8. Appointment

The laborers were all refugees and strong men rounded up by the county soldiers for forced service. After interrogation, they were assigned to the camp. Captured county soldiers, once the truly wicked were weeded out, were pressed into labor, tasked with heavy work. After a month of service, their fate would be decided based on their conduct—those who wished to return home could be released, while those willing to stay were welcome.

Wang Bo had only learned through others why these official troops all carried short knives and rarely used long weapons. It turned out that the imperial workshops for arms had been in decline since the reign of Emperor Heng; the making of spearheads and halberd tips was complex and, if crafted to be sturdy, even more time-consuming. Thus, only elite frontier soldiers or main field forces were equipped en masse with long spears, broadswords, and warhorses. Even the county troops typically had half short knives; outside of city garrisons, nearly all were armed with short weapons, with no cavalry. And this was in the north, where horses were more common—the situation was even more pronounced in the south.

Wang Bo examined the short knife in his hand—a simple iron blade, sharpened on one side, with a wooden handle bound with cord for grip. The blade was thin, markedly different from the sabers he had previously confiscated.

Yang Feng brought Du Yuan and Wu Huan forward to greet Wang Bo. The two clasped their fists and declared, “We greet Chief Wang! Words cannot express our gratitude; we pledge our lives to follow you, through fire and water, without hesitation!”

“Excellent! We are brothers, no need for formality. Are your injuries severe?” Wang Bo asked.

The two replied, “Our skin is thick, the wounds are minor and not worth concern! A couple days' rest and we’ll be fine! Thank you for your concern, Chief Wang!”

Though they claimed their wounds were light, Wang Bo was shocked by what he saw: bloodied, tattered clothing barely covered any uninjured skin, with gashes still oozing blood, and whip wounds crisscrossing their bodies, reminding him of the netted black stockings seen in his previous life—though those were worn by women.

Wang Bo ordered Li Damu to apply hemostatic medicine to Du Yuan and Wu Huan, and later to have Chen Rong tend to them at the camp. He marveled at the resilience of these men of old. Then, with a wave of his hand, he commanded, “Bring forward the traitor!”

A trembling prisoner, head hung low, was brought before him.

“You betrayed the Yellow Turbans, sold out your comrades! You deserve a thousand cuts! Today, I’ll grant you swift justice. In your next life, do not become a base man!”

With a thud, the traitor fell to his knees. “Commander, spare me! I was forced! I’ll point out the conspirators to redeem myself!” He gestured toward the laborers.

Three others immediately knelt, protesting loudly, “Commander, let us explain! This villain lies; we took no part! If we deceive by so much as a fraction, let Heaven punish us!” Their heads knocked on the ground in unison.

People of old held Heaven in great reverence. Wang Bo considered their words and decided to believe the three. However, these men could not stay. If he wanted to survive in these chaotic times, he needed a loyal core; his power could not tolerate weakness. Trusted elites must be steadfast unto death. If every man surrendered at the sight of a powerful foe, they'd be better off without them. They must be killed—an example must be set!

Wang Bo snorted, “Cut off this traitor’s limbs, hang him from a tree! Such is the fate of the betrayer!”

“Understood!” Two strong men dragged the limp traitor away to carry out the sentence. Wang Bo’s gaze swept to the three, and he questioned, “When the official troops surrounded and attacked Commanders Du and Wu, what were you doing? Why are you uninjured?”

“We…we…” the three stammered, unable to answer.

“Hmph! Clearly, seeing the enemy’s strength, you lost your nerve! While others fought bravely, you are unharmed—cowards who surrendered!” Wang Bo frowned.

“We Yellow Turbans have no use for the likes of you!” He ordered the three, along with several wicked county soldiers among the prisoners, to be executed.

“Chief Wang! These three have followed me for a long time! Though they lost heart in the face of the enemy and did not resist, it’s human nature—surely forgivable! I beg—” Du Yuan, while having medicine applied, pleaded.

Wang Bo waved him off. “Commander Du, do not pity them! Our Yellow Turban brothers are loyal and fierce! Once we rebel, there’s no room for cowardice. If everyone were as cunning and death-shy as these three, how could our cause succeed? Might as well toss away our swords and let the court’s dogs slaughter us all!” He shouted to the crowd, “Brothers, having resolved to rebel against this corrupt order, we must charge forward in battle, fearless of death. If any harbor hope of escape or shrink from the enemy, let these three's fate be a warning! Even I am not exempt—any brother may strike me down!”

The crowd responded as one: “Charge ahead! Cowards shall be cut down!”

