Chapter Forty-Four Military Conference

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  Power grows out of the barrel of a gun, and the military is what Zhang Xu values most, especially in this late Eastern Han and early Three Kingdoms period. The military is even more crucial now, so expanding it has always been something Zhang Xu wanted to do. Although there are only three generals now, Guan Hai is a first-rate general who can become a great marshal. At most, leading an army of 10,000 is not impossible. Wu Qing can also lead up to 5,000 soldiers at most. Only Wu Zhong has poor talent and limited innate abilities, so he can only command 500 people.

  However, Wu Zhong was loyal and didn't need to lead troops in battle. The merit he had established last time was enough. Staying by his side and commanding the Imperial Guard would be sufficient. As for the next expansion, Zhang Xu planned to expand to 15,500 people at once, which is the maximum number of troops that the three current generals can command.

  Although, compared to the total population, it still feels a bit like being overly militarized. After all, even though Chang County is still constantly accepting refugees, its population is only over 700,000. Yet, with a population of over 700,000, they want to build an army of 15,500 - this is almost a ratio of five to one, which is quite frightening!

  However, it's not that it can't be done. At the beginning, Qin State had a population of 6 million, but it had an army of 1 million, sweeping across the six states and swallowing up the world. Zhang Xu has an even more outstanding system, with a ratio of five to one for raising soldiers, which is also feasible. Moreover, his soldiers are trained in the same way as the later generations' child soldiers. During busy farming seasons, they will also help the people with their work. Most importantly, after completing the training of the large army, he will send troops to complete the occupation of Donglai County, and at that time, the number of soldiers will not be too many!

  Thinking of this, Zhang Xu had already made a plan, and soon Guan Hai, Wu Zhong, and Wu Qing, three generals came.

  After three people kowtowed and paid their respects to Zhang Xu, they asked Zhang Xu to take a seat, which was the real beginning of the discussion on military construction.

  "Master Xianshi has decided to assemble an army of such a large scale after the autumn harvest, and we will naturally go all out. However, Master Xianshi, I don't know if these troops can arrive in time for the battle at Qinglin Town?"

  Guan Hai's worries were not unnecessary, after all, the military bloodline had to be pure and this was the most important thing. He worried that if the army expanded too much, enemy spies might infiltrate, and Guan Hai thought that Zhang Xu's new military system was epoch-making, but it was also a troublesome matter.

  Wu Qing also looked at Zhang Xu with some doubt, but this was not a sign of disrespect for Zhang Xu. Rather, they were indeed too concerned about Zhang Xu's current power. In their view, Chang County under Zhang Xu's rule was a utopia, and they were rational people who knew that although Chang County was still strong, it could at most rival the likes of Kong Rong, but if they were to go up against the likes of Yuan Shao, they would be courting death. They did not want Zhang Xu to be overly ambitious and reckless, leading to other variables!

  This time, defeating Yuan Tan's army without triggering a counterattack from Yuan Shao's forces is already extremely fortunate. If the scouts were to find out about Zhang Xiu's true combat strength, that would be a disaster!

  "Haha!"

  Looking at his two generals, being so careful, Zhang Xu was very satisfied. He smiled slightly and said: "Now that Chang County has been under my command for half a year, don't worry. After the autumn harvest, they will be the best soldiers. At that time, you can rest assured to expand the army. Now let's arrange the military system for the time being!"

  Zhang Xu nodded and smiled, but was extremely confident. After all, the Xian Guan system had already begun to take effect. He had initially established his own political and religious system, and the Xian Guan officials were also doing their jobs well. This could accelerate the faith of believers and bring about a bumper harvest, which would inevitably stabilize the people's hearts!

  At that time, the land was very fertile, but it was limited by farming technology and could not develop its potential. Unlike Qinglin Town's barren land, Chang County's land was extremely fertile. If Qinglin Town could transform the land into good fields and achieve a bumper harvest in the second year, then Chang County, although it was the first year of cultivation, would have an absolutely problem-free harvest!

  Organic fertilizers, farmyard manure, large amounts of livestock dung, epoch-making deep plowing techniques, reasonable heaven and earth planning techniques, as well as seed optimization techniques cultivated for two years, all guarantee a bumper harvest.

  Once a good harvest is obtained, the people's hearts will naturally be won over, and with the guidance of the immortal officials, it is bound to have a good effect. Moreover, due to the relationship between Qinglin Town's fishing village, refined salt, and a large amount of seafood supplementing meat food, the physical quality of the militia can also barely reach the standard after half a year of nourishment!

  It can be said that everything is ready now, only waiting for the east wind. As long as the autumn harvest east wind passes, it's time to reap!

  "Great Master Xian's benevolence is boundless, we are willing to die ten thousand times, and will definitely intensify our training, striving to form a fighting force!"

  Upon hearing Zhang Xu's guarantee, Guan Hai and Wu Qing immediately felt at ease. As for the physical quality of the soldiers, there was no need to worry. The treatment of these militia members, although they did not interfere with internal affairs, was also well-known, sufficient to meet their needs. Moreover, in peacetime, under the leadership of various family heads, village heads or district heads, they had been rigorously trained and had a good grasp of how to quickly form combat effectiveness!

  Moreover, Zhang Xu's goal was clear, Donglai County was just a self-governing region, and Huang County, where the strongest governor of Donglai County was located, had only 3,000 regular troops, which were not even considered by the two generals!

  Now the two of them also vaguely knew some of Zhang Xu's arrangements, they knew that they had many opportunities to build their own merits, Wu Zhong was the first general, and he must be protecting Zhang Xu's safety, while they were the generals who fought for Zhang Xu's immortal teacher!

  "Alright, in that case, I have made arrangements. From now on, select the most elite and bravest warriors from the eight battalions to form a new battalion, named the Imperial Guard, specifically to protect my safety, and put Wu Zhong in command!"

  Zhang Xu slowly opened his mouth and said.

  Upon hearing Zhang Xu's words, Guan Hai and Wu Qing immediately supported him at the first opportunity. After all, the formation of the Imperial Guard was necessary. Although Wu Zhong led the First Battalion with this responsibility before, it had not been clearly defined. The First Battalion was stronger than other battalions but still somewhat lacking.

  After the battle of Chang County, the war against Yuan Tan's army, and the usual suppression of bandits, it is enough to gather 500 brave soldiers. These people can form a personal guard battalion!

  Although this would deprive them of the fierce soldiers in their camp, Guan Yu and Wu Qing were delighted, after all, Zhang Xiu's safety was paramount, an unshakeable matter!