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

Chapter 421 The best way to eliminate fear is to face it.

Zhao Qin stood with his hands behind his back on the sidelines, his profile bathed in sunlight, unable to hide the smugness in his eyes. He turned to look at Wen He beside him and asked in a loud voice.

"What does the Earl of Gaoyang think? Such accuracy is rare even in the Flying Fish Guard!"

He stood side by side with Wen He, his eyes fixed on the training in the air, completely unaware that the boy beside him had already darkened his expression.

Wen He's voice was a bit stiffer than usual.

"Does Lieutenant Zhao himself think that this kind of training is suitable for use on the battlefield?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly freezing the smile on Zhao Qin's face.

He paused for a moment, then turned to look at Wen He. Seeing that the other woman's brows were slightly furrowed and her eyes were full of disapproval, he belatedly realized that something was wrong.

The playful tone Wen He had when she first arrived was gone, replaced by an unquestionable seriousness.

"Is the county magistrate dissatisfied with their training?"

Zhao Qin's voice was lowered, tinged with confusion.

He couldn't quite understand it. A 70% hit rate when throwing from a height of 100 feet was the result he and his brothers had achieved after several months of training.

Even ordinary soldiers might not be able to throw stones with such accuracy on the ground, let alone at high altitudes where there are issues of wind direction and distance.

Even with the aid of a telescope, it takes dozens of practice sessions to achieve this.

Wen He finally withdrew her gaze and landed on Zhao Qin's face, her tone filled with suppressed melancholy.

"Lieutenant Zhao, why didn't the grenade we threw explode? Could it have misfired?"

"Huh? No, no!"

Zhao Qin quickly waved his hand, his expression changing slightly, afraid that Wen He would misunderstand, and hurriedly explained.

"The grenades being used in the training are not equipped with gunpowder or saltpeter. This has nothing to do with the Ministry of Works, so please don't blame them, County Earl!"

He had clearly misunderstood, thinking that Wen He thought the grenades supplied by the Ministry of Works were of poor quality and that's why they didn't explode.

Little did he know that Wen He had already guessed this, but was just asking the question on purpose.

Before Zhao Qin could even breathe a sigh of relief, Wen He had already asked his question, staring at him with a furrowed brow.

Why not use real weapons?

"what?!"

Zhao Qin suddenly opened his eyes wide, finally understanding the crux of Wen He's dissatisfaction.

He had initially thought it was due to a lack of accuracy or slowness in his movements, never expecting that it was because the training did not use live ammunition.

My heart immediately settled down; thankfully, it wasn't a problem with the training results.

He waved his hand with a wry smile, leaned closer, and explained in a low voice.

“Lord County Magistrate, you may not know this, but the army never uses live ammunition in drills; they always use these empty shells instead. Besides, this is the Forbidden Garden, right next to the Imperial City. If a grenade were to explode, the noise would spread, at best disturbing the palace, at worst troubling His Majesty with inquiries, which would be difficult to explain!”

He was telling the truth, his tone full of helplessness.

The more than 600 men of the Flying Fish Guard were all outstanding soldiers he had selected from various armies.

Not only must one be skilled in archery and horsemanship, but one must also be literate and able to understand the control diagrams for hot air balloons.

More importantly, all one hundred hot air balloons, unique in the entire army, were assigned to Flying Fish Guard.

These are important artifacts personally approved by His Majesty, each one is extremely precious, and the initial theoretical teaching and operation training alone took a month.

If live-fire training results in accidental loss of personnel or damage to hot air balloons, then there's really no one to blame but oneself.

Not to mention the special location of the Forbidden Garden; if it were to be bombed every day, within three days, the Censorate's impeachment memorials would be piling up on Li Shimin's desk.

"Lieutenant Zhao made a mistake right here!"

Wen He interrupted him sharply before he could finish speaking, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment.

"The Flying Fish Guards are not ordinary soldiers; they are often sent on missions that require surprise attacks!"

"The accuracy you develop by practicing with empty shell grenades—can you sense the weight of a live grenade? Can you predict the rhythm of the fuse burning? No matter how well you practice with empty shell grenades, it's all useless on the battlefield!"

"The soldiers must get used to the smoke and the roar of gunfire. We absolutely cannot let them develop the habit of using fake grenades; that could kill them!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the hot air balloons suspended in mid-air, his eyes sharper than Zhao Qin had ever seen before: "From today onwards, live-fire throwing must be incorporated into daily training, and all soldiers' grenade throwing time must be controlled within three breaths."

