Chapter Eight: One Cannot Grow Rich Without Windfalls

Lin Feng gritted his teeth and asked, "How much do you want?"

Lin Shize counted on his fingers and said, "There are eight people in total. Rounding up, that's ten. Five taels of silver per person makes fifty taels."

"Then, I’ll give you a discount of 1.7534 percent... let’s just call it eighty taels."

Lin Feng nearly coughed up blood upon hearing this. What kind of accounting was this? A discount that increased the price? But he had no choice. If he didn't bring these men back, who would be willing to risk their lives for him in the future?

Lin Feng unhooked the money pouch from his waist, tossed it to Steward Lin, and waved his hand for the steward to go over. The two sides exchanged money for men, and Lin Feng led his group away without looking back.

Lin Shize shook the money pouch in his hand and said, "Old Liu, notify the brothers to gather. I have something to say."

By noon, when everyone had returned, they found that Lin Shize had prepared a pot of brown rice, stewed two wild pheasants, and added wild vegetables—a rare treat. Lin Shize invited everyone to eat.

"I’m announcing something today: I intend to recruit soldiers. You handle this; my only standard is the more, the better."

"I don't care if they are notorious bandits and bullies, or swindling rogues and beggars. As long as they can fight, I want them."

"If you recruit ten men, you become a squad leader. Fifty men, a platoon leader. A hundred men, a company commander, and I’ll serve under you as a private."

*Clatter!*

Lin Shize dumped a pile of gleaming silver in front of everyone. "This silver is all yours. How far you go depends on your own efforts."

The sight of the silver on the table made everyone’s blood boil; they hadn't seen this much money in all their time at the border. Liu Wu was the first to react, smiling bitterly as he said, "Boss, we can't find people right now."

Lin Shize gave a mysterious smile. "How do you know there’s no one? I used to be a hunter myself. Let me tell you, the hunters in the deep mountains are the real masters of this land."

"If you want to find them, you will. There, I’ve given you the methods. I’ll tell you this: the men you recruit are yours to command. If any trouble arises later, I’m coming for you!"

"Yes, Boss!" The men’s eyes burned with fervor. This was the best opportunity for promotion and wealth they had seen in a long time, and everyone wanted to prove themselves.

After everyone left, Da Hu said, "Boss, we don't have enough food. We have less than three hundred catties left. If they bring more people back, it won't even last half a month."

Lin Shize replied, "I know. That’s why you need to handle one task, Da Hu. If you succeed, the brothers will have food to eat soon."

Facts proved Lin Shize right. Generous rewards attract brave men; in less than five days, Liu Wu and the others brought back over fifty people. Lin Shize kept his word and began awarding merits on the spot. Liu Wu, having brought back over twenty men, was promoted to platoon leader, overseeing the fifty recruits under Lin Shize.

Zhao Tai was promoted to squad leader. Most surprising was Gou Dan, who had actually brought back over ten men, earning him a squad leader position as well. Zhou Kai and Zheng Yi, who arrived later from other beacon towers, also brought back seven or eight men each and were made squad leaders. The others were given small rewards for their lesser efforts.

Lin Shize began unified training, starting with the most important lesson: absolute obedience. War often meant death, and getting someone to risk their lives based on orders was a difficult task. Lin Shize knew this couldn't be rushed; for now, these men were only fighting for a meal.

No one understood why Lin Shize insisted on such training, as it wasted energy and consumed precious food. With the warehouse nearly empty, everyone was as anxious as ants on a hot pan. Liu Wu repeatedly suggested stopping the training, only to be scolded roundly by Lin Shize.

When a few men discussed going to local villages to raid for food—as had been the custom during past shortages—Liu Wu sneered at them. "The boss explicitly forbade anyone from harming the common people. Did you forget? If you dare defy his orders, don't blame me for turning against you!"

Both men lowered their heads and fell silent. Just as everyone’s anxiety reached a peak, Lin Shize and Da Hu burst into the camp late that night, shouting, "Everyone, put on your armor, grab your weapons, and assemble immediately!"

Though puzzled, the days of training had turned obedience into habit. They were fully equipped in moments. After confirming everyone was ready, Lin Shize left Gou Dan’s squad to guard the beacon tower, and the rest vanished into the moonlight.

At a hidden mountain pass, dozens of torches flickered in the distance. Lin Shize wore a cold smirk. He had assigned Da Hu to keep a constant watch on the Lin estate, and today at noon, the steward had reported that Lin Feng was planning to trade with the Mengla people here. Lin Shize had decided to rob the robbers.

He arranged for Zhao Tai, Zhou Kai, and Zheng Yi to lead squads to encircle the enemy. He and Liu Wu crept forward with twenty men. In the clearing ahead, six or seven carriages were gathered, surrounded by dozens of men. Lin Shize squinted; the men in sheepskin coats on the other side were clearly Mengla, led by a figure in iron armor.

Lin Shize did not hesitate and roared, "Attack!"

Liu Wu was no longer the man who turned pale at the sight of iron armor. Following the order, he commanded his men to loose their arrows. As the attack began, the other three sides joined in, creating a torrential rain of arrows. Many of the new recruits were hunters; they brought their own bows and possessed excellent aim.

Over half of the dozens of men in the clearing were killed in the first three volleys. The survivors scrambled in panic. Lin Shize drew his bow and fired three consecutive shots directly at the armored leader, who fell dead instantly.

Lin Shize ordered his men to focus fire on the Mengla. These recruits were inexperienced, and while they could fire from cover, a direct melee with the Mengla would lead to heavy losses. The Mengla realized they were ambushed and tried to retreat, but arrows showered them from all sides. The Lin estate guards ran like terrified beasts, throwing the Mengla’s formation into chaos.

Once the arrows were spent, Lin Shize drew his saber and charged. Liu Wu and the others followed, and the encirclement tightened, leaving almost no one alive in the clearing.

Lin Shize ordered, "Finish off anyone still breathing!"

The battle ended quickly. Lin Shize had faced almost no real resistance. The ground, the corpses, and the carriages were bristling with arrows like a field of wheat.

"Boss! We’re rich!" Liu Wu shouted in joy.

Lin Shize walked over and smiled. The Mengla had brought a chest full of gold and jewels, but that wasn't all—the carriages were loaded with iron tools, salt, military supplies, and grain. They had struck it rich.