The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 265 - 233, this humble officer respectfully requests General Zhao to display his martial skills!

Tang Daren... Tang Ping... Who came up with these odd names...

Inside the carriage, Zhao Douan forcefully suppressed the urge to criticize and browsed through the information in his hands.

The paper detailed the basic information of noteworthy officers of the Divine Mechanism Camp.

Surprisingly, the first on the list was not Commander Shi Meng, but this "Young Master"... However, given the title of the Duke, it was understandable.

"Someone in the Imperial Court really enjoys officialdom," Zhao Douan sighed.

He knew little about the Duke, but was aware that he was one of the few top military figures with command authority in the Great Yu Dynasty.

The title of Duke dated back hundreds of years.

The Tang family, too, had been a military family for generations.

They were nothing like that waste of nobility, Marquis Xiajiang.

However, the Duke usually stationed in Xiping Road, far from the Capital, and thus had a low profile.

This generation’s Duke originally had an eldest son, but after an accident claimed his life, several daughters were born in succession before Tang Ping.

Therefore, the title of "Young Master" had shifted from the deceased eldest son to him.

"Such a distinguished status, and he’s only a commander of a thousand?" asked Zhao Douan curiously.

Mo Chou huffed, looking unfazed, and said,

"The Duke’s family discipline is strict, emphasizing military leadership to the younger generation. Even the future Lord must start from the very bottom as a common soldier..."

Understood... From a mere soldier to a commander of a thousand, and in the highly secure Divine Mechanism Camp of the imperial guards... This promotion speed is like riding a rocket...

Zhao Douan instantly understood, sympathizing with this sort of gilding journey for the scions of top military families.

Turning to the second page, he examined the resume of Commander Shi Meng... His qualifications were mediocre, and although he was also of military origin, his current position owed as much to his combat achievements as to Xue Shence’s patronage...

That explained why a commanding officer of his stature mattered less than a commander of a thousand.

"Mo Zhaorong specifically mentioned this man, telling me to watch out—could it be he dislikes me?"

Zhao Douan flicked through the pages with resigned curiosity,

"Simply because I disposed of his subordinate? Zhang Changji?"

Mo Chou shook her head,

"Hardly. Although Zhang Changji was under his command, it’s said he wasn’t much valued. Besides, he was connected to Prince Jing Mansion... He wouldn’t take it out on you.

Essentially, the Young Master equally despises anyone he looks down on, and you just happened to be one of them."

Zhao Douan was no longer pleased,

"Hasn’t he heard my story?"

Mo Chou helplessly said,

"He has, just too much of it. Yes, this has somewhat to do with your ’Thousand Faces God’ reputation."

She briefly clarified, and Zhao Douan then understood the whole story.

The junior officer previously killed by the Thousand Faces God had served in the Capital Camp and was apparently well-liked, with brothers also serving there.

Later, after witnessing his elder brother’s assassination and in the heat of anger, he cursed Zhao Douan and was severely dealt with by the hawks of the Imperial Court.

News of this spread and aroused much solidarity within the camp.

In addition, since half of those whom the Thousand Faces God killed belonged to the military... A considerable number of officers harbored great dissatisfaction towards Zhao Douan.

Thus, many exaggerated stories naturally circulated among the various camps, reaching Tang Ping and further exacerbating the Young Master’s distaste for him.

"That irritating junior officer brother who troubled me, was he from the Capital Camp as well?"

Zhao Douan palmed his forehead, suddenly feeling the urge to turn back to the Imperial Prison and take out his frustration on the captured Thousand Faces God with a whip.

The damned rebel... Definitely deliberate... Even captured, he was still setting traps for me.

Mo Chou sighed,

"Military culture differs from the civil officials’. They place a premium on camaraderie, not to mention officers who were friendly with Zhang Changji. Just the stir caused by the Thousand Faces God alone has left quite a few low-ranking officers with a bad opinion of you."

Zhao Douan, puzzled, said, "Are these soldiers brainless?"

Mo Chou smiled wryly,

"You think they’re foolish? No, these proud and fierce soldiers are anything but. From what I know, many are genuinely indignant.

They feel it’s utterly unfair that someone as useless as you, simply by virtue of a pretty face, is promoted and favored by Her Majesty, while others stronger in martial arts and more accomplished go unnoticed... Quite unjust indeed."

