Rebirth of a Star General (Legend of the Female General)

Chapter 55 - 56

Chapter 55: Jiang Jiao

The summer days at Liangzhou military camp were long and grueling, filled with arduous training that tested the endurance and determination of the new recruits. Day after day, they endured rigorous exercises that were both monotonous and challenging. Yet, time seemed to pass swiftly, and before they knew it, the minor heat had given way to the major heat, and autumn was just around the corner.

The intense training routines quickly honed the recruits of Liangzhou military camp into soldiers of remarkable endurance and determination. In addition to archery practice and early morning weighted runs, their training encompassed various skills such as polearm combat, footwork drills, formation tactics, spear techniques, knife arts, and equestrian archery—although the latter was somewhat limited due to the scarcity of horses within Liangzhou military camp.

“Brother Ah He, here’s your bread,” Xiao Mai handed a piece of dried bread to He Yan.

The round flatbread had been roasted over charcoal until it became crispy and savory. With a single bite, the warm crumbs and flavors danced on He Yan’s taste buds. She took a couple of bites, followed by a big gulp of water, feeling the immediate comfort as her previously empty stomach was soothed.

Hong Shan scrutinized He Yan and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Ah He, something doesn’t seem right. You eat the same rations as us every day, and sometimes you even get special treats, but how come you’re still so thin and… well, small?” He struggled to suppress the word “short.”

He Yan: “…”

Could she really be blamed for this?

Her so-called “sworn brother,” the “useless young master” Cheng Lisu, would occasionally sneak her some extra food. Sometimes it was a handful of pine nuts, other times a few pieces of dried meat, and once he even managed to bring her a bowl of soup, claiming it was from his uncle.

Every time he handed her something, Cheng Lisu appeared nervous, urging her to eat quickly and making sure his uncle wouldn’t catch them. It felt like a covert operation. While He Yan sometimes considered declining the food, she ultimately went along with it. After all, why turn down a free meal? Besides, the treats Cheng Lisu brought were surprisingly delicious.

Even with these extra indulgences, He Yan’s appearance didn’t change much. The rigorous training and constant sweating over the past few months had caused her to lose weight and appear even more delicate.

However, this “delicate” young lady had managed to stun everyone with her archery skills during the previous weeks, even causing the scar-faced hulking man to address her as “boss.” Her impressive feat of turning countless new recruits into “empty stomachs” was still fresh in their memories. He Yan was now a recognized figure in the military camp.

Since that incident, no one had come forward to challenge He Yan, much to her relief. She was able to enjoy a bit of respite from the competitive atmosphere. She was still strategizing on how to catch the attention of Xiao Jue, paving the way to enter Nine Banner Battalion.

On this particular day, the training focus was on spear techniques. The wooden spears used in the training were made of sturdy wood, featuring short, sharp tips.

The instructor demonstrated a series of spear techniques on the elevated platform, while the new recruits imitated his movements below. Over time, they began to show improvement. He Yan, however, wasn’t particularly skilled with the spear. Her personal weapon of choice was the sword. Moreover, her diminutive size and the awkwardness of wielding a spear made her feel constrained.

After the instructor finished his demonstration, the recruits were allowed to practice on their own. As he walked around the training ground, he observed the progress of the recruits. When he reached He Yan’s side, he couldn’t help but give her an extra glance.