diymy Chapter 48 Strict Enforcement
Chapter 48 Strict Enforcement
On the command platform, Li Zhao looked at the two completely different teams.
"From this day forward, you are no longer the bandits of Mount Tai."
"You are the reserve force of the Qingzhou Army."
"When will you be able to be like them?"
Li Zhao pointed to the 20,000 veterans.
"Stand like a pine tree, move like the wind, and obey orders without question."
"When will you be qualified to wear this leather armor and wield this sword?"
"Did you understand?!"
"I understand!"
A few scattered replies.
"Didn't you eat?! Speak louder!"
Zhang Fei roared from below the stage, his voice like a thunderclap.
The soldiers from Mount Tai trembled with fear and quickly shouted at the top of their lungs:
"I understand!"
"it is good."
Li Zhao nodded.
"Let's begin then."
"Today's morning exercise is a five-mile weighted run."
"If you can't finish the run, cut your breakfast in half."
When the soldiers of Mount Tai heard that their breakfast would be halved, their eyes lit up with envy.
This is worse than taking their lives.
Although they haven't received formal training, they have a good foundation in physical fitness from running in the mountains all year round.
These guys unleashed amazing potential for breakfast.
They gritted their teeth and ran wildly behind the veterans.
……
After morning exercises.
The soldiers from Mount Tai were so exhausted that they collapsed on the ground like dead dogs.
However, when the smoke from the kitchen rises...
They were like sharks that had smelled blood, instantly coming back to life.
They lined up eagerly, each holding a large, rough porcelain bowl that had been given out the day before.
Today's breakfast.
It was a steaming bowl of mixed grain porridge, two fist-sized steamed buns of mixed grains for each person, and a plate of pickled vegetable shreds.
Although there was no meat, it was filling.
The steamed buns were soft and fluffy; one bite and your mouth was filled with the aroma of wheat.
The porridge was cooked until thick and sticky; one sip warmed me from my throat to my stomach.
For the Taishan soldiers, who were used to hardship, this was a rare delicacy.
Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi.
These four were Zang Ba's four henchmen, and also troublemakers among the Taishan bandits.
They missed the braised pork meal yesterday because they were divided into different units and stationed at different locations.
Although my subordinates were praising me to the skies, I was still somewhat unconvinced.
They believed that Zang Ba had been bewitched by Li Zhao using sorcery.
Early this morning, Li Zhao specially sent someone to summon the four of them to the Prime Minister's residence.
They said it was for an "interview".
A side hall of the Prime Minister's residence.
The four men stood there with their heads held high and chests puffed out, displaying an attitude of unyielding defiance.
They discussed it last night.
Having met Li Zhao today, I must uphold the integrity of a hero of Mount Tai.
We must never compromise our principles for a few bites of food.
"I have long admired your names, four brave warriors."
Li Zhao walked in from outside and greeted the four of them with a gentle smile.
The four snorted coldly, turned their heads to the side, and completely ignored Li Zhao.
Li Zhao wasn't annoyed. He clapped his hands lightly, and then saw Sun Fu walk in with several servants.
He was holding a tray covered with a red cloth.
As soon as Sun Fu and his group entered, a strange fragrance filled the side hall.
It was a scent they had never smelled before.
Extremely domineering and highly penetrating.
The four men's Adam's apples bobbed involuntarily, and their eyes began to involuntarily dart towards the tray.
I wondered what this was, and it smelled a little too good.
"You four brave warriors have come from afar; haven't you had breakfast yet?"
Li Zhao smiled and said to the four of them, "I have specially prepared some special breakfast dishes from Qingzhou. Please enjoy them."
Then, with a glance, Sun Fu stepped forward and directly lifted the red cloth.
"hiss--"
The next second, all four of them gasped in shock.
On the tray were four plump, fluffy steamed buns.
These steamed buns are bigger than their heads!
And it's pure white!
In Mount Tai, wheat flour is a rare delicacy that can only be eaten once a year during the Spring Festival.
They actually used it to make such a big steamed bun here?
What's even more dangerous is the bowl of stuff next to the steamed bun.
It was made from large chunks of pork belly, stewed until it was a bright red and tender.
The broth was rich and flavorful, with a layer of oil floating on top.
That overpowering aroma emanates from this bowl of meat.
This braised pork was specially ordered by Li Zhao yesterday to be made for Zang Ba and the others, and today he is using it to entertain these four powerful figures.
Seeing the head covered in braised pork, the Four Heavenly Kings' expressions changed.
"Gurgle..."
I don't know whose stomach made the first sound.
Immediately afterwards, a second and a third sound rang out, and the entire side hall resounded continuously like thunder.
It stood out clearly in the quiet side hall.
The four men's faces instantly turned a deep liver color.
They wanted to maintain their integrity and remain steadfast even unto death, but their bodies were far too honest.
Which official could resist such temptation?
Before Li Zhao even started asking any questions, he had already lost face quite a bit. What was the point of asking any more questions?
For a moment, the four of them felt embarrassed and lowered their heads, not daring to look at Li Zhao.
But the more anxious I felt, the more my stomach betrayed me, growling even louder.
"What? Aren't you four strong men hungry?"
Seeing this, Li Zhao feigned surprise and asked.
"That's such a pity."
"This braised pork is a specialty of Qingzhou. It requires the finest pork belly, simmered over low heat for two hours to achieve a rich yet not greasy texture that melts in your mouth."
As he spoke, he walked to a tray.
I picked up my chopsticks and took a trembling piece of braised pork.
Put it in your mouth.
Take a gentle sip.
He had an expression of enjoyment on his face.
"Yes, the heat is just right."
This scene was quite something for the four hungry warriors.
That's the cruelest form of torture ever!
Sun Guan could no longer hold back.
To hell with integrity!
To hell with the hero!
I want to eat meat!
He suddenly stepped forward, grabbed a large steamed bun, and took a big bite.
So fragrant!
He picked up a large piece of braised pork and stuffed it into his mouth.
The sensation of the oil bursting in his mouth made him so happy he almost cried.
With Sun Guan taking the lead.
Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi also stopped being reserved.
They pounced on the tray in front of them like hungry wolves.
For a moment, only the sound of wolfing down food filled the side hall.
What kind of heroes are these, what kind of unyielding spirits are these?
At this moment, everything was thrown to the winds.
Faced with absolute material temptations, so-called "loyalty" is incredibly fragile.
This is the tragedy of the bandit culture at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
This is also Li Zhao's greatest advantage as a time traveler.
He knew all too well what it meant for those struggling on the brink of death.
Nothing is more important than filling your stomach.
If you can win their stomachs, you can win their hearts.
Watching the four kings eat with their mouths full of oil and completely lacking in decorum.
Li Zhao's smile grew even brighter.
The Taishan faction's core team has been completely secured.
……
After subduing the Taishan soldiers, Li Zhao did not rush to disperse them.
He has other uses.
These soldiers from Mount Tai made their living in the mountains and forests year-round.
They were familiar with the terrain, skilled in mountain warfare, and acted unconventionally, with a touch of banditry.
This trait could be a problem if used on the front lines of battle.
However, it can be used for infiltration behind enemy lines, intelligence gathering, and special operations.
That's simply a natural talent.
Li Zhao plans to establish a special unit.
A shadow force independent of the main army.
He named this unit Qingzhou Eagles and Hounds.