[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205374,1561,"Chapter 85: Volume Three: Defender of Shunxiang Fort, Chapter Eighty-Five: Holding One's Head High","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>Volume Three: Defender of Shunxiang Fort, Chapter Eighty-Five: Holding One's Head High\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twenty-fifth day of the second month, in the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon. On the training ground of Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun turned sideways and raised his spear, assuming an attacking posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dark, thin face fixed intently on the human-shaped wooden target twenty paces away, his gaze filled with sharpness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, with a great shout, he thrust his spear forward in a charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charging close, the long spear in his hand shot out like lightning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"Squelch!\", the long spear in his hand had already pierced the wooden target's throat position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of the spear shaft, a wooden ball had already appeared on his spear tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the wooden ball on his spear tip, Wu Zhengchun was filled with a myriad of emotions. Nine thrusts, seven hits — in the upcoming soldier skill assessment, this was already considered a superior skill, wasn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling his efforts during this time, even in the depths of winter, he still refused to rest day after day, training hard day and night, and finally achieved this result. He imagined that when the Defender saw it, he would surely be gratified by his change!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he could not slack off. He had heard that his old rival Shen Shiqi also possessed the skill of nine thrusts and seven hits. He still had to work hard to surpass him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, a flash of resolution passed through Wu Zhengchun's eyes. The timidity and cowardice of the past seemed to have completely vanished!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly impressive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, gentle voice sounded from beside him. The speaker was a young Great Ming soldier in his early twenties, wearing a leather jacket, with a round face and fair complexion. The waist tag at his belt indicated his identity: Squad Leader Zhong Xiancai of Squad A, Company A, Left Sentinel, Shunxiang Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun let out a \"Ha!\", leaned on his spear, clasped his fist, and said loudly: \"Many thanks for Squad Leader Zhong's praise!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Squad Leader Zhong before him looked very young and refined, but in the entire Shunxiang Army, no one dared to underestimate this young officer! He was the Shunxiang Army's ace arquebusier, possessing an extremely high talent for shooting, and had once set an excellent record of eight hits out of ten shots!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiancai was now the Squad Leader of Squad A, and also the Deputy Commander of Company A. If the company commander died in battle or was transferred, he would naturally take over the position of company commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiancai said: \"Soldier Wu, keep working hard, I have high hopes for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun nodded gratefully. Everyone in the company now knew about the news that Wu Zhengchun was going to compete with Shen Shiqi, and they also knew of Wang Dou's encouragement to Wu Zhengchun that day. Originally, given Wu Zhengchun's past temperament, no one looked up to him, but his recent hard work had won him the unanimous praise of his brothers in the company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it concerned the honor of Company A, Left Sentinel, everyone showed concern for the future competition between Wu Zhengchun and Shen Shiqi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, not bad. Nine thrusts, seven hits. Looks like after the assessment, you'll definitely be a Superior Soldier. In the future, you can stand on equal footing with me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Shangbiao, the commander of Company A, Left Sentinel, strode over with large steps. He was around thirty years old, tall and sturdy. Originally a squad leader in the War Soldier Company A of Jingbian Fort and also a sword-and-shield man, after Shunxiang Fort established the new army, he had gloriously become a company commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came over laughing heartily, followed by two tall guards, both thick and stout, clearly skilled fighters at a glance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thick, strong hand heavily patted Wu Zhengchun's shoulder: \"Kid, do us proud, don't lose face for our Company A, Left Sentinel!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers of Company A training nearby also cast friendly glances, and many shouted at Wu Zhengchun: \"Wu Zhengchun, go for it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun nodded heavily!