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At the post-battle assembly, Wang Bo praised Yang Feng for his brilliant cavalry tactics, celebrated Ping Han and Li Damu for their valor, and commended all brethren for their bravery—none faltered. Bear in mind, this was only the second battle for a group of recently gathered, reorganized refugees and defeated soldiers. Unlike the previous ambush, this was open combat; though they had the advantage in weapons, Wang Bo was stirred for a long time, realizing the crucial importance of arms and armor.

After the meeting, Wang Bo announced, “Brothers, go rest for now! Later, we feast! Prepare supplies, tomorrow we move to the new camp!”

The crowd was jubilant.

Xu Chu, somewhat despondent, approached. “Second Brother! I want to join the cavalry!” Wang Bo patted his shoulder and smiled, “Look at your size—can a warhorse carry you? When we find a great steed, you’ll have first pick. Besides, you’re strong, but lack battle experience compared to Eldest Brother or Eighth Brother. You should train hard, and you’ll have plenty of chances to fight.” Xu Chu left happily to seek out Yang Feng as his mentor.

The next day, after preparations, Wang Bo left the steady Zhou Xiu in charge with a dozen men at the old camp, while the rest marched to the new one.

After brief organization, Wang Bo announced military orders: separation of soldiers from laborers. Tomorrow, formal selection for combat troops—divided into spearmen, archers, swordsmen, shield bearers, cavalry, and scouts. Except for yesterday’s prisoners, all may apply.

He set strict standards—better to have too few than too many. Those chosen would receive three meals daily, with priority for meat, less labor, and focus on training. Mornings were for physical conditioning, afternoons for battle drills and combat skills.

Those not selected would be assigned to logistics or reserves, with much lower treatment.

Yang Feng was appointed deputy commander and strategist, leading cavalry and scouts.

Du Yuan served as deputy commander, leading spearmen, swordsmen, and shield bearers.

Wu Huan led archers and logistics.

Chen Rong oversaw logistics and served as medical officer.

Li Damu was chief archer; Ping Han chief cavalryman; Niu Meng chief spearman; Zhou Xiu chief swordsman; Niu Da chief archer; Niu Feihu chief scout. Chiefs for shield bearers and logistics were pending.

The remaining Wang Qi, Niu Hong, Niu Dazhuang, Niu Er, Liu Yu, and Lü Shan were squad leaders, temporarily assigned as Wang Bo’s personal guard under Xu Chu. In battle, they could be attached to any unit as deputies or law enforcers. All commanders and chiefs would be assessed monthly; the able would rise, the unfit replaced. Combat troops likewise.

Additionally, a hunting party was established for gathering, scouting, and mapping—drawn entirely from reserve troops. All future combat troops must be chosen from the hunting party. Without Wang Bo’s written order, no one without hunting experience could join the fighting force.

After announcing provisional appointments, Wang Bo rewarded those who had shown valor in the previous two battles, selecting over a dozen as deputies, with chiefs assigned where needed.

Everyone departed to prepare for the selection trials. Wang Bo kept Yang Feng, Chen Rong, and a few educated men to discuss a name for the new camp.

By midday the next day, a broad training ground was adorned with a yellow banner, fluttering in the breeze, bearing eight bold characters: “Uphold Heaven’s Mandate, Revive Han—Yellow Turbans.”

“Han Revival Camp” was the result of much deliberation. At first, Yang Feng and others had doubts, but Wang Bo explained: “The ‘Great Virtuous Teacher’ wishes to destroy the greedy officials and tyrannical gentry who oppress the people, forcing the inept court to reform, not to overthrow the Han dynasty itself. Would we call Emperor Gaozu, who founded Han’s centuries-long rule, or Emperor Wu, who drove out the Xiongnu, or the peaceful reigns of Wen and Jing, all foolish tyrants? Would the people rebel against such? Hardly—before we even started, we’d be pariahs! The Han has stood for over four hundred years, deeply rooted in hearts. By raising the banner of ‘Han Revival,’ we can win support from enlightened scholars and ambitious commoners.”

After hearing this, all gradually nodded in agreement, and objections ceased.

Leaving only necessary guards and laboring prisoners, more than four hundred men crowded together. When Wang Bo announced the trials, the cheers and shouts were thunderous.

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First was the scout selection. Wang Bo, Yang Feng, the wounded Du Yuan, Wu Huan, and Niu Feihu acted as judges. Tests included mounted combat, horsemanship, marksmanship, and foot endurance. After rigorous trials, Wang Bo shook his head with a bitter smile—only three barely qualified. He had to add Niu Meng and Niu Er to make five. Thus, a small scout team was formed, each equipped with a warhorse, a strong bow, a long spear, a short knife, three short javelins, a quiver of twenty arrows, and fine leather armor with iron helmets—the best-equipped elite force in the camp.

