Chapter Sixteen: The Military Camp

  After spending several days in his own wine cellar, Wu's master craftsmen finally understood the techniques for making these high-proof wines. The technique of brewing alone took up a whole day, but after mastering the most difficult temperature control, everything else went smoothly. Gaoyuan had reason to believe that in the hands of these master craftsmen who had brewed for generations, his own techniques would surely be carried forward and improved upon. They were only temporarily blinded by a veil, and when he lifted this veil for them, what lay before them was a vast expanse of possibilities.

  The problem of money has been temporarily solved, and now Gaoyuan decides to focus on the army of one hundred people that he is about to get his hands on. The overnight conversation with Wu Kai was not only a great harvest for Wu Kai, but also a great benefit for Gaoyuan himself.

  The Wu family's winemaking skills are already quite good in this era, but the Wu family is willing to spend a lot of money every year to keep the county magistrate position. In Gao Yuan's opinion, if County Magistrate Wu were to simply do business, he would certainly shine brighter than being in the county magistrate position. However, not just in this era, but in any era, wanting to forever preserve wealth requires having sufficient power in one's hands.

  Now their own strength is very small, Lu Hong's strength is also very small, Wu Kai's strength is also very small, these strengths are all limited to a small Fufeng County, looking at the Yan State, these people can only be considered as small shrimp, not even fish. The greater the wealth, the greater the danger, it is uncertain which day, a big fish will stare at oneself, if there is no enough strength, it will definitely swallow without leaving any residue.

  Wu Kai and Lu Hong did not see this problem clearly, of course, it's not their fault, in their eyes, the governor of Liaoxi County is already a great figure, now they can still borrow momentum, but others' momentum cannot be borrowed all the time, nor can it be borrowed at any time. If there are greater benefits in front of them, Gao Yuan believes that those big figures will abandon them without hesitation.

  So, only when you have more power can you protect yourself.

  In his previous life, Gao Yuan had already experienced the bitterness of being used by those big shots. Once he lost his usefulness, they would sell him out without hesitation, all for a mere one million dollars.

  You can't afford to take this loss again. Power is only truly in your hands when you grasp it yourself.

  Liaoxi County is remote and not as prosperous as the Central Plains, but being remote also has its advantages. The sky is high and the emperor is far away, giving oneself enough time to grow strong until one's weak body becomes robust.

  The weapon Gaoyuan wanted has been delivered, it's a three-edged military dagger with a guard on the handle, making it easier to grip tightly, stroking the deep blood grooves on the dagger, Gaoyuan coldly smiled, in this life, countless people have died under this very weapon.

  Next to the military dagger, a small thin knife was placed, Zhang Yi's handling of affairs was indeed solid, made from the best hundred-refined steel, forged with a hundred hammers, the blade was extremely short, only about the size of a palm, the small and delicate blade placed next to the dark and heavy military dagger, emitted a faint blue glow. Picking up the small knife, with a flick of his finger, it instantly began spinning rapidly between his fingers, faster and faster, until the blade disappeared from view, only a ball of light could be seen flashing between his fingers. After playing for a while, his fingers retracted, the knife had vanished into his sleeve, his wrist bent again, and with a "pa" sound, the small knife popped out from his sleeve.

  "Good brothers, I finally have you back!" Gaoyuan gazed at the two weapons, filled with emotion. If the military dagger in his hand was a fierce tiger, then this small knife was his hidden, deadly gaze, unseen by others. On the life-and-death battlefield, countless people had their neck arteries slashed open by this thin blade, bleeding to death without knowing how they were injured. They never understood that when Gaoyuan drew this knife, the recipient was doomed to die.

  He lost his defense only once, and that was when he died.

  The death of the previous life is the beginning of this life, and in this life, I will not let anyone sell myself again.

  "Master, Vice Captain Zhang has arrived!" Outside, Zhang Yi's voice rang out. Gaoyuan wiped his hand on the table and made the small knife disappear. He picked up his military dagger and inserted it into the leather scabbard at his waist. With large strides, he walked out of the door to meet him. Zhang Yan was Lu Hong's deputy, and he had come to escort him to take office.

  "Thanks, Zhang Wei!" Gao Yuan was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a wide leather belt around his waist, and his sturdy build was evident as he strode out of the door. Zhang Yan, standing outside, couldn't help but cheer him on silently - what a fine and valiant Han man!

  "I dare not, County Lieutenant Zhou has ordered it, Zhang will naturally do his best to cooperate!" Zhang Yan smiled and said. Gao Yuan was his subordinate, he didn't need to return the courtesy, let alone when he had already arrived at Gao's gate, which was already giving Gao face.

  Gao Yuan smiled slightly, and naturally heard the meaning of Zhang Han's words, that the other side was giving face to Lord Lu, not himself.

