https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-983-Top-Historical-Strategist-Ju-Shou/13046595/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-982-Lu-Hai-Kong-s-Transformation/13046597/
Chapter 984: The Recruitment Plan
Chapter 984: The Recruitment Plan
Some were concerned that Lu HaiKong's redemption was merely a fleeting phase, fearing he would revert to his old ways within days. However, these worries were unfounded.
Lu HaiKong had gained considerable experience, having risen from a mountain bandit to where he was now. His journey had hardened him, forging an incredibly resilient character.
Once Lu HaiKong set his mind on something, he would persist in it.
Despite Lu HaiKong's preference for a hands-off approach, he initially struggled to adapt when suddenly thrust back into his work, facing a mountain of administrative tasks. However, he quickly adjusted and immersed himself in his duties.
As Lu HaiKong actively engaged in his work, his understanding of his territory became more detailed and comprehensive, backed by precise data.
Although this detailed knowledge seemed of little use at the moment, it would eventually become the most solid stepping stone for Lu HaiKong's growth.
Wang Jun was genuinely delighted to see Lu HaiKong's dedication, frequently visiting him.
Wang Jun's visits weren't out of kindness; he wanted to complain to Lu HaiKong about his redemption, hoping to make Lu HaiKong understand the financial pressure he was under and persuade him to reduce military spending.
Wang Jun had assumed that with Lu HaiKong's change of heart, he could negotiate a reduction in military spending or, at the very least, curb his extravagant spending.
However, to his surprise, Lu HaiKong flatly refused without a second thought.
It was no laughing matter; they were still in a chaotic era where military might remained the top priority, and Lu HaiKong would not compromise on this front.
Not only did Lu HaiKong refuse to cut military spending, but he also planned to increase it.
Wang Jun reluctantly realized that Lu HaiKong's thorough understanding of the territory wasn't entirely positive.
Lu HaiKong now had a clear picture of his financial situation, and unfortunately, after seizing the southern Bingzhou's aristocratic families' assets, tricking them out of vast wealth, and with several months of economic development, Bingzhou was flourishing.
Wang Jun was highly sensitive to this aspect, knowing that Lu HaiKong's discovery of this wealth would lead to certain actions. Therefore, he rushed to complain and persuade Lu HaiKong to reduce military spending before Lu HaiKong could act, but he failed.
Lu HaiKong not only refused to cut military spending but was also planning to use the funds for a recruitment drive.
This recruitment plan wasn't a sudden decision; Lu HaiKong had been contemplating it for a while.
After thoroughly understanding the territory's situation, he was determined to implement it.
Lu HaiKong's entire Bingzhou had a population of several million, although an exact count was unavailable.
In contrast, his regular army numbered just over forty thousand, with the majority being Data NPC soldiers.
Despite Lu HaiKong's focus on elite troops, this number was insufficient, so he planned to recruit more soldiers, aiming for a standing army of around one million. The remaining sixty thousand would be indigenous NPCs.
Lu HaiKong's recruitment plan had two considerations. First, with Bingzhou's expansion, the territory required more troops for defense.
Second, Lu HaiKong intended to use recruitment to boost the unity of Bingzhou's populace.
Lu HaiKong realized that the army served not only as a military force but also as a tool to unite the people.
Beyond recruitment, Lu HaiKong planned to introduce a military family welfare policy during the process, stimulating the people's desire to serve in the military and subtly influencing them to recognize their children's role in defending their homeland, thereby fostering a sense of unity.
Lu HaiKong needed to make the people understand that Bingzhou belonged not only to him but also to them, that it was their home, and that they were an integral part of Bingzhou and Lu HaiKong.
Of course, these were Lu HaiKong's personal thoughts, and he wouldn't share them with Wang Jun. He merely informed Wang Jun of the military data of other lords, indicating that their forces were insufficient for both defense and offense.
After learning of Lu HaiKong's plan to recruit sixty thousand soldiers, Wang Jun surprisingly responded, "Go ahead! It's just sixty thousand, a drop in the bucket for us now, and it won't cost much."
Lu Hai Kong expressed that his recruitment plan was still in the works and required further refinement.
