Chapter 14 (Part 2) The Name of the Superior Man

  Although Tao Ying's conditions for selecting soldiers were harsh, fortunately, there was a lot of room for choice, so after using up half a day, Tao Ying finally managed to select eight hundred new soldiers. It was also at this time that Tao Ying suddenly remembered that during the training process, many new soldiers would definitely be eliminated, so Tao Ying made an impromptu decision to add one hundred more new soldiers as reserves. Cao Jiao did not object and smiled in agreement with Tao Ying's request - after all, Xu Zhou's big boss Tao Qian was Tao Ying's father, and the official government office of Xu Zhou was run by the Tao family, so Tao Ying's impromptu decision to recruit one hundred more soldiers would absolutely not be a problem.

  As for the equipment and military rations of the new recruits, and other problems that come with it, Tao Er Gongzi and Cao Da Jiangjun don't need to worry about it. That is a problem for Cao Hong, the logistics officer appointed by Tao Qian, to worry about. No matter how much Tao Er Gongzi and Cao Da Jiangjun fall, they will definitely not fall to Cao Hong's position.

  After several twists and turns, our Master Tao's new army finally gathered a total of 900 people, and on the same day in the evening, they held an inauguration ceremony at the small school field east of Xuzhou City Gate - actually just lining up, receiving military uniforms and flags, listening to Master Tao's few words, then gathering together to eat a meal of "entering the partnership" and that was it.

  Considering the generally low cultural level of soldiers in this era, Tao Ying did not give a long and tedious speech that he had honed through his experience in the system. Standing on the high platform in front of the 900 new recruits, Tao Ying shouted directly and bluntly: "Brothers, today is the day our troop was founded! I won't say any more nonsense, I just want you to remember one thing! Remember two questions!"

  "Brothers, you have all heard clearly, from today and now on, you are the generals of the Great Han. No matter the wind blows or the rain falls, thunder snows or hails, with folded arms sitting high, every month you will not be short of three shi three dou three sheng of millet (Han small stone, weighing about 30 kilograms)! Every year, you will also not be short of your summer clothes and winter fur coats!"

  "Brothers, these are what you deserve, but you must remember that these grains, fabrics and furs were all collected by the Great Han officials from the people of the Great Han. Every piece of clothing and every meal you have is the blood and sweat of the people of the Great Han! This is what I want you to remember!"

  "Brothers, now the first question comes, why do the common people of China need to raise you? Why do they have to work hard every day in the wind and rain to support you with their blood and sweat?"

  "Why? Isn't it because you hope they will go to battle and fight to the death, protect their homes and country, defend their peaceful and happy lives?"

  "Brothers, now the second question comes! The great Han people have worked so hard to support you, but when you arrive on the battlefield, you do not kill the enemy and do not protect the peaceful land of the great Han people. What is the use of the great Han people supporting you?"

  "Brothers, remember this one thing, these two questions, remember your mission, remember who you are fighting for and why you are fighting. You will be forever invincible, never to be defeated by the enemy!"

  "Brothers, let's shout together, defend our home and country! Protect our territory and ensure the people's safety!"

  "Protect our homes and defend our country! Protect our borders and ensure the people's safety!" The honest soldiers specially selected by Tao Ying all listened carefully, regardless of whether they understood the meaning behind Tao Ying's words. They raised their weapons and flags in unison, following Tao Ying's rhythmic lead: "Protect our homes and defend our country! Protect our borders and ensure the people's safety! Protect our homes and defend our country! Protect our borders and ensure the people's safety! Protect our homes and defend our country! Protect our borders and ensure the people's safety——!"

  With this speech, Tao Ying finally managed to reverse some of the bad impressions he had left on Tao Ji and Lin Qingxin. Standing beside him, Tao Ji followed Tao Ying's lead in shouting "Protect our home and defend our country" while secretly thinking: "Second brother makes sense for once, it's only natural that soldiers get paid, but why do civilians have to support them? Not many people had really thought about this before."

  "It sounds good, but I don't know if he really understands the military." Lin Qing, who was standing in Tao Ying's squad, whispered quietly - although Lin Qing had repeatedly refused to serve as a personal soldier for Tao Ying, when he arrived at the military camp and saw that more than a dozen soldiers were crowded into a grass hut, Lin Qing's pale face finally accepted Tao Ying's kindness and moved into the relatively spacious room of Tao Ying, and reluctantly became one of Tao Ying's personal bodyguards.

