Chapter 48 Establishing Authority (Part 1)

  On the second day after Wang Mingyu took office in the afternoon, the 318th Regiment of the 110th Brigade was stationed.

  Deputy commander and chief of staff Zhang Deen ordered the troops to assemble, while some deputy battalion commanders followed behind him. They were dissatisfied with the new regimental commander and looked at young Wang Mingyu and others who had arrived at the assembly point with resentment. This was mainly due to jealousy and preconceived notions. Everyone felt that these people had not achieved anything, even if they were students of the chairman, they couldn't be used like this, wouldn't it make all the soldiers in the army feel disheartened? Moreover, in the minds of these officers, Zhang Deen was basically the only candidate for regimental commander before this. At this time, a sudden appearance of an unexpected person, they naturally felt that Wang Mingyu had taken away something that originally belonged to the 318th Regiment.

  Zhang Deen cleared his throat and said to the officers and soldiers: "Brothers, this is Wang Mingyu, appointed by the Supreme Military Commission to our 318th Regiment. Welcome, Commander Wang!" Then he heard a sparse applause from below, so many people, but only a few truly applauded. It's estimated that if it weren't for fear of an awkward silence, there wouldn't have been even one person applauding.

  Yesterday, the battalion commanders and company commanders had all been informed in private, and everyone knew that today's new little battalion commander was going to have a showdown with Deputy Commander Zhang and several battalion commanders. If he lost, then this battalion commander wouldn't be the battalion commander anymore. These soldiers all knew about Commander Zhang's abilities - not to mention others, just talking about Commander Zhang, his marksmanship is accurate, he has studied martial arts, ordinary people can't compare to him, winning against these kids would be like playing a game? They don't think that commanding well or poorly has any use, they only care about strength, if you're strong we'll obey you. This is the common characteristic of grassroots troops, if you're strong and also command well, then you are the soul of this troop, the spiritual leader of this troop.

  Zhang Deen glanced at Wang Mingyu and continued: "Yesterday, Captain Wang told us that he wanted to have a friendly competition with us today. Of course, when the captain speaks, we naturally have to follow..."

  Zhang Deen hadn't finished speaking, when Wang Mingyu stepped forward and said: "Everyone, if we lose this competition, the new ones among us will go to Deputy Zhang's team without a word. I, Wang Mingyu, always keep my promises, and today I'm saying this in front of everyone as a witness. However, I must say that if we happen to win, from now on, I don't want any negative factors to exist in the 318th Regiment!" As soon as Wang Mingyu finished speaking, the soldiers below started whispering among themselves, and they all thought that this new team leader Wang had some guts, not like those three or two who didn't dare to take risks.

  Zhang De'en also said loudly: "Don't worry about this, Captain Wang. If you want to gamble, you have to accept losing. We're not people who can't afford to lose either!"

  Wang Mingyu smiled and said: "That's right, haha, look at Captain Zhang, shall we begin?"

  Zhang De'en nodded and said: "Well, let's get started. What does Captain Wang think the first item should be compared to?"

  Wang Mingyu calmly said: "The first item I think is compared to assassination."

  Zhang Deen said with a hint of surprise: "Don't compare marksmanship? If the assassination comparison is over, and then compare marksmanship, that's even more difficult!"

  Wang Mingyu said, "After the assassination is over, it's about endurance, and after endurance is over, it's finally about marksmanship! Has everyone thought about what the situation is like on the battlefield? Generally speaking, in urgent battles, ambushes, and sneak attacks, aren't they all about comparing endurance? If we compare marksmanship first, then we can only say that we are performing, not truly competing."

  As soon as Wang Mingyu's words came out, Zhang Deen, Luo Jiapeng, Zhao Guorui and several others showed an incredulous expression. Under the stimulation of intense physical movement, they were actually better at shooting than him? Was this kid crazy or was he really that awesome? These old soldiers had nothing to lose, but these new recruits were all pushing the advantageous principle towards their side. Was there some kind of conspiracy? Looking at Wang Mingyu and his men's calm demeanor, Zhang Deen and his men suddenly felt a twinge of unease. Although they had confidence in themselves, this confidence was being eroded bit by bit by Wang Mingyu and his men's composure.

  Zhang De'en immediately put away his previous disdain and said, "Captain Wang, you have seven people on your side, we have seven people on our side. How about we play seven rounds and the winner is the one who wins four rounds?"

  Wang Mingyu said with a smile: "As you wish!"

  The first test was simple, it was a comparison of stabbing and fighting skills, which Wang Mingyu had taught these people months ago. However, Wang Mingyu knew that the most difficult part wasn't the second or third tests, but rather the first test - endurance and marksmanship. Wang Mingyu was confident, as few people could surpass his special forces team, and with further training, his team would surely become famous throughout the battlefield.

  Hand-to-hand combat, these old soldiers have been tempered through life and death tests. If it's a fight to the death, the members of this special forces team have a great advantage, but this is just a test. Those old soldiers used the same techniques as they would in a real fight to the death, while his own team members didn't have that mindset, so their momentum was definitely not as strong as Zhang De'en's. However, Wang Mingyu didn't plan on reminding them of this; instead, he planned on going up first and proving his judgment, then observing afterwards.

