Chapter 578: Each with Their Own Designs

After all the able-bodied young men from the estates belonging to Zhao Camp had gathered in Xuzhou, the second piece of news was released. This news required no prying or rumor-mongering—it was proclaimed with gongs and drums by the various properties associated with Zhao Camp. In the cities of the one prefecture and four counties, at every major market and estate, people were dispatched. Zhao Camp always handled matters with great thoroughness and attention to detail; no one had any doubts about that. Within three days, the news had spread across the entire territory of Xuzhou, and even the surrounding areas under Zhao Camp's control had learned of it.

"…Because the He Estate has numerous properties and bustling markets, and fears local unrest and bandit harassment, it is recruiting a militia guard of one thousand men…"

The words were high-sounding, but the meaning was singular: Zhao Camp was recruiting household troops.

As soon as this news broke, it caused an immediate sensation throughout Xuzhou and the surrounding areas under Zhao Camp's control. Many felt their minds couldn't keep up—first Qingjiangpu, now recruiting household troops; just how many good things were there?

On the ground in Xuzhou, the attitude toward joining Zhao Camp as a household trooper was better early than late—the earlier, the better. Those who had joined early had all made something of themselves now, and their families walked with stiffer backs as a result. Yet every time, from all sides, there were always some who considered things very "thoroughly"—for instance, if their sons were in someone else's hands, wouldn't they be held hostage? Zhao Camp looked glorious now, but what if they were later branded rebels and arch-traitors? And their own children were living well enough; why should they toil like beasts of burden for someone else?

Every time, there were people who thought this way, and every time, these people regretted it afterward. It was always those who joined who reaped the benefits, while their own families regretted, their children complained—it was a great deal of turmoil.

As for the gentry and powerful families on the ground in Xuzhou, aside from those truly bound to Zhao Camp in shared glory and ruin, the rest were not particularly willing to send their sons to join. The reason was simple: Zhao Camp had seized so much territory outside, had so many ventures—all of these would need Xuzhou martial men to go and oversee. If their own sons went out there, they would enjoy both benefits and freedom; why should they endure the hardship of training under Zhao Camp?

With this new recruitment opportunity, many resolved to seize the chance. Of course, some still hesitated and deliberated—there was never a shortage of such a minority each time.

The young men of the mixed militia units were the first to move. They had received Zhao Camp's training and yearned for it most fervently; the moment an opportunity arose, they rushed forward, vying to be first.

Those who could consider things so thoroughly were all families with established estates and prospects. They could not quite be called powerful, but they were stronger than ordinary households. The young male members of humble, small-door families—as long as they sought advancement and refused to resign themselves to their present lot—all went to Zhao Camp to seek a future. The very day they heard the news, they grabbed dry rations at home, hastily packed a few belongings, and immediately hurried to the He Estate.

It was only mid-second month; although the Yellow River showed slight signs of thawing, the weather was still bitterly cold, and sleeping outdoors was impossible. With so many people arriving, there weren't enough civilian homes to lodge them. Yet when these young men reached the He Estate, the estate arranged food and lodging for them. A bed and a few meals for one person was nothing, but for so many—this was a display of considerable means.

Anyone with a clear mind and a modicum of vision could discern a great deal from Zhao Camp's lavishness. This was Zhao Camp's strength; joining them would bring no disadvantage, and the prospects were boundless.

Everyone understood the rules for recruiting household troops: one needed a guarantor, and one had to have a passable physique. Zhao Camp's threshold was not actually high.

But after arriving, they discovered that this time the standards were much higher than before: greater strength, better endurance, and ideally, proficiency with blade, spear, bow, and horse. Those who could shoot arrows and ride horses were often given priority in recruitment.

Riding horses and shooting arrows, understanding martial skills—these standards were, in truth, not low. Even though Xuzhou esteemed martial prowess, only well-to-do families could meet them, and even more so, the local magnates and gentry. At present, these people had little interest in sending their sons over; as long as they could reap benefits anyway, there was no need to live under someone else's roof.

With recruitment standards so high, many were inevitably crestfallen. But Zhao Camp offered another path—or rather, many other paths. Zhao Camp needed manpower in all areas: every market and stockade needed guard forces, and every trade needed stewards and workers. If you were willing to stay, even if you couldn't enter Zhao Camp for the time being, you would be allowed to train with them and then go to these places to work. When they said this, they also gave a promise: if you were willing to go, your chances of joining Zhao Camp in the future would be very great.

The ones who came to recruit and speak these words were all clerks and scribes from the Xuzhou prefectural office, each a master of speaking persuasively to all manner of people. The young men who came to sign up were naturally no match for them, and those who weren't accepted were often sweet-talked into staying.

But all told, the number of people who came to sign up was still not as high as anticipated. The eyes and ears Zhao Jin had placed everywhere had long since sent word.

Xuzhou's manpower was held in the hands of the powerful families and gentry, each of whom worked their abacus beads with a deafening clatter. This time, not only did they not send their own sons, but they also secretly did quite a bit of maneuvering behind the scenes—for instance, they offered even better terms, or used threats and enticements on the young men in their vicinity.

