C89. Competition Ends.
As an hour passed in the blink of an eye, more and more soldiers gathered at the foot of the mountain. Upon arriving, most of them were too exhausted to even take off their packs, lying on the ground to catch their breath and cool down their rapid breathing.
They would have three quarters of an hour to rest, attending to their physiological needs or replenishing their strength with some dry rations.
A total of three hundred soldiers had run to the foot of the mountain within an hour. Thirteen of them had reached their physical limits, lying on the ground unable to get up, raising their hands in surrender to the upcoming competition.
Kong Ran was still persevering.
Clutching his teeth, he sat up from the ground, pushing himself to eat some rations and drink water, pounding his legs to quickly regain some strength. Glancing around, he noticed another soldier from the same village, Gu Yue, resting nearby.
Gu Yue was somewhat introverted and not familiar to Kong Ran. Yet, Kong Ran was surprised to see him still here, looking much weaker than the rest.
Compared to Gu Yue who seemed to be on the verge of collapse, Kong Ran still had some strength left. However, Gu Yue was holding on without giving up.
Kong Ran knew why Gu Yue had persisted until now; it was for the same reason as his.
Those who had made it this far were no longer aiming for the gold but were seeking the favor of the Prefect Governor.
With a rare opportunity laid before them, how could they possibly give up?
After the three quarters of an hour had passed, the remaining soldiers all rose, shouldered their packs, and headed back into the mountain.
Watching their figures disappear into the depth of the forested mountain paths, Yuan Li briefly explained to the others, "I have taught them in the camp how to distinguish directions in the deep mountains, as well as knowledge on avoiding snakes, swamps, and miasma. This trial is about testing whether they remembered this knowledge. Rest assured, I had already sent people into the mountains a couple of days ago to drive away any dangerous wild animals they might encounter, so they won't face large insects, black bears, or other fierce beasts."
"Furthermore, I also dispatched a hundred soldiers dressed in black to act as their enemies in the mountains. Each black-clad soldier will have a red cloth strip tied to them. To pass this test, the soldiers need not only descend the mountain but also ambush one of these black-clad soldiers, take the red cloth strip from them, and return to the foot of the mountain."
After ensuring they understood his words, Yuan Li continued, "These hundred black-clad soldiers carry various herbs and bugles. Although they appear as enemies, they also bear the responsibility of protection. If any soldier faces real danger, the black-clad soldiers will sound the bugle, alerting nearby troops and medics to rush to their aid."
Yuan Li had meticulously considered every aspect, leaving no room for oversight or mistake. Hearing the surrounding people express their admiration, once again they felt the deep care and attention Yuan Li showed towards the soldiers.
He provided them with training while ensuring their safety in all aspects.
The attendees, including several generals, found Yuan Li's foresight astounding.
Chu Hechao looked at the last soldier disappearing into the forest and suddenly remarked, "This approach is excellent."
As he spoke, Yang Zhongfa and others, who had been lost in thought, chimed in with praise, "Lord Yuan's actions are truly unparalleled and unprecedented. If the soldiers can train in this manner, even when they head south in the future, they will not falter in the least!"
The realization hit everyone like a bolt of lightning, with expressions of shock and joy crossing their faces.
Yes.
As Lord Yuan's words echoed in his ears, Yang Zhongfa couldn't help but notice that the soldiers' training included techniques to navigate swamps and miasma, hazards typically encountered only in the south.
This realization sparked a deeper thought: Yuan Li had also instructed his men in swimming.
A chilling idea suddenly struck Yang Zhongfa – could Yuan Li have already harbored plans for a confrontation with the southern forces?
Was he contemplating an invasion of the south?
Or perhaps, the southern troops might march north to attack them?
A shiver ran down Yang Zhongfa's spine as a cold sweat broke out on his back.
He turned his gaze towards Yuan Li, who was still conversing with others, his demeanor exuding the same warmth and gentleness as a gentle spring breeze.
But in Yang Zhongfa's eyes, Yuan Li became mysterious and unpredictable. Just like the day the Wumang people came to visit, Yuan Li seemed as enigmatic as when he predicted the rain.
Yang Zhongfa quietly approached Chu Hechao and, lowering his voice, said, "General."
Chu Hechao responded, "Hmm?"
"Are we really prepared for the day of a water battle?" Yang Zhongfa asked in a hushed tone.
Observing the mixed expression on his face, Chu Hechao understood what he was thinking. His tone unchanged, Chu Hechao asked, "Scared?"
Yang Zhongfa's expression shifted slightly, shaking his head first then nodding.
He wasn't afraid of battle, but he feared that their troops might not adapt to water combat, resulting in unnecessary deaths with no bodies to recover.
Chu Hechao patted his shoulder, "Start training once we return."
Yang Zhongfa wiped his face and nodded.
*
Meanwhile, the soldiers in the mountain began to find concealed spots, lying in wait for the appearance of the black-clad soldiers.
Kong Ran lay in the bushes, his gaze fixed on the mountain path not far away.
The chosen spot was lush with vegetation, sweltering and humid. Kong Ran had unlucky timing; he had yet to spot any of the black-clad soldiers. The thorns on the grass made his whole body itch, but Kong Ran dared not move, recalling the knowledge he had learned about complete concealment while ambushing and not disturbing the enemy.
After a while, venomous creatures crawled towards Kong Ran, biting him. His breathing grew heavier, but he persevered, thinking of the ultimate reward.
The creatures bit his hands and neck, causing swelling and sores, an intense pain spreading across his body. In the quiet forest, his mental defenses constantly collapsed and rebuilt, collapsing again.