"In addition to that, we also need to add parachute and escape training. Everyone must learn to swim and survive in the wild. They need to know how to save their lives if the gondola breaks down and falls, and how to establish themselves if they are deep behind enemy lines."

Zhao Qin was shocked to hear this; he had never even considered these training subjects.

No, to be precise, he didn't even realize that the Flying Fish Guards had so much to train.

Not to mention him, even Li Shimin now feels that the greatest use of the Flying Fish Guards is simply throwing grenades in the air.

But this is the Air Force!

Compared to nomadic tribes who could only fire long-range weapons a maximum distance of a little over a hundred paces.

It's completely a dimensionality reduction attack.

They can play a greater and broader role.

"From today onwards, I will be in charge of the training of the Flying Fish Guards. Captain Zhao will continue to hold the position of commander, responsible for daily command and dispatch. What do you think?"

Wen He turned to look at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. Sunlight fell on his young face, yet it exuded an undeniable air of authority.

Zhao Qin smiled bitterly to himself.

This isn't an inquiry; it's setting the tone.

But can he refuse?

Not to mention that Wen He recommended him for the position of Flying Fish Guard Commander, just considering his skills in using hot air balloons and firearms, probably no one in the entire Tang Dynasty is more proficient than this young man.

Even the shrewd and resourceful Duke of Dai had to consult him on these new things.

"It is a blessing for the Flying Fish Guard that the County Earl is willing to share the responsibility of training troops, and I will naturally agree."

Zhao Qin clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

He finally understood why Wen He was privately known as the "Hundred Riders Killer" in the army.

This person is always decisive and efficient, leaving no room for ambiguity.

"Then let's stop training for now. I think there's only one subject that Flying Fish Guard should be focusing on right now."

"Hmm? Please enlighten me, Lord Gaoyang," Zhao Qin asked hastily, full of curiosity.

Wen He didn't say anything, but just looked at him with a meaningful smile.

Zhao Qin was completely bewildered and was about to ask again when he saw Wen He stride towards the center of the training ground and shout, "Where is the flag bearer?"

Upon hearing the sound, a soldier holding two triangular flags ran over quickly and knelt on one knee.

"The mark is on!"

"Send the flag signal, everyone stop training and assemble immediately!" Wen He said in a deep voice.

Upon seeing the flag bearer wave the signal flag, the soldiers in the air quickly and uniformly maneuvered the hot air balloon to descend.

After a while.

More than 600 soldiers dressed in flying fish brocade robes quickly lined up, their postures as upright as pine trees.

The sunlight slanted across the queue, illuminating the young yet resolute faces.

These people were all handpicked by Wen He and Li Jing from the Sixteen Guards. Wen He personally presided over the initial core training, such as hot air balloon operation and firearms principles.

Their long-term interaction and shared experiences instilled in them a natural sense of awe for this young magistrate of Gaoyang County.

Wen He walked slowly along the ranks with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers' tense shoulders and neat posture, a faint smile quietly curving his lips.

He turned to look at Zhao Qin beside him, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"Not bad, your military posture is disciplined. It seems you've mastered the military discipline when you were training with the Hundred Cavalry."

Zhao Qin's face immediately lit up with joy, and he said repeatedly, "It's all thanks to the county magistrate's excellent teaching!"

Upon hearing this praise, the soldiers in the ranks couldn't help but smile slightly, as if most of their fatigue from the previous training had vanished.

But before the smile could linger on her face for even a moment, Wen He's expression suddenly darkened.

"But it's not enough!"

A cold shout rang out on the training ground, like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

All the soldiers instinctively straightened their backs, puffed out their chests, and even breathed more lightly, their previous ease and comfort vanishing instantly.

"You've only been training for a few months, and your training has already turned into children playing around!"

Wen He's voice was filled with anger as she walked step by step to the center of the line, her gaze sweeping over the heads of everyone who had their heads bowed.

"What are you? You are the Flying Fish Guard, the only elite force in the Great Tang Dynasty! You are the elite troops personally selected by His Majesty, sharp knives to pierce the enemy's heart! Once the sharp knives are drawn, they must draw blood! But what were you doing just now? Were you just playing around by throwing empty shells in the air?"

