Chapter 71 (1/2)

After dispelling the frustrating thoughts with difficulty, Ling Tian looked at the group, and asked them another question, ”When does the recruitment of troops for our country start?”

The crowd was stunned for a moment, before Feng Mo replied, ”Recruitment? What recruitment?”

It was now Ling Tian’s turn to stare in shock. ”There’s no recruitment for new soldiers?”

Everyone shook their heads as Feng Mo replied again, ”The world is so peaceful at the moment, what use have we to recruit soldiers?”

Wah!

Ling Tian was stunned speechless, ”Just because it is peaceful, there’s no need for recruitment?”

The group replied as though it was only natural, ”The usual recruitment takes place once every five years and there was a recruitment held just last year. Since we are not warring currently and the military is not facing a shortage of manpower, there is no need for recruitment! Unless we are in an imminent state of war, or there are too many old and sick soldiers, will the recruitment begin once again to replenish the old with new.”

Feng Mo also added, ”In my ten odd years in the army, I’ve only seen recruitment being held twice!”

No war means no recruitment? Recruiting soldiers once every five years?! Ling Tian face-palmed at this and had totally no words to describe it! No wonder the dynasties changed so frequently and no wonder why this continent had seven empires living on it! The reason was because of this! Managing their military as such, if the empire did not die, then that would be weird!

There is no misfortune in being readily prepared! What are those Kings and Officials doing everyday? Did they think they could live happily ever after once they had set up a kingdom? Having no worries at all? Not a single awareness of hards.h.i.+p? Ling Tian felt as though his thoughts were unable to keep up with the times.

Ling Tian’s original thought was to borrow the country’s recruitment, keeping a few batches of new recruits secretly with their family's influence. Then, he would give them his own training turn them into his private army. However, this plan had now completely fallen through! Five years per recruitment! How could Ling Tian afford to wait? It went without saying that his plans had to be changed.

Looking at Feng Mo and company, he said, ”The Ling Family Courtyard will be done in about three months. Based on my own plans and estimates, we can at least have ten thousand men inside practicing at the same time. Since the Empire does not recruit soldiers, I’ll leave this part for you guys to perform. My requirements are those who are above 15 years of age but below 25, take as many as you can. This will be your first mission. Feng Mo, you’re in charge of handling this, whatever methods you would like to use, I’ll leave it up to you. However, when you have gotten those people, you need to bring them inside the Ling Family Courtyard without any news spreading out.” Ling Tian thought a while longer before he continued, ”One recruitment might be too large and attract too much attention, so you can break it into a few batches. As for how many batches to split them up to, that’s for you to decide to.”

Feng Mo stood upright and cupped his fists, saying, ”Yes! I will comply with Young n.o.ble’s order!”

Ling Tian considered the scenario once again before letting out a sigh, ”Feng Mo, I’ll need you to pick another couple of guys to take over the Violent Wind Gang. In three years, I want all the underground powers in the capital to be under our control! The rest of the brothers, you may a.s.sist at any time! Any matters can be decided at your own volition, there's no need to go through me. Oh, by the way, do not touch the Blood Rose Hall, it’s reserved for Ling Jian!”

Ling Jian shot up in grat.i.tude, ”Many thanks, Young n.o.ble!”