The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 107 Lin Daiyu's old illness relapses

Anyone who has led troops will fully understand the significance of military discipline to combat effectiveness.

Who can expect those staggering soldiers to fight bravely on the battlefield?
In Shi Ding's heart, he secretly compared himself with the soldiers of the garrison under the jurisdiction of the Jinling Military Commander, and finally he sighed quietly. In terms of military appearance and discipline, they were indeed far inferior.

"Huai Zhong is really good at training soldiers." Shi Ding praised sincerely.

Shen Yuan pondered and said, "Military discipline is only the foundation. To build a truly strong army, we still need to be reborn through bloodbaths on the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding turned to look at Shen Yuan, and the admiration in his eyes was tangible.

He has achieved great success at a young age, but he is neither arrogant nor impatient, and has already shown the qualities of a great general.

Jiang Zhongnian also looked excited, and praised generously: "Everything is difficult at the beginning. Now Huaizhong has made a good start. We only need to polish it a little bit in the future to build a strong army."

The soldiers in front of us have the potential to be a strong army. With Shen Yuan leading them, they will be able to unsheathe their swords and cut through all obstacles in the future.

Jiang Qiu'er looked at the military formation on the parade ground and listened to the praises from her father and Uncle Shi. She couldn't help but feel proud. This was Shen Lang's new army. As expected, Shen Lang was always so outstanding.

"With such a military appearance, those corrupt scholars who criticize the new army will be speechless on the day of the military parade."

As Shi Ding was speaking, he suddenly felt Jiang Zhongnian glance at him, so he smiled and explained, "Of course, there are civil servants like Lord Jiang who support reform."

"That's a bit narrow-minded." Jiang Zhongnian pondered, "Officials are not divided into civil and military officials. The key is whether they have the original intention to help the world and strengthen the country."

Shi Ding stopped arguing about this, and after a moment's hesitation, he looked at Shen Yuan and said, "I heard that Huaizhong wrote a book called New Military Drill Manual. Can you give me a copy?"

It was inappropriate for him to say this out loud. In Shi Ding's opinion, the new army drill manual was no different from a military book.

For generals, personal military tactics are the core secret, and no one is willing to give away his hard work to others.

However, Shen Yuan's answer was beyond his expectations.

"The new military drill manual is not a secret. The manual can be seen everywhere in my military camp. Almost every general above the rank of 100 has a copy. I also carry it with me. If you want it, you can take it."

As Shen Yuan spoke, he took out a new military drill manual from his arms and handed it to Shi Ding without any hesitation.

"This..." Shi Ding looked surprised and confirmed: "Really?"

At this time, Feng Ziying came over and happened to hear the conversation between Shen Yuan and Shi Ding. He also took out a booklet from his arms, shook it in his hand, and said with a smile: "What Lord Shen said is true. Look, Lord Hou, I carry this with me."

After hearing this, Shi Ding no longer had any doubts. He took the new military drill manual handed to him by Shen Yuan and flipped through it curiously.

Shen Yuan said in a clear voice: "My Lord, you should also understand that the new military drill manual is just like the Military Classics, which is just a method of training soldiers. If you want to strengthen the army, the key lies in the determination of the soldiers."

The management of the Great Zhou's current military is mostly based on relationships. To put it more seriously, most of them are like warlords.

Even if Shi Ding had the drill manual, it would be almost impossible to train the new military guards into this state without the determination to make drastic changes.

Shi Ding nodded and said, "I understand all this, but the situation is difficult to change. I don't expect to turn around in an instant. You can choose a guard, or even a school, and try this method."

Shen Yuan did not comment on this. Even if it was a single guard post, if they wanted to train a new army, there would be no avoidance of change and bloodshed.

Speaking of this, Shen Yuan thought of Lin Ruhai, who reformed the salt administration.

"Jinling has an important matter, and I would like to ask the Marquis to take care of it."

"Oh? What's the matter? Huaizhong, just tell me."

"I wonder if the Marquis knows Mr. Lin, the Yangzhou Salt Inspector?"

"Lin Ruhai?" Shi Ding was a little confused, not knowing what Shen Yuan meant by this question. After a pause, he said, "Of course I know him. He is related to me. He is the son-in-law of Lady Shi of the Jia family."

Shen Yuan did not find it strange. One was Lady Jia's nephew and the other was Lady Jia's son-in-law. They were both officials in Jinling, so it was not surprising that they knew each other.

Then, he expressed his thoughts, expressed his concern for Lin Ruhai's situation, and hoped that Shi Ding could send someone to protect him at all times.

Shi Ding naturally did not shirk this responsibility.

"Don't worry, Huaizhong. Not to mention the relationship with my aunt, even if it's for the sake of justice in the court, I will protect Lord Lin."

"Thank you very much, sir."

Shi Ding waved his hand and said, "Why thank you? Huaizhong is also considering the Great Zhou."

After discussing this matter, Shen Yuan led a few people to observe the military camp.

By noon, they had finished what they needed to see and it was inconvenient to keep them for dinner in the military camp, so Shen Yuan saw Jiang Zhongnian and Shi Ding off.

Jiang Qiuer also reluctantly bid farewell to Shen Yuan and followed her father back to the West City Posthouse.

Shen Mansion, backyard.

"Ying'er, go to the storehouse and get two boxes of bird's nests." Baochai ordered.

Ying'er left immediately.

A few days have passed since Shen Yuan last played pot-throwing with a few sisters.

This morning, Xiangyun, Tanchun and the others came over to play again, but Daiyu was the only one missing.

After asking carefully, Baochai learned that Sister Lin's old illness had relapsed and she had been recuperating in her room for the past two days, so she thought about going to visit her.

After a while, Ying'er came back with a box of bird's nest in her hand.

Afterwards, Baochai left the Shen Mansion and went to Rong Mansion where Daiyu lived.

When I entered the room, I saw Daiyu sitting on the couch, her face haggard and she kept coughing.

"Sister Lin."

"Ahem. Why is Sister Bao here?" Daiyu was a little surprised to see Baochai.

"Today, Sister Yun and the others went to play in the mansion, and I just found out that you had a cough." Baochai sat down beside the couch, took Daiyu's hand, and said gently, "Have you asked a doctor to come and see?"

Daiyu covered her mouth and coughed a few more times, then said softly, "It's no use. I know that I can't get well from this illness. Let's not talk about the illness, just talk about the days when I get well, and you'll know what my situation will be like."

Daiyu usually has a delicate body, and even when she is not sick, she still breathes slightly.

Maybe it’s due to sentimentality, or maybe it’s related to my daily diet.

Baochai looked at Daiyu, who looked a little pale, and felt a little sorry for her. She advised, "The ancients said, 'Those who eat grain live.' What you eat every day cannot nourish your spirit and blood, and it is not a good thing."

Daiyu sighed, "Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are determined by heaven. They are not something that can be forced by human power. This year seems to be heavier than in previous years."

From these words we can see the different attitudes that Daiyu and Baochai have towards fate.

Lin Daiyu is sensitive inside. Although she often acts tough, in most cases she does not argue, but lets things take their course and leaves everything to fate.

If it was Baochai who was bedridden at this time, she would most likely find a way to get well and do her best to change her fate.

"It's common for ordinary people to have a cough due to a cold. Why do you have to be sad, it will only hinder your recovery."

Baochai thought for a moment and continued, "In my opinion, getting up early every day and using one ounce of the best bird's nest and five cents of rock sugar to make porridge is better than medicine and is the best for nourishing yin and replenishing qi. I used to drink this when I had a cough, and I guarantee that within three to five days, I would be well again."

(End of this chapter)