After understanding this, Liu Jin looked at Wu Xing, his eyes filled with appreciation, and asked with a smile!
"Are you willing to join the army?"
Wu Xing was slightly startled by the words, and joy appeared in his eyes.
To say he didn't want to join the army was impossible; staying in this remote, impoverished place, with nothing but farming every day, offered no future.
If he could join the army, he might just forge a path for himself and secure a future.
Moreover, he could tell that this Liu Jin in front of him was not simple, possessing an aura of confidence.
Especially the two brothers beside him, with their broad backs and powerful builds, exuded an imposing presence; they were clearly rare military talents.
Without any hesitation, Wu Xing immediately cupped his fists and said loudly!
"I am willing to join the army and follow Lord Liu."
Liu Jin laughed heartily, patted his shoulder, and said softly!
"Good!"
"Since that's the case, I hereby appoint you as a Squad Leader, in charge of five men."
Wu Xing was filled with excitement upon hearing this; he never expected to become an officer upon joining the army, which was no small treatment.
Even a fool could see that Liu Jin thought highly of him.
He bowed again, saying loudly!
"Thank you, Tuncun, for your promotion. I will never forget this kindness and will follow you through life and death, never betraying you."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, directly assigning him to Guan Yu's command as a Squad Leader.
Although this young man was not a famous general of the Han Dynasty, the talent and wisdom he displayed, if allowed to grow properly, might not be inferior to those renowned figures.
Because circumstances create heroes, if this young man hadn't met him, he might have spent his entire life in the mountains, living as an ordinary commoner.
But after meeting him and showcasing his talent, it was not impossible for him to rise and become a famous general.
As the saying goes, 'Thousand-mile horses are common, but a Bole (a connoisseur of horses) is not.'
The sky gradually darkened!
Liu Jin and his hundred-plus officers and soldiers set up a small camp at the village entrance. The villagers brought over the prepared food.
Among the dishes, there was no lack of meat; one could say they had contributed all the good things from their homes to reward these soldiers.
Guan Yu looked at the dishes before him and seemed to say with some emotion!
"Big Brother, these commoners are truly simple and kind; they gave us everything they were reluctant to eat themselves."
Liu Jin was touched and said!
"The common people are indeed simple and kind; if you treat them well, they will repay you tenfold."
"As officers and soldiers, we must live up to our official robes, wield our blades, protect the peace of a region, and allow the common people to live and work in peace and contentment."
Guan Yu nodded upon hearing this, his heart filled with emotion!
"If all officials in the world could be like Big Brother, thinking of the common people, perhaps there wouldn't be so many corrupt officials, greedy bureaucrats, thieves, and mountain bandits."
Liu Jin smiled and shook his head!
"As the saying goes, 'The capable are busy, the wise are worried, and the incompetent seek nothing.'"
"I am merely a Tuncun, commanding a hundred soldiers, so naturally, I can only exercise the authority of a Tuncun and protect the stability of the people of Liye Township."
"If I were a Prefect or a Grand Administrator, I would protect the stability of the people of a prefecture."
"If I were a Provincial Governor, I would think about protecting the people of a province."
"As for managing the safety of the common people of this world, that naturally falls to the current Emperor and the civil and military officials of the court. As a mere Tuncun, even if I have the intention, I cannot interfere in such matters."
"When poor, cultivate oneself; when prominent, benefit the world."
"Do not overstep your boundaries and meddle in affairs you cannot influence when you lack the ability, as it will only mess things up."
Zhang Fei, who was nearby, felt utterly confused by these words, but he still understood their meaning.
He grinned and laughed loudly!
"Big Brother, stop talking, Old Zhang already understands."
"It means, Big Brother, when you sit on the throne, then you can pacify the people of the world."
As soon as these words were uttered, the air instantly fell silent.
Guan Yu frowned, looked around for a moment, and seeing no one looking their way, he quickly reprimanded!
"Third Brother, don't talk nonsense!"
"If this gets out, our Big Brother's life will be in danger!"
Liu Jin was stunned by these words and gave a wry smile.
Zhang Fei had indeed spoken his mind; if he were the ruler of the Han Dynasty, he would naturally think about how to protect the common people of the world.
Now, as merely a Tuncun, even if he had the heart to protect the common people, he did not have the qualification.
He waved his hand and said indifferently!
"It's alright, it's just us three brothers here, so no one will speak carelessly."
"But outside, you must not speak so freely. Such treasonous words could truly lead to us three brothers dying in the same year and month."
Zhang Fei scratched his head, looking somewhat simple-minded at his Big Brother and Second Brother, but a shrewd glint appeared in the depths of his eyes.
Liu Jin looked at his two brothers, who were silent with fear, and his gaze became resolute.
If he could rise with the wind, he should indeed rule the world and care for its common people.
They were all Han Dynasty imperial kin; why should he weave straw sandals while another became emperor? The wheel of fortune turns, and it was time for his lineage.
Looking at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he said solemnly!
"Yun Chang, Yide, instruct all soldiers to eat and drink their fill; we will be taking action soon."
"I want to lead you into the mountains, to approach the mountain bandits' lair, to see if we can annihilate them completely."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were overjoyed at the words, their hearts somewhat impatient.
They had killed the hundred-plus mountain bandits earlier without even getting a proper warm-up, settling them all.
Now, to enter the mountains and uproot these mountain bandits, they should be able to kill to their heart's content.
The two immediately bowed in obedience, instructing all soldiers to begin eating and drinking heartily to replenish their strength.
After Liu Jin had eaten and drunk his fill, he selected one person named Du Dang from among the captives.
He was a small leader among the mountain bandits, and also a trusted subordinate of Scarface. With his identity, tricking open the mountain gate would not be a problem.
Thus, he instructed the hundred-plus officers and soldiers to change all their robes into mountain bandit attire; in the darkness, they would be indistinguishable from the bandits.
After the matters were handled, the group of over a hundred men, led by Du Dang and with scattered torches, began to move towards the mountain range.
Juxian Village was nestled among the mountain ridges, not far from Wu Family Village. If they walked quickly, they should be able to arrive within a day.
Because they were humans, they needed to eat, drink, and relieve themselves daily, and occasionally they would spend some money, coming down the mountain to villages and towns to seek pleasure, drink, and make merry.
If they truly lived in an uninhabited mountain forest, even if they could survive, they would likely become savages, and how many mountain bandits could endure that?
A day later!
In the main hall of Juxian Village!
Many bandit leaders were gathered there, drinking and making merry.
At the head of the table sat a burly man, who was the leader of this group of mountain bandits, Wang Shou.
He raised his large hand, took a deep drink from his wine cup, and then looked at the people around him, asking in confusion!
"Old Second has been down the mountain for so long, has there been any news back?"