Li Mansion.
Since Li Ming passed the imperial examination as the top scholar, the Li Mansion had been continually expanding. The estate was now several tis larger than before.
All of this was naturally due to Li Ming’s earned fa. Not only in Linshan Town, but even in the surrounding areas, many landlords flocked to seek affiliation, causing the Li Family’s wealth to grow significantly.
With more wealth, the mansion naturally had the ans to expand, and without needing to support Li Ming too much, there were now many areas where these funds could be utilized.
Inside the Li Family mansion, after Li Ming and his party returned, they first arranged accommodations for the wonfolk, senior and junior brothers, master and uncle, and four followers. During this period, they continuously handed out small gifts to those who ca to flatter them, mostly sweets and similar foods. Then they arranged baths and clothing changes for everyone. Once they were all refreshed, they set up a banquet and invited several important figures.
The twenty-six senior brothers, along with the elder twenty uncles, were arranged separately. Li Ming sat at a table with his four followers, Wang Guangyun, Liu Wu, Liu Zhuang, and Zhao Xiu, along with his master Xu Jin, his uncle Wang Hengliang, and his father Li Chenglin.
"Now the family has trained five hundred fine young n, and there are three thousand militia who maintain regular contact. Each of them is a good fellow who can abide by the rules."
After three rounds of wine and five courses, when the travel fatigue had faded, Li Chenglin spoke with a pleased expression to Li Ming and the others at the table. This statent was ant for Li Ming as well as for his brothers, master, and uncles. The reason was simple: no matter how close one is, a sense of confidence in their capabilities is necessary, and the soldiers left by the Li Family ford the foundation for achieving great things.
"In addition, there are ten warriors who have reached the level of second-rate martial artists, all trained in hard techniques. These good n now reside in the village, willing to pledge allegiance to you. Upon hearing of your return, they can scarcely wait to et the scholar and strategic candidate."
Old Master Li Chenglin finished speaking, smiling at Li Ming. The implication was clear, now was undoubtedly the best ti to et them.
"I never thought Uncle had quietly accomplished so much. This will surely make our army’s formation much easier this ti."
On hearing this, Zhao Xiu’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help but speak with a smile.
"In these turbulent tis, it’s indeed wise to keep so manpower at ho to ensure safety. Moreover, even though these people are fine n, not all of them might want to join the army. In my opinion, we can choose more from them for the Personal Soldier Camp, select so for regular troops, and keep the rest in town."
Li Ming smiled and added, after which he pondered, "The majority of the army and personal soldiers should still be recruited openly from among the people. This not only provides a living way for those who can’t survive otherwise but also prevents missing out on those with true military talent."
"My son need not worry. All of these people are genuinely eager to join the army," his father laughed. "With your dad having made inquiries beforehand, I can speak of this number with confidence. Now, throughout Linshan Town and within a hundred miles around, anyone keen to enlist, with sound limbs and a healthy physique, has mostly joined. What you really need to be concerned about is how to select the remaining two thousand and whether five hundred personal soldiers would be enough."
"As for the safety of the mansion, the Green Pine Sect is nearby. Your father, in this city, can promptly retreat to the mountains at the slightest hint of trouble, with the sect’s protection. Daily security needs can be t with so guards; there’s no reason to keep too many people here."
Li Chenglin spoke with a smile, and upon hearing this, Li Ming raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Could my father have the makings of a general?"
"Hahaha, indeed, indeed, I perceive uncle has the potential of a commander!"
Wang Guangyun couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
"Perhaps uncle might qualify for a military examination?"
Liu Zhuang rolled his eyes playfully and laughed as well.
"With everyone in place just upon arrival, things are going smoothly."
Liu Wu couldn’t help but smile, praising Li Ming’s father Li Chenglin.
"Uncle’s thoughtful considerations have solved more than half of our five-thousand-strong troop worries, and even the Personal Soldier Camp is sorted. What’s more, having ten martial arts champions for the special troops has lightened our task considerably this ti!"
Zhao Xiu smiled, unable to resist speaking.
"Hahaha, these are trivial matters, but thanks to my previous correspondence with Li Ming, I learned to plan three steps ahead, foresee five steps, and anticipate ten. Only by doing so can one navigate smoothly through any situation."
The continuous complints clearly pleased the always-busy Old Master Li, causing him to laugh heartily twice before speaking with a smile.
"If that’s the case, we’ll have an easier task. Next, we just need to select a site for the camp, recruit soldiers, announce it broadly, and wait for the rest to be filled. This will also give more ti to seek talented generals and strategists for future endeavors."
Li Ming couldn’t help but smile, and with a slight nod, he turned to Xu Jin and Wang Hengliang, who were smiling and enjoying the al, and respectfully said, "Master, uncle, since it’s beneficial to et these aspiring warriors promptly, I shall take my leave with my four brothers to see them."
"Go ahead, and rember to call us if you’re going outside the town."
Xu Jin and Wang Hengliang waved without concern, Xu Jin then chuckled. Within Linshan Town, with their capabilities, they could reach any location promptly, but beyond it, the changing environnt might not assure the sa, hence the reminder.
"Rember to whistle if needed."
Wang Hengliang gestured to the whistle around his neck and spoke with a smile. After encountering an assault in the Capital City, they valued this simple yet effective whistle even more. Recently, they had paid much attention to it, even making improvents.
Now the whistle sound was not only more pronounced and piercing but also travelled farther. The whistle was now made of jade, empowering the use of mana, which allowed sound to spread with greater penetration.
In essence, blowing a whistle could be heard the entire Linshan Town, and even ten miles outside of Linshan Town.
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