Aspirations for Nation and Beauty: Section 2 Germination (2)

The Triumph Square is one of the largest and most important buildings in the entire imperial capital. The Arc de Triomphe on the square is the symbol of the empire, and many important government agencies and buildings are located nearby. Next to the Arc de Triomphe, the military flag fluttered, and several military tents were set up beside it.

According to the law of the empire, any man who has reached the age of sixteen but not yet forty-five can join the army, but once joined, he is not allowed to withdraw from the army without the approval of the military department, otherwise he will be punished as a deserter. Due to the large population of the empire and sufficient sources of troops, the recruitment system was adopted. Many middle- and lower-class people also regard joining the army as a means to change their destiny, although there are not many opportunities. Because the empire is a country with a strict hierarchy, the country divides the people into several classes. The first class is the royal family, which refers to the emperor's immediate family and close relatives. The second class is the gentry, that is, the upper-class nobles, which refer to imperial heroes and their descendants who have been titled by the emperor because of their military or political achievements, or who have inherited titles from their predecessors.

According to the law of the empire, a canonized noble can only be inherited by one of the next generation, and if there are no other military achievements, it cannot be extended to the third generation. In this way, there will not be too many nobles with titles in the empire, but the imperial law also stipulates that the descendants of the canonized nobles can be given priority in politics, military and other aspects within the empire. This type of people is the gentry. The third class is the common people, which refers to ordinary officials at all levels of government, merchants, landlords, workshop owners and other people who have made outstanding contributions and have been approved by the local government and reported to the central government of the empire for filing, and their descendants are the common people. . The fourth category is free people, which refers to ordinary people engaged in all walks of life. The third and fourth classes are commonly referred to as civilians.

Although there is another category of people who are not recognized by the laws of the empire, they exist widely in every corner of the empire, and that is slaves. The number of this category of people is not small, and they live at the bottom of the empire. Many of these people were prisoners of war, or criminals, or debt slaves, and their descendants. The imperial law stipulates that if a slave wants to become a free citizen, the master must issue the original identity certificate of the slave, request to be released, and pay a certain identity filing fee to the local government, and the release of the slave status will only take effect after the local government confirms the release. The emperor of the empire can directly remove the status of slaves.

Since the empire divides the people into several classes, and the gentry can get priority in military service and politics, the third and fourth classes often have to work several times harder if they want to get ahead. Many officials from common clans and free people, no matter how talented and meritorious they are, are often not as good as those mediocre or even corrupt officials from noble clans due to their birth restrictions, so that many insightful people are buried in the lower classes. This is even the biggest problem existing in the empire now, and Li Wufeng even feels that this is a greater threat than the invasion of foreign enemies.

Some insightful people in the empire also realized the disadvantages of this situation, and they also reported this problem to the emperors of the empire. Strongly opposed, because most of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the empire came from the gentry, so all such proposals came to nothing. Wufeng remembered that he had discussed with his master a topic, what is the most important talent for a person who achieves great things, and finally came to the conclusion that it is neither superior in martial arts, nor respected in virtue, nor incomparable in strategy, but the ability to select talents. Ability, the ability to know people and make good use of them must have a mind that is tolerant of all rivers and swallows thousands of miles. And the system of the empire has killed many talents, and many of them are unwilling to remain unknown for a lifetime, and would rather go to a foreign country to seek development. Because these people understand the internal situation of the empire, they even pose a threat to the empire.

Come to the recruiting office next to the Arc de Triomphe, which is already crowded with people. Since the empire has always valued military exploits, especially in recent decades, the empire has suffered repeated setbacks in foreign wars, which has greatly affected the prestige of the empire among the countries in the mainland. The emperor was even more determined to reshape the image of the empire, giving heavy rewards to those with military merits, while the empire had strict requirements on the common people and free people who wanted to be in politics, and promotion was more difficult than in the army. If you have courage and insight, you will have more opportunities, so the middle and lower classes are quite enthusiastic about joining the army.

Wufeng looked at the conscription requirements outside the tent. The conscription this time was mainly for several divisions of the Imperial City Guards Corps to enrich their establishment to cope with the increasingly serious situation. Since the City Guard Corps is stationed in the capital city and its suburbs, the common people in the capital are more motivated to join the army.

After waiting for two full hours, it was Wufeng's turn to register. When Wufeng handed over his identity certificate to the middle-aged officer who received the registration, the middle-aged officer looked at the identity certificate handed in, and He looked at Wufeng with surprise, and then carefully checked his identity certificate, and then Wufeng was required to report his name, age, hometown and other relevant information as required. Wufeng knew why the officers received were surprised, because people from the gentry seldom joined the army at the lowest level, and often went to the military organs or the upper levels through various relationships and channels, like Wufeng directly went to the conscription office to sign up The most basic level is indeed rare. After a simple visual inspection and physical examination, the conscription office quickly made a decision to agree to enlist. In this way, Li Wufeng became a recruit of the Third Division of the Imperial City Guards.

