Strangely enough, ever since they left the capital, the continuous spring rain had not stopped. The official road was extremely muddy. In addition to the cold spring of the willow season, amidst the bleak wind and cold rain, it was as if they had returned to the cold winter. Marching in this kind of weather, let alone the normal soldiers, even the old generals who had been on the battlefield for a long time had low morale, as if an omen had descended from the heavens.
Lin Wanrong had led troops in Shandong before, but that was to suppress bandits. The enemy was outnumbered and they had sufficient protection. They had a huge psychological and military advantage, so they dared to fight even with their eyes closed. But now they were facing the Turks, and the Turks were not on the same level as the White Lotus Sect. From the serious expression on Commander General Li Tai's face, one could tell a thing or two.
General Lin used the same method to deal with the changes, handing over the training of the soldiers to Hu Bugui, Du Xiuyuan and the others. These two were already familiar with General Lin's methods of training soldiers. To put it simply, it was a cruel elimination system accompanied by mental and material rewards that made people's blood boil. With this double motivation, even the weakest soldier could be trained into a hot-blooded man by Hu Bugui and the others. This set of methods had been used to train the provisions army in Shandong, and it had already been proven to be effective, so there was nothing to worry about.
In the camp on the right, the most leisurely person was General Lin. His subordinates were busy training soldiers, but he brought Gao Qiu to wander around the camp. What he liked to do the most was to grab a few normal soldiers and chat with them. When it was mealtime, he would snatch food from everyone else. He did not put on any airs, and his words flowed freely. From the generals to the cooks, he was able to mingle with everyone, and it was very lively.
Occasionally, when he was in the mood, General Lin would gather everyone to sing a song together, singing all kinds of tunes. Everyone was happy and sad when they sang.
The most special thing was the 'Reading Letters from Home' competition that Official Lin had created. There were fifty to sixty thousand soldiers in the army on the right. Every day, there would be countless letters being delivered, so he would gather a hundred men. He would encourage the soldiers to read the letters from home in front of everyone. Every time this happened, it would be the happiest moment for the soldiers.
As time went on, this became a routine. Sir Lin's right path army trained the most bitterly every day, laughing the most merrily. That atmosphere formed a stark contrast with this endless spring rain.
The army marched north for a few days, then changed their direction to east to west. As they traveled along the southern foothills of the Great Wall, the weather gradually became dry.
"General, it's time for the military conference. Do you want to go personally today, or do you want me to go again?! " Du Xiuyuan reported with a smile, only to see his immediate superior holding a strange pen and drawing on the white paper.
Lin Wanrong made a heavy stroke on the piece of paper, then yawned and said lazily, "Isn't it all about the same things during the conference every day? The battalions checked their numbers and reported the details of their training. If he were to listen to the Great General or Miss Xu's lecture again, sigh, wouldn't they be torturing a cripple like him? That's a distance of dozens of li. "
The army continued to advance, the atmosphere gradually becoming tense. After Xu Zhiqing reported to Li Tai, every day they would convene a conference to discuss the situation of the enemy and the route of the army. This gradually became a routine. The right path army of Sir Lin was twenty li away from Li Tai's camp. To travel back and forth, it would take at least two hours. This was truly difficult for the crippled Sir Lin. Therefore, these days it was Du Xiuyuan who went to report on his behalf.
What cripple, your injuries have long since healed. Yesterday you even rode a ferghana horse for two laps, even Hu Bugui could not catch up to you. Do you think everyone doesn't know? Gao Qiu followed beside him all day, so he naturally knew the ins and outs. Seeing him find an excuse to be lazy, he found it funny.
Du Xiuyuan nodded. "Then I'll go. But if Miss Xu asks again, how will I answer?! General has not gone to the tent to report for several days, Advisor Xu seems to be somewhat angry. "
She had been angry many times, and this was not the first time. Sir Lin shook his head, frowning. "It's not that I don't want to go, but my injuries are still there. Every day I risk the pain of my broken leg to supervise the advisor, Miss Xu has to understand us disabled people. How about this, I'll rest for two more days, then I'll personally report to her. "
Du Xiuyuan and the others knew that there was something strange between him and Advisor Xu. Seeing him repeatedly evade, it further confirmed their suspicions. They cupped their fists and said with a smile, "I understand, I understand. General Lin wants to personally report to Advisor Xu, but his body does not allow it. I believe Miss Xu can understand, I'll go and report to her. "
"Yes, that's the truth." Lin Wanrong laughed, praising big brother Du for his intelligence. When Du Xiuyuan rode away, Lin Wanrong shook the paper in his hand, handing it to Hu Bugui. "Big brother Hu Bugui, you are an expert in raising horses, and also an expert in training soldiers. Help me see if this idea is feasible or not?"
