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

Chapter 430 Run away with all your might!

"Shut up!"

A powerful neigh ripped through the air above the training ground. Yuchi Gong suddenly tightened the reins, and the horse reared up, its front hooves missing the ground before landing heavily on the ground, kicking up a few specks of dust.

Behind him, more than a hundred cavalrymen moved in unison, simultaneously reining in their horses and stopping a dozen paces away from the gate of the training ground.

At this distance, if the cavalry wanted to charge, they could reach Wen He in just a few breaths.

However, they were also outside the range of the crossbow.

It only takes a few breaths to shoot them down.

Yuchi Gong was clearly trying to intimidate him, but who was his target?

It's definitely not Qin Qiong.

Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to be presumptuous in front of this Duke of Yi.

The answer is obvious; it must be Cheng Zhijie, who just spoke without thinking. It seems this dark-faced general overheard all of Cheng Zhijie's complaints.

"You big black bastard! You dare to charge into the camp at Zuowuwei Training Ground? You're asking for trouble!"

Cheng Zhijie was indeed enraged. He rolled up his sleeves and charged forward, his round eyes glaring like copper bells, his voice so loud that the surrounding guards shrank back.

Yuchi Gong snorted heavily, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. He dismounted with the agility of a tiger and walked straight toward Qin Qiong, leaving the furious Cheng Zhijie completely out of the way.

The cavalrymen behind him dismounted and stood in formation, their disciplined bearing truly exuding an air of elite military might.

Qin Qiong remained calm and composed throughout. His silver armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight. He simply raised his hand slightly and spoke in a deep voice to the crossbowmen who were poised to fire behind the camp gate.

"Go back."

The crossbowmen did as he was told and withdrew, only then did he turn to Yuchi Gong, his tone calm and indifferent.

"What was the meaning behind Duke Wu's actions just now?"

Yuchi Gong coughed dryly, his throat tightening, and the momentum he had shown when charging into the camp vanished almost entirely.

He never dared to be presumptuous in front of Qin Qiong, so he could only turn his gaze to Wen He beside him and make up a lame excuse.

"Didn't you say that the Earl of Gaoyang County was coming to select people today? I specially brought the elite troops from the camp here. What I just did was merely demonstrate a cavalry formation."

He changed the subject, adding with a slightly ingratiating smile.

"Moreover, the magistrate of Gaoyang County's fence-sitting tactic is indeed ingenious. A few days ago, I had my men try it out, and even three times the number of men couldn't break through. Today, I'll let the magistrate see the strength of my Right Martial Marquis Guard."

After saying that, he feigned concern.

"That commotion just now didn't scare you, did it?"

Wen He looked at the smile on his face, which was more like a grimace, and secretly grumbled to herself.

Yuchi Gong was a big, burly man, and his smile was indeed much uglier than Cheng Zhijie's.

However, despite his burly appearance, he is actually quite thoughtful.

He not only stole their skills, but he even had a competition with them before.

This means that Yuchi Gong had already begun secretly learning from Wen He a month ago when Wen He was training.

"Duke Wu is joking."

Wen He cupped his hands in greeting, his tone nonchalant.

"The scene of Jieli's ten thousand cavalry charging into the enemy lines during the Battle of Huizhou was a hundred times more dangerous than what we just witnessed."

"I've seen all sorts of things before, this is nothing."

He had witnessed the massacres and bloodshed of the Xuanwu Gate Incident and the Battle of Huizhou, so this little show of force wouldn't frighten him.

"Excellent! As expected of someone His Majesty values, he's far superior to some of those reckless scoundrels!"

Yuchi Gong stepped forward with a loud laugh and slapped Wen He's shoulder with his large, fan-like hand.

Wen He instinctively tried to dodge, but the other party moved too fast. With a "snap," he felt a heavy weight on his left shoulder and a tremendous force came from it. The pain made him gasp and his face turn pale.

These words struck a nerve with Cheng Zhijie, who jumped up and down, cursing.