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, the soldiers of the Shunxiang Army returned from the training ground to their barracks, washed their hands and faces, and prepared to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military camp and stables of Shunxiang Fort were both in the northwest part of the fort, with the barracks divided into two large sections. One was the Left Sentinel encampment, the other the Right Sentinel encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each company of over fifty men had a row of barracks, with each squad having one large room. Inside was a communal heated brick bed. In winter, the burning hot kang was enough to let the soldiers survive the cold winter. Each sentinel had two latrines and two wells, keeping the barracks sanitary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside each squad room, there was a weapons rack on one side for storing personal weapons. On the wall, internal regulations were posted. Even if the soldiers were illiterate, they still had to memorize the regulations until they knew them by heart. The army conducted spot checks regularly; for every regulation recited incorrectly, a soldier received five strokes, and a squad leader received ten strokes. So, generally, when they had free time, the squad leaders would organize the soldiers to recite and study the regulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In each sentinel, there was a large mess hall. The mess hall was quite large, enough to accommodate all two hundred-plus officers and soldiers of the sentinel for eating and drinking. After washing hands and faces, the bell for mealtime had already rung. Wu Zhengchun picked up his bowl and chopsticks and, under the leadership of Squad Leader Zhong Xiancai, lined up and headed for the mess hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Shunxiang Army regulations, in the morning and evening, soldiers ate mixed-grain rice, or steamed buns and flatbread, along with vegetable soup. They could eat their fill, but waste was not permitted. At noon, each person also received two ounces of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This evening, they were eating black-flour steamed buns. Having trained all afternoon, everyone was hungry. Each one anxiously lined up, and each person received several steamed buns and a bowl of vegetable soup. They all hurriedly found a table to sit down and began eating in large mouthfuls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a period of quiet chewing sounds, the mess hall regained its vitality. Everyone began to chat and laugh, discussing the training matters on the training ground, and talking about the soldier martial skills assessment in a few days, and how many in the company could obtain the treatment of a Superior Soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun sat with his brothers from the same squad, surrounded by soldiers from Company A. Suddenly, his eyes turned cold. A few soldiers were walking over from the opposite side, all tall and burly with fierce looks. The one in the lead, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, was his old adversary, Shen Shiqi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes met, sparks flying. Shen Shiqi snorted. In just two short months, Wu Zhengchun had changed considerably, which was beyond his expectations. But from childhood to adulthood, his disdain for Wu Zhengchun was deep-rooted. No matter how much Wu Zhengchun changed, what did he have to fear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, today he had heard some news that made him take Wu Zhengchun more seriously. During the afternoon spear drill on the training ground, Wu Zhengchun had achieved the good result of nine thrusts and seven hits, already on par with himself. It seemed he had to work harder! If he were to lose in the future to someone he looked down upon, he could not afford that humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi brought Shi Datai and Ceng Youyi to sit in the position of Company B. While eating black-flour steamed buns, he occasionally glared at Wu Zhengchun. Wu Zhengchun, who in the past would have dodged his gaze upon seeing him, today was unwilling to show weakness and stared back, which infuriated Shen Shiqi even more. He secretly swore that in the future, he would definitely suppress Wu Zhengchun, making him unable to ever hold his head high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first day of the third month, in the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign. It was exactly two days after the Qingming Festival, and the spring plowing had already concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the training ground of Shunxiang Fort, a damp, cold wind howled past, whipping up everyone's clothes. Wu Zhengchun gripped the long spear in his hand tightly, making himself stand even straighter. He knew today was the day that would decide his fate. Beside him were densely packed soldiers holding long spears and arquebuses, none of them wearing armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou currently had a few dozen sets of iron armor and leather armor, and fewer than a hundred new-style arquebuses and bird guns. Firearms and armor could not be equipped to every soldier, especially the iron armor, which could only be distributed to a select group after the assessment. Although the iron mine at Huiyao Fort had started producing iron last month, the supply for forging was insufficient for the soldiers' use. Every arquebusier without a firearm still held a long spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sentinels of the Shunxiang Army formed neat formations, standing silently on the training ground. Everyone's