Chapter Nineteen Recommendation

  Thanks to the strong support of the masses at Mazidun, three sheds were set up before nightfall. Those who were not used to sitting on the boat finally didn't have to live on the boat, but because the ground was too hard, it was impossible to make a hole in the ground. The shed leaked wind from all sides, and Liu Minyou had no choice but to let people start a bonfire to warm up. Others still lived on the boat, and they managed to get through the first night.

  On the second day, the enthusiastic people of Mazidun came again to see what else they needed to buy. Chen Xin had purchased 100 shi of grain as ballast when he left Tianjin and set up a large pot in front of the hut to cook porridge, announcing that those who worked would get a meal. As a result, over a hundred people from Mazidun came to help again that day. With more than 200 people working together, they built over 20 huts in just one day and transported some stones around them to block the wind. Each of the five combat teams had a large hut, which became their home, with each family having a small hut. Liu Minyou and Chen Xin each had a small hut, while Song Wenxian preferred to live on the boat.

  Liu Min had a special request to build the largest thatched hut, as a school for children and soldiers to learn literacy. He asked craftsman Jia to make some thick wooden boards into long tables, and a rural kindergarten took shape.

  The thatched cottage can only serve as a temporary residence, and Chen Xin's plan is to build a brick house with a wall outside. Liu Min went to Mazidun to observe and learn, where there were more than 100 households, but only one brick house, the rest were mud-walled grass houses. In fact, most of the northern regions during the Ming dynasty were grass houses, even in the capital city, there were still many. The two had been to places like Jizhou and Tianjin, which were also cities, but they were mixed with grass houses and tile-roofed houses. Once a fire broke out, it would cause heavy losses. Therefore, Chen Xin insisted on building brick houses, believing that good living conditions were also part of the sense of honor.

  In a rural place like Weihai, there are only a small number of brick and tile houses in the Wei City, and in Mazidun, only one household has a tile house, which is Wang Yuanzheng's father-in-law. The environment inside the village is dirty and chaotic beyond imagination, Liu Min was greatly disappointed after visiting, and his urban planning had no reference value at all.

  He had to follow the layout of the Cross Street, drew a map himself, and on the third day early in the morning, he brought the logistics team and several craftsmen to Weicheng to purchase many things, including food, salt, bricks, kitchen utensils, beds, blacksmithing tools, etc. From Mazidun to Weicheng is a ten-mile road, round trip plus shopping, at least one day's time.

  Chen Xin slept in the thatched hut's straw pile for a night, covered with two quilts. Although it wasn't cold, his neck was terribly itchy from the straw, and the straw mattress was too soft, causing his waist to ache and back to hurt when he got up. After sending off Liu Minyou, he led five small squads of soldiers to start running exercises. This large area of abandoned land had not been cultivated for many years and was quite flat, making it a suitable training ground. The other side of Mazidun was quiet, with no one stirring on this winter morning.

  "Bowl is left, chopsticks are right!"

  "Bowl is left, chopsticks are right!"

  "First out left, then out right!"

  。。。。。。

  While running, Zhu Guobin shouted slogans. It was the first time for collective running exercises, and everyone's footsteps were not uniform, but they could maintain a formation of twelve people without dispersing, showing the excellent organizational skills of these porters.

  Chen Xin was running with four bodyguards, including Hai Gouz, on the side of the team. Everyone could see that Qianhu Da Ren was also participating in the training. After shouting a few slogans, Dai Zhenggang took over the shouting, and Zhu Guobin ran to Chen Xin's side, still able to talk to Chen Xin while running.

  "Sir, these teams are still short of squad leaders, shall we settle on them first?"

  Chen Xin was not as physically strong as Zhu Guobin, and he wore a thick padded jacket under his official uniform. At this time, he was already slightly panting, and could only nod his head, forcing out a weak "Alright... today... it's settled then."

  Zhu Guobin replied: "Among the troops under my command, I think Jiang..."

  "No, let's not decide yet, let them choose first."

  "What choice?" A big question mark hung over Zhu Guobin's head.

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  They ran for about two thousand meters, and most of the porters didn't have too much trouble. Chen Xin was already exhausted, but he still had to pretend as if nothing was wrong. The three main officers led the team in front of the dormitory area, lining up in formation. Their voices shouting orders while running had already woken up all the family members inside the dorms, who came out curiously to watch.

  After arriving in Weihai, all the soldiers wore their red coats on the outside, looking like a sea of fire, but without hats, just a net scarf on their heads. Chen Xin didn't think to provide each person with a hat when they were in Tianjin, and he forgot about helmets in Dengzhou too. Now it looks like the effect is somewhat lacking.

