Chapter 06 Part 02 - Army Reserve (1/2)
Chapter 06 Part 02 - Army Reserve
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Imperial Calendar, Year 779, Early September, upon receiving High Command’s conscription order, the first group coming from the fifty six provinces of House ZiChuan, two hundred thousand draftees had a.s.sembled in the Capital City – Di Du, and would soon be sent for the Far Eastern Front.
The officers and soldiers a.s.sembled came from all provinces and districts of the House. Some had strange local dialect, some had terrible facial hairs, and most of them wore all kinds of strange outfits. The poor ones from the City dressed like beggars; the sons of the wealthy dressed suavely in expensive suits, as if they were here to attend a banquet, and the rural aristocrats had their rusty armour on, so ancient that one could easily mistaken them for something stolen from the museum, even their war horses were so old they would be eligible for nursing house if there was such for horses. ZiChuan Xiu saw for the first time ever, an old man dragging a fifty kilo heavy machete behind him, gasping. His nefarious mind worked quickly: “What could he do with that machete I wonder? He couldn’t even kill himself with that thing if he tried!”
The new recruits attended the military inspection ceremony holding all kinds of horrible banners, like “Reaper’s Guard”, “Skeletal Avengers”, and the ones from Rockswig even called themselves the “Merciless Volunteers.”
Just based on the appearance alone, they were at least millions times more brave than the soldiers fighting on the frontline, and many times more confident as well, waving their sticks whole day drivelling with distain: “Forget those savages in the Far East; they are not worthy to stain our blades! I can club them all to death with my cane alone, eyes closed!”
Supreme Commander Luo Ming Hai had always considered himself to be a man of sophistication and patience. And right now, his most important task was to inspect the new recruits coming from every corner of House ZiChuan’s territories. As each not-so-square square formations marched past the Inspection Podium, many empty shoes would always get left behind on the otherwise empty parade ground. (Apparently, soldiers on the back keep stepping on the shoes of those marching in front of them.)
The other officials attending the Inspection Ceremony all had a strange and painful expression on their face, trying desperately not to laugh. Only Supreme Commander – Luo Ming Hai was somehow able to retain his calm as he made his speech to the former owner of those shoes, complimenting them for their diligence and altruism, thanking them for their loyalty and bravery, and finally inspiring them to fight for the House and contribute to the greater good.
The soldiers rejoiced loudly: “Long live House ZiChuan! Long live the Headmaster!” As if all those shoes bathing under the sun while filling the empty parade ground somehow were never theirs.
Luo Ming Hai probably thought himself a saint right now! But on the day of September 10th, when the new recruits from Kesan province walked past the Inspection Podium in casual clothing while smoking cigars, as if they were here on vacation. The “Saint” finally lost it! Even their banner had the paint job done by a five-year-old. He had to look very hard through the magnifying gla.s.s to make out what looked like the character of “Xiu” written in the center of the banner…
“Who is that angry old man up there? He looks awfully familiar!”
“Are you stupid! Don’t you read the papers? That is Supreme Commander – Luo Ming Hai, a man of importance!”
“Really? How come no one told me there was a signing session planned for the Xiu’s Company tour? I would have brought my little brother if I did! Yo, Sir Supreme Commander. How are you doing?”
“Everyone look, the Supreme Commander is smiling! And his nose wiggles up and down when he smiles, how cool is that?”
“Look, he is trying to speak! The way his mouth opened and closed, reminded me of a hooked fis.h.!.+”
“Hey dude, where are you going?”
“It is my first time in the Capital; I’m going to ask for an autograph!”
Restraining his anger, Luo Ming Hai asked ZiChuan Xiu as calmly as humanly possible: “Sir Xiu, would you mind telling me what you see down there?” The way he gestured at the new recruits, was like pointing at a pile of dog s.h.i.+t left on the side of the road.
Rising slowly to his feet, ZiChuan Xiu gave Supreme Commander an extremely generalized and accurate description: “Men, Sir!” then quickly left through the backdoor.
The judicious Luo Ming Hai barely managed to keep himself in check, glaring sideways at Inspector General – Di Lin here to attend the Inspection sitting beside him. Then turning his gaze skywards as if he wasn’t speaking to Inspector General – Di Lin directly: “How does Inspector General feel concerning Deputy Commander ZiChuan Xiu’s dereliction of duty in regards to the recent recruitment efforts?”
Di Lin smiled as he took a sip of his tea, then speaking softly: “He has character; I like it.” And left the parade ground, completely ignoring the furious Luo Ming Hai who was about to explode any second.
ZiChuan Xiu ran back home like a terrified rabbit, inhaling deeply: “That was close! Luo Ming Hai almost caught me!”
ZiChuan Ning handed him a cup of warm tea: “I heard our Supreme Commander, Sir Luo Ming Hai’s high blood pressure acted up again during the Inspection Ceremony… Surely it has nothing to do with you, right? Brother?”