NOVEL NEXT Ch. 21
Chapter 21: Recruiting Talents
After Qin Wei left at ease, Jiang Zhaoming began his daily cultivation.
When he finished cultivating, he started to ponder over one thing.
How could he make the Wonder · Moon-Howling Wolf Den reasonably appear in this world?
After a long while, he thought of a solution—he placed the Moon-Howling Wolf Den at the border between Kuqa County and Luntai County.
That region lay at the junction of the two counties, adjacent to the Tianwu Plateau.
It had a tremendous difference in elevation and was sparsely inhabited.
Having a wolf demon’s den appear there seemed very reasonable.
After placing the den, Jiang Zhaoming changed into plain clothes and planned to go out for some matters.
In the outskirts of Kuqa City at dawn, hundreds of soldiers were drenched in sweat, rebuilding their homes amidst the ruins of collapsed houses.
Jiang Zhaoming, dressed in a simple long robe with only an inconspicuous jade pendant at his waist, walked slowly across the dusty construction site.
“Be careful! That beam is falling!”
A startled cry rang out.
Jiang Zhaoming looked over and saw a youth of about fifteen or sixteen nimbly leaping onto the wooden frame, supporting the swaying beam with one hand.
The sunlight shone on his sweat-soaked back, forming a faint halo.
“His agility isn’t bad.”
Jiang Zhaoming praised silently, about to step forward, when a bearded captain stopped him.
“This young master, the site is dangerous—please stay back.” The captain cupped his fists respectfully; though his tone was polite, it allowed no refusal.
Jiang Zhaoming paused slightly, then smiled.
“You don’t recognize me?”
The captain squinted, studying him carefully.
Suddenly, his gaze caught sight of the faint dragon pattern by Jiang Zhaoming’s waist, and his expression changed drastically.
“This humble one greets Your Highness!”
The shout drew the surrounding soldiers to their knees one after another.
Only that young man remained focused on his task.
It was only when he heard the chorus of “Greetings to Your Highness” that he turned around in a panic and hurriedly saluted.
“Rise.”
Jiang Zhaoming raised his hand, signaling everyone to continue their work.
His gaze, however, fell on the beam before the young man.
“Did you carve these patterns?”
The youth rubbed the calluses in his palms nervously.
“Replying to Your Highness, this humble one carved them casually.”
“Casually?”
Jiang Zhaoming stroked the exquisite cloud motifs on the beam.
“Such craftsmanship is rare even in the royal mansion. What is your name?”
“Guo Tiesheng.”
“Would you be willing to enter the royal mansion as an artisan?”
The boy jerked his head up, disbelief written all over his dark face.
The captain stomped his foot anxiously.
“You fool, hurry and thank His Majesty!”
“This humble one… this humble one is willing!” Guo Tiesheng knelt with a thud, pressing his forehead into the dust.
Jiang Zhaoming helped him up.
“Report to the Prefecture Army Office.”
Guo Tiesheng bowed repeatedly, watching Jiang Zhaoming leave.
Not long after Jiang Zhaoming departed, he arrived at the shanty district on the city outskirts.
Several porridge distribution points were scattered throughout the shanty area.
Jiang Zhaoming went from one to another, inspecting them in turn.
Soon, he spotted a thin, frail boy standing in one of the lines.
“Greetings to Your Highness.”
As Jiang Zhaoming approached one of the porridge sheds, a Prefecture Army soldier quickly came forward to salute.
Jiang Zhaoming waved his hand lightly, signaling him to continue his work and not to mind him.
Even so, news of his presence spread quickly, stirring quite a commotion.
Countless disaster-stricken commoners of Kuqa watched this new Prince of Anxi with eyes full of reverence.
Jiang Zhaoming observed for a long time.
When the frail boy was about to reach the front of the line, he turned to a nearby Centurion and said:
“There are so many refugees from Kuqa. In the future, there may not be enough work for all. Why not recruit some young men into the army?”
The Centurion glanced around, then pointed at himself in surprise.
“Your Highness is asking me?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
“Your Highness’s concern for the people of Kuqa is a great act of benevolence…”
Jiang Zhaoming waved his hand, cutting off the flattery, and instructed them to start recruiting soldiers there.
The thin youth, whose fortune shone blue, received his porridge, glanced at the crowded recruitment site, and cautiously approached to take a look.
However, he stood before the sign-up book for a long time before turning away.
As the sun set, the shanty district was bathed in a dim, golden hue.
From afar, Jiang Zhaoming watched the thin boy’s departing figure, his brows furrowed slightly.
“Your Highness, shall I have someone bring him back?”
Seeing Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze fixed on the boy, his personal guard Xu Xian asked softly.
Jiang Zhaoming shook his head and said calmly, “No need. Send someone to follow him—see why he refused.”
“Yes.”
Xu Xian obeyed quietly, tailing the youth.
Inside a shack.
The boy pushed the door open.
The interior was dark and damp.
“Grandma, I’m back.”
He spoke softly, carefully placing the porridge on the table.
The elderly woman coughed twice and slowly sat up.
“Little Stone, why are you back so late today?”
The boy whispered, “Your Highness came today. He even set up a recruitment station by the porridge shed. Many went to sign up.”
The old woman’s cloudy eyes brightened slightly.
“And you? Did you sign up?”
Little Stone fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.
“I… I didn’t.”
“Why?” The old woman frowned.
Little Stone clenched his fists and said quietly, “Grandma, if I join the army, what about you? You’re not well—who will take care of you?”
The old woman’s eyes reddened slightly, but she soon straightened her face.
“Foolish child! These old bones of mine won’t fall apart so easily. But if you miss this recruitment, what will you do in the future?”
Little Stone bit his lip stubbornly and said nothing.
Seeing this, the old woman suddenly began to cough violently.
Little Stone rushed forward to support her, but she grabbed his hand tightly.
“Little Stone, your grandma has no other wish—only that you live a good life. This recruitment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Little Stone’s eyes reddened.
Finally, he whispered, “Alright… I’ll go.”
Xu Xian, hidden in the shadows, quietly listened to the conversation inside.
His expression gradually softened.
“So that’s the reason…”
He murmured to himself and vanished.
Soon after, when Jiang Zhaoming heard the report, he nodded in understanding.
He thought for a moment, then said to the Kuqa Army general beside him:
“Pass down an order—create a ‘Military Family Settlement Camp’ under the Kuqa Army’s reserve division. Any recruit with elderly family members unable to care for themselves shall have them provided for by the government.”
The general froze for a moment, then cupped his fists.
“Your Highness is merciful!”
Jiang Zhaoming smiled faintly.
“Also, there’s a youth named Shi Chuan. Keep an eye on him—but do not give him special treatment.”
“Yes!”
By dusk, at the recruitment site.
Little Stone stood in line, his expression uneasy.
He glanced back toward the shanty district, still worried, but recalling his grandmother’s insistence, he finally took the step forward.
Soon, it was his turn.
A physician came over, examining his bones carefully, and his eyes lit up.
“Excellent bone structure—a fine seedling for martial arts!”
Pointing toward the registration desk, the physician said, “Go there to register.”
With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, the boy approached the desk.
The registrar looked up at him.
“Name?”
“Shi Chuan.”
The registrar nodded, wrote his name on the roster, and handed him a wooden tag.
“Report to the western training ground at chen hour tomorrow. Do you have any elderly at home needing care?”
Shi Chuan was startled.
The registrar immediately explained the arrangement for the Military Family Settlement Camp.
Shi Chuan’s face instantly lit up with joy.