Chapter 29

Suddenly hearing such impolite words, Lu Yao couldn't help but be taken aback.

The person speaking was two banners to the left of Lu Yao. He was dressed in an unconventional manner, wearing a lion-barbarian helmet with long tassels fluttering, and a silver two-piece armor, with a brocade robe over it. Upon focusing on his face, this person was no more than twenty years old, with a straight nose, wide mouth, and a slight beard, his eyes exuding a domineering aura.

Lu Yao vaguely remembered that this person was also among the generals standing in the military council when the discussion took place in the Yueshi Gong's army. He was one of the top-ranking generals, with a status much higher than Lu Yao, who was at the end of the line. At this critical moment, he couldn't recall his name. Seeing the few recruits and many elderly and weak people, he must have been in a bad mood, hence the sarcastic remarks.

"May I ask the general's distinguished name? What advice do you have for me?" Lu Yao bowed with a normal expression.

The young general had a stern face and said, "I doubt you know me. I am Liu Yan, also known as Liu Shirren, a general under the lord's command."

It turned out to be him. Lu Yao's mind raced, instantly recalling the words Wang Xiu used when introducing the generals under Yueshi Gong. Liu Yan was Yueshi Gong's direct nephew, who had joined the military at a young age and followed Yueshi Gong in numerous campaigns. Because of his close relationship with Yueshi Gong and his genuine talents in both military and political affairs, he was highly favored, which over time had shaped his abrupt and impatient personality.

Lu Yao, newly joining Yueshi Gong's army, was cautious and did not want to make enemies. Knowing Liu Yan's identity, his words became even more respectful: "So it's General Liu Shirren. If you have any advice for me, please speak freely."

"Let me ask you, I heard you were just a small soldier in the Bingzhou army, and you were promoted to a general by the lord. Is that true?" Liu Yan glared at Lu Yao.

Liu Yan's words were all unpleasant, and he was extremely insulting. Xue Tong, standing beside Lu Yao, was instantly furious and was about to argue but was pulled back by Lu Yao.

"Lu Yao has fought in dozens of battles in the Bingzhou army, accumulating merits to become a military commander leading over a thousand troops. Unfortunately, the war was unfavorable, and my troops scattered. When I joined the lord's army, I had only three people with me. If you see me as a small soldier because of this, it's not entirely wrong," Lu Yao said slowly. "As for the lord granting me a high position, it must be to attract talent, and I do not dare to be proud of it."

Though his words were humble, the meaning was clear, which made Liu Yan pause.

Liu Yan reacted quickly and then showed a look of disdain: "So you're an old soldier, but you don't understand the rules. Lu Yao, today all the generals are gathering to recruit soldiers, and by tradition, it must be done in order without causing chaos. You are just a newly promoted assistant general, how dare you shout and make a fuss, attracting friends and relatives? Do you think the army is yours to privately distribute?"

Lu Yao inwardly cursed: Recruitment naturally requires each to show their abilities; not only do generals choose soldiers, but soldiers also choose generals, inevitably leading to a noisy scene. Soldiers have the habit of forming groups based on hometown connections and have their own judgments, so they wouldn't just be picked like vegetables. Do you usually recruit soldiers or pull radishes?

He was well aware that Yueshi Gong had been fighting for years, commanding a vast army of ten thousand, and had made great contributions to the Jin Dynasty. Even so, due to the court's system, only a dozen or so of his subordinates were granted the rank of general, and many long-time followers had no hope of promotion. As a defeated general from the Bingzhou army, Lu Yao, who had not achieved any merit, was suddenly given a high position, which naturally aroused jealousy.

During the army's reorganization today, due to his advantageous background, he had attracted several elite soldiers, which made the other generals even more envious, so they incited the hotheaded Liu Yan to challenge him. If he could force Lu Yao to hand over the elite soldiers he had just recruited, many would be very happy.

Heh, although I, Lu Daoming, do not want to cause trouble, I don't have to do everything as you wish. Lu Yao inwardly sneered, but his face remained unchanged, and his words were still polite: "General Liu is absolutely right, and I am fortunate to receive your guidance. I have been in the Bingzhou army for many years and know that although they are brave, they lack discipline and are rude. From now on, I will strictly discipline them to train a disciplined and efficient army."

Deng Gang, who had been standing beside Lu Yao, responded, "General's words are very true! Very true!"

Liu Yan had just accused Lu Yao of not understanding the rules, but Lu Yao seemed to ignore it, saying that the newly recruited soldiers were unruly and needed to be disciplined. This made Liu Yan speechless, feeling that this person, who appeared humble and polite, was blocking every opportunity for him to argue, as if all his verbal attacks were hitting empty air.

If it were a regular general, they would have been silenced by Lu Yao's two sentences. But Liu Yan, with his family's education and natural eloquence, quickly thought of several ways to counter and refute, which would surely make this upstart Lu Yao fall flat.

