twin moon

Chapter 26, Act Three

In the seventh year of Yuansui, May [-]th.

It has been half a month since the two children entered Mulu City for the first time.Although the wounds on the black-eyed boy's chest and back have not healed yet, new pink flesh has grown.Recently, the area around the shoulder blades has always been itchy, making him want to stretch out his hands to scratch, but he is afraid of opening the wound again, so he has to grit his teeth and endure it.

What was more itchy than the body was the uncontrollable heart in the child's chest.Finally, the day promised to Baili came, and he didn't want to wait any longer.

Traveling about five miles from Fubo Gate in the west of Mulu City, we arrived at Baisha Camp set up by Ye Guozhou Division in West Harbor.The sea sand in Xigang is different from other places. Not only is it more delicate, but even the color is pure white like milk, and the Baisha Camp located here is named after this.

Ye Kingdom has the most powerful boat master in the world, but the training in the camp has not been slack for a single day because of this.The Baisha camp is divided into four camps: Benhai, Xiyu, Wulan, and Qianyuan.Normally, one only needs to stand outside the gate, and one can clearly hear the shouts of killing from each battalion's drill.

But at the moment, Jiang Yan's sight was first attracted by more than [-] gigantic warships docked on the pier that were more than ten feet high and weighed more than ten thousand jun.Right now, several big Kui skin drums placed on the ship are being struck by the sergeant's arms, making a thunderous clanging and powerful sound, overwhelming and majestic.

On the other side of the camp, there is a field of [-] paces from north to south, and from east to west. It is a school field for soldiers to practice.At this time, on the square site paved with white sand surrounded by four tall turrets, with the sound of rumbling drums, hunting banners were also erected one after another.The neatly lined up black-armored soldiers came out one after another, stood still on the sidelines, and remained motionless, as if waiting for someone to arrive.

Only after inquiring did the boy find out that today was the last day of the four recruitments for the boat division before the start of summer.Hearing the news, more than a thousand people came from neighboring townships to sign up.As soon as the drums sounded, the crowd who had gathered outside the Yuanmen in twos and threes also gathered together, lined up in a column, and slowly walked towards the Chinese army's big tent facing the Yuanmen.

The previous attack on the Yugu Lake camp finally made the king decide to issue an edict, setting off his first recruitment of soldiers after more than [-] years since he succeeded to the throne.However, now that the war has not yet come, life in the country of Ye is still passable, and the first three recruitments all ended with no one caring about them.

Therefore, the camp had to lower the recruitment standards again and again—in this way, families who gave birth to boys in various counties and counties finally agreed to send their children to the army early.After all, soldiers' food is much better than that of ordinary people's homes, and they can also receive some salaries to send back home for expenses.

In the long line at present, most of them are teenagers in their thirteens and fourteens, and there are a few children who are even younger than Jiang Yan here and there.Many of them looked pale and thin, which made the dark-eyed children look even stronger.

With someone shouting "next" in front of the big tent in the distance, the chaotic recruiting team began to move forward slowly.When he got to the front of the tent, Jiang Yan saw several medical officers at the head of the team, screening the children who came to sign up one by one.

The boat division is different from the land division—in the ever-changing sea, those who are not strong enough can hardly even take care of their own bodies, let alone cope with training and combat. Naturally, the physical requirements of the recruits are quite high.

Many people in front of Jiang Yan were kicked out of the line by the medical officers due to physical weakness or illness, and they dragged away resentfully.Those who have passed the screening need to enter the account one by one, record their names and fingerprints on the military household register, and then go to the quartermaster to receive a set of cowhide breastplates that can only protect the vitals, and A crude wooden knife for training.

From afar, Jiang Yan saw Xiang Baili in Tsing Yi and Tsing Pao sitting in the big tent, carefully asking about the situation of each recruit, and couldn't help feeling a little more respect for him.

However, he also knew that random intrusion into the camp was not allowed, so he had to follow the crowd slowly.When he finally got it into the account, he arched his hands and saluted the other party.However, the green-robed general who was sitting opposite the desk asked without raising his head:
"Name, age, place of origin."

Jiang Yan thought that the other party didn't recognize him, so he took another step forward:
"General Baili is me. You are busy recruiting soldiers in the camp today, why don't you let me come back another day?"

Hearing the boy's voice, Xiang Baili raised his head and grinned at him:
"Of course I know it's you. I specially asked you to come to the camp today because you have stayed on our Ye State ship before, so I want to ask if you are interested in formally joining the military and working under my tent?"

Jiang Yan was dumbfounded by the other party's question - on the one hand, he felt a little flattered by the invitation from the hero in his heart; And faintly felt a little puzzled and uneasy.

