Chapter 370: Everything Must Be Handled Thoroughly

Halfway through these words, even the company commanders and squad leaders of Zhao's Camp couldn't maintain order anymore. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Zhao Jin, those in the back murmuring in low discussion, while the guests on both sides looked utterly astonished, afraid they had misheard.

A hubbub erupted inside and outside the shelter. Zhao Jin raised his arm and waved it fiercely several times before he could quiet everyone down. Raising his voice, he said, "During your service, these fields will be managed on your behalf by Xu'an Trading House. The yield will be calculated based on the average harvest of each area for that year — if grain is plentiful, it's counted as grain; if cash is plentiful, it's counted as cash — and delivered to your families, or into your own hands."

Only then did the crowd below calm down somewhat. Wasn't this just a pay raise? No need to get too excited. Zhao Jin continued, "The title deeds will be held in trust by Xu'an Trading House. After twenty years of service in Zhao's Camp, they will be issued to the individual. If one dies in battle, the deed goes to his family. If one is wounded and can no longer fight, the deed goes to the individual. Brothers, the deeds will be prepared in the coming days, and you will be called to sign and put your thumbprint on them. In the future, if you wish to inspect them, you may go to Xu'an Trading House to verify them at any time. Each year, the deeds will be replaced, adding or subtracting the acreage as warranted. However, for those who flee in the face of battle, betray their brothers, or commit violations and wrongdoings, this title deed will be voided."

The brief silence was shattered once more by an uproar. This was still their own land and property — it just came with a time limit.

Serve twenty years, and you'd have over a hundred mu. If your rank was a bit higher, nearly three hundred mu. If you rendered meritorious service, even more. This was landed property, a foundation that could be passed down through the generations. How could such a good thing exist? Every face showed an expression of disbelief, yet after thinking for a moment about how Zhao Jin conducted himself and handled matters, they found no grounds for doubt whatsoever. Lord Jin's word was his bond.

The clamor gradually died down. The newly appointed company commanders and squad leaders looked at Zhao Jin with expressions of excitement. Zhao Jin swept his gaze across the crowd below, and each man his eyes met would puff out his chest.

"Brothers, heed my commands, obey the rules of Zhao's Camp, train diligently and earnestly, fight with courage and ferocity, and I will not treat you poorly!" Zhao Jin said with a smile.

A buzzing murmur rose from below. The family soldiers seemed to be chattering about something, and in the end, their voices grew more and more unified, turning into a great shout: "Orders received! Orders received!"

Whether it was Zhao Jin's companions or the family soldiers below the platform, every man was solemn. Among the guests on either side, some shared in the joy, while others turned deathly pale.

Matters finally came to a temporary close. The family soldiers formed ranks and departed. Before the new recruits entered the grounds, Zhao's Camp would still operate under its original structure and ranks — everything remained unchanged for now.

People came in again to adjust the seating, moving the guests' chairs from both sides back into the shelter. By now, the sun had shifted to the west, yet no one's spirits slackened in the slightest.

Today's joint council — everyone had thought it would just be going through the motions: mention the matters settled in previous days, leave the undecided matters unspoken, and part ways with everyone happy. No one expected so many intricacies. Still, the observant could discern a few things: Zhao Jin had displayed his strength to everyone and was actively recruiting. All who were loyal to him and had helped him received tangible, substantial benefits.

Aside from those few regional magnates who owned hundreds or thousands of qing of land, everyone else was making their own calculations. Zhao Jin was so generous and handled matters so fairly — what point was there in preserving their own little situations? Wouldn't it be better to pledge allegiance outright? Everyone was thinking this.

"Fellow countrymen, you've all been put through a tiring day. Zhao conducts his affairs by his own rules, and there are many places where I strike out on my own path. If any of you are confused about something, or find something amiss, now is the time to speak up," Zhao Jin said amiably.

Had these words been spoken at the start, everyone would have been quite eager. But having watched from beginning to end, each person felt shaken, and the words they had originally wanted to say were swallowed back down.

"Young Master Zhao, this Zou has something to say, though I'm not sure if it's my place." A country gentleman in his forties stood up and spoke courteously.

"Elder Zou is a senior. Please, speak freely — and do remain seated," Zhao Jin said with a smile, gesturing with his hand.

Everyone recognized this man: he was Xiucai Zou of Zou Family Fort, also the patriarch of a major clan in the area between Xiao County and Xuzhou City, though somewhat lesser in stature than that Juren Cai.

Being addressed this way by Zhao Jin, Xiucai Zou felt his face gain luster. He smiled and exchanged a polite word, but did not sit down. Standing there, he said, "Young Master Zhao rewards merit without fail — truly just and generous. Yet these men of merit are also men of merit for our Xuzhou. How can so much land be borne by Young Master Zhao alone? Why not let us share the burden?"

Zhao Jin's eyes narrowed slightly. The faces of the gentry and powerholders seated in their chairs all changed — most turned quite ugly. They thought: land is the lifeblood of every family, and you just offer it up as a favor? You made the decision yourself and gave it away — how will your family back home ever accept this? They're sure to raise a huge row with you, and we'll see how you deal with it then. A few, however, looked thoughtfully toward Xiucai Zou. Juren Cai even nodded slightly.

"Gentlemen, there is no need to trouble yourselves. He Family Village has countless fields of fertile land, Cloud Mountain Temple has its manors, and this time, the fields of Kong Family Village will also be transferred into Zhao's hands. Moreover, with the chaos of the refugee disaster, the unclaimed properties and lands north and south of the Yellow River have all come under the name of Zhao's Camp. What is being distributed here is truly a mere drop in the ocean," Zhao Jin declared in a clear, ringing voice.

