Chapter 008: Supply Depot

Xiao Tian learned to write with a brush, but ultimately, it was not commonly used in his time. He asked Manager Shi to help him find a Western fountain pen. As Manager Shi read aloud, Xiao Tian wrote, and before long, a document was completed.

The manager named Shi Yan glared at Chen Shaodong and said, "Damn it, do you think this is your home? Do you think you can do whatever you want?"

Rosso suddenly turned to Xiao Tian: "Boss, hero, we've been staying here for a few days, haven't we? Even dogs and cats develop feelings after being together for a long time, let alone us humans. Look, the matters of this world..."

Once everything was arranged, Chen Shaodong returned to his companions, full of pride, eagerly awaiting their praise. Suddenly, Xiao Tian grasped his hand firmly and said in a deep voice

There is no need to ask; this is also someone who wishes to consume the provisions of the Beiyang Army

Shi Guandai took the note and exclaimed in admiration: "This handwriting is beautiful, young man, have you attended a formal school?"

"Ouch, ouch, Third Brother, let go first!" Chen Shaodong's face changed color from the pain, and he repeatedly pleaded for mercy: "I didn't steal or cheat, it was given to me by the old lady, really, really!"

Xiao Tian, along with several companions, was stationed at the logistics camp of the 22nd Standard of the 11th Division in the 6th Town. Perhaps Chen Shaodong had said something in front of the commander, as Xiao Tian was appointed as the leader of this unit, overseeing fourteen individuals, which could be considered a position of some authority.

After waiting for two days, a commanding officer arrived and took away the new recruits who had been conscripted. Chen Shaodong suddenly quickened his pace and, with a bold demeanor, spoke with the officer. It was then that he learned that all the recruits in his batch belonged to this officer. This officer was from a logistics battalion. Xiao Tian, who was listening from behind, suddenly realized why the recruitment inquiries had not been very strict.

After this, Xiao Tian had an additional task, assisting Shi Guandai with copying and organizing documents, as well as helping his companions write letters home

Hu Gang, huh? That bastard actually went to the countryside last time I passed by Ziliu, who knows if he went there to extort money. The leader lazily took the letter without even looking at it: "Are you all here to enlist? Do you smoke opium or not?"

Shi Guandai was merely a half-baked scholar, having attended a private school for two years without a solid foundation. After joining the army, he had little opportunity to write, and many of the characters he had learned were long forgotten. Upon seeing Xiao Tian, who appeared to be a knowledgeable person, he was immediately delighted and simply asked Xiao Tian to help him complete this memorial.

Every day involves physical training. One time, after the training, Xiao Tian saw Shi Guandai writing a note. There was a character he did not know how to write, so Xiao Tian, with Shi Guandai's permission, helped him write that character

Well, since there is a letter of recommendation from Hu Gangzhi, I won't ask about the others. Go and register there. The leader seemed somewhat listless and called over a subordinate to take Xiao Tian and a few others to the side.

Yet this prodigal son was actually able to endure it, and now he takes it out without any remorse

The one who was forcibly "kidnapped"—Rosso—stared at the notice in astonishment: "Damn it, how long is this going to take? If I had known that military rations were so easy to obtain, I wouldn't have gone through all that trouble. Damn it."

The notice below states that patients are not accepted, and those without a fixed household registration, as well as vagrants and the like, are strictly prohibited. It is no wonder that the Beiyang Army could become an elite force.

Shi Guandai is also a discerning person. Upon seeing the books, a smile immediately appeared on his face, but he quickly concealed it, saying, "Hmm, which few people are they..."

Perhaps I have misjudged this person in my own way, and perhaps I still need to adapt well to this era

Xiao Tian took out the recommendation letter from the county magistrate and handed it to the leader, saying: "We come from Ziliu County, and here is a letter from Hu's parents."

Xiao Tian steeled himself: "Lord Guandai, I studied in England before, but later I couldn't adapt to the lifestyle of the Westerners, so I returned. I feel ashamed, very ashamed."

"Lord Cao, who are you?"

With this arrival, the leader Xiao, who had studied in the UK, not only elevated his status in the hearts of the management but also significantly increased his standing among his peers.

Chen Shaodong was not afraid; he quietly tugged at Shi Guandai's sleeve and slipped something into his hand. Xiao Tian, with his keen eyes, immediately noticed that it was the pearl he had returned to Chen's mother.

Xiao Tian originally intended to join a logistics unit, but this is ultimately someone else's territory, and he must comply with their arrangements. The only consolation is that he has finally taken a step towards his established goal

I have said that wwwhetushu.com, as long as you dare to touch this precious brain, I will slice off your flesh inch by inch

The leader receives a monthly salary of 5 taels, while the regular soldiers receive a monthly salary of 4 taels and 2 cash. Each month, 1 tael and 5 cash is deducted from the leader's salary, and 1 tael is deducted from the regular soldiers' salaries. Every six months, personnel will be dispatched to distribute funds to the families of the soldiers. Local officials are responsible for the proper protection of the soldiers' families and must not allow local tyrants and ruffians to bully them. Military families should have the right to litigate, and local officials should provide preferential treatment. Each soldier is allowed to be exempted from 30 mu of corvée labor as a gesture of compassion

I said, if one hasn't studied in a foreign school, how could they use a Western fountain pen so smoothly? It's good to be back, it's good to be back. What is so good about foreigners? I heard that even their meat is served raw.

In this group, there are four brothers of Xiao Tian, along with Situ Yao who can also be considered one of their own, and then there is Luo Suo. Although he tends to gossip, he is clever and knows which side to stand on. With this, there are six people in the group who are on their side, while the others are isolated and naturally look to Xiao Tian as their leader

This second-generation rich individual either does not regard pearls as significant or has some ulterior motive, as he actually invested such a large sum to bring a few brothers together

Xiao Tian and his companions were overwhelmed by what they heard; throughout this journey, they had truly experienced Luo Suo's abilities. This person could repeat a single sentence for several hours, truly deserving the title of "loquacious".

Throughout this journey, Chen Shaodong has not revealed a single word about the pearls. If he were true to his nature, without good food and fine wine along the way, he would have likely taken the pearls out to sell long ago

Xiao Tiansong released his hand and suddenly realized that this second-generation heir might not be as he had imagined.

Upon arriving at the recruitment station, Xiao Tian sought out a person who appeared to be the leader: "Sir, may I ask if Lord Cao Deli of the Eleventh Division is present?"

Do not smoke

Looking at this recruitment notice, Xiao Tian couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment. The salary was shockingly high; the pay for a low-ranking soldier for two months was enough to buy an acre of good farmland with some left over. Thinking about the journey so far, his group had only a few taels of silver, which they had to calculate and manage carefully. In comparison, that amount was truly insignificant in the Beiyang Army.

I originally thought it would take some effort, but unexpectedly, a recommendation letter from Hu Gang spared me all these troubles

Chen Shaodong said with a smile: "My lord, we brothers all came from Ziliu County together. If you could kindly arrange for us to be placed together, we would be very grateful, my lord!"