Moma Liangshan

Chapter 216 On the way back to camp, King Liang invited him to a new...

Wang Hao was always strict in recruiting soldiers, but his "two-in-one" method inevitably seemed inhumane. Lin Chong pondered for a moment and said, "It's true that quality over quantity is important in warfare, but selecting the best is already sufficient to ensure that all recruits are brave and fierce. If half are eliminated after a month of training, isn't that too harsh?" Wang Hao understood Lin Chong's concerns and explained, "Simply having strong troops and horses isn't enough to create a truly powerful army. Ten years of rigorous training, the baptism of blood and flesh on the battlefield, and unwavering fighting spirit are the fundamental guarantees. Recruiting soldiers in Liao is not simply about defending the country. Under such circumstances, lowering the selection standards will only send those who are unqualified to hell!"

In Lin Chong's mind, "the more soldiers on the battlefield, the better," but Wang Hao did not want to maintain an excessively large military force. Although Lin Chong had doubts, he did not forcefully disobey Wang Hao's request, saying, "This humble general will strictly control the situation and not allow a single incompetent person to infiltrate the Hungry Wolf Legion." Wang Hao nodded slightly and said, "For a long time to come, you will remain in Liao. I will give you a month's leave every year, allowing you to return to Jiaozhou to reunite with your wife and children." Lin Chong found Wang Hao's military order very novel and said, "This humble general will fight for you on the battlefield, and I am prepared to die on the battlefield. I dare not be sentimental!" Wang Hao shook his head and smiled, saying, "This is not a special privilege for you alone; all the soldiers in Jiaozhou will enjoy this right!" In the Song Dynasty, military officers had low status, and even the system of "tattooing and conscription" was invented to prevent soldiers from deserting. Compared to this, the rule set by Wang Hao was naturally much more lenient.

With recruitment imminent, Lin Chong asked again, "May I ask what the specific criteria are for recruiting soldiers for the Liao Kingdom?" Wang Hao replied, "You and Yang Zhi can discuss and formulate them, and then I will approve them!" Lin Chong replied, "Yes, sir!"

Wang Hao's carriage was traveling through the streets of the capital when it was suddenly stopped by a group of guards. Lin Chong was startled, drew his sword, and stepped forward, asking, "Who goes there?" The leader simply replied, "My lord requests your presence!" Wang Hao frowned slightly and asked, "Which lord is it?" The leader answered, "His Highness Prince Liang!" Seeing that the other party's posture left him no room for negotiation, Wang Hao said, "General, lead the way!" Prince Liang's residence was very close; it would only take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. When Wang Hao stepped down from the carriage, he saw a man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old standing at the gate, surrounded by six Liao soldiers in full armor. Wang Hao looked up at the man and asked, "Are you His Highness Prince Liang?" The man had a kind face and said, "I am indeed Prince Liang, Yelü Yali!" He then continued, "Please forgive my abrupt invitation to the Duke of Bohai!" Wang Hao didn't mind; after all, one has to bow one's head when under someone's roof. He said, "May I ask what Your Highness has summoned me for?" Prince Liang smiled slightly and said, "I have prepared fragrant tea in my residence. Please, Duke of Bohai, come in for a chat!" Wang Hao first looked at Lin Chong and then said, "Then I will humbly accept your invitation!"

The Liang Prince's residence was far more magnificent than the Shu Princess's residence, and its guards were also far more imposing. Upon entering the reception hall, Prince Liang, Yelü Yali, said, "Please sit, Duke of Bohai!" Wang Hao didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly. Lin Chong, still standing guard beside him with his sword, said, "Your Highness, if you have any orders, please speak freely!" Yelü Yali rose and lifted a black cloth from the table, revealing a simple yet sharp horizontal sword. He said, "I would like to request that the Duke of Bohai forge five thousand such swords for me!" Wang Hao then rose, picked up the sword with both hands, and felt its heavy weight. He said, "This sword, apart from its weight, seems to have no special features!" Yelü Yali nodded and said, "The greatest advantage of this sword is its sturdiness and durability, and it is most suitable for the 'one force overcomes all techniques' approach!" Lin Chong suddenly spoke up, saying, "Young Master, may I have a look?" Wang Hao looked at Yelü Yali and said, "The sword belongs to the Liang Prince, so naturally you should ask the Liang Prince!"

