Chapter 538: I Won’t Convict You
Qin Silong returned triumphantly with his army, and the initial contingent of 5,000 soldiers had suffered losses in the hundreds. However, the majority of the locally recruited temporary soldiers expressed their readiness to continue following Qin Silong.
In their eyes, Qin Silong had transformed into a war god, and aligning themselves with such a figure promised a brighter future. Many of these temporary recruits came from impoverished families, lacking alternative prospects. With no special skills, their options were limited to menial labor or agricultural work.
Learning a trade required a tuition fee, luck in finding a willing master, and possessing innate talent. Many couldn’t afford the fees or struggled to grasp the skills, rendering the investment futile.
Joining the military camp offered a different prospect: food, accommodation, and a monthly military stipend. Although the life might be arduous, they believed that enduring the hardships could lead to valuable skills. With some luck, they might even secure an official position, changing their fate and bringing honor to their ancestors.
The prospect of dying for the country didn’t deter them. If they had to die, they preferred it to be a meaningful sacrifice, ensuring their lives weren’t in vain. They held onto the belief that, eighteen years later, they would be remembered as honorable men.
As these sentiments echoed among the regular soldiers in the military camp, their hearts were burdened with the reality of sacrifice.