Chapter Sixteen: Elite Troops Must Have Military Spirit

  Yuan Shu thought for a moment. Firstly, he wasn't worried that Sun Ce could do anything with his thousand or so miscellaneous troops. Secondly, it seemed that Sun Ce had already gained his basic trust.

  He readily said: "This is also good, with a mobile force, patrolling in all directions, it can also intimidate the villains, so I will grant you the convenience of acting."

  You can mobilize your own troops and corresponding military supplies at will. In addition to training, you can also maintain the local order for me!

  So that no one will take advantage of our army's departure to cause trouble. Alright, you can go back first! I'll let Zhang Xun pass the order down."

  What Sun Ce didn't know was that, just as he bid farewell to Yuan Shu and rushed back to his own camp, General Ji Ling followed in the footsteps of Sun Ce's departure and went to visit Yuan Shu again.

  He reported to Yuan Shu that the Wu Chang Li Da Gou who was killed by Sun Ce was his trusted follower and a hidden spy planted in Sun Ce's army. It is not known whether he discovered some unmentionable secrets of Sun Ce, which led to him being hunted down to death.

  Yuan Shu listened and his face turned gloomy, remaining silent for a long time.

  Just then, Ji Ling said: "This matter is indeed questionable. However, Bo Fu just rushed over and explained it to me. It's not good to call him back for questioning right away, which would make it clear that I don't trust him."

  I had just promoted him to be the commander of Huaiyi, if because of this matter, he became disheartened, wouldn't all our previous efforts have been in vain? Moreover, your spies must have been discovered by him, which is not a very glorious thing.

  Making a fuss would only tarnish our reputation for being lenient with old people, so let's just suppress it for now. We'll deal with this matter again when we find an opportunity. However, it seems that this young man is still too unruly; otherwise, we should first teach him a lesson. For the time being, there's no need to arrange for him to become the governor of Jiujiang."

  "General, you're getting more and more skilled at manipulating people! That Sun Bofu is just a roughneck who only knows how to fight and kill, he'll definitely be dealt with by you and become obedient. I, Ji Ling, will forever admire and surrender to the General!"

  Yuan Shu waved his hand with satisfaction and said, "Alright, you can all go down now. Yang Changshi has already chosen a auspicious day, we will set out tomorrow. Get some rest and build up your spirits to meet those two little rascals Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. If they make me uncomfortable, I'll destroy them."

  Yuan Shu's mind was already dizzy from his rapidly growing power and he only knew that victory came so easily.

  But Sun Ce knew that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao would inevitably win in the end, this is the truth of the waves behind the Yangtze River pushing forward, the previous wave dying on the beach. It cannot be changed, it cannot be avoided.

  Just like having unexpectedly arrived in this era and wanting to reform it, is also unchangeable.

  But Sun Ce didn't know that the territory he had just obtained was again lost to Ji Ling. If he knew, he would probably cry his eyes out again.

  In this era, there are many enthusiastic people, Sun Ce has already met several. And they all gave themselves a lot of help. But the sinister ones are even more!

  Sun Ce returned to the camp, and Zhou Yu and all the generals were already waiting for him in the military tent.

  After Sun Ce explained the whole story and its outcome, everyone couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

  It's fortunate that Sun Ce reacted quickly, with a bold and decisive mind, able to handle the situation so calmly amidst being surrounded by thousands of soldiers; otherwise, they might have already suffered the consequences.

  And now it seems that the ending is not bad either, because they are about to have a place of their own. Although still under someone else's jurisdiction, compared to the current life of relying on others for shelter, it will be more glorious and promising.

  In this chaotic era, having a foothold is the fundamental prerequisite for all development.

  Everyone was happily gathered around me, praising me so much that even I, a person who is usually thick-skinned, felt a little embarrassed. I had to hurry and ask everyone to stop for a moment and calm down.

  "Now that everyone is here, I have two things to discuss with you all. Let's put our heads together and see what we can come up with. I think it would be a good idea to create new military flags and a military anthem for our army."

  Lü Meng, the little monkey, jumped out first and said: "Master, I know what a military flag is. Isn't it just a battle flag used when marching and fighting? But what's this 'military song' you're talking about?"

  Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, he asked with a pleased smile, "Is this a little ditty that you brothers usually sing when you're idle? Do you want to teach everyone to sing a little song?"

  "This I know, when I was very young my mother and sisters taught me many little tunes. Why don't you let me teach instead? That way everyone can call me Master!"

  Sun Ce kicked him lightly: "You little brat! From now on, I'll let everyone call you Little Flea! And you still dare to call yourself a master? You're just thinking of taking advantage of others' kindness. It seems that you don't have any other skills, but your ability to tease girls is quite good."

  "This kid actually smiled complacently and said, 'That's right, back in our hometown, no matter if it's the older or younger sisters, they all like me. They all say I'm their treasure, and this time when I ran out, they still don't know how heartbroken they'll be!'"

  Everyone burst out laughing, Sun Ce said: "From now on, I'll let you specialize in using the Beauty Strategy. You don't have to go to the battlefield to fight anymore, lest you hurt that handsome little white face of yours, and a bunch of big girls and old ladies come to find me to fight to the death. I don't want to sacrifice myself for those women from your hometown who adore you!"

  Everyone laughed even louder.

