Chapter 103

Chapter 103

When Xiao Mu arrived at the city gate, Xiao Zhen, Xiao Shouyi, and the other six thousand-house commanders also rushed over upon hearing the news.

The old man led the way, with the six thousand-house commanders flanking him on either side.

Although all seven were dressed in simple cloth garments and had simple cloth bands tied around their heads, each one was robust and imposing, their faces stern or fierce—clearly formidable generals.

The citizens lined up at the city gates instinctively made way for them.

Outside the city gates, the magistrate of Ding County, He Lianqing, was waiting with two hundred militia members on the eastern open ground, having been there for quite some time.

His bodyguard looked displeased and leaned in to say, "Sir, that Xiao thousand-house commander is too arrogant. He's just a fallen thousand-house commander who was lucky enough to be promoted as the head of Wei County during these turbulent times. You are a legitimate official of the court, yet he doesn't come out to greet you immediately but makes you wait here."

He Lianqing gave him a deep look and smiled bitterly, "Are you hoping I die in the hands of the rebel king?"

The bodyguard's face changed dramatically, and he hurriedly said he dared not.

He Lianqing pointed to the soldiers standing tall on the city walls: "Look at this formation; even the provincial army is no better. This shows that Old Master Xiao has trained his troops well, far surpassing us mere county officials. The fact that the rebel king suffered defeat at the hands of the Wei County army is clear evidence. Don't keep talking about the Xiao family's past status. In times of turmoil, heroes emerge, and the Xiao family is the star of the nearby counties."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the citizens outside the city gates move aside, revealing seven magnificent horses carrying seven mighty generals.

Previously, He Lianqing had only heard of the Xiao family's reputation, but now seeing Old Master Xiao leading the way, despite being seventy years old, he stood as tall and strong as a man in his forties, inspiring admiration.

The bodyguard believed the words of his superior even more and dared not underestimate the Xiao family any longer.

As they approached, He Lianqing dismounted first and bowed respectfully to Xiao Mu, saying, "This subordinate, He Lianqing, greets the commander of the Wei County army."

Xiao Mu dismounted swiftly, quickly came forward to support He Lianqing, and said with a face full of embarrassment, "Sir, please don't do this. I am merely entrusted by our county's citizens to train troops to defend against the rebel king. To facilitate command, I temporarily appointed myself some military titles within our county, but I certainly don't deserve such respect from you."

He Lianqing said solemnly, "Liu Ying may be an official of the court, but when disaster struck, he only thought of saving himself, abandoning the citizens of the county. It was thanks to your leadership that the rebel king received a heavy blow, ensuring the safety of the citizens of Wei County. Your great deeds have spread throughout the surrounding counties, and we officials all admire and respect you. We do not judge heroes by mere documents."

Xiao Mu replied, "We merely anticipated the rebel king's attack and set up an ambush. If the rebel king truly leads his twenty-thousand-strong army to invade our Wei County, our Wei County army, with only six thousand troops, might not be able to withstand him."

He Lianqing countered, "Your six thousand elite soldiers can easily handle five times their number. The rebel king is no match for you."

Xiao Mu shook his head, "Sir, you flatter us. Don't laugh, but yesterday I barely managed to gather the forces of six thousand-house commanders, all new recruits who haven't been trained yet. They only have hoes and wooden sticks as weapons. How can they be called elite soldiers?"

He Lianqing reassured him, "The lack of weapons is not a concern. I am here today to discuss how we can join forces to resist the rebel king."

Xiao Mu's spirits lifted, and he grasped He Lianqing's left arm, "Excellent! Sir, please follow me into the city for detailed discussions!"

He Lianqing instructed the two hundred militia members to wait outside the city gates and entered with only two bodyguards accompanying him.

Xiao Mu and He Lianqing walked side by side in front.

Xiao Yan whispered to Xiao Ye, "Look at Grandfather. He usually acts so formal in front of us, but now he's using the same tactics as Uncle, talking like he's singing."

Xiao Ye stared at He Lianqing's back, "As long as he provides us with copper and iron, I'll sing for him if Grandfather asks us to."

Xiao Zhen glanced back at both of them.

The two younger brothers immediately closed their mouths and sat upright, no longer whispering.

They arrived at the southern camp.

New recruits were training, each holding a wooden stick instead of a spear.

He Lianqing watched for a moment and then turned to Xiao Mu, "In Ding County, I have recruited two thousand militia members, but lack someone skilled in spear techniques to train them. Could I borrow an instructor from you?"

Xiao Mu replied, "That's easy. Shouyi, go select a few instructors. Let He Lianqing choose personally later."

He Lianqing thanked him repeatedly.

Xiao Mu invited him to the meeting hall.

After drinking tea, He Lianqing explained his purpose.

The rebel king has already occupied Huai County and Cheng County, and the next target is Ding County. He Lianqing has the heart to resist but lacks the strength with only two thousand militia members against the rebel king's twenty-thousand-strong army. Therefore, he hopes to form an alliance with Wei County. When the rebel king attacks Ding County, Wei County will send troops to assist, and if the rebel king invades Wei County, Ding County will provide support, attacking from both sides.

It's a good plan, but Wei County has over six thousand troops, including a cavalry thousand-house commander, while Ding County has only two thousand. In the alliance, Ding County would benefit more. Moreover, after the rebel king's previous defeat, he might avoid attacking Wei County but will definitely target Ding County, leaving Wei County to aid Ding County.

He Lianqing is a smart man. If he doesn't offer Wei County benefits, why should Wei County help? Any battle involves casualties, and just the word "alliance" isn't enough to risk the lives of Wei County's soldiers.

