"Well said!" Zhang Chen walked over.
Upon seeing this, Gao Shun, Fang Ping, and Qian Zhao quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Lord."
Zhang Chen looked at everyone and said, "What General Gao just said, you must deeply remember. As brothers in the army, you share a bond of camaraderie, sharing life and death, hardship and ease. Only by doing this can you forge an unbreakable, ever-victorious iron army! Look at the people around you. Those you bully today might be the ones who save your lives on the battlefield tomorrow!"
"Your subordinates will remember."
"By my order, all Black Mountain Army surrendered Soldiers are to be incorporated into the new army and re-registered. Order Fang Ping and Qian Zhao to be the new army captains, each commanding two thousand Soldiers. From now on, the words 'surrendered Soldiers' are not to be mentioned again!"
"Zhang He receives the order!" Gao Shun and the other two immediately responded.
"In addition, after the mixed incorporation, select the elite Soldiers from among them, equip them with military gear, and prepare for battle. Those without military gear for now will remain in the city and continue training."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he looked at everyone again and said, "Brothers, the Black Mountain Bandits' army of twenty thousand has garrisoned in Linzhang County, intending to attack Yingtao County. If we stand by and do nothing, once they free up their hands, they will surely attack Guangping County to avenge their previous defeat! Therefore, this official has decided to reinforce Yingtao County and recapture Cheng'an and Linzhang County, which were occupied by the bandit army!"
"This battle is the first battle for the new army! I know that everyone joined the army to achieve merit and establish their careers. However, currently, military equipment is not yet fully prepared, so some brothers will have to remain in the city. If anyone wants to gain merit in this first battle, show your capabilities! If you are selected later, you can follow this official and achieve merit in the first battle!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The Soldiers immediately burst into a clamor, their morale high.
At this moment, outside the camp not far away, Qu Yi and Gao Ming were watching this scene. Qu Yi couldn't help but smile and nod secretly.
Just a few words could stir people's hearts. This Zhang Zifan is indeed a remarkable person!
"General."
"Gao Ming, what do you think of this Zhang Chen?"
Gao Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Zhang Chen governs the army strictly; he has the demeanor of a great General."
"Yes, these newly recruited Soldiers are of mixed quality, yet he can unite them into a single force with just a few words. This person is indeed not simple!"
Qu Yi sighed, his mind couldn't help but start thinking.
I have been determined to find a wise Lord for the brothers of the First to Ascend Camp. Could it be this person?
This person is benevolent and righteous, shows compassion for the common people, treats capable individuals with respect, and possesses great ambition. He is indeed a rare and outstanding Lord.
He formed the Trap Camp, pacified the four strongholds, and heavily defeated Yu Du. He also possesses considerable talent in governing the army.
However, since I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I don't know if the rumors are exaggerated?
Well, in this battle for Yingtao County, I will see how capable he truly is and whether he is worthy of our lives.
Qu Yi pondered in his heart, then smiled slightly and turned back to the camp.
Gao Shun and others, following Zhang Chen's order, immediately began to re-register the Black Mountain Army surrendered Soldiers and incorporate them into the new army.
Having been instructed by Zhang Chen, the entire army had now put aside their prejudices, but they were all eager for the upcoming selection.
After all, no one wanted to give up the glory of this first battle.
In the afternoon, Gao Shun and the other Generals gathered at the training ground to select the elite of the army. Zhang Chen also personally sat on the General's platform, observing the new army's drills.
Throughout the entire afternoon, the new army Soldiers underwent three tests: combat, archery, and horsemanship. Finally, five thousand elites were selected, equipped with weapons and military gear, and are ready for deployment at any time.
The other two thousand-plus people could only temporarily remain in the city for continued training due to insufficient military gear.
Zhang Chen looked at the new army Soldiers on the field, walked slowly to the front of the crowd, and said loudly, "Soldiers! The Black Mountain Bandits have gathered to cause trouble and disturb the peace of our people. Previously, Yu Du led his army to invade our territory and was defeated by our army. Now, Bai Rao and Sui Gu are leading an army of twenty thousand stationed in Linzhang County, aiming at Yingtao County. To protect the people of Ji Province, this official has decided to reinforce Yingtao County and suppress the bandit rebels. You are all the elite of the new army. This time, you must work together with one heart and one mind to defeat the rebels in one fell swoop!"
