Chapter 742: I Advise You to Be Cultured |
Simply put, those who fled south only wanted to preserve their lives. And Wu Gun Lin was their only option.
At one point, all the resources of the Song Kingdom began to flow south. And there wasn't enough provisions for everyone.
Though Wu Gun Lin had seized a good amount of provisions from Luo Zhao, the number of arrivals was immense. To save their lives, people offered whatever means they possessed, be it valuables or provisions. Naturally, those who offered more received a corresponding official rank. However, he didn't have enough provisions for everyone.
What to do? For Wu Gun Lin, this was no problem at all! He had already deceived everyone.
And as he said, "I have already given you shelter and safety. You can calmly seek out your own means of sustenance. If you wish, hunt in the mountains; if you wish, pluck grass; if you wish, eat tree roots. Do as you please."
"Do as you please! Those who are of age may join the ranks of the army. They will receive provisions!"
"For those with daughters in their families, you may give them as wives to my warriors. Each warrior receives provisions and can also support a family! It can be said that any family who gives a daughter in marriage will survive."
In the face of survival, etiquette simply couldn't stand its ground!
And at this time, it was unknown how many people voluntarily offered their daughters to the rebellious Cangzhou army.
Inside the city, within the military camp, Wu Gun Lin emerged from his quarters with his commanders. He was heading towards the training ground.
On the way, a bodyguard approached him, delivering a message. And just as the bodyguard was about to leave, Wu Gun Lin called out, "Skinny Monkey, don't rush off. Come here."
The so-called *Skinny Monkey* immediately approached and awaited instructions.
Wu Gun Lin gave him an appraising look and asked, "I heard you, young fellow, took two wives. Is that true?"
Skinny Monkey replied with a laugh, "I followed the General's instructions. I'm saving the common folk. They themselves begged me to take them. I couldn't refuse."
"Don't spout nonsense. Most likely, they were beauties!" Wu Gun Lin tapped his chest. "Looking at you, I ask myself. Can you handle two?"
The disciples of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine standing around them glared disapprovingly at him. This scoundrel was speaking inappropriately. Hui Qing Ping, standing nearby, quirked her lips. But she had already begun to gradually get used to it. She would have been surprised if Wu Gun Lin had started speaking politely.
Skinny Monkey puffed out his chest and declared, "No problem!"
Wu Gun Lin: "Alright, good. Then what about the important matter? Go on, scram. And pay attention to your family!"
"No problem!" Skinny Monkey vouched loudly.
"Scram!" Wu Gun Lin yelled.
Skinny Monkey drew in his neck and quickly departed.
General Jin Xiang's aide reminded him, "General, decisive battles are upon us. Is it wise for our brothers to be taking wives now?"
Wu Gun Lin looked at him but didn't reply. He continued towards the training ground.
At the training ground, soldiers had already gathered. Wu Gun Lin ascended the platform and walked around it twice. Then he loudly declared, "Everyone has gathered here to discuss an important matter. What matter? The matter of our brothers' weddings."
"Hahahaha..."
"Hehheheheh..."
Below, everyone started to laugh.
Wu Gun Lin pointed at Jin Xiang: "Just now, he asked me. 'Is it wise for you all to marry before battle?' What do you think?"
Below, the warriors fell silent and began to exchange glances. They didn't know how best to answer.
Wu Gun Lin: "Truth be told, I also think now isn't the best time. Battle is more important! So why did I do this? Back then, I told my brothers that after Cangzhou, we would have a better life. But in the end, I, Wu Gun Lin, proved helpless. I couldn't secure my brothers' future. And I dragged all your families into this. That's why my brothers are now without families!" His eyes reddened, and he beat his chest, shouting, "It is I, Wu Gun Lin, who has wronged you all. I ruined your future!"
At these words, many warriors felt uneasy. Many had red eyes, and some began to sigh heavily. How many families had been shattered by the conflagration of war.
"Therefore, no matter what, no matter how difficult it becomes, I, Wu Gun Lin, must account for myself to my brothers no matter the cost. That is why I want to offer my brothers a chance to establish new families."
Hui Qing Ping looked at him in surprise.
"It's good to have a family. Therefore, I will give 10 gold coins to every warrior who has taken a wife. However, we must not turn a good deed into a bad one. I've heard that some have taken one wife, some 2, 3, 4. Of course, if you are capable, please do. I will only congratulate you and be happy for my brothers. Just don't let this harm yourselves!"
"Important battles are imminent. And women in bed drain one's strength. Will you then be able to lift your swords and mount your horses? Will you be able to return afterwards? If you lose the battles, a bed with a beauty will only be a dream. Don't let it come to that! Even Skinny Monkey, with his physique, managed to take two wives. For what reason? Does he think enemies can be defeated by the sword's edge alone? Not by our strength? Brothers, you cannot go into battle weakened!"
"If we lose, where will we go then? We've begun to establish ourselves here, which means we must hold this land in our hands. Do we truly need to flee from here? Brothers, you yourselves must understand this. We cannot fail! Are my words clear to you?"
