Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 635: Attacking the Eight Northern Cities
Upon hearing this, Liu Hu waved his hands and said, "General, we have absolutely no such intention! Although we are bandits, we also have our own backbone. If the general does not believe us, we are willing to accept any test!"

Jia Changsheng was silent for a moment, then said: "Of course there will be tests. You know, if you join our army, you must abide by our military discipline and can no longer act recklessly as before. We are here to establish a new order and let the people live a good life, not to burn, kill and rob."

Liu Hu nodded quickly: "General, rest assured. Since we are here, we are well prepared. These days we have also seen the people's support for you. We know that you are a benevolent and righteous army. We are willing to obey your orders and go through fire and water without hesitation!"

At this time, the strategist Li Xuan said, "General, we are preparing to attack the eight northern cities. Although we have enough troops, it would not hurt to have more people. Moreover, these people have lived in the mountains and forests for many years. They must be very familiar with the surrounding terrain and may play an unexpected role in the battle. However, just in case, we can first incorporate them into the logistics troops to be responsible for transporting food, supplies, etc., observe for a period of time, and then make a decision."

Jia Changsheng nodded slightly, thinking that what Li Xuan said made some sense: "Well, let's do as Li Xuan said. Liu Hu, if you really want to surrender, you should start with logistics. If you perform well, you will naturally have the opportunity to fight in the battlefield and make achievements in the future. But if I find out that you have any ill intentions, don't blame me for being ruthless in military law!"

Liu Hu showed a look of joy on his face, and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, General, for taking us in! We will definitely perform well and will never let you down!"

Jia Changsheng gave a few more instructions to the generals around him, asking them to arrange accommodation and task assignments for these bandits.

After Liu Hu and the others left, Zhao Meng said with some concern: "General, these bandits are wild and difficult to tame after all. Can we really let them join us?"

Jia Changsheng smiled slightly: "Zhao Meng, I understand your concerns. But now is the time to use people. Since they are here, we might as well give them a chance. As long as we use both kindness and force, strengthen management and supervision, I believe they will be of use to us. Moreover, as Li Xuan said, they are familiar with the terrain, which is an advantage for us."

Li Xuan also nodded in agreement: "General, what you said is absolutely right. We can instill our ideas and discipline into them in our daily interactions, so that they can truly integrate into our army."

In the following days, Liu Hu led his brothers to devote themselves to the logistics work. Although they were not used to the military rules and high-intensity labor at first, they did not complain at all and worked hard to complete every task.

Jia Changsheng also often paid attention to their performance. Seeing their efforts and changes, he gradually let down his guard against them.

Once, while transporting food and grass, Liu Hu and his men were attacked by a small group of enemy troops. Liu Hu led his brothers to fight back without hesitation. With their familiarity with the terrain and their brave fighting style, they successfully repelled the enemy and protected the safety of the food and grass.

When Liu Hu returned to the camp covered in blood and reported to Jia Changsheng, Jia Changsheng's opinion of them changed completely.

"Good! Liu Hu, you did a great job this time! You did not let me down. From today on, you will be officially incorporated into the combat force and will follow me to attack the eight cities in the north!" Jia Changsheng patted Liu Hu on the shoulder and said loudly.

Liu Hu and others were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes when they heard this: "Thank you, General! We will fight to the death and win glory for you!"

In this way, these three thousand bandits officially became members of Jia Changsheng's army. In the subsequent battles, they relied on their own advantages and bravery to make great achievements for Jia Changsheng's army and became a legendary story.

In that vast and turbulent land, Jia Changsheng's army was like a steel torrent, moving steadily along the winding road towards the set goal. Their reputation for strict discipline and no violations spread quickly among the mountains and forests, attracting attention from all sides.

In the deep mountains where the army must pass, there are more than a dozen bandit strongholds scattered around. These strongholds usually make a living by robbing and looting, and struggle to survive in this chaotic world. However, the appearance of Jia Changsheng broke their original peace and chaos.

