"My lord."
「Five days later.」
Zhang Baofu led the three Captains—Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Zhou Kun—along with twenty Centurions to meet with Chu Lingguang.
THUMP!
Chu Lingguang threw a book down in front of Zhang Baofu and the others.
It was a copy of the military regulations issued by the Court, which detailed the required skill levels corresponding to each rank and position.
The Court’s system was strict. It was difficult for an ordinary person to be promoted without the corresponding level of skill, unless they held an official title or had achieved great merit.
Otherwise, even if they earned the favor of a superior officer, their highest possible rank would be Captain.
After all, Xuanyuan Jinkang, a Military Scholar, had also started his career as a Captain.
"Tell me, how many of you actually possess the skills required for your ranks? If I were to report this to the Lord Governor, what do you think he would do to you?"
Chu Lingguang demanded.
"My lord, the men and I will follow your every command. We are your men,"
Captain Zhou Kun said fawningly.
"Yes, my lord! We are willing to serve you hand and foot."
"Please, my lord, be merciful."
The crowd of Centurions pleaded.
After five days of inspection, Chu Lingguang had discovered that these Centurions were not only old loafers, but their skills were also subpar. The troops they led had abysmal combat effectiveness and would collapse at the first sign of conflict. ’How are troops like these supposed to fight pirates? How can they protect the shipping lanes around Black Bear Island?’
"If I spare you, how will I answer to the common people? When you encounter pirates, what use are a bunch of worthless gluttons like you?"
Chu Lingguang said angrily.
"Lord Chu, the men have endured the wind and sun for years. Even if they have no merits, they have worked hard. Please give them a chance to turn over a new leaf. They will definitely show you results,"
Zhang Baofu said hurriedly.
"Hmph. For Lord Zhang’s sake, I will give you one chance. From this moment on, I want you to train your troops rigorously, lead by example, and strive to improve your own skills. If anyone dares to slack off, they will be executed without mercy!"
Chu Lingguang commanded.
"Yes! Thank you for your mercy, my lord!"
The crowd of Centurions kowtowed.
"As for the three of you..."
Chu Lingguang looked at Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Zhou Kun. All three were Captains and had started as Martial Arts Scholars. They once had promising futures, but ever since coming to Black Bear Island, they had lost all ambition.
They had become lost in a life of debauchery, and their Martial Arts had grown rusty.
"Lord Chu, we are willing to obey your orders."
Seeing that Zhang Baofu remained silent, the three of them knew the tide had turned and spoke in a panic.
"Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. I’m giving you one month. I want to see everyone completely transformed, and all of Black Bear Island turned upside down. Otherwise, the three of you will be dealt with according to military law,"
Chu Lingguang warned.
"Yes, sir,"
the three said in unison. They then took their leave together. At the doorway, they all shook their heads and sighed.
Only Chu Lingguang, Zhang Baofu, and Xuanyuan Jinkang remained in the room.
"Lord Zhang, this contains my personal notes and insights on cultivation. I hope it can help you with your training."
Chu Lingguang took a thick notebook from within his robes.
"Thank you, Lord Chu."
Zhang Baofu accepted it with both hands.
"Don’t forget our agreement,"
Chu Lingguang reminded him.
"Rest assured, Lord Chu. You were right the other day. A man lives for his pride. If I continue to just get by, after you leave, the higher-ups might just send someone else over,"
Zhang Baofu said meaningfully.
He had now made up his mind to fully support Chu Lingguang, restore military discipline, transform Black Bear Island, and make the pirates tremble in fear at the mere mention of their name.
Aside from the deterrent effect of Eunuch Liu, the main reason for this was that Chu Lingguang, following Eunuch Liu’s advice, had met with Zhang Baofu privately. He told Zhang Baofu that both he and Xuanyuan Jinkang were only on Black Bear Island to burnish their reputations. They wouldn’t be staying long and only wanted to build a record of achievements here.
If Zhang Baofu cooperated fully, then after Chu Lingguang stepped down, he would recommend to Liu Ziyun that Zhang Baofu be made the next Island Master.
Therefore, if the entire army was reformed and its combat power skyrocketed, Zhang Baofu would be a beneficiary in the future as well.
Eunuch Liu called this a strategy of combining kindness with force.
"As long as you understand."
Chu Lingguang nodded in satisfaction.
And so, the people of Black Bear Island saw that ever since Chu Lingguang took office, the island’s soldiers no longer extorted merchant ships at the port or caused trouble on the island as they had before.
Under the strict military discipline, although most of the soldiers grumbled, the overall situation was developing for the better. The old loafers who used to slack off gradually changed their ways. Those who couldn’t adapt were discharged from the army and replaced with fresh blood.
WHOOSH!
"This is how you practice the spear!"
「In the Martial Arts Arena.」
Chu Lingguang demonstrated the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, personally leading the troops in their spear practice and even teaching them Martial Arts related to the spear.
BOOM!
These men had never seen a Military Scholar perform with a spear, let alone teach them how to practice their Spear Technique more effectively. If they didn’t understand something, they could ask Chu Lingguang directly, and he would answer each question one by one.
In an instant, the Martial Arts Arena became incredibly lively.
The news that Chu Lingguang was personally training the troops, guiding soldiers in their Spear Technique, and even teaching them the art of Breathing and Exhaling spread throughout Black Bear Island, eventually reaching Liu Ziyun.
Men enlisted in the army to make a name for themselves.
Who wouldn’t want to be recognized and mentored?
Soon, talented young men from all over the island were flocking to enlist. The lazy old loafers were replaced one by one, and those who hadn’t been replaced yet completely changed their attitudes, practicing their Spear Technique with the same fighting spirit as new recruits.
"The key to this Underwater Breathing Technique lies in resonating with your pores. And the key to resonating is to first get a response from them, to feel as if every pore is like your own nose, able to breathe involuntarily."