The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 512

Hu Zongxian's squad leader looked at him with a sense of disappointment and frustration.

Hu Zongxian's expression froze upon hearing this.

Yes, this is just the beginning. Tomorrow's march will take even longer than today's, since we didn't set off from the capital until the afternoon.

Thinking of this, Hu Zongxian dragged his extremely aching body, picked up the grain and began to feed the horses.

The squad leader pointed out the secrets of feeding horses to Hu Zongxian.

After feeding the horses, everyone rested on the spot and began to eat their dry rations.

Hu Zongxian was dumbfounded, because they had not brought any food with them when they came.

The squad leader had clearly noticed Hu Zongxian's situation.

“You guys, each of you should give some to this new recruit. The officers probably didn’t provide them with any military rations.”

The platoon leader knew very well that if the new recruits didn't have enough rations, he, as the platoon leader, would be in charge of allocating them. Fortunately, there was only one new recruit in their ten-man squad, so if each of them contributed a little, it would be enough for Hu Zongxian to eat, and it wouldn't have much of an impact.

Hu Zongxian took the rations and water bottle and began to wolf down his food. After marching for so long, he was sore all over when he first dismounted, but now that he had recovered, he felt so hungry that his stomach was practically sticking to his back.

The Xuanwu Army soldiers in the same unit burst into laughter when they saw Hu Zongxian's appearance.

"You look like you come from a wealthy family."

A soldier from the Xuanwu Army standing nearby joked.

How did you figure that out?

Hu Zongxian asked, somewhat puzzled.

They had worked on the farm with the villagers in Zhangjia Village for a long time, so they certainly weren't exactly fair-skinned and tender, but the soldiers could tell at a glance.

“I can tell that you people speak and act differently from us.”

The squad leader said this while eating.

"What's so special about that? What important figures haven't come to our Xuanwu Army? Lord Lin Zhi, the second son of Princess Deqing, was once a member of our Xuanwu Army."

Another Xuanwu Army soldier said.

These soldiers are not addressed by their courtesy names; they are mostly addressed by their given names, as most of them do not have courtesy names.

"And Wang Zhi, who is currently fighting in Japan, is also a centurion from our Xuanwu Army."

Another Xuanwu Army and You Rongyan Road.

Hu Zongxian had already finished eating. Hearing this, he was also very shocked. He had heard of Wang Zhi's name. This man who had fought against Japan and was even close to conquering Japan was very famous throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Countless people regard him as an idol, and even Hu Zongxian admires Wang Zhi.

He never expected that Wang Zhi had actually come from the Xuanwu Army in front of him, and that he had previously only been a centurion in the Xuanwu Army.

What kind of army is this?

At this moment, Hu Zongxian finally realized that the army in front of him was not simple.

Before this, although the Xuanwu Army was fast-moving and had ridiculously good discipline, Hu Zongxian had no concrete understanding of these things. Without comparison, he could not comprehend how powerful the Xuanwu Army was.

Hearing what the others said, Hu Zongxian realized that the army in front of him was no ordinary force.

"Go to bed early, we have to march tomorrow."

Seeing that everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the squad leader looked at them and said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, the other soldiers returned to their tents and went to sleep.

Hu Zongxian dared not delay and hurriedly returned to his tent, but unfortunately he was too late. By the time he lay down, there was already a deafening snoring sound around him.

However, this was not difficult for Hu Zongxian, who was already exhausted. So, he fell asleep quickly, surrounded by the smells of sweat and feet and listening to the deafening snoring.

The next morning, while Hu Zongxian was still half asleep, the bugle call of the Xuanwu Army sounded.

Hu Zongxian was immediately lifted up by the squad leader, and a ladle of water was splashed on his face. Hu Zongxian, who was still a little dazed, instantly became alert.

"Let's eat, we're about to march."

The squad leader looked at Hu Zongxian and reprimanded him.

Hu Zongxian took the military rations from the platoon leader and hurriedly began to eat them. He did not want to delay the march, as that would be a major taboo.

The summer heat made Hu Zongxian feel sticky all over, but he was already used to this feeling when he was farming in Zhangjia Village, so he wasn't too bothered by it.

While Hu Zongxian was eating, he saw Zhao Zhenji.

"Brother Zhao, are you adapting well?"

Hu Zongxian looked at Zhao Zhenji and said.

"I was really not used to it yesterday. I've never ridden a horse for so long and at that speed before. I'm still sore all over, but I'll get used to it sooner or later."

Zhao Zhenji said while eating.

Hu Zongxian nodded upon hearing this.

"In military campaigns, discipline is of paramount importance. Our teachers can't afford to give us special lessons. If we can't keep up, we're destined to be eliminated."

Hu Zongxian remarked with some emotion.

“I have seen this army. Every soldier is extraordinary and incomparable to ordinary troops. If we were on the battlefield, we would probably have a hard time keeping up.”

Zhao Zhenji said with some concern.

"You're overthinking it. Do you think you're qualified to follow the Xuanwu Army on the battlefield? I'll arrange your fate when the time comes."

Zhou Chu approached the two men, his face full of disdain.

"teacher."

The two hurriedly bowed.

"There are no teachers or students in the army, only commanders and soldiers. From now on, call me sir."

Zhou Chu looked at the two of them and said with a serious expression.

"Yes, my lord!"

The two quickly corrected their attitude.

Zhou Chu looked at the two of them, nodded, and then turned and left.

"The lord has ordered us to set off immediately."

As Zhou Chu's orders were relayed, the Xuanwu Army prepared to set off.