"I believe you understand that Ding County has copper mines to the west and iron mines to the north. Ding County lacks troops, while Wei County lacks weapons. An alliance between the two counties would complement each other's strengths. If Ding County falls, the mines will fall into the rebel king's hands, giving him the means to forge weapons. With two thousand rebels equipped with weapons, they will become even stronger, and the rebel king will surely attack Wei County again to avenge his defeat."

Xiao Mu stroked his beard, "What you say is exactly what worries me. But I was hesitant to propose an alliance, fearing you might look down on our militia."

He Lianqing laughed, "I've been thinking about it for a while. Unfortunately, before I could find the time to visit, Ding County was besieged by the rebel king's troops. Fortunately, the rebel king underestimated you and attacked Wei County at night, which you repelled. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to leave, and might have lost my head, becoming a ghost."

Xiao Yan, who had grown impatient, interjected, "That sounds good. Since we both want an alliance, let's finalize it!"

Xiao Mu scolded him, "Impolite. Step back."

Xiao Yan sheepishly retreated to stand beside Xiao Ye, noticing his fourth brother secretly giving him a thumbs-up, and smiled.

Before coming, He Lianqing had prepared two copies of the alliance agreement and presented them to Xiao Mu for review.

Xiao Mu read them slowly.

Seeing this, He Lianqing explained, "Our county warehouse currently holds two thousand catties of refined iron and two thousand catties of refined copper, not yet transported to the capital. You can send people to collect these supplies. The mines will continue production, and if you need more, just inform me, and I will send the newly refined copper and iron."

Xiao Mu pondered, "But what if the court punishes us for using public property?"

He Lianqing reassured him, "Don't worry. As the magistrate of Ding County, I am using the copper and iron to suppress the rebel king for the court. I will write a letter explaining the situation to the court, and I believe they will not punish us for protecting the citizens."

Xiao Mu agreed, "True. The weapons will eventually be handed over to the court, and we won't take a single bit for ourselves."

He Lianqing nodded, "Exactly."

Xiao Mu finally signed his name and pressed his fingerprint on the alliance agreement.

He Lianqing let out a long sigh of relief.

Xiao Mu asked, "Have you arranged troops to guard the two mines? We must be wary of the rebel king sending people to seize them."

The current stock of two thousand catties of copper and iron in Ding County is not enough for Wei County's needs; the mines must be protected.

He Lianqing replied, "Currently, each mine has five hundred laborers and one hundred miners' soldiers. Morale is low. If we hadn't formed this alliance with you, I wouldn't have been confident in suppressing them for long. Now that the two counties are allied, once I spread the news, there will surely be more young men willing to join the army in my county. At that time, I'll immediately send more troops to guard the mines."

Xiao Mu: "That sounds very reasonable. I'll also write a letter to the rebel king, informing him of our alliance, hoping he'll give me some face and not send troops to Ding County anymore."

He Lianqing happily said, "Thank you very much!"

After discussing official matters, Xiao Mu wanted to keep He Lianqing for lunch, but He Lianqing was eager to return to his county to recruit troops and make arrangements, so he politely declined.

When He Lianqing left, he took a gunnery instructor from Wei County. Meanwhile, Sun Dian and Xiao Ye led two companies of troops, driving several mule carts, following He Lianqing to Ding County to transport the agreed four thousand catties of copper and iron.

---

As night fell, Xiao Mu, Xiao Shouyi, Xiao Zhen, and Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao residence.

Tong Sui called over the six new servants to present them to the old man.

There were still two empty rooms in the back house, which could be prepared for the two elderly women who tended the fire and the two laundry maids. In the front courtyard, since Xiao Ye, Xiao She, and the Qiao brothers preferred living in the barracks, one room was moved to accommodate the two male servants. If any of the four unmarried brothers returned, they could share a room without feeling cramped.

The old man asked the two male servants a few questions and found them both alert yet steady, which pleased him greatly.

The laundry maids didn't need much attention. The two elderly women who tended the fire made sure the dinner was satisfactory, putting everyone at ease.

Before dispersing, Xiao Mu praised Tong Sui, "Well done."

Tong Sui replied, "I just went to the slave market. Picking the right people was all thanks to Second Aunt, Aunt, and Third Sister-in-Law's discernment. My sister-in-law Yu Chan also contributed."

Aunt laughed, "I only picked the two male servants. The main credit goes to Aman and Ningfang, one overseeing the big picture and the other handling the details. Father didn't see it, but even the owner of the slave market was impressed, treating us like a wealthy family."

Xiao Yan looked delightedly at Lin Ningfang as his wife was praised.

Lin Ningfang modestly followed Tong Sui's lead.

Xiao Mu said, "All good, all good. When a family works together, life will only get better."

After dinner, the elderly women who tended the fire cleaned up the dishes. Tong Sui followed Xiao Zhen back to the East Wing Courtyard.

Tong Sui was still concerned about the iron shortage in the county. Compared to weapons, adding servants to the household was insignificant.

Xiao Zhen smiled, "This morning, the official from Ding County, Mr. He, came to offer us four thousand catties of copper and iron in exchange for an alliance to jointly resist the rebel king."

Tong Sui felt both joy and worry, "The rebel king will likely attack Ding County soon. Our troops aren't fully trained yet. If we go to help, won't there be too many casualties?"

Xiao Zhen squeezed her hand, his smile fading. "Inevitable battles must be fought, even if we know there will be casualties."

Soldiers trained in the face of life and death can truly be called elite troops.