"Okay, okay."
Wu Shuangren interrupted him, "Go and calculate the reward money to be distributed tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work, Third Master."
After sending Mo Zhengxing away, Wu Shuangren was finally able to have some peace and quiet by herself.
He began to summarize his battle with Kongzheng.
On the way back with the team, he habitually reviewed every detail of the battle, checking for any omissions or deficiencies.
Kongzheng the first First Rate expert Wu Shuangren fought, and compared to Fourth Rank martial artists like Wei Laohei, Luo You, and Li Ming, he was indeed quite different!
After the Traits is upgraded, Wu Shuangren is confident that he can defeat Fourth Rank martial artists like Li Ming within ten moves.
But when facing First Rate opponents, he found that the difficulty of winning increased significantly.
In his view, the difference in strength was not the key, because when he fought Kongzheng, his Internal Skill cultivation after the enhancement of his Traits was not weaker than his opponent's.
The real key lies in the moves and the trump card.
'I can quickly defeat ordinary Fourth Rank martial artists because my Internal Skill is no weaker than theirs, but my techniques are a level higher.'
'But against First Rate expert like Kongzheng, the advantage of technique isn't as significant. Furthermore, First Rate- tier experts possess hidden trump cards that unleash their full potential, making a quick victory impossible.'
Looking back on his battle with Kongzheng, Wu Shuangren realized that if Kongzheng hadn't been impatient and wanted a quick victory, he would have had to expend much more effort to defeat him.
'My current true Internal Skill cultivation level is only Seventh Rank, which is far too low compared to a true First Rate master. Even if the Traits forcibly boosts my Internal Skill cultivation level, it's like a child trying to swing a heavy hammer. Although I can still defeat my opponents, I haven't actually unleashed the full power I've gained.'
This is Wu Shuangren's summary of this battle.
He can currently defeat a Sixth Rank- rank martial artist within ten moves. By the same token, if his true strength approaches First Rate, then with the enhancement of Traits abilities, he might be able to defeat First Rate master within ten moves in the future!
Finally, there are the changes to the Traits.
After defeating Kongzheng, Wu Shuangren noticed that the edges of the four words "[Match for One Person]" had changed from turquoise to sky blue.
This means the Traits can continue to be upgraded!
Early the next morning.
On the training ground, all those who participated in the canal ambush stood in formation in the center, including dozens of martial artists from the Flying Feather Gang.
Three militia battalions, nearly three hundred men, stood in neat square formations. Some of them had bandages wrapped around their bodies, and some had bruises on their faces, but all of them stood ramrod straight.
The militiamen from the other brigades also lined up on both sides of the drill ground.
Wu Shuangren stood on the high platform, with several heavy wooden boxes placed below.
"We won the canal ambush once again!"
"According to the rules, there's a reward!"
Without wasting any words, Wu Shuangren began distributing the rewards.
Mo Zhengxing led the accountants to open the wooden box, which contained strings of copper coins.
Each of the 160-plus militiamen who fought the warrior monks of Mist Hidden Temple head-on was rewarded with 600 coins.
Each crossbowman on the cargo ship who shoots arrows will be rewarded with three hundred coins.
Each militiaman who threw stones from the cliff was rewarded with one hundred coins.
Many of the militiamen who received the reward were new recruits, receiving their first paycheck. Many clenched their fists secretly, hoping to be among the first to fight on the front lines in the next battle!
After everyone received their rewards, Wu Shuangren gave extra bonuses to more than a dozen militiamen who had performed well in the battle, each receiving at least one string of cash.
As for the militiamen who were killed or wounded, Wu Shuangren had already established the rules, and he reiterated them this time.
In addition, each member of the Flying Feather Gang received one string of cash.
Warriors who kill more enemies also receive extra rewards.
Military personnel who were killed or wounded received the same treatment as militia members.
It took Wu Shuangren more than an hour to complete the distribution of rewards and allow everyone to disperse.
Those seven teams who had been watching from the sidelines without receiving any reward money were naturally itching to get their hands on it.
