Late Tang Dynasty: Descendants of the Imperial Clan

Li Cenji immediately clasped his hands and bowed deeply, saying:

"I will forever remember the kindness shown to me by Commander Wang."

Wang Chu waved his hand and laughed:

"There's no need for such talk between us. Go and change your clothes quickly; this armor is covered in dust, it's not appropriate to see Lord Zheng in this state."

Li Cenji responded, turned around and went back to the barracks. He quickly changed into a clean blue robe, and then re-tied his hair and secured it with a jade hairpin.

When he came out again, Wang Chu was standing outside the camp gate with his hands behind his back, looking at the soldiers sweating profusely on the training ground, with a look of approval on his face.

"Jingzhi, your soldiers are well-trained."

Li Cenji walked to his side and said:

"Sima also deserves some credit for this."

Wang Chu was taken aback and asked, "What does this mean?"

"These defeated soldiers were emaciated and pale when they first arrived, but in just over a month, they have already become quite robust. If it weren't for Sima's lenient treatment, which ensured the smooth supply of provisions and weapons, how could they have achieved this?"

Li Cenji replied with a smile.

This is no lie.

Wang Chu was a fairly upright man and would not embezzle military pay and provisions. Fengxiang was not short of provisions at the moment, but the troops from Fengxiang and Longyou, the defeated soldiers from Guanzhong, and the troops from various routes in western Beijing who came to support the emperor had a combined force of nearly 50,000 to 60,000. There was a certain order of arrival.

If we report the shortage of food and clothing today, after some calculation and allocation, it will probably take two or three days for the food and fodder to be sent to the army. If several battalions report together, it will probably take another day or two.

If the camp is prepared, it's fine; otherwise, they'll have to tighten their belts and cut back on food and clothing.

Li Cenji's side was personally instructed by Zheng Gong, and Wang Chu also greatly admired him, so the allocation of military pay, weapons, provisions, and winter clothing was given the green light.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chu suddenly understood, feeling quite pleased and even more satisfied with Li Cenji. He smiled and said a few modest words before patting Li Cenji on the shoulder and saying:

"Let's go, lest we keep Lord Zheng and the other generals waiting."

Li Cenji was taken aback upon hearing this:

"Gentlemen Generals? How many of the generals from the various circuits west of the capital have arrived today?"

Wang Chu smiled, offering no explanation, and simply said:

"You'll know when you get there."

Li Cenji was full of doubts, but he didn't ask any more questions.

He walked up to the oxcart, took the whip from the servant, and sat on the shaft himself.

Wang Chu also mounted his horse, and the two of them, one in a carriage and one on a horse, along with the four servants, left the military camp and headed towards the governor's mansion.

The oxcart rumbled along the main street and soon arrived at the Marshal's Mansion.

Several servants were already waiting at the gate.

Upon seeing the oxcart, they rushed forward to help unload the offerings from the cart one by one, carefully holding them in their hands.

Li Cenji jumped off the carriage, straightened his robes and adjusted his turban, took a deep breath, and strode towards the mansion.

Wang Chu walked beside him and whispered:

"Jingzhi, when the apprenticeship ceremony is about to take place, just follow the instructions of the master of ceremonies. Lord Zheng knows that you are not familiar with these formalities, so he specially invited an experienced staff member from the mansion to act as the master of ceremonies. Just follow along and don't be nervous."

Li Cenji nodded, but he was still a little uneasy.

Although he was a novelist in his previous life and knew a little about the ancient apprenticeship rituals, experiencing it firsthand was a completely different matter.

The two passed through the front hall, went around the corridor, and soon arrived at the main hall of the military governor's mansion.

The hall doors were wide open, and Li Cenji looked up to see that the hall had already been properly arranged.

The master's seat was set up to the due north, covered with a brocade rug, and the back of the chair was draped with crimson silk.

In front of the master's seat was a long table with a portrait of Confucius, the most revered teacher, on it. Incense burners and candlesticks were placed on both sides, with wisps of smoke rising from them.

The hall was already full of people on both sides.

Li Cenji's gaze swept across the area, and he first spotted familiar faces in Fengxiang City:

Military Commissioner Li Changyan, Commander Zhao Buying, Chief Clerk Sun Chu, and the rest of the officers and soldiers.

