Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 27 Can't Recruit Soldiers
"My lord!" Zhao Feng came to the Xuzhou government office early the next morning. When he left home, even Diao Chan hadn't woken up, and when he came to the government office, only Liu Bei was there.

"Oh, Bo Tao came early!" Liu Bei seemed a little surprised that Zhao Feng came so early, and then the two of them looked at each other with a tacit smile and kept everything in silence.Not long after, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu and others also arrived one after another. Recently, Xuzhou City has nothing special to do, the most important thing is recruiting new soldiers.Zhao Feng and Guan Yu had previously estimated that Xuzhou has a total household registration of more than one million and a population of more than 300 million. It is estimated that this year it can recruit 20 soldiers, maybe [-].In addition to the original [-] soldiers in Xuzhou, there must be nearly [-] soldiers in total.

"Xuzhou is the place of the Fourth World War. Without 20 people, there is no way to establish a foothold here, let alone develop." These are Zhao Feng's original words, and Guan Yu also deeply agrees. "Gongyou, how is the recruiting going this month?" Liu Bei happened to ask Jian Yong who was in charge of recruiting at this time.

"Oh, my lord, don't mention it, this month only recruited more than 1 people, and it is estimated that even if we recruit in winter, we can only recruit less than 2 people." Jian Yong said helplessly. "What?" Jian Yong's words were really beyond everyone's expectations. "Why are you so small?" Zhao Feng thought to himself, and said it without paying attention.

"Cao Cao has recruited tens of thousands of people in Yanzhou. Our population in Xuzhou is much larger than that in Yanzhou. Why do we have so few people?" the outspoken Zhang Fei also yelled, and everyone was confused for a while.

"Yong originally thought that no one would be willing to serve as a soldier because our salary was too low, but I raised the salary by [-]% after an agreement with the second general. As a result, the number of people who signed up was still limited. Later Chen Yuanlong told us that Xuzhou is a city of wealth. The land, combined with the sun-dried salt and deep cultivation method of General Fan Zhao, the people's life is even more prosperous, so few people are willing to serve as soldiers." Jian Yong said somewhat helplessly.

"So that's how it is!" Only then did everyone suddenly realize that they had lived a good enough life and didn't want to do this life-threatening livelihood.Zhao Feng remembered that in his previous life, people from provinces with underdeveloped economies usually served as soldiers. For example, Guangxi's Guangxi Army during the Anti-Japanese War.This is also the case in Shandong and the two lakes.On the contrary, in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas in the developed coastal areas, there are few troops capable of fighting.The most typical example is Guangdong, where the economy was underdeveloped before liberation, and the Guangdong army was once famous for its bravery.After liberation, especially after the reform and opening up, Guangdong, which has improved economically, has rarely sent troops.After all, if it weren't for the fact that they couldn't find a job, how many people would be willing to eat this bowl of hard work.

"They are all rich people! I don't want to be a soldier anymore." Thinking of this, Zhao Feng couldn't help but admire Tao Qian, who had been dead for almost a year. This old man probably knew that there were not many people willing to serve as soldiers in Xuzhou, so They have just recruited elite soldiers in Danyang, which can be regarded as a rainy day.

"Then what should we do?" Liu Bei was at a loss for a while.No matter how capable he is, he can't turn beans into soldiers.Everyone discussed for a long time but couldn't reach the point, and finally they all turned their heads to look at Zhao Feng by coincidence.There is no other reason, Zhao Feng often has some whimsical ideas on weekdays, and he is a general, now he has problems recruiting troops, who else can he turn to?

"Bo Tao, do you have a good strategy?" Seeing Zhao Feng's pensive face, Liu Bei couldn't help asking with some expectation.Zhao Feng looked up at the crowd, thought for a while and said, "My lord, this matter will not be resolved overnight, it will take a multi-pronged approach to resolve it."

"Bo Tao, but it doesn't matter." Liu Bei heard that Zhao Feng had no direct choice, and immediately felt that there was something wrong with this matter.He knew that Zhao Feng was always cautious, as long as he didn't say no, there must be a way.

"First of all, our recruiting sites are too concentrated, all in the hinterland of Xuzhou. As Mr. Jian Yong said, the people in these places live relatively affluent lives, and few are willing to serve as soldiers. We'd better go to farther places to recruit soldiers, such as At the junction of Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Yuzhou, let General Guan, General Mi, and Prefect Sun help recruit troops." Zhao Feng said first.He considered that in this era, the information is relatively blocked, the transportation is not developed, and there are too few recruiting points, so it is difficult to recruit too many people.

"That makes sense." Liu Bei nodded in agreement, but after careful consideration, it seemed that this might not be enough, so he signaled Zhao Feng to continue.

"Moreover, it is to improve the treatment. It is not just the salary of the soldiers. Once they are killed or injured and lose the ability to fight, they and their families should also be given corresponding pensions. There are more people going to serve as soldiers." Zhao Feng continued.I have to say that being a soldier in ancient times was really not an honorable job. In many cases, criminals were sent to serve in the army, that is, to be a soldier. Naturally, this kind of occupation has no benefits at all. Everyone depends on the destiny, and luck may be good. If you are unlucky until you are discharged from the army, you will die or be disabled.

"That's right, take good care of their families." Liu Bei nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and seeing Zhao Feng's unfinished look, asked quickly, "Is there any more?"

