If it weren't for Yue Qingtian's face, which resembled that of a Great Qian native, Lü Yi would have suspected him of being from the desolate regions or the Western territories...
Yue Qingtian looked at Liang Xiao, "Marquis..."
Liang Xiao understood and smiled, "Speak freely, it's alright."
After all, the barbarian tribes were no longer in Fierce Tiger Mountain.
Yue Qingtian nodded, "Reporting to the Marshal! My family and I have lived in Fierce Tiger Mountain for generations, but we are not isolated from the world. My martial arts and these twin halberds are ancestral inheritances! The Marquis has shown immense kindness to my entire clan, and from now on, my life belongs to the Marquis. I will protect the Marquis on behalf of General Tian!"
As he spoke, Yue Qingtian twirled his twin halberds, creating a powerful aura, and cheers erupted around them.
Lü Yi was overjoyed, yet couldn't hide his admiration. He sighed, "With such a fierce warrior, this Marshal need not worry about Marquis Anguo's safety!"
With Chen Shaoling, the Heavenly Mountain swordsman, and others, and now Yue Qingtian, at least Lü Yi didn't have to worry about Liang Xiao being assassinated by the noble clans or the barbarians!
Being an old and experienced hand, he could see that although Yue Qingtian's background was unclear, he treated Liang Xiao as if he were a deity.
Dugu Yuncheng, standing far away, felt a tremor of fear, his face growing increasingly grim.
Such a formidable general had become Liang Xiao's bodyguard?
And Nan Jiyun was also discovered by Liang Xiao!
Two peerless, mighty generals were both devoted followers of Liang Xiao!
How could they possibly kill Liang Xiao in the future?
Lü Yi, satisfied, led everyone back to the military camp, this time bringing along Zhuo Wulue's eldest son, Zhuo Ying.
With no outsiders in the military tent, Lü Yi finally felt at ease to ask, "Nephew, what is the strength of your more than three hundred adult barbarians?"
Liang Xiao looked at Yue Qingtian, who explained, "The martial arts of my tribesmen were all taught by me. Even if they are not as skilled as I am, they would not be embarrassing. However, what I taught them was saber techniques!"
"Saber techniques??" everyone was surprised.
Yue Qingtian wielded his twin halberds so ferociously, yet he also knew saber techniques?
"My ancestors passed down eighteen martial arts. Saber techniques and twin halberd techniques are my strongest. Using long and short sabers is also better for hunting!"
Lü Yi's heart bloomed with joy and he said, "Nephew! Can you select a few capable individuals from them and send them to the Northern Border Army to enlist?"
Liang Xiao looked at Yue Qingtian again, "Qingtian, what do you think?"
"Now our lives belong to the Marquis! We will do whatever the Marquis commands! As long as we can take care of our families and have enough to eat," Yue Qingtian chuckled, rubbing his bald head.
Witnessing this, Lü Yi couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Warhorses worth fifty thousand taels of silver, plus three hundred jars of "One Drink for a Century," exchanged for such a fierce warrior and a group of loyal and honest strongmen, didn't seem like a loss!
After all, in the current Great Qian, skilled generals were hard to come by.
"I will select a few when I return and recommend them to Uncle," Liang Xiao nodded.
Even if these barbarians had an unknown origin, they had pledged their allegiance to him as a whole clan. With a little training and care for their families, their loyalty would be unquestionable. As for the rest, it would depend on whether their temperaments were suited for military service.
Nan Jiyun sighed, "With Mr. Yue's martial arts skill, in foot combat, I fear I wouldn't last for more than a few dozen more rounds!"
Lü Changhe exclaimed, "Second Brother's spear technique is currently unparalleled in the Northern Border Army, even superior to mine! To think..."
The generals were all shocked, only Liang Xiao, who knew the details, smiled without a word.
If he spoke, wouldn't it reveal that he had asked Yue Qingtian to "discipline" Nan Jiyun?
Yue Qingtian shook his head, "If I were to fight on horseback with my ancestral long saber, I would certainly not be your opponent!"
His twin halberds were rather short, not suitable for mounted combat.
The others nodded slightly, acknowledging Yue Qingtian's words.
This big fellow was quite honest; Nan Jiyun was indeed formidable in mounted combat!
Upon learning that he would temporarily serve as Liang Xiao's deputy, Nan Jiyun did not refuse and joyfully said, "Marquis Anguo, please guide me!"
