Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 175 Military Reform

The first rays of spring in the first year of Wuxing had not yet completely melted the last traces of snow under the eaves of the royal city, but the newly established "Hall of Military Preparedness" next to Chengyun Hall was already filled with an atmosphere that was both more chilling and intense than the biting cold of early spring. This was originally a side hall for storing military and armor manuals, but Chen Xing had specially set it aside as the core for discussing military strategies and promoting military reforms.

The hall was spacious, with huge, detailed maps of the northern lands, western Liang, and southern borders hanging on the walls, covered with small flags of different colors. On a rosewood table over two zhang long in the center, instead of a sand table, lay several scrolls of freshly copied silk manuscripts, along with numerous wooden tablets supplemented with illustrations. The first page of the silk manuscripts bore the four ancient seal characters: "The Military Treatise of Yue Fei (Training Chapter)."

Chen Xing sat in the main seat, having changed out of his solemn court robes and into a more practical, narrow-sleeved casual outfit. His calm gaze swept over the several people standing solemnly before him: General Chen Wei, the General Who Conquers the Barbarians; General Dian Xiong, the Queen who also commanded part of the cavalry; Murong Mingyue; and Marquis Wenxin and Minister Jia Wen, who had been specially summoned. Su Xiaoxiao was unable to attend due to her need to oversee a series of important financial and commercial matters after the start of spring, but Chen Xing had already sent her a summary of the military expenditure reform for her consideration.

"My lords," Chen Xing began, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent hall, "the Star Kingdom has been established, yet it is surrounded by powerful enemies. To the south, the alliance of feudal lords is eyeing us covetously; to the north, the Snow Wolf Clan is waiting for its chance to strike; and the newly annexed territories in the west also need to be suppressed. Our Starfire Army rose from the ranks, experienced countless battles, and is brave and valiant—this is the foundation of our existence. However, in past battles, we relied heavily on the soldiers' bravery, superior weaponry, and ingenious strategies. In large-scale army operations, there are still shortcomings in discipline, coordination, and training systems. The newly annexed troops also need reorganization and integration."

His finger lightly touched the scroll of "The Military Manual of Yue Fei": "This is a secret manual of military training left by wise generals of the past, which I have obtained by chance. I have recently studied it closely and found that its methods are systematic and comprehensive, with profound insights. It can make up for the shortcomings of our army and forge a truly disciplined and invincible 'Wu Xing' army! The reason I have summoned you all here today is to use this book as a basis to completely reform the military training methods of our Star Nation!"

Chen Wei stared intently at the scroll. As the most direct military commander, he knew that while the army was capable of fighting, as the King had said, it relied heavily on the experience and bravery of its veteran soldiers. There were indeed shortcomings in areas such as recruit training, large-scale coordination, and complex formation changes. Especially after integrating the surrendered soldiers from Xiliang and some Hu Yi followers, the army's composition was complex, with differing commands and habits, posing considerable hidden dangers. "Your Majesty," Chen Wei said, "the methods of training troops described in this book, are they truly ingenious? May I have a look?"

Chen Xing gestured. Chen Wei, Dian Xiong, and Murong Mingyue stepped forward, each picking up a copy of the scrolls or illustrated wooden tablets and carefully perusing them. Jia Wen also took a copy. Although he did not directly command the troops, as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat who oversaw all government affairs, any major changes in the army concerned the foundation of the nation, and the matters involving organization, rewards and punishments, and logistics were also related to his authority.

At first, the only sound in the room was the rustling of pages turning. But soon, heavy breathing and suppressed gasps began to fill the air.

Dian Xiong stared wide-eyed at the almost brutal training standards and combat methods in the "Strategies for Building Courage" and "Training in Skills" sections. Far from being intimidated, he was so excited that his bushy beard trembled: "Good! Good method! This is more exciting! Soldiers trained like this can take on three, no, five!"

Murong Mingyue paid particular attention to the sections on "the system of unit formation" and "essentials of cavalry warfare," especially the content on the coordination of light and heavy cavalry, mounted archery, and the control of the rhythm of the charge. Her eyes lit up as she compared it with her years of experience leading troops, and many previously unclear points suddenly became clear.

Chen Wei read through it the slowest, but also the most comprehensively. He went through everything from troop selection, organization, training, battle formations, flags and drums, rewards and punishments… his expression growing increasingly solemn and excited. This wasn't just a military treatise; it was practically a complete operational manual tailor-made for building the world's strongest army! Many areas where he had previously vaguely sensed problems but didn't know how to systematically improve had clear and feasible solutions here!

