Chapter 25: Chanda Training (3)

February 28, 6 a. m.

It's still dark.

A chill swept in, and Jiang Anguo felt a bit cold.

Jiang Anguo looked at the soldiers in front of him, some of whom were still half‑asleep.

"Very good, looks like you're really hungry. Captains of each squad, start counting. If anyone is missing, sorry, they won't get a share this morning." Jiang Anguo looked at the Lost Dragon squad and found that their uniforms were surprisingly tidy.

He nodded with satisfaction.

After the final headcount, there were still over thirty people missing, but more than two hundred wounded soldiers.

"All wounded soldiers stay where they are. Until Doctor Lei Ao and Doctor Li Qing approve your enlistment, you'll go help the veterinarian prepare breakfast for everyone."

"Meng Fanle, write down the names of everyone who didn't show up. When you see my blackboard, write them on it. Next time I'll see who's late—here, this camera—photograph whoever's late, stick the photos up. Glory, I'll give you glory; for each missing person, the team loses a point."

Points are deducted, but as for punishment, Jiang Anguo hasn't decided yet; he needs to study it carefully.

Embarrassing—that's what everyone thinks. They thought just writing the names would suffice, but photos are also required. Some don't understand what photos mean, while others do know the photos taken by the camera.

The camera and the blackboard cost Jiang Anguo one point each; the blackboard was free from the system, the camera cost one point.

"Also, remember, if you later dress like this—neither here nor there—I'll punish you as well."

Jiang Anguo paced back and forth; the first time he spoke to so many people he was flustered, but he knew there wasn't much time left. By the second speech he sounded normal, even satisfied; he could now understand what Hitler felt like.

He nodded toward Xiao Si, who pushed through the crowd, holding a uniform identical to his own.

Jiang Anguo took the garment from Xiao Si and said, "Do you see this uniform?"

Everyone nodded in unison. "Good looking"—yes, that's the only word they could use, and it's cleaner than what they're wearing. If the weather weren't cool, the smell on this group would be obvious; even now, if you get close you can detect a strange odor.

"Your task today is simple. I only have ten sets of German Army uniforms right now; today isn't about individual performance. Each team, including its captain, has 81 people. Distribute yourselves in groups of ten; the larger groups should go to the Lost Dragon side and form their own squads."

"Four rows become eight rows." The formation took a moment to adjust, but everyone understood, and soon each team split into eight lines—that is, eight small groups.

Jiang Anguo kept the horn in hand and shouted, "Captains, all of you go to the Lost Dragon squad. Hurry up—do you want breakfast or not? If you move this slowly and the enemy arrives, you won't even know how you die."

For the past two days he's been constantly warning of the enemy's arrival.

"Very well. From now on, yesterday your team members were comrades; today, you're opponents. I assume you've all played cockfighting; if not, that's fine. Lost Dragon, Zhang Quan, come up and demonstrate how to play cockfighting. What are you afraid of? If you're shy, get out of the way."

Cockfighting is actually the simplest sport; you pick it up in one go. Lost Dragon almost crushed Zhang Quan—Zhang Quan is too frail. Lost Dragon is a head taller than Jiang Anguo and built solidly.

The key is that Lost Dragon moves like a child's play; his base is very stable. Otherwise, height isn't an advantage in cockfighting—it can be a disadvantage.

"You've got it, right? Good. Whether you're skilled or not, the battle starts now. Each team finds a neighboring team for a duel; the victor advances to the next group."

"The ultimate winning team will receive the German M36 uniform I have, along with matching boots, belt, and water bottle." In reality the system supplied Jiang Anguo with fifty German uniforms, and there was a reason he didn't hand them out immediately.

On the first day he selected the ten smartest people and those with the best stamina and energy reserves.

Today he will split everyone into class combat units of ten people each, which also facilitates later team reorganization.

He wants these broken soldiers to feel honor; hence the ten people he forms today become a class combat unit.

"Begin. No smudges. If you don't want breakfast, the ten winners will each get an extra egg as a reward," Jiang Anguo shouted.

Charge! A chorus of shouts.

Everyone's enthusiasm rose, and even the half‑asleep became much more alert.

The veterinarian walked over at that moment, "Camp Commander, these people all arrived at the camp this morning, look."

"Arrived this morning—what does that mean, veterinarian?" Jiang Anguo also saw more than ten people behind the veterinarian, ragged and torn; although they wore uniforms, they were no different from the rags.

"Camp Commander, these are all broken soldiers who withdrew from the frontline," the veterinarian whispered to Jiang Anguo.

Jiang Anguo nodded; he seemed to understand, "These people have run far enough."

Although the border line is still some distance away, anyone who retreated from the front to here is still able to walk!

The frontline the veterinarian referred to isn't the Myanmar battlefield but those who fell back from the domestic front; Jiang Anguo counted, totaling eighteen people.

Including those 18, the camp's total strength is 1,260. Yesterday, because Lei Ao and Li Qing were present, a few lives were saved; otherwise more casualties would have occurred.

Jiang Anguo looked at them; none held a rank higher than his. Lin Yi's rank matches his—both are majors—but Lin Yi has never been to battle, nor has Jiang Anguo.

"Do any of you artillerymen know how to drive a transport vehicle?" Jiang Anguo asked.

They all shook their heads.

"Veterinarian, lead them to run from here to the big tree over there and back, then give them a bowl of porridge. Follow the veterinarian; anyone who slacks off won't get breakfast, understand?" Jiang Anguo said to the broken soldiers who arrived at Chanda today.

"I have other matters now; later have Meng Fanle tally them," Jiang Anguo said.

Their eyes were numb, showing no sign of hope.

If they joined today's activities outright, they'd be at a disadvantage, so they'll be fed first and then formed into an independent unit. It seems people come to Chanda every day, more or less.

If you have weapons, a unit might take you, but without weapons, no one will shelter them.