhao Jin's brows furrow, Lei Cai's voice grew quieter and quieter.

"You lack experience. You need to learn more and observe more. Xuezhi, why did you arrange it this way?" Unwilling to let Lei Cai lose face, Zhao Jin simply changed the subject.

Hearing the familiar address "Xuezhi," Zhou Xuezhi's body jolted, and a flash of wild joy crossed his face. After struggling for so long, escaping the blade, awaiting his fate on death row, and enduring soft detention outside, he was now finally being accepted. He quickly composed himself and began to explain: "Master Jin is not familiar with this estate. Moreover, this estate is outside Xuzhou City, watched covetously by various powers on all sides, surrounded by layers of danger. Under such circumstances, Master Jin must certainly concentrate his forces. It makes commanding convenient and can also intimidate enemies. If scattered everywhere, it would be easy for someone to exploit a gap."

Zhao Jin nodded slowly. Lei Cai's face flushed bright red, and he was about to apologize and admit his fault. Zhao Jin waved his hand to indicate it was unnecessary, while signaling Zhou Xuezhi to continue.

"Furthermore, over four hundred of Master Jin's men are newly recruited, untrained, and don't know the rules. If they aren't kept close, the slightest disturbance could cause unrest and mutiny. They must be gathered together and watched," Zhou Xuezhi continued.

"For us, this place is enemy territory, so we must be cautious in every way," Zhao Jin first affirmed, then turned to the fidgeting Lei Cai and said, "You've been running around outside all this time. Now it's time to establish rules. Think for yourself: do you want to continue working outside, or learn internal affairs and logistics? Once you've decided, put your heart into learning. It's nothing that you don't understand and are flustered now. If something like this happens a year from now, then I'll deal with you!"

Lei Cai nodded repeatedly. As he stood there fidgeting, Zhou Xuezhi watched from the side with great envy. The way Zhao Jin treated Lei Cai was how one treated true family.

"Mister Zhou, the main force has all moved over now. We'll follow your arrangements," Zhao Jin changed his form of address and gave the order.

Zhou Xuezhi quickly bowed to receive the order. After a brief rest, the retainers immediately began bustling about.

After an on-site survey, it was discovered that if connected to the two adjacent compounds, this place could house even more people. The courtyard of this large manor wasn't big, but there were many rooms. It had easily housed over a hundred desperate bandits back then. All those original storehouses could be used as living quarters.

Moreover, He Weiyuan's arrangement was actually somewhat improper. He had actually left He Weiyuan's own inner residence separate, designating it as the living quarters for Zhao Jin and his brothers. If these rooms were also converted into communal bunks, fitting in over a hundred people would be simple. After all, the master's living quarters were much more spacious than the servants'.

Zhao Jin set aside a single small courtyard alone. Inside, they separately stored the gold, silver, valuables, and armor. Zhao Jin and his brothers lived in this small courtyard.

Under Zhou Xuezhi's direction, the retainers carried out simple wooden bed frames one by one from the mule and cart inn and guesthouses on the He Estate. They cleaned them, sprinkled quicklime, and then moved them into the He family's houses. Ji Xiang, Shi Manqiang, and Lei Cai had all joined in to help. Dong Bingfeng led men outside on guard and patrol duty.

Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng walked through the entire He Estate once, then stood to the side watching everyone bustle about.

The retainers were not only carrying simple bed frames inside, but also carrying out furniture exquisitely crafted from fine timber, clearly the kind of quality goods used by wealthy households. This furniture was placed outside the He family compound. Quite a few local estate tenants and merchants from the nearby market came over to look and ask about prices. Everyone knew these were for sale.

"I didn't expect these things could still be left behind. I thought they'd have long been stolen clean by the people in this estate," Zhao Jin said with a smile as he watched.

"After such a great slaughter, the people here were terrified out of their wits," Chen Sheng said with a laugh.

As they spoke, they saw Zhou Xuezhi methodically directing the retainers in moving things, and even finding time to discuss the prices of the He family furniture with those merchants.

Chen Sheng stared for a while, then turned his head and said in a muffled voice, "This Zhou Xuezhi can only be considered a capable man. He's familiar with this He Estate, but we're newcomers. Is this person trustworthy?"

Zhao Jin smiled and said, "What's there to be untrustworthy about? The entire He household is dead, yet his whole family is alive. If he doesn't follow us, who else could tolerate him?"

