Cai Sheng was a rough-and-tumble folk hero who had few connections with the officials in Changsha County. In addition, Liu Jing worked for him privately, so there were no setbacks in the entire recruiting process.
Soon, Zhang Xian summoned Cai Sheng into the county government, worked hard to win over him, and worshiped him as a commander of another department. The next step was to set up a battalion school. Cai Sheng and Ma Zhou were both outstanding knights, but they had a fatal problem.
Disadvantage: illiterate.
In the history of the Three Kingdoms, there were many illiterate generals, such as Wang Ping of the Shu Han Dynasty, who "grew up in the army, could not write with his hands, and could not read more than a cross." In the end, he became a famous general.
But this is just a special case after all. Liu Jing cannot expect Cai Sheng or Ma Zhou to be able to match Wang Ping. What's more, everything is difficult at the beginning. With their current abilities, they may not be able to cope with it. At this time, they urgently need an experienced person.
Someone stood by to help the two of them.
Liu Jing had such a candidate in his mind. He was also a descendant of the Liu family in Longqiu. His name was Liu Xiu, and his courtesy name was Yuande. He was forty years old. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Zhongping, he went with the state as a Sima to conquer the Nanyang Yellow Turban bandits.
, one of the few people from the Liu family in Longqiu who devoted himself to the military.
Now Liu Xiu is engaged in farming at home. The reason why he quit the army is that during the battle with the Yellow Turban Moth Thieves, his right arm was cut off by the opponent's warrior and became disabled.
If it weren't for this reason, in the past ten years, even if he survived, he would still have been able to become a captain and a lieutenant.
It is also for this reason that Liu Zong was previously worshiped as Sima of the other tribes. When recruiting Kundi of the clan, he was not recruited.
This person was an indispensable part of Liu Jing's plan. In order to show his sincerity, Xiu paid a visit in person with generous gifts during his holiday.
Although Liu Xiu became disabled, he was originally from a middle-class family. There were fields, mulberry trees, guests and servants at home, and his life was better than that of Liu Jing's family. His family's mansion also had two fronts, but it was far larger in size.
Not as good as Liu Jingjia.
Liu Xiu seemed very surprised by Liu Jing's arrival. The two of them had rarely met each other, and they didn't know why the other came.
Liu Jing was the new generation leader of the Liu family in Longqiu, so Liu Xiu naturally welcomed him and invited him into the back hall.
After Liu Jing sat down, he presented the gift and chatted with Liu Xiu. The latter was about the same height as him, about seven feet five or six inches, with a strong build, simple appearance, a peaceful look, and bright eyes.
Liu Xiu was very concerned about his broken arm. Every day, whether he went out or not, he would wrap cloth around a wooden prong to act as a prosthetic limb. People who didn't know the details would not notice the abnormality at all.
During the conversation between the two, Liu Jing tried not to look at his right arm. After a brief exchange of greetings, he first bowed to Liu Xiu solemnly, and then said with a sincere face: "I came here today because I actually have something to ask for.
"
Liu Xiu couldn't hide his surprise when he heard this. How could he, a useless person, help Liu Jing? He said, "If Zhongda has anything to do, you might as well tell him directly. I will not shirk the responsibility if I can do it."
Liu Jing said calmly: "Brother Cong should know that Liu Bosi was worshiped as Sima of another department by Lord Zhang."
Liu Xiu nodded, everyone in the Longqiu Liu family knew about this, and many Kun brothers from the clan had joined their ranks.
The world has changed now, and this kind of thing would never have happened more than ten years ago.
"Recently, Cai Hongchao was also appointed as Sima of another department." Liu Jing confided the truth to him: "Brother Cong may not know something, but I am planning this for him behind the scenes."
Liu Xiu was greatly surprised and vaguely guessed his purpose: "What does Zhongda mean...?"
Liu Jing smiled and said: "Cai Hongchao's swordsmanship is unparalleled. If he fights alone, it will be difficult to find an opponent in Changsha. But if he recruits soldiers and horses and leads a battalion, it will be beyond his capabilities. Brother Cong has served in the army for many years and has rich experience.
, so I came here today to ask Brother Cong to come out and assist Cai Hongchao..."
Liu Xiu was silent for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint Zhongda. I didn't mean to shirk the responsibility and didn't want to help. Zhongda also knows that I am disabled and have been idle for many years. Now I can no longer bear the fatigue of the army."
.”
"If Brother Cong is worried about this, there is no need." Liu Jing looked directly at Liu Xiu and asked bluntly: "I would venture to ask, does Brother Cong still have ambitions in the military?"
Liu Xiu was very entangled in his heart. He almost wanted to speak, but couldn't say a word.
Liu Jing immediately understood his intention and said: "It's better than this. Brother Cong will help Cai Hongchao organize his troops for the time being. After that, whether to stay or go, it will be up to my brother's will."
"This..." Liu Xiu frowned and subconsciously stroked his right sleeve with his left hand. How could he, a useless person, subdue the soldiers? If he became the laughing stock of the soldiers...
Liu Jing knew how difficult it was for Liu Xiu to take this step. He bowed deeply and said, "This matter is very important to me. I hope Brother Cong can help me."
Liu Xiu secretly sighed, lifted Liu Jing up with one arm, and said: "Zhongda, please rise. Zhongda would not take advantage of my broken body to come to the door with heavy gifts and sincere words. The courtesy has come so far. How can I refuse it again and again?"
?”
Liu Jing smiled happily and said, "I need help from my brother, so I can sit back and relax."
Liu Xiu smiled bitterly and shook his head, puzzled: "I feel very uneasy now, for fear of betraying Zhongda's trust. Why is Zhongda so confident in me?"
Liu Jing complimented: "Brother Cong knows the art of war. This alone makes him a step ahead of others. With my brother Cong's ability, I can train those street knights and country fools with ease."
Liu Xiu stroked his beard, and his words were indeed correct. He nodded and said: "Although I have retired from the army and stayed at home in these years, I have never given up the art of war. I read "Sun", "Wu" and "Sima" non-stop morning and night."
Liu Jing praised: "It's not surprising to have a few people who are eager to learn, but it's most rare to be long and eager to learn."
Liu Xiu laughed and said: "If Zhongda keeps boasting, I will think that I am the reincarnation of Han Xin."
The two looked at each other and laughed together.
If Liu Jing wanted to control the entire army, Liu Xiu alone would definitely not be enough. However, Liu Zong had almost wiped out all the people from the Liu family in Longqiu who were interested in joining the army. Liu Jing really had no candidates in his mind, so he asked Liu Xiu for advice.
Liu Xiu thought for a long time and recommended three people to Liu Jing. They were not very capable, but they were much better than the city rangers and country fools. At the same time, he said that the guests in his family had fought alongside him in the past, and they were equally worthy.
use.
Liu Jing breathed a sigh of relief and sat there for a long time. The two chatted happily. When Liu Jing left, Liu Xiu walked him to the door.
The next day, Liu Jing took Cai Sheng and Ma Zhou to Liu Xiu's house and formally extended an invitation to him. This was to show that he valued him, and to show Cai Sheng and Ma Zhou. Both of them were street knights.
Like Liu Jing, who is used to fighting bravely and fiercely, he may not be convinced by the disabled Liu Xiu in his heart. The more respect Liu Jing shows to Liu Xiu, the more peaceful the two of them will be.