Weight-bearing training has existed since ancient times. In the era of cold weapons, a soldier's stamina, endurance, and strength were crucial to the outcome of a battle.
Furthermore, ancient armor easily weighed tens of pounds. Without sufficient stamina and endurance, one wouldn't even be able to walk on the battlefield.
Zhou Sui agreed, Alright.
Li Su and his son were thrilled when they learned they could join the training. Yesterday's battle had profoundly shown them just how formidable this group was.
A small team of only 16 people had taken down over 100 refugees. More accurately, the main fighting force consisted only of Jiang Jin, Zhou Sui, and Xie Nanxiao, while the rest were merely support. This was something they would never have dared to imagine before.
It was his first time witnessing the prowess of Jiang Jin and the others. Even Feng Qingzhu, who looked incredibly weak, dared to step up and hack at enemies.
At the same time, he felt very fortunate to have sold himself to such a powerful master. The stronger the master, the safer he and his family would be.
Yesterday, he had actually been afraid, terrified even, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and fight.
He had thought to himself then that if only he could be that strong, he would be able to protect himself, his family, and the team.
He hadn't expected the young lady to let them receive training today. The two were naturally overjoyed. They were not afraid of hardship or exhaustion. In such chaotic times, as long as they could eat their fill, stay warm, and keep their family safe, a little hardship and fatigue meant nothing.
Thus, when the group set off, Shuangjiang and the Li father and son ran alongside them.
Shuangjiang had a head injury and was originally supposed to rest for two days, but she insisted on joining the training immediately, and Jiang Jin agreed.
Jiang Jin ran with the group for two hours before becoming exhausted. Combined with the hot weather, she didn't force herself. She got into the carriage to rest for a while, then started doing resistance training and other exercises.
Shuangjiang and the other two didn't need to rest at all. For them, having eaten and drank their fill, and without having to carry heavy luggage, simply keeping up with the speed of the carriage was no problem at all.
During the noon break, Zhou Sui had Xie Nanxiao teach them basic boxing and sword techniques.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jin took some linen cloth, drew a simple diagram, and had Feng Qingzhu and the others sew weight-bearing sandbags. To make them durable, two or three layers of linen were used.
She also asked Zhou Sui how their soldiers usually did weight-bearing training.
Zhou Sui replied, Usually by lifting heavy objects, carrying cauldrons, stone locks, and stone barbells. Also, daily training like wielding swords and drawing stiff bows can improve physical strength and reaction times.
These methods could indeed increase strength, but they all required auxiliary tools and specific training environments. Given their current situation on the road, they were unsuitable.
Weight-bearing sandbags were much more convenient. They could be tied to the legs, body, or hands, and materials could be gathered on the spot anytime, anywhere, making them extremely convenient.
These weight-bearing sandbags were simple to make and could be sized up or down according to need. Many were produced in just one noon session.
Jiang Jin then led some people to scoop up a lot of clean sand from the stream and left it to dry for future use.
By the time they set off in the afternoon, Shuangjiang and the other two were already using the weight-bearing sandbags.
Because they were just starting, Jiang Jin had all three of them wear a total weight of only 5 kilograms, progressing gradually.
Shuangjiang was the youngest and a girl, yet she ran the most effortlessly.
Li Su and his son could barely keep up.
Zhou Sui, Yao Ji, and Xie Nanxiao were amazed by the weight-bearing sandbags Jiang Jin had come up with.
Having all fought on the battlefield, they knew very well the changes this kind of training method would bring to soldiers.
When resting at night, while Xie Nanxiao was teaching Shuangjiang and the other two how to box, he strapped on the weight-bearing sandbags himself.
The next day, unsurprisingly, an incident occurred.
On the road, they encountered a group of Quzhao soldiers escorting prisoners, and they actually took a fancy to Jiang Jin's horses.
Where did you get these horses? Where are you taking them? The leader was a minor Quzhao commander with somewhat bulging eyes.
Jiang Jin, sitting on her horse, looked down at him. What business is it of yours?
There weren't many Quzhao people, about twenty or so. To Jiang Jin, they weren't really a threat, so she didn't yield.
