Legend of Swordsman

This boast left Wang Lun stunned. He didn’t speak, but his eyes showed concern.

He felt that Jian Wushuang was being somewhat overambitious.

Wang Lun’s highest aspiration was to be recruited, but he wanted to be recruited by the Yue Kingdom.

Therefore, he didn’t dare speak ill of the Yue Kingdom at this time. However, he had no qualms about targeting the Jiang Kingdom.

Iron-Face Liang Chen was different. He would work for anyone, as long as it aligned with his own ambitions. Hence, the two didn’t get along well.

But Wang Lun knew that while he could be dispensed with, Iron-Face Liang Chen was indispensable. The entire town of Shajia, with its thousands of households, relied on Iron-Face Liang Chen for governance. Wang Lun was merely responsible for raiding some merchant ships at the docks.

Jian Wushuang aimed for this kind of balance, making them understand their positions.

“Jian Wushuang is right. Currently, few merchant ships pass through Shajia Port. Those porters have lost their income, and trouble will eventually arise. We might as well start recruiting from those porters!” Iron-Face Liang Chen voiced his intention.

In fact, everyone had this in mind, so no one opposed it.

Seeing this point mentioned, Jian Wushuang pretended to frown and said, “Expanding manpower isn’t the only issue. Just having people isn’t enough; we lack instructors and managers. There’s a talent shortage!”

As he spoke, he sighed and shook his head.

Seeing this, Liang Chen immediately suggested, “That’s simple. Didn’t we capture some court officials and soldiers earlier? Why not recruit them?”

“That’s a good idea!” Wang Lun nodded, but he looked at Jian Wushuang.

He knew that this matter still needed Jian Wushuang’s approval. After all, the captives were caught by Jian Wushuang, and he had remained silent about this matter for days, suggesting he had already considered it.

He had already thought it through. However, he needed someone to persuade others. He had to send Iron Face Liang Chen and also needed to take over the entire Qingshan Town. That was a military town with quite a few young prospects. Properly utilized, it would be easy to pull together a team of five thousand. Moreover, with established systems, they could train elite troops in batches.

Wang Lun and Scarred Xuan both looked at Jian Wushuang, while Jian Wushuang looked at Iron Face Liang Chen. As for Xiang Yang, he drank alone, unconcerned with these matters. Iron Face Liang Chen felt a bit embarrassed being stared at and spread his hands, saying, “If there’s any place you need help, just say it. That Tiger Head Captain, I don’t know him very well!”

“Let’s not talk about that for now. A few days ago, I heard from a merchant ship’s crew member that the situation in Jiang Country is not very good!” Currently, Yue Country had stationed troops in Wolf Mountain County, and Jiang Country’s main force was also there. The prince consort of Jiang Country, Zhou Chong, commanded an army of one hundred thousand and was determined to have a decisive battle in Wolf Mountain County. Considering the timeline, there might be conflicts in early autumn. The great battle would either be in the cold winter or the early spring of next year. The opponent was the Little Liang King of Yue Country, whose vanguard alone consisted of fifteen thousand elite iron cavalry. This battle could not be blocked at all!

Anyone who paid attention to this aspect knew that to win, they could only seek aid. However, Jiang Country had very few bargaining chips left. Seeking aid could only be done through wit. For example, persuading the surrounding Bohai Country, using the concept of “when the lips are cold, the teeth perish.” Once Yue Country annexed Jiang Country, they could devour two large countries, Bohai Country and Ninghai Country.

If, at this time, both sides sent troops to help Jiang Country resist, they could at least delay their demise.

Talking about this, Wang Lun and Iron Face Liang Chen were no longer sleepy and began to talk enthusiastically, either criticizing or pointing out problems. Jian Wushuang, sitting in the middle, nodded frequently. Finally, he pointed to the topic. “Have the two of you never thought about raising a fifth army?”

Jiang Country, Ninghai Country, Bohai Country, and Yue Country. This was a war between four behemoths. If a fifth force appeared, what would happen? Jian Wushuang’s question brought them back to the original point—their recruitment plans. However, with the previous buildup, Wang Lun and Iron Face Liang Chen both began to dream of vying for supremacy.

Regardless of their ambitions, the most important thing was having power in their hands. This further united them. At this moment, Jian Wushuang made his request. Iron Face Liang Chen did not hesitate too much and agreed firmly. Persuading Qingshan Town was akin to the current situation of Jiang Country, persuading Bohai Country. However, they had a natural advantage. On one hand, Jian Wushuang had pulled Qingshan Town’s teeth, and on the other, Iron Face Liang Chen had prestige and connections with an old instructor. This gave him a natural advantage. Once they seized this advantage, they would rise swiftly.

Iron Face Liang Chen was determined this time, taking his wife with him to Qingshan Town. Jian Wushuang also made preparations, instructing Scarred Xuan to release all the captured soldiers and let Iron Face Liang Chen take them back. As for the military equipment, it would not be returned. Although they had thousands of sets of equipment piled up in their warehouse and did not lack those few, each had a significant purpose. Expansion plans were already in place. Jian Wushuang had high hopes for Iron Face Liang Chen, confident he would not disappoint. With these days of persuasion, his eloquence had also improved significantly. As long as he convinced his father-in-law, everything would be ready.

The next morning, Jian Wushuang personally saw Iron Face Liang Chen off. After making all arrangements, he watched Liang Chen’s departing figure without turning back for a long time. “Everything depends on this time!”

“Brother Wushuang, aren’t you afraid of failure?” Xiang Yang asked beside him. Jian Wushuang shook his head and said, “I judge people accurately. Brother Liang Chen is not an ordinary person. Sooner or later, we will leave here or Jiang Country, but Liang Chen cannot. He has many things he cannot let go of and will give his all!”

“Then let’s wait and see!”

The two returned to Sha Family Port.

Currently, no merchant ships passed through. Everyone knew they had formed a Coastal Guard, which had subdued the local aristocrats in Yong City.

They were still discussing whether to recruit or eliminate them!

However, they would not resort to force for the time being. Jian Wushuang and his group would not be idle either. After seeing off Iron Face Liang Chen, Jian Wushuang and Wang Lun began discussing manpower expansion.

There were few people to recruit at the small dock.

Now, having released those soldiers, Scarred Xuan did not return.

However, the position was crucial, both for attack and retreat.

Jian Wushuang did not give up and gathered some boatmen and merchant ship crew members, moving the captured warships to the small dock.

He selected two skilled veterans who had been roaming the canal for years to form a navy.

This would be used to transport trained elites upstream.

To bind the two Ruan brothers, Jian Wushuang even promised Scarred Xuan’s two sisters to them. Although Scarred Xuan was somewhat displeased, he was happy to hear that his future brothers-in-law would be commanders.

Then there were the porters at Sha Family Port. Although no merchant ships had come these days, Jian Wushuang still treated them well.

However, these porters, who had suffered hardships all their lives, felt a bit embarrassed and were worried Jian Wushuang might dismiss them.

Since Jian Wushuang had taken down Chen Mazi, the porters at Sha Family Port had doubled their daily earnings.

Now, seeing the good days might end at any moment, they were even more anxious than Jian Wushuang.