Their captain then seized the opportunity to tell everyone, "As long as you train hard, you'll have the chance to participate in battles and earn rewards in the future!"
After the distribution of rewards, Wu Shuangren called Mo Zhengxing and Bai Jinhuan: "We need to establish a specific reward and punishment system. Everyone needs to know what actions will earn them rewards, how much they will receive, what actions will result in punishment, and to what extent."
In fact, he had wanted to do this for a long time, but not long after he finished reorganizing the militia, the attack by the Mist Hidden Temple occurred, and he did not have time to set up a specific reward and punishment system.
The three arrived at the council hall.
After sitting down, Mo Zhengxing said, "Commander, I don't think we need to give bonuses to all the militiamen after every battle. We only need to give them to the ones who performed well. The others have received their wages and meals well every day. It's their duty to fight for us."
Wu Shuangren looked at Bai Jinhuan: "What do you think?"
Bai Jinhuan thought for a moment and said, "I think Chief Steward Mo is right. It's the same in our army. Only soldiers who have made clear contributions in battle can receive extra rewards after the war. Others can't get them unless it's a great victory, in which case the higher-ups will reward the entire army."
Wu Shuangren nodded. "I understand that, but the military pay that the elite border troops receive each year is far higher than the wages that our militia receive."
Bai Jinhuan: "That's true for the elite border troops, but for ordinary soldiers, local garrison troops, and militia..."
Wu Shuangren waved his hand. "I hope that our militia will one day have combat capabilities that are no less than those of the elite border troops!"
"..."
Bai Jinhuan and Mo Zhengxing exchanged a glance and noticed that each other's expressions had changed.
"... I understand, we'll do as the commander says."
Mo Zhengxing said cautiously.
If we refer to the standards of the elite border troops of the Wu Dynasty, Wu Shuangren's practice of paying less on weekdays and only giving out extra rewards after each battle is indeed considered economical.
Wu Shuangren knew that it wasn't necessary to reward all the militiamen in every battle, as that would cost a lot of extra money.
But he wanted to use this method to increase the combat morale of his militia.
The army of the feudal era could not compare to the army with faith in his memory; to put it bluntly—
How much money do you make in a month? Why risk your life?
In this era, throwing money at the problem doesn't guarantee an invincible army. But if you're unwilling to spend money, you're guaranteed to never build a good army!
"The monthly wages and benefits for those holding different positions in the militia should be increased to reflect the difference. As for the rewards after each battle, we can use this battle as a reference to set the standards."
Wu Shuangren said, "Frontline combat, flanking support, and logistics, etc., will be categorized into several different standards based on the level of danger. Also, how much extra money will we get for killing an enemy? How will we calculate the pay for a team effort... Captain Bai, you've read military books, you can refer to the standards in the military to formulate our rules."
"Regarding punishment. Desertion and disobedience must be punished with the most severe consequences! Other violations of rules should also be addressed with corresponding regulations. In short, I hope this militia will become increasingly disciplined, and everyone should clearly understand what can be done proactively and what absolutely cannot be done..."
Wu Shuangren explained his requirements to the two of them one by one.
Bai Jinhuan and Mo Zhengxing stood up and bowed to Wu Shuangren with clasped hands.
"Yes, Commander!"
The fifth day after Kongzheng was killed.
Wu Shuangren began to formally incorporate the Flying Feather Gang, as he had promised Luo Heng.
The Flying Feather Gang currently has over 470 members, including low-level thugs, brothel henchmen, local bullies who oppress the people, and dedicated martial arts fighters...
In short, Fish-Dragon; you can find all sorts of people.
Wu Shuangren couldn't just recruit anyone into the militia, so he made several requests of Luo Heng—
Those over thirty years old will be eliminated; those of poor character or with serious criminal records will be eliminated; those without family members, or whose family members do not live in West River Market, will be eliminated.
After this screening process, only a little over 170 people met the requirements.
Wu Shuangren established two new brigades and recruited some honest and hardworking young people from West River Market to fill the existing vacancies, ensuring that each of the twelve brigades had a full complement of one hundred people.
In a few days, Wu Shuangren reorganized the militia training.
