Chapter Nine: How to Find a Brave Warrior

The Wuwan people took advantage of the moment when the majority of our troops were dispatched westward to defend against the Xiongnu, launching an attack to plunder the northeastern border of our Han Empire! Lin Zhuangshi, Zuo Yan and I need to return to Youbeiping County immediately. You should stay close to Officer Han; he will make the necessary arrangements. It seemed to be a sudden turn of events, as Li Danghu unexpectedly rode off at full gallop with Zuo Yan.

And wait! Gongsun Hong jumped down from his warhorse and bowed, "Esteemed officials, these warhorses were captured by my elder brother Lin Bin. The heads hanging from the horses are the severed heads of our enemies, totaling thirty-two fine Wuwan warhorses and thirty-six enemy heads!"

I heard from Captain Li that Captain Lin single-handedly slaughtered a tiger, fierce as a ghost or deity, and was able to fight against more than twenty Wuwan people, ultimately annihilating the enemy. I feel a great admiration for this. It is truly delightful that our team can add a warrior as brave as Captain Lin!

Lin Bin discovered that after the sentry post identified him and his companions, the soldiers who had originally stood on both sides of the road suddenly rushed back to form a defensive line behind their horses. Behind the infantry, near a pile of unlit bonfires, a soldier holding a torch appeared, as if ready to throw down the torch to ignite the signal fire. In the distance, the sound of a gong could be faintly heard. In that instant, the entire sentry post came to life, with soldiers armed with weapons continuously rushing out from the tents of the military camp. They stood leaning against wooden stakes, their weapons pointed straight ahead, as if ready to throw down the torch to ignite the signal fire. In the distance, the sound of a gong could be faintly heard. In that instant, the entire sentry post came to life, with soldiers armed with weapons continuously rushing out from the tents of the military camp. They stood leaning against wooden stakes, their weapons pointed straight ahead.

Han Zhu did not seem displeased either, leading the four individuals over and smiling as he said: "Our Han dynasty values military achievements above all; those who fabricate or embezzle military merits shall be executed!" He read out the names of Lin Bin and the other three, asking, "Jiang Lengzi, do you remember this?"

Gongsun Hong and Lu Wu Zuo Mu were momentarily taken aback, their expressions quite displeased, while Dou Shi Yan was overjoyed, asking, "May I serve as a soldier under my elder brother?" Immediately, both Gongsun Hong and Lu Wu Zuo Mu made the same request.

Dou Shiyan, Gongsun Hong, and Lu Wuzuo observed the soldiers praising Lin Bin, and they displayed an expression of great pride.

Lin Bin certainly did not know that Dou Shiyan, Lu Wuzuo Mu, and Gongsun Hong were trying to elevate his status. The more renowned Lin Bin became, the greater the opportunity for the three of them to stand out in the future. With the testimony of that tiger skin, Zuo Yan was willing to believe what the three said. He stated that Lin Bin was tall and must possess immense strength, and he had personally witnessed Lin Bin slaughtering the Wuwan people, holding him in high regard and willing to recommend him to the officials.

The official referred to by Zuo Yan as the "ling shi" is an official who assists the county magistrate in the prefectures and counties, without distinction between civil or military officials. Above the "ling shi," there is another position called "cheng," both of which are officials of a rank above one hundred stones.

... ...

He was somewhat unclear about what Zuo Yan meant by 'pavilion.' When asked, Zuo Yan was taken aback and said that every ten li (or hundred li) a pavilion would be established for people to reside in, with a pavilion chief appointed. Within the pavilion, there would be a market to facilitate trade for the villagers. The pavilion chief would manage the affairs within the pavilion and also be responsible for providing supplies to the frontline outposts. Supplies refer to the provisions supplied to the military during the Han Dynasty.

Next, Assistant Han took them to familiarize themselves with the military camp and explained several points that required attention. Only then did he assign seven soldiers to Lin Bin's unit, followed by the allocation of a tent and several sets of military uniforms, before attending to his own matters.

Lin Bin and the other three watched in astonishment as Li Danghu hurriedly left

Jiang Lengzi repeatedly bowed, "The old servant has noted it down. It is Lin Bin, the squad leader, Gongsun Hong, Dou Shiyan, and Lu Wu, the left wood troops. I won't get it wrong. The old servant will return to report to the pavilion chief. I shall take my leave now. Does Officer Han have any further instructions?"

Han Zhu saw Lin Bin lost in thought and laughed heartily: "How is my son?" Without waiting for Lin Bin to respond, he galloped away, shouting: "Is Jiang Lengzi around? Come out to collect the warhorses, and quickly take them back to the county magistrate to register in the horse ledger!"