"There is also the old method, let Zhongfu, Taishou Sun, and General Chang write more letters to their old friends and let them come to Xuzhou." Zhao Feng laughed, and everyone burst into laughter when he said this.Up to now, the Xuzhou army is already familiar with Zhao'an. From writing letters to persuade them to surrender, to rectifying and reorganizing, training and farming, the whole set of procedures is called a professional.Sometimes Zhao Feng couldn't help but wonder: Could it be because of what he did that he fooled the future generations of Song Jiang into wanting to be safe.

"These three methods may not be able to completely solve the problem, but they should be quite effective. As long as we get through this year and get through Yuzhou next year, it should be much better." Zhao Feng finally concluded, and the last sentence also made everyone A little bit of hope ignited in my heart.Of course, Zhao Feng also knew that there would be troubles next year, and now Cao Cao was busy dealing with Zhang Xiu, Yuan Shao was busy with Gongsun Zan, and couldn't care about Xuzhou for the time being, so the only enemy was Yuan Shu from Huainan.When the two bosses recover next year, it's hard to say whether they will be so kind.

"Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu, it's up to you!" Zhao Feng prayed silently in his heart. In history, this old man should be crowned emperor next year. I have never hoped so strongly that history will not be changed by myself.

Perhaps the heavens sensed that Zhao Feng missed Yuan Shu so much, at this moment a small school rushed into the hall and said, "Report to the lord, General Zhang Liao of Guangling has an urgent military report." After speaking, he presented a letter.

"Yuan Shu sent general Lei Bo to attack Guangling with 5 troops!" After reading it, Liu Bei briefed everyone about the content, and there was an uproar in the conference hall. "Guangling's garrison is only 1, and I'm afraid General Zhang will struggle. Brother, wait for me to lead another [-] troops to help." Guan Yu asked Ying first.Before Liu Bei could speak, Chen Gong said, "Second General, be safe and don't be impatient, my lord, did Wen Yuan's letter ask for help from the lord?"

"Huh?" Liu Bei read the letter carefully again after hearing Chen Gong's words, and finally said: "But there is no request for help." After saying this, Liu Bei looked at Chen Gong in disbelief.

"Hehe, my lord, General Wen Yuan is cautious by nature. If he doesn't ask for help, it means that Guangling is not in danger at this time. My lord doesn't need to use a large army, but only needs to send a surprise soldier. After the opponent's siege has been going on for a long time, the number of troops will be reduced. Surprise Yuan Shu's army from the rear, and cooperate with Wenyuan inside and outside, and they will definitely defeat the enemy." Chen Gong laughed.

"It makes sense!" Liu Bei understood the key point after a little thought, then looked at the crowd, and finally said to Zhao Feng: "Bo Tao, you lead an army of one thousand cavalry and three thousand infantry from Xiapi to the west of Guangling. When the time is right, we will join forces with General Wen Yuan to defeat the enemy."

"Feng understands!" Zhao Feng also accepted the order.Zhao Feng knew that Liu Bei had his own reasons for sending him. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were too arrogant, and it would be unpleasant for him to bring such a small number of people to fight; heat.After much deliberation, before Zhao Yun came, I was still the most suitable candidate.Of course, what Zhao Feng didn't know was that the last time he and Guan Hai successfully raided Cao Cao's camp, Liu Bei also had more confidence in his surprise attack ability.But at this time, Song Xian and Wei Xu also came out to invite Ying, saying: "The last general has defected to the lord and has not yet made any meritorious service. This time, he is willing to go with General Zhao."

"Okay, since the two generals are willing, let's go together, but all marching troops need to obey Bo Tao's orders." Liu Bei also agreed, and at the same time, seeing that there are still some generals in the hall who are eager to try, he quickly waved his hands to stop him: " We don’t need too many people this time, and you generals still have plenty of chances to make meritorious service in the future.”

"The general understands." Zang Ba, Hou Cheng and the others also responded, they couldn't help but laugh seeing each other's eagerness, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu also looked funny.However, Zhao Feng felt that such a smile somewhat reduced the previous grievances between the two parties.

After discussing the matter of rescuing Guangling, everyone will still discuss the matter of recruiting troops.Jian Yong arranged more people to go to Yuzhou and the border of Qingzhou to organize recruitment. At the same time, Chang Xi, Sun Guan, and Zang Ba, who had been a thief, also wrote letters to their colleagues.Of course, they are mainly from Qingzhou and Yuzhou, and the others are too far away to catch up.

"Bo Tao has a good rest, and he will dispatch troops tomorrow." Liu Bei finally ordered.Looking at Old Liu's pointed expression, Zhao Feng finally realized that he already had a beautiful woman in his family, and Old Liu was probably afraid that he would be overworked at night.

"If you know that I didn't touch her at all last night, I'm afraid you'll think I'm impotent." Zhao Feng thought a little mischievously, and then bid farewell to Liu Bei and Song Xianwei and went to the barracks to select soldiers and horses.The selection of the [-] cavalry and [-] infantry was quickly completed. After the three agreed on the time to send troops, they bid farewell and went home.

"The general is back!" Just as she got off her horse at the door of her house, Xiaomei's chattering voice rushed in to report. "Huh?" After Zhao Feng entered the door, he was a little surprised to find that the table was already full of food, and there was a stunning beauty sitting beside the table.It was none other than Diao Chan.

(End of this chapter)