Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Recruitment, Divine Brave Guard
In the Chen Family Courtyard.
Zhang River and others are unloading goods.
More than 180 pounds of fine salt, earning a hundred and forty-four guan.
According to Chen Mo’s request, it was originally meant to buy horses.
But horses are currently strategic resources and are hard to acquire, so they could only buy two mules, two donkeys, purchase five hundred pounds of coarse salt, and spend the rest on food.
Zhang River came to Chen Mo and said, "Brother Mo, the oxen you asked for are currently not available in Quanyang County. Zhu Yongzhi promised to find some for us. By the way, Brother Mo, Zhu Yongzhi also inquired about our background."
"Did you tell him?"
Chen Mo was not surprised by this. If the previous deal was a small one, this was a big one, and any normal private salt trader would ask.
"Not yet, Brother Mo. You didn’t instruct me on this, so I dared not say anything recklessly. I just muddled through, but it might be harder to do so next time," Zhang River said.
"Then next time you go, tell them our identity," Chen Mo pondered for a moment and said.
It would be better to let the other side know where we come from, to avoid Zhu Yongzhi harboring ill intentions once the business grows bigger.
This way, if Zhu Yongzhi entertains any ill intentions, he will weigh whether he can afford to offend us first.
As for them knowing Chen Mo and his companions’ identity and not daring to do business with them, Chen Mo is not worried.
After all, smuggling salt is already a beheading crime, so the death penalty is unavoidable, and it makes no difference who they do business with.
"Alright." Zhang River nodded.
Chen Mo shifted his gaze to Hu Changsheng and asked, "Uncle Hu, do you have any acquaintances engaged in the perfume and rouge business in Quanyang County?"
Hu Changsheng thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, Immortal Master Chen, the shopkeeper who purchased our furs last time is also involved in women’s business."
Upon hearing this, Chen Mo raised his eyebrows slightly, indicating that there are sales channels for perfume production as well.
Like fine salt, perfume is not something ordinary people can afford, it can only be sold to the nobility.
The difference is that fine salt is easy to sell, whereas the nobility may not buy perfume.
However, this is still a profitable path that Chen Mo cannot abandon.
Chen Mo looked at the food being unloaded from the mule carts. He knew that the plan in his heart could now begin.
...
The setting sun tilted westward.
The golden afterglow poured down, draping Daze Mountain with a golden coat.
Villagers from the fishing team carried today’s catch into the village.
A gong was rung in the village, and people from the patrol team, the fishing team, and the construction team assembled, along with the villagers who could eat together.
Soon, more than a thousand people gathered in front of the three large iron pots.
As they lined up, Chen Mo stepped forward and shouted, "Everyone quiet down, I have a few things to say."
Chen Mo’s reputation in the village is unparalleled now.
Upon hearing his words, the crowd fell silent.
Chen Mo got straight to the point and said, "Starting today, the patrol team will be renamed the Divine Brave Guard, and from this moment, recruitment begins."
Recruitment?
Hearing these words, the previously joyous villagers’ expressions changed. They knew that in the Great Song Dynasty, the status of soldiers was not high.
Moreover, the reason why they had fallen to such a state was also due to recruitment.
Thus, when they heard the word recruitment, it brought back unpleasant memories.
Chen Mo was not surprised by their reaction; he cleared his throat and then said, "All men who are of age and under forty-five can join the Divine Brave Guard. Once a member, you’ll be provided with three meals a day, including a portion of meat, and your family will be provided with one meal a day. Additionally, I will teach you sword techniques.
By the way, when I say meals provided, I mean real meals, not thin porridge."
Upon hearing this, the crowd stirred.
Currently, in the village, hardly anyone can truly fill their stomach.
For those who are hungry, three meals a day is a luxury.
Now, joining the Divine Brave Guard means you can have three full meals a day, who wouldn’t be tempted?
Especially since joining the Divine Brave Guard means Immortal Master Chen will also teach them sword techniques.
Seeing their eagerness, Chen Mo continued, "Of course, fair warning, anyone joining the Divine Brave Guard will have to undergo rigorous training daily. If you can’t endure it, I will expel you immediately, and the benefits you enjoyed will be revoked."
After speaking, Chen Mo moved on to other matters, saying, "Second, the fishing team is restructured. From today, the fishing team will no longer be provided meals by the village, you’ll turn in thirty percent of your catch to the village, and the rest you can take home. Those who can’t endure can join the fishing team.
Third, once the mountain stronghold construction is complete, the construction team will disband. Members can join the Divine Brave Guard or the fishing team according to their needs."
"Fourth, the lime kiln is recruiting, but the positions are limited, only thirty people, first come first served. Similarly, it includes three meals a day, but does not cover family members."
"Alright, I’m done. Those joining the fishing team can sign up with Han Wu, those joining the Divine Brave Guard can sign up with Zhang River. Wang Ping, you handle registration."
"Understood."
...
As for why they aren’t paid, but given meals instead.
It’s because currently, money has no use for them.
Wang Ping even returned the money, opting for meals as compensation.
Of course, as it grows and develops, once they leave this small mountain village, money will have to be used as salary.
After Chen Mo finished speaking, he returned home.
But the villagers present did not leave, tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
...
The next day.
Early in the morning, Zhang River, Wang Ping, and Han Wu came over, they brought the registered roster for Chen Mo to see.
Currently, there are 995 strong youths in the village.
Among them, 725 have joined the Divine Brave Guard.
have joined the lime kiln.
have joined the fishing team.
The rest are either from the construction team on the mountain or males over forty-five.
The mountain stronghold is not yet completed, so it’s not recorded for now.
The method to train the Divine Brave Guard, Chen Mo had already devised last night.
He would follow the modern military method of training conscripts.
Of course, Chen Mo had lowered the standard somewhat, afraid they couldn’t handle it.
For the next two days, Chen Mo personally trained them, teaching them sword techniques, while he also kept up with his own cultivation, achieving two feats with one effort.
Afternoon.
"Quick, speed up, run ten laps around the village, no one can rest until they’ve completed ten laps."
Chen Mo ran behind, kicking anyone who slacked off or ran too slowly.
In the village, the women watched the commotion.
"Is that your husband? Tsk tsk, always getting kicked by Immortal Master Chen. Look at my husband, he’s running in the front."
"I don’t understand why Immortal Master Chen always makes them run laps; isn’t it a waste of energy?"
"..."
As the women watched the spectacle, Hu Qiang came running down from the mountain, rushing to Chen Mo’s side, extremely excited: "Immortal Master Chen, we... we found gold."