Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 317 The Soul of the Army (Part 1)

The soldiers of the Liaoxi Army, after two more months of training, showed even more significant changes.

When the military regulations were tested, everyone recited them without hesitation, heads held high and eyes shining. This was the unique confidence and pride of the Pei family army. After several months of exposure, the soldiers of the Liaoxi Army were now behaving themselves, their undisciplined and slick military habits gradually being stripped away, as if their souls had been reforged.

Li Chi admired Pei Qinghe to the point of prostration, and the admiration and respect in his tone were not feigned: "I have always heard about the many strengths of the Pei family army, but now I truly understand the general's foresight."

"They were originally a bunch of unruly thugs and ruffians who joined the army just to get a full meal. They were used to plundering the people. They were arrogant in front of the people, but they were afraid and retreated when they encountered the Xiongnu barbarians. When they went to the battlefield, they didn't think about how to win the battle, but about saving their own lives. Sometimes, before the battle even started, there were already a bunch of deserters."

"When the general asked them to read and write, I was initially skeptical, thinking it was a waste of time and completely useless. Soldiers only need to be brave enough to take up a knife and fight to the death, so what's the point of them learning to read? Now I'm gradually understanding."

“In just three months, they’ve all changed completely.”

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly and looked at Li Chi: "Reading makes people understand principles, and literacy makes people wise. They are not expendable on the battlefield. They are also living, breathing people. They not only need to be fed and watered, but they should also have spiritual pursuits."

"They went to the battlefield to protect their territory and fight desperately for their people. Even when facing the fierce Xiongnu cavalry, they were fearless."

"This is the spirit of the Pei family army."

Military spirit.

These two words struck Li Chi like a heavy hammer blow, leaving him deeply shaken.

At that moment, it was as if something had shattered completely, or as if a brand new seed had been planted in the soil, taking root and sprouting in an instant.

“Military spirit,” Li Chi murmured, “We also have the military spirit of the Pei family army.”

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's still a long way off. It will take more than half a year of training to see real results. Li Chi, you are a really smart man. There are some things that I don't need to say. You can see and understand them yourself."

"I've taught you everything about training troops, without holding anything back. Only when you've completely shed the Liaoxi military banner in your heart will you truly become a member of my Pei family army."

Li Chi was deeply moved. Unlike usual, he did not rush to express his loyalty. After a long silence, he said, "I, Li Chi, will remember what the general has said."

Pei Qinghe looked at Li Chi and said meaningfully, "Don't worry too much. Now that I've accepted you, I'm not afraid that you'll rebel."

She personally trained the soldiers, instilling the Pei family army's discipline and regulations into the very blood of every soldier, forging them into a new and resilient force. They were all her soldiers.

Even if Li Chi wanted to rebel, he would have to see if the soldiers were willing to turn against him.

There's no need to say these things directly. With Li Chi's intelligence, he'll naturally understand.

It’s the end of the month in a blink of an eye.

The martial arts competition at the end of the month that everyone has been looking forward to has finally arrived.

The rules of the martial arts competition were second nature to the soldiers of the Pei family army. The Liaoxi army had also participated twice before, and everyone was eager to try, planning to take the top three spots. Eating meat for three days straight was their top priority, and besides that, they could hold their heads high and be proud for a month. This feeling of being envied and envied was even more wonderful than eating meat.

This was the first time that the 500 men from Fanyang Army had participated in the competition. While they were overjoyed, they were also a little nervous and apprehensive.

It's clear from their daily training that the Pei family army is exceptionally skilled. Even the Liaoxi army looks more formidable. Today they've divided into five battalions; surely they won't sweep the bottom five spots? That would be utterly humiliating!

Lu Erlang's palms were sweating profusely. Pei Xuan looked at him with a smile: "Brother Lu, are you a little scared?"

Lu Erlang refused to back down in front of her, straightening his chest: "Of course not. I was just thinking about how to run into Li Chi and fight him."

Pei Xuan smiled and said, "There are over a hundred battalions in total, and everyone has to draw lots to determine their opponents. The probability of encountering them is extremely low. How about this, I'll secretly ask the general to exempt you from the draw and let you fight Li Chi directly?"

Lu Erlang coughed and said, "There are rules to a competition, so let's follow them!"

Pei Feng scoffed.

Pei Xuan glanced at Pei Feng; his handsome face remained expressionless, and thankfully, he didn't say anything harsh or unpleasant. Pei Xuan turned to Lü Erlang and smiled sweetly, "I believe in you, Brother Lü Erlang. No matter who we face today, you'll definitely win!"

Encouraged by Pei Xuan's words, Lü Erlang's confidence soared.

The morning competition consisted of individual stone-lifting duels and mounted archery. As expected, most of the top performers were veterans from the Pei family army.

Li Chi didn't feel ashamed, and Lü Erlang thought it was normal. They had both experienced the intensity of the Pei family army's training, and they were still trying to keep up. The Pei family army had been training like this for several years. In terms of individual bravery and quality, all the armies in the North combined couldn't find a match.

The Beiping cavalrymen who came to join in the fun only showed off their skills during the mounted archery competition. The Beiping army was also famous for its military training, and these elite cavalrymen were excellent at mounted archery. Even Pei Qinghe couldn't help but praise them repeatedly: "The Beiping army lives up to its reputation. The cavalrymen are indeed elite and very powerful."

Meng Bing, who was helped to the training ground, was humble and low-key: "Compared to the Pei family army, we still have many shortcomings. I will need the general's guidance in the future."

Pei Qinghe's eyes lit up with a smile, and she glanced at Mao Hongling.

Mao Hongling is also going to compete today. She is holding her usual long spear, and her gentle and beautiful face is filled with a cold and murderous aura.

Having spent a long time in the military camp, Mao Hongling had already become an excellent military officer. Facing Pei Qinghe's teasing gaze, Mao Hongling didn't even blush.

"Let's draw lots to decide who our troops will face in battle."

At Pei Qinghe's command, all the leaders stepped forward and lined up to draw lots. There were 126 lots in the container; those who drew the same number were opponents.

Lu Erlang's heart was pounding. He took out the bamboo stick and glanced at it: Thirty-seven!
She glanced quickly at Li Chi, and when she saw the number on the bamboo slip in Li Chi's hand, her heart immediately settled. Li Chi had drawn number twenty-six.

It's great that we didn't run into them!
He might have been defiant, but he knew perfectly well that if he had run into Li Chi, he would most likely have been the one to lose face. It was great that he hadn't encountered him this time!
Li Chi also looked over, somewhat regretfully: "I was hoping to have a match with Brother Lü. Unfortunately, I wasn't chosen in today's draw."

Lu Erlang grinned inwardly, but outwardly remained defiant: "Unfortunately, we'll have to wait another month."

Their eyes met in mid-air, and a silent, crackling sound erupted between them.

"Twenty-six!" Pei Yan's loud voice rang out: "Who is twenty-six?"

Li Chi felt a chill run down his spine, but he pretended to be calm and responded.

Lu Erlang grinned, and then the cold-blooded Pei Feng shouted, "Thirty-seven!"

(End of this chapter)