Zhao Douan suddenly realized.

Originally just a minor figure in the imperial guards, he had risen meteorically. How then, could his fellow imperial guards see it?

Understandably, they were envious—a natural human reaction.

The saying goes, "I fear not that my brothers suffer hardship, but that they drive luxury cars beyond me"... The resentment of the rank-and-file towards Zhao Douan’s inexplicable promotion was far stronger than among the civil officials.

Added to the catalyst of the junior officer’s brother being disciplined... It further fermented antagonistic sentiments.

"Of course, not that many officers actually harbor ill feelings towards you."

Seeing his grim expression, Mo Chou jokingly added,

"It’s that they think less of your martial arts skills. Just as the civil officials look down on the crude manners of soldiers, the military likewise scorns the scheming nature of the civil officials...

In the military, only martial prowess earns respect. Your sneaky ways of dealing with people are looked down upon.

So, if you want to hold your ground in the Divine Mechanism Camp, without genuinely awe-inspiring martial might, no matter how cunning your strategies, the brutes of the army won’t acknowledge you."

Martial arts?

Zhao Douan’s expression became subtly complex.

In fact, to date, very few in the Capital truly understood the extent of his martial progress.

Most knowledgeable was the Empress, followed by Zhang Han, Haitang, and others of the Imperial Court, then the rebels of the Kuangfu Society.

The rest remained clueless.

His last public show of force was when he had disabled Zhang Changji.

Thus, in the minds of most, Zhao Douan’s cultivation had stagnated at the Initial or at most, Middle Grade.

Little did they know, under the direct tutelage of the Empress, his martial arts skills had radically transformed.

"So it is..." he murmured softly.

Seeing his demeanor, Mo Chou thought he felt pressured and hesitated before consoling,

"I tell you this so you’re informed about the Divine Mechanism Camp.

The Capital Camp prides itself on strict military discipline, and as a newly appointed Commander, you needn’t worry. The military isn’t like Lihua Hall; insubordination commands severe military punishment, rules even the Duke’s son must follow."

Zhao Douan smiled, raised his hand, and pushed aside the carriage curtain.

He gazed at the barracks gradually coming into view through the early autumn air and murmured in an almost imperceptible voice,

"What if they don’t follow the rules..."

He hadn’t forgotten that in his hand, he held the Imperial Sword promised by the Empress.

...

...

Divine Mechanism Camp.

It was stationed in the South Suburb of the Capital, gazing distantly at the bamboo forest from the time of transit.

Surrounded by walls of yellow earth, within lay distributed barracks and houses, and a vast expanse used for military exercises.

When Zhao Douan and his party arrived,

Commander Shi Meng of the Divine Mechanism Camp had already, along with several military officers, been personally standing at the camp’s entrance to welcome them.

Seeing the several individuals disembarking one by one, this commander—extraordinarily tall and sturdy, with dark skin and bristly hair and beard—typifying the appearance of a fierce general, immediately let out a "haha" and laughed heartily, striding forward to greet them.

"Mo Zhaorong, Master Zhao... You two have finally come; old Shi here has been waiting for a long time!"

At this time, Zhao Douan got out of the carriage, standing side by side with Mo Chou, curiously eyeing the enthusiastic general approaching them.

Mo Zhaorong, representing the Empress, maintained a dignified and majestic demeanor, smiling and nodding her head as she introduced the newcomer to Zhao Douan.

"General Shi’s appearance is majestic, truly befitting of a grand general’s poise."

Zhao Douan cupped his fists with a smile:

"From now on, I will be working under the general’s command."

General Shi feigned displeasure:

"What are you saying, Master Zhao? Coming to our Divine Mechanism Camp is just like coming home. We are both here to share Her Majesty’s worries. We should treat each other equally; there’s no need to distinguish between high and low!"

For such a high-ranking third-rank military officer to display this humility towards someone of the fourth rank.

The gesture could be considered quite low.

Mo Chou’s lips slightly curled up into a pleased nod, feeling that this General Shi truly knew his place. Starting his duty today should proceed without incident.

"Heh heh."

Zhao Douan chuckled and did not argue, happily accepting the gesture.

He whispered a few words to Hou Renmeng and Qian Kerou, who were trailing behind.

The group then proceeded into the camp in a grand manner.

