Shao Xun had been busy lately writing letters for others.
Despite never having learned traditional Chinese characters, he wrote as if guided by divine inspiration, though his handwriting was a bit delicate, which made Mi Huang chuckle.
What was even more intriguing was that he wrote in the standard script style.
But these were not the main points.
When he saw the soldiers who were immensely grateful, he had nothing more to say.
How does one gain prestige? It comes from these small, seemingly insignificant acts.
Outstanding martial skills win over soldiers.
Leading troops effectively earns trust.
Showing care and concern moves people.
And helping them with daily issues, like writing letters for them, earns even more goodwill.
Mi Huang looked at the two teams of soldiers he had personally handed over to Shao Xun.
Seeing their respectful and obedient demeanor, he felt a deep sense of emotion.
In just a few months, the military discipline had been completely transformed.
At least on the surface, the troops were now as responsive as if they were extensions of Shao Xun's own body.
With another year or two of thorough reorganization, they could truly become an extension of his will.
Handing the troops over to Shao Xun had been the right decision.
While He Lun and Wang Bing were capable, they seemed to lack something compared to Shao Xun.
In these chaotic times, finding such a talent was truly a stroke of luck.
"Come closer, Shao Xun," Mi Huang called out after Shao Xun finished writing the letters.
Shao Xun, sensing what was coming, felt a surge of excitement and quickly approached.
"These two teams, I brought them from the capital. They are now yours," Mi Huang said, pointing to the hundred soldiers lined up not far away.
"How did they come to be?" Shao Xun asked, noticing they were similar to the ones previously sent over.
"It's a mixed group," Mi Huang explained.
"Some are displaced refugees, mostly from Si Province; some are scattered soldiers, both from local militias and the imperial guards; some are runaway slaves from wealthy families, but don't worry, no one will pursue them in these times; and some are relatively strong prisoners from the jails, given a chance to reform and redeem themselves."
After a moment of awkwardness, he added, "I had to fight hard to get them from He Lun and Wang Bing."
The great retreat from Pan Garden did not include everyone heading to Luoyang.
According to the princess's wishes, the local militiamen from Donghai who had been conscripted a year ago were to be dismissed, especially the older veterans.
Four teams, nearly 160 men, were sent back.
They would take with them some craftsmen, servants, and even willing tenants from Pan Garden, totaling over 300 people, to return to Donghai.
Just yesterday, some households from Luoyang had clamored to join the retreat, about 300 families.
Upon learning this, Princess Pei ordered that the harvested grain from the estate be given to them for their journey.
Shao Xun heard about this and knew that his earlier suggestion to leave a way out had worked.
It was good—these veterans heading west had been a farce, and it was good they could return home after a year of service.
As for the three teams of children and teenagers, they were originally to be dismissed as well, but after Shao Xun met with the princess, they were allowed to stay.
They had been studying and farming for over a year, and many could read and write.
About twenty of them had been learning arithmetic from Shao Xun and had made some progress.
Compared to the adult soldiers under his command, Shao Xun felt these young ones were his most valuable assets.
Soldiers could be replaced easily, as shown by the hundred new men Mi Huang had just sent over.
With a year or so of training, they would become obedient.
But these young ones required a long cultivation period and were not so easily replaced.
In the future, if he were to govern a region, these youths would be his management team, a trump card to negotiate with powerful families.
"Huang Biao, Li Zhong!" Shao Xun called out.
"Here!" The two quickly ran over to receive orders.
"Mix the newcomers with your existing men and reorganize them into four teams," Shao Xun instructed.
Then, turning to Mi Huang, he added, "There are two loyal and experienced men, Zhou Ying and Zhong Huan'er, who can serve as team leaders."
"Consider it done. I'll handle the details," Mi Huang nodded.
"The troops are yours now. Train them well."
"Yes," Shao Xun responded solemnly, seeing the hope in Mi Huang's eyes.
On the sixteenth day of the sixth month, the first convoy left Pan Garden for Luoyang.
The leader of the fourth team, Wu Qian, did not leave.
At fifty years old, he stubbornly stayed behind to help manage the estate.
Shao Xun had him oversee the three teams of children and teenagers, acting somewhat like a "team leader," a role he gladly accepted.
Teams four through seven were all composed of strong, recruited soldiers, led by Li Zhong, Huang Biao, Zhou Ying, and Zhong Huan'er.
Though they were called recruits, their pay was minimal—mostly just food, with a few bolts of cloth as occasional rewards.
But even this was considered quite good.
"Mao Er! Jin San! Wang Que'er!" Shao Xun called out to the young ones about to depart.
"Team Leader!"
"Master Shao!"
The three quickly ran over and bowed respectfully.
