With the arrival of summer, the 30,000 soldiers in Ji Li Province were sent out. Wang Juan, the secretary, finally had 10,000 soldiers to command.
The ten thousand men were divided into ten battalions by Wang Juan, and the reinforcement battalions took turns. There were always two battalions that were training, while the other eight battalions were training. What was inconceivable was that the eight battalions that were training did not use weapons. Instead, they used saws, picks, axes and other tools.
While the soldiers were still in a daze, Wang Juan explained that they would first train to build the fortifications. When they could build the fortifications well and quickly, they would move on to the next step.
Fortifications were very important.
After further promotion, the 10,000 soldiers knew about Wang Juan's ability.
Li Longji did not transfer soldiers from Jiannan Circuit, nor did he transfer soldiers from the capital or Luoyang. It was impossible for him to transfer soldiers from Lu Zhou. Instead, he transferred soldiers from Qianzhong Circuit.
Wang Juan was overjoyed. If it was only Qianzhong Circuit, it would not be so bad. However, Li Longji transferred soldiers from the east of Qianzhong Circuit, where Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were from. As the saying went, one would not be able to form an army without a place. It was obvious that their combat strength was mediocre.
Wang Juan treated the 10,000 soldiers as her treasures. If they were trained well, it would be very comfortable to use them.
With large bowls of wine and large pieces of meat, Wang Juan began to train the 8,000 soldiers who were taking turns to train the fortifications. First, she did not let them receive any military training. Instead, she separated the battalions and began to build fortifications in Ji Li Province.
However, this construction was neither a trench nor a city. Instead, they ran to a mountain where there were many trees. Then, they would cut down the trees and build barracks. Then, they would level the ground and move on to the next mountain after they had finished with one mountain.
After training for half a month, the people from Qianzhong Road finally realized that something was wrong. This was because when they rotated every half a month, they saw that there were no soldiers living in the barracks that they had built previously. Instead, there were many civilians living in them.
The civilians had smiles on their faces. They seemed to be very happy to have a ready-made house. Moreover, the land was leveled. They could plant some things depending on the weather, even vegetables.
The soldiers were dumbfounded. Was this the importance of fortifications? It was no wonder that the building had to be sturdy during the construction of the fortifications. They also had to dig a drainage ditch that could be used for a long time. The place that was supposed to be used to raise captured warhorses actually had a lot of piglets squealing.
If it weren't for the fact that they had been eating lavishly during this period of time, the soldiers would have mutinied. The place that they had worked so hard to build had actually become the home of the common people. What was this called?
"Battalion Commander, I quit. This is too much of a bully. No matter how powerful Wang Juan is, isn't it all because of other people's words? Why don't I believe that she has that kind of ability? You tricked us into coming to this godforsaken place just to build houses for the local people? "
The second battalion was just in time for the rotational training. When the one thousand soldiers saw that the place they had built was occupied, a soldier angrily complained to the commander of the second battalion.
The second battalion commander's answer was very straightforward. He slapped the soldier's head, causing the soldier to stagger. He lectured, "You haven't seen the capabilities of the army with your own eyes. How could you not know how the Yangtze River Bridge was built? Don't you know whose name is engraved in the Tower of a Thousand Souls?
We are now conscripts. If you don't work, you won't get a single cent. Look at the new clothes you are wearing and the food you usually eat and drink. These are also money. If you really want to quit, you can go back after three thoughts. At that time, you will have a sum of money and someone will find a job for you. "
The soldier touched the clothes on his body. They were made of pure cotton, which could not be found anywhere else. Only a portion of the rich could wear such clothes. He lowered his head and said unhappily, "She should have told us first. She said that it was built for the common people. She lied to me. What fortification? It has nothing to do with fortification at all."
Pa! Another slap. "Tell you everything? Do we need to tell you what the generals are thinking during war? Training is about to start. Behave yourself. Otherwise, no one can protect you. Get lost. "
After the Battalion Commander reprimanded the soldier and sent him away, he suddenly remembered that after serving in a new place, he felt that everything around him was very unfamiliar. Furthermore, it was not as comfortable as it was in his hometown. Because of the climate, many of his brothers fell ill. Fortunately, the Zhang and Wang Family's doctors were very capable and sent out the best medical teams. Otherwise, there would have been people sacrificing themselves even before the war.
