Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“These people can be our first lance corporals. If they turn out to be incompetent, look for better candidates during the next selection.”
Xu Ke took the list and memorized the names on the sheet. “Is it true that you will lead them to the bandits after their training?”
Jiang Pengji’s countenance looked resolute. “Of course. Did you think I was kidding?”
The pageboy shook his head. Anyone who had heard about Jiang Pengji would know that she would not joke about such matters.
“That’s not what I mean. I’m just worried because the journey will be dangerous. The bandits mostly hide in the mountains, and we are unfamiliar with those roads. That gives our enemies the upper hand.” He tried to be respectful as he expressed his concerns. “Besides, the outlaws have nothing to fear, and they are much more violent than our men...”
Even bold men became cowards when they faced men who were bolder than them. The inexperienced servants would likely be intimidated.
“After they kill once, they won’t be scared to do it again.”
Xu Ke recognized her determination and stopped trying to dissuade her.
Jiang Pengji glanced at Xu Ke. The boy was young and skinny, but he had killed before.
The booklet listed the details of the servants’ training program. They would start with basic conditioning, which should not be too demanding on their bodies.
Xu Ke gathered the servants, appointed the lance corporals, and assigned members to each team. No one dared to make a noise during the process; they were like chicks quietly waiting for their mother to give them tasks.
Who would not be afraid of Jiang Pengji? As the servants remembered how she had defeated all of them, they could still feel pain where Jiang Pengji had hit them. They did not want to die here!
The farm was simple with limited equipment, so the servants could only do a few types of exercises on the first day, and the exercises were nothing special to the audience.
Lushui Yinfeng Zhoumian: “Looks like our military training at school.”
Paidaxing: “This is much more demanding. Our regimen consists of running, lining up and creating formations, but their program is designed to train real soldiers who can fight bandits. These guys may lose their lives in action.”
Pangdahai: “I completed my training last month. It was much easier than this.”
Manzui Gouliang: “Is this really helpful? I doubt it.”
Toudu Feiqiu: “There must be more than this. I trust the Host.”
There was no way that Jiang Pengji had overlooked the problems that even the audience had noticed. Basic conditioning was the first step to strengthen the servants’ bodies, but it wouldn’t make them a match for the bandits. They also needed to discipline themselves and begin to think like an army. Though they might be weak as individuals, they needed to learn to fight as a unit.
“Repeat the 10,000-meter run three times each day. Imagine you are an army rushing into a battlefield as back up; if you become exhausted on the run to the battle, you would be useless by the time you got there.”
After a 30-minute run in farmlands, the servants were panting vigorously, and their legs were too heavy to move another step. Xu Ke knew that none of the servants had reached Jiang Pengji’s goal, and he observed her reaction.
Although he agreed with her, he thought her expectations were too high. He attempted to speak on behalf of the servants. “Langjun, this is their first day of training. If you give them more time, they will...”
“Xiaoyu, this has nothing to do with time. I know what you are going to say: people from the slave market are not as strong as farmers who have labored their entire lives. The slaves lived in hunger before, and therefore they have less strength than other people their age. You want me to understand them, but I will tell you that you are wrong. The root of the problem is they do not know how to run!”
The men had used up all their energy in the beginning. No wonder they could not finish 10,000 meters.
She tried to explain to everyone. “Long-distance running requires more than strength and endurance.
“Running without a strategy will only waste your energy. The best method is to maintain a regular breathing cycle. If you don’t, you will get exhausted quickly. Regarding your form . . . I cannot believe some of you run with your arms swinging up to the sky!”
The sight was torture for Jiang Pengji’s eyes.
Once they entered the later stages of training that would include weight-bearing exercises, the servants would only need more energy.
The only word that Jiang Pengji could use to describe them was “yardbirds.”
The first day of her military training had been ten times more difficult than what they had done. She had completed her first training tasks without straining herself, but these men had fallen onto the ground.
They were too weak!
“Now you know why you need to train before you confront the bandits.” She stared at them coldly while Xu Ke remained silent.
Xu Ke realized that she was not training them to be family guards. She was training them to be an unstoppable army. Speed was key to victory in battles. Missions that involved supporting allies and raiding enemies required them to run long distances.
Her attitude once again reflected her ambition.
“Alright, stand up! You are lying around like panting dogs.” Jiang Pengji made them stand up without the slightest bit of tenderness.
She felt better when she saw that, despite their red faces, they were willing to continue exercising.
“When they reach the more advanced levels, get some younger members and let them lead the servants. This will reduce your workload, too.”
Xu Ke made a respectful hand gesture. “Yes, Langjun. That would be very nice.”