The shouts and curses struck everyone like heavy hammer blows, and the soldiers all lowered their heads, their cheeks burning.

Zhao Qin stood to the side of the line, his face also looking rather grim.

As the commander of the Flying Fish Guard, he was largely to blame for the poor training results.

"It can't be that bad..."

A very soft murmur suddenly drifted from the crowd. The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent training ground.

The soldier who was speaking quickly lowered his head, but many people around him nodded secretly.

A 70% hit rate when thrown from a height of 100 feet is an achievement they consider outstanding.

Wen He's gaze instantly locked onto the source of the sound. She took a step forward and slowly walked along the line, her voice chillingly cold.

"You can't even face the roar of live ammunition. A bunch of people are throwing empty shells in the air like stones. Is this what you call training? Is this your combat capability?"

He paused, stopped, and scanned the tense faces in the queue.

"If this is not bad, I might as well go to the marketplace and find some women to replace you."

"At least we can save two strings of cash in military pay every month and stop eating meat at every meal!"

These words were like a slap in the face, landing hard on everyone's cheeks.

No one dared to refute it, and no one could refute it.

They all remembered that the young man before them was the first person in the Tang Dynasty to dare to board a hot air balloon, and the first person to stand a hundred feet in the air and teach them bomb-throwing techniques.

When it comes to understanding the Flying Fish Guards, no one is more qualified to say this than him.

"You enjoy the best treatment in the entire army, with chicken and duck at every meal, and pigs and sheep every few days. Your military pay is three times that of ordinary soldiers, yet your skills are so terrible!"

Wen He's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"If the Flying Fish Guard continues like this, it would be better to disband it now, so as not to waste His Majesty's provisions!"

"Lord Gaoyang, you mustn't!"

Zhao Qin quickly stepped forward, urgently trying to dissuade him, his face full of anxiety.

"The brothers just haven't figured it out yet, they'll definitely get it in practice!"

"Reporting to the County Lord! We will train with all our might from now on, to live up to the Emperor's grace and the County Lord's trust!"

A loud shout suddenly rang out in the ranks, and a tall soldier abruptly raised his head, his face flushed red.

Wen He paused and walked up to the soldier.

The soldier was two heads taller than Wen He. With his head tilted back, Wen He couldn't see his expression, but she could clearly feel his body trembling slightly.

It was a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"What's your name?"

"Yu Fei, the target!"

The soldier's voice trembled slightly, yet it remained firm and resolute.

"Yu Fei?"

Wen He smiled, her tone calm yet weighty.

“I’m not very capable, but I have a good memory, so I’ll keep an eye on your soldiers.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Fei couldn't help but cough.

He regretted it.

But I felt a strange excitement inside.

Ignoring his emotions, Wen He turned and walked out of the line. As everyone waited anxiously for their fate, she suddenly turned back, her voice like thunder.

"So, only Yu Fei is willing to train properly?"

"Reporting to the County Lord! We will train diligently and swear to serve the Tang Dynasty to the death!"

More than six hundred voices exploded in unison.

The soldiers all raised their heads, their eyes filled with determination.

No one wanted to lose the Flying Fish Guard position, a job that others envied.

Wen He looked at the tall figures in front of her, their heads tilted back, and her lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He strongly suspected that these people were doing it on purpose.

Elite troops, of course, are certainly tall and have strong physiques.

Standing in front of them, Wen He felt as if she were experiencing Napoleon's feelings.

However, this emotion was fleeting, and he said in a deep voice.
"Since you're determined, you must have rules! From today onwards, every morning after you get up and before meals, you will loudly recite two slogans!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, and shouted out each word clearly.
"Use me in the first battle, and you will win if you use me!"

"Use me in the first battle, and you will win if you use me!"

Zhao Qin was the first to loudly agree, his voice full of gratitude.
Wen He did not pursue his dereliction of duty and even allowed him to continue to lead the troops. He remembered this kindness in his heart.

"Sweat more in peacetime and bleed less in war!"

Wen He's second slogan was uttered.

"Sweat more in peacetime and bleed less in war!"

More than six hundred voices followed closely behind, not perfectly synchronized, but they carried a newly aroused fighting spirit that echoed across the training ground for a long time.

"Remember this! I will conduct spot checks at any time. If anyone cannot answer, they will be court-martialed!"

Wen He abruptly changed the subject, dropping an even more surprising decision.
"It is hereby announced that Flying Fish Guard is temporarily abandoning hot air balloon training!"