  The laughter stopped, and Zhou Yu asked: "Bo Fu, do you mean a song exclusive to the military? It seems that in the past, the Qin army also had such an example. This is indeed a good way to boost morale, but it seems that there is no suitable tune at present. And what kind of flag are you going to use?"

  The generals in the account suddenly quieted down and listened quietly to Sun Ce's words.

  "Gong Jin is indeed a wise man, reading more books is good. As soon as I say it, you will understand. As for these contents, I have thought about them and now just want to say them out loud so that everyone can discuss and confirm them together, and once confirmed, they won't be changed again."

  They will help us build our military spirit. I think an army without a strong military spirit, its combat effectiveness will not be great. Even if the physical training is stronger, the armor is more solid, and the weapons in hand are sharper, it is just an empty shell. Moreover, such a team will not last long, once defeated and dispersed, it will not be easy to gather again.

  I want our army to have its own soul, that is, the sense of belonging of soldiers to the army. No matter where our soldiers go, they will always remember that they are soldiers of the Jiangdong Army.

  His every move represents the image of our Jiangdong Army. Whether in spirit or flesh, he has been deeply branded with the mark of our Jiangdong Army."

  "So, as commanders, we must tell them who they are! Where they come from! And what they are fighting for!"

  We must give them an ideal, a hope! An army without a goal to strive for is just a mob. Such an army, I do not call it an army, but only a crowd, which swarms together in victory and scatters like a landslide in defeat.

  And what I want is an elite army that can sweep across the land, who when faced with victory are not arrogant or impatient, but instead advance steadily. When they encounter defeat, they can rise up bravely and turn the tide of battle around! This is the protocol we must establish tonight, here and now.

  Only saw a small star around. That is the feeling of worship and admiration!

  Zhou Yu spoke first: "Brother Bo Fu, you've said it so well. You've expressed what I often think in my heart but can't clearly articulate. Listening to your words, Gong Jing is truly enlightened! You've solved the problem that has been troubling me for many days. Thank you!"

  He said, bowing deeply to Sun Ce.

  Sun Ce hastily grasped his hand and said: "Gong Jian, I understand you. You are a man of great talent, do not be overly modest!"

  "Otherwise, although Gong Jing likes to read military books extensively, he has never found any military book that can be said so clearly and profoundly, making people think deeply!"

  Bo Yu gave us the direction to build our army. Gong Jing is always thinking, no matter now or in the past, why it's easy for troops to collapse on the battlefield, and he always thought it was because the generals were too incompetent.

  "Looking back at history, those famous generals also suffered defeats and routs. Now Gong Jing finally understood that it was because the soldiers' hearts were not in it!"

  After a moment of silence, he hastily said: "Bo Fu, please continue, your words are truly astonishing! I am eager to hear your idea. This must be a great and unprecedented concept. Gong Jian seems to see an army with an immortal military spirit making an invincible charge.

  Sun Ce couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed as he rubbed his nose, thinking to himself: "How is this theory so advanced? It seems like modern Earthlings all know about it!"

  But now it seems that the military of this country is just farmers in military uniforms, slightly trained. As long as they can participate in a few more battles, they will be brave and become elite soldiers!

  Compared with modern professional troops, whether in terms of spiritual outlook or training level, the quality is worlds apart. How can we say that the times are developing and humanity is progressing?

  Sun Ce coughed and continued: "I've thought it through, from now on our military flag will be called the Jiangdong Lion Flag."

  Sun Ce suddenly thought, fortunately we are not the army from east of the Yellow River, otherwise wouldn't it be called the River East Lion Army? That would really scare all the men in the world to death. I'm afraid that way, without even fighting, just waving the flag outside can knock down a large area.

  "Our creed is never give up!"

  "Our ideal is to give our family a peaceful and happy life!"

  All I heard was a chorus of approval from inside the military tent. Is it that none of these uncouth men would raise an objection?

  Sun Ce looked at Zhou Yu, who was also smiling and nodding in agreement with Sun Ce's decision.

  No choice but to continue: "And our military song is 'The Loyalty of the Whirlwind Reporting the Country'."

  Sun Ce unhesitatingly reported this song that he loved the most, and was one of the few songs that this half-musician could sing all the way through.

  It's because of his grandeur, it's because of his intense passion, it's because he makes one's blood boil with excitement.

  "I used to have to learn it seriously. It doesn't matter if the singing is bad, as long as you're a Chinese man, you should know this song. You should use it to feel the unyielding spirit of the great Han nation."

  Zhou Yu said in surprise: "Bo Fu, you can still sing? Didn't you dislike those palaces, shops, angles, and feathers since childhood?"

  I still laugh at you, so handsome and perfect in every way, only to be pitied for being tone deaf! It's a pity I lost a friend who shares the same taste, when I play the piano, I often laugh at you, am I playing for a cow? When did you learn music, was it from that great sage?

  "I think whoever can teach this cow to sing must be a wise man. I'll definitely go visit one or two and ask for their guidance."

  Sun Ce was embarrassed: "Gong Jin, don't make trouble. That... I'm indeed tone deaf, but humming a small tune shouldn't be that hard, right? This time when I went out on the march, I just happened to hear some rustic singing in the mountains and remembered it."

  "Perhaps that was indeed a wise and virtuous person, but I didn't get to see their true face, what a pity! You listen to me sing first before commenting, okay?"

  Afraid to meet his inquiring gaze again, she hastily cleared her throat and began singing.