When these people saw him, some nodded with smiles, and some nodded slightly, all with a hint of good-natured teasing in their expressions.

Sitting behind his elder brother, Li Changfu pursed his lips at Li Cenji, his eyes filled with envy.

But after Li Cenji's gaze swept over these people, it landed on several unfamiliar faces.

The first seat on the left was occupied by a middle-aged military officer in his forties.

This man had a large face and ears, a thick beard under his chin, a ruddy complexion, and bright, piercing eyes. He sat upright and exuded the air of someone who had long held a high position.

Wang Chu whispered in Li Cenji's ear:

"That is Cheng Zongchu, the military governor of Jingyuan. Jingyuan is a neighbor of Fengxiang. Military governor Cheng has come here at the invitation of Lord Zheng to discuss the grand plan to suppress the bandits."

Li Cenji nodded slightly, his gaze shifting to his right.

Sitting in the first seat on the right was an old general in his fifties, with gray hair and beard, a thin face, but eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

He was holding a teacup, sipping his tea slowly and deliberately.

"That is Tang Hongfu, the military governor of Shuofang. The troops of Shuofang have always been elite, and General Tang is a veteran who has fought many battles. He made many merits in the past when he fought against the Tubo and Uyghur in the northwest."

Wang Chu continued in a low voice.

Li Cenji then looked at the second seat on the left.

Sitting at the table was a general in his late thirties, with broad shoulders and a dark complexion, and a neatly trimmed short mustache.

He was whispering something to Cheng Zongchu beside him.

"Qin Prefecture Military Commissioner Qiu met Commander Qiu. Although Qin Prefecture did not have as many soldiers and generals as Jingyuan and Shuofang, it still controlled a key point in Longyou. Although the troops were few, they were all veteran soldiers who were good at fighting."

On the second seat to the right sat two generals of similar age.

One was fair-skinned with a short beard and handsome features, around forty years old; the other had dark skin, high cheekbones, and a goatee.

"That one is Li Xiaochang, the military governor of Fuyan."

Wang Chu gestured with his lip towards the white-bearded general, then looked at the dark-skinned one.

"The man next to me is Tuoba Sigong, the military governor of Xia Prefecture. Xia Prefecture is the territory of the Dangxiang Tuoba clan, and this military governor is a Dangxiang. His cavalry is brave and skilled in battle, and is one of the best among the northwestern towns."

Upon hearing this, Li Cenji was secretly astonished.

The military governors of Jingyuan Cheng Zongchu, Qinzhou Qiu Gongyu, Fuyan Li Xiaochang, Xiazhou Tuoba Sigong, and Shuofang Tang Hongfu, along with most of the military governors of the western circuits, have all arrived today.

This is truly a matter of great importance.

As he was pondering this, he heard a soft cough coming from the hall.

Everyone looked over and saw Zheng Tian emerge from the back hall.

Today he was dressed in a purple official robe, with a gold fish pouch tied at his waist and a scholar's cap on his head. He was impeccably dressed from head to toe.

Although his face still showed some signs of illness and he was much thinner than before, his demeanor as a veteran official of three dynasties and prime minister of two terms remained unchanged.

He was followed by two servants carrying trays.

One tray holds a scholar's robe, the Confucian robe a disciple should wear when taking a master; the other tray holds a scroll of scriptures, an inkstone, and a wolf-hair brush, the writing implements bestowed upon the disciple by the master.

Zheng Tian walked to the master's seat and stopped. His gaze swept over everyone in the hall and finally landed on Li Cenji at the door.

He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a kind smile, and waved to Li Cenji.

Li Cenji took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.

Wang Chu and the servants carrying the tuition fees followed closely behind, placing celery, lotus seeds, red beans, red dates, longan, and dried meat one by one on the long table in front of the master's seat.

Silk and wine jars were placed on the side of the table.

Once the gifts were arranged, the master of ceremonies stepped out from the side.

This man was about sixty years old, with white hair and beard, and was wearing a dark blue robe. He was an old staff member in charge of etiquette in the military governor's mansion, and his surname was Lu.

