Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu sneered, flicked his sleeve, and walked away, though his voice slowly drifted back!
"Gentlemen, you are indeed talented individuals who look down on borderland warriors, yet you are unaware that the stability of the world, and your ability to discuss worldly affairs here, is largely due to these heroic warriors, who came from humble backgrounds, sweeping away wars, defeating rebels, and pacifying regions."
"Truly, how can a firefly compete with the bright moon? You are merely a group of laughable people."
Upon hearing these words, several people gnashed their teeth in anger, wanting to rush forward and beat him up.
But then they remembered what he had said, which filled them with extreme shame and indignation.
For the world to be stable, it truly depended on these borderland warriors, bravely fighting the enemy and pacifying the land, which allowed them to engage in lofty discussions.
However, everyone remained unconvinced. After all, they were all individuals full of poetic knowledge, considering themselves exceptionally talented, and believing they should at least hold positions of two thousand piculs in court, yet they had not been given important roles.
In contrast, Liu Jin, at such a young age, had already been appointed General Zhenbei by the imperial court.
Comparing the two, these people felt aggrieved and frustrated, having studied poetry and books for so long, only to be outshone by a borderland warrior.
There were indeed many people debating in Luoyang City. Many from impoverished backgrounds still largely approved of Liu Jin, at least he rose through military merit.
However, those from aristocratic families and high-ranking officials were somewhat unconvinced, believing that a mere 'mud-footed' commoner could hold such a high position due to luck, and that they could do the same if given the chance.
Zhongping Second Year, early October!
In the Prefect's Mansion study in Yanmen Commandery.
Liu Jin sat at the head of the table, looking at the government affairs in his hands.
He had been here for over half a year, and through the implementation of policies and the recruitment of displaced people, the entire Yanmen Commandery had undergone a transformative change.
Many desolate lands had been developed, and the population had increased significantly, with over 200,000 displaced people recruited, bringing the total population of the commandery to 500,000.
Moreover, they had all settled down, completely becoming citizens of Yanmen Commandery.
Such a large population made it unique among all the borderland commanderies.
However, compared to internal commanderies, there was still a significant gap.
Especially the most prosperous Nanyang Commandery and Runan Commandery, any single commandery among them had a population of one million or even two million, which could instantly surpass the entire population of Bing Province.
Although Bing Province had nine commanderies, its population was still relatively sparse. The most prosperous ones were Taiyuan Commandery and Yanmen Commandery, with the two commanderies accounting for nearly half of Bing Province's entire population.
The remaining commanderies had at most tens of thousands, or even fewer. All together, the population of Bing Province would not exceed one million.
However, the actual population might be slightly higher, as Bing Province was a mixed residence of Hu and Han people, and there were many unregistered residents and descendants of Hu people who had not been counted.
This group of people was probably quite numerous, at least three to four hundred thousand. If added together, Bing Province could easily reach a million people.
Although the population was not large, the people of Bing Province were quite fierce. As long as they reached adulthood, they were excellent potential soldiers.
Coupled with its proximity to the grasslands, it could always acquire a large number of horses. In various aspects, this could compensate for the lack of population, which could be said to have both advantages and disadvantages.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.
Zhao Teng walked in, a smile on his face, and quickly called out!
"Big Brother."
Liu Jin saw Zhao Teng, smiled and nodded, signaling him to take a seat nearby.
After Zhao Teng sat down, his voice slowly came out!
"Big Brother, all the provisions purchased during this period have been stored in the Yanmen Commandery treasury, enough for the needs of the soldiers and officials at all levels."
"There's even a portion saved, which can handle some unexpected situations, so that there won't be a lack of provisions, leading to unrest in the commandery."
"As for the money from Zhang Jiao's treasury, I have already transported it all back to Yanmen Commandery, and it is now all stored in the treasury, managed by Jian Yong."
"However, after extensive purchases of provisions and the recruitment of displaced people, not much of this money is left."
Liu Jin heard this without surprise; it was all within his expectations. No matter how much gold, silver, and jewels were in the treasury, it would not be enough for him to unify the world.
He looked at Zhao Teng beside him and asked!
"De Hu, now that the matter of provisions has been handled, return to the army to continue managing the scouts and the dispatch of military provisions."
Zhao Teng heard this, a smile on his face, and quickly bowed in agreement!
After a discussion, Zhao Teng left the study to attend to his own affairs.
Liu Jin continued to pick up the documents in his hand and slowly began to process them.
After all, he was in charge of three commanderies, over twenty counties, and hundreds of thousands of people, so there was indeed a lot to deal with.
However, most of it was left to his subordinate officials to handle, and only important matters would come to him.
If he had to deal with every trivial matter, wouldn't he be exhausted to death?
Just as the door creaked open, Liu Jin looked towards the doorway to see Tian Feng slowly walking in, bowing deeply, and saying loudly!
"Marquis."
Liu Jin asked with a slight smile!
"May I know what Yuan Hao's business is?"
Tian Feng bowed with cupped hands and reported!
"The ten thousand new recruits, after this period of training, have initially taken shape and are all on standby in the military camp outside the city."
"I wonder how the Marquis plans to integrate or allocate them?"
Upon hearing this, a look of joy instantly appeared on Liu Jin's face, and he quickly placed the documents in his hand on the table.
He stood up and slowly said!
"As for integration, I will go personally. I also need to select some and organize several thousand cavalry. Only then can we establish ourselves in this northern land."
Tian Feng nodded upon hearing this. After the last suppression of the Xianbei, many horses were obtained, making it possible to organize several thousand cavalry.
After a brief chat with Tian Feng, Liu Jin left the study, taking dozens of his personal guards, and rode on horseback towards the military camp outside the city.
In the large camp outside the city, ten thousand new recruits were already neatly and orderly arranged in ten formations.
Around them, some veteran soldiers observed these new recruits, pointing and discussing whether these people would be assigned to them.
At that time, these veteran soldiers would probably be promoted, becoming squad leaders or platoon leaders, which would likely not be a problem.
Even on the high platform, many generals were discussing among themselves.
Zhang Liao, grinning, stood beside Guan Yu and quietly asked!
"General Guan, I heard through unofficial channels that our Marquis seems to want to organize several thousand cavalry."
At this point, he rubbed his palms together incessantly, his smile becoming increasingly ingratiating!
"The commanding general must undoubtedly be General Guan. I wonder if you could bring me along as well?"
Guan Yu heard this, grinned, patted Zhang Liao's shoulder, and said loudly!
"Don't worry, Wen Yuan, as long as I am the cavalry commander, you will be my deputy cavalry general."
Zhang Liao heard this, nodded repeatedly, his cheeks showing excitement.
Those were the cavalry he had dreamed of! If he could lead an iron cavalry to conquer the grasslands and defeat these foreign tribes, it would be truly exhilarating!
The other generals discussed animatedly, and the sounds on the high platform were ceaseless.
