Chapter 37 - Worried and Troubled

Even though Zhuang Yong said that Shen Leng could only pick two out of ten people in his squad, in reality, it was three. Apart from Shen Leng’s squad, Du Weiming had no other choice.

Great Ning’s standard ten-man squad in the military did not consist of only ten people, but twelve people in total. Ten of these ten-man squads formed a battalion. Ten-man squads were made up of two five-man squads. Apart from Shen Leng, there was another signaller.

Shen Leng appointed Wang Kuohai and Du Weiming as the two leaders of the two five-man squads. He appointed Chen Ran as the signaller. The duties of a signaller was rather complicated - he was in charge of observing the military banner and flag signals during battles; he also had to listen to the military drums and gong. Lastly, he was also in charge of communicating with the rest of the squad.

Ten ten-man squads formed a battalion, and three battalions formed a regiment. The leader of the battalion was the battalion commander, and the leader of the regiment was the military officer. On the whole, a battalion operated as a unit in large-scale operations.

The battalion commander, Wang Gendong, did not seem to like Shen Leng that much. Presently, Mu Xiaofeng did not have as many people in the Navy as he used to. Hence, Shen Leng was not certain if Wang Gendong was one of Mu Xiaofeng’s men.

When they were distributing rations, Shen Leng’s men received less rations compared to the other ten-man squads. Shen Leng got Chen Ran to find out what happened. In the end, Chen Ran came back with five red markings left on his face that were obviously caused by five fingers.

“Why did he hit you?”

“Battalion commander said that we received less because we are trash. And yet we had the audacity to ask why.”

Shen Leng did not say anything more. He patted Chen Ran on the shoulder and said, “Go train first.”

Mr. Shen had taught Shen Leng a lot pertaining to the coordination of Great Ning’s military formations. Before he entered the Navy, Shen Leng had already familiarized himself with these formations. The coordination of a five-man squad was the most basic thing, but also something that must be familiarized and grasped. Over the past few days, Shen Leng had been training these new recruits at the highest level of intensity.

Every day, apart from the joint training with the main force, they had to set aside a certain period of time for extra training sessions. Amongst the ten people, there were more than half who voiced their discontent. The remaining few did not say anything - they merely tolerated.

“I know that you have complaints you did not voice out. You feel that it’s arduous.”

After the additional training session, he gathered his troops.

“I don’t know if you’ve observed the way the Navy attacks the water bandits. If you’ve never paid attention to it before, let me tell you…every month, shortly after the new recruits’ evaluation, there is definitely an operation - regardless of how big or small it is. The new recruits who passed the evaluation last month will have to take part in this month’s operation to fight against the water bandits. Even though I spent a month recovering from my injury, you will all be involved in this month’s mission. I need to be responsible for all of you. I will bring all ten of you with me for the operation, and I will bring all ten of you back.”

“It’s only but a few water bandits.”

New recruit, Li Tuming, was somewhat unhappy. “The Navy has attacked the water bandits so many times, but nobody has died.”

Shen Leng asked, “So tell me, how many times can a person die?”

“Definitely only once…”

“The reason why nobody in the Navy died despite fighting against them multiple times before is not because everyone is capable, but rather, it is because the Navy’s military strategies have become well-developed. Moreover, most of the time, the Navy had the absolute advantage. If the five-man or ten-man squad you’re in got separated from the rest of the troops, will you be able to guarantee your safety at the current level you’re at?”

Li Tuming answered, “I will follow the main force closely, and will definitely not get separated from them.”

Shen Leng responded, Sometimes, we don’t get the opportunity to be regretful. I know you are not happy - we are all new cruits and yet I am the squad leader. You might even feel that because of me, the battalion commander targeted all of you as well. Hence, apart from dissatisfaction, you might have resentment. Even so, tolerate!”

Shen Leng’s last four words were loud and powerful, akin to a sudden clap of thunder.

