A veteran of the frontier army, after marrying a wife, fought his way through the northern border.

Luo Yunxiao has changed so much; just a month ago, he looked like a hunched-over old man.

For some reason, it's like she's become a completely different person.

"Very well, the army is in dire need of manpower right now, and your record far surpasses that of ordinary recruits."

In the military, what matters is not a letter of recommendation, but real ability.

If you pass my assessment, I will appoint you as the squad leader of the auxiliary battalion of the third battalion.

For an ordinary recruit to be promoted to corporal, he needs to have the military merit of beheading five Tartars.

However, Luo Yunxiao had a personal recommendation letter from the county magistrate, and his achievements spoke for themselves.

However, Zhao Polu believed that seeing is believing.

Therefore, as long as Luo Yunxiao is indeed capable, it would be acceptable to promote him.

"Thank you for your consideration, sir. I am willing to accept the assessment."

Luo Yunxiao clasped his hands in a fist and bowed.

Zhao Polu nodded: "Bring your family and come with me."

So Luo Yunxiao and his three wives followed Zhao Polu to a corner of the military training ground.

At this moment, one hundred auxiliary soldiers are training on the drill ground.

Zhao Polu waved his hand to the left and right, and several soldiers carried over three stone locks.

These three stone locks are all bigger than each other.

"The sergeant of the border army must have the strength to lift a tripod; the first stone lock weighs three hundred catties."

"If you can lift it above your head and stand firm for three breaths, then I will believe you have the strength to kill Wang Tu."

The border troops also knew that the Beggar Gang was roaming around this area, since some of them were deserters.

The task of suppressing the bandits was left to the county soldiers of Pinglu County, while the border troops were stationed at the Bailang Mountain Pass.

Everyone does their job and has their own responsibilities.

However, it is said that Wang Tu has the strength of a late-stage Martial Apprentice, and even three or five ordinary soldiers might not be able to defeat him.

To kill it, one must at least possess the strength of a samurai.

Luo Yunxiao handed the horse-slaying sword to Qin Hongxiu and rolled up his sleeves.

Take a deep breath, and let your strength come from your feet.

He picked up the stone lock with both hands in one smooth motion, and then lifted it above his head with one hand.

He stood firmly for three breaths before putting the stone lock down.

The surrounding soldiers couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Ordinary soldiers only have the strength of martial apprentices; they're lucky if they can lift a 300-pound stone lock.

Trying to lift it above one's head is practically impossible.

Zhao Polu nodded, his eyes filled with approval: "Not bad, your strength is impressive."

However, I think you still have the strength to lift a 400-pound stone weight.

Luo Yunxiao smiled slightly: "This humble commoner can give it a try."

So he used his strength again and lifted the 400-pound stone lock.

Hold the position in front of your chest for a moment, then shout softly and raise it above your head, holding the position for three more breaths.

A mere 400-pound stone lock is not enough to warrant the use of the second level of the Border Defense Technique.

Luo Yunxiao was certain that if he used the Border Defense Technique internal energy, he could take down not only a 500-jin stone lock, but even an 800-jin one!

However, he did not want to reveal his strength too early.

He noticed that the two attendants beside Zhao Polu seemed to be looking at him with some apprehension.

I'll most likely have to work under these two.

It's better to keep a low profile to avoid being targeted.

The ground trembled slightly when the stone lock landed, stirring up some dust.

Luo Yunxiao let out a long breath and deliberately wiped his forehead.

Actually, there was no sweat on his forehead at all.

The surrounding soldiers gasped in amazement again and began to whisper among themselves.

Zhao Polu cheered, "Excellent! If you can lift a 500-jin stone weight, I will appoint you as a squad leader, commanding two hundred men!"

Zhao Polu seemed to be in high spirits; he wanted to see just how high Luo Yunxiao's potential was.

These words immediately sparked another round of discussion among the surrounding soldiers.

Border troops held various ranks from lowest to highest, including squad leader, platoon leader, captain, platoon leader, military officer, captain, colonel, and lieutenant general.

The highest-ranking official was General Gongsun Zan, who guarded Tuyin City.

The starting point for entering the ranks of military officers was Du Bo, who commanded fifty soldiers and was of the ninth rank.

The squad leader was a ninth-rank official, commanding a hundred men, and was already a formally appointed military officer.

Without a powerful background, the military merit of killing thirty Tartars, and a single charge into battle, it would be impossible to be granted the rank of captain.

The two military officers beside Zhao Polu were Wang Scarface, a squad leader, and Zhao Xiao, a platoon leader.

Wang Scarface served under Zhao Polu for many years but never rose to the rank of squad leader.

Seeing a newly arrived auxiliary soldier promoted to squad leader solely through brute force, he felt a hundred times resentful.

Although he and Zhao Xiao didn't have the strength of 500 jin, they couldn't bear to see a newcomer showing off like this!

Especially Wang the Scarface, whose eyes had changed from fear to jealousy.

"Commander, it's probably not appropriate for you to be promoted to squad leader based solely on brute force."

As a team leader, one must not only be exceptionally brave and skilled in combat, but also possess the ability to strategize and anticipate the enemy's moves.

Zhao Xiao said loudly.

"What you said makes sense."

Zhao Polu nodded slightly.

Luo Yunxiao knew that as a newcomer, it was not advisable to be too pretentious.

