Chapter 12: Grateful Thanks to Brother Zhang Yang for His Generous Support

After exchanging words, the misunderstanding between the two parties was finally cleared up. Although many questions about the mysterious young man from the capital, Zhang Yang, remained, the most pressing matter at hand was...

"You saved Wang Family Village all by yourself?!"

Su Yao nodded in affirmation.

"It should be mostly secured by now. You all should come with me."

During their recent conversation, Su Yao learned that these Han soldiers had no medical supplies at all. He then suggested bringing Lü Bu to Wang Family Village for recuperation.

Ordinarily, a key NPC like Lü Bu wouldn’t be expected to get injured, but who could say how the single-player version might alter things?

"Thank you, young friend," Zhang Yang said with a wry smile, bowing respectfully.

Zhang Yang was certainly eager for this proposal, but since it was supposed to be their mission to rescue Wang Family Village, having Su Yao intervene disrupted their entire plan.

Now, not only could they not extend their goodwill to the Wang family of Qi County, but they also had to borrow their land to treat Lü Bu’s wounds. How would they repay such a favor?

Yet there was no time to dwell on that; he couldn’t just stand by and watch Fengxian bleed to death.

...

"Defending our homeland is the duty of us soldiers. Your voluntary bravery truly moves me, young friend. In these chaotic times, heroes like you are exactly what we need. Would you be willing to join our Bingzhou army, serve the country, and slay the invaders and bandits?"

"Ah?"

Su Yao, who was hurrying along, came back to his senses, somewhat confused.

It turned out that during the journey, Zhang Yang had finally come up with a solution. Although they failed to save Wang Family Village, if the person who saved the village could become one of their own, it would be almost the same.

"You want to recruit me?"

"Yes. I, Zhang Yang, though unworthy, serve as the Military Officer of the Inspectorate Office. If you agree, I can immediately appoint you as a unit commander in the Great Han Bingzhou army, with a rank equivalent to two hundred bushels."

Zhang Yang’s words caused an uproar among the dozen or so Han cavalrymen accompanying them.

"A unit commander? That puts him on the same level as Officer Lü!"

"He’s just a kid."

"And he’s not even from Bingzhou."

"How can this be?!"

—"Enough!"

Zhang Yang scolded them.

"Have you all forgotten military law?! Besides your talk of local ties and seniority, have you considered the current situation?

The invaders have penetrated deep into our lands, slaughtering our people and abducting our sisters. What were you doing then?

It was this young man who, alone and unarmed, fought desperately against the invaders, doing what you wanted but dared not do. Does he not deserve to be an officer?

Moreover, Brother Su has proven his battlefield prowess; his bravery rivals, even surpasses, Fengxian’s. Don’t mind that I’ve only appointed him unit commander today—that’s all my authority allows. His future is limitless!"

"......" Su Yao inwardly felt a bit awkward from the praise.

Seeing the silent soldiers, Su Yao thought quietly.

"Do you have any reservations, brother?" Zhang Yang wondered. He had never heard of any prominent Su family in the capital. Could this man have another identity? Did his family have other plans for him?

Indeed, Su Yao had concerns.

At this moment, he was flipping through the True Three Kingdoms World Encyclopedia in the system, checking the details of the unit commander position.

Unit Commander: A basic Han dynasty military officer, rank equivalent to two hundred bushels, commanding a unit of 50 men, with 5 squad leaders and 10 squad members under his command.

The official single-player version seemed to have changed quite a bit.

If this were during beta testing, and an NPC asked him to join the army and get promoted, he would have accepted immediately.

But that was for the warlord scenario, becoming part of a feudal lord’s forces with its own structure, unlocking higher troop limits, monthly salaries from the system, and participation in national wars. Joining a feudal lord’s army was essentially the beginning of a snowballing progression.

Such a step required strict conditions: a certain reputation and at least 100 direct retainers, a mid-game milestone.

However, the game time hadn’t even passed a day, and he barely had one NPC teammate. Could he really enlist now?

Su Yao frowned; something didn’t add up.

He considered that maybe his overpowered beta account was accelerating the game’s progress. A normal beginner wouldn’t unlock such power on day one.

But whether this acceleration was good or bad was unclear. Like using the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow technique, it might cause severe burnout and reduce the game’s lifespan.

"Brother," Zhang Yang bit his lip and said, "if you have any requests or difficulties, just speak up. I’ll do everything I can to help you!"

Su Yao turned his horse’s head, meeting Zhang Yang’s eager gaze. He glanced at the unconscious Lü Bu being carried by the soldiers and thought, whatever happens, the future can wait.

How could he miss the chance to be comrades with Lü Bu before his rise to prominence? Such an opportunity was too intriguing.

Moreover, as long as he stuck with Lü Bu, he might even get to see the brand-new original version of Diao Chan!

Such petty thoughts were meaningless to share with the NPCs, so Su Yao straightened his expression and cupped his fist.

"It is the responsibility of every man to safeguard the nation’s survival. Even if General Zhang does not recruit Su Yao, I will still fight to kill the invaders and bandits myself. Now that I have the state’s call and recognition, how could I possibly refuse?"

"Good! Such true insight into the nation’s fate! If everyone were like you, how would the Great Han have fallen so low?"

After some mutual praise, Zhang Yang immediately ordered that a squad of the dozen or so Han cavalrymen escorting them be assigned under Su Yao’s command.

"This is Squad Leader Cheng Lian, wise and brave, trustworthy. If you have any questions about military matters when I’m absent, you may ask him."

"Pfft—"

Staring at the bearded man before him, Su Yao couldn’t hold back a laugh and momentarily lost his composure.

Wasn’t this one of Lü Bu’s famed Eight Mounted Generals? In real history, one of Lü Bu’s fiercest vanguards!

And now, a squad leader?

"…Is there something wrong with me?"

"I just got the wind knocked out of me; it’s nothing to do with the general," Su Yao said, composing himself.

"I am but a humble squad leader, unworthy of the general’s title. Please do not flatter me," Cheng Lian said solemnly, then returned to the ranks.

"By the way, young brother, I was just about to mention that the title ‘general’ is only for officers above the rank of colonel. Common folk can call you whatever they like, but as soldiers, we must be precise."

"Oh, I understand."

Thanks to Zhang Yang’s guidance, Su Yao realized the game was quite particular about details.

Besides close comrades addressing each other familiarly or by courtesy names, one should generally use official titles.

Such formalities were bothersome, but given these enlistment benefits, Su Yao accepted them willingly.

These were ten cavalrymen, not mere peasants, but fully armored iron cavalry of the Great Han Bingzhou!

Starting out with elite troops—Zhang Yang, you’re way too generous.