“If you’re unhappy, hold it in. If you have any resentment, tolerate. Do whatever I tell you to do. From today onwards, I have a new rule. If you can beat me, you don’t have to take me serious. If you can’t beat me, you cannot go against anything I say. And also, you don’t have the authority to choose not to listen to me either. The next time I give you instructions, you can only answer one word, ‘yes’!”

“Understood?”

A few of them stayed silent. Wang Kuohai, Du Weiming and Chen Ran answered ‘yes’ loudly.

Shen Leng looked at Li Tuming, “Run with me. As long as I don’t stop, you can’t stop either. I want to see if you will fall behind.”

Li Tuming gritted his teeth. “Fine, I will run!”

On the drill ground, Li Tuming could still keep up with Shen Leng at the start. After two rounds, he started to be out of breath, and the distance between them became farther and farther. By the time he was on his fourth round, Shen Leng was already leading by one round. When he was on his fifth round, Shen Leng was leading by two rounds.

“Run!”

Shen Leng saw Li Tuming stopped as he gasped for air. He grabbed him by the collar and continued running. Li Tuming only ran a few steps before he collapsed onto the ground. Shen Leng tugged his clothes and dragged him along as he continued running for another round. Li Tuming’s heavy duty military uniform became rather ripped up.

“Squad leader, let me go. I…really can’t take it anymore.”

Shen Leng pushed Li Tuming to the ground. “I’ve already given you one free round by dragging you along. I’m still leading by two rounds. If you can’t finish running today, you can’t go back to the barracks.”

“I don’t want to follow you, damn it!”

Li Tuming struggled to stand up. “You are a goddamn crazy person! I am going to look for the general!”

Just at this moment, the garrison troops heard the commotion and went over. When they saw Li Tuming bellowing, they restrained his arms immediately. “According to the military rules, you will get flogged fifteen times for yelling at your superior!”

Shen Leng curled his lips slightly. He wanted to stop him, but he held himself back.

The garrison soldiers grabbed Li Tuming and took him away. Not long later, anguished wailing was heard. Shen Leng went to look for Yang Qibao and looked slightly embarrassed. He smiled and said, “Go easy on him. If you hit him too hard he might fall behind.”

Yang Qibao patted Shen Leng on the shoulder. “Brother, you never should have been so nice right from the start. New recruits and experienced soldiers are all the same. If you’re not more firm than them, you won’t be able to lead them. This time, I’ve helped you established your power, hence I instructed them to hit him less hard. If I see your men disrespect you again the next time, they will face an even more severe beating.”

Shen Leng nodded. “Thank you, big brother Yang.”

“Right, I heard that your battalion commander Wang Gendong targeted you? He did not distribute the right amount of rations to you?”

“It was negligence on my part. I should have been more meticulous. It won’t happen again.”

“You want to establish your power in front of new recruits, but don’t forget, to Wang Gendong, you are a new recruit as well…be more careful.”

After Yang Qibao gave him a few pointers, he left. Not long later, the garrison soldiers tossed Li Tuming, who had been beaten up so bad that he did not dare to move, back onto the drill ground. Li Tuming laid on the ground and cried his lungs out.

Shen Leng walked over to him and stood next to him. He lowered his head and looked at him. “I will give you two minutes to cry. Once you’re done crying, stand up and continue running.”

Li Tuming abruptly lifted his head. There was no longer grudge in his eyes, but hatred.

Shen Leng would rather he hate him than have him lose his life on the battlefield.

On the other side of the camp, despite switching to a bigger room, Mu Xiaofeng was still unhappy. He managed to become a Class B Fourth pin Official at such a young age. This was a huge honor and glory. There were only a few people who had attained such an achievement ever since Great Ning was founded. However, whenever he saw his own face in the mirror, he wanted to kill someone.

A good doctor might be able to lighten the scar on his face, but he would never be able to remove the scar in his heart.

Someone knocked on the door from the outside. Mu Xiaofeng instructed the person to enter, and thereafter, he sat down behind the table.

The person who entered was the battalion commander, Wang Gendong. After he entered, he saluted him respectfully. “General, is there anything you’d like me to do for you?”