After three months of basic training for recruits in the early days of enlistment, due to Wufeng's small trial in the training, he won unanimous praise from the officers who trained the recruits. The captain of the second squadron of the third squadron of the fifth brigade newly organized by the fourth regiment of the third division of the city guard army.

After learning that he was appointed as the team leader, Wufeng couldn't help feeling excited. After all, this was the first step towards the path he chose. However, the road ahead is not smooth. Generally speaking, it is very difficult for a recruit to be directly promoted to an officer, let alone skipping the rank of captain to be directly promoted to squad leader, and Wufeng is less than seventeen years old. No. 35 in a team of five teams, whether he can really stand up in the team, whether he can really win the trust of the whole team, remains to be tested. And there will definitely be a lot of people in the team, especially some veterans and those who think they are capable, who will pose problems for themselves. Instead of waiting, it is better to get straight to the point and solve it openly. smile.

"Guys, before everyone gets their seats, let me introduce myself first. From now on, we will be brothers fighting and living together. I hope everyone can support my work. My name is Li Wufeng, I am seventeen years old, from Zhongzhou. He is your captain."

Standing in front of the entire team, Wufeng introduced himself calmly. The soldiers below showed expressions of surprise, dissatisfaction, and jealousy, but they all kept quiet. , Because the Imperial Army has strict discipline, those who despise their superiors will be dealt with according to military law.

Wufeng then changed the topic. "Perhaps everyone is thinking in their hearts that this hairless guy must be a relative of someone above. He has enough to eat and has nothing to do. He went to the army to be gilded, but I don't know why he came to the bottom. I can be honest. Explain to everyone that I, Li Wufeng, was born in a noble family, but I definitely did not rely on any so-called connections to make a living. As the saying goes, it is a mule or a horse, and I will be taken out for a walk. Now I am not everyone’s captain. If you have any doubts about my ability, please correct me. We are at the lowest level of the army here, and the comparison is the ability to kill the enemy. Now I swear on my personal reputation that I will never take revenge on those who challenge me. Regardless of victory or defeat, if you violate it, you will be punished by heaven and earth. If anyone defeats me, I will recommend to my superiors to replace me as the captain, and I will be an ordinary soldier."

Wufeng's words immediately created a huge wave among the soldiers. Isn't he just a kid? If you defeat him, you will be expected to become a squad leader. Even if you can't become a squad leader, you can at least be a squad leader Even if he loses, it doesn't matter. Anyway, he has sworn a poisonous oath in public, and it is impossible for him to go back on his word.

"Why, no one dares to give it a try?"

Sure enough, as soon as this sentence came out, someone immediately responded.

"I'm here, private soldier Kang Jianguo to ask your lord for advice."

Wufeng looked at the man who jumped out. He was twenty-three or four years old, with a thick back and a broad forehead. He held a shield in his left hand and a knife in his right. He looked like a tiger-fighting hero. After saluting, he took two steps back and waited for Wufeng, Wufeng also took the long gun of a soldier with a gun beside him, and said "Come on!"

The opponent was not polite either, he shielded himself with the left shield, and went forward when he was bullied, while Wufeng thrust his spear sideways towards the opponent's lower half, and the opponent did not show weakness, pressing down with the left shield, the movement was neat and neat. With a sound of "Dang!", the two took a step back, and Wufeng secretly felt that the other party was strong. He didn't know that just one shot made almost everyone present stunned, because this Kang Jianguo was a recruit of the entire third division. The best among them was actually knocked back by Wufeng's spear at the shield. You must know that the iron shield is much heavier than the long spear, and it is heavy to hit lightly. Moreover, the shield is held on the arm, which is equivalent to the strength of more than half of the body. They are evenly matched, obviously disproportionate in strength, and this is already the top recruit among the recruits.

Kang Jianguo was even more distressed. He knew that his entire left arm was numb from the shock, and he couldn't exert any strength at all, but now that he was riding a tiger, he had to bite the bullet. Shaking his left shield, Kang Jianguo rolled forward quickly, and when he was in front of Wufeng, he swung his knife with his right hand and slashed at Wufeng's legs. Then the long spear stabbed straight at the opponent's throat, the opponent turned his head and dodged, pushed the iron shield forward, smashed Wufeng's chest, and at the same time retracted the knife and returned to defense, Wufeng blocked the iron shield with the gun shaft and hit him, then took two steps back, and the spear pierced straight The opponent raised the right hand of the saber, Kang Jianguo set a square on the blade of his right hand, Wufeng pressed down and twisted his strength, the opponent felt a strong force coming from his hand, he could no longer hold the simple saber, and was twisted by the spear How far.