Just as they were busy, Lei Cai came running over, somewhat flustered and exasperated. Reaching them, he hurriedly said, "Big Brother, quite a few merchants at the mule and horse market and He Family Market are about to flee. After being beaten by us just now, rumors are spreading over there that we're going to sack those two markets."

Aside from local strongmen who would take a steady trickle over the long term, outsiders would only sweep through once and leave. Zhao Jin commanded such great strength and was known for being overbearing. After displaying that attitude just now, it wasn't surprising that people had such thoughts.

Hearing Lei Cai's words, Zhao Jin was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. Only then did he say, "Even if we really sacked them, how much silver could there be? They really think too highly of themselves. Leizi, take some men now and go buy ten head of livestock. Then sell twenty jars of the liquor we brought this time. Remember, all transactions must be in ready silver. No need to haggle meticulously for a lower price; just make it reasonable."

Lei Cai hurried off to do as instructed. Not long after, he returned, his face full of admiration. The panicked merchants, seeing Zhao Jin pay the asking price, immediately settled their minds. When they saw Zhao Jin's side bring out Hanjing Famous Liquor to sell, they were even more unwilling to leave. It was only then that many realized Zhao Jin was not just a god of slaughter, but also a god of wealth. Being able to purchase this Hanjing Famous Liquor nearby meant they would certainly make a fortune. Now, not a single person wanted to leave.

As dusk approached, Liu Yong also arrived with the carts transporting dry rations and food. According to Liu Yong, the carts were shadowed as soon as they left the city. Some scouts disguised themselves as merchants. Once they were farther out, some scouts even swaggered over on horseback openly. However, seeing that the several carts were all transporting food and had no able-bodied men escorting them, they didn't continue following. But when they reached a place about five li from the He Estate, there were again furtive figures tailing them, only leaving once they got near here.

"It seems within ten days, maybe even within five days, they're going to make their move!" Zhao Jin calmly made his judgment.

Gathering troops and moving them inconspicuously toward the He Estate all took time. But since all this was happening near Xuzhou City, the time needed was limited.

No one reacted intensely, because they had long anticipated this possibility. Now it was merely a matter of the timing being set.

"For meals, the original plan was to have the guesthouses and the cart inn prepare them, and buy any shortfall from the estate tenants. But Master Jin came in such a rush this time, there wasn't time for that. However, having these dry rations is enough. Master Jin, you are indeed thorough," Zhou Xuezhi came over to offer a flattering remark, then went back to his busy work.

"Does this Zhou Xuezhi know a fight is coming?"

"He should be able to guess. That's why he's busying himself so anxiously. The more he does, the better our chances of victory."

Before nightfall, the beds and lodgings were roughly arranged. The people of the He Estate prepared hot soup and water. Everyone simply ate dinner with the dry rations brought over.

No one rested after dinner. Torches and lanterns illuminated the He Family Compound as bright as day. The interior walls that divided the compound were all pushed over, and the bricks were carried outside. The large trees in the courtyard were also chopped down one by one. Though rushed, the goal was to ensure there were no obstacles hindering movement inside the compound, transforming it as much as possible into the style of a military barracks.

The He Family Compound and the two adjacent courtyards were also connected, merging the three courtyards into one. The toppled brick walls and felled trees were all placed at the intersections around the compound, piled up to serve as barricades.

Inside the city, there were still thirty retainers and fifty new recruits. At the He Estate, there were one hundred fifty retainers and four hundred new recruits. The retainers and new recruits at the He Estate were divided into five squads, each led by Zhao Jin and one of his brothers, rotating night watch duties. They had to maintain a fighting force of over a hundred men ready at all times.

Being at the He Estate was not like being in the city, where one could go home and sleep soundly. Here, they had to be thoroughly cautious, not daring the slightest relaxation. The night passed without incident. During the latter half of the night, some retainers on watch heard movements in the darkness, but couldn't determine if it was human or beast.

In the early morning, all retainers and new recruits assembled on the open ground east of the He Family Compound. This open area was not small; over five hundred people lining up here didn't feel crowded at all. It was said that in summer, it was a market for surrounding villages, and in autumn and winter, a temporary holding area for large numbers of mules and horses. Due to years of trampling, the ground was still quite level. Such a place was perfect to serve as a training ground for the retainers.

A platform was temporarily built using the wall bricks dismantled and trees felled the previous night. Zhao Jin stood atop it, his brothers standing beside the platform.

Among the ranks lined up below, the retainers and new recruits stood on separate sides. The retainers stood the most orderly. The new recruits could only be said to have a rough semblance of formation; this was likely the result of the training over these past days. Far off, quite a few estate tenants and merchants from the He Estate watched the excitement. They watched in dead silence, filled with awe.

