After Liu Jin finished listening to these words, the anticipation in his eyes grew even stronger.
He was already eighty to ninety percent sure that this Gao Shun was the historical Gao Shun.
Even if he wasn't the same person, with this man's bravery, skill in battle, and strict military discipline, he was no ordinary individual and definitely worth cultivating vigorously.
After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Tian Feng beside him and slowly said,
"The battle merits recorded above are accurate. Someone can be sent to the imperial court to request rewards for the Generals."
Tian Feng immediately stood up, took the merit record book, then respectfully bowed and went to handle the matter.
After dealing with the matter, Liu Jin, surrounded by his personal guards, headed towards the military camp outside the city.
Since the end of the great battle, all the gathered troops, totaling around ten thousand men, were stationed here.
After Liu Jin entered the military camp, the noise was incessant, with many soldiers chatting in twos and threes.
Even the Military Marquis often gathered to drink and strengthen their camaraderie.
Now that the great battle was over, the army had returned to a state of rest, so it appeared relatively relaxed.
If they were always in a state of high tension, they would easily collapse.
Therefore, after every major battle, the soldiers needed to rest well, recover their spirits, and recuperate.
Liu Jin rode his tall horse slowly through the military camp. The Military Marquis and soldiers he passed bowed in respect, showing great deference.
Especially some of the veteran soldiers in the army, who had followed him all the way from Zhuo Commandery and experienced various major battles, had very deep feelings for him.
Moreover, the captured rewards were always distributed to these soldiers, and even if they died in battle, there were pensions, so there was no need to worry about orphans and widows being bullied.
Therefore, in their hearts, the Emperor's orders were not as important as Liu Jin's orders.
Liu Jin smiled and greeted the soldiers, showing a gentle demeanor.
His gaze swept around the military camp, and soon he spotted over a hundred soldiers in the distance, led by a Military Marquis, training.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and after watching for a moment, a smile appeared!
Strictly disciplined, neat and orderly, though there were only over a hundred men, they already displayed the demeanor of a strong army.
He secretly pondered, it seems this person is that Gao Shun.
He immediately waved his horse whip and led his personal guards forward.
His actions quickly drew everyone's attention. The young Military Marquis who was training quickly noticed Liu Jin's arrival.
He immediately stopped the training, walked over quickly, clasped his hands, and bowed respectfully!
"Your subordinate greets Marquis."
Liu Jin nodded, a gentle smile on his face, and asked,
"The army has already issued orders for everyone to rest for a few days, so why are you still training in the camp?"
Upon hearing this, the young man's face was firm, and he said loudly,
"Please do not concern yourself, Marquis. Your subordinate's method of training soldiers is unique. It requires dedicating some time each day to exercise and strengthen their physiques, to make these men stronger so they can save their lives on the battlefield."
"Since these men have joined the army and become my soldiers, entrusting their lives to me, I naturally must do my utmost to protect their lives."
Liu Jin hummed in acknowledgment upon hearing this and continued to ask,
"Then, if you train like this, won't it be too harsh and cause dissatisfaction among your soldiers?"
The young Military Marquis shook his head upon hearing this and said firmly,
"In my eyes, there is only one saying: 'Compassion does not lead to strong soldiers.' Training must be strict, with no acts of kindness."
"If I am soft-hearted today, then on the battlefield in the future, when they encounter enemies, those enemies will not be soft-hearted. They will only cut off their heads and make them spoils of war."
"It's better to sweat more during training than to bleed more on the battlefield."
"If someone cannot endure it, I will not force them, but will let them leave my command."
Liu Jin nodded secretly upon hearing this. Although it was so strict and had some flaws, what Gao Shun said was not without reason.
Proper training provides more means of survival on the battlefield, especially on the battlefield where others will not bleed; a slight mistake can lead to being cut down.
No wonder Gao Shun's Trap Camp only had eight hundred men. With such rigorous training, probably few could endure it.
If someone could endure it, they would certainly be a formidable figure in the army, capable of winning even against an enemy several times their number.
After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Gao Shun and slowly said,
"May I know your name and your current position?"
The young man was startled upon hearing this, a look of surprise and uncertainty on his face.
Could it be that his strict training had caused Liu Jin's displeasure, and he was about to be dismissed from his post?
Even the hundred or so soldiers behind him became restless, seemingly wanting to rush forward to defend their General.
Since they could endure the training, they naturally admired him greatly, and even enjoyed the feeling, at least knowing that their chances of survival on the battlefield were higher than others.
The young man did not waste words, immediately clasped his hands, bowed, and said loudly,
"Your subordinate's name is Gao Shun, courtesy name Bo Ping. I currently hold the position of Tuncun of Gaoliu County."
Liu Jin laughed upon hearing this, and his hearty voice came through!
"General approves of your training methods. Are you willing to come under my command and serve as a Qu Junhou of six hundred shi, to train a thousand-man army for me, to forge it into an elite strong army named the Trap Camp?"
"If you perform outstandingly, General will reward you heavily. Even the position of a Military Sima of a thousand shi will be within reach."
Gao Shun was slightly stunned upon hearing this, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
He had thought that Liu Jin was going to severely punish him for his strict training.
He had already prepared himself mentally; even if he was reprimanded or dismissed, he would not change his mind.
Unexpectedly, General actually approved of him greatly and even wanted to promote him to train a thousand men.
His calm eyes became somewhat unsettled, and even his breathing became a little hurried.
To say he didn't want to climb higher was impossible; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to join the army. Since he chose to join the army, it was for the sake of making a name for himself and bringing glory to his ancestors.
Without any hesitation, he immediately clasped his hands, bowed, and said loudly,
"Your subordinate is willing to train a strong army for Marquis."
Liu Jin laughed heartily, immediately reached out and patted Gao Shun's shoulder, and said gently,
"Bo Ping, General thinks highly of you. Don't disappoint me."
Gao Shun nodded solemnly, but then said with some hesitation,
"Marquis, training a strong army of over a thousand men would require very strict recruitment. May I be allowed to select from the entire army?"
"As long as I am allowed, within half a year, I will definitely be able to create an elite strong army that can defeat even an enemy of ten thousand."
At this point, Gao Shun's entire face became very serious, without any boasting words.