"Clear!" everyone responded in a roar.
"Good!" Wu Gun Lin nodded. "Since everyone understands, then laws have been established. We will announce the laws later, and if anyone violates them, don't blame me then!"
After they left the training ground, Wu Gun Lin convened a council. And he established laws. From then on, a common warrior could only take one wife. If one achieved certain merits, they could take a maximum of two wives.
And after everything settled down, everyone could take as many as they pleased.
After everything was decided, Wu Gun Lin reminded them, "Also, there's no need to cling to beauties right now. Once we're firmly established here, will it be difficult to find beauties for ourselves? There's no need to fight with your brothers over beauties now! In the current situation, whether she's beautiful or ugly isn't particularly important. The main thing is for our brothers and the common folk to be calm. Daughters from wealthy families, you must take them as wives! Today I issued an order for everyone to take one wife. But you can only take wives from wealthy families. Is that clear to everyone?"
One man said with a bitter smile, "General, who doesn't love beauties? What connection is there between taking an unattractive wife and calming the masses?"
Wu Gun Lin immediately replied, displeased, "Are you stupid or what? I'm saying we need to establish a base for ourselves. And how can we build a base here? The best way is to intermarry! It might not sound pleasant, but it's a reliable method. You will have kinship ties with wealthy families, and the lower ranks will have ties with common peasants. Later, whether the marriage is sincere or not, all of us will remain here. And that will become our strength. Isn't that right?"
After he explained everything, everyone was surprised. Not just Jin Xiang, even Hui Qing Ping pondered it. And she understood the scoundrel's true objective. Why he was marrying off his warriors to the locals.
Dan Dong Xing, standing nearby, shook his head again. He truly admired this fellow.
Wu Gun Lin, looking at everyone, continued to scold them, "Who do you take yourselves for? You're all uncouth, uneducated. In normal times, who would even glance at you? The wealthier the family, the broader their connections. And there are more capable and educated people within such families. Later, once we've established ourselves here, will we live by killing? We will need to rely on these people. Is that clear to you or not?"
"Can a beauty kill or manage affairs? At this time, you cannot miss such a good opportunity. You take one wife each. And you'll even be given a good dowry. Do you think I'm just speaking idly?"
One man said with a bitter smile, "General, what you say is true. It's all correct. But wealthy families have their own rules. You yourself said that the rich are unlikely to look favorably upon us. That's problematic!"
Wu Gun Lin's eyes bulged: "Is there piss in your head? At a time like this? During wartime? They are now plump fish on the chopping block! I will make you 'cultured,' and whether they like it or not, they will accept you. At this time, is 'culture' important? If they understand themselves, then you be more polite with them. If not, then what are your swords and warriors for? Threaten them! If you want to take wives, who will refuse you? I even *bedded* an elder of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine, and you've spent so much time with me. Have you learned nothing?"
"Wu Gun Lin, shut your dog's mouth!" Hui Qing Ping angrily snapped. She was still present, after all.
"I slipped, a slip of the tongue!" Wu Gun Lin immediately turned his head and, smiling, began to apologize, "Not 'bedded,' but 'taken as a wife.' My wife, don't be angry."
All the commanders burst into laughter.
The guardian-mentors of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine, however, looked at them strangely.
A slip of the tongue! Dan Dong Xing shook his head with a bitter smile.
He noticed that this fellow truly spoke directly and achieved what he said.
"What are you laughing at? I took a wife for the same reason you'll take daughters from wealthy families. Is that clear to you?" Wu Gun Lin started yelling at everyone again. And, banging on the table, he asked, "What about the warriors? How many men have we recruited?"
A commander reported, "We've already recruited a million men."
Wu Gun Lin mused, then slowly said, "When the rebellion in Cangzhou rose, we lost much. That disorganized mob also numbered in the millions. But they couldn't withstand the first blow. We now face a rare opportunity. Everyone must act as one. We need to train them. I don't need a disorganized mob in the upcoming battles. We need to lay a foundation here. This is our future capital!"
"Now is a convenient time. If you have free time, go and teach them. Direct them to skirmish with small detachments from the Song Kingdom. Temper them in battle! I'll speak some unpleasant truths. There are many people, and an opportunity has arisen to advance in service. Whoever has the ability will rise. If anyone sees someone rising, there's no need to glare at me with red eyes. Don't resent me for helping someone. Whichever squad fights better, that one deserves promotion!"
The Han Kingdom's forces were fighting the Song Kingdom in the north. Wu Gun Lin, meanwhile, was attending to his own affairs. This infuriated the Han Kingdom.
Wu Gun Lin, however, managed to sow discord between them. And he earned the support of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine. Now, only disciples of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine surrounded Wu Gun Lin. The Heavenly Maiden Doctrine began bargaining for their own profit.
At this time, the Unsurpassed Palace and the River Valley were held back by the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine. Wu Gun Lin seized the moment and began to build up his forces.
Wu Gun Lin could not afford to be ceremonial now. He first needed to accumulate strength, and then he could speak.