diymy Chapter 59: The Xu Family's Revenge?
Chapter 59: The Xu Family's Revenge?
Chen Yuan did not go over to meet Li Sheng; he simply stood at the tent entrance for a moment before turning back into the tent.
Given the prestige of the Chen family in Xuzhou, even if Li Sheng were exceptionally talented, it wouldn't be his place to humble himself and befriend him.
Just a moment later, a minor official came out of the central command tent, hurriedly ran to the camp gate, and whispered something to the other minor official at the gate.
Then they heard the gatekeeper shout loudly at Li Sheng and his group.
"The troops from Siyang Township, move them to the front ranks of the central army!"
Some hoarse voices carried far through the camp.
Everyone looked at each other.
"Is this the team from Siyang Township? The team led by Li Sheng, who was promoted to village head after killing Yellow Turban rebels and gaining the county magistrate's favor?"
Many people in the crowd had heard of Li Sheng's reputation and knew that he was a capable commander, as evidenced by the troops he led.
Moreover, the county magistrate has now positioned his troops in front of the central command tent, indicating that Li Sheng has completely sided with the Chen family...
It's no wonder people speculated this way; otherwise, why would the county magistrate value Li Sheng so much?
The central command tent has always been the core area of the entire army. Whenever there is a march or battle, the central command tent is where the commander-in-chief is located and is the center of command.
The open space in front of the central army plays a crucial role. The troops stationed there must act as the last line of defense when the enemy breaks through the vanguard, and they must be able to rush out immediately when the commander-in-chief orders a counterattack.
In other words, the front-line positions in the central command are reserved only for the most elite and reliable units in the entire army.
Previously, the central army was occupied by the troops of various powerful families, but now the troops from Siyang Township will also be included.
Li Sheng seemed to be deep in thought, glancing towards the direction of the central command tent.
He didn't ask any further questions, but simply waved his hand, signaling the group to follow the clerk's instructions.
The oxcarts creaked and groaned again as four columns passed through the camp gate, circled several scattered village militia tents, and stopped in an open area right next to the central command tent.
This place is only a few dozen steps away from Chen Yuan's main tent. The ground is flat and the view is open, making it clearly the most central location in the entire camp.
On both sides were the private military camps of the Chen and Wang families, with flags fluttering and soldiers lined up in formation.
Li Sheng's troops, sandwiched among the retainers of these powerful families, stood out conspicuously with their tattered clothes and incomplete armor.
Despite the stares coming from all around, Li Sheng and his men remained unmoved. After the oxcart came to a stop, the villagers moved into their tents without giving any unnecessary orders.
On the side of the central command tent, a few people from powerful families peeked out a few times, then withdrew.
Li Sheng ignored the stares. After settling his men in, he took a walk around the camp alone.
This was the first time he had carefully examined the "official troops" with whom he would soon fight side by side.
Based on the number of tents, the entire camp numbered less than two thousand people, of whom about six hundred, or about one-third, wore iron armor. This iron armor was mainly concentrated among the retainers of powerful clans and a small number of selected elite officers and soldiers.
The stronghold's retainers numbered about four hundred, almost all of them clad in armor, mostly iron. These armors were well-maintained, with neatly arranged plates, clearly indicating that they were the elite troops raised by each family for many years, and the most capable fighters in the entire force.
The remaining two hundred suits of armor were distributed to the strongest soldiers selected from the general officers and soldiers. These men were mostly soldiers from the prefectures and kingdoms or from various villages and towns who were physically outstanding and had combat experience. Only they were qualified to wear the armor.
As for the common people who were conscripted, they were far inferior.
They made up the majority of the force, but they could only wear leather armor, which was old leather armor that had been stockpiled in the warehouse for many years. The armor plates were loose and the ropes were yellowed. Standing next to the powerful tribesmen, they looked shabby and intimidating.
Li Sheng shook his head, turned around and walked back to his barracks.
This is the local army of the Han Dynasty.
Not long after Li Sheng returned to his barracks to rest, a soldier came to deliver a message.
"Chief Li, the county magistrate requests your presence; he has important matters to discuss."
The personal guard sent by Chen Yuan spoke very politely, clearly knowing that Li Sheng was a favorite of the county magistrate.
"it is good."
Li Sheng put down the boar hide he was using to wipe his halberd, handed it and the weapon to Li Feng, and followed him out.
Upon arriving at the central command tent, Li Sheng walked straight inside.
There were five or six people sitting inside the tent. When Li Sheng entered, all their eyes fell on him.
Chen Yuan sat behind his desk, pointed at Li Sheng, and smiled at everyone.
"This is Li Sheng, the head of Siyang Township. He was the one who killed the Yellow Turban rebels last time."
Everyone clasped their hands in greeting, saying things like "Heroes emerge from among the young" and "The younger generation is to be feared," and Li Sheng returned the greetings one by one.
He could tell what was hidden beneath those smiles: scrutiny, sizing, and a hint of disapproval.
These people were all prominent figures in the county, either local tyrants or officials. Deep down, they looked down on him, a mere village headman from a peasant background. They were only putting on a show out of respect for Chen Yuan.
Li Sheng didn't take it to heart.
He turned to Chen Yuan and clasped his hands in greeting.
"The county magistrate summoned me; what important matter does he have with me?"
Chen Yuan waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. Then he picked up a scroll of bamboo slips from the table, unfolded it, looked at it, and said.
"I am already aware of your unit's situation. Weapons are incomplete, and armor is even more scarce. I have taken the liberty of allocating ten suits of iron armor to you."
Li Sheng was stunned.
Ten suits of armor? His heart skipped a beat.
He knew the importance of armor on the battlefield of cold weapons; a suit of armor was a life.
His troops only had the leather armor they had previously plundered from the soldiers of the prefecture and the leather armor they had made themselves in recent days. Ten suits of iron armor were enough to keep his ten elite soldiers alive on the battlefield for many more times.
He immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice sincere.
"Thank you, County Commandant."
Chen Yuan nodded, then turned to the side and pointed to a middle-aged man sitting on his right.
The man was about thirty years old, thin, with a fair complexion, and wearing a blue brocade robe, clearly of noble birth.
Chen Yuan explained.
"This is Xu Wenzi Zizhang, a disciple of the Xu family in this county, currently serving as a military officer."
Li Sheng's heart stirred.
The Xu family, a powerful clan in Xiapi County, was the only one he had previously offended—the Crouching Tiger Xu family. He remained expressionless and clasped his hands in greeting.
"I have met Commander Xu."
Xu Wen simply nodded slightly in return.
Li Sheng wasn't annoyed, but he remembered the name.
Chen Yuan continued.
"Zizhang has heard of your bravery and martial prowess. One of his strongest warriors wishes to test his skills against you. What do you say?"
Li Sheng glanced at Xu Wen.
Xu Wen wore a faint smile, and Li Sheng understood that he was here to test Xu Wen's abilities.
He glanced at Chen Yuan and bowed slightly.
"I leave the decision to the county magistrate."
Chen Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
He vaguely remembered that the Xu family and Li Sheng seemed to have some grudges, but since Xu Wen took the initiative to propose a competition, he did not stop him.
Firstly, he could see Li Sheng's abilities; secondly... he glanced at Xu Wen, and the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly.
The Xu family was an official family, and they didn't have a deep relationship with these aristocratic families. It wouldn't be a bad thing to let Li Sheng reduce the Xu family's prestige.