The next morning, Tang Xiaoyu tidied up his luggage and left a letter for his younger sister after instructing Lu Changchun. He then set off for the new recruit reporting station.
When he arrived at the reporting station, he handed in his conscription order, registered his information, had his identity checked, and was then led to a martial arts field.
"Wait here. Someone will come to take you to the barracks later," he was told.
"Thank you," Tang Xiaoyu replied.
"It's my job," came the response.
Tang Xiaoyu threw his luggage on the ground and sat on it.
After waiting for a while, Tang Xiaoyu lay down directly on his luggage and started sleeping.
It was not until a voice sounded that Tang Xiaoyu opened his eyes.
"Brother Tang, you're here too?"
Seeing it was someone familiar, Tang Xiaoyu greeted, "Xiao Wu, aren't you a cultivator? Why are you here?"
"Who said I was a cultivator? I'm just a martial artist. I'm here to serve the country and get an official position!" Xiao Wu replied.
Then several people behind him also called out, "Brother Tang!"
"You all came?" Tang Xiaoyu asked.
The few pounded their chests and pointed at Tang Xiaoyu, "Brother, we should stick together!"
"Good, now I won't be lonely," Tang Xiaoyu said with a smile.
Xiao Wu said, "Brother Tang, officers will come to select people later. Just follow us. We have connections up top."
"I'm not joining the vanguard troops," Tang Xiaoyu stated firmly.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure you join the regular army," Xiao Wu assured.
"Then I'm relieved," Tang Xiaoyu nodded.
Soon after, an officer with thick sideburns and a stern look, as well as a sturdy build, came to the martial arts field.
Xiao Wu waved at him, but the officer just glared back, before selecting recruits from the crowd based on his own judgement.
Feeling a little embarrassed and awkward from the glare, Xiao Wu said to Tang Xiaoyu, "Brother, this is my brother Wu Yong."
Tang Xiaoyu patted his shoulder and said, "The army is a place that values discipline. An army that disregards discipline has little combat effectiveness."
"I understand, Brother Tang," Xiao Wu acknowledged.
Wu Yong noticed how Tang Xiaoyu acted like an elder brother to Xiao Wu, so he took note of Tang Xiaoyu.
After selecting over a hundred people from the crowd, Wu Yong came over to where Tang Xiaoyu was.
Looking at Tang Xiaoyu's tall and thin frame, he calmly said, "Did you volunteer, or are you forced to be a soldier because of the law?"
Tang Xiaoyu stood at attention with his hands at his sides and loudly replied, "Sir, I volunteered. This is every citizen's responsibility and duty."
Seeing Tang Xiaoyu's posture and hearing his loud voice, Wu Yong nodded approvingly three times.
"Good, good, good. I want you as my soldier," he stated.
"Thank you, sir," Tang Xiaoyu responded.
Wu Yong then asked, "Aren't you worried about your family?"
"Without the country, what is the point of family? Without the country, how could I have a family?" Tang Xiaoyu answered righteously.
Wu Yong was even more impressed with Tang Xiaoyu. He patted Tang Xiaoyu on the shoulder and said, "Excellent. From now on, you'll lead this bunch."
"Yes, sir!" Tang Xiaoyu acknowledged.
Wu Yong pointed at Xiao Wu and the others, "Did you hear me clearly?"
"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison.
"Very good. Once I've selected all the recruits, we'll head to the barracks," Wu Yong stated.
"Yes, sir!"
Half an hour later, Wu Yong led Tang Xiaoyu and over 300 other new recruits on the road to the barracks.
"Little Tang, we're heading to the frontlines tomorrow. For now, we can only train while marching. If we're lucky, we can train for a period at the frontlines too," he informed Tang Xiaoyu.
"I understand. It is a special time after all!" Tang Xiaoyu said.
"If only they were half as thoughtful as you," Wu Yong sighed.
Tang Xiaoyu did not respond, only walking silently.