expression was solemn, their spear points like a forest, an aura of deadly severity spreading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several months of harsh training, these military households of Shunxiang Fort had already become qualified soldiers. Today was the day that would determine their status within the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Separated by a few heads, one step to the left of the ten men of Squad A, Company A, Left Sentinel where Wu Zhengchun stood, Squad Leader Zhong Xiancai was standing perfectly straight. In his hand, he held the bird gun he usually cherished as his own life, and on the gun hung a squad flag of his own squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five squads formed one company. Two paces directly in front of the company, Xie Shangbiao, commander of Company A, Left Sentinel, stood solemnly with his hand on his saber. Beside him stood a tall flag-bearer holding the company flag. Behind Xie Shangbiao also stood two tall guards and a drummer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Companies A, B, C, and D formed the Left Sentinel square formation. Directly in front of the Left Sentinel, Sentinel Commander Han Zhong also stood solemnly with his hand on his blade. Beside him stood two flag-bearers, and behind him were likewise four tall guards and two drummers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Right Sentinel of the Shunxiang Army, led by Han Chao, was positioned to the right of the Left Sentinel's new army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the Right Sentinel, there were also Wen Fangliang and Sun Sanjie, each leading a squad of twenty men, all standing perfectly straight as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu and several other officers, being ungrateful, had taken their own retainers and left Shunxiang Fort. Only Wen Fangliang and Sun Sanjie had stayed behind. They were willing to join the brothers of the new army and share the same boat through thick and thin, which gave the entire new army a very good impression of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it within the new army that the Defender would also expand two more sentinels of troops, letting Wen Fangliang and Sun Sanjie each lead one sentinel. In the future, Shunxiang Fort would have four sentinels of troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From early morning, the several sentinels of the Shunxiang Army had been standing on the training ground, motionless and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing within this formation, with his company brothers in front, behind, left, and right, feeling that power, Wu Zhengchun's blood also boiled. He subconsciously looked toward the direction of Company B on his right. Through the gaps between heads, he found that Shen Shiqi was also looking toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes collided. Meeting Shen Shiqi's vicious glare, Wu Zhengchun gave a cold snort, turned his head back, and made himself stand even straighter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The damp, cold wind still swirled and gusted. After an unknown length of time, the sound of hoofbeats was suddenly heard. Abruptly, from the left, a voice stretched to its extreme, sharp and shrill, rang out: \"Ten thousand victories!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the shout of Squad Leader Zhong Xiancai. When the sound reached Wu Zhengchun, without thinking, he shouted it out at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like spring thunder rolling, wave after wave of earth-shaking cheers of \"Ten Thousand Victories\" surged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every soldier of Shunxiang Fort raised their arms and roared; whether it was Zhong Xiancai and Wu Zhengchun of Jia Squad, or Shen Shiqi of Yi Squad, all shouted until their voices went hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Picket Officer Han Zhong even drew his own blade and brandished it along with the shouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a sea of howls, Wang Dou rode his horse slowly forward, four standard-bearers and four drummers clearing the way, all mounted on fine steeds. Behind Wang Dou were another eight guards, every man clad in iron armor and likewise riding warhorses, the sound of hooves a continuous clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou wore the silver-white iron helmet captured from the Later Jin Heavy Armor Soldiers. Seated on his horse, he looked upon the simple, honest faces before him — now all cheering for him, their coarse dark faces filled with fanaticism and adoration. Wang Dou's eyes suddenly grew moist. How many of these fine young men, he wondered, would die in the nation's wars in the days to come? He abruptly drew his heavy sword and pointed it straight toward the sky!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drill ground erupted into an even greater frenzy; everyone shouted themselves hoarse, and every eye that looked upon Wang Dou held reverence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Defense Commander was young and mighty, having slain ten Tartars with a force of only nine men, and he himself had personally cut down five Tartars. His martial prowess had always been worshipped within the army; countless men took him as their goal and model.