"what?"

The crowd erupted in uproar. The soldiers' faces were filled with astonishment, and even Zhao Qin was dumbfounded. He hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Lord County Magistrate, we are the Flying Fish Guard. If we don't practice hot air ballooning, what do we practice?"

"What?!"

Wen He glared, his imposing manner evident.
"From this day forward, everyone shall focus on improving their physical fitness, courage, and adaptability! No one is permitted to touch the hot air balloon without my permission; violators will be court-martialed!"

These words carried an undeniable authority.
His Majesty tacitly approved his appointment to oversee the training of the Flying Fish Guards; he has this authority.

The soldiers dared not delay and responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Wen He nodded in satisfaction and then gave the order.
"You have half a day to build a tower that is two zhang tall here, and dig a pool that is one zhang deep and twenty paces long next to the tower. If you don't finish before sunset, you will go back to where you came from!"

Everyone was stunned. They looked at each other, no one knew what Wen He was going to do.

But no one dared to hesitate.
"Everyone move!"

Zhao Qin was the first to shout, and then the soldiers all ran towards their tents.

Fortunately, they had built the camp themselves, and all the tools were still there.

Before long, everyone was working enthusiastically.

……

Inside the Li Zheng Hall.

Li Shimin leaned against the armchair, holding a secret report that had just been delivered from the Forbidden Garden in his hand, but his gaze lingered on the two inconspicuous lines at the end of the report.

"Use me in the first battle, and victory is assured! Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime!"

He tapped the armrest lightly with his fingertips, his beard neatly trimmed, and a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

Gao Yue quickly stepped forward and bowed to listen.

After Li Shimin slowly finished reading the two sentences, his eyes, which always carried a hint of gentleness, lit up instantly, and his tone was full of exaggerated praise.

"Oh, Your Majesty! These two sentences are so well said! Though they are devoid of any literary embellishment, they are even more inspiring than those grand pronouncements in poetry and prose! Listening to them, this old servant is eager to don armor and go to the battlefield to fight!"

Although these words were flattering, they precisely struck at Li Shimin's thoughts.

He suddenly sat up straight, a sharp glint of years of battle experience flashing in his eyes.

"Well said! Military matters should be straightforward and forceful! What soldiers need when they risk their lives on the battlefield is not empty rhetoric, but a solid foundation in their hands and a belief etched in their hearts!"

He slammed his hand on the table and gave the order in a loud voice.

"Served with pen and ink!"

Gao Yue had already quickly and skillfully fetched the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, carefully laying the finest Xuan paper on the rosewood table.

Li Shimin rolled up his sleeves, dipped his brush in thick ink, and with a light flick of his wrist, two lines of elegant calligraphy appeared on the paper.

The brushstrokes are sometimes vigorous like a spear thrusting, and sometimes calm and composed like a heavy shield defending against an enemy, perfectly showcasing the momentum of these two sentences.

Li Shimin put down the wolf-hair brush, took two steps back, examined it carefully, and pondered to himself.

'This Wen He always manages to come up with something astonishing, and now he has such a powerful and inspiring slogan. This must be the essence of military strategy for future generations.'

With such a brilliant talent assisting us, what worries could there be about the stability of the Tang Dynasty?

Thinking of this, his smile deepened, and his anticipation for Wen He personally training the Flying Fish Guards grew even stronger.

Little did he know, there were actually a few more words to say.

However, Wen He dared not say it aloud.

"Gao Yue."

Li Shimin turned around and gave the order.

"Send this scroll to the Ministry of War and convey my decree that Duke Li Jing of Dai should transmit these two sentences to all the Sixteen Guards, so that all soldiers can memorize and recite them thoroughly!"

"promise!"

Gao Yue held the scroll with both hands, carefully blew the ink dry, then took a brocade box to put it away, and personally led two young eunuchs out of the palace.

He knew the weight these two sentences carried in His Majesty's heart, and dared not delay for even a moment.

After all, this was the first time since the founding of the Tang Dynasty that His Majesty had personally written a proclamation to be sent to the entire army.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin walked to the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the azure sky outside the palace.

"Wen He, Wen He, since you dare to take over the training of the Flying Fish Guards and say such things, I want to see how much of a surprise you can bring me."

Half an hour later, Gao Yue arrived at the Ministry of War.

