Chapter One Hundred Sixteen: The New Recruits and the Veterans

In the Great Song Kingdom, conscripts were generally referred to as "local militia." They were not considered regular troops but were tasked with labor-intensive duties such as repairing city walls, building bridges, transporting grain, moving supplies, or assisting the regular army in border defense. In essence, they were laborers brought in to perform manual work for the military.

The regular army of the Great Song was known as the "Imperial Guard" and served as the core of the nation's military power. Meanwhile, the local troops stationed in various prefectures were called "garrison troops." The barracks Xiao Ding had arrived at were those of the local garrison troops stationed in Yongzhou.

Most of the new recruits reporting for duty were assigned to the militia ranks. However, when it was Xiao Ding’s turn, just as the reception officer was about to assign him to the militia, an officer approached from behind. Xiao Ding did not recognize the man's rank, but the officer glanced at him and said to the reception officer, "It’s a pity for such a large, sturdy man not to go to the front lines. Assign him to the front!"

Consequently, while others received militia badges, Xiao Ding was issued a garrison troop badge. Though the terms sounded similar, the reality was worlds apart. Being a militia member was arduous, but it did not involve being sent to the battlefield; it was far less dangerous than serving as a garrison soldier on the front lines.

Xiao Ding sighed inwardly at his bad luck. He suddenly thought of Tian Dabao and wondered if his adoptive father had been treated the same way—sent to the front because of his size, only to lose half a leg as a result. Why else would everyone else from their village have returned unscathed?

He looked at Zhao Laixi, Zhao Hu, and the others; they had all been assigned to the militia. Fan Sanpang, having arrived with a cooking pot, successfully caught the reception officer's eye, and upon learning he was a cook, the officer assigned him as a mess soldier responsible for the army's food.

After reporting, the group was led by several veterans into the Northern Garrison Barracks. Zhao Laixi and Zhao Hu were assigned to the same quarters, while Xiao Ding was led to a different barracks.

Including himself, there were six men in Xiao Ding’s room. As soon as he stepped inside, he was met with five pairs of unfriendly glares.

The veteran who brought him there said, "You’re a new recruit; learn to be sensible, and you’ll suffer less." Then, he turned and left.

Xiao Ding pondered the veteran's parting words, wondering if bullying was common in this barracks. As it turned out, his guess was correct. In the Northern Garrison Barracks, veterans bullying new recruits was a common and unremarkable occurrence.

Unlike the militia quarters, where new recruits were constantly arriving, the garrison barracks rarely saw new faces. Although Xiao Ding had sensed the situation, he didn't take it to heart. He cupped his hands in a salute to the five men and said, "I am Tian Xiaoding, a new recruit to the garrison. I hope you brothers will look after me in the future!"

With that, he carried his luggage to the only empty bunk in the room. Just as he was about to lay out his bedding, the man on the innermost bed spoke up: "Since you know you’re a new recruit, you must know the rules for newcomers, right?"

"Rules? What rules? Please, enlighten me," Xiao Ding asked.

"Ha! Looks like you really are a greenhorn. Let me tell you: first, new recruits must adhere to the principle of seniority. Whatever happens, the veterans come first. If you receive a reward—silver or anything else—it goes to us first. If the canteen improves the menu, your portion goes to us first.

"There is also the principle of diligence. As a new recruit, you must be proactive. For instance, if the room needs cleaning, you should rush to do it yourself. At night, you should prepare foot-washing water for us in advance—better yet, wash our feet for us and then pour the water out. Being diligent in these matters will be to your benefit."

Xiao Ding realized that, in plain terms, it meant all the good things were theirs, and all the chores were his.

"And if I refuse?" Xiao Ding asked coldly.

"Then you clearly don't want to live. You should know that in this garrison barracks, we speak with our fists. Whoever has the hardest fist is the boss of the room. Do you think your fists are harder than the five of ours combined?"

"So, if my fists are harder than all five of yours, you’ll acknowledge me as the boss, right?" Xiao Ding gave a cold, mocking laugh.

"You really are arrogant! Where did a hot-headed fool like you come from? In this entire Northern Garrison, there are few who would dare to challenge the five of us alone."

"Whether I'm bragging or not, we'll see soon enough. Are you five brave enough to spar with me?" Xiao Ding challenged.

"Fine. Since you have a death wish, let's spar. But let it be known: if you get hurt, you aren't allowed to go complaining to Lord Huang."

"Fine. All of you, come at me together," Xiao Ding said dismissively. He didn't think much of these common soldiers.

The five men moved quickly, surrounding Xiao Ding in an instant. Xiao Ding smiled slightly, gathering his strength. Before they could strike, he flew out with a kick, sending one of them crashing into a bed.

"Attack him together!" the leader commanded, throwing a punch toward Xiao Ding’s face.

Xiao Ding met the punch with his own. There was a sickening "crack"—the sound of a wrist breaking. The man wailed and retreated, clutching his right arm with his left hand, his body trembling in agony.

The remaining three men’s attacks were either dodged or blocked by Xiao Ding, who remained unscathed. Before long, all five were beaten to the ground, each bearing some mark of the struggle. In reality, these five were just physically strong men with no formal martial arts training. To Xiao Ding, who had mastered close-quarters combat, taking them down was effortless.

"Boss, we surrender! From now on, you are our boss!" The five men scrambled on the floor, begging for mercy. They hadn't expected their target to be such a tough nut to crack.

"Alright, get up and bandage your wounds," Xiao Ding said, quite satisfied with their submission. He calmly finished making his bed and glanced at the five, who now looked at him with genuine fear.

"What are your names? I don't even know who you are yet," Xiao Ding said.

"My name is Yu Feng. I was the boss, but now I’m willing to be number two," said the man whose wrist Xiao Ding had broken.

"I’m Wang Dong, the former number two. I’m happy to be number three now," said the man who had been kicked into the bed.

"I’m Zuo Fei, the former number three. Now I’m number four," said a man whose nose had been flattened.

"I’m Wu Gang, the former number four. I’ll be number five," said a man with a badly swollen cheek.

"I’m Zhu Bo, the former number five. I’ll be number six," said the burliest of the five.

"Alright. I am Tian Xiaoding. As I said, I’m sure you remember. From now on, I am your boss. Now, about those rules Yu Feng mentioned earlier—do I get to enjoy those now?" Xiao Ding smirked.

"What?" The five men were stunned.