He cleared his throat and was about to speak when he saw a dozen or so civil and military officials slowly approaching, including the Guard General Linghu Sheng and a group of high-ranking officials.

Linghu Sheng was a veteran general, respected for his age and virtue, and highly esteemed. Therefore, Yueshi Gong appointed him to oversee the reorganization of the army. With Linghu Sheng present, even as Yueshi Gong's nephew, Liu Yan did not dare to provoke further. He grunted and returned to his recruitment area.

Xue Tong glared at his back and said angrily, "I never thought that a hero like Yueshi Gong would have such a nephew! This guy is extremely impolite! If it weren't for you, Lu Daoming, I would have made him pay!"

Lu Yao shook his head and turned to persuade Xue Tong, "Yueshi Gong's army is here to clean up the mess left by the Dongyin Gong. His generals have fought many battles over the years and have achieved great merits. We, the old Bingzhou army, are not necessarily in their eyes. It's normal for someone to be dissatisfied with my undeserved promotion... Old Xue, we should be cautious and not provoke others."

Before he finished speaking, someone sighed, "Oh, Lu Daoming is truly reasonable. I'm sorry for being late and not having the affairs arranged properly!"

With this sigh, a middle-aged civil official with a clear and sharp appearance hurried over, repeatedly asking, "Has Lu Daoming been wronged?" This person was none other than Xu Run, a trusted advisor and secretary to Yueshi Gong.

Lu Yao did not dare to be disrespectful and bowed solemnly, "Thank you for your concern, Secretary Xu. General Liu Yan's guidance to Lu Yao is much appreciated, and I have not been wronged."

Xu Run quickly stepped forward, holding Lu Yao to prevent him from bowing. He then patted Lu Yao's shoulder and whispered, "I understand, I understand! Lu Daoming, you truly have the demeanor of a gentleman!"

Lu Yao looked up at Xu Run and saw the warm respect in his eyes, almost melting the ice. When he praised Lu Yao, everyone could feel the genuine sincerity in his words.

Xu Run repeatedly consoled and spoke warmly, showing care and concern to everyone. Not only Lu Yao, but also Xue Tong, He Yun, and others felt as if they were basking in a warm breeze.

The two talked and laughed heartily. Xu Run repeatedly praised Lu Yao's demeanor, and Lu Yao repeatedly thanked Xu Run for his care. They talked for nearly half an hour before Xu Run left.

Xu Run's special visit to show closeness to Lu Yao made the other generals in the training ground unwilling to cause trouble. Lu Yao could finally continue recruiting soldiers, and everything went smoothly. Who would want to make an enemy of a mere assistant general and a prominent civil official?

Unfortunately, Xu Run's heartfelt affection might move everyone he met, but for Lu Yao, the nightly artist specials and TV dramas had already built up enough immunity.

Ignoring the emotional words, Lu Yao talked with him for a long time but still didn't understand what today's incident had to do with him or why Xu Run was so eager. The subtle intricacies, though beyond his current understanding, at least confirmed that while Liu Yan, a core member of Yueshi Gong's army, was somewhat unfriendly, the deliberate friendship of civil officials like Xu Run might not be a good thing.

Lu Yao couldn't help but sigh.

"Why are you sighing, Lu Daoming?" Xue Tong asked in surprise.

"Look at those people..." Indeed, the officers were looking at Lu Yao and his group with even more distance. Lu Yao patted Xue Tong's shoulder, "What we shouldn't meddle in, we shouldn't. No matter what, these soldiers are the foundation of our existence. The only thing we need to care about is leading our troops well!"

Before Xue Tong could respond, Deng Gang already showed a look of agreement, "General's words are very true! Very true!"

That morning, Lu Yao set up the framework of his unit: Xue Tong was Lu Yao's deputy and also the team leader, leading over a hundred infantry. Another team leader was Gao Xiang, also leading over a hundred. Each team had ten squad leaders, all selected from capable soldiers, including the young soldier Chu Kun who had joined first. Shen Jin was appointed as the cavalry commander, but he only had his own twenty or so brothers. He Yun, a long-time follower of Lu Yao, was appointed as the bodyguard captain, leading twenty bodyguards. Deng Gang was also appointed as a team leader, responsible for managing a small number of soldiers' families, two oxen, four pack horses, and five large wagons.

Reorganizing the unit was not a simple task. Superiors and subordinates needed to get to know each other, and personnel, weapons, horses, and vehicles had to be registered. Officers had to meet Liu Kun to receive their badges and seals, and the central command had to verify the military pay and announce the military laws, among other tasks. Lu Yao was busy, but fortunately, Xue Tong, Shen Jin, and Gao Xiang were experienced officers who knew how to shape the unit. Deng Gang, being reliable, quickly settled the soldiers' families and all the supplies.

******

After much thought, I feel I need to add a few more words of shame: Thank you for reading, and I hope you can share the joys and sorrows of the story with me. Two updates today, seeking favorites, clicks, and votes. I bow and kowtow.

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