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Defense Commander and his lady were also benevolent and kind, distributing land and fields, showing compassion to the orphaned and wretched. Whether in the army or at home, all they heard was that they must fight to the last drop of blood for the Commander! What they saw and heard — dying for Wang Dou — had already sunk deep into the heart of every person in Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Banners snapped in the wind. Wang Dou rode his horse in a full circle around the drill ground, receiving everyone's cheers, then arrived at the high martial arts platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Shunxiang Fort's Drill Officer Lin Daofu and Fort Disciplinarian Chi Dacheng were already on the platform to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the high platform, Lin Daofu's five guards, as well as the five discipline soldiers led by Chi Dacheng, all stood ramrod straight, their faces taut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun stood perfectly straight, listening to Drill Officer Lin Daofu address everyone from the platform, all eyes fixed on the several important figures on the platform. Lin Daofu today also wore iron armor and an iron helmet with red-tasseled phoenix wings, a large red cape slanted across his back, brimming with vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was deep and resonant, audible even from far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's martial skill assessment was extremely important, bearing on each soldier's future treatment and status in the army. Those with superior skills would immediately be issued iron armor and could eat four taels of meat every day. In the army thereafter, they could stand as equals before squad leaders, and when meeting a company commander, need only bow with clasped hands, not kneel. In future promotions, skill and ability would likewise serve as an important criterion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Wu Zhengchun especially, this skill assessment also determined whether he could wash away his shame and hold his head high before Shen Shiqi from now on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assessment was divided into two sections: pikemen and arquebusiers. Wu Zhengchun was a pikeman. The arquebusiers beside him had all been concentrated on the other side of the drill ground; the step-by-step commands for firing drills, the roar of arquebus fire, and various cheers drifted faintly over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun and all the pikemen still stood in a neat square formation. In front of the formation, a row of human-shaped wooden targets had been set up, and the pikemen of each company went forward one by one to be assessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assessment used three grades with nine tiers. Each pikeman charged from twenty paces away to thrust at the targets on the wooden dummy. Nine thrusts: if nine struck the target and lifted the wooden ball from the target onto the spearpoint, that was Upper-Upper Tier. Nine thrusts, eight hits: Upper-Middle Tier. Nine thrusts, seven hits: Upper-Lower Tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These all counted as superior soldiers. The assessment results were personally judged and approved by Wang Dou. Every soldier who earned a superior martial skill assessment was personally issued iron armor and a waist tablet by him, along with words of encouragement from his own lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a rare honor. Every pikeman held his breath, hoping he could earn a superior soldier's skill assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pikemen beside him went forward one by one for assessment. Some were beaming with joy, others crestfallen. Wu Zhengchun suddenly grew nervous; he struggled fiercely to calm himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly a wave of cheers erupted. Wu Zhengchun craned his neck to look — it was Shen Shiqi, a pikeman of Left Picket Yi Company. He had achieved a fine result of nine thrusts with seven hits, becoming Yi Company's first superior-skill soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi bellowed loudly, spreading his arms to receive the crowd's cheers. The soldiers of Yi Company in particular shouted fiercely. Among the pikemen in their company, after many had been assessed, a superior-skill soldier had finally appeared. In the army, strength was honored. Even though Shen Shiqi was usually overbearing, today he had achieved an excellent result and won honor for Left Picket Yi Company, so everyone cheered for him from the heart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou and Lin Daofu both nodded. Whether in spear-raising or charging thrusts, Shen Shiqi's form was standard, decisive, and fierce — he was a promising seedling. Given time, his skills could rise to an even higher level. Han Zhong also laughed heartily; his Left Picket had produced its first superior-skill soldier, and as Picket Officer, he took great pride in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou glanced at Shen Shiqi with a smile, then swept his gaze over Wu Zhengchun in the formation. That day he had proposed that Wu Zhengchun and Shen Shiqi settle their dispute through a contest of soldierly skills. Now that Shen Shiqi had achieved such a good result, could Wu Zhengchun surpass it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou shouted: \"A fine warrior indeed! Someone come — I will personally bestow iron armor and a waist tablet upon Soldier Shen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the envious gazes of the assembled soldiers, Shen