No matter how he looked at Registrar Wang Juan, she looked like a child. Even if she was older than ordinary children, she could not get rid of the childishness on her face. He did not know how long she could stay here. He was not sure about following such a person.
Just as he was thinking about this, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from outside. It sounded quite loud.
The battalion commander thought that someone was fighting. Although he was dissatisfied with the registrar, he and others could not be soft when there was a battle. He stepped out of the temporary tent and looked outside.
At first glance, the battalion commander was stunned. The soldiers of the second battalion were also stunned. They saw many local people in front of them. Each of them had a happy smile on their faces and held baskets in their hands. They were gradually approaching.
"Messenger, what's the situation?" The battalion commander, who had just come out, could not tell. He could only ask the messenger who ran over from the side.
"Battalion commander, these are the people who just moved here not long ago. They said that they want to reward us and thank us for building them houses and leveling the land. Look at the banner in front of them. I just asked a literate person and they said that it says' Soldiers and soldiers are one family. '"
The messenger was very competent. In a short time, he found out many things and came to the battalion commander to report.
The battalion commander was stunned. He did not understand what it meant. What did 'one family' mean? He and his brothers did not have a home here. If they had a home, it would be in the military camp. What did it have to do with the local people?
Just as the soldiers were puzzled, the sound in front of them stopped, and an old man walked out from the crowd. He walked in front of the battalion commander with a smile on his face. The soldiers beside him were still in shock, but they did not stop him. They did not think that an old man could hurt the battalion commander.
The old man bowed and said, "I'm the chief of the Second Battalion Village, which has just moved here not long ago. I heard that your battalion is coming today, so I prepared some food to entertain you. Governor Zhang and Adjunct Wang said that the Second Battalion Village has a place to stay because of the houses built by the Second Battalion Village.
Compared to a house, compared to having a home, the Second Battalion Village has too little to offer. I hope Battalion Commander Fan won't be offended. When the pigs in my village grow up, I will definitely kill a few dozen of them and send them to the Second Battalion. "
The battalion commander of the second battalion understood what was going on. The houses he and his brothers built were indeed given to the local people, but Wang Juan did not take the credit. Zhang Xiaobao was also not greedy. He told the people what was going on.
Although it was easy for the army to build a house, it was another matter for the people. It saved them a lot of trouble, so they came to express their gratitude.
Their slightly bad mood suddenly changed. Looking at the enthusiasm of the people who welcomed them and hearing the chief's words, the battalion commander quickly waved his hand and said seriously, "The second battalion did not know that this house was for other people to live here. We came here to build the fortification. Since Governor Zhang and Registrar Wang let you live here, you can live here."
"Battalion Commander Fan is too humble. That's fine, let's not talk about this anymore. Even Adjunct Wang said that even if we brought it up, the soldiers would deny it. This is what we call the soldiers of the common people. They did work for us but they don't admit it.
Let's not talk about the house, we definitely won't talk about it. This house is really comfortable. How thoughtful of you. Just tell us about how you protected us in Jili Province. Battalion Commander Fan, the village has prepared food for you. Don't let them wait too long. Follow me, follow me. "
The village chief of the Second Battalion Village said as he pulled the battalion commander forward. The soldiers nearby also heard the village chief's words.
They were still complaining at first, but after hearing the chief's words, they suddenly felt that what they did was not bad. Whether it was building the fortification or building houses for the people, at least the people did not forget them. They even used the name of the village. What about the other villages? Was it two battalions and one village, two battalions and two villages?
The battalion commander, who followed the chief to the crowd, wanted to explain more. As a soldier, he liked to be straightforward. He did not think this way when he did it, so he naturally wanted to make it clear.
However, the Muramasa didn't give him the chance. As he pulled him away, he said to him, "I know you are from Jinzhou in Qianzhong Circuit and are not used to eating mutton. It's okay. We have prepared fish for you. The seasonings were given by Governor Zhang. The taste is good.
