Chapter 755: Make a name (1/2)
GDK 755: Make a name
After Lamont and his bunch were kicked out from the Fifth Corps, there were less than a hundred divine guards remaining. There wasn’t enough number to form one whole company!
It was impossible for the Fifth Corps to function properly with less than a hundred men. Therefore, the first thing Han Shuo did after taking over the Fifth Corps was to recruit for new divine guards.
At first, Han Shuo assumed that he need not worry about unable to recruit suitable candidates as he could flaunt the name of the Fifth Corps. But soon after he started executing the plan, he realized that although the City of Shadows was enormous, it was not easy to find good divine guards.
He found out that all those who were capable had all joined or been recruited by large family clans in the City. Meanwhile, all the powerful experts would be invited over by representatives from various family clans as soon as they entered the City. These highly sought-after talents were drawn in by representatives from various family clans before they even had the chance to look at the City or the Fifth Corps.
Although the House of Han had gained some reputation in the City of Shadows, for most outsiders, the family clan became famous only though Celestial Pearl. They believed that a family clan that rose through trade and commerce will fall short of those large and ancient family clans in the City when it comes to strength. Therefore, if offered the same deal, they would much rather work for those ancient, large family clans rather than the young House of Han.
Even though the Fifth Corps was severely lacking in manpower, Han Shuo remained very demanding in the selection process. He would rather have no men than to have mediocrities. With Stratholeme, Bollands, and the others doing the interview of Han Shuo’s behalf, most of the candidates were rejected. Only a very few managed to pass the interview.
Time flew by rapidly. After a month, the Fifth Corps had managed to recruit less than forty new blood. Most of these new recruits were just barely passing the standard and deemed undesirable by the large family clans.
Naturally, Han Shuo was not happy with the situation. Andre had hastened Han Shuo many times, asking him to solve the issue as soon as possible so that the Fifth Corps could fulfill its duties. Han Shuo had racked his brain on filling the nine-hundred men vacancy. He had even utilized the Celestial Pearl’s resources in placing scrolls for recruitment in various forts and satellite cities.
In an expansive meeting hall in the Fifth Corps, Gilbert angrily complained, “There were around eighty people who entered the City in the past few days. Around twenty of them have midgod strength. Of them, thirteen have clean backgrounds. But as soon as they stepped into the City, they were all invited to the three large family clans. Hell, they actually told me that they have never heard of the House of Han. They feel that it’s beneath their dignity to come to our Fifth Corps. They are all so fucking haughty!”
“Bryan, both the House of Han and the Fifth Corps don’t have much reputation as we have just started. To those capable experts who wish to rise and stand out among others, we do not look like the best choice. I’m afraid that the situation will remain so for quite a while. I believe it’s time to change our strategy!” Stratholme, who once served as the State Preceptor of the former Verdun Empire, was an insightful man. He too was concerned about the issue.
It wasn’t that the City of Shadows lacked people. Lowgods cultivating in all sorts of fundamental forces could be found everywhere on the street. They were eager to squeeze into the Fifth Corps or the House of Han. But unfortunately, those weren’t the people Han Shuo was looking for. He required the candidates to have at least midgod strength to be a Fifth Corps divine guard. On top of that, the candidates must pass Stratholme and Bollands’ examination on temperament and moral character before they could join the Fifth Corps.
With the majority of the suitable candidates invited by the large family clans, and the remaining ones heavily filtered by Stratholme and Bollands, it was to be expected that their progress was slow.
“What do you propose?” asked Han Shuo. He knew that Stratholme was an insightful person good at solving problems.
“We make a name for ourselves!” answered Stratholme in a bright smile.
Ayermike then helped him with the explanation, “I have discussed the problem with Stratholme. We feel that it is only by raising the prestige of our House of Han in the City of Shadows and alter people’s impression of our family clan that we could attract talents. For all these while, when people thought of the House of Han, they think of Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. For those who want to outshine others, a shop, no matter how big, remains a shop, and it could not give them the prestige and power they desire. But if we could become famous for our strength, it would be a different story!”
Both Stratholme and Ayermike were experienced and scheming characters. Now that they were working for the House of Han with their hearts and soul, they would provide Han Shuo with good suggestions on various matters, saving Han Shuo from a whole lot of trouble.
Han Shuo thought about their words for a moment before he nodded and said, “I get what you’re saying and can see where the issue lies. But how are we going to make a name? We can’t just go to the streets and shout ‘We House of Han is very powerful! Come join us!’, right?“
“Of course we can’t!” Ayermike put on a smile and said, “But we can do it through certain things and events!”
“Tell me about it!” said Han Shuo smilingly as his interest was aroused. He knew Ayermike well and understood that Ayermike must have a plan.
“Every century, the Seven Corps of the City of Shadows will compete to determine their ranking. Every Corps is limited to a single company of divine guards in the competition. In addition, there will be a separate competition between the seven Chiefs to determine their ranking,” Stratholme the old monster explained smilingly, “The competition is around the corner. In any case, our Fifth Corps has to put a company into the competition. If our Fifth Corps could surpass the other Corps in the competition, and if you could defeat the other Chiefs, then our Fifth Corps and House of Han will become famous.”
Ayermike nodded smilingly and said, “If the Fifth Corps and you could rank in the top few in the competition, then the House of Han will free itself from being a commerce family clan, but a powerful family clan with real power. By then, even if you do not actively recruit for divine guards, people will swarm to Fifth Corps and the House of Han, begging to join us!”
“Bryan, this is an extremely rare, perfect opportunity!” Stratholme persuaded, “Besides, the rewards are pretty enticing. It’s a waste to not take it!”
Han Shuo stared distractedly for a moment and asked, “What rewards?”
Stratholme raised a tight fist and answered, “More power!”
Han Shuo was tempted and began asking for the details, “I have heard a little about the competition but did not take it seriously. Tell me what’s in it in detail. We still have time to prepare!”
Immediately, Ayermike and Stratholme took out the documents they had prepared for Han Shuo and explained the competition between the Seven Corps in detail.
To improve the fighting power of the City of Shadows divine guards and promote friendly competition, every one hundred years, Wallace the City Lord would host a battle between the Seven Corps. The competition was divided into two categories - battle between the Chiefs of Divine Guards and battle between companies. The competition between companies was deemed more important.
In all previous competitions, the House of Sainte had firmly secured the top three places in overall and individual strengths. In individual strength competitions, Aobashi had always ranked first. In second place would be the rather mysterious Chief Ralph of the Second Corps who were rarely seen in the City of Shadows. Erebus would be the third. The last four places would frequently change as the strengths of the four large family clans were similar.