Chapter 28: A German‑Armed Company

A troop came from afar.

Their steps were synchronized, as if a single person were making the sound.

Jiang Anguo had already seen it from a distance, and was surprised that it was armed; these were soldiers purchased through the system.

"System, do these soldiers all come equipped with weapons?" Jiang Anguo asked.

The soldiers marching in formation wore Republic‑era German‑style Model 24 uniforms, M35 steel helmets, German Mauser K98k Rifles with bayonets, carried combat backpacks on their backs, had water canteens at their waists, and belts that appeared to hold ammunition boxes.

"Yes, Host. You can choose the infantry's nation; it need not be Chinese infantry, and the weapons and equipment are likewise selectable. Each exchanged soldier comes with a rifle and one hundred rounds of ammunition," the system replied.

Jiang Anguo nodded, indicating he understood.

"System, do your pilots, artillerymen, and tank soldiers also come with planes and tanks?"

"Host, you are overthinking it. Pilots and tank soldiers only carry rifles and ammunition; they merely possess knowledge of flight and tanks. Tanks and aircraft must be purchased by the Host themselves," the system said.

It seemed Jiang Anguo had overthought it; having planes and tanks would indeed be perfect.

A 194‑person unit formed a perfectly orderly formation.

They all marched toward Jiang Anguo, and Jiang Anguo tidied his own uniform.

They stopped ten meters from Jiang Anguo and said, "Good day, Commander."

Jiang Anguo nodded, "Comrades, hello."

After pondering for a while, Jiang Anguo managed to utter these four words.

"Everyone, rest in place."

"Yes, Commander."

Jiang Anguo turned back to the soldiers behind him and said, "Did you see that? This is the elite of my th Division. Compare yourselves—do you understand the gap? Train hard, show me your Military Posture, then compare it to theirs. In a moment, a three‑kilometer run. Anyone who slacks off will have to go hungry."

No one was confused, because everyone assumed the unit belonged to Jiang Anguo; after all, as a Commander, he must have his own troops and could not be without a single soldier.

But when they actually saw such a unit, they were a bit dazed.

This is the Central Army. Apart from the ten soldiers who have already switched to new uniforms, the rest have not even a decent garment, let alone weapons; they are all bare‑handed.

"Rest for a moment; soon everyone will be ready, and we'll do a three‑kilometer warm‑up together."

In an instant, over a hundred more joined Jiang Anguo's side, granting him 113 points.

Now Jiang Anguo's points rose again to 307—more than he could ever spend.

Jiang Anguo is only a Commander, yet the camp holds 1,454 people, roughly the strength of two battalions; he could even serve as a Regiment Commander.

Of course, some soldiers are seriously wounded and cannot fight in the short term; others have completely lost combat ability, with hands or legs possibly permanently disabled.

According to reports from Lei Ao and Li Qing, about 37 men are merely attached to the unit for combat, while the remaining wounded, once recovered, can return to Frontline Combat.

Thus, of the original 1,260 people in Chanda, 1,223 can accompany Jiang Anguo to Myanmar, while the rest must stay in Chanda.

However, Jiang Anguo devised a plan: station a unit in the rear.

Frontline Combat inevitably incurs losses; when soldiers die, the system will not award points, causing Jiang Anguo's points to drop rapidly. Placing a rear unit would at least prevent casualties there, ensuring a steady daily point supply, which can be exchanged for bullets and artillery shells.

That counts as Jiang Anguo exploiting a loophole in the system.

To date, Chanda has 1,454 soldiers; subtracting the 37 unfit, Jiang Anguo's camp numbers 1,417.

Weaponry is not a concern; the only worry is troop quality.

With system soldiers leading, all troops run in proper form; the three‑kilometer run does not require sprinting, just a steady jog to keep up.

Lunch was decent: braised chicken with potatoes, salted cabbage, two side dishes, and steamed rice.

The aroma was almost mouth‑watering; after everyone finished the run, even though the meal hadn't been served yet, Jiang Anguo assigned all the literate men to give cultural education to the Big‑Head Soldiers.

First, they taught literacy: five characters during a half‑hour before lunch, then ten characters during an hour after dinner.

Adding more isn't feasible; they have no basic education, so learning characters all at once is too difficult.

Finally, at mealtime, the ragged troops watched the line of German‑style infantry, perfectly orderly, holding lunch boxes and receiving their midday meals in neat rows.

The standard‑bearers served well; the other soldiers copied them. Even if the uniforms were shabby, the morale didn't waver—they held their heads high.

There was no afternoon training, only labor: continuing to plant potatoes. After consulting a few locals, they decided to keep rice in the plains and clear all trees in the highlands to plant potatoes.

"Commander, why are we planting potatoes?" several people asked Jiang Anguo curiously.

Jiang Anguo replied irritably, "What did you eat for lunch?"

"Braised chicken with potatoes—delicious. I almost forgot the taste of chicken," someone said.

"Then it makes sense. If we don't grow potatoes, where would they come from?" Jiang Anguo said.

"No nonsense, do you want dinner yet?"

Jiang Anguo held a hoe in his hand, merely pretending to work; after a little labor he went to rest, and most of the newly arrived troops also joined the reclamation effort.

Each battalion had its own task; assigning a zone to each battalion boosted efficiency thanks to the larger numbers.

These soldiers were much sturdier than the ragged ones; their weapons and gear were set aside, while the remaining men stared at the arms.

Many soldiers had already shed their clothes; after working, the temperature rose.

It's unavoidable; Yunnan's weather is like this—daytime temperatures are comfortable if you don't work, but even a little labor makes it unbearably hot.

Nights are also very cold, so many soldiers in the unit caught colds.

Now, with Lei Ao, Li Qing, and the medicine supplied by Jiang Anguo, colds are no longer a serious illness.

The veterinarian felt very gratified; the children who had malaria were now regaining strength one by one.

He also followed Dr. Lei Ao's advice: give them as much congee as possible. He understood that overly strong food hinders absorption in a weakened body.