ATPnovel Chapter 18 Xu Rong Blocks the Way
Chapter 18 Xu Rong Blocks the Way
Hou Chong continued, "You don't need to say anything more, I've already finalized this matter."
"There is one thing you need to know: the rules governing the subordinate positions of officials in our Great Han Dynasty."
He paused, then, following the established system of the dynasty, explained in detail to Liu Bei.
"Since the reign of Emperor Guangwu of this dynasty, officials and clerks in prefectures and counties have been allowed to have their own personal guards."
"There are generally two types: one is the 'county soldiers' assigned by the prefecture government. With your current official position, there are ten of them. Their rations and daily expenses are covered by the prefecture government's public funds, and they only obey your orders."
"Secondly, they can recruit their own private army. All official government officials can recruit their own private guards and retinues, but they must bear the costs themselves."
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was considered a serious crime for someone without an official position to privately command more than 10,000 soldiers to commit treason; however, as long as they held official titles, such as acting Sima or Colonel, they could legally expand their army.
"The ten positions I've approved for you are for the prefectural government. Your rations and basic military equipment will be provided by the prefectural government. As for the rest, you'll have to arrange them yourself."
Hou Chong added, "According to the military system of the border prefectures of our Great Han, iron armor and crossbows are controlled weapons and cannot be issued to anyone who is not a regular soldier of the prefecture. You can only be issued leather armor, ring-pommel swords, long spears, and foot bows."
"You'll have to take care of the horses, the house, and the daily rewards yourself."
"You can personally select these ten men from Yan Gang's county garrison. His men are all veterans who have been guarding the border for many years. They are skilled and of good character. Just tell me who you want."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei rose and bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lord Liu! I am deeply grateful."
"Between you and me, there's no need for such talk."
Hou Chong smiled and waved his hand: "You've been working so hard for the people of Liaoxi, it's only my duty to take care of these trivial matters for you."
"Just go ahead and choose. Once you've chosen, have Yan Gang transfer your household registration to your name."
Although Liu Bei was already very mature, he couldn't help but feel a little excited at this moment.
A private retinue! And it's legal!
After bidding farewell to Hou Chong, Liu Bei did not linger and went straight to the county garrison camp south of the city.
The Liaoxi Commandery's main camp was stationed five li outside the south gate of Yangle City, with high walls and layers of deer antlers.
The soldiers guarding the camp gate held long halberds, stood upright, and had vigilant eyes; they were clearly elite soldiers who had been guarding the border for many years.
As Liu Bei approached the camp gate, about to step inside, he was stopped by a young general in black military uniform with a stern face.
The man was over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back. He had a ring-pommel sword hanging at his waist and a long halberd in his hand.
His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, and his tone was calm, seemingly devoid of any emotion: "This is a military camp, and no one may enter without being summoned."
"Who goes there? Do you have any warrants from the Prefect or the Commandant?"
The clerks following Liu Bei immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Insolence!"
"This is Liu Jun, a military clerk in the prefectural government. He has come to the camp to select personal guards on the orders of the prefect. Let him pass at once!"
Upon hearing this, the general did not yield in the slightest, his gaze remaining fixed on Liu Bei, and he spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"This humble general is under the command of the Commandant to guard the camp gate. He only recognizes the warrant, not the official rank."
"Without a warrant, even if the Prefect himself arrives, he must announce his presence before being allowed to enter."
"Please forgive me, Liu Bingcao, but I am bound by duty and dare not open the camp gate without authorization."
The attendant was about to speak again, but Liu Bei raised his hand to stop him.
He looked the young general up and down, noting his upright posture and resolute expression.
He remained steadfast in military discipline, neither humble nor arrogant, even when facing high-ranking officials of the prefecture, which earned him some admiration.
He then smiled and said, "What the general says is true. Military discipline is as firm as a mountain. I was being presumptuous."
"Please inform Commander Yan that Liu Bei has come to the camp to select personal guards on the orders of the Prefect. Please give your instructions, Commander."
