Men of Yunmeng Cherish Mighty Ambitions

The makeshift drill ground was buzzing with noise.

Lu Jin had Shen Luo and Shen Yang carefully select two hundred men from the total of three hundred. These men were broken up, reorganized, and re-divided into two hundred-man squads.

Breaking them up was a necessary step; otherwise, the roots of division and differing loyalties would be planted right at the start.

"Shen Luo, Shen Yang, have everyone line up according to the squads you've assigned!"

"Lu Da, Shi Jin!" Lu Jin shouted at the top of his lungs, his mouth still curved in disbelief even after he finished yelling. What kind of bizarre names were these anyway?!

"Here!"

"The two of you assist these two squads and get them lined up using the training method I taught earlier."

"Understood!" The two former water bandits snapped to attention.

After a short while, the previously chaotic crowd finally formed relatively neat formations, though it was still quite crude.

"Second Chief, the formations are organized," Shen Luo reported.

"Lu Da, show Squad Leader Shen how it's done!" Lu Jin called out to Lu Da.

"You got it, Second Chief, just a moment," Lu Da chuckled.

Lu Da was a thin and diminutive fellow; heaven knows how he managed to snag the name Lu Da. Truly, these people were all one-of-a-kind characters.

Shen Luo was somewhat puzzled. Did a soldier of the Shen family estate really need a water bandit to show him how to drill?

Yet, very shortly, Shen Luo was stunned.

That very same Lu Da, who had been grinning just moments before, sprinted a few paces to the front of the formation, straightened his body, snapped to attention, and wore a look of utter solemnity.

Then, clenching both fists, bending his arms forward, and moving his feet with light, rhythmic steps, he jogged toward Lu Jin.

When he reached a spot a few meters away from Lu Jin, Lu Da suddenly halted, his limbs snapping back into place like bamboo joints to form a crisp position of attention.

"Reporting to the Second Chief, the formation has been assembled, awaiting your instructions!" Lu Da delivered a sharp military salute with a crisp slap.

Both Shen Luo and Shen Yang stared in absolute astonishment. What on earth was this? Who exactly were the water bandits here?

Lu Jin felt a sense of gratification. Even though he had merely taught them by rote parroting a few days ago, they hadn't forgotten. Of course, by modern standards, the precision of Lu Da's movements was still a hundred thousand miles away from perfection. But Lu Jin was already well satisfied.

Some people might find this form of training useless, while others deemed it effective. However, Lu Jin believed that such regulations were exceptionally beneficial for cultivating discipline, execution, and cohesion within a force.

In the cultivation of an army, discipline held the primary position. Other specific combat capabilities were not unimportant, but none surpassed discipline. An undisciplined army was the nightmare of countless households, and Lu Jin would never allow such a situation to occur.

"At ease, return to your ranks!" Lu Jin returned the salute with a respectable military posture.

Yet, because of the colorful, chaotic attire worn by the former water bandits and the fact that few of them possessed presentable features, the scene would have appeared rather comical to anyone from the modern era. An outsider might have mistaken it for a theatrical performance.

None of that mattered, however. What was being trained was willpower, not uniforms. Besides, milk would come, and bread would come too.

"Shen Luo, Shen Yang, get back to the front of your respective squads and stand at attention!" Lu Jin called out to the dazed Shen Luo.

"Greetings, everyone!" Lu Jin walked over to a mound of earth and stood firmly upon it.

"Greetings, Second Chief!" A scattered chorus of voices replied.

"Greetings, everyone!" Lu Jin raised his voice once more.

"Greetings, Second Chief!" This time, the momentum shook the heavens!

"Listen to me for a moment first. Last night, I should have met most of you. But today is different; you have been selected from the original three hundred brothers. So why were you chosen? Xu Eryiu, you tell us!"

"Because I'm strong!" Xu Eryiu roared like a bull.

"Then why did being strong mean we had to choose you?" Lu Jin asked with a helpless sigh, pressing further.

"Because I'm strong!" Xu Eryiu roared again.