Soon, they arrived at the barracks. At the quartermaster, they collected weapons, armor, and other marching gear before Wu Yong directly led them to the camp under his command.
(For convenience, positions will be referred to by numbers of men commanded, to make it easier to understand.)
Wu Yong's current position was Company Commander, commanding 1000 men. He shuffled the new recruits into squads with veterans, and grouped Tang Xiaoyu and the others into a squad with Tang Xiaoyu as squad leader. This squad was placed under a Sergeant with good seniority and ability.
"Zhuzi, I'm handing these brothers over to you. You must train them well," Wu Yong ordered.
"Don't worry, Brother Yong," Zhuzi assured.
Turning to Tang Xiaoyu, he said, "Follow me closely and learn well, you hear?"
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison.
After Wu Yong left, Zhuzi laughed, "Cut the act. I know you guys already."
Xiao Wu and the others relaxed. "Brother Zhuzi, you haven't come to hang out with us for so long!"
"I want to, but I'm too busy! Don't stand around, go check out your tents," Zhuzi urged.
"Alright," they laughed and chatted as they headed to the tents.
"With Little Tang around, the march won't be boring," Zhuzi joked.
"Brother Zhuzi, at the Orchid House you had to pay. Now you want a free ride," Tang Xiaoyu jabbed playfully.
"Little Tang, watch your words. I only like women," Zhuzi laughed loudly.
Zhuzi was also a regular at the Orchid House and was familiar with Tang Xiaoyu, so this kind of joking was not inappropriate between them.
After getting familiar with their lodgings and eating, the few chatted briefly before turning in for the night.
At dawn the next morning, Tang Xiaoyu got up on time and started preparing.
Xiao Wu and the others were still sleeping like pigs.
After getting ready, Tang Xiaoyu started rousing them awake.
"Rise and shine! Get up now!" he shouted.
Bleary-eyed, they complained, "Brother Tang, why are you yelling so early? Let us sleep!"
Tang Xiaoyu sternly said, "We're soldiers now. Soldiers must follow orders without hesitation. I order you to get up now."
"Alright, Brother Tang," they acquiesced.
"Call me Squad Leader," Tang Xiaoyu corrected.
Under Tang Xiaoyu's threats, they reluctantly got ready as instructed.
As the bugle call rang out, Tang Xiaoyu donned his armor and gear and ran to the parade ground, with the others following behind.
They quickly spotted Zhuzi and rushed over.
"Sergeant, I report six men present and accounted for in my squad. Please instruct," Tang Xiaoyu declared sharply.
Zhuzi was surprised they were the first to arrive.
"Good. Stand in two columns before me and await the Company Commander's order," Zhuzi directed.
"Yes, sir!"
On the viewing platform, Wu Yong observed everything below and nodded in satisfaction.
Over the next few minutes, soldiers gradually trickled in.
Once all were assembled, Wu Yong did not praise or reprimand anyone. He simply announced the order to march to the frontlines.
"We move out in an hour. Dismissed to prepare!"
Tang Xiaoyu's squad returned to their tent, where he had Xiao Wu take two men to load their armor and gear onto the wagons.
Marching soldiers did not wear armor or carry their full kits, as special porters transported these.
Tang Xiaoyu took two men to start disassembling the tents.
While others were still busy packing, Tang Xiaoyu's squad had already finished preparing and was ready to move out.
"Sergeant, do you need help?" Tang Xiaoyu offered.
Zhuzi laughed, "All talk and no action. Are you really willing to help?"
"Here I come," Tang Xiaoyu responded.
With Tang Xiaoyu's help, Zhuzi's 50-man platoon swiftly completed preparations too.
Wu Yong assigned them as the vanguard to clear the path ahead.
The massive army marched towards the frontlines. Along the way, they combined with other 1000-man regiments to form an army corps.
After a day, the 30,000-strong White Tiger City army had fully assembled.