The newly established 11th and 12th Battalions each had only a quarter of their members who were from the Flying Feather Gang; the rest were all dispersed to other battalions.
Luo Heng cooperated fully with this arrangement without the slightest complaint.
He also personally oversaw the Flying Feather Gang members, suppressing the troublemakers and ensuring everyone obediently followed orders.
However, Wu Shuangren did not treat the Flying Feather Gang unfairly. The newly established eleventh and twelfth detachments were both led by hall masters of the Flying Feather Gang, both of whom were Luo Heng's confidants.
The other capable members also held at least the position of team leader.
Within a few days, the middle and upper management of the Flying Feather Gang had all been given arrangements, except for Luo Heng.
He was not assigned to any brigade, nor was he given any position.
This inevitably made Luo Heng feel apprehensive, fearing that he would be discarded after being used!
That evening, Luo Heng was summoned to the council hall.
Wu Shuangren sat behind his desk, a map spread out in front of him.
"Come."
Wu Shuangren beckoned to Luo Heng.
Luo Heng obediently walked over and stood beside Wu Shuangren.
Have you been feeling uneasy these past few days?
Wu Shuangren looked at Luo Heng.
Luo Heng shook his head, his face tense. "No, I believe the leader has his own arrangements. I just need to follow orders."
Wu Shuangren smiled, and without keeping them in suspense, said directly:
"Those gang members who were screened out, the militia won't accept them, but they don't all need to be disbanded. The businesses that the Flying Feather Gang used to do with the canal can continue. Also, the businesses left behind by the Xie Clan Chamber of Commerce, such as grain, smuggled salt, cloth, spices, etc., you should use the Flying Feather Gang's existing connections and relationships to help Chief Steward Mo take over as much as possible."
Luo Heng: "Does the leader mean that the Flying Feather Gang won't disband, and I'll still be the leader?"
Wu Shuangren: "You could say that, but from now on it won't be called the Flying Feather Gang, it will be renamed the Flying Feather Hall, a hall exclusively for my militia. Those gang members who haven't joined the militia will be assigned to the Flying Feather Hall, and their wages will be paid by the militia. And you will be the head of the Flying Feather Hall."
Luo Heng cupped his hands in greeting. "Yes, Luo Heng obeys!"
"But those scoundrels from the past should still be expelled. Activities like forcing women into prostitution and oppressing the people must not be tolerated again. From now on, the militia will be responsible for guarding this area, and I don't want the Flying Feather Hall to tarnish its reputation!"
Wu Shuangren warned.
"Yes, Luo Heng understands!"
"There's a second thing."
Wu Shuangren pointed to the map on the table, which showed some places along the canal, with West River Market as the center.
"I want you to place people and spies throughout the canal!"
He looked up at Luo Heng, "In business matters, Chief Steward Mo oversee everything, with Feiyu Flying Feather Hall only providing support. Flying Feather Hall's primary task is intelligence gathering. From now on, using this canal, I need to be informed immediately of any disturbances in Yi Province and Xi Province!"
Luo Heng's breathing quickened, and his eyes finally changed.
If he were merely to become the head of the Flying Feather Gang Flying Feather Hall, it would actually be a decline in his status.
A huge gamble, betting everything on the Flying Feather Gang that had taken more than a decade to build, and this is the result it all yielded.
Then Luo Heng is undoubtedly a joke!
Fortunately, Wu Shuangren did not let him down.
From now on, Flying Feather Hall will be in charge of intelligence work, and Luo Heng will naturally become the intelligence chief by Militia Commander Wu's side.
His status will rise along with Wu Shuangren!
Looking at the simple map on the table that spanned two states, Luo Heng knew that Wu Shuangren's ambitions would not stop at West River Market!
How could one not feel excited following such a leader?
"Luo Heng accepts the order and will certainly live up to your trust!"
Luo Heng bowed deeply to Wu Shuangren.
101 Double Happiness
The Zhang Clan's stronghold was taken over, Flying Feather Gang was renamed the Flying Feather Hall and merged into the Fist Academy.
The entire West River Market quickly learned of these events.