Chapter 510
Chapter 510 The Art of Forging Soldiers
It was rather peculiar. Ever since they had left the capital, an unrelenting spring rain had persisted, turning the roads into a muddy mess. The late spring chill, accompanied by cold winds and rain, made it feel as though they were back in the depths of winter. Marching in such weather was disheartening, not just for the common soldiers but also for the battle-hardened veterans. It seemed like an ominous sign sent by the heavens.
Lin Wanrong had led troops in Shandong, but that had been to suppress bandits. Back then, they had been well-supplied and vastly outnumbered the enemy, fighting with both psychological and numerical superiority. But the situation now was entirely different—they were up against the Turks, who were nothing like the outclassed opponents they had previously faced. One look at the solemn expression on General Li Tai's face was enough to understand the gravity of the situation.
However, General Lin had a steady hand and entrusted the entire training program to Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan, who were both well-versed in his methods. To sum it up, General Lin's approach involved a ruthless system of elimination combined with motivational rewards that stirred the soldiers' passions. Even the weakest of soldiers could be transformed into a fervent fighter under their guidance. This strategy had proven effective during their time in Shandong, so there was little cause for concern.
Among the Right Wing Camp, General Lin was the most laid-back. While his subordinates were busy training troops, he roamed the camp leisurely with his senior aides. His favorite activity was to engage in casual conversations with ordinary soldiers. Come mealtime, he'd join them, competing to grab the best portions. He was approachable, down-to-earth, and could easily mingle with everyone, from high-ranking officers to the lowest kitchen helpers. The camp was always lively.
Sometimes, on a whim, General Lin would gather everyone to sing folk songs, a mix of tunes from both north and south. These singing sessions left everyone both cheerful and sentimental.
Most unique of all was General Lin's invention—the "Reading Family Letters" competition. The Right Wing Camp consisted of fifty to sixty thousand soldiers, and each day brought countless letters from home. General Lin would assemble a group and encourage soldiers to read these letters aloud before their comrades. These were the moments when the troops were happiest.
Over time, these activities became routine. General Lin’s Right Wing Camp trained the hardest but laughed the loudest, creating a vibrant atmosphere in stark contrast to the unending spring rain.
After several days of marching north, the army changed course, moving from east to west along the southern foothills of the Great Wall. Gradually, the weather began to dry up.