Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 380 - 236: Four Types of Opening_4

Chapter 380: Chapter 236: Four Types of Opening_4

But Zhao Haiping was clearly not going to be satisfied with that.

Because he had done his homework in advance, he knew he had to vie for a special status, "Special Engraved Service."

In other words, he was going to try his best to obtain the first type of assessment.

There were two main reasons for this.

The first is that soldiers of the Qi Dynasty were required to have characters tattooed on their faces, a rule that began in the previous dynasty due to the large number of conscripts, many of whom had no combat ability and could only do hard labor, resulting in many desertions. To prevent these soldiers from running away, the emperor at that time came up with a very cunning solution, tattooing characters on the faces.

At this time, the biggest problem with the military system was that it was responsible for both absorbing refugees and expanding the army, mixing the two roles together, and in the end, it achieved neither social welfare nor improved military quality. Apart from a little effect on maintaining stability, the drawbacks of other aspects are too numerous to mention.

And face tattooing was a very nasty byproduct of this military system.

Zhao Haiping certainly did not want to have his face tattooed, even if this was just acting in a historical moment.

And Special Engraved Service meant that as an elite in the military, he could have his army number tattooed on his arm instead of his face.

The second reason was that soldiers selected for Special Engraved Service were elites, who had the opportunity to become junior officers right from the start, a step above the other soldiers.

In this way, he might be able to play a bigger role in the entire Jingping Change.

Zhao Haiping arrived at the drill ground, where junior officers were in charge of measuring height on one side and various assessment activities on the other.

"I want to take the horseback archery test!"

Zhao Haiping looked at the warhorses beside him, full of confidence.

...

Meanwhile, Huo Yun Ying was in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of a small village northwest of Da Liang city.

A few rogue types, dressed like bandits, were gathering around him.

"My name is Zhu Tuo, also known as ’Poison Hand Judge’ in the jianghu. I’ve heard of Mr. Duan Tao, ’Sword Breaks the River,’ and all the other heroes present."

"My name is Su Hong, known in the jianghu as ’Green Snake Grass.’"

"My name is Yuan Zhiyong, known in the jianghu as ’Iron Chains That Secure Rivers and Mountains.’"

In addition to these, there were four or five others who obviously held a lower status, with all sorts of nicknames to their names.

Huo Yun Ying looked bewilderedly at these people, and through their physique, weapons, and bearing among other factors, he came to a conclusion.

This... seems to be just a band of petty thieves...

Take the three seemingly high-status individuals for instance; ’Poison Hand Judge’ Zhu Tuo wielded a pair of judge’s pens, but it was clear to see that their tips were well-worn.

If ’Poison Hand Judge’ Zhu Tuo’s attire could be considered decent, then ’Green Snake Grass’ Su Hong was extremely shabby, with only a hemp rope tied around his waist, hardly distinguishable from street ruffians.

As for Yuan Zhiyong, while the name "Iron Chains That Secure Rivers and Mountains" sounded impressive, it was probably because his weapon was a thick chain.

Who in their right mind would use such a thing as a weapon?

As the saying goes, the stranger the weapon, the quicker the death. There are only two conditions under which such bizarre weapons are used: the first is inheriting a similar tradition, often concealed and unusual martial arts masters; the second is purely for novelty and to frighten the enemy.

It seems that Yuan Zhiyong most likely belongs to the latter.

Soon, everyone introduced themselves and all gave the usual "I’ve long admired your name."

Huo Yun Ying squinted slightly, quite skeptical whether these expressions of admiration were genuine or just as the usual pleasantries common in the jianghu.

After all, most of these people likely made up their own impressive-sounding names, and it would be good enough if their fellow villagers knew of them. Now, they looked like they had gathered from the vicinity, all unknowns. It was more likely the case that not exposing one another was the usual practice.

After everyone had introduced themselves, they all turned their eyes to Huo Yun Ying.

"Mr. Duan, with the Jin dogs coming down south, all the brothers have elected you as the Alliance Hierarch. We wonder, how should we proceed?"

Huo Yun Ying blinked in confusion before he realized.

Oh, so I’m the one called "Sword Breaks the River," Duan Tao...

Looking at these so-called "heroes" of the green forest, many of whom were just street thugs, Huo Yun Ying was momentarily at a loss, not knowing how to respond.

...

At Cen Bridge Inn.

Li Hongyun had also stepped out of the inn and into the heart of this small town.

The Jin soldiers’ offensive was already unfolding toward the lands of the Qi Dynasty in the south, with two armies heading towards Taiyuan and the capital, respectively.

After Yan Jing fell, the Yellow River defenses also collapsed at a touch. No one could clearly say how long after receiving the news of the Jin invasion it would take for Cen Bridge Inn to become embroiled in war.

Thus, Cen Bridge Inn was in a state of great chaos.

Of course, this wasn’t entirely due to a lack of communication. In the capital and imperial city, where military intelligence was gathered, the chaos was just as bad.

According to historical records, it was not until the Emperor Qihui knew that the Jin soldiers were ten days’ march from the capital that he issued a decree before abdicating, calling on the regional fortresses to come to the king’s defense.

Li Hongyun walked through the chaotic streets of Cen Bridge Inn, feeling lost.

What should I be doing right now?