Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

"Brother, Battalion Commander Desheng, don't worry too much about the weapons. I inquired about them while I was getting supplies."

A week later, a shipment arrived: Type 38 rifles left behind by the Japanese. I heard they were well-preserved, almost new, and included 200 rifles, along with 20,000 rounds of ammunition.

The price isn't cheap, but aren't we a bit like 'yellow goods' these days?

"200 Type 38 rifles? And 20,000 rounds of ammunition?!" Zhao Dongliang and Zhao Desheng exclaimed almost simultaneously, their faces instantly filled with immense joy.

In an era of gun scarcity, this was undoubtedly a timely help, a real source of armed force!

"Ping An, are you serious?" Zhao Dongliang's voice trembled slightly.

"Absolutely true!" Zhao Ping'an nodded firmly.

"Great! Now the recruited soldiers have something to use!" Zhao Desheng rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude as he looked at Zhao Ping'an.

This young Battalion Commander Zhao not only ensured that everyone had enough to eat and wear, but he could even procure the most difficult-to-obtain weapons!

The day after the division of labor was clearly defined, Zhao Desheng went to Zhao Ping'an's door just as dawn was breaking.

He had something on his mind. He was excited about being promoted to battalion commander and taking charge of things on his own, but he was also uneasy about the specifics of his recruitment strategy—how much grain did he have, and how many men could he recruit?

"Battalion Commander Zhao, let's talk about the specifics..." Zhao Desheng rubbed his hands, not finishing his sentence.

Zhao Ping'an understood immediately from his expression. Without saying much, he stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "Come on, let me show you some things, so you'll have a better understanding."

This time, Zhao Ping'an selected a platoon of men and instructed Zhao Desheng to bring his trusted confidants as well.

The group once again stealthily made their way to the mountain hollow behind the mountain, which had been developed into a secret base.

As usual, he kept watch on the outside while Zhao Ping'an went alone into the cave entrance, which he had cleverly enlarged and disguised with soil, stones, and withered vines.

Concentrate, bring up the system interface, and quickly perform the operation:

Five thousand catties of pork, totaling 50,000 points.

22 catties of mixed vegetables (cabbage, radish, and potatoes), totaling 500 points.

36 catties of high-quality rice and wheat flour, totaling 000 points.

A total of 108,500 system coins were consumed. Compared to the nearly eight-figure system coin balance of my own system, this is just a drop in the ocean.

But in this era, these supplies were a formidable asset that would make any team envious!

Confirm with intention. Then retrieve from space.

In an instant, the once spacious cave was filled with "mountains".

Half-portions of pork were piled up to form a low wall, reaching chest height.

The stacks of grain sacks were almost touching the top of the cave.

Vegetables, exuding the fresh scent of earth, filled the corner.

The rich aroma of food mixed with the earthy smell of the cave itself created a uniquely comforting and satisfying flavor.

Zhao Ping'an stepped out of the cave and waved to Zhao Desheng, who was waiting there: "Battalion Commander Zhao, come in and have a look."

Zhao Desheng, filled with curiosity, crawled inside.

The next second, his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, his mouth opened involuntarily, and his eyes widened.

A short, almost choking gasp escaped his throat: "This...this?!"

There was no light in the cave, only a faint ray of daylight filtering in from the entrance, outlining the massive, silent silhouette of the mountain of supplies.

But the outline itself represents unimaginable abundance.

He had served in the army for many years and had met some wealthy people, but he had never seen so much and such a complete variety of grains and meat in one place at one time!

This is not just "some supplies," it's practically a small strategic reserve!

He mechanically walked forward, reached out and touched the cold pork, then grabbed a handful of dry, plump rice.

The real touch from his fingertips finally made him believe that this was not an illusion.

He abruptly turned to look at Zhao Ping'an, who had followed him in, his expression a mixture of shock, ecstasy, and a hint of awe:

"Battalion Commander Zhao... these... these are all..."

"They're all ours," Zhao Ping'an said calmly, as if he were remarking on the nice weather.

"Normally, this many deliveries are made every two weeks. If there's a need, we can deliver twice a week."

Battalion Commander Desheng, now you have a better understanding, right? Go ahead and recruit soldiers.

But remember, quality over quantity. Our current group of two hundred-plus people is the foundation.

The most important thing for newly recruited people is that they have a clean background, are honest and obedient, and preferably have experienced hardship and know how to be grateful.

We don't want any of those old, cunning, or dishonest veterans.

"Start by recruiting a couple hundred people. Too many will create a mixed bag and spoil the whole thing."

Zhao Desheng's chest heaved violently a few times, and he nodded heavily, his voice hoarse with excitement:

"Don't worry, Battalion Commander Zhao! I, Zhao Desheng, guarantee with my own head that every soldier I recruit will have to pass my test first!"

"If it doesn't meet your requirements, I won't accept it even if it's recommended by the King of Heaven himself!"

The soldiers worked extra hard on the subsequent moving work, although they were still strictly ordered not to make a sound.

But everyone's face radiated an irrepressible excitement and a sense of security. With these things in mind, their hearts were completely at ease!

Once the supplies were returned, Zhao Ping'an immediately began to refine their management.

Seeing that his soldiers had recovered their physical condition after more than a month of recuperation, he simply announced a new food standard:

The basic daily intake is one ounce of meat. Those participating in daily training can add two to three ounces. Those who pass the training assessment can add another two ounces and eat up to five ounces of meat!

Staple foods and vegetables are unlimited and you can eat your fill, but there is one ironclad rule—no waste is allowed, and violators will be severely punished, even having their eligibility to eat meat revoked.

The news caused an uproar throughout the camp.

Meat! We get to eat meat every day, and we can even eat more because of training!

For ordinary soldiers who are often starving, this is more real than any empty promise.

The enthusiasm for training was instantly ignited; without the officers urging them on, everyone roared and ran towards the training field.

Just for that "pass" grade during the assessment, they could get an extra spoonful of oily stewed meat.

With Zhao Ping'an's ample material support, Zhao Desheng's recruitment work progressed rapidly.

But he was extremely strict in his selection process, almost using the standards of modern political vetting to choose people:

No one who has oppressed the people, no one with a history of theft, no one with a history of military thuggery, no one of dubious origin...

Even so, with the simple, brutal, yet incredibly tempting conditions of "having enough to eat, having meat to eat, and having clothes to wear,"

In just one week, he still managed to select more than a hundred people from nearby desperate villages and scattered small groups of troops.

These new recruits were either emaciated or looked bewildered, but their first meal on their first day in the camp completely won them over.

Large bowls of white rice, and steaming stew with real chunks of meat! It was all-you-can-eat! The veterans even had more meat in their bowls! At that moment, all hesitation and anxiety vanished. With such an officer and such food, they'd do anything they were told! Training was tough? Could it be tougher than going hungry?

The camp expanded rapidly, bustling with activity.

Zhao Ping'an mixed new and veteran soldiers, with the veterans mentoring the new ones, and the training subjects also began to extend from basic physical fitness and drills to tactical coordination and earthwork operations.

The entire Wayaocun garrison had become a well-ordered and highly motivated military camp.