The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

"And what about the gifts from those people? Not only last night, but this morning, many stewards from wealthy families also came to deliver gifts," Zhang Sanjin continued.

"You accepted them all?" Zhang Liao frowned. He really didn't have a good impression of those people.

“It was the right thing to accept it. Why not? They gave it to us voluntarily, not because we asked them to,” Chen Er said with a smile, comforting Zhang Sanjin.

Some people are not suited to be friends, but there's no need to make them enemies either. Always leave room for maneuver, so you can meet again in the future.

"Then, did anyone from Zhang Yang's family come?" Zhang Liao then asked.

"No. No one has come to Lord Zhang Yang's house." Zhang Sanjin looked at Zhang Liao strangely, wondering why he would ask such a question.

Chen Er gently patted Zhang Liao's shoulder and shook his head at him.

It's best not to let the three hundred local militia know about the break with Zhang Yang.

Seeing Chen Er's reaction, Zhang Liao fell silent.

“You did a great job. If you need anything in the future, you can come directly to the two of us,” Chen Er said to Zhang Sanjin.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanjin's face lit up with joy; he naturally understood what Chen Er meant. However, just when Chen Er thought he was about to leave, Zhang Sanjin, forcing himself to speak, continued:

"There is indeed something that Sanjin doesn't know whether he should say or not."

"What is it? Speak freely!" Chen Er became interested.

"Just now, Wen Yuan and Chen Er, you two announced that you were joining the Trapped Camp. Although the brothers didn't say much on the surface, they were all upset. Why should we join the Trapped Camp?! They humiliated us not long ago. If we go over there now, won't they think we're easy to bully?"

As Zhang Sanjin spoke, his voice grew increasingly annoyed, rising several octaves in his voice. Chen Er and Zhang Liao, upon hearing this, fell silent for a moment.

This was a decision they and Ding Yuan made privately. Faced with the incomprehension and anger of the three hundred local militiamen, they felt as if they had betrayed them.

The three of them were talking near the doorway when a voice came from down the hallway:

"Let me tell you why I'm doing this!"

Upon hearing this, the three of them turned to look at the door and saw Gao Shun walking towards them.

"Chen Er, Zhang Liao, you two gather three hundred local militiamen. I have something to say."

Gao Shun stared indifferently at the three hundred local militiamen standing before him, his expression cold: "Tell us, who are you?!"

"He's a soldier!" All three hundred local militiamen recognized Gao Shun, and at this moment, as if they were holding their breath, they shouted loudly at Gao Shun.

"Good! Very good answer! But soldiers don't just talk the talk!" Gao Shun said blankly. He walked up to one of the men, pointed to the floral silk cloth he was carrying, and asked:

"Tell me, what is this?"

"Reporting to the lord, this is a reward bestowed upon us by Lord Ding Yuanding. I thought this piece of silk was beautiful, so I decided to keep it and buy my wife a new dress when we get home!"

The young soldier's face flushed, but he had no choice but to speak up when he looked at Zhang Liao and Chen Er.

Gao Shun's lips twitched slightly, and he slowly walked to the other person's side:

"What is this?"

"I thought this box was pretty nice, so I was thinking of taking it home to store some things," the burly, bearded middle-aged man replied honestly.

Upon hearing this answer, Zhang Liao immediately lowered his head, and Chen Er also felt embarrassed.

Gao Shun said nothing. Looking at the group of villagers who were carrying some "household items" in their hands, he returned to Chen Er and Zhang Liao's side.

"Now, I'm giving you two choices. I'll only say one, so listen carefully!" Gao Shun's expression was solemn.

"First, take your junk and get back home to farm! My Trapped Camp doesn't need such disgraceful soldiers! Second, throw away your junk and march to the Trapped Camp's encampment before nightfall! Whoever doesn't make it can get out of here!"

"Can we take our supplies with us to the enemy camp?! We're strong, carrying this little bit won't be a problem." A voice came from the local militia.

"Fine! As long as you carry this tattered thing with you every day during training, and even when you're on the battlefield! If you dare put it down, I'll be the first to chop off your head!" After saying this, Gao Shun looked at Zhang Liao and Chen Er:

"Do you two have any other opinions?"

Chen Er and Zhang Liao both shook their heads, feeling embarrassed.

This wasn't what they expected. Shouldn't the three hundred militiamen have been motivated to improve themselves after that humiliation? Why were they behaving so disgracefully today?

"But these were bestowed upon us by Lord Ding! It would be such a waste to lose them!" Whether it was deliberately going against Gao Shun or something else, another voice emerged from the crowd.

"Didn't Lord Ding tell you that soldiers' duty is to obey orders? As for these things, I will naturally send them to your hometowns!" Gao Shun added coldly.

Now, even those who harbored deep resentment towards Gao Shun were speechless. The three hundred local militiamen put down their "household necessities," and at this moment, they truly resembled an army.

However, this is still far from the army that Gao Shun envisioned!

Next, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, and Chen Er rode their mounts ahead, followed by three hundred local militiamen, heading in a grand procession towards the encampment of the Trapped Camp.

Along the way, Zhang Liao and Chen Er also witnessed Gao Shun's methods of governing the army.

He rode his warhorse, his expression solemn, silent, like a cold-faced god. Although the three hundred local militia had experienced two battles, they were still not regular soldiers. Many of them could not keep up after marching only ten miles, and complaints could be heard from time to time in the ranks.

However, faced with the complaints of the three hundred local militiamen, Gao Shun only said one sentence:

"The soldiers of the Trapped Camp must march thirty li every three days."

After these words were spoken, no one had the nerve to say anything more. At this opportune moment, Zhang Liao and Chen Er stepped forward and said a few encouraging words.

Although many people's bodies could no longer take it, they still forced themselves to persevere because of the sheer willpower they had.

However, having not received much training, such a forced march was still too difficult for three hundred local militiamen.

After walking less than twenty miles, one of the older men couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground. He struggled to get up and continue forward, not wanting to hold the group back, but he just couldn't stand up.