At this moment, Li Jing had just finished processing the training reports of the Sixteen Guards and was discussing with Duan Zhixuan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, matters concerning the preparation of provisions for the Northern Expedition against the Turks.

Upon hearing that His Majesty's eunuch had arrived in person, the two quickly rose to greet him.

"Duke of Dai, Duke of Fan."

Gao Yue bowed respectfully, then opened the brocade box and took out the calligraphy scroll.

"His Majesty has decreed that these are the words of Bo Wenhe of Gaoyang County to encourage the Flying Fish Guards. The Duke is ordered to issue a proclamation to the sixteen guards, ensuring that every soldier in every battalion memorizes them."

Li Jing stepped forward, took the scroll with both hands, and unfolded it to examine it closely.

When the eight characters "Use me in the first battle, and victory is assured" came into view.

His battle-hardened eyes suddenly lit up, and he gently traced the words with his fingers, repeating them to himself.

"Good! Good for using me in the first battle! Good for 'using me guarantees victory'!" Duan Zhixuan also came forward, and after seeing the handwriting, he was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly.

"Jiaying, you are truly a remarkable person! When ordinary writers write military songs, they either use phrases like 'How can we say we have no clothes' or 'A valiant warrior,' but he is different. He is so straightforward, yet he manages to make people's blood boil!"

Li Jing did not smile. His gaze at the scroll grew increasingly solemn, and complex emotions surged within him.

He used to not believe in fate.

Throughout history, the strong have always been the ones who have conquered the world.

But after Wen He appeared, he had no choice but to believe it.

Those born with innate knowledge were born into the Tang Dynasty.

Doesn't this prove that the Mandate of Heaven rests with His Majesty?
If Wen He hadn't warned them beforehand, Jieli would probably have marched all the way south to Chang'an.

Others include Luo Yi and Li Yuan.

Gunpowder, hand grenades, hot air balloons, Zhenguan rice, and curved plows—all these items were brought to the Tang Dynasty by Wen He.

Such extraordinary talents, if not for the favor of Heaven upon the Tang Dynasty, how could they have appeared under Your Majesty's command at such a opportune time?
"Zhixuan, this matter concerns the morale of the entire army. You shall personally oversee it, draft a document immediately, and send it by fast horse to all the camps of the Sixteen Guards."

"promise!"

Duan Zhixuan suppressed his smile and solemnly accepted the order.

Although he has a cheerful personality, he is well aware of the importance of this matter.

The slogans personally written by His Majesty reflect his expectations for the morale of the entire army.

After Gao Yue finished her business and exchanged a few more pleasantries, she got up to take her leave.

Li Jing stood there holding the scroll for a long time until Duan Zhixuan brought over the draft document. Only then did he come to his senses and point to the scroll, giving instructions.

"Add a sentence to the document: Each garrison commander must personally lead the reading, and recite it three times before daily drills!"

Within half a day, these two sentences resounded like thunder in every military camp of the Sixteen Guards.

On the training ground of the Right Guard Army camp, Cheng Zhijie, shirtless, was directing the soldiers to run with weights.

His signature beard, soaked with sweat and plastered to his cheeks, did nothing to diminish his booming reprimands.

"Run faster! You're panting like this over such a light weight. If Jieli attacks, are you going to surrender while still wearing your armor?"

Just then, the soldier ran over quickly, holding a document, and said loudly.

"Duke Su! Urgent dispatch from the Ministry of War! His Majesty has decreed that this message be sent to the entire army!"

Cheng Zhijie impatiently waved for the soldiers to halt, took the document and glanced at it. When he saw the contents, he was stunned for a moment, then suddenly slapped his thigh and burst into laughter.

"Good! Good lad! Wen Xiaolang's two words have hit the nail on the head!"

He tucked the document into his pocket, strode to the front of the line, and shouted, spittle flying everywhere.

"Listen up, all of you! His Majesty has passed down two slogans, which were come up by the Earl of Gaoyang County. Recite them after me!"

Cheng Zhijie's voice was like thunder, making the soldiers' eardrums tremble.

He interrupted the soldiers as soon as they finished reciting a sentence.

"Didn't you eat? Speak louder! What are we, the Right Martial Guard? We are the vanguard battalion personally appointed by His Majesty! If you can't even shout a slogan, then come again!"

"Use me in the first battle, and victory is assured! Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime!"