"Hey, you big black guy, who are you calling a scoundrel?! I think you're just asking for a beating!"

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight Yuchi Gong to the death.

"I'm afraid you won't succeed!"

Yuchi Gong turned and glared back, and the two instantly became tense, their spittle almost splashing onto each other's faces.

"cough."

Qin Qiong coughed lightly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie seemed to have been put on pause, frozen in place. Although they were still glaring at each other, they dared not take another step forward.

"Why did you bring so many people?"

Qin Qiong's gaze swept over the hundred-man team behind Yuchi Gong, his tone remaining calm.

His Majesty only allocated one hundred elite positions, but Yuchi Gong brought all the candidates for the Left Martial Guard with him.

Yuchi Gong scratched his head sheepishly, his eyes darting away.

“Brother Shubao, I was just worried that if I brought too few men, the magistrate of Gaoyang wouldn’t be able to find anyone satisfactory. If I bring a hundred men, I’m sure I can find a few decent ones.”

Qin Qiong was well aware of his little scheme. The more people he brought, the greater the chance of being chosen.

Qin Qiong shook his head, his tone somewhat teasing.

"His Majesty often says that Yizhen is quick-witted, but now it seems that you are no less clever than him."

Cheng Zhijie, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, not knowing whether Qin Qiong was praising him or scolding him.

Yuchi Gong hurriedly waved his hand, pretending not to understand, and quickly changed the subject.

"Lord of Gaoyang County, it's getting late, shall we begin the selection process?"

"These are all top-notch fighters from the Left Martial Marquis Guard. Each one of them can take on ten men!"

"Whether someone is good or not, you'll only know after the competition!"

Cheng Zhijie snorted coldly.

"If you're so capable, send a hundred men from your Left Martial Guard, and I'll send a hundred men from my Right Martial Guard. Let's have a contest, and the loser is out!"

"Compete! Let's compete! Who is afraid of whom!"

Yuchi Gong was just in the mood for this; he had long wanted to curb Cheng Zhijie's arrogance.

"If you lose, you'll have to avoid me from now on!"

A hint of interest flashed in Qin Qiong's eyes.

He originally planned to select a hundred men from within the Left Guard to form an elite force, but now His Majesty has requested that they be selected from the Three Guards.

If we could use a match to assess the three guards' abilities, that would be quite good.

After all, Wen He had personally trained the soldiers of the Left Guard for the past month, so he felt somewhat confident.

"Cough! Cough!"

Wen He coughed twice in succession. The sound was not loud, but it successfully attracted the attention of the three people.

He looked helplessly at the three dukes in front of him, realizing that he, the chief examiner, had been completely ignored.
"Jiaying also thinks a contest is feasible?"

Qin Qiong looked down at him, a gentle smile on her lips.

"Duke Yi, the selection process will naturally involve competition, but it will not be about martial arts skills or archery and horsemanship. It will be about talent. Now that time is of the essence, there is no extra time for us to practice."

Wen He said in a solemn tone.

"talent?"

Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Zhijie were all stunned and looked at each other in bewilderment. Cheng Zhijie spoke first.

"What kind of talent? Could it be superhuman strength? I, the Right Martial Guard, have plenty of skilled fighters like that!"

Yuchi Gong nodded in agreement.

"Even in terms of horsemanship and archery talent, my Zuowu Marquis Wei is second to none! Is the Earl of Gaoyang County just making a fuss?"

Wen He smiled and shook her head, speaking slowly.

"His Majesty originally intended to save time by having the three dukes select men from their respective armies, but it seems that all three dukes want their own soldiers to be selected. It would be better not to limit the number of men selected by the three dukes, as long as they are selected by the three dukes, they can go to the Forbidden Garden to participate in the first selection."

"Oh?"

The three exclaimed in unison, their eyes filled with astonishment, and they all lowered their heads in deep thought.

This proposal was indeed beyond their expectations, but it was exactly what they wanted.

Who wouldn't want to give their soldiers more opportunities?
Qin Qiong was the first to react and asked, "What exactly is the first selection?"

