The Triumphal Square is one of the largest and most important buildings in the entire imperial capital. The Arc de Triomphe in the square is the symbol of the empire, and many important government agencies and buildings are located nearby. Next to the Arc de Triomphe, military flags were flying, and several military tents were set up nearby.
Imperial law stipulates that any man between the ages of sixteen and forty-five can join the army. However, once he joins, he cannot withdraw from the army without the approval of the military ministry, otherwise he will be punished as a deserter. Due to the large population of the empire and the sufficient supply of soldiers, a recruitment system was adopted. Many people from the middle and lower classes also regard joining the military as a means to change their destiny, although there are not many opportunities. Because the empire is a country with a strict hierarchical system, the country divides the people into several classes. The first class is the royal family, which refers to the emperor's immediate relatives and close relatives. The second class is the gentry, that is, the upper-class nobility, which refers to the imperial heroes and their descendants who were awarded titles by the emperor due to their military merits or political achievements, or who inherited titles from the previous generation.
Imperial law stipulates that a canonized noble can only be inherited by one of the next generation, and it cannot be extended to the third generation if there are no other military and political achievements. This limited the number of nobles with titles in the empire to not too many, but imperial law also stipulated that the descendants of canonized nobles would be given priority in all aspects such as politics and the military within the empire. This type of people is the gentry. The third class is the common people, which refers to ordinary government officials at all levels, businessmen, landowners, workshop owners and other types of people who have made outstanding contributions and have been approved by the local government and reported to the central government for filing, and their descendants are the common people. . The fourth category is free people, which refers to ordinary people engaged in all walks of life. The third and fourth classes are generally called civilians.
There is another type of people that is not recognized by the laws of the empire, but exists widely in every corner of the empire, and that is slaves. The number of this type of people is not small, and they live at the bottom of the empire. Many of these people were prisoners of war, criminals, or debt slaves, and their descendants. Imperial law stipulates that if a slave wants to become a free citizen, the master must issue the slave's original identity certificate, request to be released, and pay a certain identity filing fee to the local local government, and the local government will confirm the release of the slave status before it can take effect. The emperor of the empire can directly terminate the slave status.
Since the empire divided the people into several classes, and nobles were given priority in military and political affairs, people in the third and fourth classes often had to work several times harder if they wanted to stand out. Many officials from common people and free people, no matter how talented they are and how great their merits are, are often inferior to mediocre or even corrupt officials who are from noble families due to family background restrictions, so that many knowledgeable people are buried in the lower classes. This is even the biggest problem that exists in the empire now. Li Wufeng even feels that this is a greater threat than the invasion of foreign enemies.
Some knowledgeable people in the empire also recognized the disadvantages of this situation and reported this issue to successive emperors. However, because it involved the interests of the nobles, whenever this issue was raised, they would be strongly opposed by the upper-class nobles of the empire. Because most of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries of the empire were from noble families, all such proposals came to nothing. Wu Feng remembered that he had discussed a topic with his master, what is the most important talent for someone to achieve great things, and finally came to the conclusion that it is neither martial arts, nor high moral prestige, nor unparalleled strategy, but the ability to select talents. Ability, the ability to know people and make good use of them, must have a mind that can embrace all rivers and swallow up thousands of miles. The system of the empire has stifled many talents. Many people are unwilling to live in obscurity for a lifetime, and would rather go to foreign countries to seek development. These people even pose a threat to the empire because they understand the internal situation of the empire.
Arriving at the recruitment office next to the Arc de Triomphe, the place was already crowded with people. Since the empire has always valued military merit, especially in recent decades, the empire's foreign wars have been repeatedly frustrated, which has greatly affected the empire's prestige among the countries in the mainland. This emperor is even more Those who are determined to reshape the image of the empire will be given heavy rewards for their military exploits. However, the empire has very strict requirements for common people and free people who want to enter politics, and promotion is more difficult than that of the army. After all, in the army, if you go to the battlefield, as long as you have the courage and courage With knowledge, there will be more opportunities, so people from the middle and lower classes are very enthusiastic about joining the army.
Wu Feng looked at the recruitment requirements outside the tent. This recruitment was mainly for several divisions of the Imperial City Guard Corps to replenish their establishment in order to cope with the increasingly serious situation. Since the city guard corps is stationed in the capital city and its suburbs, the people in the capital are more motivated to join the army.
After waiting for a full two hours, it was Wu Feng's turn to sign up. When Wu Feng handed his identity certificate to the middle-aged officer who received the registration, the middle-aged officer looked at the identity certificate handed over and said with surprise. He looked at Wu Feng, then carefully checked his identity certificate, and then asked Wu Feng to report his name, age, place of origin and other relevant information as required. Wu Feng knew why the receiving officer was surprised. It was because people from noble families rarely joined the army at the lowest level. They often went to military agencies or higher-ups through various connections and channels. People like Wu Feng went directly to the recruitment office to sign up. The most basic level is indeed rare. After a simple visual and physical examination, the recruitment office quickly made a decision to agree to enlist in the army. In this way, Li Wufeng became a recruit of the Third Division of the Imperial City Guard Corps.