From afar, they could still hear the sounds of soldiers drilling on the training ground.

General Shi explained with a laugh:

"It’s autumn, the peak time for drills. Our Divine Mechanism Camp has a full complement of five thousand men: three thousand six hundred infantry, one thousand cavalry, and just under five hundred rocket infantry. Divided into the central army, the left and right flanks, the left and right sentries... five armies in total, each with its own internal officer and military officer...

Heh, now that Master Zhao has arrived, you are the overall supervisor of the internal officers... Today’s drill involves the central army... It’s a perfect opportunity to show you the vigor of the forces within the camp, which is quite different from the temple halls in the city."

Zhao Douan asked with curiosity:

"Why do I only hear the drill commands, but no sound of gunfire?"

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"Gunfire?" The third-rank Commander Shi Meng paused, confusion spreading across his face, and then promptly uttered, "Oh," saying:

"Are you referring to firearms, Master Zhao? Today we are only practicing infantry and cavalry with bows; that’s why you don’t hear it."

Isn’t... the infantry of the Divine Mechanism Camp also supposed to use muskets or something similar? And what are rocket infantry... shouldn’t they be cannons? Zhao Douan’s curiosity spiked.

He didn’t know much about the situation in the Great Yu’s Divine Mechanism Camp, merely guessing based on habitual thinking.

However, to avoid showing weakness, he kept his doubts to himself.

As they spoke, the party walked past the barracks, and before them opened up a huge drill ground.

At the moment, the perimeter of the field was lined with fluttering banners, as armored infantry, some with long spears and some with bows and arrows, practiced in square formations.

Some of the mid- to low-ranking military officers, spotting General Shi’s arrival from a distance, promptly ordered the soldiers to hold and turned towards them, arranging their formations to welcome the new officer.

"Divine Mechanism Camp sergeant..."

"Bearer of standards..."

"Central army camp commander... Greetings to Commander!"

In the blink of an eye, dozens of military officers rushed over, one after another presenting themselves with their fists cupped in greeting.

Zhao Douan smiled, nodding in turn with Mo Chou as they inspected the several thousand soldiers arranged in square formations, feeling somewhat like they were on an inspection.

General Shi had a smile on his face and nodded slightly, thinking to himself that his instructions had worked; the soldiers were performing well.

At the very least, he could make this esteemed Master Zhao, appointed by Her Majesty herself—deemed a deputy but in reality, a "supervisor"—happy.

This would make things much easier afterwards.

However, just as this thought arose, General Shi’s eyelids twitched fiercely.

He heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching and his heart skipped a beat.

Zhao Douan also looked up on hearing the noise, surprised to see a white-robed young officer rushing out from within the army in the distance!

Mounted on a rare white horse was a young military officer draped in a white cloak, clad in shiny silver armor.

He appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a handsome face and sharp eyes, and his horsemanship showed that he was extraordinary.

Amid the thunderous sound of horse hooves, the white-robed officer suddenly raised his iron bow, and in one smooth motion retrieved three arrows from his quiver, stringing them on his bowstring.

Drawing the bow and readying the arrows.

The steed galloped furiously.

Dust rose from the ground.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

The three arrows, shot while galloping, turned into blurs and whistled threw the air, accurately hitting the crimson hearts of three targets on the drill ground!

"Great!"

"Mighty!"

From within the ranks, murmurs of admiration could be heard.

Accompanied by the low sound of beating drums.

What was prepared as a welcoming ceremony for Zhao Douan seemed to have turned into a stage for this man’s display of archery skills.

General Shi’s face changed dramatically, roiling in his mind, nearly cursing aloud.

"General Shi, who is this..."

Just at the wrong moment, Zhao Douan turned his head to ask with a smile.

Like a fierce warrior on the battlefield, but with finer points in his nature, Commander Shi barely held back his anger and forced a smile:

"He is one of the Camp Thousand Households, Tang Ping."

That young master?

Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows.

As the drumming slowly ceased, the white-robed officer pulled on the reins to approach the group and leapt off his horse.

With an extremely unsightly expression on General Shi’s face, the officer turned to Zhao Douan, bowing slightly as if in greeting.

Yet, he presented an iron-framed greatbow, saying in a clear voice:

"I, Tang Ping, in accordance with the tradition of our army, request General Zhao to demonstrate martial arts!"