Everyone nodded upon hearing this, their eyes filled with anticipation.
The three commanderies of Yanmen were the Marquis's foundation, so they naturally needed to be developed as soon as possible.
Liu Jin's voice continued to resonate!
"This Marquis intends to recruit three thousand elite soldiers in Zhuo Commandery to accompany me to Yanmen."
"What do you all think?"
Upon hearing this, no one objected. After all, Liu Jin was also a Defender General of the Xiongnu. Although he didn't have explicit authority to expand his army, his power was still considerable.
Especially with control over three commanderies, each calculated to have five thousand soldiers.
As long as Liu Jin's army did not exceed twenty thousand, the court would tacitly allow it.
Coupled with the need to defend against the northern Xiongnu, Xianbei, and other tribes, a little maneuvering could also expand the troop numbers by conscripting militiamen.
This was the advantage of being stationed in a border region; military authority was more relaxed, and the court's oversight was not as strict.
Seeing everyone agree, Liu Jin immediately waved his hand.
He signaled Guan Yu, Wu Xing, and others to immediately go and recruit three thousand elite soldiers from Zhuo Commandery.
Many common people, upon learning that Liu Jin was recruiting soldiers, put down what they were doing and came to enlist.
Especially the Liu Clan of Zhuo Commandery, who came in droves to join the army.
In their hearts, Liu Jin was the leader of their Liu Clan in Zhuo Commandery. With him as their backing, they would surely receive some assistance in the army.
In a short time, the enlistees were endless. In just five days, three thousand elite soldiers had been fully recruited.
However, among these three thousand soldiers, the majority were from the Liu Clan. This was the power of kinship. After nearly four hundred years of inheritance, the Liu Clan had flourished throughout Zhuo Commandery, with countless members.
In the military camp outside the city, three thousand elite soldiers stood in neat order on the training ground.
Liu Jin, clad in a long robe with a sharp blade at his waist, stood on the high platform in the camp.
He looked at the three thousand soldiers before him, their faces all bearing resolute expressions. Among them were some familiar faces, all members of his own Liu Clan.
Although he hadn't spent much time with them, he could still call out some of their names.
After observing for a moment, he spoke in a clear voice!
"You are all sons of Zhuo Commandery, and many of you are even related to me by blood. I hope you will all bravely fight the enemy on the battlefield and not disgrace this Marquis."
Upon hearing this, the three thousand soldiers raised their sharp blades and shouted in unison!
"We will surely fight bravely and not disappoint the Marquis!"
Seeing the magnificent scene before him, Liu Jin nodded with satisfaction. He immediately ordered Guan Yu, Wu Xing, and other generals to thoroughly train these three thousand soldiers.
He glanced at a young man in the crowd, waved his hand, and summoned him over.
The young man, with a respectful expression, bowed and said!
"Greetings, Marquis."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, patting his shoulder as he said kindly!
"Zirong, your father once recommended me. Now that you've joined the army, I will certainly not mistreat you."
"Effective immediately, I appoint you as a six-hundred-stone Qu Junhou, commanding five hundred men."
The young man's face lit up upon hearing this, and his body trembled slightly. He quickly knelt on one knee and bowed, saying!
"Thank… thank you, Marquis, for the promotion. I am deeply grateful."
Liu Jin patted the other's shoulder again and said with a smile!
"Go."
"Train the troops well, and don't disgrace the Liu Clan."
The young man nodded repeatedly, his steps somewhat unsteady, clearly very excited.
That was a six-hundred-stone Qu Junhou, a position of no small importance in the army, considered a mid-level general.
If he trained well for a few years, or gained military merits, becoming a Thousand-Stone Sima Xu would be no problem.
Liu Jin watched the departing young man and chuckled.
The person before him was Liu Wei, the only son of his uncle Liu Chong, twenty-three years old this year. In earlier years, he served as a minor official in the commandery. With Liu Chong's care, he lived a comfortable life in the commandery.
Some time ago, upon learning that he was recruiting soldiers, he immediately discussed it with his father, resigned from his official post, and brought over a hundred clansmen to join, even bringing his own grain and equipment.
Such an action touched Liu Jin somewhat, indicating that the other party was willing to risk everything to pledge allegiance to him.
Of course, he would not disappoint the other party, so he directly promoted Liu Wei to Qu Junhou, showing his high regard.
So, Liu Jin spent these past few days in the military camp outside the city, training this army before him.
He would occasionally inquire about their well-being, eat and sleep with them, and foster their mutual affection. This was his fundamental basis for establishing himself in troubled times.
The majority were from the Liu Clan. As long as they could be properly utilized and cultivated into trusted confidants.
In the future, he could obtain three thousand low-level military officers, completely controlling the entire army. Even court orders would not be as effective as his own.
Several days later!
At the gate of Zhuo Commandery, there were dozens of carriages surrounded by a large number of soldiers.
A sigh was heard!
"Wen Yi, I didn't expect to leave after only spending the New Year here."
"I wonder when you and I, brothers, will be able to meet again."
The speaker was Prefect Wen Shu, looking at Liu Jin beside him, appearing somewhat despondent.
Liu Jin felt a pang of reluctance at this sight.
Since their time together, he and Wen Shu had become true bosom friends, even addressing each other as brothers.
After collecting his thoughts, he slowly said!
"Elder Brother Wen, there is no banquet that doesn't end. Although I'm leaving now, we can meet again soon."
"Besides, I am a Defender General of the Xiongnu, so I must naturally guard the frontier and protect the territory of the Han Dynasty."
"I've stayed in Zhuo Commandery for so long, using my marriage as an excuse to delay for a while. Now that the New Year has passed, I must proceed quickly, otherwise the court will punish me."
Wen Shu nodded upon hearing this, and his gentle voice came out!
"Wen Yi, when you leave to take up your post in Yanmen, you must protect yourself well. If a task is impossible, try to retreat."
"Where there's life, there's hope. There's no need to be too desperate. With your current status as a Marquis and a General, even if you return to the court, you will be highly valued."
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this and said in a clear voice!
"Understood, Elder Brother Wen."
"You must take care of yourself in Zhuo Commandery. If anything happens, we can correspond by letter. I will do my best to help you with anything I can."
Wen Shu smiled, nodded, and said kindly!
"Take care."
Liu Jin turned his head and scanned the crowd for a moment but did not find that person, a wry smile appearing on his face.
Soon, the dozens of carriages outside the city, escorted by soldiers, slowly proceeded along the official road.
They were accompanied by three thousand soldiers and over a thousand cavalry as escorts, a very large procession that the local people along the way watched.
Inside the carriage, Liu Jin sighed softly.
After spending this time with Jian Yong, their relationship had rapidly warmed, and they had become close friends who could talk about anything.
Unexpectedly, he still couldn't compete with his 'white moonlight,' Liu Bei.