Jia Wen stroked his beard, his gaze lingering on the "Regulations for Rewards and Punishments" and the "Planning for Provisions" for a long time. He glanced at the relevant organizational and personnel data, quickly calculating in his mind the potential increase in military expenditure due to the implementation of this law, and how to coordinate with Su Xiaoxiao's inner court to ensure its provision. At the same time, he also keenly realized that this rigorous system of organization and rewards and punishments would greatly strengthen the royal power's control over the army and reduce the possibility of generals turning their armies into private forces.

After a long silence, Chen Wei put down the book in his hand, took a deep breath, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Xing: "Your Majesty! This will... is truly a divine gift! If we follow this method and persevere, in less than three years, our Xing Kingdom's army will be completely transformed, and its combat power will double! I implore Your Majesty to implement it immediately!"

"This humble general seconds it!" Dian Xiong roared immediately, "My elite Trapped Battalion will be the first to train this way!"

Murong Mingyue nodded and said, "Your Majesty, this method can indeed make up for many of our army's shortcomings. In particular, our cavalry, which is a mixture of Han and non-Han peoples, needs such a strict and unified training method so that they can be used as limbs."

Jia Wen pondered for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, General Chen’s words are true. However, the implementation of this law is of great importance. First, we need to select capable generals to form a ‘Training General Office’ to be in charge of this matter, led by Your Majesty or by a senior minister. Second, we need to formulate detailed implementation steps, and we cannot rush it to avoid causing chaos. I suggest that we first select one or two elite troops as pilot units, such as General Dian’s elite battalion or some of the Queen’s cavalry, to train them according to the new law, observe their effectiveness, summarize the experience, and then gradually promote it to the entire army. Third, the new law has new requirements for weapons, provisions, clothing, and even camps, which require close coordination with the Imperial Household Department, the Military Works Department, and local governments.”

Chen Xing nodded in satisfaction. Jia Wen was indeed a shrewd and experienced strategist, with thorough consideration for the country. "Wenhe's words are quite right. Reforms cannot be rushed, nor can they be carried out in a chaotic manner. Let's proceed with this proposal."

He stood up, walked to the huge map, and said with sharp eyes: "Effective immediately, the 'Wuxing Military Training Headquarters' shall be established, with Chen Wei concurrently serving as the head of the headquarters, Dian Xiong and Murong Mingyue as deputies, and Jia Wen assisting in logistics coordination. First, in accordance with the 'Methods for Selecting Soldiers' in the will, the personnel of each army shall be re-evaluated, the weak shall be eliminated and the strong shall be retained, and vacancies shall be filled, with particular emphasis on the selection and training of junior officers."

"Secondly, we will use the Trapped Camp and a unit of the Queen's 'Flying Feather Cavalry' as pilot projects, strictly adhering to the newly established 'Unit System,' 'Skill Training,' and 'Courage Building Strategies.' Dianxiong and Mingyue, you two must personally supervise the training, recording daily training details, soldier reactions, and difficulties encountered, and report to the General Headquarters and the General Staff every ten days!"

"Thirdly," Chen Xing looked at Chen Wei and Jia Wen, "the General Administration should take the lead, together with the Grand Council, the Imperial Household Department, and the Military Works Battalion, to formulate a unified standard for the entire army's weaponry, uniforms, camp planning, and new draft regulations on pay and rewards and punishments, based on the requirements of the will and the pilot program, and submit them to the Emperor for approval. The drafts should be detailed and feasible."

"Fourth, Jia Wen, with the assistance of the Censorate, will be in charge of disseminating the essentials of the new laws within the army, emphasizing the military discipline of 'rather freeze to death than dismantle a house, rather starve to death than loot,' setting examples and severely punishing those who disobey orders. It is imperative that the soldiers understand that this reform is not intended to be harsh, but rather to forge an iron army to protect the country and open up wider paths for individuals to achieve merit and success!"

The instructions were clear and unambiguous, and everyone solemnly agreed.

"Reform will inevitably encounter resistance, discomfort, and complaints," Chen Xing concluded solemnly. "However, there is no other way to build a strong military. I hope all of you will work together to break with the old and establish the new! Anyone who outwardly complies but inwardly opposes or obstructs reform, regardless of rank, will be severely punished! My determination in this matter is as clear as day!"

"Your Majesty, we obey! We will not fail in your trust!" The crowd responded in unison, their eyes burning with excitement.

In the spring of the first year of the Xing Kingdom's Wuxing era, the military reform strategy established within the "Wubei Hall" was unveiled. Soon, the training grounds outside the royal city and the training camps surrounding Xinghuo Fortress resounded with commands, drills, and shouts of combat—a sound far more rigorous yet more systematic than before. A brand-new, sharp blade, forged according to the "Wumu's Legacy," began to quietly take shape in the spring breeze of the north.