Wen He smiled meaningfully and said slowly.

"It's very simple, just a survival challenge in the Zhongnan Mountains."

His words left the three of them even more confused.

Wen He stopped keeping her in suspense and explained in detail.

"Each soldier participating in the assessment must bring only one serving of fried noodles to Zhongnan Mountain. Within two days, they must climb from the foot of the mountain to the summit and then return to the foot of the mountain. If they pass, they will be considered to have passed."

"That's it?"

Yuchi Gong frowned, his face full of disdain.

"Although Zhongnan Mountain is steep, my soldiers can traverse it as if it were flat ground. With all their might, they can make a round trip in a day. Is this what you call a selection process?"

It was rare for Cheng Zhijie to stand on the same side as Yuchi Gong.

"Exactly! This is far too frivolous! Could it be that the magistrate of Gaoyang County couldn't come up with a better plan and is just deliberately trying to fob us off?"

"Of course, it's not just that."

Wen He had been waiting for these words, and her tone suddenly changed.

“Each person must carry thirty catties of weight, and I will apply to His Majesty to have the Left Guard, Right Guard, Hundred Cavalry, and Flying Fish Guards surround and intercept along the way. Those caught will be eliminated immediately.”

"More importantly, once you reach the summit, you need to find the token I placed beforehand, retrieve the token, and successfully return to the foot of the mountain to truly pass."

He paused, then looked at the three of them and added.

"We still need the three dukes to each lead a troop to guard the mountaintop, responsible for protecting the token and ensuring the fairness of the assessment."

After these words were spoken, the training ground fell into a deathly silence.

The smiles on the faces of Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Zhijie had vanished, replaced by expressions of astonishment and solemnity.

Carrying a 30-pound load, they traversed mountains and valleys, dodged the pursuit and interception of multiple teams, and finally had to find the token.

This isn't selecting soldiers, it's clearly torturing people!

"This...this is way too difficult!"

Even Yuchi Gong couldn't help but gasp in amazement; even his most elite soldiers might not be able to complete such a test.

"I'm afraid very few people will be able to pass!"

"We are not selecting ordinary soldiers, but the elite of the elite, the death squad capable of carrying out missions in dire situations!"

Wen He spoke with a firm and powerful tone.

"What they will face in the future is not an ordinary battlefield, but very likely behind enemy lines."

"If they can't even pass this basic test, how can they shoulder such an important responsibility?"

His gaze swept over the three of them, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation for the future.

"Moreover, I have a premonition that within a decade or so, the Tang army will undergo earth-shattering changes. The people selected today will become the backbone of the new army in the future, and they must adapt to this combat mode under extreme conditions."

Upon hearing this, all three were startled.

Wen He's sudden statement, could it be that she received some news?
Over the years, they had indeed heard that His Majesty had been thinking about reorganizing the army.

Two years ago, the Ministry of War submitted a memorial to reform the military system, but it only calculated the military expenses.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs rejected the proposal due to an empty treasury, and it ultimately came to nothing. Could it be that His Majesty intends to revitalize the army again?
Qin Qiong frowned slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Wen He.

This young man enjoys His Majesty's deep trust, so he must have received His Majesty's advance notice.

So, the selection of this hundred elite soldiers was not simply about forming a small team; it was clearly an experiment authorized by His Majesty.
Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie had the same idea. They exchanged a glance and saw certainty in each other's eyes.

No wonder Wen He dared to propose such a rigorous assessment plan; it turns out that His Majesty was backing him up.

In this way, this hundred-man team will become very important, and will likely be trained as a model for the entire army in the future.

The three nodded in unison, each one looking more solemn than the last.

It's just that Wen He didn't know what they were thinking, otherwise she would definitely be both amused and exasperated.

He meant that he wanted to give himself more than ten years, perhaps enough time to lead the Tang Dynasty to complete its initial industrialization.

At least build the flintlock musket.

