Chapter 3: New Recruit Assessment
1490 Words
[Ding, mission issued: Compete for the strongest new recruit. For each higher ranking, you will receive a system reward.]
The system's voice echoed in Bai Qi's mind.
Bai Qi clenched his fists; he would absolutely not let any opportunity to become stronger slip by.
Back in the dilapidated thatched hut, Bai Qi immediately circulated his internal energy.
Although he had the system, he still worked diligently.
Because Bai Qi understood even more clearly that hard work pays off.
Half an hour later, there was movement at the door.
Miao'er, carrying a wooden tray, entered sweetly and called out, "Brother Bai Qi, dinner's ready!"
Two dark steamed buns, a bowl of thin porridge, and a dish of cold wild vegetables—the food was extremely coarse, but Bai Qi knew that this was the best meal in the village.
In those days, for the common people at the bottom of society, being able to eat a bowl of dry rice and steamed buns was a sign of a good year.
"Miao'er, did you save your own food and give it all to me?"
"Brother Bai Qi, Miao'er isn't hungry, you eat more."
Bai Qi grabbed a steamed bun and ate it, but his heart was filled with boundless tenderness for the girl.
"Brother Bai Qi, if you don't pass the selection this time, can you promise Miao'er that you won't think about joining the army to fight again?" The girl clearly thought that Bai Qi had no chance of passing the conscription selection. Bai
Qi smiled and didn't speak, continuing to cultivate his inner strength.
The next day, the rooster's crow echoed throughout the village.
Bai Qi, who had been cultivating all night, suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing in them.
"System, open my attribute panel."
With Bai Qi's mental command, a transparent screen appeared in his mind.
Host: Bai Qi.
Level: 1
Inner Strength: 2 (Inner Strength First Realm)
Physical Body: 0 (Ordinary Person)
Cultivation Technique: One-Star Low-Grade Inner Strength Technique "Introduction to Inner Strength".
Cultivation Skills: None
Martial Arts Abilities: None
Experience Required for Upgrade: 99
.....
"After cultivating for one night, my internal energy increased a little, and the experience required for upgrading also decreased a little."
"It seems that cultivation and killing enemies can go hand in hand, allowing me to level up faster." "
Moreover, I clearly feel that my internal energy is stronger than yesterday, and the total amount of internal energy I can mobilize is also greater."
This speed of leveling up is absolutely visible to the naked eye.
Bai Qi was extremely excited.
If his salary increase in his previous life could match this, anyone would wake up laughing.
At this moment, a muffled drumbeat sounded.
"Boom boom boom!"
The villagers of Black Wind Gully immediately ran out of their houses, only to see three squads of soldiers in bright armor appear in the open space.
"Pass on the order!"
"All able-bodied men from the twenty-three villages under Black Wind Gully who have signed up to join the army, assemble immediately and await the conscription assessment."
The military flags fluttered, the warhorses neighed, and a chilling aura arose spontaneously.
Bai Qi followed the able-bodied men from the village and immediately lined up on the makeshift drill ground.
Half an hour later, all the able-bodied men from the twenty-three villages had assembled.
Three young generals stood on the platform, each with a military flag behind them.
The Qin family general in the center declared in a booming voice, "Today, the Qin family army, the Yang family army, and the Yue family army will conduct their assessments."
"Those who fail the assessment will not be conscripted."
"Those who pass will be divided into three ranks."
"To encourage you to fight on the battlefield and serve your country, all those assessed as ordinary soldiers by our three armies will receive a military pay of one thousand copper coins per year, double that of other armies!" A
roar erupted—
the entire arena erupted in
cheers. One thousand copper coins was equivalent to one tael of silver. For an ordinary family, half a tael of silver a year was enough to live comfortably.
The fact that these three armies received double the pay of other armies was astounding; one could imagine how excited the people of Black Wind Gully were.
"Wind! Wind! Wind!"
At this moment, the villagers of Black Wind Gully excitedly chanted their old Qin people's war song.
