Chapter 24: Training the Troops
“We need to do three things right now,” Yang Zhengshan continued. “First, select and train the strong and capable young men. Second, reinforce the village’s defenses. Third, find a temporary residence within Longqing Mountain.”
Yang Zhengxiang lowered his head, deep in thought for a moment. “I’ll leave the training of the strong and capable young men to you. I’ll handle the rest.”
He had probably guessed Yang Zhengshan’s intention. Yang Zhengshan not only wanted to train the strong and capable young men to guard Yang Family Village but also to gain merits for himself.
This was Yang Zhengshan’s private ambition, but Yang Zhengxiang did not object. On the contrary, he was pleased to see it come to fruition.
If Yang Zhengshan really managed to create a prosperous and powerful path, it would be a good thing for the Yang family as well. Even if it required many lives and sacrifices, Yang Zhengxiang was willing to support Yang Zhengshan.
Scholars were different from warriors. Scholars could take the imperial examinations, rise to prominence, and gain wealth and honor. Warriors, on the other hand, could only walk the path of honor by trampling on blood and bones.
With Yang Zhengxiang’s support, selecting and training the strong and capable young men in Yang Family Village went smoothly.
Yang Family Village had a total of seventy-eight households, with almost every household having ten to twenty people.
The total population of the entire Yang Family Village was around a thousand, with about two to three hundred strong and capable young men between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five. Yang Zhengshan had selected over a hundred of them.
He had chosen those who were around twenty years old, brave, and willing to fight. As for those who were cunning, cowardly, or incompetent, he naturally did not want them.
…
Inside the Yang Family Village hall, Yang Mingcheng and his two brothers stood tall in front of Yang Zhengshan.
“Father, everyone else is participating in the training. Can we also join in?” Yang Mingcheng asked, his eyes shining brightly.
Yang Zhengshan’s gaze swept across the three brothers, who were all filled with expectation and excitement.
Although they had always been taught by Yang Zhengshan, this training was different from their usual lessons. This training was military training.
Men loved to arm themselves and practice martial arts, and those who did were especially passionate about it.
“You will all participate in the training, but you, the eldest, need to focus on taking care of the family,” Yang Zhengshan said.
“Ah!” Yang Mingcheng was taken aback. “Father, I’m a warrior. Shouldn’t I be training with you too?”
Yang Zhengshan shook his head slightly. “You should also understand the purpose of training the strong and capable young men. It’s to resist the Hu Tribe, and once we really encounter them, it will be a life-or-death battle. At that time, I won’t be able to take care of the family, and someone needs to guard the family.”
In times of war, anything could happen, and Yang Zhengshan couldn’t take all the strong and capable young men in Yang Family Village to the battlefield. He had to leave someone behind to guard the family.
The remaining women and children needed someone to rely on, and Yang Mingcheng, as the eldest son, was undoubtedly the most suitable person.
He would participate in the training, but Yang Mingcheng couldn’t join the battle.
Yang Mingcheng hesitated for a moment, looked at his wife and child standing outside, and finally nodded reluctantly. “I understand.”
Yang Zhengshan turned to Yang Mingzhi and Yang Minghao, saying, “Second brother, I’ll arrange a squad leader position for you. Whether you can take on the responsibility depends on yourself.”
With over a hundred people, there naturally needed to be a clear organization. The Da Rong Imperial Dynasty’s military organization was divided into five people per squad, two squads per company, three companies per battalion, and three battalions per regiment.
Yang Zhengshan divided the over a hundred strong and capable young men into three squads, with three squad leaders, namely Yang Mingzhi, Yang Minghui, and Yang Mingwu.
Yang Minghui needed no explanation, as he was Yang Zhengxiang’s eldest son. The Yang family naturally had to take care of Yang Zhengxiang’s children.
As for Yang Mingwu, Yang Zhengshan had specifically chosen him because he was tall and sturdy, just like a bear. He was the most likely person in Yang Family Village to become a warrior before Yang Mingcheng.
“You will be the squad leader!” Yang Mingzhi listened, his eyes shining with excitement.
“I don’t want to be the squad leader. Can I be the company commander instead?” Yang Minghao asked.
Yang Zhengshan glared at him, saying, “You’ll be my personal bodyguard.”
“Ah, no way. Can’t I be the squad leader? I don’t care!” Yang Minghao said disagreeably.
Yang Zhengshan’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold and stern. “You’ll listen to me and follow my orders. If you dare to disobey, you’ll face family discipline!”
The three brothers stood before him, this younger one being the most erratic, always thinking about marrying a wife or causing trouble.
“I—” Yang Minghao wanted to argue, but feeling the cold intent in Yang Zhengshan’s gaze, he shrank back, not daring to say another word.
The next morning, in the wasteland behind Yang Family Village.
Over a hundred strong and capable young men gathered, holding long guns, surrounded by a large crowd of villagers.
Although the impending border war made the villagers anxious, Yang Zhengshan’s training of the strong and capable young men was still a spectacle they wanted to see.
They were curious about how Yang Zhengshan would train these young men.
Even Yang Zhengxiang and several elderly clan members came to watch.
Yang Zhengshan stood above, looking down at the chaotic crowd, his face stern.
Yang Family Village’s strong and capable young men all knew how to fight, but that didn’t mean they were qualified soldiers.
An army emphasized discipline, with clear rules and regulations, and military orders were as unyielding as a mountain. The people before him were just a disorderly mob.
Even if they had learned martial arts, they couldn’t conceal the fact that they were farmers.
As for how to train an army, Yang Zhengshan had some experience. His original body had been in the military for a year, and he had participated in several military drills.
“Silence!”
As the noisy chatter continued, Yang Zhengshan’s cold voice rang out, making everyone shiver and fall silent.
From now on, no one was allowed to speak without his permission. If they wanted to speak, they had to raise their hand and report.
“Do you understand?”
Yang Zhengshan asked loudly.
“Yes!” The timid responses came from the crowd.
“Louder, do you understand?”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
The full-bodied voices merged together, echoing out.
Yang Zhengshan nodded in satisfaction, although these people were just a disorderly mob, they could at least listen to his orders.
He had spent time building his reputation in Yang Family Village, and it wasn’t in vain.
“You all should know about the border war. I won’t say more. Now, I want to talk about why I’m having you undergo training!”
Yang Zhengshan stood tall, his hands behind his back, his face stern and solemn. “I’m not training you for myself, nor is it for your own good. It’s for your parents, wives, and children.”
“Your duty is to guard, to guard Yang Family Village, to guard your family and friends, to guard this land that might be invaded by evil people!”
“Look back at them!” Yang Zhengshan pointed to the surrounding villagers, saying, “If one day the Hu Tribe comes to kill them, to plunder their silver and grain, to take away their wives and children, what will you do?”
“Think about Jiang Family Village, think about Xiao Family Village, think about the wailing and tears that have been left behind as examples!”
“And that’s just the mountain bandits. The Hu Tribe is even more ruthless and terrifying. They’ll not only burn, kill, and plunder but also take away your wives and children to enslave them.”
As Yang Zhengshan spoke, the strong and capable young men below all revealed their indignant expressions, while the surrounding villagers all wore fearful and resentful faces.
They had all heard about the tragedies of Jiang Family Village and Xiao Family Village.
No one wanted to see Yang Family Village suffer the same fate.
(The chapter ends)
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