Chapter 1003

As for the army, Chen Wuji initially formed it by mixing the Qin-Han old system with Da Yu's current military system; it differs from any other unit.

The designation number that Lü Ji and others longed for, Chen Wuji's initial idea was not any designation number but a special code unit, intended to distinguish it from other units.

This designation number, to a certain extent, represents the origin of this unit.

It is not a designation number like the Feathered Forest Army, the Expectation Gate Army, or the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, which symbolize function and honor.

But Lü Ji and others clearly know, yet none of them care; they simply want a designation number.

Or rather, they want a designation number representing that unit.

These guys have their calculations worked out well, but Chen Wuji will certainly not let them get what they want so easily.

Since they have pulled the designation number back into the realms of function and honor, Chen Wuji can only assign them designation numbers according to the rules of function and honor, everything based on merit.

"Shi Yi Shu, later organize the military merit evaluation to see which unit has accumulated the most merit." Chen Wuji said, "These guys are so enthusiastic; we definitely need to convince them completely."

"Also, designate the Guilty Army and the Justice Army as special code units, with a brief explanation to prevent morale from wavering. Although they are the ones clamoring for it, don't wait until later when each feels unhappy, thinking their merit is so great, why should the Justice Army and the Guilty Army get designation numbers first."

"After the designation numbers are set, give the units that have established designation numbers some benefits: assign each brigade an independent Luggage and Supplies Lìng, a Huotou Army, increase pay by twenty percent, and prioritize replacing weapons."

Chen Li laughed, "With such high benefits, those kids will surely go crazy with joy."

Chen Wuji gave a soft hum, "If we don't give them benefits, those kids will definitely grumble behind our backs. Shi Yi Shu, believe it or not, after a while they will certainly not remember that the Justice Army and the Guilty Army were established first; they will only remember the designation numbers they earned through blood and sweat, just like the Justice Army and the Guilty Army."

Chen Li nodded, "I believe."

Military morale is purer than popular sentiment, but military morale is composed of human nature.

People, after all, are quite complex; everyone knows that.

Chen Wuji stroked his chin, a mischievous thought suddenly arising: "Shi Yi Shu, what if I don't give the designation number to the whole unit but to a specific Lìng, or even a specific company?"

Chen Li stared, then laughed and said, "They will certainly beat their chests and stamp their feet, turn green with envy; the officers who receive the designation numbers will probably feel bad."

"Let's see if there is a Lìng, company, or brigade with the highest merit; I want to give them a little surprise!" Chen Wuji decided to do just that.

Since these kids are forcing him to formalize the designation numbers, he will go all out, distinguishing special codes, designation numbers, and special designation numbers, and fully linking them to military merit and officers' treatment.

Chen Wuji imagined: if a battalion under an army had exceptionally high logistical support, allowing soldiers to eat hot meals daily on campaign, occasionally add meat to improve rations, with pay much higher than peers, and also prioritize equipping and replacing weapons and armor, how would the other soldiers be?

Damn, they'll surely die of envy!

Envy means competition, meaning morale and combat power can quickly rise, achieving a virtuous cycle.

"Damn it, I'm practically a genius!" Chen Wuji curled the corner of his mouth, his mood bright.

Chen Li also thought of the benefits and immediately said, "I'll go look through the military merit evaluation now; I'm not sure if there is such a brigade, but a battalion or company definitely exists—I recall seeing it before, but everyone has accumulated so much merit this year that I can't remember right now."

"Come on, let's go look together!"

The two hurried back to the camp, summoned Kong Fang to bring out the military merit evaluation register from the box, and began adding up each unit's merit line by line—a very tedious job.

Da Yu's military merit records have always emphasized individuals while neglecting the collective.

Chen Wuji followed the trend, recording merit in the same way.

The entire merit register is filled densely with entries like: a certain year, month, day, a certain unit's soldier so-and-so, in a certain battle acting as the vanguard or spearhead or otherwise, followed by detailed records of beheading officers, capturing flags, and killing enemies, then appended with the names and offices of those who confirmed the merit, etc.

Since the records emphasize individuals over collectives, to return to the collective we must place each person's merit into the collective one by one, sum them up, and then compare each Lìng, each company, and each brigade together.

Fortunately, Kong Fang works quickly and has strong mathematical skills; after Chen Wuji and Chen Li drank two pots of tea, played about ten rounds of chess, and thoroughly studied the Lingshouzhou map, he had roughly listed the three Lìng with the most outstanding merit and one brigade.

"Please review, my lord!"

Kong Fang, dragging his weary body, rubbed his sore eyes, and placed the copied merit of the three Lìng and one brigade before Chen Wuji.

"Wenjun truly lives up to being a great talent who can manipulate the whole Xinglin Zhen in the palm of his hand; this efficiency is really high!" Chen Wuji praised, taking the document, "No mistake, right?"

Kong Fang looked at Chen Wuji with a stifled expression, mumbling, "My lord, I've checked twice; there definitely won't be a mistake."

"Let me take a look." Chen Wuji sat down and began by checking the merit of that brigade.

"This brigade is quite interesting; it has actually produced so many hammer kings!"

Chen Wuji's remark immediately sparked Chen Li's interest.

He leaned sideways, poked out half his head, and glanced askance at what was recorded on that thin sheet of paper.

"The brigade that Feng Lianchuan previously stayed in? In just one year it produced a Training Officer and three Company Commanders—this is more than just something; it likely hides a great secret." Chen Li exclaimed in amazement.

Chen Li, usually steady and composed, rarely showing anger or joy on his face, with emotions expressed only through a smile, unusually widened his eyes—what is colloquially called an eye‑socket quake.

In Chen Wuji's current military system, a Training Officer is a mid‑high ranking officer, ranking only below a Marquised Training Officer and a Middle Lieutenant General; the entire army numbers over two hundred thousand, and so far only Feng Lianchuan has been promoted out of turn.

This is a rare occurrence.

But since there is only one, placing him in a brigade, company, or Lìng actually fails to highlight the unit's distinctiveness.

But producing a Training Officer and three Company Commanders is already quite remarkable.

Moreover, of those three Company Commanders, two were promoted from Squad Leaders, and one was originally an ordinary swordsman and shield bearer.

In over a year's time, not to mention ordinary soldiers, even Squad Leaders need a vast amount of merit to reach the rank of Company Commander.

Chen Wuji carefully reviewed the merit of these individuals.

They indeed met the promotion requirements.

They truly possess a vast amount of merit.

The three Company Commanders each have slain three hundred enemies on average—literally walking, living Yama on the battlefield.