With the introduction of firearms, the Tang Dynasty's military system and combat methods would certainly change.

"Jiaying is absolutely right. Elite troops should be able to withstand trials and tribulations."

Qin Qiong was the first to speak, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the setting sun.

"I agree to this assessment!"

Yuchi Gong slapped his thigh in agreement.

"If you ask me, that makes more sense. How can spineless cowards be called elites!"

Cheng Zhijie nodded stiffly, though he didn't say anything, his expression clearly showed his agreement.

"In that case, we will jointly submit a memorial to Your Majesty."

Qin Qiong looked at the two of them, his tone calm and steady.

"If His Majesty approves, each of the Three Guards shall select one hundred men to participate in the assessment, what do you say?"

"it is good!"

Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie spoke in unison, as this concerned their own family's reputation, so naturally they would not object.

The three of them then moved to the training ground barracks, where Qin Qiong took the lead in writing the memorial.

Finally, it was handed to Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong.

Wen He originally intended to stand aside and wait, since this was a dialogue between three dukes and His Majesty, and he, a county magistrate, was not qualified to sign his name.

But Qin Qiong insisted on handing him the pen.

“Jiaying is the one who proposed this plan, so it is only right that she should sign it. Besides, with you here, His Majesty will feel more at ease after reading it.”

Helpless, Wen He had no choice but to take the pen and add his own name after the three people had signed.

This matter does indeed require Li Shimin's approval.

Chang'an is the imperial capital. Not to mention mobilizing thousands of people to participate in the encirclement and interception, even a hundred cavalrymen training in the drill ground must be reported to the Imperial Guard.

Wen He's plan would involve the use of the Left Guard, Right Guard, Hundred Cavalry, and Flying Fish Guard, a move so large it would be terrifying.

Without the emperor's authorization, they could be impeached by the censors at any moment for illegally mobilizing troops and having ulterior motives.

The memorial was delivered to the palace by Qin Qiong's personal guards on horseback, and within an hour it reached the emperor's desk in the Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin was reviewing a report from the Western Regions when he saw that it was a joint letter from Qin Qiong and two others, with Wen He's signature attached. He raised an eyebrow and casually unfolded it.

The more Li Shimin read, the brighter his eyes became. When he read the details of the assessment, he couldn't help but slap the imperial desk and laugh.

"That Wen Jiaying, she really has an endless stream of clever ideas!"

Gao Yue, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, with so many troops, this is likely to cause quite a stir."

"The commotion is quite significant, isn't it? Chang'an has been quiet for too long; it's about time for some activity to happen."

Li Shimin looked at the assessment plan on the document, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

"This selection method is excellent. If every soldier in our Tang Dynasty could be like this in the future, who in the world could rival us?"

He paused, then pondered for a moment.

"However, it will take time to promote this throughout the entire army. Let's see how many capable people can be selected from this hundred-man team first."

He knew that soldiers trained in this way were not simply trained.

We need a lot of gold and silver.

It should be noted that although the Tang Dynasty has many cavalry, only the Xuanjia Guard and the Tiance Army can truly be considered elite.

And that's why they are so powerful.

That was all built with money.

Just as Gao Yue was about to write it down, she saw Li Shimin stand up and stretch his limbs.

"I intend to go and see for myself."

Gao Yue was startled.

"Your Majesty, although Zhongnan Mountain is nearby, it is still outside Chang'an. Your health is of utmost importance!"

"I've survived countless trials and tribulations, why would I worry about those petty villains?"

Li Shimin waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of expectation.

"By imperial decree, summon Li Jing, Duan Zhixuan, Jing Junhong, and the other ten generals of the Ten Guards in Chang'an to accompany me to Zhongnan Mountain in two days!"

Gao Yue dared not offer any further advice and quickly bowed to accept the decree.

He knew perfectly well that His Majesty had been intrigued by Wen He's new method.

Moreover, with so much manpower and resources mobilized this time, it is only natural that His Majesty would personally go and take a look.

This commotion is likely to make many people in Chang'an restless.

