Chapter 113 Madman Zhou Tai
"I want to continue the challenge!"

After Zhou Tai had eaten and drunk his fill, he pointed his wooden sword at Gong Lei and said, "If I can defeat three adults in a row, will there be any extra rewards?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the soldiers immediately started to make a fuss.

What warrior doesn't like to watch the fun? What's more, except for a few confidants, most people only obey Jin Mao and not He Qi and others, always thinking that one day they can replace him.

Zhou Tai undoubtedly expressed their thoughts.

However, this matter had gone beyond the rules of Jinmao Institute, and He Qi and others did not dare to make a decision on their own, so they reported it to higher authorities.

Jin Mao rushed over upon hearing the news. He learned that Zhou Tai had fought for nearly 200 rounds, and said, "Good warrior! Let me rest with you for a day. Tomorrow, if you can defeat Dong Xi, I will give you another level up. After you pass the assessment, you will directly become a lieutenant!"

Suddenly, the whole audience was boiling.

That was Dong Xi, the invincible one in single combat in the army. If Zhou Tai really had that ability, he would deserve to be called a "fierce general".

"Thank you for your kindness, Governor." Zhou Tai was so arrogant: "No need to wait until tomorrow, today!"

"But I have a small request."

Jin Mao was surprised and said, "Tell me!"

As Zhou Tai took off his armor, he said, "I want to fight with a real sword without armor!"

Jin Mao frowned. There was no benefit in fighting like this.

Dong Xi said excitedly: "My Lord! Please let me teach this ignorant boy a lesson."

Jin Mao didn't understand, but he still agreed: "Stop it when it's enough, don't risk your life."

"Here!"

In the martial arts arena, both outsiders and soldiers stopped fighting and gathered in three layers to watch.

But there were too many people, so Jin Mao gave orders, asking people to expand the venue, maintain order, and also broadcast the battle situation.

Thus, the first live broadcast in the Eastern Han Dynasty appeared!

A martial arts arena.

Dong Xi was shirtless, revealing his python-like muscles. He held a shield in his left hand and a knife in his right hand, and handled the situation with caution.

Zhou Tai was also shirtless, revealing his smaller muscles with smooth lines. He did not hold a shield, but a knife with both hands.

This person actually wants to take the lead!

Dong Xi did not take it lightly and was ready for battle.

Zhou Tai took a deep breath and lowered his body like a hunting mantis.

The two of them were circling on the field. Jin Mao's martial arts skills were limited, so he couldn't figure out what was going on.

Gong Lei acted as the commentator: "My lord, these two are looking for each other's flaws. Let's see who loses patience first."

However, Dong Xi was the first to lose his patience and charged forward with the shield in his left hand and his right hand behind his back.

Zhou Tai let out a strange cry, crouched down, and attacked Dong Xi's ankles with both swords. When Dong Xi pressed down with the shield, Zhou Tai turned around, then he used his momentum to kick the iron shield with his feet.

"Oh!"

Dong Xi seemed to be frozen in place, standing still in the middle of the scene.

Zhou Tai took advantage of the force, rolled over again, and swung his double swords towards Dong Xi's side.

"Chok, chok!"

There were two sounds of swords colliding, sparks flew, and it was Dong Xizhu who stood with his sword and blocked the attack.

Zhou Tai did not retreat but advanced, taking advantage of the gap when Dong Xi was unable to draw his shield back and launched a fierce attack.

Dong Xi made quick adjustments, holding the knife with both hands, and chopped from top to bottom, performing a powerful move to split Huashan Mountain.

Zhou Tai showed no fear. He took a step forward risking his life and attacked from both sides with his two swords.

Seeing that one of these two men was about to behead him and the other was about to behead him, Jin Mao was so frightened that smoke almost came out of his throat.

The result was decided before the word "stop" was uttered.

Dong Xi drew his sword to defend himself, but Zhou Tai did not move at all, and his two swords stopped five inches away from Dong Xi's waist.

Dong Xi shook his head bitterly and said, "You are so brave! I lost."

Unexpectedly, Zhou Tai did not take any credit for it and said, "No, I just took advantage of it. If we face each other head-on, I am no match for you."

Dong Xian did not answer.

Jin Mao was very curious and asked, "Can you tell me the tricks here?"

Zhou Tai put down his two swords, clasped his fists and saluted Jin Mao, explaining: "First, you once ordered not to harm my life, so Lord Dong was cautious and could not risk his life."

"Secondly, I am good at attacking, and Lord Dong is good at defending. Now that neither of you is wearing armor, I am taking advantage of you."

"Third, I am not afraid of life or death. I am the same warrior as Master Dong."

Jin Mao was overjoyed, pointed at Zhou Tai and asked, "What's your name?"

"Zhou Tai, courtesy name Youping."

"What a great Zhou Youping!" Jin Mao said with a smile, "Today, not only will I give you a promotion, but I will also give you a place in the next officer training class!"

Zhou Tai didn’t know what the officer training class was, but seeing Dong Xi’s eager expression, he knew it was a good thing.

"Thank you, Governor!"

"Hmm?" Jin Mao said mischievously, "I hope you can call me Lord."

Zhou Tai readily agreed: "Thank you, my lord!"

Jin Mao was very happy and said, "Let's continue the martial arts performance."

"Youping, come to me."

Hearing that Jin Mao was so optimistic about Zhou Tai, the other generals were very jealous, except He Qi who was very excited as if he had discovered a new world.

Zhou Tai quickly put on his clothes, came to Jin Mao, and bowed in an irregular manner. "Haha." Jin Mao couldn't help laughing and quickly explained: "I see Youping as my past self."

He explained on the spot how improper his etiquette was when he first met Sheng Xian, which resulted in Sheng Xian not even looking at him.

