Chapter 90: Tempering the New Eagle

The heavy snow has sealed the mountain; finally we can catch a breath. Li Ping'an stands at the edge of the training ground, watching the Flying Eagle Team members—some cleaning their rifles, some practicing punches, others forming a circle and gesturing at something—and a thought suddenly pops into his mind.

Political Commissar, I have an idea. Li Ping'an approached Zhou Zhengwei, and, seizing this idle period, suggested recruiting another batch of newcomers.

Zhou Zhengwei was looking at a map; hearing that, he looked up: "Recruit again? Isn't the Flying Eagle Team doing fine now?"

It's good, but not enough. Li Ping'an's eyes lit up. "You see, although this operation succeeded, it exposed a shortage of manpower. If we had a few more squads cooperating back then, perhaps we could have avoided the sacrifice of those three comrades."

Zhou Zhengwei pondered for a moment: "You make a valid point. So how do you intend to recruit?"

This time we must be selective. Li Ping'an said, "The first criterion is proficiency in martial arts or some special skill; the most important is loyalty and reliability. Better to have few than many unfit."

Once the news spread, the entire base became bustling.

Did you hear? The Flying Eagle Team is recruiting newcomers! Is it true? I also want to try! Come on, with your two tricks, you're not even enough to fill Instructor Li Jiaoguan's tooth gap!

The registration desk instantly filled with people—veterans of the anti‑Japanese resistance, fresh recruits, and even youngsters from nearby villages. Everyone was itching to join this renowned Special Forces.

Er Gazi handled the registration, sweating profusely: "Don't push, don't push! One at a time! Ouch, someone stepped on my foot!"

Li Ping'an stood aside, watching the lively scene, feeling both pleased and worried. There were many people, but how many truly met the criteria?

On the first day of assessment, over two hundred people stood packed on the field. Li Ping'an stepped onto the platform and scanned the crowd.

Want to join the Flying Eagle Team? he boomed, "Clear my test first!"

The first item was a physical test. Ten-mile Mountain Area weighted cross‑country; less than half could last to the end. Many collapsed halfway, gasping for breath.

That's all? Li Ping'an shook his head. The Flying Eagle Team is not a place for easy living.

The second item was a martial arts assessment. Li Ping'an personally demonstrated; only a handful could execute three moves under his scrutiny.

A tall guy protested: "Instructor, I'm unbeatable in the village!"

Li Ping'an smiled: "Come on, try."

The big guy shouted and charged, only to be tripped by Li Ping'an and knocked to the ground, unable to get up for a while.

Show‑off. Li Ping'an reached out to pull him up, saying, "On the battlefield, practicality matters, not looks."

The third item was a special talent showcase. This got lively: there were tree climbers, divers, and a guy who could mimic bird calls perfectly.

That's useful. Li Ping'an pointed at the bird‑mimicking youngster, noting it could be employed during Reconnaissance.

What caught Li Ping'an's attention most was a slight youth, silently watching from the corner, neither conspicuous nor revealing.

And you? Any special skill? Li Ping'an walked over and asked.

The youth lifted his head, eyes sharp: "I can make traps. I used to be a hunter, specializing in catching wild boars and black‑eyed ones."

Li Ping'an showed interest: "Demonstrate for me."

The youth quickly set up several simple traps on the training ground, each cleverly concealed, earning Li Ping'an's silent praise.

He patted the youth's shoulder, saying, "This skill is perfect for fighting the Japanese Soldiers!"

After several rounds of selection, about fifty remained. Li Ping'an announced: "Next is a real‑combat elimination round. Pairs will go into the mountain to survive three days and complete assigned tasks. In the end only twenty can stay."

Now it got lively. Some pairs coordinated smoothly; others fell into internal strife.

Why are you so stupid! Can't even start a fire! If you're capable, do it yourself!

Li Ping'an, with the veteran members, observed covertly, recording each person's performance.

Instructor, look at that pair. Er Gazi pointed into the distance, "Both are capable, but neither yields to the other."

Li Ping'an nodded: "Ability is good, but the Flying Eagle Team needs teamwork, not individual heroism."

