Chapter Fifty-Seven: Steamed Buns

  Two men made a plan, and Zhang Shu Ye said that after returning to the government office in Qi Zhou, he would submit a memorial to request rewards for him. At the same time, he would contact old friends and acquaintances in the court to jointly submit a memorial, requesting the imperial court to guard against the Jin State. Xu Wei knew that even if this joint submission was successful, it would not attract Zhao Ji's attention. However, the Song Dynasty had foolish rulers but no tyrannical ones, and the environment for speaking out was relatively relaxed - anything could be said, and discussions were possible. Even if the emperor did not heed the ministers' suggestions, he would still offer comfort and solace.

  Since others are unreliable, we have to rely on ourselves. So he tactfully pointed out that the soldiers of the Jingwei camp were few and poorly equipped, which was really a headache. Zhang Uncle Ye also knew his difficulties, but love could not help, and he couldn't give him the equipment of his own troops, right? It's worth noting that according to the laws of the Song Dynasty, privately storing weapons and privately raising horses are all punishable as treason.

  Although the Song Dynasty had a relaxed political environment, it was very strict in controlling military resources, especially fine equipment and horses, which were strictly prohibited from being privately stored by civilians. As for the "pu dao" used by many wandering Jianghu people, it was not classified as a "weapon", but rather as a farming tool. Due to its rough manufacture and limited lethality, it was an indispensable tool for civilians, and the imperial court did not ban it.

  As for the large knives and axes, bows and crossbows, long guns, they cannot be used by non-official troops. Even in the army, losing a weapon is severely punished. When the Jingui Camp was first established, the weapons supported by Zheng Guoben were also old and unused by official troops. This shows how strict the court's control is.

  Xu Wei never intended to equip them, and quickly asked if they could select strong and sturdy ones from the surrendered bandits to fill the Jingwei camp. This wasn't Xu Wei being overly cautious, but this was Shandong territory after all, and he was only assisting in the battle on orders. Zhang Shuye was in charge of military and civil affairs, and was his superior, so if he wanted to recruit soldiers from among the surrendered bandits, he would have to get his approval.

  Magistrate Zhang readily agreed, and besides, Wang Ze's bandits were originally defeated by Xu Wei. Moreover, the imperial court had a long-standing tradition of recruiting refugees to fill military ranks. A considerable part of Wang Ze's followers were forced into hiding or coerced into joining him; if judged as criminals, they would be punished fairly. If released, their livelihoods would still be uncertain, so it was better for Xu Wei to recruit them - at least they would have food and clothing. This also eliminated a hidden threat to Shandong province, why not do it?

  Xu Wei thanked him and took his leave, returning to his own camp. He ordered Zhang Qing to take charge, first investigating the origins of the surrendered bandits, selecting those with a clean family background and strong physique to join the army. At the same time, he reminded them that if there were any outstanding skills or talents, they could be given more lenient treatment. Those who could do arithmetic, understood medicine, knew how to smelt iron, or were skilled in carpentry could also receive preferential treatment.

  That Wang Shan's troops, although claiming to have more than 10,000 soldiers, were mostly coerced into joining. Regardless of age, anyone who could walk was rounded up. Zhang Qing led the vanguard and first dispersed the surrendered bandits, separating them for questioning. Those who had initially rebelled, local rascals, hoodlums, and peddlers were all eliminated. The remaining majority were farmers who had been forced to join. After removing those over 45 years old and under 15 years old, only less than 2,000 people remained. Further selecting out the physically weak, pale, and injured, only 1,500 people were left.

  Xu Wei handed over the other 4,000+ people to Zhang Shuye for disposal, and the remaining 1,500+ people could not be immediately incorporated into the Jingwei Camp. This is recruiting brave warriors, not grabbing strong men, since it's recruitment, of course, we have to listen to their willingness. If forced to join the army, when the battle starts, they will either flee or counterattack, which would be very bad.

  On the banks of Lake Daze, over a thousand captured enemies were restless and uneasy, with no one knowing what fate awaited them. The officers dispersed them, interrogating and identifying them, busy for a whole day, without knowing what they wanted to do. Now that we are gathered here at Lake Daze, is it not to drive us all into the lake to drown?