  The first game was played by Zhang Deen himself. Wang Mingyu didn't plan to go himself, so he let Lin Wen, who had learned martial arts, try his hand in the first match.

  Lin Wen, who had just gone up, held a wooden gun and began to wait for an opportunity. Zhang Deen was not in a hurry, and after a while, Lin Wen couldn't hold back and rushed forward with a thrust. Zhang Deen skillfully dodged it, and the two of them fought back and forth for over a dozen rounds.

  Zhang De'en's eyes gleamed with a hint of appreciation as he smiled and said: "Youngster, didn't expect you to have some skills! Have you practiced?"

  Lin Wen said with a bad temper: "You've practiced too! Come on! Don't talk so much nonsense! Let's see the real thing in action!"

  Lin Wen's assassination technique was taught by Wang Mingyu. As a result, Zhang Deen became more and more disadvantaged in the fight, but this situation brought out his ferocity. Lin Wen thought he had victory within sight, but suddenly saw Zhang Deen's wooden spear thrusting straight at his throat without regard for life or death. This desperate move was something Lin Wen had never encountered before, so he could only split it open.

  Wang Mingyu had already seen through Zhang De'en's intentions, and this straight stab was just a feint. The real killer move was Zhang De'en's right leg. In the blink of an eye, Zhang De'en forced Lin Wen to dodge to the left, and in that instant, Zhang De'en's right leg swept over, catching Lin Wen off guard and sending him tumbling to the ground. At the same time, Zhang De'en's wooden spear was already pointing straight at Lin Wen's chest.

  With a burst of surprise from below, Zhang De'en smiled somewhat awkwardly: "I concede!", after a while, the cheers and applause erupted from downstairs, what a great omen to start with!

  Wang Mingyu said to several people with a nonchalant attitude: "Do you know why Lin Wen lost?", Several people shook their heads, they clearly saw that Lin Wen was about to win.

  Li Xianyu said with regret: "Lin Wen's situation was superior, but unexpectedly Zhang Tuan turned the tables and won, what a pity!"

  Wang Mingyu smiled and said, "Actually, Lin Wenshu lost because of his momentum. These old soldiers are all survivors from piles of dead bodies. Their hand-to-hand combat skills may not be as good as yours, but they are all killing moves. As long as you give them an opportunity, they can take your life. Therefore, real combat is always the best training method and the fastest way to make you mature."

  Sun Dabao said with a sullen face: "Didn't we also practice before?"

  Wang Mingyu said seriously: "You are not bad at practicing, you are all half a catty and eight taels. Have you ever met such an experienced old soldier? Experience can make up for it, but momentum, or killing intent, is accumulated continuously, not innate. In the next match, remember one thing, your goal is to kill the opponent, not defeat them. Do you understand?"

  Several people looked at Wang Mingyu with a firm gaze, nodded vigorously, and Wang Mingyu also secretly praised them. The strength of these few people was absolutely above that of the old soldiers. Although they didn't have any real combat experience, their momentum couldn't be lost. If they lost momentum, this competition would be meaningless. Now their confidence must have been affected. Next, they could only start with themselves and boost their morale. A team's combat effectiveness can be great or small, depending on how much the commander can mobilize.

  At this time, Lin Wen walked down from the stage and said to Wang Mingyu with a lack of energy: "Sorry, Captain, I lost, I made you lose face!"

  "Look at you, today's loss doesn't mean tomorrow's loss! This is a martial arts competition, winning or losing isn't that important to us, as long as you're still alive, you have a chance. Stand up straight and reflect on today's match properly." Lin Wen's face turned red with anger, but he also stood up straighter. After a while, looking at Wang Mingyu and thinking about his previous words, Lin Wen gradually understood what Wang Mingyu meant, bowing his head to say: "Captain, thank you, I understand now!"

  Wang Mingyu patted Lin Wen's shoulder and said, "Lin Wen, your failure is not because you didn't work hard, but because you lack assassination experience. Secondly, your momentum is not as good as Captain Zhang Deen's. Just now, that fake move was intimidating, and you made a natural reaction. In real battles, it's a matter of life and death, so pay more attention to this aspect in the future!"

  On the stage, Zhao Guorui, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time, shouted loudly: "Who's next? What a waste of time." Zhang De'en's victory made Zhao Guorui extremely confident. His strength was comparable to Zhang De'en's, so he spoke with increasing confidence, looking forward to the next match.

  Sun Dabao was anxious, and several others were also preparing to go up. Wang Mingyu waved his hand and said: "I'll take this round, but you guys have to watch closely. First, we can't lose in terms of momentum, and secondly, the simpler the move, the more effective it often is."

  "Captain, how can you go up there?" Huang Bo Xiong said urgently, "I must win this game, Captain, believe me!"

  "Yes, yes, Captain, let's go first!" Sun Dabao also urged, and the others echoed in agreement. Wang Mingyu sternly asked: "What is the first rule of a soldier's code?"

  "Obey orders!" several people shouted loudly "What do you need to do now?" "Obey orders!"

  Wang Mingyu walked slowly onto the stage, his eyes fixed intently on Zhao Guorui like a hawk staring at its prey, as if he was a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

  PS: Everyone, brothers and sisters, I hope for your recommendations and collections. Thank you so much!