Chapter Nine, the forces of the Hundred Victories are mutually restrained

Fellow villagers, fellow villagers, five taels of silver and two pieces of cloth, just join the camp and take them immediately! Furthermore, there will be an additional monthly allowance of one and a half taels of silver, more than enough to support a whole family. After working for two years, you can even marry a wife... Several soldiers from the Gongyi Camp shouted loudly in front of Wang Kefa, putting in great effort, and were very enthusiastic towards the villagers in Hengshi, but their hearts were filled with contempt and superiority, looking down on these rural bumpkins.

... ...

Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues. Wang Sheng had been dissatisfied with his morally deficient father since childhood, yet he endured it all. Under the provocation of Wang Kefan selling the family land to enlist in the army, the rebellious sentiments that had been suppressed for over twenty years finally erupted, and he resolutely left home.

The history of warfare in ancient China is filled with numerous records of military camps being attacked at night. This phenomenon is not significantly related to the military competence of the commanders, but rather stems from the organizational structure of the old-style armies, which were characterized by a loose management approach that did not emphasize the details of tactics and drill regulations

As for the side effects brought about by this method of selection, Wang Kefan has also considered them, but there are more pressing matters to attend to at the moment

Life in the countryside is difficult, as there is a shortage of land and an excess of people. Every household has idle individuals who cannot find work. The generous military pay offered by Gongyi Camp has attracted the interest of nearly all the able-bodied men in Hengshi. In less than a day's time, nearly one hundred people have signed up, and upon hearing the news, even more young and strong individuals from the surrounding ten to eight villages are continuously arriving.

After the recruitment notice was posted, the response from young and able-bodied individuals eager to enlist was very enthusiastic

Han Xin commanded troops, the more the better. However, when we consider the renowned generals throughout history and across the world, such military geniuses are few and far between. Even those who can command thousands of soldiers are merely considered capable commanders. Often, when they reach the battlefield, they may inexplicably collapse. This phenomenon is related to the organizational methods of ancient armies.

If one wishes to enlist in the military, it is best to serve as a personal guard or aide to a commander, as the pay and benefits are significantly higher than those of ordinary soldiers. A step down would be to serve under General Zuo, where there are the most opportunities for promotion and wealth. As long as one is alert and perceptive, simply taking a few heads as trophies can lead to substantial rewards.

At the other end of the long table, Wang Sheng surveyed the young men lining up to enlist and excitedly said: "According to the conscription standards of the renowned general Qi Jiguang of our dynasty, we do not want the slick individuals from the cities and towns, nor the seasoned veterans, nor the city dwellers who are accustomed to the authorities, nor those with pale, delicate skin. We only want the strong, robust individuals from the countryside who show signs of timidity in the presence of officials, preferably rural folk and miners. The soldiers you have selected all meet General Qi's criteria!"

I never expected that there would be such profound knowledge in recruiting soldiers, it truly has opened my eyes

Wang Sheng pondered for a moment, then pointed at the long line of recruits and said: "It seems that we can recruit two hundred soldiers within two days. How should we select the officers and generals in the camp?"

"Yes, selection must be done step by step, and no level should intervene in the process. The squad leader is personally selected by the team officer, the section leader is personally selected by the squad leader, and the soldiers are personally selected by the section leader." Wang Kefan pointed to the young men chosen in the field and said, "These young men have been initially screened by me, but whether they can join the Gongyi Battalion still depends on the opinion of the section leader below."

Seeing Wang Sheng still looking puzzled, Wang Kefan explained: "If I only want to be a sentry for my entire life, I can certainly personally select this batch of squad leaders, and I am confident that I can lead this group of sentries well. However, considering the long-term perspective, it is still advisable to adhere to the principle of mutual checks and balances..."

Wang Min was filled with rage, grabbing the inkstone from the desk and throwing it over. Wang Sheng quickly dodged, and the heavy inkstone whizzed past his ear, splattering ink all over him

Step by step, I understand now! Wang Sheng, as if enlightened, excitedly said: "There is a passage in Qi Shuai's 'Military Training Records' that I have been pondering over but could never comprehend. Seeing the method of selecting generals by my fourth brother has finally clarified it for me!"

The young and strong individuals eager to enlist in the military were even more excited, gathering around to ask questions, while the line for registration grew longer and longer.

You still dare to speak so confidently! Is it that little Wang Kefan who incited you? Just watch me not beat you to death

These four individuals have been chosen well; selecting them as team officers will surely allow the entire squad to operate with precision. Wang Sheng reviewed the list and nodded in agreement, saying: "For instance, take this Shi Ada; his family is the only blacksmith in Hengshili, and he holds considerable prestige in the village. He is also tall and strong, making him quite suitable for the role of a team officer..."

The Gongyi Camp adopts a four-by-four structure, with four team leaders overseeing sixteen squad leaders, akin to the modern-day squad leaders in military units. They are considered the most basic officers in the military, serving as a crucial link between higher and lower ranks.