  Chen Xin stepped onto a remaining wooden log, with Song Wenxian and Chen Xin's four personal guards standing behind him. Facing the troops, he cleared his throat and began to speak: "Fellow soldiers, from today on, you are all military households of Weihaiwei, as well as its soldiers. You have left your homes and come to this unfamiliar place, with no worries about food or clothing, and a monthly salary to collect. Mr. Liu is also prepared to teach your children how to read, who knows why."

  There was a moment of silence in the queue, and the women were very satisfied with their current life, no danger, food and clothing, even farming was not needed. They didn't know what Chen Xinqiu meant. Half a minute later, the last one of the first team raised her hand. These women had been beaten many times on the road before they learned to speak up and raise their hands.

  Chen Xinyi looked at him and saw that it was Zhou Shao'er, the weakest one. He nodded encouragingly and said to him: "Zhou Shao'er can speak."

  Zhou Shaodi put down his hand, he was filled with gratitude towards Chen Xin, this benefactor. However, in front of so many people, he still couldn't speak smoothly, "This... because the adults are good people, others... I... I also can't say."

  Chen Xin smiled and then his face slowly turned cold, saying: "Zhou Shao'er is right, I am a good person, but you are not here to enjoy yourselves. You are all unable to make a living in your hometowns, that's why you came here. Why did you become homeless?"

  Huang Yuan was a tenant farmer in Yanggu, even more miserable than self-cultivating farmers. When he heard this, he raised his hand and after Chen Xinyu allowed it, he cried out loudly: "Because the landlord doesn't let us live, the grain shop's swindlers don't let us live."

  Huang Yuan's crying voice resonated with others, and after the first speech, the people behind him became much bolder, one after another raising their hands to speak out. They all denounced the local officials, gentry and merchants, many of whom were single men who had lost their entire families, leaving only themselves alive. Everyone had a tragic story of blood and tears. As the sobbing spread through the ranks, even the family members watching from the sidelines became infected and began to cry.

  Chen Xin saw that everyone's emotions had been stirred up, and the grievances meeting was having its desired effect. At this moment, whatever he said would be most easily accepted by them. After they finished speaking, Chen Xin spoke loudly: "Everyone is a suffering person, some have been harmed by the corrupt officials, some by the swindling merchants, and some by the bandits, each with their own reasons. But I tell you all, there is only one reason for your hardships..." Chen Xin slowly scanned the entire room, and everyone's eyes were fixed on him.

  "Because you were weak, they could bully you at will. But today, you are different. You are no longer farmers or slaves. You are the soldiers of Weihaiwei. You are not alone. Every comrade here is your backing, including me. We rely on each other. From now on, whoever dares to bully you will be my enemy, Chen Xinfeng's enemy, and the enemy of everyone present."

  Lu Lu Zi and the others, a group of old hands, were deeply moved by what they heard. They had followed Chen Xin for the longest time, had the deepest feelings for him, and since following this man, they had never been bullied. Their fate had changed a lot because of this person.

  "But that's still not enough, you need to have even greater power, so that anyone who wants to bully you will be deterred. This power won't come on its own, it requires your own hard work, in the training grounds, and on the battlefield."

  "Once we're on the training grounds, once we're on the battlefield, I'm the strictest person. I only recognize military discipline. Anyone who violates military discipline will not be let off, and anyone who retreats in battle will be severely punished, left to fend for themselves. We don't need cowards here. At the same time, all your achievements will not be ignored. You can become a Wu Zhang, a team leader, a general flag, a hundred households, a thousand households. I won't always be just a thousand households either. If you're afraid of death and willing to live a life of being bullied, you can still leave now. But if you're willing to follow me, Chen Xin, to fight for honor and fame with your lives, and to live with dignity, then stay."

  Lu Zizi had considered it again and again before deciding to follow Chen Xin. In just a few short months, he had witnessed with his own eyes how Chen Xin had risen step by step, becoming completely different from what he was in the past. Not only had he become a commander of a thousand households, but his name was also known throughout the capital, and his future prospects were boundless. Lu Zizi felt that following him had been the right decision. Looking at this sworn brother who had shared life and death with him, his emotions surged, and he suddenly knelt down and exclaimed loudly: "I am willing to die for you, sir!"

  The first man took the lead, and others followed suit, kneeling down one after another. In the entire venue, only Song Wenxian remained standing, which was exactly what Chen Xin wanted to achieve. These people didn't understand when they were told about the country and nation, but their own tragic fate could move them the most. They cared most about their own interests, and as long as their personal interests were linked to this collective, it would strengthen their collective spirit in their subconscious mind. On the basis of collective spirit, combined with camaraderie, bravery, and a sense of military honor, this small army would at least far surpass other armies of the same era in terms of spiritual power.