“I heard that you deducted a portion of rations of Shen Leng’s ten-man squad. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You have some resentment towards Shen Leng too?”

After Mu Xiaofeng used the word ‘too’, he regretted it almost immediately. He thought about how the scar had destroyed his mental state. It would be truly difficult for him to heal from it.

“I have no grievances.”

Wang Gendong’s reply was straightforward and clear-cut. This was a mature man who had served in the military for several years. He did not have any scars left behind by swords on his face - only haggardness left behind by years of experiences.

“Then why did you deduct his rations?”

“That is because he did not carry out his duty. According to the rules, when distributing the rations, the squad leader is supposed to be present and do a head count. However, he was not present. Hence, this was his punishment.”

“Your punishment is not severe enough.”

Mu Xiaofeng smiled and said, “I can tell that you hate Shen Leng as well. How about this, starting next month onwards, you deduct half his rations. You may keep them for yourself. How does that sound?”

“I can’t.”

Wang Gendong said loudly, “Violating the rules in the military is something I can’t comply.”

Mu Xiaofeng was taken aback. “Do you know who exactly you’re talking to?”

“The Navy’s second-in-command, Fourth pin Ying Yang General.”

Wang Gendong’s reply was still as straightforward and clear-cut; it was as though his words were carved by a sharp sword and ax. Every single word was clear and firm.

“Since you already know that, let me give you a reminder. If you make life difficult for Shen Leng, I will make life easy for you. Is the meager salary of a battalion commander enough for you to do anything? As long as you don’t do things that upset me, you will not have a tough life.

He tossed a few pieces of gold onto the table. “From today onwards, if you’re willing to follow me, I will ensure that you get nothing short of glory and wealth.”

“I will work my way up in the military and attain glory and wealth via achievements and merits. I dare not accept any glory and wealth that you bestow upon me.”

Wang Gendong said loudly, “I do not have any grievances against anybody within the military. I carry out my duties according to the rules of the military. I dare not disobey anything you ask of me that is within the rules of the military. Any orders that require me to break the rules, I’m afraid I cannot obey them.”

He did the military salute once again. “If there isn’t anything else, I will take my leave.”

“Scram!” bellowed Mu Xiaofeng in anger.

He was the person yelling, and yet he felt as though his face was burning up.

After Wang Gendong had left, Mu Xiaofeng kicked the table, overturning it. The rage in his eyes was unbridled. “This sly old fox, Zhuang Yong - he looked for an excuse to get rid of my people within the Navy, and yet he’s acting all dignified. Seeing him makes me feel disgusted!”

A person appeared behind the folding screen. He lifted the table. “Young master, you are too impatient. The previous incident only happened a month ago. The corpses of the people whose heads got cut off have not fully decomposed yet. Who will have the guts to go against the law?”

“Don’t tell me I should just take this lying down?”

“Young master, sometimes, you shouldn’t take a direct approach when dealing with things. You need to go around it…According to the usual practice in the Navy, the new recruits who passed the evaluation will undergo training immediately. A general cannot point his sword at his own soldiers, but he can pass it to someone else…As long as you get Shen Leng’s squad sent out alone, and give their whereabouts to the water bandits…”

Mu Jiu smiled and said, “General, are you afraid that the water bandits are not ruthless enough?”

Mu Xiaofeng stared blankly for a moment before laughing out loud. “My father made the right decision getting you to follow me. Mu Jiu, what would I do without you? Deal with this matter. I will think of a way to get Shen Leng’s ten-man squad sent out.”

Mu Jiu grunted, and tidied up the things that were scattered all over. “Young master, to be honest, sometimes, you should set your sights higher. Shen Leng is nothing but a small fry. You will be serving in the imperial court in the future. The imperial court is a hub; it manages the entire empire. You will be like the Great Scholar.”

Mu Xiaofeng scoffed. “Do you think I don’t know that? But as long as Shen Leng is not dead, I can’t rest assured.”

He gripped the window tightly as he looked out. “Worried and troubled!”