Lu Jin was left speechless. Were you stuck on a broken loop here?

"Shi Jin, you tell us!" A helpless Lu Jin had no choice but to pick someone else.

"Reporting to the Second Chief, because I'm the best fighter!"

"Well said!" Lu Jin shouted loudly. He somewhat missed having a gavel; the atmosphere would have been fully charged. Why did everything feel lacking in momentum right now?

"We chose the two hundred of you from three hundred men not because you can eat, nor because you are handsome, but because you can fight better than the rest, and you dare to fight!"

"You will form the most valiant unit of the Lanjiang Water Gang—the Lanjiang Naval Force!" Lu Jin's face was solemn, his eyes like sharp swords.

"The Lanjiang Water Gang will provide you with the finest food so you can eat your fill; we will give you the best environment so you can sleep soundly; and we will grant you the greatest rewards so you have coin in your purse and pride on your face!"

"However, every single member of the Lanjiang Naval Force must know and engrave this firmly in your hearts: you have only one objective—wherever the signal flag points, you shall charge forward unopposed, victorious in every battle, and conquer every objective!"

"Do you understand or not? Repeat the objective back to me!"

"Lanjiang Naval Force! Wherever the signal flag points, charge forward unopposed, victorious in every battle, conquer every objective!" The Shen family soldiers and veteran bandits led the roar.

"Lanjiang Naval Force! Wherever the signal flag points, charge forward unopposed, victorious in every battle, conquer every objective!" A unified momentum was forged.

"Good, we understand our objective. That is wonderful, but it is not enough. The most formidable fighting force relies not only on lofty goals but also on iron-blooded discipline."

"Before I clarify the articles of discipline, let me introduce someone to you all."

"Anu!" Lu Jin called out in a high voice.

"Here!" Anu's face was solemn, his posture as straight as a pine! He was several notches higher than Lu Da's half-baked attempt.

"This is your future Provost Marshal—Anu!"

Everyone stared at Anu in stunned silence. Wasn't this just the kid who had been trailing behind the Second Chief all this time? How could someone so small be appointed as a Provost Marshal?

Despite their inner doubts, no one dared to cause trouble. The Shen family soldiers naturally wouldn't embarrass their master's prospective husband, and as for the water bandits, Lu Jin's authority among them was well established.

Lu Jin hadn't chosen Anu on a whim. Anu had a pure disposition and was part of his core inner circle, so there was no fear of corruption or favoritism in law enforcement. Moreover, he possessed martial arts skills and a ruthless temperament; though he had only trained for a few months, dealing with a bunch of water bandits was more than enough.

"Next, I will state the discipline of our Lanjiang Naval Force. There are not many rules, but you must remember every single word. Military law is merciless; whoever dares to violate it will not be spared, not even by the King of Heaven!" With two hundred loyal soldiers in hand, Lu Jin had no fear of losing control over the troops.

"Rule One: Obey all commands in every action!"

"Rule Two: When the signal flag waves, anyone who retreats without authorization shall be executed without mercy! Anyone who hesitates shall be executed without mercy! Anyone who undermines troop morale shall be executed without mercy!"

"Rule Three: Do not oppress the common people, do not bully women and children!"

...

"Rule Eight: All captured spoils must be turned over to the public!"

A total of eight rules, especially those carrying the penalty of execution without mercy, left the water bandits trembling with dread. How could being a water bandit come with such harsh terms?

Nie Wuci, who had been standing at the back claiming to protect Lu Jin, glowed with admiration. Watching the man on the high platform, full of spirit and matching the grandeur of rivers and mountains, Nie Wuci felt her heart swell with delight. This was the man she had chosen!

He was the kind and affectionate Young Master Lu who had set her sisters free at the Lanjiang Wharf; he was the knowledgeable Teacher Lu who lectured the children in the Creek Garden; and he was even this Second Chief who commanded the presence of a veteran victorious general right in the den of water bandits. Above all, he was that Jiang Scholar who could still deliberately protect women and children in times like these.