The purpose of doing this was very simple: the matter of Qingjiangpu had yet to give everyone an explanation. Such a large piece of fat meat, such a grand venture—sooner or later, Xuzhou men would go and share in it. If, when the time came, Zhao Camp opened this door and their own families didn't have enough people to send over, wouldn't they be letting the benefits within reach slip away? The examples of these past few times all showed that the more men you sent and the more effort you contributed, the more benefits you could obtain. Better to keep the manpower and strength for your own use!

"As expected, they have selfish motives. They cannot possibly obey our orders sincerely!" Zhao Jin briefly stated his conclusion to his companions.

Although the core members of Zhao Camp were obedient to Zhao Jin in all matters, in their hearts they felt that Xuzhou was their native soil. In these times, apart from family and relatives, it was the fellow countrymen of one's native place who were reliable; they ought to be treated well—they were a force to be relied upon.

But with this recruitment, everyone had originally thought it was a great boon for their Xuzhou countrymen, that many would be grateful. They had not expected the "countrymen" to adopt such an attitude.

"Our own countrymen are of course reliable. In the current situation, we Xuzhou people have one fine quality, and that is simplicity and fierce courage. This martial spirit is praiseworthy. But these countrymen—we should just rely on them directly. There's no need for another layer in between. This Xuzhou is the Xuzhou of us brothers; no one else is qualified to meddle." Zhao Jin spoke very directly.

No one took these words as a sign of intent to rebel or harbor disloyalty; everyone found them quite natural. Even if outsiders heard them, they would consider it a matter of course. This Xuzhou was the Great Ming's Xuzhou, and it was also Zhao Jin's Xuzhou—there was no conflict or contradiction between the two.

On one hand, the standards were set high; on the other, few people came. Zhao Camp's recruitment of household troops did not go very smoothly. But under these circumstances, they could justifiably recruit from their own refugees. For these able-bodied refugees, not having to reclaim wasteland and toil in the stockades, not having to work like beasts of burden day after day just to barely fill their bellies, but instead having a path of advancement and something to strive for—this was enough. To be selected as a household trooper of Zhao Camp was naturally best; even if not selected, to have a settled place and a future was not bad either. Everyone was thoroughly satisfied.

Besides the refugees, quite a few from the Student Troop were also brought in. They had been undergoing regular training all along, and their quality and knowledge far exceeded those of the refugees and ordinary Xuzhou commoners. Although they entered as household troops, they were all slated for priority promotion.

It was at this time that many noticed a detail: the number of the Student Troop had decreased significantly. Because the Student Troop was considered free to come and go—staying here as hostages to put Zhao Jin's mind at ease, or not staying, Zhao Jin wouldn't truly fall out and do anything drastic. Since everyone's cooperation had been fairly pleasant, over this past half-year to year, members of the Student Troop had been leaving in dribs and drabs.

The initial reason Zhao Jin had become wary of the local Xuzhou gentry and powerful families was precisely because of this Student Troop. Fortunately, the Student Troop members were similar to the mixed militia units; the skills they learned and the time they trained were far inferior to those of Zhao Camp's household troops. Moreover, since many were not very old, the skills they learned and absorbed were limited, and they wouldn't cause any trouble after returning home.

During the process of recruiting household troops, Zhao Jin's companions began to realize that his wariness was correct. But what followed made them feel aversion and vigilance as well.

"…It's just as well they can't recruit anyone. Let this Zhao Jin know that this Xuzhou is not his Xuzhou alone…"

"…Young people don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Once this matter passes, we'll send someone to talk to him. If he wants to get things done, he can't do without us…"

"…A venture as grand as Qingjiangpu—if his one family tries to swallow it, they'll likely choke to death. They'll still have to give it to us seasoned, steady figures…"

Words from various quarters were transmitted to the He Estate through all manner of channels. Ji Xiang and Shi Manqiang's fury goes without saying; even the steady Chen Sheng cursed, "Wretches!" Only Dong Bingfeng was somewhat embarrassed, because the Xuzhou Guard was playing the same game. In the past, the eldest sons and surplus males of the Xuzhou Guard's military households all farmed or learned trades. Now, more and more were learning martial arts and practicing with blade and spear—precisely because Zhao Camp had seized territory outside. Those who had practiced martial arts before and gone out to adventure had all shared in the benefits. Those in the Salt Patrol and the like had all built new houses and bought farmland for their families, so naturally, everyone followed suit.

Although everyone in Xuzhou harbored their own designs regarding the recruitment of household troops, when it came to the matter of Qingjiangpu, they were exceedingly enthusiastic.

To say that Zhao Jin held this vast Qingjiangpu in his hand and controlled it was merely a figure of speech. It wasn't that he could bar anyone he didn't want from entering. The place was still freely accessible. But if one wanted to go there to make a fortune, wanted to share in those immensely profitable underworld businesses, without Zhao Camp's consent, going there would be in vain.

Zhao Camp was intensively recruiting new troops, and everyone had kept their own sons away; going there now would be awkward. Yet toward the Zhao and Chen families in the city, and the Dong family of the Xuzhou Guard, they had to be attentive and fawning. The sons of these families were upright in thought, all filial sons who listened to their fathers' words.

Thanks to the book friends "123*, Twilight Cry, Yuan Heng Li Zhen, User Smile is Very Pale, Sweet Sugarcane" for their tips. Special thanks to the book friend "Sweet Sugarcane" for their generous reward. Thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. I've been waking up late these past few days; I'll strive to change that tomorrow.