Squad Leader

Biodata

Rank and Command Structure

A Dragon Guard platoon contains two squads, and each squad is divided into five tens. The Dragon Guard operates under a military-style hierarchy and strict regulations. 1

Appointment and Promotion

• Descendants of the Great Shang's 216 hereditary Dragon Guard families may apply for promotion to Squad Leader after two years of service. 2
• Qin Shuang's assessment required him to investigate Mount Dawen's bandits, obtain evidence of their collusion with officials, and arrest the implicated officials without assistance. 2
• Qin completed the assignment in one night and half a day, obtaining three self-reported documents from the corrupt officials; the local Six Gates subsequently handled the arrests and punishment. 5
• Following review by the Xuan Camp's Fire Division, Qin received his formal appointment letter as a Squad Leader. 8 13
• A newly appointed Squad Leader may select subordinates. Qin was informed that his assignment would comprise five sections and fifty-five subordinates. 8

Equipment

• Dragon Guards are issued standard dual sabers, though individual guards may specialize in other weapons and martial arts. 2
• Upon passing his Squad Leader assessment, Qin Shuang was entitled to receive the Sorrow Dispeller and Hatred Severer, a matched pair of dark-gold, serrated Dragon Guard blades. 12
• Rank-linked Dragon Guard weapons improve in quality with promotion. 12

Documented Holders

• Guo Jing — Served as a Squad Leader in the Yu Camp's Shen Department; he considered himself better suited to diligent service under a superior than independently leading a team. 1
• Qin Shuang — Completed the promotion assessment, received a Squad Leader appointment, formed a team, and later advanced to Garrison General. 2 5 13 25
• Jiang Xiaoyu — Assigned as a Squad Leader in Qin Shuang's initial squad. 13
• Yang Kang — Assigned as a Squad Leader in Qin Shuang's initial squad. 13
• Tang Bao Niu, Fang Henshao, Guo Dalu, Lin Taiping, Xiang Hong, and Li Panggui — Listed as Squad Leaders in the personnel records for Qin Shuang's attached sections. 14

Service Record

Qin Shuang's First Squad

Qin Shuang assembled an initial core of eleven members after receiving approval to recruit his own personnel. Ding Ning became Section Leader, while Jiang Xiaoyu and Yang Kang were designated Squad Leaders. 13

13

Ni Pusa Mission

Qin Shuang led his expanded force on an urgent imperial mission to recover Ni Pusa before the Imperial Guards could do so. His personnel included several attached sections led by Shen Hu Chan, Wang Dong, and Li Sheng Nan. 14

During the conflict at Peerless City, Qin exercised his authority to enforce Dragon Guard military law. After Qu Xiu raped a woman, Qin executed him for violating the regulation that rapists be exiled if able-bodied and strangled if injured. 17

The mission resulted in the deaths of eight members and the severe injury of Destroy Ghost God, who was left blind. Qin's performance nonetheless earned him promotion to Garrison General. 25 26

Insignia

• Dragon Guard uniforms are made from black cloud brocade, with embroidery colors indicating official rank. 1
• One account identifies a seventh-rank Squad Leader by blue embroidery. 1
• Guan Yumeng and Hu Jinxiu are later described as Squad Leaders wearing orange-trimmed uniforms. 43

Trivia

• The Dragon Guard's inherited martial art is the dual-saber Dream Slaying Saber Technique, though its members are not restricted to saber use. 2
• Qin Shuang's assessment was described as unprecedented in the Dragon Guard's records for its speed and efficiency. 5