Shiqi strode forward, knelt on one knee before Wang Dou, and received the iron armor and waist tablet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armor was fine iron armor, forged entirely from refined iron. The waist tablet was red in color, unique to superior-skill soldiers, signifying his status in the army. Wherever Shen Shiqi went from now on, he would be met with the worshipful gazes of his fellow soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving the iron armor and waist tablet, Shen Shiqi returned to his company beaming with joy and cast a provocative glance at Wu Zhengchun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun still stood motionless; his lean, wiry frame stood rooted to the spot like a green pine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several more pikemen passed their assessments. Suddenly Wu Zhengchun heard Lin Daofu's resonant voice: \"Next for skill assessment: Shunxiang Army Left Picket Jia Company Jia Squad pikeman — Wu Zhengchun!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremor ran through Wu Zhengchun's entire body. At last it was his turn. Could his fate be changed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode out with head high and chest out. As he stepped forward, the encouragement from Squad Leader Zhong Xiancai, Company Commander Xie Shangbiao, and the brothers of Jia Squad seemed inaudible to him; his entire mind and spirit were focused on the assessment to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood in the center of the field. The attention of his superior officers, the gazes of the dense ranks of pikemen in the square formation, made his whole body tremble — he could only force himself to be calm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saluting Wang Dou and the other superior officers, he simply walked to the center holding his spear, looked at the human-shaped wooden dummy twenty paces away, and glared at the several targets on that dummy from afar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a whoosh, Wu Zhengchun turned sideways and raised his spear, assuming an attacking posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood steady, his spear-gripping hand perfectly still, his form standard and graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, Wang Dou, Han Chao, Han Zhong, Lin Daofu, Wen Fangliang, and the other officers who knew of the dispute between Wu Zhengchun and Shen Shiqi all held their breath. Even Shen Shiqi and a few others below the platform craned their necks, their eyes fixed solely on Wu Zhengchun's movements in the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abruptly, the drum sounded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a great shout, Wu Zhengchun burst forward like a swift leopard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun charged to the human-shaped wooden dummy twenty paces away and thrust his spear. Thwack! The spear struck the eye position on the wooden dummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun withdrew the spear shaft, and a wooden ball appeared on his spearpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena thundered with cheers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou also nodded with a smile. Only Shen Shiqi below the platform still wore an unconcerned expression — just one thrust, the outcome was still far off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun leveled his spear and thrust again. In the next five thrusts, he again struck the targets on the wooden dummy, each time lifting a wooden ball onto his spearpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena thundered with cheers; the shouts of Left Picket Jia Company were especially loud. Below, Shen Shiqi's face was filled with grave solemnity. One more thrust, and Wu Zhengchun would be his equal! What power had made this usually cowardly, inept, dark-skinned runt change so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now Wu Zhengchun had already moved to the third wooden dummy. He was somewhat out of breath, but his eyes remained resolute, and his spear-gripping hand was still steady!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drum sounded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun leveled his spear and charged again to the human-shaped wooden dummy twenty paces away. Thwack! The spear in his hand struck the throat position on the wooden dummy. He withdrew the spear shaft, and another wooden ball appeared on his spearpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena erupted in cheers. Han Zhong also split his mouth in a grin — yet another superior-skill soldier had appeared in his picket. And this man was Wu Zhengchun, whom everyone had looked down on in the past. It was simply unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhong suddenly felt a bit ashamed. That day when Wang Dou proposed letting Wu Zhengchun and Shen Shiqi compete, he had not thought well of Wu Zhengchun, considering the fellow too cowardly. A river is easy to change, but one's nature is hard to shift — how could he possibly change all at once?