Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Three: Detailed Deliberations and the Reappointment of the Drill Instructor

So, the "difficult matter" Li Shandao spoke of was nothing more than a concern that the men might be slack. Compared to losing one's life, such laziness was hardly worth mentioning.

After Chen Jing'er expressed his stance, Wang Xuda and Luo Zhong pondered for a moment and followed suit.

Wang Xuda remarked, "One must be alive to be lazy. If we lose our lives, what use is there in talking about laziness? We shall cast aside such sloth; it is not a problem at all!"

Luo Zhong agreed, "Indeed! Young Master, I think just as Third Brother does."

Li Shandao asked, "Judging by your words, are you all willing to train?"

All three replied, "Young Master is right. If we were to encounter those two man-eating monsters, Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin, we would have no choice but to train now in hopes of putting up a fight when the time comes. We are willing!"

Li Shandao was overjoyed and said, "Since you are all willing, I must state a condition upfront."

Wang Xuda replied, "Please speak, Young Master."

"This training is not for anyone else's sake, but for our own lives. Since you have all agreed, there is one rule we must follow: we must not give up halfway, nor can we fish for three days and dry nets for two. We must train without interruption every single day, even in rain or snow! Only then will it be effective. Can you guarantee this?"

The three answered in unison, "We can!"

"I trust you three worthy brothers can do it, but what about the men in your respective groups?"

Wang Xuda declared, "Young Master, rest assured. If anyone in my group dares to slack off, I will give them a beating before you even have to say a word!"

"Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, what say you?"

Luo Zhong and Chen Jing'er both gave their word.

"Good! A man’s word is his bond. I trust your promise! Let’s get to work immediately. The stronghold does not keep idle hands; we cannot expect to eat and drink for free forever. I have asked Brother Xu: first, according to the stronghold’s rules, once the spoils from the last levy are distributed, the next task is assigned. Second, our company was only just formed, so they gave us time to settle in. That is why no tasks have been assigned yet. But one day, the order to descend the mountain for a levy will come. Since we have decided to train, we must start early. I propose we begin tomorrow. How is that?"

Emboldened by the wine, the three replied readily, "We start tomorrow!"

After agreeing, Wang Xuda stroked his beard and asked, "Starting tomorrow is fine, but Young Master, how shall we train?"

"How?"

Wang Xuda continued, "Training requires a structured plan. Young Master, has such a plan been decided?"

"As for a plan... let me ask you all something first."

Wang Xuda said, "What would you like to know?"

"Among you three, I already know from our chats that Third Brother was a garrison soldier before becoming an outlaw, while Fourth and Fifth brothers were not. But I do not know who among your men were originally garrison soldiers, county troops, or recruits of the 'Valiant Warriors' (Xiaoguo)."

The "Valiant Warriors" was a new force established by Yang Guang three years ago, in the ninth year of the Daye era.

Wang Xuda replied, "To answer you, Young Master: excluding myself, there are two men in my group who were garrison soldiers. None served as county troops or Valiant Warriors."

Luo Zhong and Chen Jing'er’s groups had one garrison soldier and one former county soldier between them.

Li Shandao asked further, "Are there any who campaigned in Goguryeo?"

The three answered respectively. It turned out that while all three groups had men conscripted for the Goguryeo campaign, none had actually reached the front. Some, like the man Chen Jing'er mentioned earlier, had fled the moment they were drafted, and others had deserted on the way.

Among the thirteen men Li Shandao brought to Wagang, only Qin Jingsi was a former garrison soldier; none had been county troops, Valiant Warriors, or had fought in Goguryeo.

In total, across the four groups plus Wang Xuda, there were five former garrison soldiers and one former county soldier. In other words, only six men possessed any military background or basic training.

It is worth noting why these four groups, totaling only a hundred men, had five former garrison soldiers. There were two reasons: first, many outlaws were simply men fleeing conscription or labor services, so the proportion of former soldiers among "bandits" was naturally higher than among the common populace. Second, the counties of Henan Circuit were of vital strategic importance, situated in the heart of the Central Plains, controlling the route to the Eastern Capital of Luoyang, guarding the Huai and Si rivers, and acting as a gateway to the Guanzhong region. Being a major grain storage hub, the imperial court had established a high density of military garrisons there—second only to the Guanzhong and Hexi regions. Given that these garrisons were much larger than those of the Northern Zhou era—ranging from eight hundred to twelve hundred men—the base number of garrison soldiers in Henan was naturally high.

Li Shandao nodded and said, "So, including you, Third Brother, and Qin Jingsi, we have six men with military experience. Third Brother, how well did you learn your combat skills and formations in the garrison?"

Wang Xuda replied, "I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I’m passable." He laughed. "The wrestling I know was taught to me by a garrison captain during my service."

"That sounds like you learned well," Li Shandao said after a moment of thought. "My idea is that to train our men, we first need instructors. Since we have you six, let’s organize a 'Drillmaster Squad.' What do you think?"

Wang Xuda asked, "A Drillmaster Squad? Young Master, will we six be responsible for the training?"

"Once the squad is formed, Third Brother, you and your men should select the skills and formations you learned in the garrisons that are best suited for our current situation and draft a 'plan.' Then we can discuss the specifics of the training. How does that sound?"

Wang Xuda laughed, "That’s easy! I can have that done in a day or two."

"Third Brother, our space and equipment are limited. When drafting this plan, keep our current reality in mind."

Wang Xuda promised, "Rest assured, Young Master. I will make sure the plan is sound and perfectly suited for our men to practice right now."

"Once the plan is ready, we will gather to discuss it. Once finalized, we can begin formal training."

Wang Xuda agreed and looked at Li Shandao. "Young Master, since Qin Jingsi was also a garrison soldier and is steady and meticulous, I suggest he lead the Drillmaster Squad! I will assist him with all my might."

Li Shandao laughed, "How could Qin Jingsi lead the Drillmaster Squad? That position must be yours!"

Wang Xuda demurred, "I can't! How could I? Young Master, it really should be Qin Jingsi."

"Worthy Brother! Do not decline. Though you are both 'Third Brothers,' this position is one that the other cannot handle—only you can!"

It sounded like a tongue-twister. Wang Xuda still wanted to refuse.

Chen Jing'er grinned, mimicking Li Shandao by calling him "Worthy Brother." "Wang, don't decline anymore. Just follow the Young Master's order. I'm counting on you to teach me those wrestling skills of yours once you're the head instructor!"

Wang Xuda scratched his beard. "This..."

Li Shandao raised his wine bowl and smiled. "It is settled! Third Brother, you shall serve as the Head Instructor. Starting tomorrow, lead the others and draft the training plan!" He signaled to Luo Zhong and Chen Jing'er. "This role is of great importance. In the short term, it concerns the quality of our training; in the long term, it concerns the lives of our hundred men. Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, our lives are entrusted to Third Brother. We must toast him!"

Luo Zhong and Chen Jing'er raised their bowls and declared, "Our lives are entrusted to Third Brother!"

Wang Xuda happily raised his bowl. "Then I will follow the Young Master's command and take on this role of Head Instructor! Young Master, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, please rest easy. I will do my utmost to draft a perfect plan!" He downed the wine in one gulp.

Having received the appointment of Head Instructor, he was full of spirit.