The formation Zhao Jin looked upon with dissatisfaction appeared to them like a mountain fortress. Moreover, the long spears had been distributed the previous night. Seeing the forest of spears made the murderous aura feel even more chilling.

"Everyone, our Xu'an Trading Company now has over seven hundred retainers and hands in total. Whether recruited in the past or newly enlisted these days, you are all good men!" Zhao Jin shouted at the top of his lungs from the platform.

Hearing Zhao Jin say this, the young men below couldn't help but straighten their chests. Zhao Jin continued loudly, "What exactly you are to do as a retainer, you surely know in your hearts. If you don't, then look at the weapons in your hands."

Everyone who came to enlist knew what they were signing up for. After Zhao Jin said this, the expressions of the household guards and new recruits below the platform grew even more resolute.

"There are so many of us. If we fall into chaos when facing the enemy, or can't figure out what's going on, that's a dead end. So we must set rules. Under my command, the most critical rule is to obey orders. If you don't obey orders, even heaven-defying skill makes you useless. If you obey orders, even if you know no martial arts, you can become an invincible warrior!" Zhao Jin roared.

The people below listened with rapt attention, but the companions beside the platform were a bit puzzled. Ji Xiang, staring straight ahead, asked in a low voice, "What is Big Brother planning to do?"

"... Probably setting up a formal structure..." Chen Sheng, also staring straight ahead, answered quietly.

Everyone then fell silent. This matter was Zhao Jin's to decide anyway; they just had to wait for their assignments.

"This year's newly recruited household guards... those who can ride horses, step forward. Those who can shoot arrows, step forward..." Zhao Jin shouted from the platform.

The new recruits had trained for less than ten days. Although they had grasped the basic concept of formation, their execution was still terrible. The moment they stepped forward, the ranks became very disorderly.

Over on the side, two laborers had carried over a table with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on it. Zhou Xuezhi had already spread out the paper and readied the brush, prepared to take notes.

Thirty-six in total could ride horses, seventeen in total could shoot arrows, and eleven could do both. Compared to riding, archery was a harder skill to master. That Zhuang Liu, who came from the guard post, was among those who could do both.

These forty-two men stood off to one side. The remaining new recruits began to form ranks, this time arranged by height from shortest to tallest. This formation drill took considerable effort. Once it was complete, Zhao Jin continued shouting from the platform: "This year's newly recruited household guards will be grouped into squads of twenty-five, called Recruit Squads. Each squad will have one Squad Leader and one Assistant Squad Leader. First Squad, Squad Leader Lu Da. Second Squad, Squad Leader Li Wu..."

Name after name rang out from Zhao Jin's mouth. Sixteen Squad Leaders were quickly selected. Among the new recruits, those from guard-post families and those with backgrounds in the jianghu had worn hopeful expressions; after hearing the list, hope turned to disappointment.

All sixteen Squad Leaders came from the veteran household guards. The new recruits only knew this much. The veteran guards knew more — these sixteen Squad Leaders were all men who had followed Zhao Jin in that charge and bloody fight before the gate of Big Head Huang's place. At the very least, none of them had fled in panic. Every one of the dozen or so men from back then now held a Squad Leader position.

"... The Assistant Squad Leader positions will remain temporarily vacant. After one month, they will be filled by the best candidates from within each squad..." Once these words were shouted, the new recruits' disappointment turned back into hope. They still had a chance. Many were now eager and itching to try.

"... The remaining household guards will be divided into four squads, called Veteran Squads, forty men per squad. First Squad, I will serve as Squad Leader. Second Squad, Chen Sheng as Squad Leader. Third Squad, Ji Xiang. Fourth Squad, Shi Manqiang. The riders and archers will be formed into a separate Direct Command Squad, with Dong Bingfeng as Squad Leader..."

"... All squads together will constitute one Battalion, with one Battalion Commander. I will serve as Battalion Commander..."

"... Additionally, one Chief Steward will be appointed, responsible for general affairs and logistics. The Chief Steward will be Liu Yong, assisted by Clerk Zhou Xuezhi and Manager Lei Cai..."

"... Outstanding performers in the Recruit Squads may become Assistant Squad Leaders of their own squads, or be promoted into the Veteran Squads. Outstanding performers in the Veteran Squads will become Squad Leaders..."

Zhao Jin's voice echoed through the great courtyard. Every person listened intently...