Shao Xun took their hands and patted their shoulders, feeling a surge of emotion.
The hope for breaking through in these chaotic times lay with these young ones.
Mao Er was eleven, from Ganyu.
Jin San was twelve, and Wang Que'er was fourteen, both from Qu County, like Shao Xun.
Mao Er was relatively smart, learning to read and write, and even studying arithmetic.
Jin San was a bit slow, focusing mostly on martial arts after learning some characters.
Wang Que'er was of average ability, spending his time farming, training, and studying like most others.
"You will go ahead a few days. Once in Luoyang, follow the orders of the overseer and settle down," Shao Xun instructed.
"Even though it's only a few days, don't neglect your studies. The handwritten 'Thousand Character Classic' I compiled with great effort—review it whenever you have time. Remember this."
"Yes."
"We will follow Master Shao's instructions."
The three responded in unison.
The convoy slowly moved away, eventually disappearing on the horizon.
Shao Xun then turned back to look at Pan Garden, where he had lived for a year.
The place was lush with green trees and blooming flowers, vibrant and beautiful in the summer.
But this paradise was about to be destroyed.
As two armies clashed and fought, how could a place like Pan Garden escape being plundered by marauding soldiers? Just like the rest of the world, one paradise after another was being destroyed.
Wu, Shu, Guanzhong, Hebei, Henan—everywhere was in turmoil.
To say that the chaos started with the Five Barbarians was nonsense; it had begun years ago.
The battlefield of the War of the Eight Princes was not limited to Luoyang, though it was the most prominent.
After his reflections, Shao Xun straightened his robes and went inside to meet the princess.
On the way, he encountered Overseer Yang Bao.
The team leaders Qin San, Zheng Gou'er, and Liu Tong bowed and scraped before him.
They were under Yang Bao's command but never dared to be disrespectful to Shao Xun, always showing proper courtesy.
Yang Bao, however, was somewhat awkward.
After all this time, he had become much more subdued.
His uncle, Liu Qia, the Left Sima of the military headquarters, had failed to bring down Shao Xun, which was quite disheartening.
So, he also bowed.
Shao Xun returned the gesture, nodded to the three behind Yang Bao, and then entered the main hall.
The princess was flipping through the 'Thousand Character Classic.' When Shao Xun entered, she said, "If only you had a noble background, with this book, I could have asked the esteemed elders of my clan to give you a review."
A "review" was more than just commentary—it often meant an increase in fame and status, opening doors to higher opportunities.
Young scholars from noble families loved to seek reviews from respected elders.
A good review could instantly boost their reputation and qualify them for appointments by princes or high officials, a shortcut to officialdom.
For example, Sun Xiu, a close aide of Prince Sima Lun, had once received a review from Wang Yan, which propelled him to great heights.
Wang Yan, who hadn't intended to review Sun Xiu, later received favorable treatment from him after Prince Lun came to power.
Thus, the influence of these high-ranking scholars was beyond imagination.
The current system of selecting officials seemed tailor-made for them, no exaggeration.
The Pei family of Wenxi was on par with the Wang family of Langya.
There was even a saying, "Eight Peis equal eight Wangs."
A review from a Pei elder would indeed be a shortcut to officialdom.
But Shao Xun was from a military household, making it difficult.
"Let's not talk about that," Princess Pei put down the book and looked at Shao Xun.
"Once you go to Luoyang, I won't be able to look after you anymore. You—take care of yourself."
"I will never forget the kindness and protection you have shown me," Shao Xun replied.
Princess Pei waved her hand and sighed softly.
"With over 200,000 troops in Ye and 70,000 to 80,000 in Guanzhong, Luoyang is facing overwhelming odds. Don't be reckless; just stay safe. If the sky falls, the imperial guards will hold it up. Even if they can't, if Sima Ying and Sima Yong enter Luoyang, they won't slaughter everyone. If you have the ability, you can always join the forces of Chengdu or Hejian."
"Princess, you are mistaken," Shao Xun said seriously.
"I come from humble origins, drifting through these chaotic times until now. If not for your care, I would have died long ago, my body left to rot in the wilderness. How could I have achieved my current status? I don't understand grand principles, nor am I qualified to save the world. I only know that I must repay kindness. You have shown me immense grace, and I am willing to fight for you, even if it means death, without regret."
Princess Pei's beautiful eyes showed surprise and a hint of confusion.
After a long silence, she softly said, "Once you're in Luoyang, be cautious. As for the rest, I will find a way."
"Yes," Shao Xun responded solemnly.
Princess Pei watched his figure until it disappeared, then picked up the 'Thousand Character Classic' from the table once more.
(End of Chapter)