Jiang Lengzi was beaming with smiles, repeatedly bowing, "I understand, I understand... The old servant will certainly report the achievements of all the brave warriors to the county magistrate, I would not dare to make a mistake..."

Ladies and gentlemen, do not panic. I am already aware of your intentions regarding www.hetushu.com. Let us first return to our base and make arrangements. Han Zhu is a team leader, overseeing five squads and fifteen individuals, totaling fifty guards.

The three individuals were extremely pleased with Zuo Yan's promise. In the border regions, which are frequently plagued by warfare, no one wishes for anything more than to find a valiant and formidable protector. Moreover, many of them have already lost their families and are left with nothing. Without the opportunity to rise alongside Lin Bin, they currently have no good place to go, as the court does not permit border residents to enter the interior.

Lin Bin later fell silent, leaving only Dou Shiyan to introduce to Zuo Yan how valiant Lin Bin was. When Dou Shiyan spoke of Lin Bin's battle with the tiger, he became so excited that his face turned red. Gongsun Hong and Lu Wu Zuomu also chimed in from the side, the three of them vividly promoting Lin Bin, which left Lin Bin feeling somewhat bewildered

After Han Zhu introduced the four leaders he brought, he pointed at Jiang Lengzi, who was leading the horse away, and expressed a bit of sentiment, "Jiang Lengzi is also a pitiful person. His family perished in the flames of war, leaving him all alone and destitute. This is why he sought a job from Captain Xiao to transport grain and fodder. Everyone, please do not bully him in the future"

Lin Bin, unable to clasp his fists like the ancients while riding on horseback, nodded vigorously and responded with "Yes!" This was the best arrangement for him, as he had already realized that failing to clasp his fists in response was a very disrespectful act

They continued north until they saw a military flag with a red background and the character '汉' written in clerical script in the center. Beneath the flag was a military camp enclosed by wooden stakes, not large in size, situated at the edge of a slope. The road was blocked in the middle by two rows of movable wooden sharpened stakes, and several sentry posts were arranged in front. On either side of the road stood five infantrymen each holding a long spear.

After chatting for a while, Li Danghu had not yet returned, and the crowd began to feel a bit anxious, fearing that Li Danghu had encountered the Hu invaders. Just as they were about to take action to search for him, Li Danghu returned with two Han soldiers.

Lin Bin and others finally approached the forward checkpoint. Before they could come to a complete stop, an elderly man, around fifty years old, dressed in a long tunic and trousers, hurried over with several people. Without saying a word, he reached for the reins...

He also said, "Those who join the army with captured spoils and the heads of slain enemies shall be generously rewarded. Would the brave Lin be willing to hold the position of a squad leader in my team?"

Han Zhu no longer paid attention to the three individuals, but instead engaged in conversation with Lin Bin. He seemed very interested in Lin Bin, asking many questions along the way. He keenly observed that Lin Bin could not ride a horse, yet he exhibited a soldier's demeanor in his every gesture. Furthermore, noticing Lin Bin's exceptionally tall stature and his few words, Han Zhu took a great liking to him

According to Han Zhu from m.hetushu.com, his outpost is relatively close to the front line and has long been subjected to harassment from nomadic tribes, which has proven to be quite challenging. Several squad leaders have already died in battle, along with non-commissioned officers and soldiers. During peacetime, the situation is manageable, as it only requires checking the merchants and travelers entering the border. However, during this period, with the Xiongnu and the Wuhuan from the northeast moving south, his combat strength has significantly diminished, making it essential for fierce warriors like Lin Bin to join.

Lin Bin stared blankly at the old man's humble posture as he bent down. He jumped off his warhorse and handed the reins to Jiang Lengzi, standing quietly beside him. Only then did everyone realize how imposing Lin Bin truly was, prompting exclamations of surprise. Jiang Lengzi was so frightened that he stumbled backward and fell to the ground. Lin Bin quickly walked over and helped him up, repeatedly asking if he was injured

Very good! Han Zhu's expression brightened with joy as he turned to Dou Shiyan, Gongsun Hong, and Lu Wuzuo Mu, saying, "The three valiant warriors can also serve as squad leaders in my team..." After hesitating for a moment, he continued, "However, there are currently no vacancies for squad leaders in the team, so I must regretfully ask the three of you to remain temporarily idle. Please familiarize yourselves with the military system of the Han army, and should any vacancies arise, you will certainly be appointed. What do you think?"

Lin Bin stood in the tent, staring blankly at the much smaller military uniform. Behind him stood Dou Shiyan, Gongsun Hong, Lu Wuzuo Mu, who had already changed into their military attire, along with seven unnamed sentinels.

Lin Bin and others naturally understood that this was directed at them, to which Qi Qi responded: "Yes!"