Next came the cavalry, barely ten men, each with a horse, long spear, short knife, longbow, leather armor, and javelins and arrows. Most commoners had never ridden, and training a proper cavalryman required time and battlefield experience to become elite. Wang Bo selected ten strong, agile men as reserves for horsemanship training.

Spearmen, archers, shield bearers, and swordsmen were each selected from the best, over ten per group. Logistics and hunting teams were simpler—anyone strong or proficient with a bow qualified, with the largest numbers. Logistics had forty men, five assigned to each combat group, with ten as the main logistics team. The hunting party, eight dozen strong, was the largest.

The remaining two hundred plus, after removing the elderly, women, children, and those still recovering, Wang Bo divided the last hundred: twenty for security, mixed with old camp guards into two teams led by Wang Qi and Niu Hong; twenty to guard the two mountain exits, led by Lü Shan and Liu Yu; sixty for other tasks, ten for messengers and sentries, the rest in logistics under Chen Rong, rotating duties and supervising prisoners.

In the end, Wang Bo found himself with only Xu Chu and Niu Dazhuang—he chuckled, then sent Niu Dazhuang to lead the logistics team, leaving himself as the lone commander. Wu Huan temporarily led the shield bearers; Wang Bo and Chen Rong managed the hunting party, divided into eight squads, with one daily training alongside the archers.

By day’s end, the framework was set and organization complete. Wang Bo, exhausted, collapsed on a hide and slept until dawn, rising with newfound energy, his previously lazy habits from his past life gradually fading.

After a simple wash, he stepped outside; over four hundred people were assembled under their team leaders, standing silently on the training ground. Wang Bo nodded with satisfaction to Yang Feng and the others, then gave the order: the whole army, divided by teams, began a slow run, startling the sleeping wildlife along the newly cleared path.

During the selection, Wang Bo noticed that despite ten days of increased meat ration, everyone’s stamina remained weak, endurance even worse—this included those who seemed strong. Ancient people lacked systematic physical training, or even awareness of it. Even soldiers were physically inadequate; otherwise, why else the saying “first charge, then decline, finally collapse”? Sustained morale requires good physical fitness. If a truly fit, battle-savvy man appeared, he’d be hailed as a “peerless general.”

After much thought, Wang Bo decided to improve the physical condition of the Han Revival Camp’s troops and populace. Based on his previous life’s experience, he decreed that, barring necessary guards, everyone must run cross-country each morning, rain or shine. Combat troops: at least twenty li; support and logistics: ten li; women and children: five li. Light load first, then heavy; slow jog, then sprint. Injured and elderly excepted. Thus began the ordeal for these newly well-fed people.

After running, there was a rest period; logistics prepared meals, combat troops cleaned weapons and fed horses. After breakfast, the hunting party went into the mountains for game and medicinal herbs; the elderly, women, and children gathered wild vegetables and firewood, each to their tasks. Only the scouts, under Niu Feihu, were considered battle-ready, sent to gather intelligence.

Soon, combat and support troops formed two teams—over two hundred men doing sit-ups, heavy lifts, and deep squats, a stirring sight. Wang Bo did not shirk, personally leading with all his strength.

Yang Feng, Xu Chu, Ping Han, Du Yuan, and Wu Huan, as supervisors, patrolled with thick rope-wrapped clubs, showing no mercy to slackers. The small medical team was ready to tend to those who fainted, handing them over to Chen Rong.

Chen Rong had far too many duties, but with so few literate men, compromise was necessary. Wang Bo, mindful of Chen’s age, assigned five men to assist him, learning medicine and accounting to ease his burden. Chen Rong, cheerful every day, quickly developed a habit of barking commands when busy. Wang Bo also taught him the Arabic numerals for bookkeeping, which amazed the old man and won his absolute loyalty—he nearly threw himself at Wang Bo every time he saw him.

Combat training included a fifteen-minute break every half hour, with reduced intensity at first to avoid injury from overexertion. Wang Bo instructed Chen Rong to prepare herbs for relieving fatigue and strengthening the body, to be used in nightly baths.

By noon, everyone was utterly exhausted. After a rest, combat troops, envied by support and logistics, devoured meat soup and wild vegetable cakes from the kitchen.

Though weary, seeing Wang Bo lead by example and never shirk, none dared complain, gritting their teeth and persevering. Xu Chu, the simple-minded brute, never blushed or gasped for breath—a worthy figure from the Three Kingdoms!