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined that this kid Wu Zhengchun really had changed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, Shen Shiqi's face grew even more solemn. Wu Zhengchun had now achieved the same assessment skill level as him. Could he… go one step further? If he truly surpassed him, then what should he do…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven thrusts already, and all seven had hit. Wu Zhengchun was panting heavily, the hand gripping the spear already trembling somewhat, but he strained to focus his mind, concentrating his energy. He held one conviction: he must surpass Shen Shiqi, vindicate himself, and not betray the expectations that my lord had placed in him that day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again the war drums beat for the charge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh arose. This time Wu Zhengchun's steps were somewhat disordered, and he deviated from the target by an inch. Below, Shen Shiqi broke into a smile. It seemed Wu Zhengchun could only go this far. He wanted to surpass him? In his next life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final attempt. Everyone held their breath and stilled their breathing. Wu Zhengchun also gently closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The war drums sounded, and within the drumbeats, Wu Zhengchun charged with a wild roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tide of cheers erupted. A miracle was born — Wu Zhengchun had once again struck the target and brought out the wooden ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine thrusts, eight hits. The army's first soldier of the Upper-Medium grade had been born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the cheers, Wu Zhengchun held his long spear, tears streaming down his face. He had finally surpassed Shen Shiqi, defeated him openly and honorably, washing away the shame of the past! The bitter training day and night — all for this day! With such surging emotion, how could he not shed tears?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Shiqi was stupefied, his eyes full of disbelief. How was this possible? Wu Zhengchun, nine thrusts and eight hits? His current soldier skill grade was now higher than his own. How could this be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou laughed heartily and praised Wu Zhengchun, who had dragged his heavy steps before him: \"You are not bad. You are very good. You did not disappoint me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou personally bestowed upon him the iron armor and waist tablet, encouraging him: \"Keep up the effort!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Han Chao, Han Zhong, and the others also nodded and smiled at Wu Zhengchun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if in a dream, Wu Zhengchun received the iron armor and waist tablet one by one. He walked toward his formation and saw the uniformly reverent gazes of the crowd, as well as Shen Shiqi's evasive, darting eyes in Squad B. Beside Shen Shiqi, Shi Datai and Ceng Youxian were so shocked their mouths hung open, unable to close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun suddenly burst into loud laughter. For the first time, he felt elated and vindicated. All of this had come from his own hard struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wu Zhengchun walked over, the spearmen instinctively parted to open a path. Although Wu Zhengchun was small and thin in stature, no one dared to look down on him. He was the army's first soldier of the Upper-Medium grade. No matter how wretched Wu Zhengchun had been in the past, the Wu Zhengchun of now would be an idol in the army and the target that all soldiers revered and sought to surpass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside how elated and vindicated Wu Zhengchun was, the skill assessment in the Shunxiang Fort army proceeded for three full days, and the final results came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including both long-spear soldiers and firelock soldiers, ten soldiers of the Left Picket attained Upper-grade soldier treatment, and eleven from the Right Picket. The original two squads of retainers led by Wen Fangliang and Sun Sanjie also had four in total. Thus, across the entire Shunxiang army, twenty-five men obtained Upper-grade soldier treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among these twenty-five, aside from Wu Zhengchun, the rest were all soldiers of the Upper-Lower grade. Wang Dou personally bestowed iron armor and red waist tablets upon each of these men, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire army, those who attained Medium-grade skill treatment were more numerous — over a hundred men. The remainder were all soldiers of Lower-grade skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shunxiang army had, after all, been established not long ago and still needed to intensify training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the soldier skill assessment, the Shunxiang army could be considered a formally established strong army. Their combat power was already mature. If they had good equipment, even the soldiers of Lower-grade skill in the army, if placed in another army, would likewise possess combat power comparable to that of retainers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At present, the Shunxiang army had only long-spear soldiers and firelock soldiers. It was time to begin forming cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had brought one hundred forty warhorses from Jingbian Fort. Shunxiang Fort originally also had one hundred fifteen horses and mules, though among them probably only a few dozen could serve as warhorses. Thus, the number of cavalry could only be tentatively set at slightly over two hundred men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou decided to employ two types of cavalry. One