Of course, he was also that same Lu Nanqing, who possessed lethal weapons yet lacked the courage to approach her!

Just how many facets did he truly have? Nie Wuci had never imagined a single person could possess so many sides, yet every single one of them left her utterly captivated.

Lu Jin, currently delivering his passionate speech, suddenly felt a chilly draft on his back and hastily shifted his position.

"The eight rules have been announced. From this moment on, everyone must keep them firmly in mind. Our brothers come from diverse backgrounds; some may understand them immediately, while others might not even grasp the meaning of the contents. But it doesn't matter. Anu will explain every rule to each of you in the days to come. You will also be given a buffer period to accept them. However, starting tomorrow night, under military law, there will be no exceptions! Is that clear?"

"Understood clearly!" Whether they understood or not, everyone shouted anyway.

Lu Jin rambled on for a few more minutes, then instructed the veteran bandits to act as pacesetters to organize everyone for training, which primarily focused on raising discipline and morale. Shen Luo and Shen Yang managed and learned at the same time, marveling that their young master possessed such professional methods of troop training.

For the next two days, Lu Jin planned to spend half the time boosting morale and studying discipline. The other half would be led by Shen Luo and Shen Yang to teach everyone genuine combat skills.

"Alright, Shen Yang, continue leading everyone in training according to this method. I'm going to go check on the condition of the vessels."

"Understood, Second Chief."

Observing the scene before him, Lu Jin's thoughts drifted elsewhere. Could he use this as a standard to completely overhaul the Shen family soldiers? Forget it; there were simply too many matters at hand; he would think about it later.

A time traveler in this ancient era often found themselves mired in an endless sea of tasks, simply because there was too much that needed to be done and too much that was unacceptable.

"Yuanfang, how are your archery skills?" Lu Jin asked as he walked. He had noticed that the Shen family soldiers were equipped not only with sabers but also with bows and arrows—they were truly well-provisioned.

Thus, Lu Jin felt even more cautious. If he managed to capsize this aircraft carrier, he would truly have nowhere to show his face.

"Average. Originally, I mainly studied the sword."

"What about Wuci?" Lu Jin turned his head to ask.

"I am the descendant of a military general, what do you think?" Nie Wuci perked up at the mention of this.

"Hmm, if we go out to fight these days, bring the bows and arrows along just in case they come in handy."

"I'll just use my flying daggers!" Yuanfang said calmly.

Fine, you're the one who knows how to put on airs!

"You're going to battle too?" Nie Wuci asked in shock. Why would a delicate scholar go to war? Wouldn't it be better to stay put and wait safely? If you have time, you could just act the way you did a moment ago.

"Of course. If I stand up there and talk a big game, yet don't even dare to go myself, how could I ever command respect?"

"Swords and spears have no eyes! You don't know anything, so why are you sticking your nose into the excitement?" Nie Wuci blurted out anxiously.

"Wuci, watch your words. What do you mean I don't know anything? Do you think I have nothing to show for myself? Besides, aren't you guys here to protect me? Or are you just some decorative ornament?" Lu Jin asked, baffled.

"You..." Nie Wuci was choked with anger. She genuinely wanted to draw her sword and strike this infuriating man. What did he mean by calling her a decorative ornament? Come on and try to decorate with her then!

"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing. Short of absolute necessity, I certainly won't make a move." Lu Jin valued his life dearly.

"Brother, what is the condition of these boats?" Reaching the riverbank, Lu Jin sought out Lu Wei.

"Though a few boats sustained some damage, it's nothing major. We can patch them up and they'll be usable."

Watching the water bandits patch up the boats, Lu Jin's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Are you certain this qualifies as ship repair?

"Brother, don't we have any craftsmen here?" Lu Jin asked, puzzled.

"With just this handful of people, we can't afford to be picky. We did have a few fellows who knew carpentry, but they all went and kicked the bucket," Lu Wei said helplessly.

"If we want to accomplish great things, these craftsmen are exceptionally important. In the future, we must attach great importance to this aspect. To be self-reliant, we cannot lack craftsmen; every single sector requires them."

