Chapter 4, Conversations about Military Life on a Rainy Night

Wang Dashan listened and gave a very sophisticated evaluation: "Conventional and standard."

Wang Dashan was also aware of his adopted son's temperament, so he chose to remain silent about the past

Then he said again: "Since this is to deal with the Shan Yue, three thousand people should be about enough... However, there is one thing I must advise you..."

Wang Dashan rubbed Wang Qi's head and finally said with a sense of accomplishment: "Because archers are precious, they enjoy the best treatment!"

Therefore, that person has died and so be it

At this moment, Wang Qi was slightly silent, and then said: "Uncle Dashan, a couple of days ago when you went to relieve yourself, the old village chief from Wangjia Village at the foot of the mountain came by."

This situation appears as if it is about to charge back to the village and kill the old village chief on the spot

It seems that for archers, achieving merit and promotion may be quite difficult and unfair

The village chief said that the general who came first to recruit soldiers does not seem to be in a hurry to engage with those mountain bandits, but rather intends to train the troops for a year before officially starting the campaign, and the treatment is also quite good

His memories of his biological father in this lifetime remain until he was six years old, yet even during those six years, the number of times they actually met can be counted on two hands

Wang Qi spoke of the information he had learned from the old village chief

He gritted his teeth and said, "At worst, I will take you into the mountains! I have only one wish in this life, which is to keep you safe and sound"

Wang Qi, with a look of disdain, said: "I know, I know. Moreover, going to the north is not only a long journey, but once we arrive, we will basically have to undergo training for about six months before heading directly to the battlefield."

That old man has truly betrayed me and my son!

He could not continue speaking, appearing somewhat flustered and at a loss.

However, Wang Qi still wanted to continue speaking

However, Wang Dashan suddenly turned his eyes and asked: "Is there any information on how many people will be recruited this time, and what types of troops will be involved?"

Wang Qi listened attentively, no longer interjecting

Fortunately, when the wooden house was built back in the day, a fire pit was left inside. Thus, the two of us lived and cooked in this wooden house, with a pot simmering 'chicken stewed with mushrooms' and skewers of rabbit meat slowly roasting by the fire pit

Your identity is special; although I have taken various measures to conceal it, you must still remember not to recklessly expose yourself and provoke trouble. In this way, mingling within the military may actually be safer.

In fact, in the southern forested areas, it is not necessary to have too many people for combat, and having fewer personnel can actually lead to better supplies and food provisions.

Wang Dashan was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling as if he had been overwhelmed by life

He reported me up

After Wang Qi was awakened, he looked at Wang Dashan with a gaze that was truly astonishing... This old man is indeed a seasoned veteran who thoroughly understands the art of survival.

Wang Qi interrupted, saying, "Let us not speak of him."

Wang Qiting regarded it as merely listening, and then he said: "You are aware of my situation. Although I am said to be your adopted son, in reality, I am still an orphan you adopted. Legally, I cannot inherit the family lineage... Therefore, in my circumstances, when encountering a major conscription at the appropriate age, I will undoubtedly be among the first to be selected."

The rain outside patters against the wooden cabin, inevitably allowing some dampness to seep in through the gaps in the wood. However, it is fortunate that the fire pit provides warmth, making the entire room feel quite comfortable

In fact, according to the old village chief, this is still a good thing

He said, "The old village chief mentioned that a general has come to Langya County to recruit soldiers, stating that he wishes to enlist some strong and robust young men from the mountains of Langya County who are adept at traversing hills and valleys to train them into an army"

Wang Qi was somewhat taken aback

In fact, correspondingly, the archers receive the best protection, positioned at the rear of the formation... as long as they do not encounter a major defeat, their safety is absolutely guaranteed

However, after he has made his selection, the next batch will directly draw one person from every five households, in preparation for the recruitment of soldiers before the war against the northern nomadic tribes.

Wang Dashan was taken aback upon hearing this and said, "Is this a national conscription? It has only been ten years since the last nationwide mobilization, and the people's livelihoods have yet to recover... Your Majesty, how could Your Majesty..."

Wang Dashan, while tearing into a chicken leg and sipping chicken soup, was also waiting for the rabbit meat to roast, embodying a peak moment in life, appearing exceptionally content.

Going to the north to fight against the Hu people is both too arduous and too dangerous; the battlefield there is vast, and human life is of little value.

Then his adoptive father solemnly said, "Although archers are valuable, they do not easily gain recognition, and promotions depend entirely on accumulating experience... Do you understand?"

Wang Dashan paused for a moment, then said somewhat discontentedly: "Why did that old fellow come... He rarely comes to see me, yet he left without waiting for me to appear. It must be nothing good!"

Therefore, his feelings towards his biological father are almost nonexistent, and in such an overly mature mindset, there will certainly be no particular obsession.

Wang nodded slightly ... He is not merely a hot-blooded young man; he is capable of understanding such mature and prudent words

Wang Qi quickly grabbed him and said loudly: "Let me finish what I have to say"

When the moon rose on the branches, a sudden storm indeed arrived

Wang nodded slightly, noting that these were the announcements posted during the conscription period. He then said: "A total of 3,000 soldiers will be recruited, including 800 swordsmen and shield bearers in two divisions, 1,600 spearmen in four divisions, and 600 archers in three divisions"

Upon hearing this, Wang Dashan's face instantly turned ashen, and then he suddenly struck the stone pedestal beside the fire pit, causing the blue stone to crack and appear quite terrifying

Wang Qi nodded again, but this time he asked after nodding: "Why is that?"

This sudden and decisive action is ultimately too dangerous. I need you to find a way to infiltrate that group of six hundred archers without drawing too much attention... I believe this will not be difficult for you.

Wang Dashan seemed to resign himself to fate, letting out a helpless sigh: "Your father also had this kind of generous flaw..."

"Sending someone else's child to the army to die, how can that be considered a good thing?" Wang Dashan remained as irritable as ever

So, Uncle Dashan, do you wish for me to go north to fight the Hu people, or to the south to eliminate the mountain bandits

Upon hearing this from him, Wang Qicai was suddenly enlightened... On the battlefield, when a group of people shoot arrows together, who can tell when it comes time to assess military achievements, who among them actually killed the enemy

Wang Dashan's analysis is surprisingly coherent, demonstrating a clear understanding of the underlying principles

Although he appeared coarse in the past, the insight revealed in this sentence is far beyond what a hunter from a remote mountain village could possess

Wang Qi shook his head repeatedly and said: "Uncle Dashan, as refugees, we would only bring harm to the village chief's family. I do not wish to see them suffer ruin because of me... Moreover, I do not want to spend the rest of my life relying on this mountain."

Wang Qi then continued to speak while resting his hand on his shoulder: "That is because I heard the recruiting general say that he is still only in the first batch, aimed at enlisting foot soldiers suitable for fighting against the southern mountain bandits in the forested environment."

He was stunned for a while before saying again: "In that case, your participation in this recruitment is indeed the best choice."