Xiucai Zou put on an expression of sudden enlightenment and said repeatedly, "It was indeed Zou who worried needlessly. Young Master Zhao, there are quite a few able-bodied young men in Zou's household. At present, they are all busy at home, but in about half a month or a month, they will be free. They missed this recruitment for Zhao's Camp — could Young Master Zhao, for the sake of us fellow countrymen, give them some consideration?"

"Young Master Zhao, there are also some youths in Cai's household fond of martial arts. If they could be entrusted to Young Master Zhao's guidance, Cai would be deeply grateful as well," Juren Cai hastily stood and added.

By this point, everyone had caught on. Xiucai Zou's seemingly tactless and muddled inquiry actually carried two layers of meaning. First, Zhao's Camp now had a force of nearly three thousand men. If land was to be distributed as rewards on this scale, the amount would be enormous, and it might well fall to everyone to share the burden. If Zhao's Camp truly intended that, then they should prepare a response in advance, or negotiate for favorable terms. The second meaning was: if Zhao's Camp could bear such rewards on its own, then Zhao Jin's strength was even greater than estimated, and everyone could consider showing more goodwill and placing larger bets.

The farmlands and lands of He Weiyuan back then, the field estates and properties of Cloud Mountain Temple, the manor of Kong Family Village — these had all been places everyone once envied and discussed, deeming them heaven-scaled assets, wondering what kind of management it would take for their own families to acquire such things. No one imagined they were now all under Zhao Jin's name. With such wealth and resources, of course he could bear the burden of these rewards.

And with such wealth, resources, and rules in place, sending their own sons and younger kin here was also a fine choice. Rather than having them at home, thinning out the family estate and property, it was better to let them go out and earn their own keep.

After the suspicion, awkwardness, and silence passed, the scene erupted once more. Everyone scrambled to their feet, vying to express roughly the same sentiment: they had even more sons and juniors they wished to send over. Those who had previously sent sons and brothers were mostly minor local strongmen of modest means, while most of those seated here had sent nephews and distant relatives. Now, they had decided to raise the stakes...

At this moment, Zhao Jin seemed like a seasoned veteran of the jianghu in his forties, tempered by countless trials. His face was full of warm enthusiasm as he waved his hand unceasingly and said, "Everyone, don't be hasty, don't be hasty."

Even so, he could not stem the fervor below. Many people left their seats and surged forward. Seeing this, Ruhui quickly turned his head and gestured. The drums sounded once more, and twenty-some family soldiers approached at a quick pace. With both measures applied simultaneously, the scene finally quieted down.

"Fellow countrymen, Zhao's Camp is a place that abides by rules. When Zhao sets a time for recruitment to begin and end, it must be followed accordingly. If I cannot adhere to that, would I not be ruining my own reputation? However, Zhao will not leave you all disheartened. I will establish a new squad, to be taught and trained at my side. Its name shall be the New Recruit Squad — no, it shall be called the Cadet Squad!" Zhao Jin said with a smile.

Everyone had thought Zhao Jin would refuse. Hearing this, they were considerably relieved. Zhao Jin's expression then turned stern as he said, "Once one enters Zhao's Camp, one must abide by the rules of Zhao's Camp. If any of you would be soft-hearted toward your sons and juniors, then do not send them."

Watching, participating, discussing — by the time darkness approached, everyone was somewhat weary, yet everyone was also exhilarated. Though all had carriages and horses, not a single person left.

Fortunately, He Family Village had long prepared everything. Cooks from the city were on hand, and chicken, duck, fish, meat, and fine wine were all in ample supply. Preparations had begun early, and the aroma of the dishes began to waft through He Family Village, making everyone's mouths water.

The council grounds were converted into the banquet venue. Torches and bonfires were lit all around, providing both illumination and fires for roasting pigs and sheep.

Those powerful gentry and country squires from all over Xuzhou were normally each in their own locales, with hardly any chance to gather. This gave them a fine opportunity. Whatever past grudges or old enmities existed, everyone now put on smiling faces, chatted amiably, and cultivated connections, all waiting to drink heartily come evening.

Many were also waiting for this moment to build some rapport with Zhao Jin. But Zhao Jin was nowhere to be seen. Only Ruhui and Zhou Xuezhi were there, smiling as they entertained the guests. These two were also worth getting to know, so everyone crowded around them.

Zhao Jin and his companions were in the study. The short-statured Lei Cai stood before them. Many knew that those youths who had competed in martial arts back at the freight yard now held decent positions in Zhao's Camp — after all, the bond of old friendship was there. Lei Cai had also been one of them back then, and his relationship with Liu Yong was particularly good; logically, he should have been given important responsibilities.

Yet to outsiders, Lei Cai always seemed to flicker in and out of visibility within Zhao Jin's system, his status not even as significant as Chen Hong's. For instance, although Zhou Xuezhi had been appointed today to oversee all funds and provisions, when it came to accounting and auditing, Chen Hong was still in charge — it was just that he was too young, and giving him a formal position might not sit well with everyone.

Today, everyone had listened from start to finish and had not heard Lei Cai's name mentioned once. Some were puzzled, but did not dwell on it too much. Ups and downs were perfectly normal, especially given their age.

"Xiao Yong not only has to handle the affairs of the Internal Guard, he also has to keep an eye on various places and stay busy with Xu'an Trading House. He needs someone as his assistant. Lei, you are a man who works with diligence and attention to detail. You must help Xiao Yong well. You will serve as the Vice Squad Leader of the Internal Guard," Zhao Jin said solemnly.