He bowed to Zheng Tian, ​​then cupped his hands in greeting to the guests in the hall, and said loudly:

"On this auspicious day, a joyous occasion is prepared. There is a member of the imperial clan named Li Cenji, courtesy name Jingzhi, a descendant of Prince Zheng Yuanyi, a great-great-grandson of Emperor Gaozu, a grandson of Li Kuangyi, and a son of Li Yihuai. His family has a long and distinguished lineage, and his family has a distinguished reputation for integrity. He himself is intelligent and precocious, possessing both literary and martial talents. Although he lives among the elite, he is free from the vices of a life of luxury; although he possesses a resolute and courageous character, he yearns for the refinement of music and poetry."

Today, we have Mr. Zheng Gongtaiwen from Xingyang, a man of profound understanding of Confucianism and metaphysics, whose learning is astounding as the ancient classics. His virtue is as pure as jade, and his reputation as esteemed as Mount Heng. I, in my quiet contemplation, look up to this lofty figure and yearn to receive his teachings. I humbly offer my humble request for instruction, and respectfully bow to him as a disciple. I earnestly hope that you will not reject my humble talents, but will impart invaluable guidance, so that I may be inspired by your teachings and strive for excellence. Thus, my students may find solace in your guidance, and even those with limited abilities may ultimately achieve great success.

He paused here, his voice rising a few decibels:

"Disciple Li Cenji, in position!"

Li Cenji followed the instructions and walked into the hall, standing facing north, with Zheng Tian and the portrait of the Sage Confucius in front of him.

He lowered his hands, stood solemnly, but couldn't help recalling the Douyin marketing accounts he had scrolled through in his previous life:

At the time, I only thought of things like "how many steps are there in the ancient apprenticeship ceremony" and "how exactly to recite the Rules for Students". I never thought that one day I would actually experience it myself.

Lu Zanli then said:

"Disciple Li Cenji bows three times to the Most Holy Teacher!"

Li Cenji knelt down as instructed and respectfully bowed three times to the portrait of Confucius.

Each bow involved touching the ground with the forehead, demonstrating complete etiquette.

"Disciple Li Cenji kneels before Master Zheng!"

Li Cenji turned around, faced Zheng Tian, ​​and knelt down again.

This time, he bowed even deeper and more solemnly.

Zheng Tian sat upright on the master's seat, his face solemn. Only after the master finished bowing did he nod slightly.

Lu Zanli then said:

"Disciple Feng Shuxiu!"

Li Cenji stood up, picked up the plate of dried meat from the long table with both hands, and respectfully presented it to Zheng Tian.

Zheng Tian reached out and took it, placing it on the side of the table.

Li Cenji then served celery, lotus seeds, red beans, red dates, and longan in turn. Zheng Tian accepted them one by one, and the solemn expression on his face gradually softened, revealing a more gentle demeanor.

After the tuition fees were paid, Lu Zanli said again:

"The commander has bestowed upon me clothing!"

The servant carrying the tray behind Zheng Tian stepped forward.

Zheng Tian took the blue robe from the tray and unfolded it. It was a dark blue scholar's robe. The material was not luxurious, but the cut was extremely well-fitting.

He stood up, draped the blue robe over Li Cenji's shoulders, tied the sash for him, patted his shoulder, and whispered, "Okay."

That single word brought a slight lump to Li Cenji's throat.

He lowered his eyes and said respectfully:

"Thank you very much, my teacher."

Lu Zanli then said:

"A book bestowed by the teacher!"

Zheng Tian then took the scroll from another tray. It was a copy of "The Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo", bound in a blue cloth bookcase. The pages were yellowed, indicating that it was an old copy that had been read countless times.

He handed the book to Li Cenji and said:

"This book is what I read before I passed the imperial examinations. I am giving it to you today. I hope you will study diligently, understand principles, cultivate yourself, and live up to what you have learned."

Li Cenji accepted it with both hands, respectfully holding it to his chest, and said:

"Your disciple will remember your teachings."

Zheng Tian then bestowed upon him the inkstone and the wolf-hair brush.

Li Cenji took them one by one and handed them to the servants behind him to hold.

After all these formalities were completed, Lu Zanli announced in a loud voice:

"The ceremony is complete!"

A chorus of congratulations immediately filled the hall.