On the evening of the third day, the pairs returned one after another. Some came back fully loaded, some in a mess, and one pair even carried back a wild boar.

Impressive! Li Ping'an looked at the boar, "Who killed it?"

A simple‑hearted man scratched his head: "I trapped it. I used to do this back home."

Li Ping'an wrote down his name.

The final assessment was a loyalty test. Li Ping'an had Zhou Zhengwei pretend to punish an errant team member, observing the others' reactions.

Most people chose to plead, but a few watched coldly, and some even kicked the fallen.

Those kinds of people can't be kept. Li Ping'an told Er Gazi, "The Flying Eagle Team's top priority is unity and trust."

After multiple rounds of selection, twenty were finally chosen. Li Ping'an stood before them, his gaze stern.

Congratulations on passing the assessment. But from today onward, you'll face stricter training and more dangerous missions. It's still possible to quit now.

Not a single person quit.

Li Ping'an smiled, "Then let's begin!"

The new training commenced. Li Ping'an personally devised a training program, both strict and scientific. Mornings were physical training, the forenoon was weapons handling, afternoons were tactical study, and evenings included cultural lessons.

Instructor, we're here to fight the Japanese Soldiers; what's the use of learning these characters? a new recruit asked, puzzled.

How can an illiterate read a map? How to analyze intelligence? Li Ping'an retorted, "The Flying Eagle Team doesn't need brutes; it needs warriors with both courage and strategy."

Gradually, the new members improved. The trap‑making youth taught everyone to set various devices, the vocal‑mimic became a Reconnaissance ace, and even the big guy Li Ping'an had knocked down learned practical Hand‑to‑hand Combat techniques.

A month later, Li Ping'an decided to give the new members a real‑combat test.

Tonight we will raid a Japanese Soldiers' outpost. He announced the mission; the veteran members would observe, the new members would execute.

The new members were both nervous and excited. It was their first mission, and everyone was itching to act.

In the dead of night, the outpost was silent. The new members slipped in noiselessly and cleanly eliminated the Sentinel.

Too easy! a big guy said proudly.

Just as the words fell, the alarm blared! It turned out a Japanese Soldier had feigned death and secretly triggered the alarm.

Retreat! Quickly retreat! the leading veteran hurriedly ordered.

But it was too late; a large force of Japanese Soldiers burst from the barracks, surrounding them.

What to do? The new members panicked.

At the critical moment, the trap‑making youth thought quickly: "Follow me!"

He led everyone into a narrow passage, swiftly setting a few simple traps that temporarily blocked the pursuers.

Well done! the veteran team member who led the squad praised.

Finally, they successfully broke out of the encirclement; although some were wounded, they all returned safely.

At the summary meeting, Li Ping'an both praised their emergency response capabilities and criticized their complacency.

One must never let down one's guard at any time! He said sternly, if today were a real battle, we might not make it back!

The new team members all lowered their heads to receive instruction. After this lesson, they became more mature and steady.

The Flying Eagle Team's strength greatly increased. Li Ping'an divided them into several squads, each with its own specialty, capable of carrying out different types of missions.

Sometimes the Recon Group goes out to scout the enemy's movements; sometimes the Assault Group acts to take out enemy strongholds; sometimes the Destruction Group steps in to blow up railway bridges.

The Japanese were left dazed and confused, utterly unable to gauge how many special forces the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces actually had.

Damn it! How do these Anti-Japanese Allied Forces keep growing in number the more they fight! A Japanese officer slammed the table in rage.

Zhou Zhengwei watched the vigorous members on the training field and said to Li Ping'an, "Ping'an, this move of yours is truly brilliant. Not only did it strengthen the Flying Eagle Team, but it also set an example for the veteran members."

Li Ping'an smiled: This is just the beginning. Once these newcomers grow up, we'll be able to prepare even more for the Japanese.

In the distance, the new team members were undergoing arduous training. Shouts of battle, gunfire, and explosions rose and fell, composing a special training march.

Li Ping'an gazed upon all this, his heart filled with hope. These young eagles were growing strong; one day they would soar to the ninth heaven and become the sharpest dagger on the anti-Japanese battlefield.