Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 814: Deterrence (Part 1)

Ten days later, the Nanyang Guard Camp entered Capital City bearing the Red Flood Dragon Banner.

The Red Flood Dragon Banner is the flag of the Nanyang Prince Mansion and now symbolizes the Emperor of Da Liang. Thirty thousand elite soldiers galloped in unison, shaking the earth with billowing dust, as the banners flapped fiercely in the autumn wind, the red flood dragon raising its head and glaring menacingly.

This grand formation, with such momentum, truly made the military generals who came to greet them turn green with envy.

General Sima was full of admiration: "Everyone in the Personal Guard Camp has two horses!"

In their armies, cavalry did not even make up thirty percent. Soldiers cherished warhorses as if they were treasures. Yet, everyone in the Nanyang Guard Camp was equipped with two horses!

General Song was also envious: "This is too extravagant. Having one horse for a cavalryman is already excellent. Can’t some of these warhorses be shared with other armies?"

Such words were spoken.

General Bao glanced over: "These are the Nanyang Guards raised by the Prince Nanyang, the personal soldiers of the Emperor. All these warhorses come from the Biyang Racecourse. Why share them with others?"

If they were to be shared, it should be with the Imperial Army or Heroic Guard Camp, not General Song.

General Song sheepishly kept quiet.

The Left General remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the three Personal Guard Commanders who had dismounted. More precisely, he was watching Liu Hengchang.

Qin Zhan Meng Dashan were fierce generals, but their ability to train and lead soldiers was far inferior to Liu Hengchang. In recent years, Liu Hengchang’s reputation had grown, becoming a rising star among the new famous generals of Da Liang. Such a formidable figure naturally attracted attention.

General Bao, General Sima, and General Song also assessed the three dismounting figures.

Qin Zhan, the eldest, and commander of the First Camp, spoke first, cupping his hands in salute: "I am Qin Zhan, greetings to the generals!"

Meng Dashan and Liu Hengchang followed suit, each stating their names: "I am Meng Dashan, commander of the Second Camp."

"I am Liu Hengchang, leading the Third Camp of the Personal Guard."

General Bao, the most senior, smiled and said: "Please rise, three commanders. The Nanyang Guard Camp, acting under an imperial edict, has come to garrison in the capital. Our curiosity brings us here today to witness the elegance of the Guard Camp."

"Hearing a hundred times isn’t as good as seeing once." General Sima added with a smile: "You commanders are indeed outstanding figures among martial artists."

General Song, setting aside his envy, smiled and said: "Commander Song is also here from the Emperor’s side. We’ve come to join the fun, not to steal the show."

The Emperor specifically ordered Song Yuan to come and greet them, highlighting the significance he placed on the Guard Camp.

Song Yuan, being low-key, was unfazed by the generals "joining the fun" stealing the spotlight. It wasn’t until this moment that he smiled and said: "The camp for the Guard Camp has been established. Everyone should settle in first. You three, follow me to the palace to meet the Emperor."

With thirty thousand personal guards and tens of thousands of fine horses, it was impossible to flood into Capital City all at once. Qin Zhan Meng Dashan and Liu Hengchang each took a few people to the palace, while the rest of the guards went to the camp to settle and rest.

In the palace, the military generals waited for half an hour until the early meeting ended, and the Emperor immediately summoned the military generals into the hall.

Qin Zhan Meng Dashan Liu Hengchang stood side by side, all cupping their hands in salute.

Jiang Shaohua relaxed his brows and said with a smile: "Rise, I have been looking forward to your arrival."

Qin Zhan laughed aloud: "I have long been looking forward to coming to the Capital City. In the future, whatever tasks the Emperor has, just command me, and I will fight wherever the Emperor points."

Meng Dashan also said: "Exactly, if there are any bandit suppression tasks in the future, the Emperor can entrust them to our Guard Camp."

Ho!

Who’s being pointed at here!

The Left General, General Sima, and General Song each glanced over.

Only General Bao remained unmoved. The Imperial Guard is responsible for guarding the palace and the safety of the capital, and generally doesn’t leave the capital. Bandit suppression doesn’t concern the Imperial Army.

Liu Hengchang spoke last: "We are originally the Emperor’s personal guard, and our most important duty is to protect the Emperor’s safety."

General Bao furrowed his brows and looked over.

What did this mean? Was there a move to snatch the Imperial Army’s duties?

Military generals don’t appreciate subtlety. If something bothers them, they won’t hold back even for a moment. General Bao cleared his throat and said to the Emperor: "The palace has the Imperial Guard; they are sufficient to protect the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and appeased General Bao: "Don’t be anxious, General Bao. I have no intention of altering the Imperial Army."

He then turned to Liu Hengchang and the others: "Since you have just arrived, there’s no rush to take on any duties. Take some time to organize first."

"I plan to hold a large military drill in the winter. All armies will participate, using the drill to improve soldier training."

"Then, who is truly capable will be known to all." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

In literature, there is no first, and in martial arts, there is no second. Among the military generals, there’s no genuine submission, and upon hearing the Emperor’s words, they all straightened with confidence: "The Emperor can rest assured and observe!"

"Our Imperial Army has never feared anyone."

"Our Divine Power Camp is also no slouch."

The Left General ignored the banter of the others, focusing solely on Liu Hengchang: "I’ve heard that General Liu is skilled in training cavalry and has developed formations specifically to counter Rouran Cavalry. At the drill, I hope General Liu will guide us."

Facing the Marquis Wei Yuan, also the Great General of the Heroic Guard Camp, Liu Hengchang remained composed: "The Left General’s illustrious reputation is well-known. I have long admired his thunderous actions in pacifying the rebellion in Yu State. It is my honor to have this opportunity to compete with the Heroic Guard Camp!"

Jiang Shaohua watched the military generals, their words sharp and ready, feeling quite satisfied within.

Indeed, if the civil servants are fiercely competing, so must the military generals.

...

The grand military drill in the twelfth month is the current priority. The Ministry of War needs to draft detailed regulations, prepare weapons for the drill, and also prepare a large amount of medicinal supplies.

The Emperor placed great importance on this matter, especially appointing Sun Zelan and Doctor Sun to oversee the medical preparations.

Sun Zelan hadn’t been idle these past few years in the Imperial Hospital, training a group of palace attendants as apprentices, much like Lin Huiniang and others in the past, specializing in decoction and applying medicinal bandages, and handling simple injuries. This time, they would be useful.

The drill competition’s location was set at the Martial Arts Training Ground of the Heroic Guard Camp.

This wasn’t the Emperor favoring the Heroic Guard Camp. Mainly, because of several expansions, the Martial Arts Training Ground is the most spacious and can accommodate tens of thousands.

Each army varied in size, but a thousand soldiers were chosen for each to participate in the drill. Among these thousand soldiers, different categories were divided - some competed in riding and shooting, some in strength, some in weaponry, and there were drills and confrontations involving military formations, etc., lasting a total of five days. Each competition was separately scored, with the top three and overall scores to be determined.

The precise selection and private training of soldiers by the great generals need not be elaborated.

On the first day of the formal drill, the Emperor of Da Liang personally arrived at the Heroic Guard Camp, Chancellor Chen and the ministers of the staff also attended.