Kang Jianguo stood there with a face full of shame, not knowing what to do, Wufeng stuck the gun on the ground, walked over, picked up the knife and handed it to him, and then he saluted Wufeng as if he had just woken up from a dream . "This subordinate is arrogant and doesn't know the heights of the heavens and the earth, please punish the captain."

"As I said a long time ago, everyone is welcome to correct me. You have not made any mistakes, so why should you punish me?" He defeated the challenger neatly, and immediately stunned almost everyone. Everyone is weighing themselves, whether it can be so easy Everyone knew in their hearts how capable they were in defeating Kang Jianguo, and there was silence in the team.

"Is there anyone else to give it a try?"

All the veterans turned their attention to the first person on the left. He was a man a year or two older than Kang Jianguo. He was not as tall as Kang Jianguo in terms of stature, but his demeanor standing there was obviously stronger than that of the recruits like Kang Jianguo. Eggs are a cut above.

Wufeng didn't say any more, just looked at him with a smile on his face, the man was obviously hesitant, but in the end he stood up and saluted as if he couldn't bear the pressure of everyone's eyes. "Corporal Liang Chongxin, the captain of the first unit of the second team, please give me your advice." The words were obviously more polite than before.

"Please." Wufeng didn't say much, it seemed that Liang Chongxin's strength was more than a notch higher than the one just now. Liang Chongxin lifted the halberd spear in his hand and slowly walked out of the queue, while Wufeng took the iron shield and simple knife that Kang Jianguo used just now from the soldiers next to him.

The surrounding soldiers couldn't help whispering, just now Wufeng easily defeated Kang Jianguo, who was holding a sword and shield, with a long spear. Wufeng should be good at long weapons such as spears and halberds. Dun, is it possible that he is proficient in everything, if so, I am afraid that he is not much better than Kang Jianguo, and Liang Chongxin, who does not have much confidence in the first place, looks more dignified, anyway, try his best, and he will live up to the brothers' wishes .

Thinking of this, Liang Chongxin couldn't help cheering up. With a low shout, Liang Chongxin first launched an attack with a beautiful forward sprint. This move won the applause of the soldiers outside the field. No front did not neglect, his left arm embraced the shield, his body turned obliquely, and he knocked lightly. Turning the opponent's fierce attack into invisible, the soldiers cheered and couldn't help applauding for Wufeng's easy resolution.

Dispelling Liang Chongxin's moves, Wufeng threw himself forward, his right hand slashed at the head with a simple knife, the opponent counterattacked, the halberd spear slashed down obliquely, Wufeng raised his shield to block, the right sword stabbed forward, and the opponent dodged Dodging, the halberd spear slammed at Wufeng's lower abdomen from bottom to top, Wufeng took a step back to pass this ruthless move, the opponent took advantage of the situation and made another oblique lift~IndoMTL.com~ The halberd pointed straight at Wufeng's waist, Wufeng Feng saw that the opponent was coming fiercely, so he didn't back down anymore, otherwise the opponent would become more imposing, and instead of retreating, he would advance instead. He pressed the iron shield sideways to block the opponent's halberd spear, and slashed fiercely in the middle with the saber in his right hand.

The opponent did not expect that Wufeng would not retreat but advance, and he came out one after another with killer moves. Slashing the shield up and down, the simple sword in his right hand danced wildly like snowflakes, and his moves went straight to the vital point. Liang Chongxin was restrained by one move and was trapped at every step. Wufeng gives full play to the characteristics of short weapons, prevents the opponent from getting away, and finally takes advantage of the loopholes in the opponent's defense, and cuts the opponent's shoulder belt with a diagonal pull of the right knife. This is also Wufeng's mercy, otherwise if it is on the battlefield, Even if the opponent's arm is reimbursed.

Liang Chongxin was not surprised, because he was mentally prepared for his failure from the very beginning, and he was able to persevere for so long, and the defeat was not ugly, and he was worthy of everyone. Even if he is merciful, if he doesn't know how to advance or retreat, he is too ignorant of flattery. After saluting, Liang Chongxin respectfully said: "This subordinate is defeated, thank you for your mercy, sir."

"No matter where, no matter where, we are all learning from each other, don't worry about it, we will all be brothers in the future." Wu Feng came over and shook Liang Chongxin's hand enthusiastically and said.

Seeing that Wu Feng was still very humble after winning, it was very different from the domineering appearance of other nobles he had seen. Liang Chongxin and all the soldiers were a little moved, and he had no reason to be dissatisfied. In this way, Wufeng proved his strength with facts, and his modesty and quality of victory without arrogance also won the respect of the entire team, and he quickly established prestige in the second team, and no one dared to regard him as a little child.