Kong Ran even began to doubt whether the hundred black-clad soldiers had been taken down by others. After lying in wait for so long, how could he not see a single one?
Should he give up?
No, he recalled the hardships he had endured to reach this point, the poverty at home and the humiliation his family had faced. Taking a deep breath, he continued to push through.
As the saying goes, perseverance pays off. After an unknown amount of time, a black-clad soldier finally appeared on the mountain path in front of Kong Ran.
His eyes lit up, patiently waiting for the soldier to approach. When the distance between them was close enough, Kong Ran pounced.
*
An hour and a half later, the hundred soldiers who had successfully captured the black-clad soldiers arrived at the other side of the mountain, holding the red cloth strips.
At the foot of the mountain lay a swift-flowing river, with the nobles standing on the opposite bank.
Upon arrival, the soldiers noticed Wang Er and Guan Zhihuai, who usually trained them. Their gazes scanned the crowd quickly, and suddenly, someone exclaimed in joy, "Prefect Governor! The Prefect Governor is on the other side!"
Hearing this, the soldiers, who were exhausted, perked up. They hurried to the riverbank, unshouldered their bags, and removed the heavy leather armor.
With only a hundred soldiers left, as long as they were among the first fifty to reach the other side, they would become the Prefect's personal guards.
As victory seemed within reach, the soldiers, despite being exhausted, miraculously found their bodies filled with renewed strength. They took deep breaths and one by one leaped into the swift river.
At the sight of the river, Kong Ran felt a surge of joy. Unusually proficient in swimming even before joining the army, he wasted no time and jumped straight into the river, vigorously swimming to the other side.
Despite the excruciating pain from the venomous bites slowing down his swimming pace, Kong Ran's superior swimming skills allowed him to surpass the other soldiers. By the time he unknowingly reached the shore and readied to climb up, he was shocked to find himself as the third person to emerge!
The Prefect stood by his side, directing someone to tend to Kong Ran's wounds gently inquiring, "What is your name?"
"Kong...Kong Ran," Kong Ran stuttered.
Yuan Li asked again, "Do you have a official name?"
"No, no, Your Excellency, I don't have any." Kong Ran replied nervously.
Yuan Li nodded with a smile, directing someone to assist Kong Ran to the side, then stood at the shore, counting the soldiers coming ashore.
Thirty...forty-five...
Kong Ran sat by, feeling extremely energetic despite his earlier exhaustion, even believing he could run back from the mountain to the training ground. He stared intently at the shore, counting the soldiers who made it ashore.
As the fiftieth person arrived, Kong Ran saw a familiar yet pale and distressed face on the shore – it was Gu Yue!
Kong Ran gasped in disbelief, not expecting Gu Yue to succeed. Nonetheless, he was pleased to have a fellow townsman by his side, comforting in such a situation.
Just as Kong Ran thought to encourage Gu Yue, the latter, already halfway up the shore, was forcibly dragged back into the water by the person behind him. The individual, with a fierce look on their face, then climbed ashore in Gu Yue's place, seizing the last position as the Prefect's personal guard!
Kong Ran was left speechless...
How was this fair?
What was even more alarming was that after being dragged under, Gu Yue made no sound!
Just when Kong Ran thought Gu Yue was giving up hope, the Prefect Governor, with a stern expression, declared, "This is cheating! Take him away. Bring the man who was pulled under back immediately."
The Prefect's personal guards by Yuan Li jumped into the water and brought Gu Yue back up. Coughing and sputtering, Gu Yue's distressed expression caught Yuan Li's attention, prompting him to assert, "You were the fiftieth person to reach shore and thus will be my personal guard. Take him to rest."
Following this, Yuan Li sternly addressed the individual who had pulled Gu Yue down, reminding him, "Before the competition began, I emphasized the importance of not causing harm intentionally. Have you forgotten my instructions?"
Though this was a competition of individual combat, all the soldiers belonged to the same military unit, and unity was their top priority. Before the competition began, Yuan Li had Wang Er and Guan Zhihuai reiterate multiple times the absolute prohibition of maliciously injuring others.
If every internal competition relies on underhanded means to secure victory, what kind of righteous army is this?
Where is the military law?
Where is the unity?
A man like this can never become Yuan Li's personal guard.
He would harm others for a position as a personal guard, and he would also betray Yuan Li in the future for the sake of wealth offered by others.
Moreover, the other new recruits are witnessing this scene with their own eyes. In front of the other soldiers, Yuan Li has even more reason not to let him go.
Yuan Li's anger suddenly subsided. "What is your name?" he asked.
The man who had just been full of ruthlessness now shrank his shoulders and cowered like a harmless dog, saying in a trembling voice, "This lowly one's name is Wu Ze."
Yuan Li said indifferently, "Do you know that you have violated military law?"
Wu Ze immediately kowtowed and admitted his mistake. "This lowly one was wrong. This lowly one was wrong."
Yuan Li looked down at him coldly.
He had a decisive and ruthless nature, and he acted without hesitation. Hearing Yuan Li's words, he immediately admitted his guilt and kowtowed. This man was not to be underestimated.
"Military orders are like mountains," Yuan Li raised his head and looked away. His voice was devoid of emotion. "Drag him out and behead him."
The personal guards responded, stepped forward to restrain Wu Ze, and dragged him out.
Wu Ze's mouth was covered, his eyes widened, and he struggled violently. Three or five personal guards pressed him down forcefully.
When he realized that he couldn't break free, Wu Ze glared at Yuan Li with hatred, his eyes bloodshot, as if he wanted to pounce on Yuan Ki and kill him.
But soon, his head fell to the ground.
There was silence all around.
Yuan Li said, "Gather up and let's head back."