Chapter 44: Military Flag

  （0044）

  Liu Aunt and others were all skilled at embroidery, and they all said there was no problem. They quickly made a sample. Zhang Zhun made some basic modifications, and soon the final plan was confirmed, starting "mass production". The raw materials, of course, were taken care of by Yang Kaidi, who went to buy them with silver.

  Regarding the treatment of female reds, Zhang Zhun was still very generous. He said to Liu Shu and others: "Each set of military uniforms is made with one silver coin. If the quality is good, you can add two more points."

  After a pause, Zhang Zhun said: "Also, there are thousand-layer-soled shoes. You can make as many as you want, we'll take them all. For each pair of shoes, I'll give two silver coins."

  Liu Auntie and others were very delighted, feeling they had found a long-term job.

  Women from poor families are generally skilled at needlework. Under the condition of ensuring raw materials, making a set of gray clothes and pants only takes three or four days. In a month, they can make about ten sets. This means that even women can earn one or two silver coins per month, which is unprecedented. Adding the income from making thousand-layer-soled shoes, the income will be even higher. Making thousand-layer-soled shoes requires more skill and even skilled needleworkers need six or seven days to complete a pair. However, the labor cost of making shoes is twice that of making clothes, and many people are willing to do it.

  As expected, the news spread and many skilled aunts came to Yang Yinghua's door to ask for work. The task of 300 sets of military uniforms and 300 pairs of thousand-layer-soled shoes, as well as the corresponding raw materials, was quickly assigned. According to Yang Yinghua and Liu Auntie's estimate, the first 100 sets of military uniforms and 100 pairs of thousand-layer-soled shoes should be completed within five days.

  Yang Yinghua wanted to make a military uniform for Zhang Zhun personally. Zhang Zhun shook his head and said, "Don't be in a hurry, first make me a military flag."

  Preparing military uniforms and flags for the guard team was something Zhang Zhun thought of at the summary meeting. With military uniforms, there must be a flag, which is a very obvious thing. The flag that Zhang Zhun wanted to make had a main color of red, was rectangular in shape, and had a yellow six-pointed star embroidered in the middle, named the Six-Pointed Star Flag.

  The warriors of the guard, basically uncultured, didn't even recognize simple numbers like one, two, three, four, and complex patterns were definitely beyond their comprehension. The hexagram pattern was very simple, recognizable at a glance. However, the simplicity of the hexagram pattern was given profound meaning. Zhang Jun wanted everyone to remember the meaning represented by the military flag as soon as they saw it.

  Each angle of the hexagram represents different meanings.

  The sharp angle in the middle, represents loyalty. For an army, the most core and key is loyalty. Loyalty to one's duty, loyalty to one's leadership, loyalty to the honor of soldiers. The object of the guard's loyalty, of course, is Zhang himself.

  The sharp angle on the right side represents bravery. For an army, bravery is an indispensable element. Bravery is a basic condition for winning battles. The two words "fear" and "weakness" should be forever alien to the military. The reason why Ming's army has been defeated repeatedly is that it lacks the brave fighting spirit.

  The sharp corner on the left side represents wisdom. For an army, bravery alone is not enough, it also needs wisdom. Bravery without wisdom can only be reckless action, and may even be suicidal behavior. Lü Bu was brave enough, but ultimately fell under Cao Cao's sword. Only by combining both wisdom and bravery can one stand invincible.

  The sharp corner at the bottom right represents training. Where does the combat effectiveness of the army come from? Of course, it comes from strict training. Scientific and strict training can effectively improve the combat effectiveness of troops. Bleeding and sweating in training can reduce casualties in battle. The Qi family army trains every three days and can defeat the Japanese pirates. The guard team trains every day, and no matter what, their combat effectiveness should be above that of the Qi family army.

  The sharp angle at the lower left represents discipline. Strict discipline is also a key factor in the combat effectiveness of an army. Orders must be obeyed, rewards and punishments must be clear, this is the basic guarantee of combat effectiveness. An army without discipline is not a true army, it's just a mob, no matter how many people there are, they can't achieve anything. The failures of Huang Chao, Li Zicheng, Hong Xiuquan and the Boxer Rebellion were all due to a lack of strict discipline, which was a fatal factor.

  The sharp angle at the bottom, represents equipment. Zhang Zhun always believed that the factors that determine combat effectiveness, in addition to people, are also very important for weapons and equipment. From his later life, he was very clear that if the weapons and equipment were too backward, no matter how brave or wise a person was, they would appear extremely passive. He absolutely would not let his troops' equipment be far behind that of the enemy.

  At the same time, this sharp angle also means that warriors should cherish their own weapons. Weapons are a soldier's second life and must be treasured. One of the biggest characteristics of the Ming army is its poor management of weapons. Out of 100 rifles, it's unknown whether there are even 30 usable ones. Some people would even sell their weapons to potential enemies for short-term gains. Such behavior must be eradicated at the first opportunity.

