Chapter 28: A New Official’s First Few Moves

Liu Zhi stood to one side, his gaze fixed on Chu Nan with a complex expression. Initially, he had truly held this young man in contempt, but now, he was forced to re-evaluate him.

"Young Master Chu, my behavior earlier was disrespectful," Liu Zhi said in a low voice, his tone infused with a newfound sincerity. "If you have any needs, just give the order."

"Just do your duty well," Chu Nan replied indifferently before turning to walk away.

On the field, the morning sun gradually climbed higher, casting a scorching light over the ranks of three thousand soldiers, making the long spears in their hands shimmer faintly. The air still carried the scent of morning dew, and though a breeze brushed past, it could not disperse the heavy atmosphere weighing on the soldiers' hearts. They had just been cowed by Chu Nan’s decisive actions and still harbored some resentment, yet no one dared to defy him again. Especially after seeing Niu Dacheng clutching his waist and limping toward the back of the formation, most had come to realize that this Young Master Chu, though appearing refined and gentle, was by no means a soft target to be trifled with.

"Listen up, everyone," Chu Nan stood at the front of the formation, dressed in a simple robe that caught the breeze, looking crisp and composed. He scanned the three thousand soldiers with a calm gaze, causing each of them to instinctively straighten their posture. "Today’s training is very simple—besides a thirty-lap run, we will conduct basic drill exercises."

"You may think these are useless, but let me tell you: if you cannot even master these fundamentals, do not harbor any delusions of winning battles."

As his words fell, the soldiers looked at one another, none daring to make a sound. The iron-fisted methods Chu Nan had used on Niu Dacheng had silenced any open dissent, though many remained unconvinced in their hearts.

"You must understand," Chu Nan said, his tone calm yet authoritative, "training is not about torture; it is about survival. From today on, I will not have you do a single useless thing. Just remember one thing: if you want to keep your lives on the battlefield, then perform your training with excellence."

At these words, the expressions of many soldiers shifted slightly. Although they remained skeptical of his methods, the mention of "survival" struck a deep chord within them.

"Start running!" Chu Nan commanded, his voice ringing out like a military horn.

The soldiers began to run sluggishly, their formation ragged. They scattered in groups of three or five, some lazily trailing behind and gasping for air after only a few steps. Seeing this, Chu Nan frowned. He immediately strode forward, standing by the track, and said coldly, "Attention, all of you! Close the gaps and form a single column! Whoever falls behind again can forget about dinner tonight!"

Hearing his sharp command, the soldiers were forced to quicken their pace, reluctantly forming a line. Despite their internal grumblings, his overwhelming presence compelled their obedience.

Liu Zhi watched from the side, his eyes filled with complex thoughts. He had assumed Chu Nan was merely a young noble there to go through the motions, but it seemed this "Young Master Chu" not only had the ability to establish authority but also possessed a keen understanding of management. This truly made him see Chu Nan in a new light.

However, what surprised him even more was that during the subsequent training, Chu Nan took the lead himself. He tucked his robes into his belt and joined the soldiers' ranks. He kept a steady pace with a calm expression, running alongside them without any airs of a wealthy young master.

"He's actually running?" a soldier muttered, his face full of surprise.

"He really is. This young master looks so frail, yet he's actually quite something..." another soldier whispered, his tone filled with unexpected, begrudging admiration.

Though they didn't say it aloud, seeing Chu Nan sweat and run alongside them began to shake their defiance. They had expected him to stand on the sidelines issuing orders from a position of superiority, not to participate personally.

"Running is not for wasting time; it is to ensure your physical stamina meets the demands of the battlefield," Chu Nan said, raising his voice as he ran. "Slack off now, and you will pay with your lives later. Every step you take now is to ensure you live a few days longer in the future."

His words were cold and hard, yet they carried weight, prompting the soldiers to think seriously.

By the time the thirty laps were finished, many soldiers were panting heavily, barely able to stand. They were drenched in sweat, some collapsing directly onto the ground to catch their breath. Yet, when they saw that Chu Nan, having finished his final lap, remained standing straight and composed, a complex emotion stirred within them.

"The kid actually finished it..." a soldier whispered to himself.

"Indeed. If he can persist, what right do we have to call it hard?" another replied, his voice tinged with shame.

Though they were reluctant to admit it, the way they looked at Chu Nan now held a trace of genuine respect.

Chu Nan stood at the front of the formation, sweeping his gaze across them coldly, his voice still resounding with power: "Your performance was poor, but this is the first day; I do not expect immediate perfection. But from tomorrow on, I hope to see a more disciplined and spirited troop."

He paused, then added, "Also, from today on, I will train with you. If you are tired, I will be tired; if you feel you cannot go on, then look at me and see if I can. If a 'frail scholar' like me can do it, there is no reason why you, as strong soldiers, cannot."

His words were definitive. The soldiers remained silent, but in the eyes of many, there was now an unmistakable glimmer of submission.

Liu Zhi stood by, feeling quite shaken. He had thought Chu Nan was merely using cleverness to establish dominance, but it was clear now that this "Young Master Chu" had both the means and the backbone. He could not only beat the unruly soldiers into submission but also knew how to win their hearts through action.

"Young Master Chu," Liu Zhi said, bowing with a respect that lacked the earlier disdain. "This subordinate has learned a lesson. Though the soldiers are exhausted today, they all admire your resolve."

"Admiration is not the point," Chu Nan said calmly, his gaze unwavering. "The point is that they must survive on the battlefield."

He turned his focus back to the soldiers, his tone softening slightly. "Training ends here for today. Before we disperse, I ask you one thing: do you believe you can still run?"

The soldiers looked at one another. Some were hesitant, but many stood up, gritting their teeth and saying, "Yes!"

"Very good," Chu Nan nodded, a rare, faint smile touching his lips. "Remember, training is to protect yourselves. Tomorrow, we continue."