"Defeat the rebels in one fell swoop!"
"Defeat the rebels in one fell swoop!"
...
"Lord! Lord!"
Just then, Ju Shou ran over excitedly from the camp gate, jogging all the way to the training ground.
"Lord, they've moved! The bandit army in Linzhang County has moved their troops!" Ju Shou adjusted his breathing and said, "Scouts report that this afternoon, the large army in Linzhang County moved out. Observing their direction, it is indeed towards Yingtao County!"
"All Generals, heed the order, discuss matters in the tent!"
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he went straight to the main tent.
Inside the tent, Zhang Chen looked at the map before him and asked, "Gongyu, did all the troops in Linzhang County move out?"
"Reporting to Lord, according to the scouts' report, only one thousand elderly and weak Soldiers remain in the city."
"Linzhang County is over a hundred li from here, right?"
Ju Shou replied, "One hundred and five li. If the infantry marches urgently, they can arrive in two days."
"Good! Qian Zhao, heed the order!"
"Zhang He is here!" As soon as Zhang Chen gave the order, Qian Zhao immediately stepped forward.
"Cheng'an was previously captured by the rebels, and the County Magistrate abandoned the city and fled. Now, there are small groups of rebel Soldiers occupying the county town, plundering and harming the people. I order you to lead one thousand Soldiers, garrison Cheng'an, eliminate the rebel Soldiers, and pacify the people."
"Zhang He receives the order!"
"Where is Fang Ping?"
"Zhang He is here!" Fang Ping also quickly stepped forward and responded.
"The Black Mountain main army has moved out, and Linzhang County is empty. I order you to lead three thousand Soldiers and capture Linzhang County!"
"Zhang He receives the order!"
"Wait!" Ju Shou quickly said, "Lord, although there are only one thousand elderly and weak Soldiers in Linzhang County, if we cannot win quickly, once the enemy sends a signal and calls the main bandit army back for reinforcement, our army will be in danger."
"Hmm."
Zhang Chen pondered for a moment and felt that it made sense. Linzhang County and Yingtao County are not far apart. If reinforcements were called back, they could arrive in an instant. Capturing Linzhang County requires a swift victory!
Zhang Chen looked at Ju Shou and said, "Does Gongyu have a plan?"
Ju Shou smiled and said, "Your subordinate has a plan. It doesn't require three thousand Soldiers, just one thousand is enough, and we can capture Linzhang County without bloodshed."
"Oh?" Zhang Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this. "What is this excellent plan? Quickly tell me!"
"The armor and military flags from Yu Du's former unit are still here. General Fang Ping only needs to lead one thousand men, change into those armors, display the Black Mountain banner, and pretend to be defeated Soldiers to trick the city gate open. We can surely capture Linzhang County without bloodshed!"
"Good!" Zhang Chen was overjoyed after hearing this. "This plan is excellent! Fang Ping, proceed according to Gongyu's plan."
"Zhang He receives the order!"
"Gao Shun!"
"Zhang He is here!"
Zhang Chen pointed to the map and said, "Linzhang County is east of Yingtao County. The two rebels will surely attack the East Gate. You lead the Trap Camp, taking one hundred warhorses, travel along the small path, hide your tracks, and lie in wait ten li east of the city. As soon as the signal flare is fired, lead six hundred Soldiers to attack from the rear. The other one hundred Soldiers should break off branches, tie them to the horses' tails, and gallop quickly, raising dust to create a diversion."
"Zhang He receives the order!"
"Zhang He, Qu Yi!"
"Zhang He is here!"
"You two each lead your respective units and follow this official to reinforce Yingtao County!"
"Zhang He receives the order!"
Zhang Chen finished deploying, then dismissed the meeting. The Generals each went to prepare.
At the fifth watch, Qian Zhao and Fang Ping's two detachments set out from the camp and headed directly for Cheng'an and Linzhang County. Gao Shun also led the Trap Camp and traveled along the small path to ambush east of Yingtao County.
Zhang Chen also personally led three thousand elite cavalry, along with Zhang He and Qu Yi's units, and headed straight for Yingtao County.