Hu Bugui received the paper, and with just one glance, his expression changed dramatically. "General Lin, who thought of this idea?!"
Lin Wanrong waved his hand. "Don't worry about who thought of this idea, just say if it's feasible or not!"
Hu Bugui deliberated for a moment, then carefully said, "If the soldiers' legs are tied with a five kilogram sandbag, marching seventy to eighty kilometers a day, plus the training during the camp, the intensity is too great, I'm afraid the brothers won't be able to withstand it."
"Then let me ask, big brother Hu Bugui, if you tie this sandbag to the army for training, will there be a problem?" Lin Wanrong said seriously.
Hu Bugui laughed loudly, shaking his head confidently. "This is nothing, I, Old Hu, have once driven a Ferghana horse with my iron legs, let alone a five kilogram sandbag. Not only me, I, Old Hu, am confident that the brothers I brought from Shandong, Xu Zhen's camp, all have this ability. "
"That's enough." Lin Wanrong snorted. "We're all people, there's no reason for anyone to be worse than the other. Pass down my order, starting tomorrow, no, starting tonight, the army on the right, from the generals to the soldiers, no matter if you're a cavalry camp, infantry camp, or divine weapon camp, no matter if you're training, eating, drinking, going to the toilet, or sleeping, everyone must tie a five kilogram sandbag to me. Without my order, no one is allowed to take it off, anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to military law! "
"Yes," Hu Bugui hurriedly shouted, summoning the clerk, and sent out this notice overnight.
"There's one more thing." Lin Wanrong thought for a moment, then stopped Hu Bugui who was about to step out of the tent. "Tie a sandbag to the legs of every warhorse, no matter if it's carrying goods or people."
"Under such heavy pressure, the combat power of the warhorses will increase, but their lifespan will most likely be shortened by half a year."
"A warhorse's lifespan of half a year is better than a person's lifespan being shortened by a lifetime." Seeing that Hu Bugui and Gao Qiu were staring at him in a daze, Lin Wanrong said with a bitter smile, "Brother Hu, brother Gao, do you think I'm very cruel?!"
Gao Qiu said seriously, "Brother Lin, you've never failed before, we all believe in you."
"Actually, when I was riding the ferghana horse yesterday, I already had this idea." Lin Wanrong sighed. "Whether I admit it or not, the horses of the Turks are indeed much better than those of China. Just based on the combat power of the cavalry, we've already lost at the starting line. We can only use some unconventional methods, even if it's pulling up seedlings to help them grow and wasting the warhorses, there's nothing we can do. "
Hu Bugui was originally a cavalry soldier, so his feelings towards warhorses far surpassed that of ordinary people. He could only let out a soft sigh, remaining silent.
Lin Wanrong took out two sandbags from under his military pillow and forcefully tied them to his legs, then waved his hand and said, "Brother Hu, go gather the brothers, I'll talk to them."
It was already dinnertime, the cook army had set up a large pot, the aroma of food wafting through the camp. The camp that was usually filled with battle cries was abnormally quiet today.
When Lin Wanrong stepped out of the tent, he saw a bright red setting sun illuminating the horizon, that long awaited sunset, illuminating tens of thousands of young faces. He finally saw the sun, but it was setting. Could it be that the future of this journey to the north was really uncertain? Shaking his head to dispel the distracting thoughts in his mind, he stepped onto the temporarily erected high wooden platform and looked around. The mountains and plains were filled with soldiers, their young and tanned faces, their eyes filled with unknown excitement. Warhorses with yellow manes, black manes, and white manes converged into a colorful cloud. The cold glint of swords and spears, under the afterglow of the setting sun, gave off a strange cold brilliance.