Back when she first woke up in this world, she dared to face over ten Jiaoren soldiers head-on with just a dagger, let alone now that she had a team.
If they didn't provoke her, she couldn't be bothered to look for trouble, but if they dared to target her, she wouldn't mind wiping them out.
Looking closer, the prisoners this group was escorting were somewhat peculiar. There were five in total, all men, all wearing shackles on their hands and feet, and strung together in a line.
Among them, a thin, gray-haired old man was being carried motionless on the back of another prisoner.
The old man's trouser legs were torn to shreds, revealing lower legs that were a bloody, mangled mess. They were covered in bloodstains and emitted a foul stench, with flies buzzing around them.
The man carrying him was tall, though equally thin. He kept his head down, panting heavily, clearly having a hard time.
Hearing Jiang Jin's words, the Quzhao soldiers were all stunned, and even the prisoners looked up at her.
They saw a young woman riding a horse, followed by several carriages, and behind them was a large herd of horses.
Around the herd were three men on horseback, as well as three men and women with strange linen bags tied to their bodies.
The tall prisoner carrying the old man hesitated for a moment, but ultimately unable to bear it, warned in a hoarse voice, You have horses, flee quickly!
As soon as he spoke, a whip landed on him. With a loud crack, a bloody welt immediately appeared on his arm.
The Quzhao soldier who cracked the whip sneered, Speak again and I'll cut your tongue out. Hah, you can't even save yourself and you want to save others? Do you think a few Han people like them can escape?
You... The shortest prisoner was a boy who looked only twelve or thirteen. He took a step forward, chest heaving, about to curse angrily, but was pulled back by the prisoner next to him.
The boy gritted his teeth, lowering his head to hide the resentment in his eyes, and said no more.
The minor commander ignored the dispute among the prisoners. He stared at Jiang Jin with burning eyes and smiled.
They could easily take down this group. After all, at a glance, there were only three or four young, strong men who actually possessed combat power.
Furthermore, Han people were weak. He could just send any two of his men to finish off those young men.
Dozens of warhorses meant great merit!
Although they were all from the northern grasslands, warhorses were still very precious.
Besides, several women in this group were good-looking, especially the one riding the horse, who was exceptionally beautiful.
He liked Han women. They were soft and delicate; just looking at them gave him the urge to ravage them.
The minor commander licked his lips. It had been a long time since he encountered something so interesting.
In Fengzhou, the domain of the Quzhao people, a lowly Han woman actually dared to speak to him like this. He wondered if she would be crying and begging for mercy later!
He scoffed, I was going to spare your lives, but I didn't expect you to be so unappreciative. Brothers, attack! Keep the women for us to play with on the road, and kill all the men...
Pfft.
Before he could finish his sentence, an arrow was already lodged in his chest.
Dong Si stood on the carriage, looking down at the astounded crowd. Anyone who dares to insult our young lady like this must die!
Jiang Jin couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. Wait, when did this little eunuch become so ruthless?
The minor commander looked in disbelief at the arrow piercing his chest. You, you actually dare...
Jiang Jin didn't waste any words. She waved her hand: Kill!
As soon as she spoke, Zhou Sui slashed at a Quzhao soldier with his sword, sending a head flying high into the air...
Xie Nanxiao was quick to react. Spurring his horse forward, he thrust out his long spear.
The blade in Jiang Jin's hand slashed out in tandem, claiming another life.
In her spatial realm, she actually kept a modern replica of a Modao, which was a true instrument of slaughter. Unfortunately, she had not yet built up the physical strength required to wield such a heavy weapon, leaving her no choice but to use a Tang-style sword instead.
The Quzhao men finally snapped back to their senses. Seething with rage, they charged at the group and roared, You are courting death!
Jiang Jin's trio led the vanguard, while Dong Si and Chen Xi provided support from the rear with their bows and arrows.
Luo Qingci also nocked an arrow and drew her bow, but she did not dare aim at the center of the fray. After all, her archery skills left much to be desired, and she was terrified of accidentally shooting her own allies.
Instead, she set her sights on the Quzhao soldiers lingering near the edges of the skirmish. She let her arrow fly, but the projectile merely grazed a Quzhao man's cheek and shot straight toward where the prisoners were located.