When Lü Yi wanted to assign Nan Jiyun a troop, the Vice Minister of War, Dugu Yuncheng, obstructed them repeatedly, citing Nan Jiyun's recent arrival and need for experience, which greatly angered Lü Yi.
Following Liang Xiao, however, was different. Liang Xiao's ten thousand elite troops were arranged by imperial decree!
This way, when Liang Xiao was not at the Northern Border Army, Nan Jiyun would be the actual commander of this force, which both Lü Yi and Liang Xiao could trust.
Liang Xiao smiled, "Uncle, do you think Commander Zhuo has a chance to replace Dugu Yuncheng as Vice Minister of War, or even replace Dugu Qun as Minister of War?"
Everyone was astonished.
Lü Yi sighed, "Commander Zhuo comes from a distinguished family and is a descendant of the founding Chancellor Zhuo Mingfeng, the son of Zhuo Lingjun. Of course, he is qualified! But it depends on the Emperor and the Chancellor's decision! Most of the officials across the country are from noble clans. Excluding those who have shown you favor, there are still half of them... Many times, when His Majesty wants to make a decision, he must consider the opinions of the noble clans, otherwise, it would be difficult to resolve any resulting conflicts."
Everyone sighed.
"Things will change. After I visit Jiangnan, there should be many talented individuals there," Liang Xiao smiled.
Every beginning is difficult. Liang Xiao and his loyal subordinate Xiao Qingyun had joined forces to gradually untangle these intricate matters.
As long as the finances improved, there would be money for conscription and recruitment, and then Xiao Qingyun would have the confidence to do anything.
If he could find the treasure of the ancient Xiongnu King, Herlov, and make a fortune... that would be a stroke of great fortune, and it would be no problem to recall Dugu Yuncheng to the capital!
It was precisely because finances were often tight that the emperors of Great Qian had to rely on these noble clans, as if living at their mercy.
"The Marshal has decreed! Select the elites from the two major military camps. Those who can carry a hundred pounds and run a hundred miles in half a day shall be considered elite soldiers, led by Marquis Anguo, with triple the salary of ordinary soldiers!"
The military order caused a sensation throughout the Northern Border Army!
As the most crucial gateway against the barbarians, Yan Province and Yun Province each had one hundred and fifty thousand troops, all selected elites from across the country.
It was not particularly difficult to select such elite soldiers from three hundred thousand personnel.
With triple the salary, many people quickly signed up. Their endurance and strength were already quite good on a daily basis.
Before departing, Liang Xiao obtained the conscription order from Lü Yi, allowing him to recruit private soldiers within Yan Province and dispatch a troop to escort the six hundred warhorses gifted to Liang Xiao.
As they rode horses, Chen Shaoling said with concern, "Marquis Anguo, our junior sister's martial arts are very high. You cannot neglect our junior sister just because you have Mr. Yue..."
Liang Xiao smiled, "Brother Shaoling, do you think I'm blind?"
Chen Shaoling chuckled, "Marquis Anguo, you also understand swordsmanship. Junior sister has demonstrated her skills to you before!"
Liang Xiao shook his head, "I didn't mean that."
"Did I misunderstand, and Marquis Anguo thinks I'm talking nonsense?" Chen Shaoling sighed.
Liang Xiao pouted, "I mean, such a wonderful girl as the Bodhisattva, who has suffered so much for me, even Princess Qingxue and Princess Ning Shuang are urging me to take her. How could I neglect her?"
Chen Shaoling burst into laughter, "So that's it! Then everyone can rest assured! From now on, Marquis Anguo can dismiss us at any time and have private time with junior sister! We are serious. If you marry junior sister, the Zither Saint will surely give you the Sunset Bow! As for my master, I believe you have seen..."
Liang Xiao nodded slightly, filled with emotion.
They wanted to give him things at the slightest disagreement, and all were things he needed. It was quite embarrassing!
The Medical Saint had also given him the Radiant White Dragon Armor and told him to go to Bodhi Temple to obtain the Heavenly Dragon Breaking City Halberd and the White Night Flying Shadow.
Along the way, Liang Xiao said to Yue Qingtian, "Qingtian, I will begin recruiting retainers when we return, but your three hundred warriors will be the elites among elites. I plan to establish you as the 'Qingtian Guard'."