This time, the roar of thousands of soldiers was like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, making the flags in the distance flutter loudly.

Cheng Zhijie nodded in satisfaction, pointing to the few young soldiers at the very front of the formation.

"You lot, write these two sentences on the flagpole at the camp gate! From now on, you'll shout them ten times every day before drills! Anyone who shouts them weakly will have to run fifty miles carrying heavy loads!"

After the soldiers resumed their drills, the adjutant approached and whispered.

"General, this Earl of Wen County is still young. Is it possible that our excessive attention might be..."

"Fuck your mother's fart!"

Cheng Zhijie's eyes widened.

"So what if you're young? Who came up with the idea for the Battle of Huizhou? Who built the hot air balloon? If you could build those things, I'd be talking about you all the time!"

He paused, his tone softening somewhat.

"These two sentences seem simple, but they are the foundation of military discipline. If you don't train hard in peacetime, you'll lose your life in wartime. If you don't dare to be the first in battle, what kind of soldier are you? Lord Wen's mind is much sharper than ours old bones!"

The main problem is that he still has that compound bow from before.

Wen He didn't ask him to take it back, which meant she had tacitly agreed to give it to him.

He never had the chance to repay this favor.

Today will make him famous!

Unlike Cheng Zhijie's fiery temper, Yuchi Gong of the Right Martial Guard camp was sitting in his tent, repeatedly stroking the Ministry of War document.

His beard was neatly trimmed, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were pondering something.

"The Duke of Wu is waiting outside. When would you like to lead the recitation of the slogans?"

The lieutenant asked cautiously.

Yuchi Gong was upright and strict in his military discipline, and his soldiers both respected and feared him.

Yuchi Gong did not answer immediately, but pointed to two sentences on the document and asked, "What do you think of these two sentences?"

The lieutenant quickly replied, "His Majesty wrote it personally, so it's naturally excellent! It's straightforward and powerful, and it can boost morale!"

"It is good."

Yuchi Gong spoke slowly, his tone tinged with contemplation.

"But have you considered that the phrase 'I'll be the first to fight' isn't something to be uttered casually? If there really is a war, we will definitely be the first to go. If we lose then, wouldn't that be a disgrace to His Majesty and a betrayal of this slogan?"

The lieutenant was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized: "What the Duke of Wu said is absolutely right! Then what do you think, shouldn't we..."

"Send the order!"

Yuchi Gong suddenly stood up, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"From today onwards, training time will be extended by one hour! The weight will be increased by another thirty pounds! Since we're going to shout 'Use me in the first battle, and I will surely win,' we must have the ability to win! Anyone who dares to slack off will be court-martialed!"

Outside the camp, thousands of soldiers stared wide-eyed upon hearing the order.

This is insane!
That Wen He, how come he's still causing so much trouble after leaving the Hundred Riders!
But Yuchi Gong was known for his fiery temper.

If you don't go against him, fine. But if you disagree with him, he will beat you until you agree.

Shortly after.

Inside the Left Guard Camp, Qin Qiong, wearing a worn-out suit of armor, watched the soldiers train in horsemanship.

He has always been in poor health and has been carrying injuries for many years, but he still insists on patrolling the military camp every day.

Now, thanks to Sun Simiao's long period of recuperation, his complexion has improved significantly.

When the soldier delivered the documents to him, he was resting against a tree.

Using the light from the shade of the trees, Qin Qiong carefully examined the words on the document. When he saw the words "Wen He," a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

He didn't have much contact with Wen He, but he was deeply impressed by the boy.

In particular, he still owes a huge favor to Sun Simiao.

If his health hadn't improved, he probably would have had to hand over his position as Left General of the Martial Guard in a few years.

"Duke Yi, His Majesty's decree is a real morale booster for the entire army!" The deputy general stepped forward and said with a smile.

Qin Qiong nodded, coughed twice, and spoke slowly.

"We all understand the principle of 'more sweat in peacetime, less blood in wartime,' but no one has ever said it out loud. Training slogans should be shouted out as directly as those of the Count of Gaoyang."

He turned to look at the queue, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Should we also do more training, like the Duke of Wu?" the deputy general asked.

Qin Qiong shook his head and said.

"No need. Our Left Guard has strict military discipline. It's just that this slogan needs to be integrated into daily life. We should lead the recitation before each training session and silently recite it before meals so that the soldiers can engrave these two sentences in their hearts."

