Chapter 36: Chapter 35: The Art of Training Soldiers Chapter 36: Chapter 35: The Art of Training Soldiers “Is this too valuable?” Yang Zhenshan said with shock after his initial reaction.
Zhou Lan smiled and said, “I was born in the Duke Ning Mansion.”
Yang Zhenshan’s expression stalled.
He did not know what the Duke Ning Mansion represented in Da Rong, but he did understand the meaning of a duke.
In Da Rong, the nobility was divided into dukes, marquises, and earls, spanning three levels and nine ranks, from a first-rank duke to a third-rank earl.
The titles were also divided into hereditary and non-hereditary, although generally, a duke was always hereditary; the highest non-hereditary title was that of a first-class marquis.
Being born in the Duke Ning Mansion meant Zhou Lan might be the daughter or granddaughter of Duke Ning.
Whether legitimate or not, such lineage was beyond what Yang Zhenshan could currently aspire to.
When Zhou Lan mentioned her background, it wasn’t to elevate her own status, but rather to explain that her gratitude gift wasn’t overly valuable.
Yang Zhenshan fell silent for a moment before saying, “Then, a commoner like myself must not disrespectfully decline.”
Could he refuse a mountain of gold?
The answer was no.
A gentleman loves wealth but obtains it through rightful means.
Zhou Lan’s gift of gratitude was not ill-gotten, so why should he refuse?
Previously, the items Zhou Lan had given were spoils of war, but this time they were truly meant as a gift of gratitude.
Seeing Yang Zhenshan accept it, Zhou Lan’s face brightened with a smile.
She did not think of Yang Zhenshan as a greedy person, because she had already investigated him before coming, including how he dealt with the previously left spoils of war.
From how Yang Zhenshan managed the spoils of war, she knew he was not greedy.
That was why she prepared such a generous gift of gratitude; otherwise, even if she would visit, she wouldn’t have brought so much.
“This time I came not only to thank Mr. Zhengshan for saving my life but also to discuss another matter with Mr. Zhengshan!” Zhou Lan added.
“General Zhou, please speak!” Yang Zhenshan put down the list of gifts and gently sipped some tea.
“I would like to ask Mr. Zhengshan to return to Chongshan Pass!” Zhou Lan looked at Yang Zhenshan with clear, earnest eyes.
Return!
Yang Zhenshan’s thoughts flickered, and he understood that Zhou Lan had thoroughly investigated his background.
He lifted his head, and their gazes collided in midair.
“Why?”
“The method of training soldiers!” Zhou Lan said softly.
During the last battle, she had found the young and strong from Yang Family Village very unique; although poorly equipped and not overly strong, they had the potential to become elite troops.
Especially after learning that Yang Zhenshan had only trained them for a month, transforming a group of farmers into such a state, she was immensely impressed.
Training soldiers wasn’t simple; turning a group of civilians into an elite force entailed substantial knowledge.
The Camp in Chongshan Town became elite because the town directed most resources towards the Five Camps, spending years to train up this elite force.
But Yang Zhenshan.
In merely a month, he trained a group of farmers to such standards.
Thus, after discovering Yang Zhenshan’s capabilities, she wanted to form a closer relationship with him, hence she called him Brother Yang, causing Yang Zhenshan to feel a chill.
“Training soldiers?” Yang Zhenshan frowned slightly.
He did not consider himself adept at training troops.
His method of training troops was merely a combination of his previous life’s military training experience, nothing extraordinary.
According to the original owner’s memories, the border army also had corresponding training.
“I think you are mistaken, the descendants of Yang Family Village have all practiced Martial Arts. Although they haven’t become Martial Artists, they inherently possess Martial Arts skills,” said Yang Zhenshan.
“No, Martial Arts are not the most important. I value their discipline! Uniformity, measured advancement and retreat, orders and prohibitions,” Zhou Lan said softly.
Yang Zhenshan suddenly understood.
Indeed, in terms of discipline, soldiers from his previous life were much better than the soldiers here.
In fact, the military training exercises for students were all about discipline, such as standing at attention, formations, and internal affairs, all aimed at improving the team’s discipline.
“I cannot guarantee the training of an elite force!” declared Yang Zhenshan.
He didn’t mind going to Chongshan Pass, after all, he had long harbored thoughts of leaving Yang Family Village.
Moreover, to send him to Chongshan Pass, they would surely arrange an official position for him.
“As long as you are willing to go!” Zhou Lan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke.
Actually, Yang Zhenshan misunderstood something. The memories of the border army from his original self were of the border army from twenty years ago, today’s border army no longer carried the same prestige.
The Five Camps are elite, but they are just a small part of the Chongshan Town border army.
Chongshan Town has a hundred thousand soldiers, whereas the total strength of the Five Camps is just over fifteen thousand.
Yang Zhenshan thought that all the soldiers of the border army were like those from the Five Camps, which was a huge mistake.
“In the previous battle, you also established military merits and you were once a soldier at Chongshan Pass, so it’s quite easy for you to return to Chongshan Pass.”
“However, you have been away from Chongshan Pass for twenty years. Now merely being a commoner, returning to Chongshan Pass you can’t occupy any significant position, the best I could secure for you is the position of a Trial Hundred Households’ officer, as a garrison commander,” Zhou Lan said somewhat apologetically.
Although she was born into Duke Ning Mansion, she was only the Guerrilla General of the Left Camp in Chongshan Pass where many officials ranked above her—Vice Generals, Generals, the governor, etc., all of whom came from backgrounds not lesser than hers.
Moreover, as a woman in the army, although there are many heroines in the military, truthfully, it is much more difficult for women to deal with military affairs than men, even if she was nobly born, there were many frustrations.
“However, rest assured, appointing you as a garrison commander is intended for you to train the soldiers within the garrison. If you can turn them into elites, I will definitely commend you for your achievements!” Zhou Lan quickly assured, worried that Yang Zhenshan would be dissatisfied with the position she obtained for him.
Actually, she somewhat overestimated Yang Zhenshan, thinking the position of Trial Hundred Households too low, yet in Yang Zhenshan’s eyes, it was already very high.
The Trial Hundred Households is a Secondary Sixth Rank position. Previously, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t even manage to become a Standard Ninth Rank Inspector, how could he complain about a Secondary Sixth Rank Trial Hundred Households position.
Of course, military ranks are somewhat inflated. On a rank level, Trial Hundred Households rank higher than a Standard Seventh Rank County Magistrate, but in terms of power, a Trial Hundred Households cannot compare to a County Magistrate.
Not to mention a County Magistrate, even a Standard Ninth Rank Inspector is better than a military Trial Hundred Households.
A garrison commander is essentially the chief officer of a fortress, with just over a hundred military households inside, and also just over a hundred soldiers under his command.
By comparison, a Standard Ninth Rank Inspector also commands several dozen or even a hundred archers, and the Inspector has many responsibilities and benefits, far better than any garrison commander.
Unfortunately, Yang Zhenshan does not have the privilege of choice now; he must accept what is offered, which is still better than remaining confined to the small place of Yang Family Village.
“General also mentioned, I am but a mere commoner! To be valued by the General is already an honor for me!” Yang Zhenshan flattered.
Seeing him not disdaining the position, Zhou Lan smiled broadly and asked, “Great, when can Brother Zhengshan assume his post at Chongshan Pass?”
Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment, then replied, “There are still many matters to handle at home, I am afraid it may take half a month!”
Before going to Chongshan Pass, he must arrange the affairs of his household.
It is currently the spring plowing season, and he just found four families of tenants, all of which require meticulous arrangements.
Besides, if he were to go to Chongshan Pass, he couldn’t possibly go alone.