After three months of basic training for recruits in the early days of joining the army, Wu Feng showed his talents during the training and won unanimous praise from the officers who trained the recruits. In addition, Wu Feng was from a noble family, and Wu Feng was quickly appointed to the Imperial City Guard Corps. The captain of the second team of the third squadron of the fifth brigade of the fourth wing of the third division.
After learning that he had been appointed as the squad leader, Wu Feng couldn't help but feel excited. After all, this was the first step towards success in his chosen path. However, the road ahead is not smooth. Generally speaking, it is difficult for a recruit to be directly promoted to an officer, let alone to jump directly to the rank of squad leader, and Wu Feng is less than seventeen years old. The thirty-fifth person in a team of five units has yet to be tested whether he can really stand up in the team and whether he can truly win the trust of the entire team. There will definitely be many people in the team, especially some veterans and people who think they are capable, who will give themselves problems. Instead of waiting, it is better to get straight to the point and solve them openly. Thinking of this, Li Wufeng's face showed confidence. smile.
"Everyone, before we all take our places, I would like to introduce myself first. From now on, we will be brothers fighting and living together. I hope you can support my work. My name is Li Wufeng. I am seventeen years old. I am from Zhongzhou. I will be yours from now on. Captain."
Wu Feng stood in front of the entire team and quietly introduced himself briefly. The faces of the soldiers below clearly showed a mixture of surprise, dissatisfaction, and jealousy, but they all remained silent because the emperor Discipline is strict, and those who despise their superiors will be dealt with according to military law.
Wu Feng then changed the subject. "Perhaps everyone is thinking that this guy with a hairless mouth must be a relative of someone above. He has enough food and goes to the army to get gold. I just don't know why he came to the bottom. I can honestly say Let me make it clear to everyone that I, Li Wufeng, come from a noble family, but I do not rely on any so-called connections to earn a living. As the saying goes, it is a mule or a horse, and I am not your captain yet. If anyone If you have any doubts about my ability, you are welcome to correct me. We are at the lowest level of the army, and we are competing for our ability to kill the enemy. I now swear on my personal honor that I will never take revenge on those who challenge me. Regardless of victory or defeat, if there is any violation, he will be punished by heaven and earth. If anyone defeats me, I will recommend to my superiors to take over my position as captain, and I will be an ordinary soldier."
Wu Feng's words immediately caused huge waves among the soldiers. Isn't he just a stupid kid? If you defeat him, you can hope to become a squad leader. Even if you don't become a squad leader, you can at least become a squad leader. Even if you lose, , it has no effect. Anyway, he has sworn a poisonous oath in public, and it is impossible to go back on it. The soldiers can't help but look at me, and I look at you, and they are all eager to give it a try.
"What, no one dares to give it a try?"
Sure enough, as soon as this sentence came out, someone immediately responded.
"I'm here, Private Kang Jianguo, to ask for your advice."
Wu Feng took a look at the man who jumped out. He was twenty-three or four years old, with a strong back and a broad forehead. He held a shield in his left hand and a knife in his right hand. He looked like a tiger-fighting hero. He saluted Wu Feng. After that, he took two steps back and waited for Wu Feng. Wu Feng also took the spear of a soldier holding a gun next to him and said, "Come on!"
The opponent was not polite. He used his left shield to protect his body and bullied his body. He turned sideways and stabbed the opponent's lower body with his long spear. The opponent did not show any weakness. He pressed down with his left shield and his movements were clean and neat. With a sound of "Dang!", the two of them each took a step back. Wu Feng also secretly felt that the other party was very strong. Little did he know that just one shot stunned almost everyone present, because this Kang Jianguo was a new recruit of the entire Third Division. The best among them was actually knocked back by Wu Feng with a shot from the gun shield. You must know that the iron shield is much heavier than the spear, so a light blow is heavier. Moreover, the shield is held on the arm, which is equivalent to the strength of most of the body. They were evenly matched, with obviously disproportionate strength, and this was already the best among the recruits.
Kang Jianguo knew the pain in his heart. His whole left arm was numb from the shock and he couldn't exert any strength at all. But now that he was riding a tiger, he had no choice but to bite the bullet. Shaking his left shield, Kang Jianguo quickly rolled forward and was in front of Wu Feng. He swung the knife with his right hand and slashed Wu Feng's legs. Wu Feng was already on guard. He took a step back and pushed his spear diagonally to block the fierce knife. Then he raised the spear and stabbed the opponent's throat. The opponent turned around and dodged. He pushed the iron shield forward and slammed Wu Feng's chest. At the same time, he retracted his knife and defended. Wu Feng used the gun shaft to block the iron shield and hit him. Then he took two steps back and stabbed straight with the spear. The opponent raised the knife in his right hand. Kang Jianguo's right hand blade was raised up. Wu Feng pressed down and used his strength. The opponent felt a strong force coming from his hand. He could no longer hold the knife and was sent flying by the spear. How far.