The officers and soldiers of Fengxiang rose one after another and bowed to Zheng Tian and Li Cenji to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Master Zheng, on gaining such a fine disciple!"

"Jingzhi's loyalty and courage are commendable. It is truly a blessing for him to be personally instructed by Duke Zheng."

The military governors also stood up and bowed to Zheng Tian to offer their congratulations.

Zheng Tian then introduced these military governors to Li Cenji, who stepped forward to greet them one by one.

Cheng Zongchu smiled and said:

"Lord Zheng, your disciple is actually a member of the imperial family? He looks quite handsome. I heard he was the one who beheaded Huang Chao's envoy and captured the traitorous eunuch Peng Jingrou that very night? What courage and skill!"

Zheng Tian stroked his beard and smiled:

"Commander Cheng, you flatter me. This child is from the lineage of Yi Jian Gong and does have some courage, but he is still young and inexperienced, and needs more experience."

Tang Hongfu also said:

"Lord Zheng has a discerning eye. This young man has a natural air of heroism between his brows. Given time, he will surely achieve great things."

Li Cenji respectfully said:

"Thank you for your guidance, General Tang."

Zheng Tian then introduced him to Qiu Gongyu, Li Xiaochang, and Tuoba Sigong.

Each time someone was introduced, Li Cenji would bow and respectfully address them as "Marshal".

The military governors all smiled and agreed, some patting him on the shoulder, others offering words of encouragement, all appearing as kind and gentle elders.

After all the introductions were completed, Zheng Tian ordered a banquet to be prepared.

Today is the ceremony for the apprenticeship ceremony, so a banquet is naturally indispensable.

The servants brought out a variety of dishes one after another. Although they could not compare to the delicacies in Chang'an, they were all carefully prepared by famous chefs in Fengxiang.

The restaurant offers a full range of meats, including chicken, duck, fish, and lamb, as well as several types of lamb cooked with spices from the Western Regions, which have an enticing aroma.

The wine was also from the Western Regions, served in a silver pot and poured into a jade cup. Its color was like amber, and its aroma was rich and mellow.

Zheng Tian sat in the main seat, with several military governors sitting on his left and right.

Li Cenji sat at the lower end, making him practically the host.

The remaining officers and soldiers of Fengxiang Town took their seats in turn, and the hall gradually became lively with the clinking of glasses and toasts.

The military commanders were toasting and exchanging pleasantries with each other, and no one else dared to go up and toast or chat with them.

Li Cenji, the protagonist of the apprenticeship ceremony, was different; naturally, he was also offered wine by others.

First, several military officers from Fengxiang Town brought over wine cups, saying polite things like "Congratulations, Commander Li" and "Congratulations, Commander Li".

Li Cenji welcomed everyone who came, clinking glasses with them one by one and drinking the wine in one gulp.

Seeing his straightforwardness, the officers beamed with joy and patted him on the shoulder, addressing him as a brother.

Before long, Wang Chu and Sun Chu arrived together.

Each of them held a cup of wine in their hand, and both wore smiles on their faces.

Wang Chu raised his cup and said:

"Jingzhi, the apprenticeship ceremony is now complete. From this day forward, you are Zheng Gong's disciple. I am a few years older than you, so I'll shamelessly say that you are like my nephew. Come, drink this cup, and from now on we are family."

Sun Chu stroked his beard and smiled:

"What Wang Sima says is true. Jingzhi, I have long seen that you are no ordinary person. Now that you have become a disciple of Lord Zheng, it is truly a cause for celebration. I have nothing more to say but I wish you a bright future."

Li Cenji quickly stood up, held the cup with both hands, and respectfully said:

"Wang Sima and Sun Zhubu, I will always remember your kindness. If it weren't for your kind words to Lord Zheng, I wouldn't be where I am today. This cup is a toast to you both."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it all.

Wang Chu and Sun Chu exchanged a glance, then both smiled and drank.

After the two left, Li Changyan, Zhao Buying, and another military commander, Wang Lu, also came over with wine cups.

Li Changyan smiled, raised his cup to Li Cenji, and said:

"Jingzhi, congratulations. Zheng Gong has accepted you as his disciple and promoted you to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry. It is truly a double blessing. I toast you."

