Chapter 277
To become one of the Junior Preceptor's own people, one had to stand out from ten thousand others.
Selecting five thousand out of ten thousand—a one-in-two chance seemed high, but who could guarantee they wouldn't be among the five thousand left behind?
General Wei had said they would depart in late May. It was already mid-April; little time remained for the selection, yet the criteria had still not been finalized.
Those who had ambitions couldn't help but feel uncertain.
With the Junior Preceptor visiting the military camp today, it would be wonderful if they could take the opportunity to ask!
Yue Fuguang was still unaware of the little schemes of the soldiers slowly approaching from a distance.
She followed the crowd toward the armory.
Master, Wei Shouyi and the others are already giving these men ideological education classes according to your requirements. Why did you also punish Yu Boming and his group by making them teach the ordinary soldiers how to read and write? Do you actually expect them to take the imperial examinations?
The crowd secretly nodded in agreement; their hearts were also full of doubts.
The ideological education classes were showing initial results. Given their current treatment, these men were destined to be slaughtering brutes on the battlefield. If their martial skills weren't perfected, a single battle could wipe them out.
Was it really necessary for the Junior Preceptor to pour so much effort into teaching them to read and write?
The crowd hadn't realized it yet, but they subconsciously viewed these men as expendable supplies and slightly capable cannon fodder.
Yu Boming and the others had agreed readily and would execute the order without compromise, but their thoughts were similar to their fathers': was it necessary to make these killing machines literate?
Little Zhu, since we plan to train a formidable army for fun, we can't end up making them just like the rest of Great Yan's troops.
At the very least, ideologically, they must know that being a soldier isn't just about getting fed.
They must at least know who they are and where they come from.
Even when they step onto the battlefield in the future, they must be clear about what and who they are fighting for!
Even if death is inevitable, they shouldn't die in ignorant obscurity.
This is the original intention of the ideological education.
Wei Shouyi and Huo Ying's hearts skipped a beat. So the Junior Preceptor's ideological education for the grunts had such profound meaning!
Great Yan should have more heroic and passionate warriors, rather than ignorant fools or those who only seek to protect themselves, soft and overly sentimental.
Master, even if you give these people ideological education, they won't become an army like Great Xia's. Serving the country and the people, generous and unyielding, strictly disciplined, not taking a single needle or thread from the commoners—do you think that's possible?
Wei Shouyi thought to himself that strict discipline could probably be achieved, but not taking a single needle or thread from the commoners? That was truly too difficult.
After breaching a city, looting the commoners was almost an unspoken rule; the only difference was the extent, which depended on the commander.
As for serving the country and the people? Who became a soldier if not for the food and pay?
It is indeed difficult to make them do that, which is also why I am reluctant to interact with them too much.
However, none of this affects my original intention to civilize their minds while toughening their bodies.
Perhaps after some of them learn to read and write, their sense of honor and their moral bottom line will be higher, making the education worthwhile.
Master, when it comes to reading a lot, who can compare to the various lords in the imperial court? And when it comes to propriety, justice, integrity, honor, and racing to the bottom of morality, who can match them?
The system's words made the faces of everyone behind her turn bright red, without exception.
Wei Shouyi, who was still explaining the uses of the various barracks, subconsciously lowered his voice.
He was just a boorish fellow who knew a few more words than most. His current achievements, aside from his father's struggles, were earned through his own fighting, spear and sword.
He felt the Divine Artifact's words were flawless!
Meanwhile, Yu Boming and Cai Bing, hearing their fathers' generation being scolded, consciously and silently distanced themselves from the crowd. Today they dared to watch their own fathers become a joke.
Their fathers couldn't do anything about his sister or the Junior Preceptor, but they could absolutely guarantee to turn them into jokes tomorrow!
That's different. Those people have read too many books and read away their conscience.
Besides, when I told Second Brother and the others to teach the soldiers how to read and write, I also insisted on the principle of voluntariness.
I don't require everyone to go, but my five thousand men must all know the most basic characters. If one year isn't enough, then two.
Sancha Land does not want trash, nor does it raise illiterates!
Yue Fuguang wept silently in her heart. What could she do? The system's tasks were too tricky; for the sake of points, she had no choice but to do it!
System, we can set the definition of an illiterate ourselves, right?
Host, to what extent do you think cultured should be when building a ten-thousand-strong army with thoughts and culture?
Being able to simply read and write should be enough, right? Yue Fuguang answered with a guilty conscience. Equating basic literacy with being cultured was a forced move on her part.
A ten-thousand-strong army—even if her forces continued to grow in the future, gathering the best of the best into one army, having them be both ideological and cultured would be quite difficult to achieve without lowering the standards.
System: The host is bullying me for reading too little again!
Hearing Yue Fuguang mention Sancha Land and realizing they would set off next month, the crowd couldn't help but feel a stir in their hearts.
Wei Shouyi couldn't help but change the subject, saying, By the way, Junior Preceptor, there are only a few days left until the selection of personnel to be stationed at Sancha Land. I wonder if you have any selection criteria?
Wei Yan, Huo Sui, and the others who had originally been trailing behind silently inched closer to the front, their ears perked up high.
Yue Fuguang thought for a moment and said, "Based on all the assessments, including the ideological education test, I will take the top seven thousand people. From those seven thousand, I will then select five thousand."
[Master, me, me, me! Little Zhu can distinguish the loyal from the treacherous with just a glance. No matter how outstanding they are, we cannot accept anyone whose heart is not with you, Master!]
"Alright, I will listen to you!"
"Lord Junior Preceptor, do you think we can go?" The one who spoke up was the youngest, Lin Huaijing.
Wei Yan and the others looked in astonishment at this usually meek kid. To think that this guy, who usually only got to drink the broth while others ate the meat, would be so bold today!
Good lad, even with the courage of a mouse, he dared to step up and ask a question before his older brothers. They had truly underestimated him!
Seeing Yue Fuguang look his way, Lin Huaijing immediately introduced himself, "Lin Huaijing greets the Lord Junior Preceptor."
His eyes were full of stars as he looked at Yue Fuguang. She could read the meaning behind his gaze: pure admiration for the strong!
Lin Congxue shot his youngest son another appreciative glance and said, "Lord Junior Preceptor, this is my unworthy youngest son. Please excuse his impudence!"
Lin Huaijing?
On the virtual panel in front of Yue Fuguang, his favorability score of seventy-eight and his life story were displayed...
"Whether it is food or entertainment, the Sancha region cannot even compare to a ten-thousandth of the capital. Besides you all, there probably will not be many people there. The environment is harsh, and the climate is brutal. Lin Huaijing, are you sure you want to go?"
Lin Huaijing's gaze was resolute. "Lord Junior Preceptor, Huaijing wants to go! I am not afraid of hardship!"
Fifteen years old, right at the rebellious age. But this kid was a talent. Since he had delivered himself to her doorstep, there was no reason to turn him away.
Thus, a gentle smile graced her lips. "Whether the others can go is still uncertain, but if you truly want to go, it is naturally not a problem."
She then turned to Yu Boming and said, "Second Brother, please guide him and take him under your wing from now on."
Having Yu Boming look after him meant that she was officially drawing him into their inner circle.