northernbook Chapter 390 explores engineering tactics
Chapter 390 explores engineering tactics
"So, how about we practice a bit in our spare time? In case we encounter another war and the guard team is short-handed, maybe if we fight well, we can secure a better future."
"What you say makes sense, sir." Which of those present didn't want to follow Zhong Ming? Now that Zhong Ming had spoken, they were certainly willing to give it a try.
However, the others hesitated. "Um, Vice Captain, we're exhausted from building all the time, we really don't have much time. How about we slow down the project?"
"Are you out of your mind? This is a serious matter. If we delay you, we'll both lose our heads. If you don't have time, we'll make time. Lord Cuihong is willing to guide us in battle. This is a blessing we've accumulated over many years. You still complain about not having enough time? If you don't want to come, then don't come."
The man nodded obsequiously and immediately apologized, "Yes, yes, I'm a hundred thousand times willing."
Zhong Ming then took a closer look at the speaker. He was a muscular middle-aged man with a dark complexion, who looked to be over forty years old. His cultivation level was still around the fourth level of Qi Refining. If he continued like this, he would be lucky if he could even reach the late stage of Qi Refining in his lifetime.
The Qi Refining stage can prolong life, but not for too long. For ordinary people, sixty is a major milestone in life, and eighty is considered a great age. Those who cultivate health better during the Qi Refining stage can live to be over one hundred and twenty, but that's about it.
Zhong Ming gestured with one hand, indicating to the deputy captain of the construction team not to speak yet. “There are ways to deal with tight time. Look, in the arena, even in a split second, everyone can work together until it’s time to concentrate on attacking the signal beam. No time is wasted. What do you usually do in the construction team? We can think about whether we can apply it to war. They say practice makes perfect, and with practice you can come up with all sorts of tricks.”
"Let's get creative... We can't just spend several hours building a fortress and then wait for people to attack it when the war starts, hahaha~~" A large group of people laughed.
What would they do? While the fortress was being lifted by the transport ship, they would land and level the ground, quickly building a temporary camp. On weekdays, they would construct various defensive facilities, transforming bags of materials into sturdy fortifications.
The techniques these people know are quite simple. For example, they can carve simple spiritual patterns on bricks. They don't know any more complex ones, so others carve them for them and send them to them. Or they can use "fusion techniques" to fit two bricks together perfectly, or they can use some spiritual power to lift heavy objects so that they can be moved faster.
"Hey buddy, you know what? If each of us carries a wall, and a bunch of us get together in a war, the walls will be impregnable! Haha~~"
Many of these people are so poor that they don't even have their own storage bags; they still use the temporary storage bags issued by their superiors when they work on construction projects.
"Hey! That's a good idea. We can try it out in the future. The more we practice in peacetime, the less we'll suffer in wartime." As soon as Zhong Ming spoke, he immediately drew a chorus of agreement.
"Listen to this, listen to what Captain Cuihong is thinking all the time. You need to prepare more in advance so that you won't be afraid when you go to the battlefield. Sir, don't be fooled by the fact that these people are strong and look fierce. When it comes to sending them to the battlefield, their legs tremble."
They didn't hold back in belittling themselves, laughing heartily. Their laughter contained both a carefree attitude of just getting by and a sense of helplessness at having their dreams shattered.
Zhong Ming's mind started working. He took out the last jar of wine from his pocket to treat everyone to a meal, while pondering the feasibility of what they had said.
These men are all good men. They truly consider the Flame Wolf Army their own home, which is why they came to help Zhong Ming build the house. They feel that Zhong Ming has brought honor to the Flame Wolf Army and to their "home".
Many of these people served in the military in their teens, and some are now in their fifties, seventies, or eighties, with some even having gray hair yet still remaining in the military.
He didn't believe they hadn't accumulated enough military merit points to "buy their freedom" in their entire lives; their willingness to stay here showed their loyalty.
"Vice Captain, what is your Daoist name...?"
"Oh, Lord Cuihong, you're too kind. I'm at such a low level, why would I need a Daoist title? It would be embarrassing to say it out loud. Just call me Tong Dazhuang, everyone calls me Dazhuang." He replied, but his eyes were fixed on the wine pot that Zhong Ming had taken out. The aroma of wine wafting from the spout alone was enough to make his mouth water.
"Fellow Daoist Tong, I am truly interested in conducting this research with you all. I wonder what time the others have, and how I should write the report?"
Zhong Ming poured him a glass of wine and handed it to him. Immediately, his face lit up with a smile as bright as an old chrysanthemum.
"You're too kind, sir. Mmm... good wine." He took a small sip, a satisfied expression on his face, before replying, "Our schedules are flexible. We work in three shifts, divided into three teams, each team working five hours a day to ensure the construction site never stops and there's enough time for handover. In other words, theoretically, someone can rest whenever they want, it all depends on your schedule."
Zhong Ming thought for a moment, then beckoned to Zhang Youcai, "Youcai, come here. Has Fang Qianqian been here before?"
“He’s been here before. The last time he came here, he said that if we set up a cannon here, it could blow up the command tent. This is the place where someone of his status should live. He then stood on the top of the castle and enjoyed the wind for a long time. But he has never come back since he left that time.”
"Okay, I understand. When he comes next time, please tell him that he can also give them some guidance."
Tong Dazhuang, still savoring the taste of the wine, asked in a daze, "Sir, who is this master you're talking about?"
"Fang Qianqian, the battalion commander's brother-in-law."
"Oh~ the battalion commander's brother-in-law, that's some serious backing... Wait, Fang Qianqian, the Great Demon Fang?" He jumped instinctively, almost falling to the ground, but even though his body twisted into a strange shape in the air, he still managed to protect the cup in his hand.
"Yes, is there a problem with Fang Qianqian?"
"Sir, his personality... is not very good."
“I’ll give him a few beatings, and his personality will be fine.”
Zhong Ming was known for his outrageous remarks, so the vice-captain took a sip of wine to calm himself down and then showered him with praise.
"Alright, everyone, drink sparingly. It's not that I'm stingy, it's just that things happened so suddenly, and I only have this one jar of wine on me. We can only share one or two cups. Please forgive me."
"I don't dare to take it seriously."
The crowd erupted in commotion. Some people respectfully kowtowed to express their gratitude, while others clamored that such fine wine deserved some snacks, and that they would go and buy some right away.
The banquet lasted for an hour before everyone reluctantly dispersed.