0p0 Chapter 168 The Competition 1
Chapter 168 The Competition 1
Upon hearing Meng Tian's words, the soldiers began to stir. Some whispered amongst themselves, while others hesitated, glancing left and right. Gradually, the crowd began to disperse, and some soldiers left the ranks with slow, sluggish steps, their figures disappearing into the distance. But a considerable number of soldiers remained steadfastly, their eyes revealing different kinds of expectation and determination.
Most of the departing soldiers were ordinary people serving in the military, and according to regulations, they needed to serve for two years. For many, these two years were a very short time, and they were already planning to return to their hometowns after their service, to live a peaceful life with their wives and children, and to pick up their hoes again to cultivate their own land. Others who left harbored great ambitions and were not satisfied with the ordinary life of farming. They longed to make further progress in the army through their own efforts, to earn more military merits, so as to be promoted and bring honor to their ancestors.
The soldiers who remained were tired of the bloody battles on the battlefield and unwilling to return home to do monotonous farm work. Now, the lucrative job of guarding was right in front of them. How could they not be tempted by such a rare opportunity?
Standing on the Qin army's spacious training ground, Ying Wuyou stood ramrod straight, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group of soldiers of varying skill levels before her. She knew perfectly well that selecting the most outstanding guards from so many men would be no easy task, but this matter was of utmost importance and allowed no room for carelessness. These chosen guards would become indispensable and capable arms around her, shouldering the heavy responsibility of ensuring her personal safety, and also needing to be quick-witted and able to handle any task independently.
After careful consideration, Ying Wuyou spoke loudly: "My brave and fearless warriors, today I will set up two rigorous tests. Only those who successfully pass these two tests will be qualified to become my guards. Does anyone have any objections to this arrangement?"
As soon as she finished speaking, all the soldiers present shouted in unison, "We are ready to obey the princess's orders!"
Hearing the neat and loud response, Ying Wuyou nodded in satisfaction, then said loudly, "Alright, now I will announce the content of the first test. This test is extremely simple; all you need to do is carry 20 jin (10 catties) of weight and run 20 li (10 km). However, please note that the last 100 people to reach the finish line will be eliminated."
At this moment, the scene was completely silent, everyone listening intently to Ying Wuyou's every word. Ying Wuyou paused briefly, then continued, "As for the second test, it will take place in the dense forest ahead. I will have people place a total of 200 flags throughout the forest. These flags will vary in size and color. But no matter how they are arranged, the total number will always remain at 200."
Ying Wuyou paused for a moment, then continued, "Whoever can find the flag in the mountains and successfully bring it back to General Meng will be the winner of this test. That means only 200 people can win. However, before that, it must be emphasized that only those who successfully pass the first test are qualified to participate in the second test. I believe everyone understands all the rules and requirements above, right?"
After hearing this detailed explanation, the group exchanged glances, then shouted in unison again, "We understand! Please rest assured, Princess!"
Seeing this, Ying Wuyou smiled and gestured to Meng Tian beside him. Immediately, Meng Tian sprang into action, methodically directing his soldiers to begin the weighted running exercise, clearly marking the start and finish lines of the assessment. Once everything was ready, Ying Wuyou, under Meng Tian's careful arrangement, leisurely rode in a carriage directly to the finish line, awaiting the arrival of his soldiers.
After Meng Tian arranged for each soldier to carry a 20-jin (approximately 10 catties) weight, he then had them line up and wait. The soldiers stood at the starting line. Their eyes were resolute, revealing their desire for victory.
With the sound of a war drum and the blast of a bugle, the soldiers charged out like arrows released from a bow. Their steps were firm and powerful, each one brimming with strength. Sweat soaked their clothes, but they showed no sign of retreat; only one belief remained in their hearts: to run forward.
At first, the soldiers ran very fast, but gradually, the gap between them widened. Those soldiers who had neglected their training became heavier and slower, while the disciplined soldiers maintained a faster pace and moved steadily forward.
At this moment, a thin soldier caught everyone's attention. Although he was slender, he carried heavy loads without any apparent strain, instead weaving through the crowd with his agile movements. It turned out that his name was Zhao Dage, and he had come from a poor family and often had to do heavy labor, which had given him great endurance.
The big guy ran very fast, and soon he was far ahead of the others, leading the column. At the rear of the advancing column, a few soldiers with ulterior motives were whispering amongst themselves. One of them, in a low voice, cautiously suggested, "Why don't we share some of our heavy loads with the others? That would make things easier!"
The others exchanged knowing glances and quickly reached a tacit understanding. These were the kind of people who usually bullied the weak and preyed on the weak. Initially, they were confident they wouldn't encounter any trouble in the competition, but unexpectedly, due to their lack of skill, they ended up at the back of the group.
As they grew increasingly distant from the front, the men became frantic, like ants on a hot plate. Desperate, a plan formed in their minds. They stopped several unfortunate soldiers they frequently bullied and, without a word, stuffed all their belongings into their packs. The bullied soldiers, though filled with anger and resentment, could only swallow their rage and obediently bear the extra weight, forced by the men's intimidation.
As time passed, many soldiers began to feel their strength waning. Their heavy steps felt like lead, each step seemingly requiring all their strength. Yet, despite this, they gritted their teeth and persevered. They all knew that this test directly impacted their future quality of life. Would they live a life of luxury and comfort, or endure hunger and poverty? The answer lay in this test. And so, the soldiers dragged their exhausted bodies forward, one step at a time, with great difficulty.
As the saying goes, perseverance pays off. After a long and arduous struggle, the finish line, symbolizing the dawn of victory, finally came into view. Big Guy saw the finish line and sped up, becoming the first to cross. Ying Wuyou glanced at Big Guy and nodded in satisfaction. Then, more and more people crossed the finish line, collapsing to the ground, panting heavily.