Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 109 What Benefits Would It Benefit Him to Offend the Sixteen Guards?

"What are they doing?"

Li Shimin noticed that there was another group of people on the training ground.

"Standing at attention is a basic training exercise. In my hometown, we train like this. It mainly trains obedience, discipline, and personal perseverance."

That's what his military training instructor told him in his previous life.

Li Shimin shook his head; he couldn't figure it out either.

"However, today is not a formal training session, so we didn't specifically correct his posture or his small movements. We just let him endure it for now."

If you make them strictly follow the rules from the start, it will definitely cause them to rebel.

Wen He was also worried that he wouldn't be able to control them, and he would be the one to lose face.

But Li Shimin was indignant when he heard him say that.

"Are you treating my elite troops like new recruits?"

"I can tell you're just a lazy bum. Go and train rigorously according to the methods of your hometown!"

In Li Shimin's view, Wen He was just being lazy.

It's also possible that this brat looks down on his troops.

"Today I want to see how you train people in later generations!"

After Li Shimin finished speaking, Wen He raised an eyebrow.

With Li Er around, he really didn't need to worry about anyone daring to provoke him.

"Alright, since Your Highness has said so."

He has fulfilled his dream of becoming an instructor.

He then led the five Xuanjia guards protecting him over and shouted, "Everyone, relax!"

The fifty-odd riders were stunned for a moment, they didn't know what Wen He meant by "relax".

After thinking for a while, I realized that I didn't need to stand so tensely, so I breathed a long sigh of relief, and the line relaxed a lot.

"Next, everyone stand up as I demonstrate, and remember, from today onwards, whenever you hear the word 'Attention,' you must stand at attention according to this standard, otherwise..."

Wen He smiled "kindly" and waved his small hand gently. The Xuanjia Guards behind him stepped forward, each holding a horsewhip.

"From now on, within one hour, anyone who makes a move will be lashed ten times. Anyone who tries to withdraw will be lashed thirty times and then kicked out by a hundred riders. The rest will be treated the same as before."

"Attention, everyone!"

Wen He took the lead in demonstrating and told them the standard for standing at attention.

The fifty riders all turned their gazes toward them, and after observing them carefully, they quickly stood at attention.

Because the five Xuanjia guards had already gone over with their whips.

Of course, Wen He wouldn't stand with them for an hour. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he stretched his arms and returned to his resting place.

"You're done already?" Li Shimin glared at Wen He with displeasure.

Wen He smiled dismissively: "Your Highness, my arms and legs are too thin to withstand such things. I'm still young."

Seeing his expression, Li Shimin was both amused and exasperated. He waved his hand, signaling him to step aside.

Only when he watched the formation gradually take shape did he realize that something was different.

If these soldiers were wielding long-handled swords and appeared on the battlefield in such a neat formation...

The enemy might think there's a wall of blades pressing down on them.

"It is pleasing to the eye, but... it looks like a pretty facade." Li Shimin was still not satisfied. He turned around and saw Wen He rolling her eyes, and immediately frowned.

Upon seeing this, Wen He quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. That's what I was thinking too. I will definitely strengthen their training in the future."

"If the Hundred Cavalry are trained well, the Sixteen Guards can all come and learn from them. If one day the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Guards are all elite among elites, then I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Li Shimin stood with his hands on his hips and exhaled a long breath.

"Your Highness, a strong army is nothing but an illusion; the prosperity of the people is what truly matters." Wen He was worried that she was leading Li Shimin astray.

The saying "A nation that is large and fond of war will perish" is not without reason.

Without a strong and prosperous nation, it will eventually collapse.

Of course, a country that possesses abundant national power but lacks a martial spirit is merely a gold mine with its doors wide open.

For example, a dynasty with the surname Zhao.

This isn't about putting others down; it's a fact.

Who wins a war against a foreign power and then cedes territory and pays reparations?

Wen He thought he might become an advisor in the future, and he nodded to himself with satisfaction. Li Shimin glared at him, saying, "Don't spoil my good mood."

'Hey, you tyrant!'

Wen He muttered a curse to herself, then turned around and found a place far away from Li Shimin to sit down.

Seeing that he had left, Xu Jingzong turned his eyes and went to the spot where he had just been.

"How about you suggest that Gao Ming and the others come tomorrow as well?"

As Xu Jingzong approached, Li Shimin asked a question. Xu Jingzong was taken aback for a moment, then hesitated before replying, "Your Highness is of noble birth; if you were to come here..."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin sensed something was wrong from the voice, turned around, and saw Xu Jingzong smiling obsequiously at him.

"Why is it you? Where is that brat Wen He?" he asked in surprise.

Xu Jingzong pointed somewhat awkwardly to where Wen He was not far away.

He was hiding under the shade of a tree, drinking honey water, and yawning listlessly.

Then he actually closed his eyes and fell asleep leaning against the wall.

"That brat!"

He gritted his teeth and finally gave a helpless smile.

That brat is always so lazy.

It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if you are lazy.

Before long, the Imperial Guards returned one after another with the arrested people. Seeing the bruised and swollen faces of those who had gone into hiding, Li Shimin knew that they must have been dealt with severely.

However, he didn't interfere; that was a matter for the Imperial Guards.

All he wants to see is the result.

Those who had been hiding beside him were somewhat nervous.

Fortunately, no one dared to come to Li Shimin looking for anyone, so they seemed to be safe.

"It's been almost two hours."

Wen He yawned and took a nice afternoon nap.

Li Shimin, who was looking at the document, looked up at him and said, "You little rascal, you're sleeping soundly."

Wen He chuckled twice: "As the saying goes, the capable are often overworked, so I, being incompetent, can only sleep."

While defending himself, he also praised Li Shimin.

Upon hearing this, the latter snorted, but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his thoughts.

"How long until the results are out?"

Li Shimin put the memorial down.

Gao Yue, who was waiting nearby, went to ask and then returned to reply, "Your Highness, the time has come, but it seems that nine people are still missing."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's gaze immediately turned hostile.

"The Imperial Guards stationed in the Eastern Palace today will have their salaries reduced by one month, while the Hundred Cavalry Commanders will be rewarded with wine, meat, and 100,000 coins."

After saying this, Li Shimin stood up.

Wen He thought he was going to give a speech, since those in positions of power often did that.

But he left decisively.

Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun, standing to the side, looked distressed and sighed.

"What's wrong with you two? His Highness has rewarded you, aren't you happy?" Wen He asked with a smile.

Xu Jingzong said with a bitter face, "But from now on, we will offend the Left Guard."

"I see. Then I think we should hold it more often. How about this, once every two weeks? I remember that the Sixteen Guards rotate every two weeks."

Wen He raised an eyebrow, startling Xu Jingzong and Huang Chun.

Has this young man Wen gone mad?

What good would it do him to offend the Sixteen Guards?

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(End of this chapter)