On the command platform, the Qin family general in the center clenched his fist, and the vast training ground immediately fell silent.
He was very satisfied with this effect; this was the discipline and obedience of the Qin people, and why, when the three armies came to recruit soldiers, his Qin family army was the one issuing the orders.
"Anyone assessed as an elite soldier by our three armies will receive two thousand coins in military pay annually!"
"Anyone assessed as a Great Zhou elite soldier by our three armies will receive three thousand coins in military pay annually!"
"Now, the assessment begins."
"First item, drawing the bow!"
Then, the rapid beating of drums sounded, and a row of well-trained soldiers immediately brought over five tables, on which were placed five strong bows.
"Those who can draw the first bow pass this assessment; those who can draw the fifth bow will be rated as top-tier!"
With the Qin general's order, more than a hundred strong men in the training ground began to try in turn.
"Grandpa, do you think Brother Bai Qi can draw this bow?" Miao'er asked eagerly.
"How could that be? The lightest bow here weighs 80 jin (40 kg). These are standard military bows, not the soft bows we use for hunting." The old man in hemp clothing shook his head slightly.
"That's good!" Miao'er patted her chest happily.
As they spoke, they saw someone using all their might, yet still unable to draw the bow fully.
"Coward, where have you been eating? Don't ever say you're from Qin again." The village head of the man's village cursed loudly, what a disgrace!
"Watch me!" At this moment, Erniu from Baiqi Village stepped forward. He didn't even look at the first bow, but directly grabbed the third bow.
"Draw!"
With a powerful flex of his dark biceps, a grinding sound rang out as the bow was drawn to its full extent.
"Good! 150 jin (75 kg) drawn! Brave warrior, go for it!" The Qin family army generals cheered.
Bai Qi saw the usually composed and mature village headman, now beaming like a child, triumphantly surveying the crowd and grinning with his yellow teeth, proclaiming, "He's from our village!"
The other village heads, however, were ashen-faced, seemingly outshone and deeply displeased.
The martial spirit of the Qin people was unmistakable.
After Erniu finished drawing his bow, he returned to the ranks. As he approached Bai Qi, he added, "Bai Qi, now you know that although I eat a lot, I'm not just a freeloader!"
Bai Qi smiled but remained silent.
"This recruit selection is quite good; this one has the potential to be a master archer!"
On the high platform, the three generals were delighted, each thinking about how to persuade Erniu to join their ranks.
Suddenly, a burly man stepped forward, bypassing the third bow and heading straight for the fourth!
The entire training ground fell silent.
"No way! That's a 200-jin bow! Anyone who can draw it is a match for a Xiongnu eagle-shooter!"
On the high platform, three generals stared intently.
"Draw!"
With a roar from the burly man, the hard bow creaked painfully, veins bulging on his forehead as he finally drew the bow to its fullest extent.
"Good! Yi Shang!" roared the Qin family army general.
"Wind, wind, wind!" Rows of soldiers slammed their spears into the ground in unison, producing a deep and powerful cheer.
Clearly, even these elite soldiers were impressed by such strength.
"From our village!" A village headman jumped up excitedly, then looked defiantly at the village headman of Baiqi Village, his meaning clear.
What are you showing off for?
Are you as strong as us?
The village headman of Baiqi Village, his face flushed with anger, urged Gouwa, the strongest man in the village, to go. Gouwa drew his fourth bow, but only managed halfway before nearly injuring himself.
This greatly discouraged him.
Beside her, Miao'er covered her mouth, stunned by the strength to draw a 200-jin (100 kg) bow.
'If only Brother Bai Qi were that strong! He could lift me up with one hand!'
Which girl doesn't dream of her lover being a great hero? But that's just wishful thinking; after all, Bai Qi has a fair complexion and slender arms and legs.
He might not even be as strong as Miao'er.
The girl shook her head inwardly.
Just then, a soldier, holding a bamboo scroll, shouted, "Next, Bai Qi, step forward!
- Writer
