Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 816: Deterrence (Part 3)

Jiang Shaohua appreciated the awkward and unpleasant expressions of the military generals for a moment, then slowly said, "This military exercise can also help each of you generals identify the issues with your respective troops. After you return, you need to focus on your weaknesses and train more. In three or four months, when the weather warms up in spring next year, we’ll have another military exercise competition."

The military generals, having received this setback, no longer retained their arrogance and repeatedly nodded in agreement. They were much more polite and courteous to Liu Hengchang and the others.

The Emperor departed amidst the entourages of the ministers.

The Left General was furious within the military tent, summoning his trusted aides and repeatedly cursing them violently.

The trusted aides were so chastised that they dared not lift their heads. Once the Left General grew weary from his scolding and calmed down slightly, they whispered, "Please, Great General, calm your anger. What foundation does the Heroic Guard Camp have? In just three short years, it surpassed the Imperial Army’s Divine Martial Camp and Brave Guard Camp, which already attests to your prowess."

"Precisely. How could the big-headed soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp compare to the elite soldiers of the Nanyang Guard Camp?"

"We lost, that’s all. If we truly won against the Nanyang Guard Camp, where would the Emperor’s dignity be?"

The Left General chuckled with irritation, "According to you, the embarrassing display by the Heroic Guard Camp these past few days was indeed justified."

"Pah!"

"Stop making so many excuses. Losing is losing, and we need more practice. All of you, get out and think seriously about how to train your troops next."

"The Emperor has already spoken; there will be another military exercise competition next spring. In these few months, train like your lives depend on it!"

"If you lose like this again, all of you get out of my military camp and never see me again!"

Similar dialogues unfolded within the Imperial Army’s Divine Martial Camp and Brave Guard Camp.

Though the Personal Guard Camp won, it held a review meeting upon return. Liu Hengchang pointed out the issues within the Personal Guard Camp, "Arrogance leads to defeat; one must not become conceited just because of a temporary advantage."

"It’s expected that we won. Our Nanyang Guard Camp has dual horses per person, and the weapons and armor are the latest and best. Our monthly military pay is several times that of ordinary soldiers. The food in the camp is also the best, with meat served daily. If we can’t train elite soldiers with these conditions, then we’re all useless."

"Despite our victory in the military exercise, we lack the bloodthirsty nature and wild instincts compared to ordinary soldiers."

"We must continue to train our troops in these months. Next spring’s military exercise, we must continue to win!"

"The Emperor specifically summoned us to the Capital City to suppress all arrogant warriors, so they would willingly submit. Therefore, our victory must be decisive and impressive, leaving them speechless."

When Liu Hengchang spoke passionately, his eyes sparkled brightly, "Brother Qin, Brother Meng, let me be frank. The Emperor has always been training and preparing for war; there will inevitably be a national war with Rouran in the future. We must show the Emperor that the Personal Guard Camp is equally capable in battle, and we are not inferior to the Left General."

Ah! This is true ambition! They’re even considering vying with the Left General.

Qin Zhanmeng Dashan was inspired by these words, exchanged glances, and said in unison, "We’ll listen to your method for training."

Five military camps actively trained their troops, training fervently.

Jiang Shaohua, well-connected within the palace, continuously received updates from the various military camps. Smiling at Chancellor Chen and Minister Feng, she said, "I should have dispatched the Personal Guard Camp to the Capital City sooner, knowing this."

Chancellor Chen chuckled silently, "Isn’t the Emperor afraid they’ll bring real fire to next year’s military exercise competition?"

Minister Feng continued the conversation, "Civil servants don’t form factions, nor do military generals, so what is there to fear if they fight fiercely? It’s better if they fight vigorously."

These are indeed trusted high-ranking officials. Jiang Shaohua didn’t need to beat around the bush and nodded with a smile, "That’s what I think too."

The rivalry among military generals makes them easier to manage. If military generals conspired privately and formed an unbreakable alliance, disaster would be imminent.

Thus, being the Emperor is no easy task. Reforming the army is even more challenging than reforming civil servants. Civil servants can’t stir up a significant storm, but military generals hold power, and if they develop contrary ambitions, it can lead to major trouble.

With the arrival of the Personal Guard Camp, Jiang Shaohua felt particularly assured.

She said to Chancellor Chen and Minister Feng with a smile, "When the new year passes, I’ll stay at the Personal Guard Camp for a few days to see their training."

Previously, Chancellor Chen was alone and struggled to support; but since Minister Feng arrived, her left and right arms are in place, Jiang Shaohua felt like she returned to her youth and occasionally wandered out of the palace for a few days.

What can Chancellor Chen and Minister Feng say?

Continue to devote themselves tirelessly!

...

In the Sixth Year of Zhaoping, March of spring.

The grand military exercise of the five military camps was still held at the Heroic Guard Camp.

This time, alongside the Empress to watch the spectacle were not just a few ministers, but almost half of the court’s civil servants.

The projects of the military exercise were still the same, but the participating soldiers doubled in number. Each military force sent 2,000 men. Correspondingly, each project had top ten ranks selected for awards.

This was proposed by Minister Ding of the Ministry of War. Minister Ding is a good man, afraid that all military camps would lose face, so he simply extended the list of awards to at least save the faces of the generals.

The Empress readily approved, even promising to provide ten prized horses as rewards.

The soldiers, who were already eager, fired up instantly upon hearing such generous rewards. The atmosphere of the military exercise almost reached its peak state from the very beginning.

Jiang Shaohua was restless on the viewing platform, directly stepping down to the center of the exercise field, looking around with great interest.

Song Yuan and other trusted aides watched closely, and fortunately, nothing unexpected happened during half a day. But the exercise was so intense that several soldiers suffered injuries of varying degrees.

Sun Zelan was well-prepared, waving a hand, and someone came to carry the wounded soldiers to the military tent for treatment. Those with minor injuries were easily taken care of, and those with more severe injuries were attended to by Sun Zelan.

Qin Hu slipped over at some unknown time, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat of his newlywed wife.

Indeed, after more than ten years of waiting, Qin Hu finally wed the lady he loved at the end of the previous year. Newlywed for several months, they were in a gluey sweetness phase.

The couple worked together at the imperial court, frequently having the chance to meet.

Sun Zelan wasn’t shy, letting Qin Hu wipe the sweat from her while softly laughing and asking, "Over the past half-day, have the troops made any progress?"

No need to discuss winning or losing; the Nanyang Guard Camp still dominated the field.

However, the military forces from Capital City have all made significant progress.

"The Emperor’s strategy is excellent," Qin Hu laughed softly, "On ordinary days, each Great General looks down on the others. Now, they’ve been knocked down by our Personal Guard Camp, training with all their might, they’ve made substantial progress."

"By this progress, it’ll be within two years that the Da Liang Army can thoroughly transform and all be elite troops."

Before the words were finished, urgent footsteps sounded outside the military tent, "Qin Hu! Something’s wrong! An urgent report from the border has arrived!"