  After this mobilization, he has further gained the loyalty of this army. Some original friends, such as Dai Zhenggang and Zhou Shifa, have also formally become his subordinates in thought. Chen Xin's speech earlier put himself in the collective concept, and the camaraderie he advocated is slowly being accepted by officers and soldiers. As long as such an atmosphere is formed, it will be easier to assimilate new members who join later.

  "Thank you for trusting me, Chen Xin," he said loudly after everyone stood up. "But I still have to say that on the battlefield and in training, I won't show any favoritism. Every rule of military discipline is not meant to punish you, but to ensure your survival on the battlefield. A soldier's duty is to obey orders, and all military commands and disciplines must be executed without exception, even if you think they are wrong."

  This time it was Zhang Da who led the shout: "Obeying the great general's military order!"

  After Chen Xin finished talking about the importance of discipline, he immediately issued his first formal order: "Now each squad will recommend three candidates for squad leader. Remember one thing, the person you choose is to lead you on the battlefield, if you want to survive in battle, choose the most reliable person."

  Everyone was a bit stunned, having never heard of an election before, and no one knew how to vote. Chen Xin called over Zhu Guobin, Dai Zhenggang, and Lu Tuizi.

  "Sir, how can this be recommended?" Zhu Guobin asked in a low voice.

  "How to recommend?" Chen Xin suddenly remembered that most of these soldiers couldn't write, "You find a hut, you three and I will sit inside, one by one come in, say who you want to choose, I'll write the name. The top three people recommended by each squad will become the squad leader candidates, then I'll select the formal team leader from the three of them, and the remaining two will be the deputy leaders."

  Zhu Guobin and the other two looked at each other, but Chen Daren always came up with completely different ideas. However, Chen Xingang had just said that soldiers' duty was to obey orders, so they could only hurry to arrange the tents. The military households standing below were also looking at each other in dismay, as they were used to being arranged by others and had never thought of electing their own officers.

  Chen Xin jumped down from the trunk, and Song Wenxian hurried over to ask in a low voice: "General Qianhu, why do you let these soldiers choose their own team leaders? Where is your authority in this?"

  Chen Xin calmly said: "They just selected three candidates, and in the end who will be the team leader is still up to me to decide."

  Song Wenxian was still a bit unwilling, personnel arrangement is the most important power, he really didn't understand why Chen Xin wanted to give it to these military households, "Sir Qianhu, don't blame me for speaking too much, this is... really..."

  He thought for a long time and still couldn't say it, anyway, he felt that it wasn't right. Chen Xin smiled and said: "Mr. Song doesn't have to worry about this matter. When these people were organized, they were completely mixed up according to their place of origin and separated. There are almost no fellow villagers in each team. If they want to survive on the battlefield, they should know how to choose."

  "Ah." Song Wenxian was also at a loss for words for a moment.

  Chen Xinnaturally has his own reasons, the military is actually the least democratic place, it's always been a top-down power structure, the power of subordinates must come from superiors, and conversely, the power of superiors is also supported by the power of subordinate officers. However, allowing soldiers to elect grassroots officer candidates at the lowest level can bring out more talent, while still reserving the right to make the final appointment, ensuring his own authority. The inspiration for this election comes from the French army during the Great Revolution in 1792, nine of the grassroots officers elected by the soldiers later became marshals.

  Although these soldiers do not possess the revolutionary and free spirit of French military personnel, Chen Xing believes that they can use this power correctly in a team where each soldier's background is roughly equal, after his own agitation. He wants to establish a brand new army, so he didn't determine the captain at first, but arranged for them to complete some tasks collectively during the journey. In the process, people with abilities will show their talents and naturally gain the trust of others, forming a system and atmosphere where everyone can play to their strengths, allowing this army to have stronger absorption and expansion capabilities.

  In Song Wenxian's worry, Chen Xin led three main officials into a hut, four personal soldiers guarded the door outside, and each soldier entered one by one.

  The first one in was a small team led by Wang Changfu. He was also the first person to sign up at Zhangjiawan, so he was assigned as No. 1.

  "Sir, I recommend myself. I'm strong and reliable, and when we were pulling rickshaws before, I was the one who shouted out the numbers, and all these guys listened to me."

  Chen Xindan said faintly: "You need to say the names of three people."

  "Hmm, and then there's Huang Yuan, Zheng Sanhu, Huang Yuan is reliable, I trust him, Zheng Sanhu has killed pigs with a knife, so he can kill people too..."