"In addition, have the kitchen prepare more meat and medicine. The soldiers are training hard, so we must not let them suffer."

Although he did not order extra training, he put the slogan's meaning into practice in the most pragmatic way.

As evening fell, the soldiers, carrying steaming bowls of meat soup, felt a warm glow in their hearts when they heard the unified chanting echoing through the camp.

As expected of the Duke of Yi.

They were having a much more comfortable time than the Right Martial Guards.

Unlike these seasoned veterans, Zhang Shigui, the commander of the Right Palace Guard responsible for guarding the palace, reacted more with a sense of alarm upon seeing the imperial edict.

Although the Right Gate Guards do not often participate in external wars, they bear the heavy responsibility of ensuring the safety of the imperial city and cannot afford to be careless.

Zhang Shigui posted the document on the wall of the tent and summoned all the officers to a meeting.

"Gentlemen, His Majesty's two sentences are not something we are to casually shout!"

He tapped the table, his tone serious.

"We are guarding the imperial city, and His Majesty's safety! If any assassins break in, or if any mutinous soldiers cause trouble, we will be the first to fight! 'Use me in the first battle, and I will surely win'—this is our pledge!"

He immediately ordered.

"From today onwards, the palace gate guards will change shifts every two hours, and a slogan must be recited during the shift change."

The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Being a goalkeeper is already a hassle.

Now we still have to shout some nonsense slogans.

Ugh!
……

"Not that much."

Beside the training ground of the Flying Fish Guard in the Forbidden Garden, Wen He raised her eyebrows high and her face was full of disbelief after hearing the news.

He merely casually offered a couple of slogans to the Flying Fish Guards to boost morale, so why did Li Shimin personally write a proclamation to all sixteen guards?
These two sentences were commonplace in military camps in later generations, and he had heard them so many times that he didn't find them particularly shocking.

"Could it be that they've become immune to these phrases because they were used to them in their past lives, and therefore can't see their power?"

Wen He touched his nose and muttered to himself.

However, it is said that after Patton coined the phrase "more sweat in peacetime, less blood in wartime," the training of the US military during World War II did indeed improve considerably.

Of course, that wasn't his original quote; the brigade commander simply localized it.

However, Wen He did not expect Li Shimin to attach so much importance to it.

Well, now he's managed to steal the spotlight again.

He actually felt that he should be with low-key people.

"County Lord, isn't it almost done?"

A trembling voice, choked with sobs, came from above, interrupting Wen He's thoughts.

He looked up and smiled, almost forgetting that there was another guy on the training field who was "even more popular".

Right in front of him stood the top of the two-zhang-high tower, which had been hastily built in half a day.

Zhao Qin was tightly bound to a wooden post with wide strips of cloth. His originally dark face was now as pale as paper, and cold sweat streamed down his face. Even the wooden post binding him was trembling slightly.

Wen He held up her binoculars and saw his terrified expression clearly, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Captain Zhao, what's the panic!"

Wen He put away his binoculars and shouted loudly towards the top of the tower, his voice as loud as a bell.

"Remember this: the best way to eliminate fear is to face it!"

"But... but I don't want to face it!"

Zhao Qin felt like crying but had no tears left to shed.

Seeing Wen He shouting with great enthusiasm, the soldiers joined in the commotion, waving their fists towards the top of the tower.

"Lieutenant Zhao, you must cure your fear of heights!"

"Lieutenant Zhao, rise up!"

Amidst the jeers and cheers, Zhao Qin's face turned even paler.

He kept his eyes tightly shut, cursing Wen He eight hundred times in his heart.

What do you mean by eliminating fear? This is clearly creating fear!
He would rather charge into battle alone than be tied up like this.

If he had known that the Flying Fish Guards' training was this insane, he would never have accepted the position of commander!
Put me down! I want to go home!
Your Majesty, save me!
Seeing the miserable state of the officer at the top, the soldiers' fatigue from building the tower and digging the pond vanished, and they all laughed heartily.

Yu Fei patted his companion on the shoulder, suppressing a laugh.

"I never expected that Commandant Zhao, who looks so imposing, is actually afraid of heights?"

Several soldiers around him nodded in agreement, finding the scene even more exciting than watching a circus act.

Hearing the laughter below, Wen He put on a "kind" smile, slowly turned around, and walked to the newly dug pit not far away.

The pit was ten feet deep and twenty paces long.