However, before he could figure out how to respond, he suddenly heard the Kui drums on the boat in the harbor beeping again intensively.The voices of the guards on duty in the camp also floated into my ears one after another:

"Welcome Lord Overseer into the camp!"

"Tsk, why is it much earlier than the scheduled time!"

Xiang Baili in the tent frowned slightly, but still got up from the desk to meet the visitor outside the tent.Jiang Yan felt a little embarrassed standing alone on the spot, and hurriedly followed him out.

The ceremonial guard of honor for the warlord of the boat division was not as luxurious as the young people imagined, and there was only a team of less than 20 people accompanying him.There were no canopy cloud flags all over the sky and gongs, drums and horns to open the way, only two rows of cavalry and infantry with neat military appearance, one in front and one in the back, and the black sea falcon flag waving in the wind in their hands.

The short and fat Marquis of Jinghai got out of a vehicle pulled by four pack horses, and bowed to Baili who was coming towards him:
"This king suddenly advanced the itinerary and didn't know the general. I'm really sorry, sorry!"

"What are you talking about, Lord Overseer? It's just—it's still early, and the soldiers will be performing martial arts. I'm afraid it will take half an hour to get ready. Please go to the tent first and rest for a while."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. In fact, this king had a whim last night. Before the martial arts performance, he planned to select a few good fighters from these young people who had just joined the army, and have a chat with the seniors of the boat masters to cheer up the fun. That's why I came here. It's early."

"For fun?" General Tsing Yi looked puzzled.

"Exactly. For this reason, the king specially brought some prizes. Whoever can win today will be rewarded generously!"

Jinghaihou waved his hands while talking, and the subordinates who followed him immediately held a square mouth shallow plate.Lifting off the red cloth covering the plate, 100 pure gold ingots the size of dominoes were neatly stacked inside.

When Xiang Baili saw this, he immediately shook his head: "Master Warlord's move, I'm afraid there is something wrong—"

However, before he finished speaking, Jinghaihou laughed and interrupted: "General, you are serious, but you are just letting the young people warm up on the school field, and you don't use real swords and guns, what's wrong with it? "

"One side is an elite soldier who trains hard in the camp all day long, and the other side is a half-baby who may not even touch a knife. With such a disparity in strength, what's the point of winning?"

Jinghaihou smiled, the flesh on the corners of his eyes and chin became more and more bulging, and his tone was calm and firm:
"General Baili, people are driven by profit. No matter ordinary people in the streets or alleys, or people in temples like you and me, how many people would be willing to die regardless of personal gains and losses? Let the people in the camp Young people understand that it is a good thing for the country to be rewarded for their bloodshed on the battlefield?"

"But the soldiers were supposed to be comrades-in-arms who went to battle to kill the enemy, but now they lure each other with benefits. No matter how much the final victory or defeat is, there may be rifts in their hearts in the future. How is it different from mercenaries? Mutual suspicion and distrust, It's deadly in an army formation!"

"Few people in the army can come back alive. General, do you still remember what happened in the Yugu Lake camp a few days ago? It is something everyone likes to see and hear. If the veterans come out on top today, It can be used to boost the morale of the battalion that has been depressed for a long time. And if one of the new recruits wins, all the soldiers in the battalion will rise up to practice, why not do it?"

Xiang Baili wanted to continue arguing, but the short and fat prince stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder, and went straight to the martial arts stage next to the school grounds without looking back.

"According to the order of the military governor, the recruit battalion and the same boat division each battalion will send less than five teenagers to compete in martial arts in the school grounds to boost the army's prestige. Both sides are issued unsharpened wrought iron long knives and calfskin armor. Contest, click as many as you can, the winner will be rewarded with a hundred ingots of pure gold!"

Although the young people standing in the audience didn't know the conversation between the two adults earlier, they all saw the golden reward plate shining in the sun, and immediately became excited.After all, twenty gold ingots are already worth two years' salary of an ordinary captain.

Soon, the candidates for both parties to participate in the competition have been determined.Xiang Baili, who couldn't resist Jinghaihou's will, had no choice but to go to the martial arts stage and watch the battle with him.

Under Xiang Baili's request, the recruits were also selected from among the strong and capable fighters who had practiced martial arts.However, when compared in front of the warriors selected from the battalion, these young men still became timid, none of them dared to fight.

"Hmph, with your cowards, you can come to the boat master to make a living! Who wants to be the first to fight with me? Now that the weapons I use are not real, are you already so afraid?"

Standing in the middle of the school grounds and sneering loudly was a young man named Yu Li in the Benhai Camp.His complexion was livid, and his two round eyes were always staring at people, his face was fierce.Although he was only fifteen or sixteen years old, he looked a head taller than children of the same age, and he was almost like an adult.On weekdays, what he is good at using is also a thick and heavy broad-backed saber named Jianyue.