  "Alright, dismissed! All of you go eat, today our new team is established, there's wine and meat, brothers can eat to their heart's content, after eating return to your rooms to rest! Tomorrow at the fourth watch, you will all begin a brand new 'wonderful' life!" Tao Ying shouted with a mischievous grin.

  "Oh!" The poor 900 new recruits had no idea that hell was slowly opening its doors to them, and they let out heartfelt cheers, thanking Tao Ying again, before rushing towards the cafeteria, which was emitting a strong smell of wine and meat.

  "Wait, kids." Watching the cheering and dispersing crowd of new recruits, Tao Ying's face smiled even more, turning around to take Tao Ji and Lin Qing down the stage to eat, but suddenly saw a person walking up from under the stage, it was Tao Ying's older brother Tao Shang who was so honest that three hammer strikes couldn't get a fart out of him. Tao Ying didn't dare to be slow, hurriedly went forward to welcome him, bowed to the ground and respectfully said: "Brother, younger brother didn't know you were coming, sorry for not welcoming you from afar, please forgive me."

  "Quickly, get up, younger brother." Tao Shang helped Tao Ying up and said with a smile: "I heard that you've finally recruited enough soldiers, and Father's illness has taken a turn for the better in the past few days. I took some time off to come see you and congratulate you."

  "Thank you, brother." Tao Ying hastily expressed his gratitude.

  "What's the fuss about, being brothers at home?" Tao Shang chuckled foolishly and continued: "Just now I heard your lecture, brother, and thought you made a lot of sense. The people support the soldiers for what? It's to let the soldiers protect their homes and country, and keep the borders safe! As long as the soldiers in your unit remember this point, I believe they will be invincible in battle, just like you said!"

  "Brother, you're overpraising me." Tao Yingqian humbly said: "These words are easy to say, but hard to do. I wonder how many more days it will take for the generals to truly remember this point."

  Taoshang nodded again, agreeing with his brother's opinion. Then Taoshang turned to Taoki and asked him to assist the second brother wholeheartedly in leading the army and governing the military. Taoki also honestly agreed. However, Taoshang suddenly had a change of heart and turned to Taoying with a smile: "Younger brother, this army is directly under your command and control, and it is not subordinate to General Caoqiu's troops. They are all called the Great Han Xuzhou Army, which may cause some confusion. Your humble older brother thinks that your army should be given a separate name to distinguish it."

  "Thank you for your advice, brother," Tao replied. "I also had this intention, but I haven't thought of a good name yet."

  "Second brother, what should we call our cavalry?" Tao Ji suggested eagerly: "The most elite cavalry in Cao Cao's army is called the Tiger Leopard Cavalry, let's call ours the Tiger Wolf!"

  "Not good." Unexpectedly, the first to object was his most honest eldest brother Tao Shang. Tao Shang shook his head and said: "Tigers and leopards are all beasts, your team is a righteous army, how can you name it after beasts?"

  "Tigers and wolves are like tigers in their majesty and like wolves in their swiftness, but they don't mean birds or beasts," Tao Ji explained.

  "It's still not good, a teacher of benevolence and righteousness can't be named after an animal." Big Bookworm Tao Shang shook his head in disapproval.

  "What's the relationship between the name of a benevolent and righteous teacher and an army?" Tao Ji said discontentedly, "According to elder brother's intention, can our army only be called the Benevolent and Righteous Gentleman Army?"

  "Is it 'Rényì Jūnzǐ' (Benevolent and Righteous Gentleman's Army)?" Tao Shang's eyes lit up, and he quickly turned to Tao Ying and said: "Younger brother, how about naming your army the 'Jūnzǐ Jūn' (Gentleman's Army)? You are a benevolent and filial person, straightforward and honest, valuing trustworthiness and courage without fear. The name 'Jūnzǐ Jūn' suits you perfectly."

  "Junzi Army?" Tao Ji let out a miserable cry, like a pig being slaughtered. "Big brother, you really know how to come up with names! Junzi Army? It's really embarrassing that you could think of such an unpleasant name!"

  "Junzi Army?" Tao Ying was somewhat moved - because this name, really suited Tao Ying's taste. But Tao Ying still had another consideration, hesitated and said: "It's just too awkward to pronounce, Junzi Army, not loud and smooth enough."

  "The two of you are wrong." Tao Shang shook his head, and said astonishingly: "Have the two of you forgotten that historical records show that more than 500 years ago, there was also a Gentleman Army, which was the strongest army at that time?"