The location was extremely clever; the forbidden garden's river was just over a hundred paces away.

He had already had a canal dug, and two soldiers were currently guarding the canal entrance, ready to act.

"Pass on my order: dig the canal and release the water!"

Wen He raised his voice.

The soldiers guarding the canal entrance immediately pulled the wooden sluice gate, and a "whoosh" sound of water surging in could be heard. The turbid river water rushed in along the orderly canal, stirring up bursts of water.

The soldiers gradually stopped laughing and gathered around the pit, craning their necks to look curiously.

Even Zhao Qin, who was at the top of the tower, secretly opened one eye to peek down.

After the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the pit was completely filled with water, and the surface of the water was as calm as a dark green mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds overhead.

Yu Fei scratched his head and leaned closer to the queue, muttering to himself.

"Dig holes and fill them with water. Is the county magistrate suggesting we fish to cool off? I must say, it really does feel nice to float in the water on this day."

Several soldiers around him nodded in agreement, finding it to be a thoughtful arrangement.

"Fish?"

Wen He's voice suddenly rang out behind him, startling Yu Fei so much that he trembled, quickly turned around, stood at attention, and lowered his head.

Wen He patted his shoulder with a smile, "You guys are quick-witted, but unfortunately you guessed wrong. It's been hot lately, and I really wanted to help you cool off."

Everyone was completely bewildered.

What does Lord Wen mean by this?

They were not allowed to train, nor were they allowed to come into contact with the hot air balloon.

But they dug a huge pit for them to fish in?

Wen He walked to the front of the line, her voice suddenly rising in pitch, carrying an undeniable authority.

"Everyone, listen up! Remove your armor, climb the tower one by one, and jump into the water pit from the top!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the training ground fell silent.

All the soldiers seemed frozen in place, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at Wen He, then at the wooden tower and the puddles.

Many people couldn't help but swallow hard.

They dared to look down at the ground from a height of hundreds of feet.

That's because they know they won't fall.

But now we're asking them to jump down from there on their own initiative.

“County Lord, isn’t this too dangerous?” someone asked.

Wen He immediately sneered and looked at the man.

"Why don't you go home now, hold your wife and children, then you won't be in danger!"

"I'll say it again: sweat more often..."

Before Wen He could finish speaking, the entire Flying Fish Guard shouted in unison.

"Less bloodshed in wartime!"

"Then what's there to hesitate about? Get them all going!"

Yu Fei clenched his fist, suddenly looked up, and shouted loudly.

"The county magistrate is right! I'll go first!"

As he spoke, he turned around and removed his leather armor and brocade robe, revealing his muscular physique with swift and decisive movements.

With Yu Fei taking the lead, the other soldiers followed suit.

Although they still looked fearful, no one dared to argue anymore.

Standing on the edge of the tower, looking down at the dense crowd and the cold-shimmering water, his legs trembled uncontrollably, and his face was even more pale than Zhao Qin's earlier.

"Jump!"

Wen He shouted from below, his voice carrying an irresistible force.

Yu Fei closed his eyes tightly, steeled his heart, and jumped down!

With a loud "splash," water splashed everywhere as his body plunged straight into the water, creating a water column half a person's height.

That pose, that splash.

Wen He would give him a maximum of six points.

No more.

After a while, he struggled to the surface, panting heavily, his face pale, but he raised his fist and cheered towards Wen He.

He succeeded!

"it is good!"

A loud cheer erupted from below.

With the first successful example, the soldiers became bolder, and although they were still nervous, their movements were noticeably faster.

The second soldier was a burly man. After climbing to the top of the tower, he took a deep breath, bent his knees like Yu Fei, and jumped.

Unfortunately, he didn't get the posture right, and with a "plop," he plunged headfirst into the water. It took him quite a while to climb ashore, but he was still chuckling to himself.

"That feels great! Much more comfortable than being under the sun!"

For every bold person, there is a timid one.

When it was the turn of a tall, thin soldier, he lingered on the top of the tower for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, hesitating to jump.

Wen He didn't urge him, but instead climbed up the tower himself and walked to the soldier's side.

"Are you scared?"

Wen He smiled kindly at him.

The soldier was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned around and jumped off without hesitation.

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Wen He stood there, looking completely bewildered.

I haven't even said anything yet, and you've already jumped off so decisively?
Am I that scary?

(End of this chapter)