Late Han Dynasty: Did the Yellow Emperor truly descend?

Chapter 44 Personal Instruction

The next day, before dawn.

The embers of the bonfire in Dongpingli were still emitting wisps of smoke, and Li Sheng stood in the center of the wheat field.

Liu Wu, Li Feng, Zhao Hu, Liu Lu, Li Shi, and more than a hundred brothers stood in a row opposite Li Sheng.

A morning breeze blew in from the north, carrying the chill of late spring, causing everyone's clothes to flutter.

Li Sheng's gaze swept across everyone's faces, without uttering any further words.

"Liu Wu, Li Feng."

"Brother Sheng!"

The two spoke in unison, stepped forward simultaneously, clasped their hands in a fist and bowed.

"Within three days, you two must organize over a hundred brothers for an internal competition. Swords, spears, fists, and even simple arithmetic are all required."

"The results of the competition will be the basis for selecting the soldiers."

The two nodded and answered crisply.

"clear."

"promise!"

Li Sheng then looked at all the local militia members present, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Brothers, I have a few words to say."

Everyone immediately straightened their backs.

"The number of positions for the village guards is limited, so it's naturally a good thing to be selected. After all, being a village guard means receiving a government salary and being exempt from taxes and corvée labor."

He raised his right hand, his tone suddenly becoming solemn.

"Moreover, those who perform well in the competition will not only have the opportunity to become soldiers, but will also be frequently by my side and personally instructed."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.

Then, everyone's breathing became rapid.

What does it mean to be under Sheng Ge's wing and to be personally taught by him?

These people were originally just ordinary farmers, hunters, and tenant farmers in the village.

It was Brother Sheng who brought them together, and it was Brother Sheng who gave them an opportunity to bring glory to their families.

Brother Sheng's martial arts skills, Brother Sheng's strategies, the respect he showed them that they had never experienced before, and the kindness he had shown them in the past...

Although it had only been less than a month, it seemed like Sheng-ge could never finish telling them everything about them.

In the hearts of these local militiamen, Li Sheng was no longer just a leader; he was their backbone and their soul!

Being able to be taken under his wing and taught by him is not just about learning skills; it's about being chosen.

Being chosen by Brother Sheng means being chosen by Huang Tian.

The crowd's eyes instantly filled with fervor, even those close to Li Sheng, such as Li Feng and Liu Lu, were no exception.

Li Sheng took in everyone's reactions.

"That's settled then. I'll be back to preside over the exam in three days. Li Shi, Liu Lu, you two come out with me."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the village entrance.

Liu Lu and Li Shi exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

The three disappeared into the morning mist.

On the threshing floor, Liu Wu let out a long breath and turned to face the crowd.

"You heard everything? I don't need to repeat what Brother Sheng said."

He raised his arm and pointed to the training field at the other end of the wheat field.

"If you want to learn skills from Brother Sheng, show me what you've got first. Three days from now, swords and spears have no eyes, and fists and feet are merciless. Although we are brothers, we all know that Brother Sheng will teach us. Nobody should hold back."

Li Feng also stepped forward.

He was in charge of the battalion's provisions and equipment, and usually kept a low profile, but at this moment he answered loudly.

"Deputy Captain Liu is right. This is a rare opportunity for Brother Sheng to teach us; no one should hold back."

He paused, then looked around.

"Let me make this clear from the outset. Starting today, for the next three days, everyone's food standards will be raised, with meat at every meal."

Everyone's eyes lit up, but Li Feng changed the subject and said in a deep voice.

"But there's one condition: I want to see the best people stand before Brother Sheng. Anyone who tries to pass themselves off as competent will not only lose face for themselves, but also for Deputy Captain Liu. Show me your true abilities, and don't let Brother Sheng down!"

"promise!!!"

The atmosphere on the threshing floor suddenly became tense and enthusiastic.

……

Siyang Township, Tingyi.

Heading north from Dongpingli, a row of houses stands beside the official road.

The walls were made of mud and gray, and a wooden pole stood in front of the door with an old, faded flag hanging on it, from which the three characters "Siyang Pavilion" could be vaguely made out.

The courtyard was quite large. In the front were the pavilion chief's office and the main hall, and in the back were several side rooms for travelers to rest, as well as a stable, although there were no horses inside, only a cow.

This is the location of the post station of Siyang Pavilion.

Under the Qin and Han systems, the pavilion had two main functions.

Its functions were twofold: maintaining order and catching thieves, and receiving passersby. However, it only received ordinary people, merchants, and laborers, offering them hot water and shelter from the wind and rain.

Officials who were genuinely traveling on official business had their own proper postal system to handle their affairs; it was none of Tinglai's business to worry about it.

The gate of the post station was open, and there were already seven or eight travelers resting inside.

Some people were dozing against the wall, some were munching on dry rations, and a middle-aged man who looked like a businessman was sitting on a bench, fanning himself with his hat and muttering complaints about the weather.

This year's weather is unusually abnormal. Although it is only late spring, the temperature is already as hot as midsummer.

In the corner, a young boy who looked like a servant was busy at work.

He was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a thin frame wrapped in a faded brown shorts, and his straw sandals were worn through.

He carried the earthenware pot, bypassing other resting pedestrians, and came to refill water for Li Sheng and the others. His movements were quick and efficient, and a humble smile was always on his face.

"Sir, the water is still hot, please enjoy."

Li Sheng was dressed no differently than usual, still in a coarse cloth short coat, just like any other ordinary villager.

Liu Lu and Li Shi were dressed similarly. The three of them sat on a bench in the corner, with a ceramic bowl in front of them. The water in the bowl had been empty, but it was now being refilled.

The servant's gaze lingered on Li Sheng's face for a moment, then he quickly lowered his head, picked up the earthenware pot, and respectfully filled the pots for the three of them.

"Gentlemen, please have some water first. If you don't mind, there's some hot porridge on the stove in the backyard; I'll go get it."

Liu Lu was taken aback and was about to speak when Li Sheng subtly pressed his finger down, and Liu Lu shut his mouth.

"Thank you, young man."

Li Sheng nodded slightly.

The servant grinned and turned to go to the backyard to fetch some porridge.

This scene, witnessed by other pedestrians, immediately displeased some.

The merchant who was fanning himself with a hat was the first to shout.

"Hey, waiter, that's not fair of you! I've been sitting here for half an hour, and all you've done is pour me a bowl of cold water. But when those three guys come, you're bringing them hot water and porridge. What's the meaning of this?"

A tall, thin man next to him also joined in the commotion.

"Exactly! Everyone's just stopping by, why should they get to rest?"

The servant boy came out of the backyard carrying a bowl of porridge, looking embarrassed, and quickly explained.

"Please calm down, sir. I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that there's only one bowl of porridge left on the stove, and these guests seem to have come from afar..."

"From afar?"

The merchant sneered and looked Li Sheng and his two companions up and down.

"Look at their attire! They're like peasants who just crawled out of the fields, and they've come all this way? I'm from Huaipu County, why aren't you treating me well?"

The servant's face flushed slightly, and he held the bowl of porridge in his hand, at a loss for what to do.