Cheng Chu Mo felt like his climax had been interrupted.
His face was etched with displeasure.
He had traveled all this way just to show off.
But the result was...!
This was not what he had imagined at all!
In the training ground, three thousand new recruits had been training for some time.
Fang Er decided to conduct a surprise inspection!
He had them halt their training and assemble in the middle of the training ground.
"Young Master, they've only been training for half a month, and now we're going to have an assessment?"
"Assess them!"
Fang Er stated with certainty.
The three thousand new recruits were gathered together.
Fang Er stood on a high platform, facing them.
"You have been training for more than half a month, and now I need to assess your training results!
Are you ready?"
"Ready!"
The three thousand men replied in unison.
They had experienced this kind of assembly and questioning too many times.
"Very well! The First Battalion will go first! The others, prepare yourselves!"
Zhu Zi led his First Battalion, standing still.
The assessment content included their usual training subjects.
Drill, physical fitness, tactics, first aid, shooting, and grenade throwing.
Fang Er, holding a small notebook, was scoring these new recruits.
At the same time, he was also keeping an eye out for any promising talents among these new recruits.
After all, there were three thousand men, plus the original five hundred guards, making it thirty-five hundred men.
A large number of commanding officers were needed.
The assessment of the three thousand men lasted a full two days.
Fang Er also kept Cheng Chu Mo for two days.
He wanted him to observe his method of training soldiers and learn from it, which could be useful when he led his own troops in the future.
Unexpectedly.
The two days of assessment had worn away the slightest bit of complacency and pride in Cheng Chu Mo's heart.
The three thousand new recruits, plus the five hundred guards, were divided into five battalions, each with seven hundred men.
The performance of any of these battalions made Cheng Chu Mo feel inferior.
Hundreds of men moved in perfect unison.
For drill, they stood for at least half an hour!
For physical fitness, they ran five laps around the nearly kilometer-long training ground without anyone falling behind.
In terms of tactics, their formation shooting was flawless, leaving him with no room for criticism.
He didn't understand battlefield first aid, but he knew its importance on the battlefield, as it could greatly reduce combat casualties.
As for shooting, since Fang Er had pre-packaged ammunition and they could shoot as much as they wanted!
Therefore, there was no comparison in terms of accuracy.
The average score was between the fifth and sixth rings!
This score, compared to soldiers of later generations, was not even a hair's breadth.
But remember, these men had only been training for more than half a month, not even twenty days!
As for grenade throwing.
It was simply laughable.
Fang Er provided the new recruits with three meals a day, with at least one meat dish every day!
Their physical fitness improved rapidly!
Compared to when they first arrived, they changed dramatically every day!
In his opinion, even the worst battalion among these five was far better than the hundred men he had originally led.
Yet, even with this!
Sun Zhou was still thoroughly berated by Fang Er.
He was directly sent to the Huishan Cement Kiln to take over the defense from Li Da Niu.
Similarly, among the thirty-five hundred men.
Fang Er selected thirty elite soldiers!
Their shooting accuracy generally reached eight rings or above.
This indicated that their shooting talent was undeniable.
Furthermore, their physical fitness and tactical skills were also not bad.
These thirty men were individually formed into a bayonet squad by Fang Er!
The name Fang Family Guard was no longer suitable.
For the remaining three thousand-plus men, Fang Er gave them a designation: the Heavenly Fire Army!
This meant that this army would be primarily equipped with firearms.
Fang Er himself was naturally the general of the Heavenly Fire Army.
The five battalions remained unchanged.
Additionally, under each battalion, companies were established, with one hundred men per company.
Each company was divided into two platoons, each with fifty men.
Each platoon was organized into five squads, each squad consisting of ten men.
All of this was done according to the current military structure of the Tang Dynasty.
The Heavenly Fire Army was officially formed.
Fang Er specially had a military flag made.
A red flag with a blazing flame embroidered on it!
For the thirty-man bayonet squad, Fang Er personally designed their insignias.
A black circular insignia, with gold edging, and a gleaming bayonet in the center!
As Fang Er personally pinned the insignia onto their chests.
The eyes of the thirty men turned red with excitement.
At this moment, they felt that all the hardships and weariness they had endured these past days were worth it!
Moreover, what excited them even more was.
Fang Er announced the treatment for the Heavenly Fire Army and the bayonet squad!
For the Heavenly Fire Army, ordinary soldiers would receive five hundred copper coins per month, squad leaders seven hundred coins, platoon leaders one string of coins, company commanders one string and five hundred coins, and battalion commanders two strings of coins!
For the bayonet squad, the captain would receive two strings of coins, and the ordinary members one string and five hundred coins!
When Fang Er spoke these words, all the Heavenly Fire Army soldiers looked at the bayonet squad with envy.
"You can be envious, but don't forget to work hard! The members of the bayonet squad are not fixed!
Every month, there will be a competition, and you can challenge any member of the bayonet squad at will!
The victor will swap positions with the challenged bayonet squad member!
So, keep striving! I look forward to your performance!"
The Heavenly Fire Army saw hope for advancement, and at the same time, the bayonet squad felt immense pressure!
This was precisely what Fang Er desired.
Without competition, where would progress come from!
Soldiers must never be content with the status quo!
They must always be prepared!