Heifeng Village, as one of the larger mountain villages, the village chief Wang Mazi was sitting on the worn but majestic tiger-skin chair, with a group of subordinates with different expressions standing below.

"Brother, have you heard? That Jia Changsheng has been very powerful recently! He captured eight cities in the eastern part of Baekje, and did not harm the people along the way. He also opened the granaries to release grain and rectified the local area. Now the people worship him like a living Buddha." A skinny bandit said cautiously.

Wang Mazi frowned, stroked his sparse beard, and after pondering for a moment, asked, "Then, in your opinion, what exactly is Jia Changsheng up to? Will he be harmful to us, the village?"

At this time, a one-eyed bandit next to him interrupted and said, "Brother, I think this Jia Changsheng is not a simple person. A few brothers went down the mountain to inquire about the news before, and they all said that Jia Changsheng's army is well-trained, and I heard that he has great ambitions and wants to establish a new peaceful and prosperous world. I think that being a bandit in this mountain is not a long-term solution. We are always worried and may be wiped out by the soldiers one day. Otherwise, we will also join him?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the village suddenly exploded and everyone started talking about it.

"Go to him? We are used to the freedom as bandits. How can we have a good life if we join the army?"

"That's right. Who knows if Jia Changsheng is really as good as the rumors say? What if I go there and end up walking into a tiger's mouth?"

Wang Mazi was very troubled when he heard the quarrel. He wanted to find a good way out for his brothers, but he was worried that there was something fishy going on.

"Stop arguing!" Wang Mazi slammed the table and stood up. "I think we should send someone to Jia Changsheng's army to check out their real situation. If it's as good as the rumors say, it won't be too late for us to make plans."

Everyone felt that what Wang Mazi said made some sense, so they nodded in agreement.

At the same time, similar discussions are taking place in other copycats.

In Langya Village, the village chief Zhao Dadao was discussing with a few of his confidants.

"Brother, I heard that in Jia Changsheng's army, anyone with ability will be given important positions. The brothers in our village are all strong and skilled in martial arts. If we join him, we may be able to get a position. It's better than being a bandit in the mountains, right?" said a bandit with a face full of flesh.

Zhao Dadao was silent for a while, then said, "I know this is an opportunity, but we are bandits after all. Will they respect us?"

"Brother, I think we can give it a try. We can take the brothers down the mountain and wait and see near Jia Changsheng's army. If they are really willing to accept us, we can tell them our intentions. If they do anything bad, we can just go back to the mountain stronghold." Another bandit suggested. After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Dadao thought this method was feasible and decided to follow the plan.

In this way, each mountain stronghold sent out its own spies and quietly moved closer to Jia Changsheng's army.

Jia Changsheng was also aware of the movements of these bandit strongholds. He knew that if these bandits could be brought under his command, they would be a considerable force, but there would also be certain risks.

One day, Jia Changsheng was discussing military intelligence with his adviser Li Xuan in the camp, when suddenly a soldier came to report: "General, there is a man outside who claims to be an envoy from the Black Wind Village and wants to see you."

Jia Changsheng and Li Xuan looked at each other and smiled slightly: "It seems that they can't help it. Let him in."

After a while, a man in coarse linen clothes but with a sharp look in his eyes came in. When he saw Jia Changsheng, he knelt down and saluted: "I greet General Jia. I am an envoy sent by Wang Mazi, the leader of the Black Wind Village. My leader has heard of the general's name for a long time and admires his benevolent and righteous deeds. He specially sent me here to discuss surrendering with the general."

Jia Changsheng asked calmly, "Oh? Why does your village leader suddenly want to surrender to me?"

The messenger said quickly: "General, to be honest, the world is in chaos now. Although we bandits make a living by robbing, we know that this is not a long-term solution. And wherever your army goes, the people live and work in peace and contentment. We also want to do something good for the people and don't want to bear the stigma of bandits. As long as you are willing to take us in, we are willing to follow your command and go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Jia Changsheng nodded slightly: "I understand your intentions. But how can I believe that you are really coming here? After all, what you did before..."

