Chapter 29: The Young Generals

  After sending off the horse team of Big Brother, Yang Meng also relaxed for a few days. Unexpectedly, during these few days, outside the gate of the Yang family martial arts hall, three to four hundred young and strong mountain villagers gathered.

  Bring in Ding Baojun and ask, these people are still related to themselves. After the last robbery, it wasn't that they gave their subordinates a three-day holiday, but rather these people were all young and strong from their village, coming to Yangjia Wuzhuang to make a living.

  Now his own business has not yet taken off, and having to support many people is also a burden. Yang Meng had thought of letting them go, but seeing their tattered clothes, he couldn't bear to do so.

  "Go find Wei Luozizai!"

  This matter can only be asked of Wei Baozi, looking at the clothes of these people, the Zhuang nationality accounts for the majority, this matter is 80% related to Wei Baozi.

  "Third Master, you're looking for me?"

  Weizangzi this guy is really cunning, he clearly saw those sturdy mountain people, but he just wouldn't give in.

  "How did these people come here? You must know! We're in a business where we lick blood off our knives, if they die, what about their families?"

  These are all strong laborers, Yang Meng has also understood these days. In Yunnan, farming relies on human power except for those rich families who use cattle and horses. These young and strong people are the family's cattle and horses. If they die, the harvest will decrease, and if the harvest decreases, the whole family will starve. If things go wrong, the family members may die one after another from starvation.

  "Third Master, these people all have brothers at home and their parents are also in good health. Although they can barely make a living, it's hard for them to find wives. Last time I went back and married a beautiful wife, those bastards were all envious, that's why they came."

  This remark made Wei Zuozi very excited and enthusiastic, and the arrival of so many people was a good thing, but Yang Meng couldn't get excited no matter what.

  "What if he died? Marry a female ghost as his wife?"

  "They came and didn't fear death, they died and their family's brothers, sisters, and younger siblings could live a good life, get married, find a wife, if they didn't die, the whole family would live a good life, this is a surefire way to make a living!"

  These words are really spoken, but Yang Meng is still calculating. This group of people has about 300 or 400, and if he accepts them, more will come later. Can't just accept as many as they come!

  One person gets five taels of silver per month, and also has a full supply of food, clothes, shoes, and socks. All these are provided by the family's wealth. If one's own business is done well, it will be fine! But if it's not done well, this big Yang family will be dragged down by them.

  "So many people, can't afford to raise them!"

  Yang Meng silently calculated that the expenses were not small, supporting over a thousand people, with monthly expenditures approaching ten thousand taels, and also distributing land properties, which was no small amount.

  "Third Master, we've also thought about it. These people don't need the land, they have enough at home to cultivate and their monthly allowance can be halved. Two taels of silver would be enough for them to live a good life."

  It is said that mountain people are united, and this can be seen from the fact that they don't forget to share when they have benefits. It is said that mountain people are simple and honest, and this can also be seen from this matter, Yang Meng gave them a way out, they risked their lives for Yang Meng, and also thought for him.

  "Alright, let's screen these people out and keep those who can run fast, send the others back!"

  Wei Kouzi's words were all out, and Yang Meng could only agree. Recently, he had to deal with Zhou Dabao of Yiliang, who was also short-handed, so it seemed that Zhou Dabao's family property would be enough to support him for a while.

  "No need to choose, these people have been selected many times when they came, running around the mountain, every one of them is a mountain monkey, and they also know some boxing and kicking skills. Those who didn't make it were all brushed off."

  Having done all this, how could Yang Meng not nod his head?

  "What's wrong with you guys?! Is it that easy to throw away your lives?"

  This is the world forcing people to walk on thin ice! These people should have lived a good life, but now in order to live a good life, they come out and risk their lives.

  "We don't want to either! Working for the landlord, the rent is frighteningly high, seven or eight tenths of the crop, it's not even worth planting some mountain fields, at least we'd have more freedom. But the yield from the mountain fields is too low, and even with wild vegetables, we can barely fill our bellies. Who dares to marry a wife? If you get married, the whole family will starve!"

  This camel also counts as a knowledgeable person, speaking to the point, but Yang Meng listened more and more not to his taste. The Yang family is rich in one side, and the old man is also a kind person, but there are too many poor people, the court doesn't care, and the Yang family doesn't have that much power to manage.

  "Your monthly salary remains unchanged, we'll talk about the land later. Take them for training! Clothes and boots are all available at Uncle Ding's place."

  These people shouldn't die, what should die is the world's way. They come under his command to risk their lives, Yang Meng can only try his best to ensure their safety.

  The armor made by the shoe factory should be about done, just go take a look and let Wei Tuozi and them try it on to find any flaws and make some improvements.

  Fifty pairs of armor were brought from the shoe factory to the training courtyard, where Yang Meng called out to Wei Tuozi, letting the old man take the armor first. Seeing these thick and solid armors, Wei Tuozi naturally knew what they were for.

  That day, after finishing the deal, San Ye mentioned it again. Unexpectedly, in just a few days, the armor was made.

  Although it's a bit rough, the thick copper plate and sturdy rawhide also let Wei Luozhu see the kind side of San Ye. This thing must have used at least three catties of copper, plus labor and leather, and it's probably worth three to five taels of silver!

  "Third Master's benevolence!"

  "Get out! Take people to try it quickly, and speak up if there's a problem."

  Watching one by one old man put on armor, Yang Meng's heart also relaxed a bit, with this thing, at least can save a few lives.

  "You're all wearing it inside your clothes, and you put it on the outside, are you afraid others can't see it?"