"What brother says makes sense. I think we can set up a craftsman unit and specifically have Fourth Brother lead them to handle our logistics."

"I think that works. Fourth Brother, what do your own thoughts say?" Truth be told, Lu Jin didn't particularly favor Xu Chong.

It wasn't that Xu Chong had any glaring faults right now. Rather, in Lu Jin's view, someone with a background as a minor clerical official tended to have the most calculating mind. And logistics were vitally important. Setting aside dropping the ball at a critical moment, mere embezzlement and corruption would be unbearable. Yet for the moment, he couldn't disregard his elder brother's face, nor were there any other candidates available.

"I'll listen to Big Brother and you." Having received guidance from the elder brother, Xu Chong had come to understand the situation. Since Lu Jin was to be the leader from now on, rather than rushing to the front lines and risking his life, managing logistics seemed rather decent. If they truly succeeded in the future, he wouldn't stand out too much, but he wouldn't be left behind either.

"Very well, since that's settled, I'll have to trouble Fourth Brother to shoulder this entire burden of logistics. However, Big Brother and Fourth Brother both understand my character. As brothers together, I'll state this plainly: it's not easy for us to gather here. As long as you brothers hold up your end toward me and Big Brother, I will certainly not let you down."

"Fourth Brother, you must remember these words. What we brothers value together is the principle of righteousness. Fighting and dying together is fine, but don't let things go awry over petty details." How could Lu Wei fail to understand the implication behind Lu Jin's words? Besides, this brother of his might genuinely harbor thoughts he shouldn't have.

"Big Brother and Second Chief, rest assured, I know what I'm doing in my heart."

"Oh right, Fourth Brother, organize those women as well. We Jianghu folk don't bother with that whole routine of men working outside and women staying indoors. Every single person is a share of strength. Put them to work cooking, growing vegetables, sewing clothes, and washing garments for everyone. Of course, once we gain profits, we mustn't skimp on them; divide things up as they are due," Lu Jin added.

"Understood, I've noted all these matters down."

"Big Brother, I have another matter to discuss with you. I think we need to go take a look in person this afternoon. The brothers are participating in something like this for the very first time; without seeing it with their own eyes, they won't feel secure in their hearts."

"Very well, I'll accompany you to take a look this afternoon," Lu Wei agreed upon reflection.

-----------------

Time flew by. By the *Shen* period in the afternoon, two small boats quietly slipped away from the bank and rowed southeastward.

As the *You* period arrived, the sky gradually darkened, and the vessels reached their predetermined destination. They rendezvoused with the water gang brothers who had been stationed there to keep watch.

Were it not for the surrounding shallows densely choked with water weeds, hiding would have been truly difficult. Unlike their chosen Qingshan Island, which lay completely exposed to view, offering both advantages and distinct drawbacks.

"Where is their lair located?" Lu Jin asked.

"Right over that way, but it's too far to see."

Lu Jin was rendered speechless. Then why on earth were you guys setting up an ambush here for crying out loud?

Lu Jin wanted to stand up for a better look, but the moment he made a move to rise, a water gang brother pulled him back down by his sleeve.

"Second Chief, you can't stand up. Do you see that small island in the middle? The one with boats moored along the edge? There are people stationed on that islet. They and the spot at the opposite entrance act as each other's hidden sentries. The moment there's any movement, they can signal each other."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!" Lu Jin rebuked angrily. He had originally thought there was only a single entrance, but looking far ahead, things clearly weren't so simple. As expected, the enemy wasn't completely brainless either.

Judging by the current situation, the northern and southern passage routes should each have two observation posts—one guarding the entrance and another positioned further out.

Lu Jin's current dilemma was whether to eliminate the observation posts. Not only was the difficulty high, but figuring out how to handle communications afterward would also be troublesome.

Alternatively, he could ignore these outposts altogether and have the main force crush them directly from both the northern and southern directions. Whatever sentries they had could just be wiped out on the spot.

Lu Jin fell into deep deliberation.