Workers are not only able to obey orders, but also good at collaboration. They are much better than ordinary farmers and have always been the best source of soldiers.

Not to mention later generations, let’s talk about Qi Jiguang, a famous anti-Japanese general, more than a hundred years later. The main source of troops he selected was miners in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

As long as these people have a little training and improve their physical fitness and combat skills, they will be a strong army.

There is not much time now and there is no time to train soldiers, but these young and strong men can only barely eat enough within this month, but they have also undertaken heavy labor and don’t have to worry about physical strength.

Even if all these 200,000 people were taken to the capital, even if they could not fight in the field, there was no problem in defending the city. No matter how good it was, it was much better than the wastes in the capital camp and the people in the capital.

After selecting a little from it, practicing for a while, and after seeing the blood and fire, it will become a strong army.

As long as we survive the initial dilemma and prevent the rebels from winning quickly, once we enter the stalemate stage, Shi Heng's final defeat will inevitably be inevitable. For specific examples, please refer to the Anshi Rebellion.

To defend the capital is definitely much better than to give up a large area of ​​land in the north. Not only will people not lose their hearts, but it can also reduce the scope of the rebels' activities, reduce their source of money and food, and lay the foundation for the final quelling of rebellion.

Looking at the busy working people at the foot of the mountain, Yu Qian felt thoughtful. After a moment of silence, he couldn't help asking:

"Zhou Xiaolang, these people do have the potential to become elite soldiers. In just a short time, how can you truly eliminate the weak and retain the strong and give them initial combat power?"

Zhou Qinchuan responded respectfully:

"Sir Yu, we just need to release the news and say that the court wants to recruit soldiers. After joining the army, we will not only have money to settle the family, but also pay money every month, which is enough to support the family. In this way, the people here will definitely sign up enthusiastically."

"Yes, let's continue, Zhou Xiaolang."

Yu Qian nodded slightly. Due to floods in this area, there is definitely no hope for the harvest this year. He must find another way to survive. Since joining the army can support his family, the people naturally have no reason to let it go.

Replacing the original military troops with recruiting troops has always been the direction of Yu Qian's transformation of the military system. He used the instructors of paying money to attract the people, which was consistent with his idea.

"The next thing I think. At the beginning, we will accept all those who sign up, no matter how good or bad we are..."

"What? You! What do you think of eliminating the weak and keeping the strong? You are using military affairs as a joke..." Jin Zhizhou next to him couldn't help but complain.

"Don't worry, Lord Jin, listen to me finish my words." Zhou Qinchuan replied and continued:

"After accepting it, we can ask them to go to Tongzhou, the capital, and only those who arrive at the Tongzhou camp within the prescribed time can they become formal Ming soldiers.

This place is about a thousand miles away from the capital, five days with horses and eight days with hiking. With this distance and the fatigue of rushing, as long as people who can arrive in Tongzhou within the specified time limit, both physical strength and perseverance are better than ordinary soldiers and recruit them into an army, there is no problem."

There were quite a few horse households in the eastern part of Shandong. Even during the river control period, people could often be seen riding horses on Zhou and Qinchuan.

Horse households are horse-raising households, and the imperial court organized them to jointly complete the labor service for horse-raising. Correspondingly, horse households can be exempted from some other labor service and taxes.
Chapter completed!