We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Li Che's words were like a basin of ice water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in those people's hearts.

Looking at the still warm body of the flower thief, no one dared to jump out and seek death.

What's more, behind Li Che stood the killing god Hu Qiang.

The criminal who committed two unforgivable crimes quietly retreated behind the crowd.

Li Che ordered the guards to bring paper, pen and ink.

The criminals lined up obediently, and a few literate criminals began to record their names, ages, places of origin, and crimes they had committed.

Li Che also instructed that special attention should be paid to people who committed several types of crimes.

First of all, there are the bandits who rob and loot.

Such people usually have some basic martial arts skills and can become the backbone of the army in the future.

There are also thieves who steal graves and rob tombs, and climb walls and roofs.

Those who committed crimes in the criminal camp are all serious crimes. The thieves who can enter for theft are not bad in level. These people are natural scouts and intelligence personnel.

Finally, there are the bandit leaders, salt dealers and gang leaders.

They have certain management and people-control abilities, and these people are all reserve officers for grassroots officers.

Prisons in any era are full of talented people. Don't underestimate the abilities of any criminal.

The first young man to pledge allegiance to Li Che was named Qiu, with a single character in his given name.

The name sounds like the young master of a big family, but in fact this guy committed the crime of "killing his own brother" and was sent to the criminal army.

Qiubai came from a wealthy family. In order to fight for the family property, he colluded with bandits and killed more than ten people in his brother's family.

This guy has questionable character, but he is very capable.

After counting the criminals, Qiu Bai brought the list to report:

"Your Highness, there are a total of 1,321 brothers willing to follow you. Those who are capable are all registered here."

Li Che took the list, glanced at it casually, and curled his lips: "Not bad."

"What is the condition of the army's equipment, armor, and weapons?"

Qiu Bai replied, "Your Highness, these things are not in our hands."

Yes, they are criminals. How could they possibly come into contact with weapons when there is no war?

Li Che raised his chin and pointed at the trembling guard next to him: "You, come here."

"Your Highness, Your Highness..."

"Bring out all the armor and weapons from the camp. I will take them away."

"This..." The guard looked embarrassed.

"Why, do you want me to move it myself?" Li Che placed his hand on his sword.

"Huh?" Hu Qiang behind him widened his eyes, and his palm as big as a palm fan was about to make a move.

The guard's calves cramped and he fell to his knees with a thud: "I'll get it right away, right away."

A group of guards obediently opened the warehouse, and Qiu Bai and his brothers moved out all the equipment inside.

"Your Highness, there are a total of 500 sets of leather armor, 2,000 steel swords, and 200 rattan shields..."

Li Che frowned and looked at Qiu Bai: "The entire criminal army is just this little bit of scrap metal?"

Qiu Bai's face was bitter: "Your Highness, we are criminals seeking death. How could the court possibly equip us with sharp weapons?"

Yes, they are a group of cannon fodder, and it is impossible to provide them with good weapons.

Whenever there is a war, they are needed to deplete the enemy's physical strength, but they are also afraid that they will turn against them on the battlefield.

But Li Che didn't think so. He didn't want his soldiers to fight the barbarians with these rags.

Li Che's eyes fell on the guards.

These guys were well-equipped, all wearing two-stage iron armor, as well as spears and ring-handled swords.

"Come here, all of you." Li Che looked at the guards with a smile.

The guards immediately had a bad feeling, but they did not dare to disobey Li Che's orders.

"Your Highness?" Someone asked cautiously when the guards gathered.

"Remove armor."

"what?"

"This king says, take off your armor!"

The guards were dumbfounded. Prince Ninggu was attracted by the armor they were wearing!

"Your Highness, we are the Prince's Left Guard..." someone said tentatively.

"Why are the Crown Prince's personal troops appearing in the criminal camp?" Li Che's gaze narrowed. "Does your Majesty's criminal army also belong to the Crown Prince?"

When a big hat was put on him, the man immediately shrank his head and dared not say anything.

After a while.

"Your Highness," a guard stepped forward. "The armor is here."

More than 200 sets of two-stage iron armor were neatly placed on the ground, shining coldly in the sun.

More than 200 guards huddled together like skinned pigs, trembling.

Li Che looked at the armor on the ground, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

The barbarians in the Northeast had a low rate of wearing armor, and twenty nomadic households needed a whole year of hard work and savings to jointly forge a set of armor.

These two hundred sets of armor are enough to sweep away some small tribes.

After getting the armor and weapons, Li Che no longer needed to stay in this shabby camp.

"Let them take their weapons and follow me." Li Che ordered Qiu Bai.

"Yes."

More than a thousand criminals left the dilapidated camp in a mighty and aggressive manner, like hungry wolves descending the mountains.

The remaining guards looked at each other, unable to speak for a long time.

"This is how to do ah?"

"What else can we do? This matter is beyond your and my control. Hurry and report to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Who said the Sixth Prince was weak? How was he weak?" a guard cried. "He's clearly a bandit!"

. . . . . .

More than a thousand criminal soldiers definitely cannot be brought back to the city, but fortunately there are many vacant camps outside the imperial capital.

Li Che led his men to a camp with a good environment and settled down.

Qiu Bai is a smart man. When others see Li Che, they are like mice seeing a cat, but he is the only one who dares to approach him.

"Your Highness, what to do next is up to you."

Li Che was happy. This kid was smart. He liked subordinates who were perceptive and motivated.

"Go find a few smart people and go into the city to buy some supplies. Bring back some rice, flour, wine, and meat."

"Also, let the rest of the people go to the river and take a good bath. They are so dirty, and they are not afraid of getting sick."

Although Qiu Bai didn't understand why he got sick because of the dirt on his body, he didn't question it at all and carefully wrote down every word of Li Che.

"Young man, let's do it right now."

Li Che was even more satisfied when he saw that he was organized and meticulous in his work.

"Your name is Qiubai, right?" Li Che stopped Qiubai and said, "Let others handle these matters. You don't have to worry about it."

Qiu Bai was stunned: "Your Highness, I..."

"Just stay with me, boy. Come back with me to the palace later. I have something else for you to do."

After a brief moment of surprise, Qiu Bai was filled with ecstasy.

He knew that he was lucky and had finally caught the prince's eye.

Qiu Bai suppressed his excitement and squeezed out two tears. He knelt on the ground and said in a loud voice:

"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. I will not hesitate to die even if it means going through fire and water!"