With Strength to Pluck Up Mountains and Might to Cover the World!

The military registry assessment sorted men into three ranks of ability.

Those of extraordinary strength could be assigned to the Elite Soldiers—that is, the heavy infantry. Those who could also shoot from horseback would join the cavalry!

Ordinary able-bodied men were assigned to the foot soldiers, that is, the Light Infantry.

Technical specialists were assigned to the Armory Workshop, the military-industrial department.

Xu Cheng gripped the stone lock with both hands. It felt feather-light. He shook his head and picked up a seven-stone lock instead.

He lifted it slightly. It still felt light, so he switched to holding it with one hand.

He raised it with ease, barely feeling as though he had exerted himself. The stone lock practically flew up on its own, and he couldn't help but stare in surprise.

"Whoa!! He picked it up with one hand??"

Everyone's eyes widened at once. The County Commandant's lips moved as he silently marveled.

Niu Ergui's mouth had opened into a perfect O!

"He didn't lift it—he picked it up! And the stone lock's even tilted in his hand. How strong are his wrists? Is that thing really five stones!?"

"It looks as light as a cloth sack. Is the County Court's assessment rigged? I can't even lift a sack of grain this easily at home."

"Something's not right!"

It wasn't just them who thought something was off. Even the clerk himself felt that way.

After Xu Cheng set the stone lock down, the clerk went over and tried to lift it with both hands. He managed to raise it three fingers off the ground, his neck veins bulging and his face turning red, before he had no choice but to let go.

The stone lock slammed into the ground with a bang, sending dust flying.

Everyone gaped.

Wait, was that thing really seven stones?

Why had it looked so light when that fellow set it down?

Delight shone in the County Commandant's eyes as he looked at Xu Cheng.

At fifteen, with this physique and this strength, he was among the very best even in the Great Qin Elite Soldiers!

"Try the nine-stone one... No, let's go straight to the twelve-stone lock." The County Commandant's rough face softened into a smile, an odd sight beneath his thick brows and fierce eyes.

Zhao Cheng asked, "Sir, can I join the Great Qin Elite Soldiers?"

"Of course."

"Then what's the difference between nine stones and twelve?"

"The difference is what position you can hold in the army. In Qin State, strength is revered above all. If you can lift nine stones, you'll have a place among our Elite Soldiers and may earn a general's favor. You might even serve as a personal guard!"

Zhao Cheng shook his head. "I won't be a personal guard. I want to take the field, slay enemies, earn merit, and win a title!"

"Good!" the County Commandant cried, then continued, "If you can lift twelve stones, you can join the elite at the center of the army. Whenever there's a battle, I'll personally arrange your transfer and give you first pick of the opportunities to distinguish yourself! How about it?"

Zhao Cheng asked again, "If I lift twelve stones, will I get enough to eat?"

Everyone laughed.

The County Commandant roared with laughter. "As much as you want!"

Zhao Cheng grinned too. He strode forward, gripped the lock with both hands, and flexed his arms, muscles swelling in massive ridges!

Truly, he had strength to pluck up mountains and might enough to cover the world!

The twelve-stone lock rose without the slightest hitch, soaring above his head in an instant. The fellow didn't even break a sweat. He stood straight as a pine, steady as Mount Tai!

The entire field fell so silent that a pin could be heard dropping!

The County Commandant's breathing quickened. As he looked at Zhao Cheng, it was as if he saw a future star of the military rising right there before his eyes.

On the military registry, he wrote: "Strength: top grade, first class. Assign to the vanguard of the Assault Cavalry Elite. Capable of breaking enemy lines and capturing enemy generals!"

After Zhao Cheng, two more men managed to lift the five-stone lock and were also assigned to the Elite Soldiers.

Most of the others, however, were assigned as foot soldiers in the Light Infantry.

As for Niu Ergui, he was so thin that even doing a push-up made both his arms flap like butterfly wings. He wasn't even fit to serve as cannon fodder, so they assigned him to logistics and menial work, where he would cook, transport provisions, and tend the horses.

The County Commandant soon paid the price for his promise to let Zhao Cheng eat his fill.

That evening, Zhao Cheng ate the rations of more than a dozen men by himself, clearing out the mess hall—and still wasn't full.

When the County Commandant heard about it, he went home to rest in the dead of night and didn't dare show his face.

Under Qin law, once registered for service, a man first had to serve a year as a regular soldier in his home county and undergo systematic military training. Only after passing an assessment and receiving military status from the County Commandant did he count as a regular soldier.

But with war liable to break out at any moment, they had to simplify the process. Some essential training was still necessary, though. The county's job was to get these able-bodied men, most of whom had never seen a battlefield, ready for war as quickly as possible.

The County Commandant made Zhao Cheng a priority for training as the vanguard of the Assault Cavalry Elite. He ordered him to practice mounted archery every day, with the goal of breaking enemy lines and capturing enemy generals.

A month later.

Zhao Cheng sat astride his horse, drew his bow, and loosed an arrow. Its shrill whistle cut across the Martial Field as it skimmed a clerk's scalp and buried itself halfway into the wall, its tail still quivering!

The clerk's legs gave way, and he dropped to the ground with a thump, nearly wetting himself.

Zhao Cheng gave an embarrassed smile and apologized over and over.

He'd never practiced this before. Staying on horseback and shooting with steadiness and power was already progress; there was no guaranteeing his aim.

The County Commandant sighed, feeling he couldn't bear to watch anymore. He deeply doubted his own judgment.

A whole month!

Did he know what the last month had been like for him!?

Because of that one promise, Zhao Cheng had nearly eaten the County Court into poverty. Just now, he'd almost taken out a clerk, too!

Forget it. On the battlefield, when you charged into the enemy, there'd be enemies in every direction. What did it matter which one you shot?

Whoever he hit would just have to count himself unlucky.

Meanwhile, Zhao Cheng looked pleased as he glanced at the system's ability panel, which displayed—Horsemanship: Beginner, Archery: Beginner.

He let out a long breath.

At last, he'd reached the beginner level.

"System, invest twenty years apiece in training my horsemanship and archery."

[Beginning lifespan investment to train horsemanship...]

[Year one: You practiced horsemanship, riding every day. Gradually, you grew familiar with the strength of a galloping horse. Instead of forcing the horse to obey you with your own strength, you began to follow its lead...]

[Year three: You felt as if you were home the moment you mounted a horse. You could lie down, sleep, and eat in the saddle, and no matter how wildly the horse galloped, you wouldn't fall off. Your horsemanship had begun to show promise!]

[Year five: You felt a mysterious rapport with the horse beneath you. Every movement you made could influence it and guide it to follow your will. Your horsemanship began to come together!]

[Year eight: You had mastered the art of riding. A mere thought could make your horse perform all kinds of movements. Whenever it moved, you could sense its thoughts and emotions. Your horsemanship had reached perfection!]

[Year ten: You seemed to have reached a state of unity between horse and rider. You understood horses to the utmost. Faced with an unfamiliar horse, you could forge a bond with it in a matter of breaths and make it obey you like an extension of your own limbs. Once you were in the saddle, the horse became part of your body.]

[Your horsemanship has reached the realm of consummate mastery]