  You silly fools, you're wearing it on the outside, who still makes a move at the chest and abdomen position, isn't that just a waste of your own thoughts.

  "Alright, everyone stand up straight, I've got something to say."

  Yang Meng opened his mouth, and these strong men and knife holders stood together with a whoosh, Tang Mei's seductress was also squeezed in the crowd, standing upright.

  "Come over here and stand behind me."

  This is Yang Meng's own treasure, can't let outsiders take advantage of it.

  "Listen up, everyone! I've given you what's due to you, and now it's time for you to give me something in return. My demands are simple: just one sentence - do as I say, and you'll be doing what's right! Be a loyal soldier of the Yang family, be a loyal soldier of your own family!"

  When the Yang family is in trouble, you must risk your lives to help! When your family is in trouble, the Yang family will come to your aid. I want to provide for you a life of plenty and safety from bullying.

  If you are told to kill, you will kill; if you are told to rob, you will rob. Even if I tell you to commit suicide, you will promptly take a knife and cut your throat.

  "This is what I'm telling you to do, so just do it! Think carefully about whether you can do it or not. If you can, then stay. If not, I'll give you a month's salary and send you home!"

  When it comes to training soldiers, Yang Meng is still barely passable. In his early years under Jin Sanjiao's command, all the troops were trained by him personally. If he didn't do it himself, it wouldn't work! Letting others train soldiers would result in not knowing whose surname they'd take!

  A group of new and old knife hands stood still with their chests out, not one moving. It seems that this job, this monthly salary is extremely important to them.

  "Think again, the business I'm doing is all life-and-death deals. Last time those old hands made a lot of money, but there were also many casualties - over 50 people died, 16 were injured, and two were disabled. The casualty rate was over 30%. You should consider carefully. Now we have over 400 people, after the next deal is done, it's possible that only 200-300 will be left."

  The knife-wielding men under Yang Meng's command were not comparable to those of the Walking Horse Gang, who might encounter a bloody battle only a few times a year. Yang Meng had organized this gang for armed robbery and plunder, and the frequency of bloody battles would only increase.

  Still no one moves, the old hands are all smiling, the new hands are a bit nervous, but since the old hands don't move, they also don't move.

  "Since you're not leaving, I'll take it that you've accepted. Let's get straight to the point: if you don't do what I tell you to do, I'll kill you. And if you do something you shouldn't be doing, don't think I'll let you off either."

  Military orders and discipline come first, followed by passion and loyalty. To control subordinates well, relying solely on their passion and loyalty is not enough; without rules, there would be no order, and rules are the most important thing.

  "Firstly, when doing things, one must be diligent and conscientious. Anyone who wants to slack off or deceive others, get out!"

  Two, Yang's family affairs must be kept confidential, whoever leaks the news will be killed!

  Thirdly, going out to do things, secretly hiding and disobeying orders, kill!

  Fourth, opium is strictly forbidden; anyone who gets involved with it will be killed!

  One roll and three kills is the rule set by Yang Meng, with this, these knife hands can restrain themselves, otherwise they will be out of control.

  Yang Meng didn't say much, and Wei Tuozi, the leader of these knife-wielding men, probed his body as if he had something to say. Yang Meng nodded, and only then did Wei Tuozi step forward.

  "Third Master's kindness, he has equipped us with leather armor. Since you're here, you've also heard Third Master's words. I, Wei Luosi, am a rough person, but even a rough person knows to repay kindness. Without Third Master, Wei Luosi wouldn't have been able to marry his wife. Now that you're here, you must work hard and make an effort."

  "You've done something wrong to Third Master and the Yang family, Third Master will kill you for that. But here in Weilaozi's place, there are rules, whoever does something they shouldn't do, should worry about their own family members, the knife in Weilaozi's hand is also swift."

  This was what Yang Meng wanted to say but didn't say out loud. Once a person has something on their mind, they won't take reckless risks, but this kind of thing can't be easily said, as it would hurt someone.

  "Wei Luozu, what nonsense are you spouting! Get back in line!"

  Since Wei Zhuzi has spoken, I should also make a statement. It wouldn't be good to scare off these newcomers.

  "Third Master, Wei Baozi is telling the truth! All of you listen up, whoever betrays the Yang family and does something shameful, Third Master may not pursue it, but since I, Wei Baozi, brought you here, I will hold you accountable. When you do bad things, think about your families."

  If you want to say who understands these mountain people the most, it's Wei Tuozi. This statement of his is a guarantee that eliminates some people's crooked thoughts.

  "Alright! That's all for now. With more people, our training needs to be more formal. I'll teach the fist techniques, and Wei Tuozi will teach the knife techniques. Everyone must practice hard, so we can stay alive when we go out."

  Yang Meng brought out his own fighting skills, also teaching some dagger techniques. He broke down each move and taught them one by one. By the time he finished, it was already noon. They had their first meal together in the courtyard, which helped to build their relationship.

  After lunch, I chatted with the knife-wielding men for a while, and then training resumed. Yang Meng taught boxing and assassination techniques in the morning, and these people also learned roughly about them. What's left is just hard practice.

  These mountain people, when trained, are also extremely hardworking. Occasionally, there are a few who do not do well, and Wei Luosi shows no mercy, going up to give them a good beating. Training like this for one or two months, these people can be used.

  In the afternoon, Ding Baojun brought over clothes and some military boots. After changing into new clothes, these people were satisfied. However, the sizes of the military boots were not complete, and some people had to wait a few more days. Nevertheless, a set of sturdy clothes made these new recruits grin from ear to ear. Such good clothes, many people hadn't even seen them before, let alone worn them.