Chapter 364: The Beginning

Once accepted, these people would be registered by Liu Yong, who would arrange for them to return after a period of time to train at a designated location and then receive orders. Many were not particularly willing to accept such treatment, but without guarantor documents and with identities that could not bear scrutiny, they had no other choice. As for those who were willing, they did not work for the Zhao character Camp at all times; they merely earned some extra income and lent a hand at critical moments.

Apart from the above, some scholars without examination honors also came. The age of this group generally did not meet the requirements, which was no surprise. Young scholars still harbored illusions, thinking that with honors they could be exempt from taxes and corvée, bring glory to their ancestors, and even advance further on the path of imperial examinations. Only when they grew older did they realize it was all for nothing. By then, they had to plan for their livelihood and families, so naturally they no longer cared about the distinction between civil and military pursuits.

However, these scholars all shared a common flaw: they could not set aside their pride, always believing civil pursuits were noble and martial ones base. They assumed that Zhao Jin, a mere martial man, would be overjoyed to have scholars like them come to pledge allegiance, and would surely humble himself to invite them. Then they would modestly decline a few times before finally agreeing.

The Zhao character Camp naturally could not be bothered with such types. But there were a few practical men so focused on finding a meal that they disregarded scholarly dignity and face. For these, Zhao Jin also had them registered, with arrangements to follow later.

The selection of several thousand people was nearly half completed on the first day, and would be finished in one more day. Those who noticed this detail were all amazed, believing that such efficiency must stem from great ability and brilliant planning. In this era, it was rare to see something so efficient.

However, those who marveled often failed to notice how much preparation the Zhao character Camp had made for this efficiency, and how long they had been busy in advance.

The selected family retainers were not kept in the Zhao character Camp right away. Instead, they were given set amounts of grain and copper coins and sent home to visit their families, with a return deadline set based on the distance of their journey. If they failed to return on time, they would lose the qualification to enter the Zhao character Camp, and the grain and copper coins would be reclaimed.

This was actually another entry test, meant to teach the usually undisciplined commoner youths to observe punctuality and rules, and to verify whether their families truly consented to their coming. If someone could not return on time, whether due to a lack of discipline or family objection, that person was not worth recruiting. In the former case, the man was useless; in the latter, it was not worth breeding resentment among the common people. The Zhao character Camp was, after all, rooted in Xuzhou and had to consider its reputation.

The candidate family retainers who received the grain and copper coins were all very excited. The weighty grain and the gleaming, high-quality new coins themselves demonstrated the Zhao character Camp's strength. Their choice to join was indeed correct; they had to hurry back and absolutely not let anyone else take their place.

Outside, the recruitment of new members was in full swing, while inside the He family compound, large awnings were being erected. For weddings and funerals, open-air banquets were held, and monks and Daoists were needed for rituals. Since the rooms could not accommodate this, a large awning to shelter from wind and rain had to be set up in the courtyard. Specialized craftsmen handled this work, and they were now busy in front of the house where Zhao Jin lived, erecting such an awning. Tables and chairs from all over He Village were requisitioned and borrowed, placed beneath this awning.

While the new recruits were being selected, the various groups who had arrived earlier either went home or rested, as if the bustling activity outside had nothing to do with them. Yet when the selected candidate retainers went home beaming with joy, these groups returned one after another.

During this period, Wang Zhaojing sent several letters to Zhao Jin. Each time, a trusted household servant delivered the letter by fast horse. Nanjing was not close to Xuzhou; even by water and land routes with a fast horse, it took over three days, and the journey was very taxing.

The Wang family, father and son, treated their servants generously, and their subordinates were all loyal and devoted. But no one could endure such grueling travel, and the messenger inevitably voiced complaints: "Young masters, you must advise my young master. The grand examination is imminent; he should be focusing his mind."

These words were merely heard and then dismissed; no one took them to heart, nor would anyone blame the messenger for his rudeness. However, the fact that Wang Zhaojing was so preoccupied with matters here right before the provincial examination did not bode well for his exam results.

The letters contained Wang Zhaojing's own thoughts and suggestions. Through several exchanges of correspondence, along with some arrangements made by the Wang family itself, he had become quite well-informed about the events at He Village.

Zhao Jin replied earnestly, but when handing the letter to the messenger, he gave a few instructions, saying that the reply should not be delivered to Wang Zhaojing before the provincial examination, lest it distract him at such a critical time.

After the recruitment of new members concluded, He Village finally quieted down. Some who had not been accepted, or those who arrived late from remote areas, still lingered around. Although the Zhao character Camp might still recruit them, if they came too close during these days, they would be seized as spies, and at the very least would receive a flogging.

Several large carts came from within Xuzhou city, loaded with sets of finished robes. The tailors had been busy with this task for over half a month, and many with an enterprising mind had even sought help from women in the city skilled at sewing.