Kang Jianguo stood there with shame on his face, not knowing what to do. Wu Feng stuck the gun on the ground, walked over, picked up the knife and handed it to him. He saluted Wu Feng as if he had just woken up from a dream. "This subordinate is arrogant and doesn't know how high the sky is. Please punish me, captain."
"I have already said that everyone is welcome to correct me. You have done nothing wrong, so why should you be punished?" He defeated the challenger neatly and immediately calmed almost everyone. Everyone was weighing whether they could defeat Kang so easily. Jianguo, everyone knew very well how capable he was, and there was silence in the team.
"Anyone else want to give it a try?"
Several veterans turned their attention to the first man on the left. He was a man one or two years older than Kang Jianguo. He was not as tall as Kang Jianguo, but his demeanor standing there was obviously higher than that of the new recruits like Kang Jianguo. One chip.
Wu Feng stopped talking and just looked at him with a smile. The man was obviously hesitant, but in the end it seemed that he couldn't stand the pressure of everyone's eyes, so he stood up and saluted. "Corporal Liang Chongxin, captain of the first detachment of the second team, please give me your advice." His words were obviously much more polite than before.
"Please." Wu Feng didn't say much. It seemed that this Liang Chongxin was more powerful than the one just now. Liang Chongxin picked up the halberd gun in his hand and slowly walked out of the queue, while Wu Feng took the iron shield and simple knife that Kang Jianguo had used just now from the soldiers beside him.
The surrounding soldiers couldn't help but whisper. Just now, Wu Feng easily defeated Kang Jianguo, who was holding a sword and shield, with a spear. Wu Feng should be good at long weapons such as spears and halberds. But now that the opponent was holding a halberd and spear, he switched to a sword and shield. Could it be that He is proficient in everything. If this is the case, I am afraid that he is not much better than Kang Jianguo. Liang Chongxin, who does not have much confidence, looks more solemn. Anyway, try your best and live up to the wishes of your brothers.
Thinking of this, Liang Chongxin couldn't help but cheer up. With a low shout, Liang Chongxin launched the attack first with a brilliant forward sprint. This move won full applause from the soldiers outside the field. Wu Feng did not neglect it either. He held the shield with his left arm, turned his body diagonally, and knocked gently. The opponent's very fierce attack was turned into nothing. The soldiers cheered, but they couldn't help but applaud Wu Feng for easily resolving it.
After neutralizing Liang Chongxin's moves, Wu Feng lunged forward and struck the head with the sword in his right hand. The opponent opened the knife and slashed diagonally with the halberd spear. Wu Feng raised his shield to block it and stabbed forward with the knife in his right hand. The opponent dodged and dodged. The halberd spear stabbed Wu Feng's lower abdomen from bottom to top. Wu Feng took a step back to let go of this cruel move. The opponent took advantage of the opportunity and made another diagonal lift. The halberd spear went straight towards Wu Feng's waist. Wu Feng saw the fierceness of the opponent's coming, but he couldn't help but move forward. Give in again, otherwise the opponent will become more powerful and advance instead of retreating. He will press the iron shield sideways to block the opponent's halberd and spear, and then slash the opponent's halberd in the middle with a fierce slash with his right hand sword.
The opponent did not expect that Wu Feng would not retreat but instead advanced. He came out with killing moves one after another, and was caught off guard. He had to use the force of the iron shield to hit the halberd and spear to retreat at the first touch. Wu Feng gained the upper hand and refused to let anyone go. He pressed forward step by step and struck with the iron shield with his left hand. Smashing down, the sword in his right hand danced wildly like snowflakes, hitting the vital point with every move. Liang Chongxin was restrained every move, and was trapped every step of the way. The halberd and spear in his hand could not take advantage of the long weapon at all, and he fell into frequent defense. Wu Feng gave full play to the characteristics of short weapons to prevent the opponent from getting away. Finally, he took advantage of the loopholes in the opponent's defense and cut off the opponent's shoulder strap with a diagonal pull of his right knife. This was also Wu Feng's mercy. Otherwise, if it were on the battlefield, One of the opponent's arms is considered to be reimbursed.
Liang Chongxin was not surprised, because he had been mentally prepared for his failure from the beginning. He could persist for so long, and the defeat was not ugly, and he was worthy of everyone. The other party obviously had reservations and was merciful to him. , If you don’t know how to advance or retreat, then you are too ignorant of praise. After saluting, Liang Chongxin said respectfully: "My subordinate is defeated. Thank you for your mercy."
"Everywhere, we are all learning from each other. Don't worry, we will all be brothers from now on." Wu Feng came over and shook Liang Chongxin's hand enthusiastically and said.
Seeing that Wu Feng was still very humble after winning, which was very different from the domineering appearance of other nobles he had seen, Liang Chongxin and all the soldiers were a little moved, and he had no reason to be dissatisfied. In this way, Wu Feng proved his strength with facts, and his modest quality of victory without arrogance also won the respect of the entire team. He quickly established prestige in the second team, and no one dared to regard him as a person anymore. A child now.