  I dare not think about it anymore, since ancient times, plotting against the emperor has been a heinous crime punishable by death. Although we are forced and have no choice, who can we reason with? Should we look for Wang Shan? His head is still hanging in the camp as a warning to others. Forget it, forget it, this is how the world is, people are helpless, let's just be good people in our next life.

  "Brother, if the government troops chase us into the lake later, can we hold each other and become one? I don't know how to swim." a young man of about fifteen or sixteen years old said in a low voice.

  The sturdy man next to him sighed helplessly: "What's the use of being a good swimmer? If you dare to show your head, the government army will rain arrows and die even more miserably. It's better to drown in the lake and have a whole body. In the next life, you can still be human."

  "To hell with it! Next life I won't be human, being a pig at least gets fed!" another man shouted loudly.

  The guard saw him and sternly shouted: "No noise allowed!"

  Last night, I personally beheaded Wang Shanna's little general and led a group of officers to come in big strides. Many surrendered rebels gritted their teeth, the deadline has arrived, die, die, die early and be reborn early, stay in the world and suffer alive.

  The officer in charge of guarding, Doutou Zhouji, ran up and reported to Xu Wei: "All the surrendered rebels have been gathered!"

  Xu Wei nodded, facing the surrendered bandits, and swept his gaze over them. Any bandit who met his eyes looked down, not daring to meet his gaze directly. Xu Wei turned his head and gave Zhang Qing a signal, and the latter stepped forward, shouting in all directions: "You were originally honest civilians, forced and threatened by Wang Shan to join him, and you didn't commit any great evil deeds. Now that Wang Shan has been punished, do you have any plans for your future?"

  Those over a thousand rebels were stunned, whispering to each other and listening to the official's words. It didn't seem like he was going to push them into the wild marshes to drown, or else why would he say they were forced? Since he wasn't going to kill them, then what did he...

  Just as they were in a state of uncertainty, Zhang Qing spoke up and said: "We are the Zhendingwei Xiangyong Camp from the Governor's Mansion, sent to Shandong to assist in the war. Now that Wang Shan is dead, I consider you all to be good people, and our camp is currently recruiting brave warriors. If you are willing, under the command of the commander-in-chief, you can join our camp. From now on, you will be loyal to the country and serve the imperial court! Not only will your past crimes be forgiven, but if you fight bravely, you can also bring glory to your families!"

  As soon as he spoke, the thousands of surrendered bandits were shocked and uncertain, not knowing what kind of trick he was playing, and they didn't dare to express their opinions lightly.

  Xu Wei saw the situation and summoned a team leader to whisper a few words in his ear. Then, he took a few steps forward and faced the rebels directly. Those rebels all recognized him and immediately fell silent, not even daring to breathe loudly. Before long, the team leader led over a dozen soldiers, pushing several large baskets of steaming hot white buns. The rebels who had been starving for a day and night saw this and their eyes lit up, swallowing hard. If they could get a bun to eat at that moment, they would have agreed to be pushed into the lake and drowned!

  Xu Wei picked up a steamed bun that had bloomed, weighed it in his hand, and loudly asked the bandit leader: "Do you want to eat?"

  "Charge!" Without anyone giving the order, all the rebels shouted in unison. Next to Zhang Shuye's large camp, many officers and soldiers heard the shouting, looked up one after another, and thought to themselves: "What are these local tyrants and ignorant louts doing now?"

  "You're all here either because you were forced to join for a living, or because you were coerced into it. What's the point of it all? Just one full meal! Now there's a profession that not only gives you a full meal, but also silver to take! No officials chasing after you, no civilians cursing at you. If you do well, not only will you get rewards, but you'll also gain recognition! Are you in or out?"

  "Kill! Kill! Kill!" Over a thousand rebels shouted with all their might, their voices reaching the clouds.

  "Alright! But let me be upfront, once you join the Jingwei camp, if you don't follow orders, violate military discipline, or are incompetent in battle, and prioritize your own life over duty, I, Xu Wei Rong, will not tolerate it! Now, those who wish to enlist, go to the clerk's office to register!" As soon as Xu Wei finished speaking, a thousand or so surrendered bandits swarmed into action! The clerk, who had just been about to shout "Those who want to enlist voluntarily, come here to register", was truly startled by this scene.