"Brothers," Lin Wanrong looked around like a tiger. He opened his mouth in a low voice, his voice echoing in the valley all around, it was abnormally clear, "I believe everyone has received the order. That's right, this order was given by me, Lin. From today onwards, it doesn't matter if you are a master archer of the cavalry infantry battalion, or a general's secretary or cook, everyone's legs are to be tied with five catties. Without my order, no one is allowed to leave. Those who disobey, behead! "
The sound of the word "behead" was thrown far away. It reverberated in the valley, striking the eardrums of every soldier. The surroundings were silent, everyone was looking at the young general who had once laughed and played with them. Looking at his solemn face, which had never been seen before, there was a sense of urgency as if a storm was coming.
"Actually, I was stimulated." Lin Wanrong gave a long sigh. The scene was silent, "These days, when the army was free, the scene of the farewell in the capital kept appearing in front of me. I saw our white-haired old mothers, our tearful wives, and our crying children. I believe that every one of us will never forget this scene for the rest of our lives. "
"Every time a brother reads a letter from home, we are all equally excited. Our relatives, their wishes are the simplest. They do not ask for glory, splendor, wealth, or to wear gold or silver. They only hope that we can return safely. I hope that every brother will remember, in the hearts of our relatives, you are not a wave, not a blade of grass. What are you? You are the majestic, magnificent, sheltering, and as noble as the sky, you are the Helan Mountain that will never fall!!! "
Tens of thousands of soldiers stood, but it was so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard. Countless young faces flushed red, their fists clenched so tightly they felt like they were about to explode. The tears in their eyes were secretly wiped away.
Lin Wanrong gave a long sigh, his voice calming again, "Please look at my legs, there are two sandbags, five catties of sandbags. You can easily do it. Where is Xu Zhen — broken column — "
"This general is here!" Xu Zhen and a dozen or so strong soldiers stepped out, their legs already tied with heavy sandbags. Looking at the weight, it was more than ten catties.
"Kill —" The dozen or so people shouted at the same time, fiercely swinging their legs at the wooden poles. With a pa la sound, the stable wooden poles broke into two. Xu Zhen and the others were calm and composed, as if they had never moved at all.
"I believe that everyone has seen it." Lin Wanrong shouted, "As long as you work hard, you can also have this kind of ability. No matter how hard or tired you are today, it is all for the sake of meeting your relatives in the future. Brothers, what are you still hesitating for?! "
As expected, he was someone who naturally relied on his glib tongue to make a living. This long speech was reasonable and well-founded, moving people with emotions. Even Gao Qiu was moved, let alone these soldiers who held Sir Lin in incomparable reverence. The tens of thousands of soldiers rushed to tie the sandbags, the scene bustling with noise and excitement.
In the following training, because the soldiers were tied with sandbags, they were not as nimble as before, but they still had to experience the pain. Lin Wanrong lowered his voice and said, "Brother Gao, if we continue to train like this, how long do you think it will take to see the results?"
Gao Qiu's martial arts were extraordinary, and tying sandbags was child's play in his eyes. "The results can be seen every day. It is just that in the first few days of training, their legs might be a bit swollen and painful, but these are all our China's elite soldiers, their physiques are strong, I estimate that in less than ten days, they will be able to walk normally. At most in less than a month, we will see the results. "
A month? He hoped that there was still time. Lin Wanrong bitterly smiled and shook his head. This method was a bit late, but it was better than nothing.
"Yi, isn't that Du Xiuyuan?!" A rider galloped over from the distance. Gao Qiu's eyesight was very good, and he immediately recognized that it was Du Xiuyuan, who had come to the camp on behalf of General Lin. He immediately said in confusion, "Today's meeting ended so early?"
Lin Wanrong was also a bit puzzled. Young Miss Xu finished lecturing so early? Du Xiuyuan galloped over, the sweat on his face not even having time to wipe away. Lin Wanrong said with a smile, "Brother Du, is the meeting over? What did Military Advisor Xu say? "
Du Xiuyuan hurriedly shook his head. "No, when I rushed to the camp, I didn't even see Military Advisor Xu's shadow. I asked General Zuoqiu of the Left Army, and he said that Military Advisor Xu went to patrol the camp today. "
Patrol the camp? Lin Wanrong blinked his eyes and suddenly cried out, "Not good, she must have caught my weakness. If things go wrong, she might even punish me by military law. Brother Du, you take care of things here, I have something to do and will leave first. Gao Qiu, prepare the fastest ferghana horse for me, I want to go out and take a piss — "
"Shameless!" A delicate shout rang out in his ears, carrying a trace of anger. Lin Wanrong's hair stood on end.
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