Zhang Yunchuan is reborn in 1925 in a small town in southern Sichuan.
Starting with six hundred silver dollars, he shouts, “Meals and pay provided!” and draws in thirty men so hungry their eyes gleam green.
Three months later, at the bamboo grove training ground.
The recruits drill under the blazing sun, blood blisters forming on their hands and their straw sandals wearing through.
“Train! If you don’t train hard, what will stop the Japanese when they come?” Zhang Yunchuan’s voice is hoarse.
In their first battle against bandits, the recruits’ legs go weak as bullets whistle past.
Zhang Yunchuan leads the charge and drops the bandit chief with one shot.
“See? Even bullets fear those who aren’t afraid to die!” he roars. Blood and fire forge the first batch of men with iron bones.
Luo Liba is verbose, and there is an endless stream of modifying and pretentious words.