Zhao Buying also said:

"Commander Li is a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him. I also raise a toast to you."

Wang Lu was a middle-aged man in his forties, burly and not talkative. He simply raised his cup and said:

"Commander Li, please."

Li Cenji clinked glasses with each of them, drank the wine, and exchanged a few polite words.

He could sense that Li Changyan and the other two were still warm towards him, but not close.

That kind of warmth is just polite formality in official circles, a superficial gesture.

There was always a subtle distance between them, as if there was something between them.

Li Cenji understood that this was not due to his personal fault.

As garrison soldiers, they were on the opposite side from the very beginning to the yamen guards who were escorting Zheng Tian.

It should be noted that Zheng Tian initially brought the Imperial Guards to take up his post precisely to guard against the local garrison commanders of Fengxiang and Longyou.

Given this relationship, even if one wants to get closer, one must consider whether Zheng Tian will be wary.

So the group exchanged a few pleasantries and then each found an excuse to disperse.

Li Cenji didn't take it to heart and remained seated at the table, drinking whenever someone offered him a toast, displaying impeccable manners and neither servility nor arrogance.

After all the generals and officials who came to attend the ceremony had drunk their fill, Li Cenji remained perfectly sober.

Wines in the Tang Dynasty did not have the purity and alcohol content of distilled spirits in later generations. They were mostly rice wines and fruit wines. Even the wines from the Western Regions had a slightly lower alcohol content than the wines of later generations.

The original owner of this body had practiced martial arts since childhood, so her alcohol tolerance was not bad. While she wouldn't be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, she certainly couldn't get drunk within a hundred cups.

He returned to his seat and was about to take a bite of the food on the small table when he saw another pair of legs appear in front of him.

Li Cenji looked up and saw Li Changfu.

The younger brother of the Left Wing Army Commander had drunk quite a bit tonight; his face was flushed, but he still walked steadily.

He walked up to Li Cenji, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke:

"Commander Li, you're in the limelight today, aren't you?"

Li Cenji glanced at him, unsure whether his words were a joke or something else, so he simply raised his glass, smiled, and drank it all in one gulp without saying a word.

Li Changfu, however, continued speaking to himself:

"That night at the military supervisor's residence, I cursed you in my heart as 'shameless.' Later, you killed that traitorous envoy with one stroke, captured Peng Jingrou, and moved the entire hall to tears with a song of 'Qin King's Battle Song'—I then knew that I, Li Changfu, had misjudged you."

He turned his head and looked at Li Cenji, his expression serious:

"You're a real man. I, Li Changfu, have never admired many people in my life, but you're one of them."

Li Cenji was somewhat surprised to hear him say that.

In the original owner's memories, this General Li Er was usually arrogant and disrespectful to everyone, so it was truly rare for him to say such things today.

He clasped his hands in greeting and said:

"General Li, you flatter me. What happened that night was merely an act of righteous indignation and nothing more."

Li Changfu waved his hand and said:

"Don't call me General Li Er, my name is Li Changfu. I'm not a general, I'm just a captain. Is Li Duxiao mocking me?"

He said this with a hint of self-deprecation, not because he was truly angry.

Li Cenji was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said:

"Lieutenant Li, you flatter me. In that case, you don't need to call me Commander Li; just call me Jingzhi."

Upon hearing this, Li Changfu grinned, patted Li Cenji heavily on the shoulder, and said:

"Good! Jingzhi! I, Li Changfu, like your temperament! Come, drink this cup, and from now on you will be my friend!"

Having said that, he grabbed his wine cup from the table, raised it to Li Cenji, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

He then placed the empty wine cup on the table, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, exhaled a long breath, and turned to walk back to his elder brother's side.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

The military governors took their leave one after another, each returning to their camp with their personal guards.

The officials and officers of Fengxiang Town dispersed in twos and threes, leaving only a few servants to clean up the remaining food in the hall.

Li Cenji was about to leave, but Zheng Tian called him back.

"Jingzhi, come with me."

After saying this, Zheng Tian turned and walked towards the back hall.

Li Cenji dared not delay and quickly followed.

After passing through a corridor, you arrive at Zheng Tian's study.