Including Xiang Baili, no one in the camp knew the origin of this young man, they only knew that he was brave and ruthless, with outstanding martial arts skills, and was highly regarded by the Marquis of Jinghai.And Yu Li also seems to be very clear about what he wants to achieve. In less than two years, he has led his troops to wipe out the pirates who harassed the coast several times, made military achievements repeatedly, and was promoted to become the youngest captain in the history of Ben Haiying.

"Stop looking down on people, accept the move!"

One of the recruits didn't know how strong the opponent was, so he was so excited that he ran forward, stood five steps away and saluted.Unexpectedly, before he was ready to face the battle, Yu Li kicked him in the chest.

Seeing that the long knife in Yu Li's hand was not out of its sheath, the young man only stepped back half a step, then raised his weapon and wanted to hit the opponent's calf on the shin.Unexpectedly, Yu Li kicked halfway, but he turned his attack and instead used his leg to sweep the boy's lower body before he could stand firmly in time.In an instant, the boy fell to the ground, and the knife in his hand was snatched away by Yu Li.

"Didn't you say that the guys selected today are all guys who can fight? Is that all?"

Yu Li threw the weapon back to the boy's side, kicked him hard on the back again, squinted his eyes and scanned the faces of the other four recruits who had lost their blood, "Why don't you give me another chance, Let's go, all five."

The child lying on the ground exchanged glances with his companions, but instead of picking up the knife and standing up again, he stretched out his arms and hugged Yu Li's legs!

Seeing that their companions had restrained their opponents, the rest of the children braved up and attacked with their knives.But the young captain on the field didn't panic because of this, and before the boys rushed forward, he waved the long knife that hadn't been unsheathed without hesitation, and swung his left arm at the boy who was holding him tightly. slammed down.

Suddenly, there was a heart-piercing scream from the school grounds.Yu Li's subordinates didn't leave any leeway, under the heavy blow, the wooden scabbard split in two on the spot.Looking at the boy's left arm again, the arm bone was broken from the middle position.Bai Sensen's bone stubble directly pierced through the muscles and skin, and there were traces of bright red blood on it.

Seeing this, the four recruits who surrounded them completely lost their fighting spirit to continue attacking. Instead of daring to step forward to save people, they threw their weapons on the ground to show their surrender.

"Oh, it seems that the king still lost the bet."

Jinghaihou didn't expect that the commoner children would all lose in the first competition. He patted the railing in front of him in disappointment, but there was an imperceptible smug look in his eyes.

The hundreds of recruits who were watching were also stunned by the tragic scene in front of them.They never thought that the so-called point to stop in the mouth of the warlord actually ended with blood spattering on the spot and severe injuries of broken arms.Watching the injured boy being carried down by the medical officer, these half-grown children were all terrified, but they secretly hoped that someone from their side would still step forward and give a good lesson to that domineering young captain on the field.

"Hmph, a bunch of trash! You will be injured in a martial arts competition, and you will cry like this when your arm is broken? It will grow back in a hundred days!"

Yu Li still stared at his round eyes, and scorned towards the crowd. After confirming that no one dared to fight, he turned around and rushed to the martial arts stage to salute, and went to the side to collect the reward.But just as he took half a step, he suddenly heard a loud voice from the crowd behind him:

"It's cruel to bully people who are weaker than yourself. The people standing beside you may become your comrades who wield swords to defend against the enemy in the future. Don't you even have a trace of compassion when you strike?"

Yu Li was startled suddenly, it was hard to believe that there were still people who dared to question his absolute victory, he turned his head and stared viciously in the direction where the voice came from - all the recruits took the initiative to make way for a young man, and the other party He has black hair and black eyes, and there is an obvious scar between his eyebrows on the right side.

Xiang Baili's gaze on the martial arts stage was also immediately attracted by this new change on the field.When he looked up, he found that the person who spoke was Jiang Yan, whom he favored, and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Does General Baili know this child?" Jinghaihou asked with some surprise.

"It's considered acquaintance. I planned to recruit him to my tent today and become a personal soldier."

"Oh? General Baili's personal soldier is not something that ordinary people can do easily. Is there anything special about this child?" Jing Haihou suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked again.

"It's nothing, I just think this kid is quite interesting."

Xiang Baili didn't answer truthfully this time.But he felt more and more in his heart that the stubbornness and courage exuded from the black-eyed boy who was walking slowly onto the school grounds were very similar to his own who was born recklessly when he was young.

Not only are they similar, they are exactly the same!
　Thank you for your attention to "Twin Moons", and hope that the wheat grown by the little raccoon can meet your appetite.You can pay attention to the official account of the same name~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)