220: manpower

In the afternoon, Lin Yue looked at the one hundred thousand white warhorses outside the Encampment, his eyes filled with satisfaction!

Unfortunately, the Soldiers have not yet arrived, so training cannot begin immediately. Lin Yue could only gaze longingly.

"Colonel Lv Sheng, greetings to Gentleman of the Household!" a young man saluted.

【name: Lv Sheng

Martial Power: 78

Intelligence: 71

Command: 73

Politics: 68

Charm: 72】

A High-level Military General in the later stage, Lin Yue looked directly at this young man who would later obtain Xiang Yu's limbs and be granted the title Marquis of Nieyang, saying:

"No need for formalities. Did General Zhao Ben send only you?"

"This humble general arrived a step early. The remaining sixty thousand Soldiers will depart tomorrow at the time of mobilization," Lv Sheng replied.

"Good. Since General Zhao Ben has entrusted you to me, I will treat everyone equally.

Tomorrow at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), assemble outside the Encampment. There must be no delays. Those who disobey orders will be executed!" Lin Yue said.

"Understood!" Lv Sheng responded, then returned to inform the generals to prevent any delays.

Lin Yue, however, was in a good mood. One hundred thousand warhorses meant he could expand his Army by another one hundred thousand Soldiers!

The White Horse Righteous Cavalry could then have an Army of one hundred and sixty thousand!

What a terrifying fighting force this would be!

However, these one hundred thousand Soldiers were a bit difficult to manage. This was not within Great Qin territory, where the old Qin People, skilled in warfare, could be summoned with a single call to join the Army!

This place was over three thousand li from Shang Commandery. A round trip would take ten days. With the current severe shortage of Soldiers, it was a major problem!

Suddenly, a series of hooves sounded not far away. Lin Yue looked over and saw a Qin Army general riding a horse, followed by a long procession.

【name: Dong Yue

Official Title: Great Qin Gentleman of the Household

Martial Power: 77

Intelligence: 78

Command: 76

Politics: 76

Charm: 64】

Dong Yue?

The two were both Gentlemen of the Household and had only met once before in Fushi County City, so they couldn't be said to be acquainted.

At that time, it was during the reception of Prince Fusu. Dong Zhuo had conversed with Lin Yue for a moment, and Dong Yue had some impression of Lin Yue. If it weren't for his Art of Recognizing People, Lin Yue might not have recognized Dong Yue.

Dong Yue, on his warhorse, saw Lin Yue and, out of courtesy, cupped his hands in greeting. Lin Yue also hastily returned the salute, but the two had no further communication and then passed each other.

Lin Yue continued to look, only to see the Army behind Dong Yue stretching in a single line, seemingly endless across the vast grassland!

Soldiers in the Army were escorting many Xiongnu people captives, moving quickly. If any Xiongnu people walked too slowly, Qin Soldiers would come and whip them severely!

The other captives, with indifferent gazes, quickened their pace slightly.

Lin Yue had Li Mu move the one hundred thousand warhorses to the side so they wouldn't block the path, then walked towards his tent.

Suddenly, a captive in the procession, speaking fluent qin language, exclaimed with relief that they were finally safe!

How could this be a captive? This was a Qin Person!

Lin Yue suddenly had a flash of inspiration and stepped forward, asking:

"Are you a Qin Person?"

Although the captive was in rags and disheveled, upon hearing Lin Yue's words, he still straightened his back and replied: "Reporting to adult, this humble one is indeed a Qin Person!"

Lin Yue pulled this Qin Person out of the line. The Qin Army infantry Soldier escorting them, seeing Lin Yue's attire, guessed he was an officer and pretended not to see his actions, continuing to escort the captives forward.

"If you are a Qin Person, why are you being escorted?" Lin Yue asked curiously.

"Alas, it's a long story. We were originally Qin People from Shang Commandery, but were later abducted to the grassland to be slaves.

This time, thanks to the Qin Army's rescue, but there were too many Xiongnu people captives. In a hurry, we were all escorted together, to be separated once we reached the Encampment." The Qin Person said in a low voice, but the happiness on his face at having regained freedom was impossible to hide.

"Adult, rest assured, although we are next to the captives, the military officers escorting us can distinguish us and have taken good care of us." The Qin Person, seeing a hint of anger on Lin Yue's face, quickly explained.

Lin Yue's expression softened slightly after hearing this, then he asked: "Do you know how many captives there are this time?"

"The Qin Army pacified six tribes. There are a total of over four hundred thousand captives this time."

"How many Qin People are among them?" Lin Yue asked the question he was most concerned about.

These Qin People, abducted to the grassland, though somewhat emaciated after years, harbored intense hatred for the Xiongnu people. If some Qin People with a desire for revenge and good physical condition could be selected from them to join the White Horse Righteous Cavalry, it would alleviate the shortage of Soldiers.

"Roughly less than sixty thousand."

"That many?" Lin Yue was a bit surprised.

"Yes, some of us were abducted by the Xiongnu people to the grassland in our childhood. Some were even taken twenty years ago." The Qin Person said. He himself was abducted to the grassland ten years ago and had already resigned himself to his fate, never expecting to have a day to return to Great Qin!

Ten years of servitude, like a duckweed drifting in a storm, the hardships within were unknown to outsiders.

"We came too late." Lin Yue sighed, then asked:

"Then if I give you a chance to join the Army and kill Xiongnu people, would you follow me?"

Lin Yue's sincere eyes stared intently at the Qin Person before him.

The Qin Person was a bit nervous being looked at like that, then stammered:

"No,

I just want to go home."

Lin Yue's eyes quickly dimmed. Yes, they had been away from home for many years, and their greatest wish now was to return home. He had been inconsiderate.

Seeing Lin Yue's expression, the Qin Person said:

"Adult, there's no need to be like that. I've been away from home for many years and have no ambition, but there will always be others who will go."

Lin Yue's eyes lit up. Yes, there were sixty thousand Qin People. With such a large base, there would always be some whose hatred remained unquenched!

Then Lin Yue pulled ten taels of silver from his in arms and smiled: "Thank you."

"Adult, absolutely not. How can this humble one accept such a great gift!"

"You'll have many places to use money when you go home. Take it." Lin Yue said with a smile, then turned and walked into the Encampment without a care.