Yelü Yali said, "Of course!" Lin Chong took the sword, examined it for a moment, and said, "This sword weighs seven to eight jin. It can be wielded with both hands, and can be used for chopping, slashing, and stabbing. It can penetrate armor and can be repeatedly sharpened for multiple uses!" Wang Hao was a little puzzled and said, "As far as I know, the optimal weight for a short sword is three to five jin. This sword weighs seven or eight jin, which will not only affect the soldiers' attack speed but also consume more of their stamina!" The characteristics of this sword were not what Wang Hao was really concerned about. Why had the Prince of Liang found him and asked him to customize a weapon for him, and why was he not deliberately concealing his whereabouts? It seemed to be done openly and legitimately. After a slight hesitation, he continued, "His Highness the Prince of Liang asked for five thousand swords. Without the Emperor's permission, I would not dare to take this order!"

Prince Liang, Yelü Yali, asked, "Does the Duke of Bohai know who the commander of the Iron Forest Army is?" Wang Hao, surprised, replied, "Could it be His Highness Prince Liang?" Yelü Yali nodded, saying, "It is indeed I!" Wang Hao frowned slightly, thinking, "Prince Jin, Yelü Aoluwo, and Prince Qin, Yelü, are certainly strong contenders for the Khitan throne, but neither of them directly controls military power. Why is it that the relatively unknown Prince Liang commands the most elite troops under Emperor Tianzuo?" Yelü Yali seemed to sense Wang Hao's confusion and asked, "Is the Duke of Bohai curious as to why I am the commander of the Iron Forest Army?" Wang Hao remained silent, only nodding slightly. Yelü Yali continued, "If I were to tell you, twenty years ago my father intended to make me crown prince, but unfortunately, my mother died young, and my uncles had no power, so he had to abandon the plan. After I came of age, my father bestowed upon me the title of Prince Liang, placing me in charge of the Imperial Guard!"

If the princess of Shu was Emperor Tianzuo's most beloved daughter, then Prince Yelü Yali of Liang was undoubtedly Emperor Tianzuo's most valued son. However, Prince Yelü Yali of Liang was also the loneliest among all the princes and princesses, because he had neither brothers nor sisters from the same mother, nor close aunts or uncles. His current status was entirely due to Emperor Tianzuo's support and his own efforts. The situation in the Liao Kingdom was no less complex than that in the Song Kingdom. Wang Hao sighed and said, "Your Highness, why did you choose such a simple and unadorned sword when you are in charge of the Imperial Guard?" The King of Liang replied, "I used to think that weapons must be sharp and light, but after leading troops into battle, I realized that weapons must be sturdy and durable. Otherwise, if more than half of them are lost in a battle, we will not be able to continue fighting!" As he finished speaking, he seemed to notice the Miao sword at Lin Chong's waist and said, "May I have a look at all of your precious swords, General?" Lin Chong looked at Wang Hao, who nodded and said, "Of course!" The King of Liang took the Miao sword, slowly drew it, and saw a sharp, cold light and a murderous aura. As a military general, how could he not love a fine sword? King Liang was full of surprise, admiring it for a long time, but then sheathed it and said, "General Lin's sword is almost perfect, but the Iron Forest Army cannot handle it!" Wang Hao asked, "Why?" King Liang sighed slightly and said, "An inch longer, an inch stronger. General Lin's sword is powerful and light to the touch, truly a weapon of slaughter. However, the longer the blade, the easier it is to wear out, and the narrower the blade, the more difficult it is to repair. Therefore, the Iron Forest Army cannot handle it!"