The energy of the commander is limited; personal involvement in every matter can lead to confusion in responsibility management. Only an army formed through a system of mutual checks and balances can create an organic whole, enhancing cohesion and combat effectiveness

Delighted by his profound realization, he could not help but recite: "Just as bamboo has nodes, which are used to segment it, thus, although the soldiers are numerous, they can be unified as one man, achieving the effect of a hundred thousand hearts beating as one, and thereby forming a formidable and invincible army, victorious in every battle!"

The child is naturally dull and has achieved nothing in his studies. To avoid bringing shame to the family, he voluntarily wishes to abandon his studies and enlist in the military. I ask for my father's approval!" Wang Sheng lowered his head, yet his tone was exceptionally resolute

Wang Sheng turned the list over, looked around a few times, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face: "There are only four team officials, where is the list of the squad leader?"

Wang Kefan was not capable of creating cement rifles, nor did he have the guiding ideology of "establishing the party branch at the company level". It was impossible for him to conjure a modern military force out of thin air; he could only leverage clan blood ties to maximize the combat effectiveness of the old-style army.

The length is to be determined by the team leader himself.

After finishing speaking and bowing three times, Wang Sheng stood up and walked outside

However, looking at these peasant recruits, they seem somewhat intimidated by those in official attire, each one more honest and timid than the last. It is certain that Wang, the commander, is merely using them to fill the ranks. The thought of these peasants going into battle, wielding swords and killing, is simply out of the question

Wang Kefan smiled slightly, stating that fighting together makes brothers, and that fathers and sons fight side by side. Utilizing the bond of shared hometown and blood relations to control the army was the most efficient method of military organization during the feudal era. Most of these new recruits came from the tenant farmers of the Wang family, known for their loyalty and reliability

Last night, I watched "The Record of Military Training" for the entire night and gained immense insights. The dynamics of battle are ever-changing, and organizing and training an army is indeed a complex discipline. I used to underestimate martial artists!" Wang Sheng remarked, "Take your criteria for selecting soldiers, for instance. You not only choose honest and strong rural men but also select local soldiers from the same region. When it comes to fighting, they naturally share a common hatred for the enemy and will risk their lives to protect one another. In this regard, even General Qi might not compare to you.

They are all a bunch of unsophisticated country bumpkins, eager to sign up for a little silver. If it were in Wuchang Prefecture, those old soldiers wouldn't care about these five taels of silver; they would be calculating precisely where to go and where not to go

Why is this? Are they not afraid that these team officials will each choose their confidants and form cliques?

That night, a fierce argument erupted in the main hall of the Wang residence, followed by a loud crash, as if something heavy had fallen to the ground

Under the flag, there is a row of long tables. On the farthest table, there are two large trays filled with dazzling silver coins, complemented by a small mountain of Hanyang cloth stacked beside them, captivating the attention of the onlooking villagers.

Wang Kefan smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Third Brother is also interested in military texts, citing references and making a compelling argument."

In the afternoon, with bright sunshine, the largest courtyard in Hengshi is bustling with villagers coming and going, lively as if they were performing a grand play

Yuntai, the soldiers you have recruited are quite impressive

This is the list of four team officials I have selected, please review it, Third Brother.

Forming an army based on the bonds of kinship among fellow townsmen has many advantages, such as smoother communication among the soldiers, more coordinated cooperation, the elimination of various negative influences within the Ming army, prompt adherence to orders, and effective command

"How is it? Are they all under your command, yet you do not personally select them?" Wang Sheng was very surprised

I certainly have a set of criteria for selecting officials; as long as it does not deviate from this broad framework, it is essential to allow them to choose their trusted associates

"Wretched son! Unfilial wretch! How could you possibly want to become a soldier? Have all those years of study been in vain?" Although Wang Min was greedy and snobbish, he had high hopes for his son. Wang Sheng, after ten years of hard study, had already become a stipend student in the county. His sudden decision to enlist in the military infuriated Wang Min.

According to Confucian tradition, when children are punished by their parents, they should adopt an attitude of accepting the punishment with humility, enduring a light beating without complaint. If the parents become excessively angry and lose their temper, the children should promptly escape to avoid causing their parents to appear unkind.

Wang Sheng bowed deeply to the ground and said, "I have made up my mind to enlist in the army; this matter is difficult to reverse. Today, my father is furious and has lost his composure. I shall take my leave for now and will seek my father's forgiveness in the future"

The ordinary soldiers of the Gongyi Camp have the least means of making a living; apart from their military pay, they have no additional income. If they encounter a delay in their pay, they have no place to express their grievances.

Wang Sheng knelt in front of the desk, while his father, Wang Min, trembled with anger, pointing at him and scolding him repeatedly with a look of disappointment.

In the center of the courtyard stands an exceptionally thick bamboo pole, at the top of which hangs a square flag bearing the large characters—"Recruit Soldiers"