Chapter 9, Leave an Impression

  Wu Shaotong did not rush to gather the soldiers of the outpost for a meeting with the new officer, not just because he was not wearing his uniform, but more importantly, he wanted to give himself and his subordinates some buffer time. Today, he saw the basic situation of the outpost and found that the system of this old-fashioned army had completely rotted away, whether it was his experience in a German military school or his twenty-first-century military life, neither could be applied here.

  That night, he thought for a long time in the dormitory and made up his mind to lead this team well. Although it was an old army, the new army was also selected from the old army, but only with more advanced training methods and equipment weapons.

  From a training perspective, he has confidence in exceeding the new army; as for equipment, it depends on whether the high-level leaders have this intention.

  In short, he will go all out for what he can do.

  The next morning, Wu Shaotong put on the uniform of a seventh-grade military officer, wore a red tassel and a golden hat, and hung an official sword at his waist. He looked in the mirror and indeed had a majestic appearance. He waited until noon before walking out of the dormitory and arriving at the camp area of the eastern outpost of the large school grounds.

  The situation in the camp today is much better than yesterday, at least there are people moving around near several barracks. It's good to feel that life is still present. However, these people are obviously just getting up, some are washing, some are rinsing their mouths, and others are busy washing clothes. Although they are doing different things, they all have one thing in common: no one is wearing a uniform, at most they wear a pair of military pants or boots, and the top is very casual.

  Wu Shaotong, dressed in a proper official uniform, walked into the camp and looked somewhat like a rural security officer coming to inspect household registrations.

  Someone with sharp eyes immediately saw the brand new seventh-grade official uniform and shouted loudly: "Quickly look, it's our new patrol officer! Dead servant street, why don't you quickly put on your clothes."

  As soon as the words were spoken, the whole camp became lively. Everyone looked curious and nervous, hastily putting down their work and rushing to gather in front of the barracks. Those who were washing up didn't have time to put on their clothes, while those who were rinsing their mouths still had salt foam on them, looking like a group of refugees.

  What's even stranger is that although the people were gathered, they didn't form a queue in an orderly manner. The soldiers simply formed several columns at random, without even considering height order.

  However, Wu Shaotong was still somewhat surprised to see this. He had originally thought that these old soldiers had become lazy to a certain extent, but he didn't expect them to still have a fearful psychology towards their new superior.

  He came out in front of the empty ground and walked slowly along the first row of soldiers.

  Suddenly, he saw Zhou Xiaohu, this young man was still bare-chested, his thin body covered with water droplets.

  "Your physique is quite good, isn't it? As soon as the weather warms up a bit, you dare to take a cold shower?" He said with a smile to Zhou Xiaohu.

  Zhou Xiaohu recognized that the new sentry was none other than Wu Shaotong from yesterday. Although he still felt a bit tense, seeing Wu's kind smile made him feel slightly more at ease. He chuckled and replied, "We use well water to bathe all year round, Guangzhou is warmer than other places."

  At this time, a middle-aged man standing next to Zhou Xiaohu reached out and knocked on the back of Zhou Xiaohu's head, scolding: "No respect for elders or young, how dare you talk to adults like that?"

  The old man finished speaking and nodded his head, bowing to Wu Shaotong: "Wu sir, please forgive me, this Xiaozi doesn't understand things, don't mind him."

  Wu Shaotong laughed and asked: "Do you know my surname is Wu?"

  The old man smiled and said, "Last month, the brothers in the camp asked a few officials at the Ministry of War about our new sentry officer, whose surname is Wu, courtesy name Shaozhong, and style name Zhenzhi. Ha ha, Lord Wu indeed has a good name, it's really a case of 'a name matching one's character', he has a strong presence."

  Wu Shaotong was not interested in such flattering words, he just nodded slightly and then ignored the old man, walking straight to the front of the team.

  "Brothers, no matter what, today is my first meeting with all of you, so I should still introduce myself. My name is Wu Shaoting, courtesy name Zhenzhi, and I've just returned from studying in the German Empire. Now I'm fortunate to be leading this squad, which can also be considered as everyone's fate. The first impression you gave me today isn't bad, because before this, I always thought you were a bunch of useless mud." He said loudly with confidence.

  Everyone who heard this was somewhat surprised and puzzled, wondering whether it was praise or belittling.

  Wu Shaotong looked at the faces of his comrades, smiled slightly and said: "You don't have to think too much, my intention is very simple, that is, I am hopeful for you. The top sent me to take over the outpost, first to test my ability, second to show respect for you. Because before this, there has never been a precedent for a returned overseas officer leading an old army."

  Everyone finally understood and came over, it turned out that the new officer was encouraging them.

  Although they have always been lazy and the treatment and attention of the old army have been declining day by day since the Qing court formed a new army, as soldiers they still have a sense of honor in their subconscious. It's just that this sense of honor has not been honed for a long time, like a sharp sword being covered with rust.

  This is something these authorities may not understand, but Wu Shaotong understands it very well.

  "Brothers, from now on we are comrades who have gone through thick and thin together. As long as you're willing to work hard, I'll definitely make you the most elite team in the fire brigade. I'm not a bureaucratic person, so let's skip the formalities for today since it's our first meeting. Those of you who haven't finished washing up, hurry up and do so. And those doing laundry, continue with that. Half an hour later, all squad leaders come see me." Wu Shaotong said with great momentum.

  The soldiers felt that the new sentinel was indeed very powerful when they met Wu Shaozheng for the first time and only said three sentences. The previous sentinels had a few predecessors, and when they first took office, they either talked nonsense or deliberately showed off their power, trying to make a big impression on their first day in office.

  More importantly, they found that this Mr. Wu also had a kind of affinity, with a gentle yet dignified face.

  Everyone secretly sighed in their hearts: Indeed, it's no wonder that someone who has studied abroad is truly extraordinary!

  Wu Shaotong, after giving the order to disperse, did not bother to see what the soldiers were doing and walked alone to the gate of the camp, where he sat down on a mound of earth under the archway.

  Although he gave half an hour of free time, it was only after ten or so minutes that several slightly dressed old soldiers came running over to report.