was light cavalry, wearing partial armor and using weapons such as greatswords and long spears, according to each cavalryman's own preference and forte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shooting arrows from horseback was a technical skill. To train to the point of being able to shoot from horseback, no one knew how much time it would take. Wang Dou did not have that time, nor did he have that many horn bows. He planned in the future to equip these light cavalrymen with hand cannons, with a range of over ten paces, which would be sufficient for use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These light cavalrymen would also double as scouts and night scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other type was firearm cavalry, equipped with firelocks and sabers. They were essentially mounted infantry, who dismounted to fight upon encountering the enemy; riding horses merely served to enhance mobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wang Dou's plan, he intended to first train one squad of slightly over fifty light cavalrymen, and three squads totaling over a hundred firearm cavalrymen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, training cavalry is no easy matter!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou convened a military conference in the Battalion Commander's official hall. Drill Officer Lin Daofu, Disciplinary Officer Chi Dacheng, as well as Han Chao, Han Zhong, Wen Fangliang, Sun Sanjie, and several other officers were seated on both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wang Dou's plan, the candidate for training and leading the cavalry could be none other than Han Chao. In particular, the training of night scouts absolutely required Han Chao to handle it. Previously, Han Chao had trained a squad of night scouts at Jingbian Fort, but after the Shunxiang army established the new army, due to a shortage of officers, those night scouts had likewise been commissioned as officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet while the candidate for training cavalry was settled, the candidates for cavalry soldiers posed some difficulty. Should several squads of men be selected from the infantry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention his own pondering, after hearing Wang Dou's words, Han Chao spoke up: \"My lord, if it were merely training a few scouts and night scouts, that would be fine. But if we are to train several hundred cavalry, the expense would be enormous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to him, first, good horse breeds were hard to find, and the proportion that could become warhorses was very small. Within Shunxiang Fort, there were probably not many horses that qualified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, cavalry were difficult to train. Height and arm length both mattered. The Shunxiang army's new infantry had been trained in a few months' time, but a qualified cavalryman required at least over a year of training, to say nothing of qualified cavalry officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expense of keeping horses was great. The cost of one cavalryman roughly equaled the cost of five elite infantrymen. Moreover, a cavalry unit had to be equipped with blacksmiths, carpenters, and veterinarians, and the expenses for these several roles were likewise not small. Wang Dou understood this point as well. Sun Chuanting had once stated in a memorial: \"One thousand three hundred twenty-eight horses, each horse receiving eight fen of silver per day for fodder; fifty-four mules, each mule receiving five fen of silver per day for fodder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One horse cost eight fen of silver per day, which came to nearly thirty taels of silver per year — and that was during garrison duty. When campaigning began, the need for horse fodder such as wheat, beans, and hay would be even greater. Those horses at Shunxiang Fort ordinarily cost Wang Dou quite a bit of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao continued: \"In mounted combat, the trident, the great club, and the line spear are most effective, but such weapons are not easy to forge. Even the cavalry saber differs from the waist saber ordinarily used by infantry and requires specialized craftsmen to forge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saber used by cavalry was not sharpened, but the blade was longer and more curved, greatly different from an ordinary waist saber. The forging of such weapons indeed required professional, skilled craftsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao said all this in the hope that Wang Dou would abandon the idea of maintaining two hundred cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to him, training a few night scouts was acceptable, but large-scale cavalry training should be forgone. In any case, for guard battalion soldiers like them, as long as they defended the city and protected their own territory, that was enough. Opportunities for cavalry to deploy were very few, and maintaining them was merely a waste of money and provisions — especially given the current strained financial situation of Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>",5428,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","b763f0e205e606c9eec67c06e5d24ea26cb6491c4e18d3c290a8b9955b02d6fb","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-86","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-84",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]