Two days later, at dawn, at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and Cheng Zhijie, along with three hundred soldiers selected from the Three Guards, were already waiting there.

Wen He was standing at the front of the group, giving instructions to the generals in charge of the pursuit and interception.

"Remember, you can only intercept, not break bones, and absolutely do not cause any deaths..."

Before Wen He could finish speaking, they saw billowing dust in the distance, and a royal procession slowly approached, its bright yellow dragon flag fluttering in the morning breeze.

"A sage has arrived!"

Gao Yue's chanting pierced through the morning mist and echoed throughout the valley.

Qin Qiong and the other two's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately led their soldiers to kneel on the ground.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you good health!"

Wen He also bowed.

Did Li Er really come?
Although he had suspected it before, he didn't expect him to make such a big fuss.

Li Shimin alighted from the imperial carriage, strode forward, and personally helped Qin Qiong up.

May Your Majesty be well.

"I am here to observe today, so there is no need for formalities."

His gaze swept over the kneeling soldiers, finally landing on Wen He, and he teased him with a smile.

"This time the commotion is quite significant. If it's just all bark and no bite, then watch how I teach you a lesson."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will make sure you are satisfied with what you see."

Wen He chuckled dryly twice.

I cursed in my heart.

What should have been a proper selection process turned into something like watching a show in Li Shimin's eyes.

Li Shimin hummed in agreement and nodded.

He then led the group forward.

Gao Yue was leading people to make arrangements over there.

As soon as Li Shimin left, Cheng Zhijie came over and asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Jiaying, what brings His Majesty here? Why didn't you tell me beforehand!"

Wen He shrugged helplessly.

"Duke Su, you're asking me, but I'd like to ask you the same thing."

He looked behind Li Shimin and saw ten generals, including Li Jing and Duan Zhixuan, standing solemnly to one side.

This is no ceremony; it's clearly a live observation meeting for the entire military's top brass!
Li Shimin clearly had no intention of pursuing the crowd's astonishment. He walked up to the three hundred soldiers and spoke in a loud voice.

"The winners of today's assessment will be selected and personally bestowed with swords by me! The losers need not be discouraged; go back and train hard, and there will be other opportunities in the future!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor!"

The echo reverberated through the valley, instantly boosting morale to its peak.

Qin Qiong walked to Wen He's side and whispered.

"It seems His Majesty has high hopes for this hundred-man team."

His gaze swept over the ten generals, and he felt resolute.

His Majesty intends to use this assessment to pave the way for reforms across the entire army.

Otherwise, why would he have brought all these people with him?

Wen He chuckled dryly, feeling a bit of a headache.

Li Shimin's elaborate scheme has put him in a difficult position.

If Li Er hadn't come.

He's probably the one who's stealing the spotlight today.

Why are you out here when you're not even in the capital?
On the other side, surrounded by his soldiers, Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

After he sat down, he asked Gao Yue to call Wen He.

When Wen He came to him, Li Shimin asked with great interest.

"When will this assessment begin? Or do we have to wait for an auspicious time?"

After he finished speaking, the generals around him all laughed.

"Your Majesty, we can begin once all the items have been distributed."

"Well, today I and all my beloved ministers are here to watch. You don't need to worry about us. Begin on your own."

This is tantamount to delegating power.

The way people around Wen He looked at her changed.

Only Wen He didn't seem to care much.

After bowing to Li Shimin, he hurriedly stepped down from the viewing platform and went to the soldiers.

"I think you all know why you're here today, so I won't go into details. However, I want to reiterate that for the next two days, you will be surrounded and pursued by thousands of people. If you think this is impossible, you can leave now. I guarantee no one will blame you!"

Wen He stood there, looking at the three hundred soldiers in front of him.

He knew that no one could possibly quit.

Even if they had been willing just now, Li Shimin's arrival left them with no choice.

After waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wen He finally spoke.

"Alright, now you have one hour. Use all your strength to run away as fast as you can!"

(End of this chapter)