The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 172

At the same time, Wang Zhi also noticed a detail: those who seemed very hungry but drank the porridge very slowly, and many of them couldn't even drink the porridge mixed with sand, were sifted out again.

Wang Zhi had a sudden inspiration and secretly admired the pirates' shrewdness. A truly hungry person wouldn't care about a few grains of sand in their porridge; those who didn't want to drink but acted very hungry were clearly suspicious.

The next day, Wang Zhi and his men finally got to eat meat. This was the first time Wang Zhi had eaten meat in nearly a year. However, the pirates did not provide a lot of meat, probably because they were afraid that many people would eat too much and have health problems.

A person who is extremely hungry may burst their stomach if they eat too much.

The next day, another group of people were eliminated. This time, Wang Zhi didn't know what their selection criteria were, but by this time, Wang Zhi had gradually recovered his strength.

On the third day, these people were given more meat than the day before, and were even allowed to eat as much as they wanted, seemingly in order to help them quickly reach their peak physical strength and condition.

On the first day, five or six thousand people were recruited, but by the third day, less than three thousand remained.

Fortunately, no further screenings were conducted on the third day, which relieved Wang Zhi.

Four or five days later, the girl reappeared and signaled Wang Zhi and the others to gather.

"Everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, and their physical condition should have recovered by now. From now on, we will officially begin recruiting soldiers."

This person was none other than Yun Jin.

Yun Jin was very meticulous about recruiting for the navy. However, many people in the coastal areas were unregistered residents. Yun Jin knew the origins of these unregistered residents. Zhou Chu had told her that many people from the coast went to sea to become pirates, and their children naturally became unregistered residents.

At this moment, everyone present regarded Yun Jin and his group as pirates. Although they were full, no one dared to suggest withdrawing from the recruitment drive. After all, they had been eating for so many days, and if they withdrew now, who knew if they would be killed by these pirates?

No one would regard Yun Jin as part of the Ming Dynasty's army; which army recruits soldiers without discrimination, regardless of their status?

Yun Jin naturally knew what these people were thinking, so she didn't explain further and began to screen them one by one.

In the end, Yun Jin only selected one thousand people from the three thousand, and the rest were dismissed.

Those who weren't chosen were actually quite happy. They had been well-fed these past few days and didn't have to join the pirates; for them, there was nothing better.

Wang Zhi was one of these thousand men. He couldn't understand why this pirate gang was so large. Why recruit a thousand men at once? A pirate gang of this size shouldn't be unknown; they should have a formidable reputation along the entire southeast coast.

Unfortunately, Wang Zhi had never heard of it before.

"Your name is Wang Zhi?"

Yun Jin approached Wang Zhi and asked.

"Yes, my lord."

Wang Zhi quickly stood up straight and answered.

Although the girl in front of him seemed harmless, Wang Zhi dared not be careless at all. He knew very well that pirates were all ruthless killers.

"Where are you?"

Yun Jin asked.

Wang Zhi hesitated upon hearing this question, unsure whether he should answer truthfully.

"Just answer truthfully. Anyone who dares to lie will be beheaded."

Fang Hong, who was standing to the side, drew his sword and threatened him.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi dared not hide anything any longer.

"Replying to Your Excellency, I am from Huizhou Prefecture in Southern Zhili."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin's eyes lit up immediately. She remembered clearly that her second brother had told her to keep an eye out for a man named Wang Zhi from Huizhou Prefecture in Southern Zhili, as he could be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future.

Although she didn't know why her second brother said that, Yun Jin had always trusted Zhou Chu unconditionally, so she naturally wouldn't ask any further questions.

She just didn't expect to be so lucky, recruiting this person on her first recruitment attempt. However, she is not yet sure if he is the one she is looking for, since the possibility of having the same name is small, but not impossible.