The study was small, but the walls were piled with books, and a map of Guanzhong was spread out on the table, marked with several points in vermilion ink.

The candlelight flickered, casting Zheng Tian's shadow on the wall, swaying slightly.

Zheng Tian sat down behind his desk, looking somewhat tired.

The social engagements just now were quite strenuous for an elderly man who had just recovered from rheumatism.

He closed his eyes to rest for a moment before opening them, looking at Li Cenji, and said:

"You've met these military commanders today. What do you think of them?"

Li Cenji was taken aback, not expecting Zheng Tian to suddenly test him.

He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied:

"Replying to my master, I am but a humble disciple, and dare not speak presumptuously. However, judging from what I have seen at the banquet today, Commander Cheng is straightforward and a man of great integrity; Commander Qiu is also a generous and forthright man, and his temperament is similar to that of Commander Cheng; Commander Tang is mature and prudent, with far-sighted plans; Commander Li is taciturn and somewhat difficult to understand; and Commander Tuoba, although a Dangxiang, is utterly loyal to the Tang Dynasty, and is quick-witted and capable."

Zheng Tian listened, nodded slightly, and a smile appeared on his face. He said:

"It's already quite good that you can see all this. Let me tell you a few more words—Cheng Zongchu is a man of commendable loyalty and courage, but he is also impatient and easily provoked. If you use him, you should let him take the lead, but you can't let him take charge on his own. Qiu Gongyu is like him, also an impatient person, but he has one more advantage than Cheng Zongchu: he knows when to advance and when to retreat. Tang Hongfu is not a shrewd strategist at all. He is just old and a devout Buddhist, having studied the scriptures for a long time, which makes him appear calm and composed even if Mount Tai collapses. In reality, his sharpness has faded, and his mind is no longer as sharp. Li Xiaochang—"

He paused, then said:

"This man is a deep thinker, and I cannot see through him. However, Fuyan and Fengxiang are closely interdependent, so even if he has other intentions, he will not reveal them at the moment. As for Tuoba Sigong, he is a Dangxiang, but he is better at assessing the situation than many Han people. He is good at using troops, and his cavalry is even more valiant. If he can be truly used by us, he will be a great help in defeating the rebels."

Li Cenji listened and secretly memorized it. Zheng Tian's words were full of experience accumulated over decades of navigating the ups and downs of officialdom and dealing with regional warlords, more valuable than any military treatise or strategy.

Zheng Tian then asked:

"Who do you think among these people is genuinely here to avenge the thief, and who is just observing?"

Li Cenji was slightly taken aback, not expecting Zheng Tian to suddenly ask him this.

He pondered for a moment, then said frankly:

"This disciple is foolish and dares not make a hasty conclusion. However, judging from the observations of those military commanders, Commander Cheng and Commander Tang seem to genuinely have some intention to punish the traitors. As for the others—"

He didn't continue.

Zheng Tian nodded and said:

"You don't need to hold back. I'm asking you this because I want to hear the truth. The fact that you can see these things shows that you're not the kind of reckless brute who only knows how to charge into battle."

He sighed, reached out and stroked the map on the table, and slowly said:

"Cheng Zongchu comes from a family of generals, and is upright and honest, with a certain degree of loyalty and righteousness. Although Tang Hongfu will not take risks easily, he will never surrender to the rebels. As for Qiu Gongyu, Li Xiaochang, and Tuoba Sigong—their presence today is already a sign of respect to the court. If we were to ask them to confront Huang Chao head-on, we probably couldn't count on them."

Li Cen nodded silently.

Zheng Tian then said:

"That's why I took the opportunity to promote you to Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry and to let you recruit your own troops. Jingzhi, you must remember that the troops of these military commanders ultimately belong to them, not to me, much less to the court. Only the troops you personally train will obey your orders and be willing to die for you."

Li Cenji deeply agreed.

He knew all too well that in the late Tang Dynasty, the separatist regimes of the regional military governors ultimately depended on the power of the military.

Although Zheng Tian held a high position and wielded great power, he was ultimately a civil official, and most of the soldiers under his command were arrogant and fierce generals from Fengxiang and Longyou.

These people appear respectful on the surface, but no one can say for sure what they're really thinking.

