Chapter 212: Ordering the Troops

As the night grew deeper, amidst the dim lights at the entrance of the County Yamen, the figure of Cheng Feng, having parted ways with Wang Tieshan, appeared exceptionally resolute. Facing the heavy responsibility of suppressing the bandits that was soon to come, every bit of preparation was of vital importance.

Returning to the Hong Sect headquarters, he immediately summoned the core management. The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy and tense, with flickering candlelight reflecting off the determined faces of those present.

The main personnel for this expedition were the disciples of the Three Halls, but recently, the number of people in the Hong Sect's Three Halls was indeed a bit too high.

Besides the members absorbed from the Green Bamboo Gang, there were also members of other small gangs mixed in, leading to a motley crowd that was difficult to reorganize. Even Li Yang, whom Cheng Feng valued highly, indicated that there were too many people and it was relatively difficult to manage them.

After calculations by Cheng Feng and Wang Hu, the current number of people in the Three Halls had already exceeded two thousand, with over five hundred official Ren Men Disciples.

Among them, only about two hundred and seventy were well-trained, and there were about one hundred and fifty Martial Artists at the Lian Li Stage, most of whom were at the Strength Refining Initial Stage.

There were eighty disciples at the Skin Refining stage, with the strongest being at the Skin Refining Late Stage; these people were received from the Green Bamboo Gang. As for the disciples at the Blood Refining Stage, they could be promoted to the Earth Gate, but there were currently no such talents.

To wipe out the bandits, it was necessary to select some core disciples for training. Those with criminal records needed to pass trials, while those without backgrounds needed to undergo tests. Only in this way could the combat effectiveness and loyalty of the team be ensured.

"Brothers, the path we are about to embark upon is not a smooth one; suppressing bandits is both a matter of reputation and a test." Cheng Feng's voice was steady and powerful, piercing through every bit of air in the room. "Though the Hong Sect is large, true strength lies in quality, not quantity. Today's meeting is to filter out the baggage we are prepared to shed from these two thousand-plus people."

"When there are too many people, and too many who fish in troubled waters, the team is hard to lead. We will take this opportunity to have a fight with those fierce bandits; those who survive can directly enter the Ren Men, and those who perform poorly or die in battle will have separate compensation. The Hong Sect only wants elites."

The people present watched Cheng Feng say these words without changing his expression, all of them trembling at such great boldness from Cheng Feng.

If it were truly like this, it would mean using the bandit suppression to temper the Three Hall disciples, letting them choose life amidst blood and fire.

Seeing the high-level members of the Hong Sect all silent, Cheng Feng knew that this move of his was relatively ruthless, but there was no other way. The Hong Sect's benefits were good, and there were always people who wanted to have a sip of the soup, but how could they be promoted without merit?

With such a large group to support, the Hong Sect still couldn't select those who were useful and loyal to the Hong Sect, while also having to pay salaries to the gang members. The territory in South City had been taken, but if it continued like this, it wouldn't be a solution.

Every time he looked at the Hong Sect's accounts, Cheng Feng had a bit of a headache. Why was it so easy for others to control a force, but so difficult when it came to his turn?

Later, Cheng Feng also concluded that it was because the Hong Sect's system was too good, attracting many people, which was why so many came to rely on it. Once there were many people, the expenditure was also high; with an imbalance between income and expenditure, the Hong Sect would inevitably be dragged down.

Cheng Feng did not want to explain further: "I give you one stick of incense's time. You few determine the numbers based on the department heads and brigade leaders under each person. Divide them into three batches, three hundred people per batch. Give priority to the disciples who were absorbed. As long as they can fight through this battle and make great contributions, the position of Ren Men Disciple, silver, and martial arts can all be rewarded. If anyone shirks, they will be expelled from the Hong Sect and never hired again."

Hearing Cheng Feng's order, Wang Hu and the others did not hesitate. Everything in the Hong Sect had been fought for by Cheng Feng; the position of Sect Master was as stable as a mountain, and his commands were decided in a single word.

After one stick of incense passed,

Wang Hu held a detailed list in his hand, with the names of nine hundred people all here. According to Cheng Feng's vision, there were indeed those among the Outer Sect Disciples who could fight, it was just that there was always some sand covering the luster of the gold.

Looking at the list, Cheng Feng asked, "Is there anything else that needs to be added?"

Li Yang's brows were locked in a frown, but his eyes flashed with determination: "I suggest that in addition to the existing well-trained ones, we should add a round of strict selection, including physical fitness tests, tactical drills, and loyalty assessments. We must first know what we have in mind."

Cheng Feng nodded in agreement and added: "In addition, for the brothers who have newly joined, especially the brothers from the Green Bamboo Gang, we must give more trust and opportunities, but at the same time, we need to strictly review them to ensure the purity of the team. Let everyone understand that under the Hong Sect, there is no distinction between new and old; only talent is promoted, and only loyalty is used."

The meeting then turned to detailed discussions, from the selection process to the training plan, and then to logistical support, with every item meticulously planned. Cheng Feng particularly emphasized the importance of teamwork and discipline, pointing out that in cruel battles, this would be the foundation they relied on for survival.

The next morning, the Hong Sect was busy. The news of the selection spread rapidly, stirring up the fighting spirit and enthusiasm of the disciples. On the training ground, shouts of battle rose one after another, sweat and hot blood intertwined, and every disciple was proving their loyalty to the Hong Sect and their desire for wealth in their own way.

Cheng Feng was now like an arrow on a bowstring that had to be fired. Every force had to contribute, the Hong Sect's silver still needed to circulate, and people had to be supported, so the Three Hall disciples should also pay their share.

After preparing the Hong Sect's affairs perfectly, Cheng Feng returned to the Cheng Mansion, only to see that the three women, Zhao Wei, Cai'er, and Meiniang, had not yet slept, lighting candles and waiting for him to come home.

Cheng Feng was incomparably moved in his heart. Eating the food the three women had warmed up for him, Cheng Feng felt that everything was worth it.

Seven days later, the money and grain of the three great families had been prepared, and the experts from the six major Martial Arts Halls and the disciples of the four major gangs had all gathered at a location outside the city.

Cheng Feng arranged for eight hundred to be around the Cheng Mansion, letting them look after the safety of the home.

He personally led the two Offerings, Wu Feng and Cheng Yi, as well as twenty outstanding Inner Sect Disciples to walk at the very front, followed by three hundred Outer Sect Disciples wearing the Hong Sect's special cloth garments. These disciples walked in neat rows, passing through the streets and alleys in an orderly manner, and finally arrived at the designated location outside the city.

Looking from afar, one could see that the front was already overcrowded. Each gang had sent about three hundred people, but when the Hong Sect appeared, it immediately gave people a refreshing feeling. In addition, with some Skin Refining and Blood Refining Martial Artists brought by the Martial Arts Halls, the number of people suppressing the bandits was nearly one thousand.

The County Lieutenant rode a tall, fine horse, wearing a majestic set of armor; and those yamen runners and head catchers were also fully equipped, giving people a strange feeling of being soldiers yet not soldiers.

Although the choices of each force were different, County Magistrate Liu would not interfere with this; as long as the money and grain were sufficient, he would not ask about other matters.

Seeing that the teams from each family were in place, County Magistrate Liu said with great spirit: "For the safety of the county's people, I look forward to your triumphant return."

The main force set out.