  "Over five hundred years ago there was a Gentleman's Army?" Tao Ying widened his eyes, it really was the first time he had heard of this matter.

  "Not bad." The Taoist nodded, proudly flaunting his knowledge: "Over 500 years ago, the most elite troops under King Goujian of Yue were named after 'Junzi'. The Wu dialect chapter in the book 'Guoyu' records that King Goujian used his private soldiers, the Junzi, as his central army. Commentator Sima Zichang noted: 'Private soldiers Junzi' refers to those who are close to the king and have noble character and conduct, known as 'Wu Xianliang', or 'Scholars' in the Qi dialect. Goujian endured hardship and plotted his revenge, ultimately defeating Wu and wiping away his shame, with the Junzi army as his main force!"

  "Good!" Tao Ying was overjoyed, patted his thigh and exclaimed: "Thank you, brother, for giving me a name. This name is just to my liking! From now on, my team will be called the Junzi Army!"

  "It's also good to call it the Junzi Army." Tao Ji rarely agreed with Tao Ying, pinching his smooth chin and saying: "King Goujian of Yue slept on thorns and tasted bile, taking the Junzi Army as a way to wipe out past shame. Our Xuzhou army is also named after the Junzi Army, with the intention of not forgetting past shame and vowing to avenge old grievances."

  "It's settled then." Tao Yingxi, with a smile on his face, instructed Tao Ji: "Third brother, order people to work through the night to make three large green command flags. On one commander flag, write the two big characters 'Junzi', and also make two more vice-flags."

  "What's written on the vice flag?" Tao Ji suggested: "Little brother suggests writing two lines of 'Lie Jin Tu Zhi' and 'Wo Xin Chang Dan'."

  "No!" Tao Ying shook his head and smiled: "One side of the vice flag is written with the five characters 'Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, Xin', and the other side is written with the five characters 'Wen, Liang, Gong, Jian, Rang'."

  "Are we talking about benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and sincerity? Are we talking about being warm, gentle, respectful, frugal and yielding?" Tao Ji almost screamed like a slaughtered pig, shouting: "Second Brother, are you sure you want to fly these two flags? Are you sure you want our army to fight under these two flags?"

  "Excellent!" The pottery merchant applauded and praised, saying sincerely: "My brother is indeed a humble gentleman, benevolent, righteous, courteous, wise, and faithful. He is gentle, modest, respectful, frugal, and yielding, all of which are the words of saints and our guiding principles for being human!"

  "Not bad!" Tao Ying laughed loudly: "I want to make the Junzi Army like me, benevolent, loyal, courteous, wise and trustworthy! Warm, kind, respectful, frugal, tolerant! Hold high the banner of benevolence and righteousness, sweep across the land undefeated!"

  The Taoist merchant applauded frantically, feeling that the second brother's words were too much to his taste, and sincerely congratulated him: "Brother, with benevolence as your banner and kindness as your flag, I believe you and your noble army will surely have a boundless future!"

  "Is there no future?" Tao Ji and Lin Qing, who was eavesdropping on the side, lamented in their hearts. "With these two banners raised, I believe the Junzi Army will soon become a laughing stock among the lords of the world."

  "I'd better think of a way to return to General Cao Jiao's command, following my second brother, I'm thoroughly without a future!" Tao Ji thought to himself with a sorrowful face. "Benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and sincerity? Gentleness, modesty, courtesy, thriftiness, and humility? It's really surprising that these two bookworm brothers of mine could come up with such a banner for the army to charge into battle!"

  "Never mind, let's go. Don't waste any more time on this bookworm." Lin Qing also sighed in her heart: "Benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and sincerity? Gentleness, modesty, courtesy, thriftiness, and humility? Such a battle flag would definitely not intimidate the enemy on the battlefield, but it's very likely to make ten or eight enemies die from laughter."

  So, after listening to the advice of Old Brother Tao Shang, our Deputy Director Tao personally established the first army, finally had a very loud and elegant name - Junzi Army!

  Also has the military soul and slogan - benevolence, loyalty, etiquette, wisdom, integrity! Gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, tolerance! Abbreviated as: benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, integrity, gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality, tolerance!

  Of course, Deputy Director Tao's team, whether the name is wrong or the slogan is wrong, no one knows yet. But Deputy Director Tao firmly believes that his military name and slogan are not wrong! Whether you believe it or not, Deputy Director Tao himself believes it anyway.