Xie Ming

Chapter 47: Training Soldiers (I)

When Xiao Jingchuan and his group came down the mountain and entered the village, it was almost noon. They had a big meal and stayed for a long time at the widow's house. When they hurried back to the dense forest and rocky hill at the entrance of the village, they were a few minutes late.

Gu Changting and Wang Chuanwu went to purchase food and pulled it out of the village with great effort, but they arrived first.

At this moment, when Xiao Jingchuan and Qiu Zhizhong hurried to the stone hill, that team of soldiers had already finished eating the delicious food brought back by Chang Ting, and were waiting there eagerly, having been waiting for a long time!
Gu Changting was worried that Xiao Lang might have encountered some difficult problems, so he discussed with Chuanwu and his soldiers. He was about to lead the team into the village to look for him, but before he set off, he saw Xiao and Qiu, one in front and one behind, coming out of the village and heading towards them!

"Changting, Chuanwu, you two are here first!"

Xiao Jingchuan took a few quick steps, approached the crowd, and asked with a guilty conscience.

"Hey, General, why are you and Master Qiu coming back just now?"

"A little later, I have discussed with Chuanwu and the brothers, and we are all ready to set off to the village to pick you up!" Gu Changting replied worriedly.

"Hehe, your general... that was a little kid." Qiu Zhizhong was rude and was about to make fun of the incident of the young widow who leaked the secret.

Seeing this, Xiao Lang quickly jumped over to cover his mouth.

"Well, it's just a small matter. We two were tripped up by some small things. It's okay, it's okay!"

"By the way, Changting, how is the food shopping going?"

Xiao Jingchuan secretly glanced at Qiu Zhizhong, suppressing the matter of marrying the widow, and changed the subject in one go.

"Oh, don't worry, General!"

"We have purchased all the food and some mountain products!"

"This time, it's enough for our entire army to eat for ten days to half a month!" Gu Changting replied blankly.

"Okay! Okay!"

"With this batch of food, we can get down to work!"

"Without further delay, let's go, brothers, and return!"

"The prince is still waiting for medicine to cure his illness!"

As he spoke, Xiao Jingchuan pulled Qiu Zhizhong aside and walked in front of him to prevent him from talking nonsense and making fun of him in front of the soldiers.

Changting and Chuanwu ordered all the soldiers to escort the food and follow behind. Then they headed back home and rushed to the place where the army had set up camp.

On March 22, the entire army stayed at Yuhu Peak for another whole day.

Fortunately, with the plaster, the prince's condition has improved significantly, his high fever has subsided, and his physical strength has also recovered a lot.

In order to prevent the prince from becoming exhausted and getting into trouble during the next march in the mountains, Xiao Jingchuan took his men to cut some thick branches and weave some rattan strips to make a sedan chair for the prince.

In the afternoon, the prince ate some food and took some medicine. Then he came out and saw the brand new sedan chair. He hurriedly tried to sit in it to test it out. He was very happy and praised Xiao Jingchuan for this action. The grudge and estrangement between Xiao Lang and the prince gradually dissipated in the little things.

Not only that, considering the old age of old ministers such as Ni Yuanlu, Xiao Jingchuan also made a sedan chair, but it was divided into different levels of status, and it looked much simpler than the prince's!
A group of veteran civil officials are also very grateful for this!

Although Xiao Lang was very tired after a long day, he did gain unexpected benefits in winning people's hearts!
The next morning, March 23rd, Xiao Jingchuan ordered the entire army to reorganize their accompanying equipment and prepare to set out again!
Before leaving, Xiao Lang stood on a high slope facing north and looked out.

"Old Xiao! Are you worried about Peizhong?"

"It's only three or four days. If Peizhong takes a detour to the west, I'm afraid he won't be able to catch up with us in this day and age!"

"Don't worry, he will be back!" Qiu Zhixin was very careful and saw Xiao Jingchuan's actions from afar. He hurriedly walked up to him to comfort him.

"Well, the entire army has stayed here for two days. We can't wait any longer!" Xiao Jingchuan said disappointedly.

"Report!"

"General, the entire army has assembled!"

Gu Changting led the way, followed by Li Huchen, Wang Chuanwu, Ma Minglu and others who also rushed to Xiao Lang.

"Well, Changting, have you finished the inventory?" Xiao Jingchuan asked.

"All departments have been properly counted!"

"Except for the hundred or so soldiers led by Sun Peizhong who have not returned, there are 405 soldiers left in the original Shenji Camp. All of you are on standby!"

"Li Huchen's cavalrymen have left from the Fragrant Hills. There are only 120 of them left. All of you are on standby!"

"All the military servants of each prefecture, after crossing the Hun River and entering Sanpo, the remaining twenty-three people, all stand by!"

"Also, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and all the ministers and nobles are also ready to go!" Gu Changting reported one by one.

"it is good!"

"All troops, listen up! Head towards Dahugou-Bairui Valley! Let's go!" Xiao Jingchuan said loudly.

"Yes!"

"Yes Yes!"

The generals received the order and returned to their units one by one to organize their troops and set off!
[Shenji Camp Troops: 405 people, 20% with Rumi guns, 80% with bird guns, no strategy for cold weapons]

[Li Huchen's Cavalry: 120 people, 80% of them have three-barreled guns, 20% have Rumi guns, and no cold weapons]

[Military servants of each prefecture: 23 people, bird guns 100%, no strategy for cold weapons]

Now, Xiao Jingchuan's troops have returned to the mountains. With no bandits chasing them anymore, they have rested for a few days and have been supplied with sufficient food and grass. They are like a brand new machine fully fueled with oil, full of power and energy!

Xiao Jingchuan also has further plans and arrangements for this!
That is military reorganization, training, and special training!
What Xiao Lang wants is an elite special operations force!

He wanted his soldiers to have excellent combat capabilities, as well as solid skills and physical conditions.

In order to achieve this goal, the Ming army's previous common method of training soldiers seemed much simpler and cruder.

So next, he planned to start a series of special training in the new army, his Xiao family army!

During the initial stage of the march in the mountains, there was still some time to polish the entire training process, so he hurriedly took charge of the training himself and started training vigorously on the spot!
Xiao Jingchuan summarized this so-called special operations training into five main points!
1. Physical training

This is a compulsory course for any combat unit from ancient times to the present. It is the foundation. A good soldier who is good at fighting must have strong enough endurance, strength and explosive power. In order to maintain a high-efficiency combat state during long-distance raids or long-term battles!
2. Tactical Training

In Xiao Jingchuan's mind, the future Xiao family army must be able to perform various tasks that ordinary people cannot perform and complete, so tactical training is also the focus of this training camp.

Specific subjects may include reconnaissance, infiltration, raids, and responding to unexpected combat situations. By simulating real battlefield environments and scenarios, soldiers must learn and master various tactical skills and combat methods to improve their individual adaptability and combat effectiveness in special missions!
3. Firearms Specialization Training

By the late Ming Dynasty, the use of firearms in the army became increasingly important! Soldiers of the new army must be proficient in the use of various types of firearms. It just so happens that the army now has three-eyed guns, Lumi guns, and bird guns. Although the bullets are not too sufficient, it is still necessary to improve some related usage skills.

(End of this chapter)