The fact that the generals tacitly agreed to surrender that night at the military governor's residence is clear evidence of this.

Li Cenji nodded and said:

"Jingzhi has learned a lot!"

Zheng Tian then said:

"Jingzhi, do you know why I'm introducing you to them today?"

He leaned back in his chair, perhaps tired, and before Li Cenji could reply, he slowly said:

"Although you are a member of the imperial family, in this world of regional warlordism, the title of imperial family means nothing. What truly allows you to establish yourself is ability, connections, and the recognition of others. I am over fifty years old, and after my stroke, my health is declining day by day. The path I can pave for you is ultimately limited. I invited these military governors here today so that you could make an appearance before them. If you can gain the favor of one or two of them in the future, it will greatly benefit your future prospects."

Upon hearing these words, Li Cenji felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes even became slightly hot.

He knelt down, respectfully kowtowed, and said:

"My dear teacher has gone to great lengths for me. I will certainly work hard and live up to your expectations."

Zheng Tian waved his hand and smiled:

"Get up. We are master and disciple, there's no need for such talk. I'm tired, you may go now."

Li Cenji responded and got up to leave the main hall.

As he walked under the eaves, a cool breeze from the courtyard made him realize that his back was soaked with sweat.

Throughout today's apprenticeship ceremony, he was on edge the entire time, afraid of making any mistakes and embarrassing Zheng Tian.

Now that the ceremony is over, the tension has eased, and I feel somewhat exhausted.

-----------------

The next morning, before dawn, Li Cenji woke up.

After returning from the Marshal's mansion last night, he tossed and turned on his bed, unable to close his eyes for half the night.

Zheng Tian's words were like red-hot iron nails, each one driving into his heart.

The faces of several military governors flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern...

Behind every face lies a regional military governor, an army, and a mind whose intentions are difficult to fathom.

What truly kept him awake was Zheng Tian's words:

"The path I can pave for you is ultimately limited."

These words were spoken plainly, but Li Cenji could hear the desolation and helplessness in them.

Zheng Tian was over fifty years old, and his vitality was greatly depleted after his stroke. Although he could still get up and manage affairs, his pale face and thin figure were a constant reminder to Li Cenji:

His mentor's protection will likely not last long.

Once Zheng Tian is gone, what is Li Cenji in this Fengxiang City?

The respect shown by those town generals was only out of consideration for Zheng Tian.

If Zheng Tian, ​​this great mountain, were to fall, Li Cenji would be like a rootless duckweed, easily overturned by any gust of wind or wave.

can not wait.

We must take advantage of Zheng Tian's presence and the fact that this banner can still provide shelter from the wind and rain, and sharpen the sword in our hands as soon as possible.

Li Cenji sat up and splashed his face with the cold water in the basin.

The cool well water splashed on my face, completely dispelling any lingering drowsiness.

He changed into his gleaming armor, fastened his leather belt, hung his sword at his waist, and pushed open the door to go out.

As dawn broke, a thin layer of mist still shrouded the city.

The imperial guards on night duty bowed to him when they saw him.

Li Cenji offered them a few words of encouragement and then headed straight for the military camp.

As soon as they entered the camp gate, the soldier on duty was about to shout, but Li Cenji glared at him and stopped him.

Without disturbing anyone, he walked straight to the edge of the training ground, stood with his arms crossed under an old locust tree, and quietly watched the training in the field.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but the drill ground was already bustling with activity.

To the east are Zhou Ping's cavalry.

The original five hundred Imperial Guards were divided into ten teams, each team leading a team of new recruits, and they were practicing changing formations on horseback.

The thunderous sound of hooves shook the ground slightly.

Zhou Ping rode a chestnut horse, galloping back and forth at the front and rear of the column, his whip cracking crisply in the air every now and then, while he shouted incessantly:

"Left wing! Turn! Turn! Zhang Laosan, which way the hell are you turning? That's right! Right!"

"Wang Qi! The reins are loose! Loose! That horse isn't your wife, why are you holding it so tight!"

Li Cenji nodded slightly as he read this.

Zhou Ping usually looks amiable, with a round face and big ears like a dough ball, but once he steps onto the training ground, he becomes a different person, fierce and ruthless, and he doesn't hold back when he curses people.