Under the scorching afternoon sun, the rebel camp buzzed with activity. The soldiers, many of them inexperienced recruits, struggled to follow the officers' instructions amidst the chaos reigning within the ranks. Xu Anping watched from a distance, aware that this army was only just beginning to take shape. The lack of organization was evident, and though his men had the motivation to fight, they lacked the fundamental discipline to survive a real battle.
The dawn had marked another day of chaotic and inefficient military training. The officers in charge barely knew how to lead, and the recruits awkwardly gripped their training sticks. The training consisted of long hours of physical and tactical exercises, followed by tense moments among the men competing for leadership within the newly formed groups. Although some stood out for their brute strength, Xu Anping knew that an army wasn't built on muscle alone. He needed soldiers who could think and act with discipline, and that required more than just physical training.
Liang's thirst for revenge pushed him to excel in the exercises, but his lack of emotional control made him vulnerable. Xu Anping, on the other hand, maintained a calculated calm. He knew that in war, those who let themselves be carried away by anger were the first to fall. Liang grew frustrated with the inefficiency of the rebel army, and he wasn't alone. Xu Anping shared that frustration, but he was already devising a solution.
As the days progressed, tensions in the camp intensified. Soldiers competed for supremacy within their small groups, and factions began to form. Those who allied themselves with better-positioned officers were favored, while others were relegated to less glorious tasks. Xu Anping knew that if he didn't act quickly, his newly formed army might fall apart before facing the enemy.
One night, after a particularly difficult day of training, Xu Anping summoned the closest officers and recruits. He stood on an improvised platform in the middle of the camp, his dark silhouette contrasting with the campfires illuminating the area. The murmurs among the men ceased when they saw their leader had something important to say.
"From now on," he began in a firm voice, capturing everyone's attention, "no one will be promoted without merit. Everyone will start from the bottom, regardless of who they are or where they come from. Only those who demonstrate outstanding abilities, whether on the battlefield or in service to the army, will be promoted."
The silence was deep as Xu Anping's words sank into the hearts of the men. The equality policy he had just announced was revolutionary, and some officers exchanged uncomfortable glances. Xu Anping noticed, but he continued with determination.
"Wang Jian will be one of those who follow this path," he added, searching for Wang Jian among the crowd. The young man, who had been personally recruited by Xu Anping, was known for his prowess, but also for his expectations of being quickly promoted.
Wang Jian was among the recruits, and although many expected him to be favored due to his relationship with the leader, Xu Anping made no distinctions. He knew that if Wang Jian, a man with potential, started from the bottom, it would send a clear message to all the soldiers: meritocracy would be the foundation of his army.
"Even those I personally recruited will start from the bottom," Xu Anping repeated firmly, causing some recruits to exchange astonished looks. "There will be no exceptions."
That night, Xu Anping called Wang Jian for a private conversation. They stepped away from the rest of the camp, and in the dim light, Xu Anping explained his vision to the talent he had recruited.
"I know you expected more," Xu Anping began, "but there's a purpose behind this. I want you to be the example of what we expect in this army. Not just physical strength, but also education, leadership, and discipline."
Wang Jian, though surprised at first, slowly nodded. He wasn't an uneducated man, and Xu Anping's strategy was beginning to make sense to him.
"I want you to set the example," Xu Anping continued. "I'm implementing a literacy program for all the soldiers. You will excel in that and be promoted when the time is right."
This was a revelation for Wang Jian. He had never imagined that education could be a key factor in his rise, but he knew that Xu Anping had a vision bigger than just winning battles.
The next day, training resumed. Under Xu Anping's supervision, the recruits lined up in rows and began a series of physical exercises designed not only to strengthen their bodies but to teach them coordination and obedience. For three hours, the soldiers marched, ran, and trained in defensive tactics. As the training progressed, Xu Anping walked among the ranks, observing the men and assessing their skills.
By evening, the soldiers returned to the camp exhausted, but Xu Anping didn't allow them to rest immediately. Instead, he gathered them again, this time for the evening literacy classes. Sitting around the campfires, the soldiers listened to several intellectuals from the city who had been recruited by Xu Anping to teach them to read and write.
"A soldier who can read is a soldier who can think," Xu Anping told them at the start of the classes. "And an army that can think is an army that can win."
At first, many soldiers were skeptical. Most came from rural villages where literacy wasn't a priority, and they didn't see how learning to read could help them on the battlefield. However, Xu Anping knew that knowledge was power. He explained that those who excelled in the classes would have more opportunities to be promoted to leadership positions.
"Not only physical strength promotes a leader in this army," he added. "We need men who can think, who can make intelligent decisions under pressure."
Following Xu Anping's instructions, Wang Jian quickly stood out in the classes. Not only did he absorb the knowledge quickly, but he also helped his comrades understand concepts that were difficult for them. In no time, Wang Jian became an example of what Xu Anping wanted to achieve with his army: strong, disciplined, and educated men.
The literacy program wasn't just a tool to improve the individual skills of the soldiers, but also a way to reinforce the cohesion of the army. The men who shared the classes and the learning developed a stronger bond among themselves, which increased morale and unity in the camp. Xu Anping understood that a fragmented army wouldn't survive on the battlefield, but an educated, disciplined, and united one would have the ability to change the course of history.
As the days passed, discipline in the camp improved noticeably. The soldiers began to adopt the new rules more seriously, and those who excelled in both the classes and the physical training started to be recognized by their comrades. The meritocracy that Xu Anping had imposed became the new law in the camp, and the men fought not only for their survival but also to surpass themselves.
"We are here to build something bigger than an army," Xu Anping told them one night as the cold wind blew through the camp. "We are here to build a future. And discipline will be our greatest weapon."
As Xu Anping's army began to take shape, it became clear that he wasn't an ordinary leader. His focus on education and discipline was not only transforming the soldiers but also laying the foundation for an army that could change the fate of the region.