#212 - Chapter 212: Inspecting the Troops

As the night deepened, Cheng Feng's figure, parting ways with Wang Tianshan amidst the dim lights in front of the county government office, appeared particularly resolute. Facing the impending task of bandit suppression, every bit of preparation was crucial.

Returning to the Hongmen headquarters, he immediately summoned the core management. The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy and tense, the candlelight flickering, reflecting the determined faces of everyone present.

The main force for this expedition consisted of the members from the Three Halls of Hongmen, but recently, the number of members in the Three Halls had indeed become somewhat excessive.

Besides the members absorbed from the Green Bamboo Gang, there were also members from other small gangs mixed in, leading to a motley crew that was difficult to manage. Even Li Yang, whom Cheng Feng valued highly, expressed that the number was too large, making management difficult.

After calculation by Cheng Feng and Wang Hu, the current number of members in the Three Halls had exceeded two thousand, with over five hundred official 'seal-holding' disciples.

Among them, only two hundred and seventy were well-trained, and there were approximately one hundred and fifty martial artists in the Body Tempering stage, mostly in the early stages.

There were eighty disciples in the Skin Tempering stage, the strongest being in the late Skin Tempering stage. These individuals were received from the Green Bamboo Gang. As for disciples in the Blood Tempering stage, they could be promoted to the Earth Hall, but there were currently no such talents.

To eliminate the bandits, it was necessary to select some core disciples for training. Those with prior convictions needed to be tested, while those without background needed to be examined. Only in this way could the team's combat effectiveness and loyalty be ensured.

"Brothers, we are about to embark on a rough road. Bandit suppression is both reputation and test," Cheng Feng's voice was steady and powerful, piercing through every inch of air in the room. "Although Hongmen is large, true strength lies in quality, not quantity. Today's meeting is to select from these two thousand members, and to sift out the burdens we are preparing to shed."

"With too many people, there are more who try to muddle through, and the team becomes difficult to lead. This is a good opportunity to fight those fierce bandits. Those who survive can directly enter the Inner Hall. Those who perform poorly, or die in battle, will receive compensation. Hongmen only wants elites."

Everyone present trembled at Cheng Feng's boldness as he uttered these words without changing his expression.

If that were really the case, then the bandit suppression would be a way to temper the Three Halls disciples, allowing them to choose life in blood and fire.

Seeing that the Hongmen executives were silent, Cheng Feng knew that his move was relatively ruthless, but there was no other way. Hongmen's benefits were good, and there were always people who wanted a piece of the pie, but how could they be promoted without merit?

Such a large group needed to be supported. If Hongmen could not select those who were useful and loyal to Hongmen, while still paying the members' salaries, even if the territory in the south of the city was taken down, it would not be a solution if things continued like this.

Every time Cheng Feng looked at Hongmen's accounts, he felt a headache. How could others control a force so easily, while it was so difficult for him?

Later, Cheng Feng also concluded that this was because Hongmen's system was too good, attracting too many people, so many people came to rely on it. With so many people, the expenses were also high, and under the imbalance of income and expenditure, Hongmen would inevitably be dragged down.

Cheng Feng was unwilling to explain further: "I will give you an incense stick's time. You few will determine the number of people based on the chiefs and captains under each of you, in three batches, three hundred people in each batch. Give priority to the disciples who have been absorbed. As long as they can fight in this battle and make great contributions, the position of Inner Hall disciple, silver, and martial arts can be rewarded. Those who shirk their responsibilities will be expelled from Hongmen and never be hired again."

Wang Hu and the others no longer hesitated upon hearing Cheng Feng's order. Everything in Hongmen was built by Cheng Feng, and the position of the leader was as stable as a mountain, and the orders were decided in one word.

After an incense stick's time,

Wang Hu held a detailed list in his hand, with the names of nine hundred people on it. According to Cheng Feng's vision, there were still capable people among the Outer Hall disciples, but there were always some sands covering the light of gold.

Looking at the list, Cheng Feng asked: "Is there anything else that needs to be added?"

Li Yang frowned, but his eyes flashed with determination: "I suggest that, in addition to the existing trained personnel, we should add a round of strict selection, including physical fitness tests, tactical drills, and loyalty assessments. We must first know our numbers."

Cheng Feng nodded in agreement, adding: "In addition, for the newly joined brothers, especially the brothers of the Green Bamboo Gang, we must give more trust and opportunities, but at the same time, we must strictly review to ensure the purity of the team. Let everyone understand that under Hongmen, there is no distinction between old and new, only talent is promoted, and only loyalty is used."

The meeting then turned to detailed discussions, from the selection process to the training plan, to logistical support, each item was carefully planned. Cheng Feng particularly emphasized the importance of teamwork and discipline, pointing out that in the cruel battle, this would be the foundation for their survival.

The next morning, Hongmen was busy, and the news of the selection spread quickly, arousing the fighting spirit and enthusiasm of the disciples. On the training ground, shouts of killing rose and fell, sweat and blood intertwined, and every disciple was proving their loyalty to Hongmen and their desire for wealth in their own way.

Cheng Feng was now in a position where he had to act. Every force had to contribute, and Hongmen's silver needed to be circulated to support people, so the Three Halls disciples should also contribute.

After preparing everything for Hongmen, Cheng Feng returned to Cheng Mansion, only to see that Zhao Wei, Cai'er, and Mei Niang had not slept yet, lighting candles and waiting for him to come home.

Cheng Feng was deeply moved, eating the hot food that the three women had prepared for him, Cheng Feng felt that everything was worth it.

Seven days later, the money and food of the three major families had been prepared, and the masters of the six martial arts schools and the disciples of the four major gangs were all gathered at a location outside the city.

Cheng Feng arranged for eight hundred people to be around Cheng Mansion, to take care of the safety of his home.

He personally led the two enshrined Wu Feng and Cheng Yi, as well as twenty outstanding inner disciples, at the forefront, followed by three hundred outer disciples wearing Hongmen-specific cloth clothes. These disciples lined up in neat formations, passing through the streets in an orderly manner, and finally arrived at the designated location outside the city.

Looking from afar, it could be seen that the front was already crowded with people. Each gang sent about three hundred people, but when Hongmen showed up, it immediately gave people a refreshing feeling. In addition, with some Skin Tempering and Blood Tempering martial artists brought by the martial arts schools, the number of bandit suppressors was almost two thousand.

The county lieutenant rode a tall steed, wearing a majestic suit of armor; and the constables and head constables were also fully equipped, giving people a strange feeling of being like soldiers but not soldiers.

Although the choices between the various forces were different, Magistrate Liu would not interfere too much. As long as he could ensure that the money and food were sufficient, he would not ask about other things.

Seeing that the teams from each family were in place, Magistrate Liu said with great pride: "For the safety of the people of the county, I hope you all will return in triumph!"

The main force set out.