  The first sample of the flag was quickly made, and Zhang Zhun looked at it and felt that it was not bad, but the proportion of the six-pointed star and the whole flag was a bit out of coordination. After careful observation and measurement from different angles, Zhang Zhun finally determined the size ratio of the six-pointed star, and the red flag with the six-pointed star was officially finalized, and a total of five flags were sewn.

  On April 9, one hundred sets of gray coats and pants, as well as one hundred pairs of thousand-layer-soled shoes, were delivered into Zhang's hands. Zhang immediately ordered the troops to change their uniforms. At the same time, he instructed each soldier to tie their puttees and unify all their attire.

  The warriors of the guard, originally wore all sorts of clothes, shoes were also miscellaneous grass shoes, and even some did not wear shoes. Now, everyone wears uniform gray shirts and pants, wearing gray cotton shoes, with high leg bindings, skill badges can be made more eye-catching, this has a great boost to each person's spiritual outlook.

  Zhang wore a grey uniform and tied his legs, feeling as if he had really returned to the troops. Now looking around, the soldiers of the guard team and those who were not in the guard team were clearly distinguishable. In battle, there would no longer be situations where friend and foe could not be distinguished. Even from three miles away, it was possible to accurately identify the soldiers of the guard team.

  On April 10th, Zhang Zhun held a grand flag-raising ceremony at Hongshitan.

  All the warriors of the guard and the elders of Yangjiatun village participated in this flag-raising ceremony.

  Soldiers in neat formation, wearing brand new uniforms and prominent insignia, stood at the forefront of the military flag. Wearing brand new uniforms and military boots, they were even more spirited, with solemn expressions and high morale.

  The surrounding area was filled with elderly relatives who had come to watch the ceremony. They had never seen a flag-raising ceremony before and were all very curious, wondering what Zhang Zhun was going to do next. The most excited ones, of course, were those half-grown children. Everything about the guard of honor was their concern. Because joining the guard of honor was their future goal.

  After a brief drill, four guardsmen marched forward with the bright six-pointed red flag and stood in front of the flagpole. Then they turned around, and the soldiers in the front row knelt down, so that the entire six-pointed red flag was displayed at an angle in front of everyone. The sunlight shone on it, making the light on the red flag particularly dazzling.

  Zhang Zhun stood on the high platform and explained in detail the meaning represented by the six-pointed star.

  The warriors of the guard became increasingly solemn and stern.

  "Raise the flag!"

  Zhang Zhun issued orders in a low voice.

  Four warriors hang a general's flag on the flagpole and then slowly pull the rope.

  The red flag with six-pointed star is rising steadily.

  Everyone present focused their gaze on the red six-pointed star flag. As the red flag slowly rose, they all felt an unprecedented excitement, a deep-seated excitement that seemed to link this red flag with their destiny.

  When the flag rose to the top of the pole, the whole field suddenly burst into enthusiastic cheers, and many people's eyes were filled with sparkling tears. The soldiers of the guard felt as if their hot blood was about to spurt out from their chest cavity, and they were full of strength all over their body.

  Zhang Zhun was very satisfied with this scene.

  No matter from which aspect, this is very touching and has a great effect. In the future, no matter which country, people attach great importance to military flags and national flags, and also attach great importance to flag-raising ceremonies, believing that they are the best way to enhance citizens' sense of belonging and boost military morale. However, the Ming Dynasty did not have its own military flag and national flag, only triangular commander flags and marshal flags, as well as various colored array flags used for commanding battles, and there had never been a flag-raising ceremony. There was a flag-worshiping ritual, but unfortunately, it was completely different from the flag-raising ceremony.

  As a traverser, he must take advantage of this advantage to gather more power for himself. The guard has a formal military flag and formal military uniforms, which can give the villagers greater confidence and let the villagers continue to believe in their abilities, this is the most powerful force he grasps.

  The effect of the military flag has been demonstrated, and the effect of the military uniform is also being demonstrated.

  When patrolling, some outsiders saw that the guards' uniforms had changed and became neat and uniform, and they all looked very envious. Many young people inside Yangjia Village were also envious of the new uniforms, and what they longed for most was to wear such uniforms. However, there was no way, the number of people in the guard team was fixed at eighty, not one more or one less, and those who wanted to join the guard team had to wait.

  As a result, more and more young people gathered at the Injury Relief Office. Lin Bin and others became increasingly popular. In Zhang Zhun's plan, the new military uniform also had a share for the Injury Relief Office. At the same time as the guard team changed their uniforms, Lin Bin and others also put on brand new military uniforms. Although one leg of his pants was empty, Lin Bin still looked very spirited after putting on the new uniform.