  "Gao brother is going to the military camp at the South Gate, which is not too far from here. Why don't we just walk there? Along the way, I'll tell you about the situation with the Hundred Men Squad," Zhang Yan asked.

  "Excellent, excellent!" Gaoyuan smiled and said: "Now I am confused, my heart is filled with fear, thanks to Master Zhang's explanation, Gaoyuan is grateful."

  "Then let's set off early, and it's also a good opportunity for Gao brother to get familiar with the road. In the future, coming and going will be more convenient. I heard that after Gao brother was injured last time, there were some problems with his memory?"

  "Alas, I was indeed plotted against by a petty person last time and can't recall things from before. If Master Zhang hadn't come to fetch me, I really wouldn't have been able to find my way back. Zhang Yi, you follow behind with my bedding and the things I prepared, and also find a cart to pull them over."

  "Yes, young master!" Zhang Yi stood at the door, bowing his head and body.

  "What? Brother Gao is going to live in the barracks?" Zhang Yan looked at Gao Yuan with some surprise. "I'm afraid it's not a place where people can live comfortably, Brother Gao is used to enjoying life, and the barracks are like pigsties, those soldiers are also a bunch of rough men, I'm afraid you won't be used to it. Besides, the barracks aren't far from here, it won't take long to come and go."

  Gaoyuan shook his head, "Since I'm going to be a soldier, I'll naturally have to live with the brothers. If they can endure it, so can I. Can't let them live in a pigsty while I enjoy myself? This is something Gaoyuan cannot do."

  Zhang Han turned his head and stared at Gao Yuan for a long time, nodded, and burst out laughing. "I've heard that Brother Gao has a heroic spirit, now I truly understand."

  "What heroic spirit is there? It was just ignorance before!" Gaoyuan laughed and said.

  "Two days ago, I heard that the butler of Mr. Wu's family came to visit Gao brothers?"

  "I don't have such a big face, but I borrowed some silver money from Lord Wu to turn it over, and Wu's housekeeper is here to deliver the money to me."

  "Is Lord Wu willing to lend you money?" Zhang Han asked in surprise.

  "It's still because of Uncle Lu's face. With Uncle Lu as a guarantor, Governor Wu wouldn't be afraid that I won't repay." Gaoyuan chuckled, but he didn't want others to know about his dealings with the Wu family.

  "I understand, good luck to you, Brother Gao, having a caring uncle like Lord You."

  "That's it, that's it!" Gao Yuan nodded repeatedly.

  Looking at Gao Yuan, Zhang Han was somewhat puzzled by this young man for a moment. He had only heard that this person was a spoiled son, relying on Lu Hong's support, and in Fufeng City, he could get whatever he wanted, but the rumors didn't seem to match up with the calm and composed young man in front of him. Gao Yuan's words were not entirely truthful, and Zhang Han could still hear that much.

  Measuring the tall and distant figure, his gaze fell on the waist of the tall and distant man. "Brother Gao, what kind of weapon is this? Why isn't there a sword at your side? The county has always issued ceremonial swords to military officers."

  "Oh, this is the weapon I'm used to, a knife, I forgot to pick it up, no big deal, some day when I have time, I'll go get it." Gao Yuan said nonchalantly.

  "This piece of armor is quite strange, may I borrow it for a look?" Zhang Han asked.

  "What's wrong with this?" Gaoyuan drew out his military dagger and handed it to Zhang Han.

  The triangular blade of the military dagger shone with a blue light, and the blood groove in the middle made Zhang Heng take a cool breath. He was someone who had been on the battlefield before, and this thing looked like it could kill people at first glance. The handle was wrapped tightly with fine hemp rope, and it looked like an old hand had tied it. Zhang Heng's own knife handle was also wrapped with this kind of hemp rope, but he had never been a soldier before, so how did he know this?

  "What a good handle for killing people!" Zhang Yan smiled and handed the three-edged military spear back to Gao Yuan.

  Gao looked at Zhang Han and saw that he was seeing such a weapon for the first time. He simply said it was a deadly instrument, obviously understanding its purpose, and was also a knowledgeable person.

  Looking at the distant gaze, Zhang Han smiled, "In those years, I and Lord Lu fought together on the battlefield."

  It wasn't until then that Gao Yuan suddenly realized that those who had been on the battlefield naturally had a different gaze.

  The two of them walked for about an hour before Zhang Han stopped and pointed to a row of houses in front of him. "We're here," he said. "That's the barracks of your troops."

  Looking up high, he couldn't help but take a cold breath. Zhang Han had said many things on this road, and there weren't many useful words, but one thing he did say was right - this row of barracks really did look like a pigpen.