Since it was Master Jin's purchase and paid in full silver, they naturally put their hearts and effort into it. Yet they also found it strange: a man of Master Jin's wealth and status, why not order fine clothes of brocade and satin, or at the very least Songjiang fine cloth? Instead, he specified coarse cloth, and the stitching had to be fine and dense. This was clearly the standard of a moderately well-off household. Fortunately, the silver was ample, or else they would have felt ashamed just making them.

Besides the strange cloth requirement, there were also specifications for color. No expensive reds, greens, pinks, or purples were wanted; there were many requests for gray, black, and blue, and they did not need to be particularly bright. This was not difficult; general stores and cloth shops had the most stock of these colors. Even if insufficient, it was easy to purchase more from Pi County in time.

As for the robes themselves, the style closely resembled the short robes worn by martial practitioners. The cuffs, trouser legs, and waist all required matching bandages, which was the only complicated part.

The quantities of the three colored short robes differed: black was the fewest, gray the most, and blue was in between.

Moreover, when Zhao Jin provided the money, he specifically instructed that this short robe style could henceforth only be used by the Zhao character Camp itself. If any outsider came to have them made, they were either to be refused, or reported to the Zhao character Camp's manager in the city.

No one would ever come to the tailors to have such short robes made anyway; it was not a particularly beautiful or remarkable style, and copying it was pointless. But since Zhao Jin had given the order, everyone agreed crisply and without hesitation; none dared disobey.

The three colored short robes were all neatly folded, sorted by color, and placed in a dedicated storehouse. This made everyone wonder why such inexpensive items were treated with so much importance.

A large awning had been set up in the courtyard, filled with tables and chairs. Everyone knew this was to host numerous guests. Chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, vegetables, colorful fruits, and jars of fine wine were all delivered. The Cloud Mountain Restaurant in the city closed for three days, and its cook arrived with assistants.

The various groups who had come to discuss matters before the recruitment of new members now gathered again at He Village. Zhao Jin, dressed in casual clothes, greeted guests with a smiling face all day long.

Many who arrived were far more amiable and respectful than on their last visit. Last time they had come as guests; this time they came as part of the group.

On the eighth day of the eighth month, the He Village market ceased operations. All merchants and residents were ordered to leave, and could return only after nightfall at the earliest. He Village frequently imposed curfews and cleared the streets, which was actually quite inconvenient for everyone's business. However, with the convergence of people and goods here, they earned far more than elsewhere, so they endured these minor inconveniences.

On this day, those wandering outside and standing guard at key locations were not the main force of the Zhao character Camp, but the militia and village braves from the allied villages. A careful observer would also notice that those standing guard and patrolling the perimeter were not even the main forces of the allied villages, but all new recruits.

Any prudent and experienced person would surely say the Zhao character Camp was arrogantly overconfident, failing to prepare for danger in times of peace. But then again, within the territory of Xuzhou nowadays, truly no one dared to provoke this place.

However, if any enemy did attack, the Zhao character Camp's family retainers could enter combat at any moment, for they were all assembled in formation on the open ground east of the He family compound, fully armed, including the cavalry.

The only potential problem was within the prefectural city itself. Those on duty at the distillery and the Zhao residence had been replaced by yamen runners and the ruffians under You Zhenrong, and the family retainers there had also hurried over to this side.

In front of the moat of the He family compound, a large wooden platform had been erected. Zhao Jin and his companions, dressed in newly made black short robes, stood solemnly on the platform. The family retainers in neat formation stood a dozen or so paces from the wooden platform, while the guests from various quarters were arrayed on either side.

The drummer beat the drum at a steady, unhurried pace. Under the monotonous, rhythmic drumbeats, everything fell into place, and the scene gradually quieted down.

"These black clothes are hot under the sun!" Zhao Jin joked self-deprecatingly, then swept his gaze around and raised his arm.

The moment he raised his hand, the drumbeats immediately became rapid and urgent. The family retainers all turned solemn, and the surroundings fell silent. Everyone's gaze focused on the wooden platform. At this moment, He Village was completely deserted; only the distillery was still busy, and the sounds coming from there made the surroundings seem even more still.

"Everyone, our Zhao character Camp and the village braves rescued Xuzhou, defeated the roving bandits, and saved the people of Xuzhou. This is a great merit and virtue. We are honored, and our fallen brothers are even more honored. It was they who charged at the forefront that secured this great victory," Zhao Jin declared in a clear, ringing voice.

The onlooking guests were somewhat surprised, wondering why he was bringing this up again so long after the battle.

"A moment of silence for all! Sixty drumbeats!" Zhao Jin shouted.

The drummer resumed the monotonous rhythm, striking the drum beat by beat. Zhao Jin and his companions on the platform bowed their heads, and the Zhao character Camp family retainers below the platform also bowed their heads. The scene was solemn.

Seeing this solemn and sorrowful atmosphere, the surrounding guests gradually shed their expressions of surprise and even mockery, each one becoming dignified. Some bowed their heads as well, while others put their palms together in silent prayer.