Now that the two levels have reversed, Jinmao has become so powerful that it no longer takes Shengxian seriously.

No one present had ever heard such a secret, and they found it very inspiring, and cheered in unison.

"So, Youping, you must learn not to be happy with things, and not to be sad with yourself."

"So what if I was of low status in the past?"

"When the latent dragon emerges from the sea, the soaring cloud will break through the mountains!"

Zhou Tai silently engraved these words in his heart and thanked him: "Thank you, my lord, for your guidance!"

"Thank you, my lord, for your guidance!" The generals also reacted.

From now on, anyone within the Jinmao system who doesn’t know these two sentences will never be promoted in his life.

There weren't many outstanding people in the subsequent martial arts performances, with the best being only five people who passed three levels.

However, Jinmao still praised them one by one.

After the first day of martial arts performance, Jin Mao arranged the ten people who passed the first three levels to receive special training under the royal guards.

These are all good candidates for the future Imperial Guards. As long as they share the same ideas and accept Jinmao's values, they can become a member of the Imperial Guards.

When Jiang Qin learned about the treatment of the Imperial Guards, he couldn't help but shout, "It really wasn't a wasted trip!"

Nowadays, the treatment of a sergeant of Jin Mao's personal guard is comparable to that of a county official. If he reaches the level of a garrison commander or above, his treatment will be no worse than that of a county magistrate in a small county, and can even be comparable to that of a county governor.

Moreover, they all receive actual salaries, which is a world of difference from other armies that do not receive any salaries.

The only problem is probably the delay in payment of pensions.

But Jiang Qin had never heard of this thing before, and Jinmao’s reputation has always been good, it just encountered some difficulties.

Everyone believes that once the situation has recovered, all the benefits will be fulfilled. To put it another way, even if there is no pension, the literacy classes alone are enough for most people to ignore the pension.

"Youping, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Zhou Tai remained silent, Jiang Qin asked curiously, "You showed off your dignity in front of the prefect today and even acknowledged him as your master. Shouldn't you treat me to a couple of drinks?"

Zhou Tai said seriously: "Gong Yi, you are also a studious person. There are many opportunities to learn culture under the rule of the lord. You must work hard."

"Of course!" Jiang Qin babbled, "Please give me some advice. Should I choose the path of a scholar or a general?"

...

August.

The early rice harvest was good. From 50,000 mu of paddy fields in the four counties of Yuzhang County, a total of 200,000 shi of rice was harvested.

Since the proceeds were from Jinmao’s forced planting, no profit was distributed and all was deposited into the warehouse.

Of course, Jinmao would write an IOU to each tribe in Yuzhang County that paid the corresponding price and compensate them in the future.

Kuaiji County also received nearly 200,000 shi of grain, while Yuhang and Wucheng counties in Wu County received 80,000 shi of grain.

Of course, these grains had to be shared with nearly one million refugees from Yuzhang and Wu counties. There would not be much left after sharing, and it was barely enough to feed these people.

Xi Zhicai's work in the north of Yuzhang County went very smoothly, and a total of 100,000 acres of paddy fields in the six northern counties were all included in the win-win cooperation system.

However, there will be no profit sharing in the first year.

After all, they have become refugees. If he can help them survive this year and return their land next year, Jin Mao can be regarded as a living Bodhisattva.

After this incident, the people of Yuzhang County were no longer lazy as before, and they also recognized Jin Mao's rule. Whether he did a good job or not was obvious to everyone.

Yuzhang County is blessed with abundant water systems, most of which are paddy fields, and there is still great potential for development.

The late rice has been arranged. If the more than 200,000 acres of paddy fields in the three counties are successfully harvested, it will produce one million dan of grain!
By then, not to mention this year, even next year as long as there is no total harvest, there will be no problem.

Similarly, the challenges faced by late rice are no less than those faced by early rice.

If there is a real drought, even the most abundant water resources will dry up.

Thus, the vigorous water conservancy development began in Yuzhang County, Kuaiji County and Wu County.

There were nearly one million refugees in Yuzhang County and Wu County, and there was no shortage of labor.

In Kuaiji County, there are 100,000 idle people in Wushang and Taimo counties, so water systems can be built in the four nearby counties.

In addition, the bandits were suppressed in Yuzhang and Wu counties, and nearly 20,000 prisoners were captured. Work was also started in the five northern counties of Kuaiji County.

In this case, a general must lead the main force back to Kuaiji County to garrison.

Jin Mao did not expect that in addition to Gong Lei, He Qi also volunteered to return.

"Then Gong Miao will be the main one, and Gong Lei will be the assistant. The two of you will each hold half of the military token. You should discuss all matters, big or small, with Kan Ze."

"As long as the three of you agree, you don't need to ask me."

Jinmao delegated power to each of them and equipped them with 750 main forces and new recruits.

For this military performance, Jin Mao not only recruited more than a thousand craftsmen and doctors of various kinds, a hundred scholars (who could only serve as minor officials), but also two thousand new soldiers.

This incident made the people in Kuaiji County who wanted to join the army very anxious. As soon as He Qi and Gong Lei returned to Kuaiji County, they were criticized by their fellow villagers. They had no choice but to send a message to Jin Mao.

The latter could only promise: "Next year, we will recruit another 4,000 soldiers in Kuaiji County."

Of course, these are things to follow.

August fifteen.

A fleet of several hundred people from the north arrived in Nanchang County, with more than fifty ships of various sizes.

There were only a hundred guards among them, but they were all strong and muscular, and the leader was even comparable to Dong Xi in size.

However, this man was wearing a general's armor, and his aura was much stronger than Dong Xi's. He was obviously a brave general who had experienced many battles.

(End of this chapter)