Wang Jun, on the other hand, was even less concerned. Wasn't the plan to recruit 600,000 soldiers? He could do as he pleased!
Look, now that the territory was becoming prosperous, even Wang Jun, the notorious skinflint, didn't care about the recruitment of 600,000 soldiers, considering it a mere drizzle.
However, this guy had forgotten that the recruitment plan was Lu Hai Kong's brainchild. If he were to implement it, there would be tears from Wang Jun, especially since Lu Hai Kong had been brewing this plan for a long time, and once it was unveiled, it would be even more terrifying.
In truth, Wang Jun wasn't entirely delusional, thinking that recruiting 600,000 soldiers wouldn't cost much. Lu Hai Kong intentionally revealed to him that this large army would come with reduced benefits, at least several levels lower than the first and second armies.
Moreover, Lu Hai Kong mentioned that this would be the only significant expense for now, which reassured Wang Jun. In reality, Wang Jun was also aware that if Lu Hai Kong wanted to cause trouble, there was nothing he could do to stop him from spending money.
Lu Hai Kong's recruitment plan wasn't implemented immediately, as his intentions were not straightforward, and there were many considerations. Naturally, more preparation was needed before its implementation.
Lu Hai Kong had previously made preparations for recruitment, and militia training was conducted in many northern parts of Bingzhou.
These militiamen, in a sense, were like reserve soldiers.
The militia training program was a sudden idea that came to Lu Hai Kong. At the time, he primarily wanted to address the livelihood of disabled veterans returning from the battlefield.
So, Lu Hai Kong proposed the concept of militia training, sending veterans from the battlefield to local areas and having them organize militia training with the support of the locals.
In the 1619 edition of the book, it was mentioned without error!
Veterans could selectively teach the militiamen basic martial arts techniques like the Fundamental Saber Technique, Fundamental Gun Technique, and Fundamental Archery.
The militiamen only participated in training during their agricultural off-season and were not obligated to attend.
Lu Hai Kong's primary concern was the veterans' livelihood, treating it as a veteran welfare program. He wasn't entirely sure about the results, as he hadn't considered recruiting militiamen before.
However, now that he had the idea of recruitment, Lu Hai Kong felt it was time to go out and inspect the militia training.
For this purpose, Lu Hai Kong took a day off and brought the Third Princess, who had just finished her seclusion, to visit several militia training camps near Beifeng.
A day wasn't a long time, and Lu Hai Kong only managed to visit seven or eight militia training bases.
These seven or eight bases weren't randomly chosen by Lu Hai Kong; he had prepared beforehand.
He categorized the militia training bases into three types: bases in villages inhabited by refugees from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, bases in villages of native Bingzhou residents, and bases in villages where a small number of people had relocated from the Yanhuang Mountain Fortress, originally Lu Hai Kong's stronghold.
Lu Hai Kong expected to see three different situations at these distinct militia training bases.
However, he was surprised to find that the conditions at all three types of training bases were quite similar, with high training enthusiasm. The only slight difference was that the first and third types of militia training bases had slightly higher enthusiasm and a more fervent atmosphere.
Especially when observing the people from the Yanhuang Mountain Fortress, he could sense their genuine determination. Their training reflected their passion to sacrifice for Lu Hai Kong.
This type of militia training base undoubtedly touched Lu Hai Kong the most, but not everything was positive.
Lu Hai Kong also noticed that while the atmosphere in the militia training camps was generally good, the attendance varied.
It was evident that those who entered the training camps with determination would strive for excellence, gradually developing a sense of fervor under the influence of the veterans.
On the other hand, those uninterested in militia training wouldn't even take a step into the training camps.
This was evident across all three types of militia training camps.
Among the three types of camps, the third type had the most people, followed by the first type, and the second type had the least.
This situation was understandable, and Lu Hai Kong didn't comment on it. This guy hadn't even set foot in a militia training camp from start to finish; he merely observed the situation from a distance, then turned and left after taking it all in.
However, at the last militia training camp, Lu Hai Kong's gaze lingered, unable to move away from a particular young man...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