You ate river fish in your hometown. Here, try sea fish. I heard that there are many fish in the river. I don't know if you like it. Try it. If you like it, eat more. If you don't like it, tell me. Where is it bad? It will be better next time. "
The battalion commander was pulled to the front of the people by the chief's words. There were three hundred people living in the second battalion village. This time, more than two hundred people came. There were adults, but no children. The children were all in school.
The people were all carrying baskets or carrying baskets. When the battalion commander arrived, they opened the baskets wrapped in linen. Steam came out. Inside the baskets were fish in wooden bowls.
The battalion commander unconsciously took a deep breath. He was really fascinated by the smell of the fish. Fragrant, really fragrant. It was more fragrant than the fish he ate at home. It must be the seasonings.
"Quick, bring the fried fish to the battalion commander. Let him taste it." The village chief called out again, and two young men immediately came out from the crowd. The two of them carried a large basket and approached the camp chief. When they opened the lid, they saw that the first layer of the basket was filled with two wooden plates. Inside the plates were fried fish that had turned yellow.
It was the Sea Sickle Fish, or Hairtail Fish. He didn't know how it was done, but the white parts of the fish had been removed. When he looked carefully, the black parts that should be around the fish's belly had been removed as well. There was a faint fragrance when he smelled it.
The chief held a plate and handed it to the battalion commander. The battalion commander was stunned and did not take it immediately. The chief immediately took a piece of fish from the plate and put it in his mouth.
"Battalion Commander Fan, don't worry. No matter how bad we are, we won't poison our soldiers. Wouldn't that be repaying kindness with enmity? Try it. It's all fried. I told the person who made the fish that this time it was for the people of the second battalion. They used all the vegetable oil they left at home, afraid that it wouldn't be fried. "
The chief's words were like a needle that stabbed into the battalion commander's heart. The battalion commander, who was stunned just now, directly reached out and took a piece of fish from the plate. He ate it with all his might. He didn't even spit out the fish bones. He chewed and swallowed it.
Although the people from Qianzhong Dao and Jili Province were unfamiliar with each other, this kindness closed the distance between the two places.
"Battalion Commander Fan, can it be eaten? I don't know what the taste of the people from your side is like, "the chief asked carefully. The other people were also waiting for the battalion commander's answer.
The battalion commander actually didn't know what the fish in his mouth tasted like. Looking at the people in front of him and thinking about the matter of Shuzhou across the river, he finally understood many things.
No wonder the people of Shuzhou worshipped Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao. No wonder after crossing the bridge, no one was allowed to say anything bad about Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family. No wonder the soldiers of Shuzhou were so close to the people outside.
This was all the ability of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, or the ability of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family. Anyway, it was the same. The children they raised were like adults.
After eating the fish today, the soldiers wouldn't be disgusted if they did things for the people here in the future. Although they knew it was Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's method, they couldn't refuse this very comfortable feeling. After all, the people didn't have so many thoughts.
While the battalion commander was thinking about things, the people led by the chief were still waiting for the evaluation.
After a while, the battalion commander finally knew what he should do. He picked up a piece of hairtail fish and put it in his mouth. While chewing hard, he kept nodding and saying, "Delicious, really delicious. You used a lot of seasoning and oil, right? I heard that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family's seasoning is the best. "
"Not much, not much. We didn't enjoy much before. As soldiers, it's enough to eat well. We still count on you to protect us."
The chief waved his hand and replied.
"Come here, all of you. Eat the fish made by Erying Village." How could a person who could become a Battalion Commander be a fool? He understood immediately. The commoners here took out their daily necessities just to prepare for this meal, and shouted at their subordinates who were still watching from the sidelines.
This was the good thing about being a soldier. They listened to their leader and ate when their leader asked them to. A thousand soldiers rushed over and launched an attack on the fish.
One by one, they ate without caring about their image. This fish wasn't that delicious. It wasn't fresh, and too much seasoning was used. It lacked a kind of earthy taste, so they weren't used to it. But this fish was made by the people, so it was rare to eat it. In the past, they had never eaten the food given by the people. Even if they weren't used to it, they had to pretend that it was delicious.
Among the people of Erying Village, except for the chief, who deliberately arranged this matter under the instructions of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, the others didn't know the situation inside. They all followed the chief's instructions. Seeing a group of young men eating there, they felt that the fish they made was okay and were very happy.
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