The messenger hurriedly said, "General, rest assured. Our village chief said that if you have any doubts, we are willing to hand over all the supplies in the village, accept your reorganization, and obey your orders without hesitation!"

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Jia Changsheng looked at Li Xuan, and Li Xuan shook his head slightly, indicating that Jia Changsheng should not believe it easily.

Jia Changsheng understood what was going on, so he said to the messenger, "Go back and tell your village chief that I appreciate his kindness. But this matter is of great importance, and I need some time to think about it. During this period, your village must not engage in any robbery, otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."

The messenger nodded repeatedly: "I understand. I will go back and report now."

After the messenger left, Li Xuan said to Jia Changsheng: "General, although these bandits keep saying they want to surrender, their nature is hard to change after all. We can't take it lightly."

Jia Changsheng frowned slightly: "I know, but if we can recruit them, it will be of great help to our attack on the eight northern cities. We can observe their performance first, and at the same time strengthen our vigilance to prevent them from cheating."

In the following days, various bandit strongholds were waiting for Jia Changsheng's reply, and Jia Changsheng was secretly observing their every move.

Some mountain strongholds stopped robbing in accordance with Jia Changsheng's request, and even took the initiative to help nearby people do things within their capacity to show their sincerity.

Jia Changsheng gradually saw their changes and determination.

Finally, after a period of observation and consideration, Jia Changsheng decided to accept the surrender of these bandits from the mountain strongholds.

When the leaders of various strongholds learned the news, they were ecstatic and led their men and brought the supplies in the strongholds to Jia Changsheng's camp.

Jia Changsheng came out to greet them personally. He felt deeply moved when he saw these former bandits were now willing to reform and join his army.

"Brothers, from today on, you are a member of my Jia Changsheng's army. I hope you can forget your past identities, abide by military discipline, and work hard for our common goal. I believe that as long as we are united, nothing can stop us from moving forward!" Jia Changsheng said loudly.

All the bandits shouted in unison: "We are willing to serve the general!"

In this way, more than a dozen bandit strongholds successfully surrendered to Jia Changsheng. Under the leadership of Jia Changsheng, after a period of training and reorganization, they became a disciplined and brave army.

On the turbulent northern coast, five different pirate flags fluttered in the wind on their respective ships, as if telling of the bloody and wanton arrogance of the past in this sea area. However, under the seemingly calm sea, undercurrents are surging, and a discussion about the turning point of fate is quietly unfolding among the pirate groups.

On the main ship of the Skeleton Pirates, Captain "Black Skull" Barlow sat on a chair made of whale bones with his arms folded across his chest, surrounded by his ferocious men. The cabin was filled with a pungent smell of rum and seawater, and the atmosphere was oppressive and solemn.

"Have you heard? That Jia Changsheng has made quite a stir on land. He has captured eight cities in the eastern part of Baekje and is now marching towards the north. Moreover, his army is strictly disciplined and has never harmed the people. The people worship him like a god." A one-eyed pirate said in a hoarse voice.

Barro frowned, and a cunning light flashed in his deep eye sockets: "Humph, what does this have to do with us? We are free and easy on the sea, do we have to rely on a land guy and be controlled by him?"

At this time, the second-in-command on the ship, "Scarface" Jack, sneered: "Captain, you can't say that. You see, life on the sea has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Various forces are suppressing us, and the imperial navy comes to encircle and suppress us from time to time. Our territory is getting smaller and smaller, and our brothers' casualties are getting greater and greater. I heard that Jia Changsheng has great ambitions. If we can follow him, maybe we can have a stable life in the future and get more benefits."

After listening to Jack's words, Barlow fell into deep thought. Although he was cruel by nature, he also knew that the current situation was extremely unfavorable to their pirate group.

(End of this chapter)