So he clasped his hands slightly and said, "My lord, I'm afraid I would have difficulty lifting a five-hundred-pound stone lock."

Zhao Polu looked at Luo Yunxiao meaningfully.

Pointing to a row of wooden targets on the training ground, he said, "Alright, you've got enough strength. Now let's see how good you are with weapons."

Within fifteen minutes, use your knife to cut ten target stakes in half, each one breaking in the same spot.

Luo Yunxiao took the cleaver from Qin Hongxiu and unwrapped the burlap.

He approached the target with a knife in one hand.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and activate the second level of the Border Defense Technique.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was sharp, his true energy flowed onto the blade, and he moved swiftly.

He swung the saber with both hands, the blade slicing through the air as it struck the target.

The main body of this target is a wooden stake about the size of a bowl.

Wherever Luo Yunxiao's blade passed, it either slashed diagonally or swept horizontally, splitting the target stakes in two one after another as if they were made of paper.

It took less than ten breaths to chop down all ten target stakes.

Zhao Polu observed that the cross-section of the target stake was smooth and flat, and that it took very little time to complete.

He patted Luo Yunxiao on the shoulder and nodded repeatedly: "Not bad, the moves are concise, the power is fierce, and there is a hint of true qi supporting them."

They're much better than my soldiers who only know how to fight recklessly!

He turned to the squad leader Zhao Xiao and said, "Pass on my order: Luo Yunxiao is exceptionally brave and is exempt from the new recruit assessment."

He was directly appointed as a squad leader in the auxiliary battalion of the 3rd Battalion... no, he was promoted to platoon leader!

Immediately collect your squad leader's uniform, waist tag, and individual tent; then bring your family to camp!

He originally wanted Luo Yunxiao to start as a squad leader.

Later, he thought that being a squad leader was too much of a waste of his talents, so he changed his title to platoon leader.

Positions below the rank of captain are considered low-ranking and can be appointed by the military commander himself.

Officers of the rank of squad leader and above have no authority to appoint or dismiss them; they need to write a recommendation document and submit it to the colonel for approval.

"Thank you for your promotion, General. I will certainly fulfill my duties to the utmost!"

Luo Yunxiao and his three wives bowed in greeting.

Logically speaking, auxiliary soldiers do not have formal military ranks and belong to the category of miscellaneous military service.

Luo Yunxiao's promotion to squad leader is a tacit recognition that he is now a combat soldier and no longer an auxiliary soldier.

He was only temporarily put in charge of the auxiliary soldiers as a squad leader.

"Do a good job."

Before leaving, Zhao Polu glanced at Luo Yunxiao and Qin Hongxiu.

Then he quickly left.

Squad leader Wang Scarface stared at Luo Yunxiao, both shocked and angry.

Why should a newly arrived poor soldier be appointed as a squad leader and placed on equal footing with me?

Based solely on his merit in suppressing bandits?

It's just good luck, nothing special!

However, the order was issued by the military commander, and he had no choice but to obey.

Team leader Zhao Xiao strolled over to Luo Yunxiao's side: "From now on, you're my soldier. If you need anything, just go to Wang Scarface."

Now that the military commander has directly appointed you as a squad leader, you no longer need to do the rough work that ordinary auxiliary soldiers are required to do, such as carrying manure, digging trenches, repairing camps, and moving corpses.

All that's needed is to complete the training and patrol duties.

"Scarface Wang"

"Your subordinate is here."

"Take him to the quartermaster to collect the tents and weapons."

"Yes, come with me."

Wang Scarface led Luo Yunxiao and the three women to the auxiliary troops' quartermaster department.

"You're really lucky. You killed Wang Tu and got promoted to squad leader."

It saves you from extra chores and allows you to look after your family.

Since you're new here, don't stand out too much.

Do not provoke Du Bo Wang Kui.

That guy has powerful connections.

"Wang Kui, who is he?"

"You will see him tomorrow at the military commander's place."

Upon arriving at the quartermaster's office, Luo Yunxiao received his squad leader's waist tag, a set of leather armor, a half-new ring-pommel sword, and canvas for setting up a tent.

There are also three quilts.

Luo Yunxiao was told that the monthly salary of a sergeant was five hundred coins.

Two hundred coins more than ordinary auxiliary soldiers.

He rubbed the canvas used for making tents with his hand; it was a bit thicker than ordinary linen.

Even if you can set up a tent by yourself.

However, these tents are completely ineffective against the harsh winter cold.

There weren't many people in the military camp at the time; the two hundred or so auxiliary soldiers were all on training exercises at the drill ground.

He noticed that the auxiliary soldiers all lived in large communal sleeping quarters.

Ten people live in a large tent.

These tents are everywhere within a 200-meter radius.

A few individual tents are located in the direction of the combat camp.

That was the residence of the squad leader, the captain, and the platoon leader.

In the northeast corner there is a row of simple thatched huts, which are the residences of the female dependents of the auxiliary soldiers.

At this moment, two auxiliary soldiers carried a straw mat out of the thatched hut.

Luo Yunxiao clearly saw a pair of pale woman's feet peeking out from behind the straw mat.

Both feet were covered in chilblains and bruises.

It was clearly not as simple as just freezing to death.

When Su Yunshang and her sister saw the dead woman, they turned pale with fright.