Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Recruitment Camp

Outside Xiangyi, all the fortified strongholds belonged to the Wei family. Now, each stronghold was surrounded by a military camp, which served as the base for Cao’s army: the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Cao Cao’s personal guard, and five regiments of a thousand men each, each stationed near a stronghold. Since these strongholds were not as large as those in Wen County, the soldiers could not live inside them. Instead, military markets and granaries were set up within the strongholds to accommodate camp staff and store provisions, while the soldiers were quartered in the camps encircling the strongholds.

Cao Hong’s camp lay ten miles southeast of Xiangyi, beyond one of these strongholds. He seldom visited this camp, preferring to reside within Xiangyi County itself, leaving the day-to-day management to Pan Zhang and Shi A. Most affairs were handled by Pan Zhang, as Shi A, though an accomplished fighter, lacked formal military education and was less adept at administration. Shi A’s primary task was to select two hundred unruly soldiers for Cao Hong.

At this moment, Cao Hong and Pan Zhang rode into the camp. Upon entering the main tent, Cao Hong immediately summoned Shi A and inquired, “Qing Mang, have you completed the selection of the two hundred men?”

Shi A replied, “My lord, it was finished some time ago. Following your instructions, we allocated five dozen tents for them, provided them with dried meat and rice wine, and have maintained their provisions for over ten days.”

Cao Hong nodded approvingly. “Excellent! Wen Gui, where are those bandits imprisoned?”

Pan Zhang answered, “My lord, I have enclosed them within a fence built from massive wooden logs at the northeast corner of the camp.”

Cao Hong nodded in satisfaction. “Good! Wen Gui, now divide those bandits into twenty groups of three, each placed in one of twenty tents. Assign a squad leader and his men to guard each tent. Order them that anyone who leaves their tent will be killed. Then inform the bandits that if they manage to kill the intruders who enter their tents later, they may join our army and enjoy fine wine and rich meat. Once finished, stand by there; Qing Mang will bring the men over shortly.”

Pan Zhang acknowledged the order and departed. Cao Hong then turned to Shi A. “Where are those two hundred rogue soldiers?”

Shi A answered, “Wen Gui feared that giving these men good food and comforts would provoke jealousy among the other troops and undermine morale, so they have been kept inside the stronghold, separated from the regular soldiers.”

Cao Hong nodded. “Take me to them.”

Shi A complied, leading Cao Hong from the camp into the stronghold, arriving at a remote estate within. There, he ordered the two hundred selected soldiers to assemble. Cao Hong observed them: most bore fierce expressions, and having lived in luxury, their faces glowed with health. Upon seeing their commander, many smiled obsequiously, clearly grateful for their comfortable treatment.

Cao Hong surveyed the two hundred and said, “You’ve lived quite comfortably, haven’t you?”

At first, no one dared respond. After a moment, a voice called out, “Thanks to the general, we’ve lived like immortals.”

Laughter erupted among the men. Cao Hong smiled and raised his hand for silence. “To be frank, I have gathered you to form a two hundred-man elite unit called the ‘Top Recruits Battalion.’ The term ‘recruit’ implies selection; ‘top recruits’ means carefully chosen. Deputy Commander Shi selected you because in the camp you have either tyrannized the new soldiers, been wildly negligent in your duties, or lusted after wealth and women, pilfering from camp supplies without paying. You all share one trait: deep in your bones, you hold military law in contempt more than anyone else!”

Many showed fearful looks, knowing Cao Hong had hit the mark. They understood that scorning military law was a grave offense, likely punishable by death.

Cao Hong continued, “You despise military law, yet you still want to serve, presumably to rise one day, to be free from oppression and constraints. Since that is your aim, I’m giving you a chance! In this ‘Top Recruits Battalion,’ you will be provided with unrestricted food and women. You may fight, brawl, and plunder your comrades without fear of military punishment.”

At this, all drew heavy breaths: this was the life they had dreamed of. Cao Hong added, “However, as elite soldiers, you must behave like elites. In battle, you will lead the charge and never retreat. Should you fall back, I will have the rear guard execute you!”

The two hundred faces turned pale. Leading the charge meant likely dying first; such privileges would not come easily.

Cao Hong continued, “Of course, as the vanguard, your equipment will be the finest. When storming cities or fortresses, once you break through and enter, you may indulge yourselves freely without following the main army’s orders. The wealth and women inside the city or camp are yours to enjoy until the army withdraws.”

His words stirred the men once more. One brash voice asked, “General, does that mean once we enter a city, we can raid homes at will, free from army command until the call to retreat?”

Cao Hong laughed. “Exactly right.”

The crowd erupted in cheers: “I want to join the Top Recruits Battalion!” “General, accept me!” “I’m in!”

Cao Hong commanded loudly, “All two hundred present may join! But first, I must test you.”

Silence fell again. Cao Hong said, “I have captured six hundred bandits wandering within Xiangyi. They have starved for three days and nights. To join the Top Recruits, each of you must kill three bandits barehanded.”

His cold gaze swept across the men. “I will place you and three bandits together in a tent, guarded outside by a squad leader and four men. If you dare come out, they will stab you through! If you cannot kill three starving men, what right have you to be elite soldiers? What right have you to run wild in my army? What makes you so dangerous?”

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