Mythical Three Kingdoms

Li Youu glanced at Li Jue's nephew and said to the people below, "It's a good thing to know what's hot; next year's battles will depend on you. If any retreat in the face of unfavorable battles..."

"Let's not consider that we would face unfavorable battles. If such a situation arises, I'll behead that person myself, and then present my own head to the strategist!" Hu Feng shouted.

"Very good." Li Youu said coldly, looking at Hu Feng, "As soldiers, what you must do is kill the enemy, use your martial force to crush all enemies before you, any enemy blocking you is an honor to you, all are spoils of war!"

"Roar!" All the soldiers in the camp shouted loudly.

"You are the sharpest blade under heaven; you have the right to receive the highest stipend, the right to seize the spoils of war that belong to you. These are what you deserve. In exchange, you must fight for the nation behind you!" Li Youu's cool voice echoed throughout the camp.

Once upon a time, when he was still Li Ru, it wasn't for the nation that he fought, but because Dong Zhuo spoke the words to fight for him, to fight for Dong Zhuo!

This was the belief of the Xiliang Soldiers at that time, regardless of whether it was right or wrong. Back then, the Xiliang Soldiers indeed received the highest stipends among all same-level positions under Dong Zhuo's command. Even though Dong Zhuo was so poor that he almost couldn't pay the stipends, he never shorted them.

Therefore, the Xiliang Soldiers staunchly supported Dong Zhuo. Their belief was far stronger than armies of other Feudal Lords; they knew clearly for whom they fought—specifically for Dong Zhuo. Thus, at that time, the Xiliang Soldiers had exceptionally strong combat power.

Strong to the extent that after undergoing self-abusive level training, and after Li Ru bestowed upon these soldiers the belief to protect Dong Zhuo, these soldiers, who already had nearly completely unified beliefs, directly possessed the Military Spirit, becoming Dong Zhuo's Flying Bear Army.

Afterward, when Dong Zhuo was gone, the Xiliang Soldiers who fought for Dong Zhuo no longer had a unified will, but now Li Youu has once again bestowed a unified will to the Xiliang Soldiers.

"In exchange, you must use your lives to fight for the nation behind you!" Li Youu repeated again.

After seeing the world map, many thoughts appeared in Li Youu's mind. After reviewing classic books and gathering intelligence, countries like Parthia, Great Qin, and Cheshi that had connections were marked one by one on the map in Li Youu's mind.

These are threats, regardless of their strength or weakness, they are threats because, coming from the harsh land of Xiliang, Li Youu has a profound understanding of physical quality and will.

Ample Huaxia, choosing men with excellent physical quality for soldiers is simple. Among millions of fine men, choosing a million strong and robust males is very easy, but merely having strong muscles without a corresponding will is still worthless.

Back then, when the Eight Schools of the West Garden were established, those chose were the finest men under the heaven, all nearly eight feet tall, trained for several years yet easily defeated by the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

It was no longer just a difference in physical quality but a disparity in combat will. Without that kind of will, no matter how tall and strong they grew, they were merely dough that could be kneaded at will.

As the spine supporting people, if the spiritual will is worn out, what remains is just a pile of flesh; living only to await death is utterly ridiculous.

Therefore, an excellent army must not only have a strong body but, more importantly, a will that can support them in battle!

Why they fight asks not only the soldiers themselves but also the existence's meaning of this army and the maximum battle loss this army can endure.

"Wen Ru, are you certain they can understand?" Chen Xi quietly transmitted a voice behind Li Youu.

"That's all I want to tell you. Those willing to fight for the nation, stand in place." Li Youu said to the soldiers below, all the soldiers remained unmoved, as if everyone agreed with Li Youu's proposition.

In this manner of questioning, if it were to move forward if willing, few would probably take a step, causing chaos and hesitation aplenty at the same time.

"Very good!" Li Youu said to all the generals, "As the elite troops protecting the nation, you do not fight for one person, you fight for the nation, you need more training, Hu Feng, Li Meng, Wang Fang, Hu Zhen, Duan Wei, are you here!"

"Present!" Hu Feng, Li Meng, and the others all shouted; the present combat power of the Xiliang Soldiers owed much to Li Youu's training in those years.

"From this day forth, the entire army will engage in practical combat training and hundred-strong real combat drills!" Li Youu ordered to the five men.

Hu Feng and the others immediately divided their teams into five regions, donned armor, grabbed weapons, and charged out of the camp, at once beginning to run around the camp.

"What's this?" Chen Xi watched as the Xiliang Soldiers, en masse, ran out and asked somewhat puzzled, "By the way, are you sure the Xiliang Soldiers understood what you said?"

"Firstly conduct armored running for thirty li, which is approximately the exploration distance of enemy scouts; after the raid, archers make use of not-so-sharp retrieved arrows to shoot, while the infantry engages in on-site melee, naturally, they mainly use round-headed wooden spears," Li Youu turned and said to Chen Xi, "It's a method frequently used in the past."

"When the remaining troops on all five sides are not much, we engage in live-blade live-gun warfare exercises." Without waiting for Chen Xi to feel that Li Youu was humane, Li Youu extinguished any humanity.

"As for you mentioned, whether they understand or not," Li Youu looked at Chen Xi with an indifferent expression, "There's no need for them to understand, as long as they know we do not owe them anything, that's sufficient, making them feel indebted to us would be even better."

"Isn't this inappropriate?" Chen Xi touched his nose and said.

"What's inappropriate about it?" Li Youu scoffed, "Everyone has a scale in their heart, grant them rewards on what they feel acceptable, they'll have enough reason to fight to the death, a liter kind produces generous favors, a dou kind induces resentment, letting them willingly fight is stronger than driving them with benefits."

"Are you saying I gave too much?" Chen Xi furrowed his brows and said.

"It's not that, it's just that the way you give is incorrect!" Li Youu shook his head and said, "You are also using kindness to gain loyalty, but what you give is too much, don't let them feel it's taken for granted; things too easily obtained aren't cherished, that's also why I'm withholding the publication of the household registry and military system."

"You mean not to treat everyone the same, not to have a one-size-fits-all approach, even if the capability exists now, we must let the soldiers and the common people show their value before they can receive the upcoming benefits?" Chen Xi pinched his temples and said.

"Yes, the classification into different grades is the source offering ordinary people the incentive to progress; this realization dawned on me when I saw the Xiliang Soldiers again, the remaining matters we need to implement step by step!" Li Youu said with utmost solemnity. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets; your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)