Chapter 13 Selecting the People
Unfortunately, after some intense bargaining, Roning didn't end up getting too many guards.
However, Lulans also relented and asked Wiggins to arrange thirty guards for Roning and also provided Roning with additional resources:
One thousand kilograms of barley, 1,000 kilograms of wheat, 500 kilograms of flour, 300 kilograms of dried meat, 300 kilograms of vegetables, 50 kilograms of coarse salt, 20 kilograms of fine salt, five carriages, one excellent quality warhorse, and 100 gold coins.
Although the number of guards was unsatisfactory, the resources supplied later shut Roning's mouth.
To be honest, he didn't expect Wushanbao to give him so many extra resources.
In addition to food, there were also four carriages and a horse!
After expressing his sincerest gratitude to Rulans and Wiggins, Ronin happily left the room and followed Holwart to select guards.
"Father, why did you give Luo Ning so many resources?"
After Ronin left, Wiggins couldn't help but ask, "We lost a lot of resources and even territory because of him yesterday. Why are you still protecting him?"
Lu Lansi smiled and said, "As a father, haven't you noticed that Luo Ning has grown up?"
Wiggins was stunned for a moment, then thought about it carefully. Although he didn't want to admit it, he nodded, "It has indeed changed a little. At least I haven't been to any manor to attend the banquet in the past two days."
"In fact, he already knew that the guards' betrayal had nothing to do with you. I guess he blamed you just to get some benefits."
Wiggins was stunned for a moment, but then he seemed to understand something and couldn't help but stare. "This bastard!"
Lu Lan Si laughed, "This time, Selina's incident had a great impact on this child and made him grow a lot, so I am willing to give him some resources to see if he can achieve some results."
He sighed, "Our Wushan family has only three generations, and the bloodline is too small. You are not able to do it now, so we can only count on these two remaining males!"
"Although Luo Ning has changed his surname, his bloodline is still there. If he develops, it will not be a bad thing for our Wushan family."
Wiggins was like a cat whose tail was stepped on, his face flushed, and he couldn't speak.
But this statement is true. At the age of 52, he should still have the ability to have children, but he was too indulgent when he was young, and his potential was drained.
Ever since Bretton was born, no matter how hard he and Diane tried, it was all in vain.
Privately, Wiggins also asked others to try, but without exception, it was useless.
"OK, then do as father says. I hope Roning won't let you down!"
Wiggins stood up, saluted, and quickly left the room.
Lu Lansi glanced at the old butler and said, "When Hallward gathers all the guards, have them take the five traitors that Roning brought back and kill them. Let those guards know that betraying the Wushan family will only lead to death!"
"As you wish!" Moster retreated respectfully.
…
There is a huge square on the west side of Wushan Castle, where the knights and guards usually train.
At this moment, in the afterglow of the setting sun, at Hallwater's call, all the guards in the castle gathered here.
In addition, there were several cavalrymen watching outside.
Luo Ning looked over and saw that each of these cavalrymen was tall and energetic, and they looked extraordinary.
"They should be the knights who are defending the castle today."
Roning's eyes lit up. It would be great if he could get a team of knights like this to go to Shanlin Town with him.
But unfortunately, according to Rulans, for a place like Shanlin Town, having a knight like McKen and a team of regularly trained guards is enough.
Wiggins even said that in Shanlin Town, you only need to hide from the monsters in winter and avoid going to places near the Wushan Mountains on weekdays. The wild tribes in the forest are not a big deal...
What else could Luo Ning say?
"Master, all the guards have been assembled, a total of 60 people."
Holwart came over and said respectfully, "According to the master's instructions, you can choose 30 people from among them to go to Hillwood Town with you."
Roning glanced at the guards standing below. They were standing together relatively closely, with no posture to speak of.
"Only 60 people?"
Luo Ning was unfamiliar with the defence situation of Wushan Fort, so he was very surprised when he heard this number.
This is Wushan Fort, the Marquis's base camp, and there are only 60 guards.
"Sixty guards are more than enough."
Holwart explained: "The real core combat force is the 12 professional knights. Most of the work of the squires and guards is to guard and serve the professional knights."
Roning nodded slowly.
Indeed, McKen, a junior knight, was able to kill nine traitors in a crushing defeat. In front of extraordinary people, the combat effectiveness of ordinary people is indeed not enough.
From this perspective, the defence of the Marquis's Mansion is still acceptable.
Ordinary people simply can't cause any trouble here.
"How are these guards paid?"
Ronin then asked about the guards' wages.
Although Hallward was not responsible for the guards' salaries, as a butler he still had some information in this regard.
"1 copper coin per day, food and lodging included."
Luo Ning couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The salary was only one copper coin a day, which was really too little.
Fortunately, food and accommodation are provided; otherwise, the survival of these guards would be a problem.
"Announce to them the Count's plans."
"OK."
Hallward faced the guards, "All guards, the one standing before you is of noble Wushan bloodline, the grandson of the Marquis of Wushan Territory, the son of the Earl of Wushan City, and the Baron Ronin of Hillwood Town!"
Although the guards knew Roning's identity, when they heard the butler's introduction, they still cheered loudly and expressed their sincere greetings to Roning.
Hallward laughed and continued, "The Baron is about to set off to build a new city for the Wushan family. He needs to select thirty of you to go to Shanlin Town to serve as his guards. When Shanlin Town develops into a new city in the future, you will be the first batch of heroes!"
"This is a great cause! Now, those who are willing to follow Lord Roning, please step forward!"
After the words fell, unlike the previous sentence, the guards did not cheer but instead began to discuss with each other.
The news that Ronin's inheritance rights had been revoked had already spread. As the guards of the castle, they naturally knew about it, so they certainly knew where Shanlin Town was.
In addition to being remote and dangerous, it is mainly far away from Wushan City, and the guards' homes are all here. If they are asked to go to Shanlin Town on their own initiative, they will definitely be reluctant.
For a moment, no one came forward.
Hallward frowned slightly, "Are you cowards? You don't even dare to grab such an honour? Humph, if no one takes the initiative, then I will choose!"
All the guards stopped talking. They looked nervous, like students who were afraid of being called on to answer questions.
Roning took a step forward and motioned to Hallward to let him come.
He looked at the guards below and raised a finger:
"Anyone who is willing to follow me to Hillwood Town can immediately receive a reward of 1 silver coin!"
Discussion broke out again below.
Luo Ning raised his second finger and said, "Anyone who is willing to follow me to Shanlin Town, in addition to providing food and accommodation, I will pay you two copper coins a day!"
Suddenly, the discussion became much louder, and even three or five people came forward excitedly.
Luo Ning smiled and raised his third finger. "For any guard who follows me to Shanlin Town and dies in battle, I will pay a pension of 1 gold coin to your family!"
"I'll go, I'll go!"
Finally, more than half of the sixty guards came forward.
At this time, Roning raised his fourth finger.
"I can promise that by the end of next year if you want to return to Wushan City to live, I will not stop you!"
"Of course, if you want to bring your family from Wushan City to Shanlin Town to live, I will also apply to my father and ensure that your family arrives in Shanlin Town safely!"
After he said this, the remaining dozen or so people who hadn't stepped forward could no longer hold back.
Higher salary and more reliable benefits, and you will be part of the initial team, and you will be able to bring your family to Shanlin Town in the future.
With such good conditions, there was no reason for the guards not to be tempted.
"I am coming too!"
"I am coming too!"
They all rushed to the front.