Chapter Thirty: Recruiting Soldiers Once More

Zhou Hao smiled mysteriously.

"General, are you familiar with the story of paying a thousand gold pieces for a horse's bones?"

"An emperor once sought a steed capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. Upon hearing of one, he sent a minister with a thousand gold pieces to purchase it. By the time the minister arrived, the horse had died, but he still spent the gold to buy its bones."

Zhou Hao paused here.

"As the world soon learned, if the emperor was willing to pay a thousand gold pieces for the bones of such a horse, what would he pay for a living one?"

As his voice trailed off, the General’s smile blossomed like a chrysanthemum.

"My virtuous son-in-law, do you mean these disabled soldiers are the horse's bones?"

Zhou Hao nodded, then shook his head.

"Yes and no. They cannot lure a thousand-mile steed on their own, but once I have built up my own forces, they will become a symbol."

"They represent the fact that I am willing to take these disabled soldiers in and care for them well, ensuring that even if you lose a leg on the battlefield, you can still live a good life."

"These disabled soldiers are a banner, a flag that inspires the entire army."

The General’s smile suddenly froze. It seemed his son-in-law had grand ambitions and had already considered things so far ahead.

"Virtuous son-in-law, your idea is both novel and ruthless."

The General raised his wine cup and drank with Zhou Hao. In warfare, only an army with a resolute heart, free from cowardice, can hold a massive advantage. This banner alone could bolster the courage of every soldier, perhaps even encouraging enemy captives to join their ranks.

Did the Emperor not understand this principle? Of course he did—he knew far more than Zhou Hao. But it was too expensive. To properly care for a disabled soldier required a vast fortune. The General admired Zhou Hao for this, yet a doubt surfaced in his mind. Where would Zhou Hao find the silver to support these soldiers? This was a banner, but if the flagpole snapped, the entire army would collapse even faster than if the banner had never existed. Where did he find the courage to make such a decision?

The General did not ask; he simply knew that Zhou Hao would find a way.

...

Time flew by, and a week passed in the blink of an eye. Li Tie’s health had largely recovered.

"Your Highness, I can walk now; you need not prepare a carriage for me."

Li Tie knelt on one knee, his head bowed, eyes filled with gratitude. The First Prince was truly a kind man. Upon hearing that Li Tie intended to persuade his former comrades, the Prince had not only provided him with fine clothes but even arranged a carriage equipped with a hundred taels of silver. He had never enjoyed such treatment even while serving in the army, yet now, disabled as he was, he was receiving such care.

"Listen to me, once you step out of this mansion, you represent me," Zhou Hao said, looking Li Tie up and down with a satisfied smile. "If you aren't dressed well, how many people would be willing to come work for my household? If you wore those rags, that would be the true insult to me."

Dressed in his new attire, Li Tie looked quite dignified. It was true that clothes make the man. Zhou Hao patted his shoulder with a smile.

"Good. Since you are ready, I won't say more. Just do your best; the result is not what matters most."

Li Tie nodded firmly, boarded the carriage, and slowly departed the First Prince’s mansion.

"Is Young Master Zhou not going with him?" Bi Ruxue asked curiously from the side. She had moved into the First Prince’s mansion three days ago, ignoring all the idle gossip.

Zhou Hao smiled. "If I went, the effect wouldn't be as good as Li Tie going alone. In truth, it would be most effective if he took his family, but that would look too much like refugees fleeing."

The carriage moved quickly. Even though it circled half the imperial city, it felt like no time at all before Li Tie arrived at a dilapidated small courtyard.

"Old Zhang! Are you still alive?" Li Tie called out, knocking on the door without ceremony.

"Hm? Old Li? Why are you here?" A burly man pushed open the door and stared at him. At first, he didn't dare to recognize him. Was this really Li Tie? "Who... who are you?"

Li Tie chuckled. "Old Zhang, you don't even recognize me? It’s me, Old Li. Don't play dumb."

The man looked him over several times before it clicked. It really was Li Tie. Could he have found a way to make a fortune and come to him for a partnership?

"It really is you! Come in, come in! You look like you've struck it rich. What great fortune have you stumbled upon?"

Li Tie smiled mysteriously and stepped into the courtyard. It was slightly better than his own, but not by much. While the furniture was complete, it was covered in nicks and scratches, showing its age, and the house itself was gray and dusty, with the thatch on the roof nearly falling off.

"How did you end up in such a state?" Li Tie asked, looking around with confusion. If he remembered correctly, this colleague had only lost an eye and three fingers. He should be better off than a one-armed cripple like himself, so why was he in such dire straits?

"Sigh, you don't know. My son has fallen ill, and he’s been sickly for three or four years now with no sign of improvement. The cost of seeing doctors has drained everything I have." The man sighed, his expression filled with pain. If things continued this way, he didn't know what the future held.

Li Tie’s eyes flashed with excitement. "Don't worry, I have a great opportunity. If you seize it, your family's troubles will be a thing of the past." He became more serious. "Zhang Li, look at me. How do I look?"

Zhang Li was taken aback by the use of his full name, then observed Li Tie. Fed on rich food for the past few days, Li Tie had visibly put on some weight, and his face was glowing. Though his face was still lined with wrinkles, it was clear he hadn't been suffering lately. Not to mention the fabric of his clothes—Zhang Li couldn't even identify the material.

"You look great, of course. Have you found a way to get rich?"

Li Tie nodded. "Indeed, a fantastic one. Did you know the First Prince’s mansion is recruiting disabled soldiers? As long as you are willing to go, they guarantee you food and clothing, and they will even find someone to treat your son’s illness."

Zhang Li’s face lit up with ecstasy, his excitement clear. "Is this true?"

No wonder Li Tie’s clothes looked so expensive; he was serving the First Prince’s mansion.