The general was surprised to see that Liu Bei was not angry at all, but instead was very polite.
He then bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "This humble general has been impolite and dares not accept the title of general!"
"Please wait a moment, Officer, I will go and inform them immediately."
After saying this, he turned around and beckoned someone to enter the camp to report, while he continued to stand in front of the camp gate, his expression unchanged.
The attendant couldn't help but mutter a complaint: "Lord Liu, this soldier is so ungrateful. He's just a gatekeeper, yet he dares to block your way."
Liu Bei shook his head and laughed, "Military orders are like mountains. To guard the camp, one must guard the camp gate well. That is what makes a truly good soldier."
"Brother Gongji indeed has capable men under his command."
Less than a quarter of an hour later, hurried footsteps came from inside the camp gate, and Yan Gang strode out.
Upon seeing Liu Bei, he burst into laughter: "Brother Xuande, the Prefect has already sent word that I've been waiting for you! Please come in!"
Liu Bei smiled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Gongji."
The two entered the camp side by side. Yan Gang led him deeper into the camp, pointing out the fortified camps, barracks, and training grounds along the way, and said with a smile, "Xuande, feel free to look around."
"In my camp, there are over a thousand soldiers from the prefecture. Anyone you fancy, whether a squad leader, sergeant, or ordinary soldier, feel free to choose!"
"Don't even mention ten, I'll give you twenty!"
The camp was well-ordered, and the soldiers were either training or repairing weapons. They moved about in an orderly manner, and when they saw Yan Gang and Liu Bei, they all bowed and saluted without any noise or chaos.
As Liu Bei walked, he nodded to himself. Yan Gang was indeed a skilled commander, having trained the Liaoxi troops to be disciplined and methodical.
After walking for a while, Liu Bei suddenly stopped, glanced back at the camp gate, and asked Yan Gang with a smile, "Brother Gongji, who was that person who stopped me at the camp gate just now?"
Yan Gang paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Oh, you mean Xu Rong!"
"He is from Xuantu County. He joined the army two years ago. His family is from the border region. He grew up in a place where Han and non-Han peoples lived together. He is skilled in archery and horsemanship and is a promising talent."
"His military discipline was extremely strict, orders were strictly enforced, and no leniency was shown."
"It's just that I'm too straightforward and inflexible, which has offended a lot of people."
"Now, you serve as a squad leader under me, in charge of ten gate guards."
"Xu Rong..."
When Liu Bei first heard the name, his heart skipped a beat. Upon learning that the man was from Xuantu Commandery and was a skilled military leader, he could hardly contain his joy.
Xu Rong!
This was the same person who later defeated Cao Cao with inferior forces in the Battle of Xingyang, nearly causing Cao Cao's death on the battlefield.
In the Battle of Liangdong, he decisively defeated Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong, forcing Sun Jian, a top general, to break through the encirclement with only a dozen or so cavalry!
This man was not merely a brave fool; he was a master of military strategy and tactics, and his ability to command troops was severely underestimated throughout the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period.
Unexpectedly, he was now working as a lowly gatekeeper in the Liaoxi County military camp!
Liu Bei pondered that this person was probably sent to Xiliang by the imperial court to quell the Qiang rebellion.
It's really hard to find a place to break through the iron shoes, and it takes no effort to get it!
When Yan Gang noticed that Liu Bei's expression was unusual, he assumed that Liu Bei was holding a grudge about being stopped earlier.
He quickly said, "Brother Xuande, Xu Rong is just stubborn. He only respects military orders and not people. He stopped you just now, so please don't take it to heart."
"If you want to choose personal guards, I'll pick ten of the best fighters for you, each one capable of taking on ten men, to ensure your safety."
"No, no, no!"
Liu Bei quickly waved his hand, his eyes full of smiles, "Brother Gongji, you misunderstand. I not only don't blame you, but I also greatly admire this person's manners."
"He's the first bodyguard I'll choose!"