Chapter 153 Military Might

Niu Huanyu laughed heartily and said, "Your Majesty has keen insight, even seeing through this."

He added somewhat sheepishly, "It's like this. When Your Majesty first appointed me as commander, many were unconvinced. They wouldn't train, no matter what I said."

"So, I set up a fighting ring and said that if anyone could beat me, I would write to Your Majesty and recommend them for my position."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen chuckled. "So, no one was your match?"

Niu Huanyu nodded. "They couldn't beat me and were thoroughly convinced by my strength."

Jiang Chen nodded, understanding now.

At least Niu Huanyu harbored no rebellious intentions.

However, to avoid any further unexpected incidents, Jiang Chen's mind stirred, and he conceived a plan.

"Commander Niu, after I've inspected all the military camps, have all the generals gather. I have something to say," Jiang Chen instructed.

"Yes!"

Niu Huanyu agreed without hesitation.

He was one hundred percent obedient to Jiang Chen.

Soon, after the camp inspection, the generals from each camp were summoned.

The generals seemed somewhat absent-minded as they stood before Jiang Chen and the others on the platform.

In their view, Jiang Chen had summoned them merely to shout a few slogans about loyalty to the emperor and love for the country.

While they harbored no rebellious intentions, they were growing weary of such ceremonies, which they had to perform several times a year.

But to their surprise, Jiang Chen did not do that. Instead, he smiled and said, "Gentlemen, you are all loyal and capable officers of my Great Wei, and I am very pleased."

"I just heard Commander Niu say that when he first became commander, some of you were not convinced of his abilities, is that correct?"

The generals' expressions changed involuntarily.

Even Niu Huanyu's expression shifted.

He hadn't expected Jiang Chen to call the generals here for this reason!

Could it be that His Majesty intended to punish them?

Niu Huanyu quickly stepped forward to explain on behalf of the generals, but Yao Shouxin reached out and stopped him.

Niu Huanyu looked at Yao Shouxin in confusion, not understanding why Yao Shouxin was stopping him.

"Rest assured," Yao Shouxin said softly.

Niu Huanyu was somewhat surprised.

When the Northern military camps had just been pacified, Yao Shouxin had stayed here for several months.

During that time, the two had developed a good relationship.

Niu Huanyu admired Yao Shouxin, this civil official who was also a military general, from the bottom of his heart.

So, although he didn't understand why Yao Shouxin wanted to stop him, he patiently withdrew his foot.

Jiang Chen continued, "I think this is a good thing. To become a commander, one must naturally possess outstanding skills, wouldn't you agree?"

The generals were full of doubt, unsure of Jiang Chen's true intentions, and for a moment, no one answered.

Jiang Chen didn't mind and continued, "After hearing about this, I also feel a bit itchy."

"I called everyone here because I want to exchange pointers with you all."

The generals below the platform and Niu Huanyu on the platform widened their eyes simultaneously.

Had they heard correctly?

His Majesty wanted to exchange pointers with them?

Many of them had fought enemies on the battlefield and regularly underwent intense training.

But Jiang Chen, His Majesty, sat in the capital every day, reviewing documents, and traveled in a sedan chair. They were not on the same level at all!

Niu Huanyu gave Yao Shouxin a look, asking what was going on.

Yao Shouxin smiled faintly and whispered, "Don't worry."

Although Niu Huanyu trusted Yao Shouxin, he didn't believe those two words at all.

After thinking for a moment, Niu Huanyu quickly stepped forward and said loudly, "I think His Majesty's suggestion is excellent! Your Majesty, I'll go first!"

Niu Huanyu had probably figured it out. Jiang Chen wanted to establish his authority by defeating these generals.

If that was the case, he might as well be defeated by His Majesty on purpose, so that the generals would have nothing to say.

After all, these generals were defeated by him one by one.

And if he was defeated by Jiang Chen, that would be enough to prove how strong Jiang Chen was!

But his idea was rejected by Jiang Chen.

"Commander Niu, you can watch from the side for now. I need to defeat these people first before I can challenge you," Jiang Chen said with a smile.

Niu Huanyu was immediately dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Did His Majesty mean that he wanted to fight them in a gauntlet match?

The generals also felt incredible.

There were more than thirty generals present!

Even if His Majesty was powerful and could defeat one in the time it takes to burn an incense stick, it would still take a whole day!

They would be exhausted to death!

Seeing that no one dared to step onto the stage, Jiang Chen pointed to the general closest to the arena. "You, come up."

Jiang Chen was the emperor, and his orders had to be obeyed by the generals.

The selected general reluctantly stepped onto the stage.

Jiang Chen turned and waved at Yao Shouxin and the others, saying, "You all go down."

The arena quickly became empty, with Jiang Chen and his opponent standing on either side.

Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Cheer up and have a good fight with me."

The general replied listlessly, "Yes."

But he was extremely unwilling in his heart.

They usually trained in combat techniques, and often didn't know how to control their strength.

If he accidentally injured Jiang Chen, it could lead to a great crime punishable by the extermination of his entire family!

Moreover, even winning was not an option.

Who knew if His Majesty would hold a grudge against them?

So, in this general's view, Jiang Chen's request for him to come on stage was pure torture.

After thinking for a moment, the general decided to let Jiang Chen attack first, and then he would pretend not to defend properly and be knocked off the stage.

This way, he wouldn't have to counterattack and would be safe.

With that thought in mind, the general said, "Your Majesty, please begin."

Jiang Chen chuckled. "You should make the first move."

The general's face looked a little bad. "Your Majesty, please make the first move. How can I overstep the boundaries of etiquette between ruler and subject?"

"Alright then."

Jiang Chen nodded and added, "Don't blame me for not giving you a chance when you lose."

You never gave me a chance!

The general thought to himself, but said, "I'm willing to accept defeat."

"Good!"

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up, and then he rushed towards his opponent.

Seeing Jiang Chen's speed, the general was shocked.

How could his speed be faster than his charge?

Just as he was in shock, Jiang Chen had already rushed in front of him, and then his palms went straight for his face.

The general quickly raised his arms to block, but felt a great force directly pushing him back.

Suddenly, he lost his footing and fell directly off the stage.

The edge of the stage was covered in sand, and the general was not injured.

But for the general, losing to Jiang Chen was even more painful than being injured!

He looked at the sky with a dazed expression, still unable to accept the fact that he had lost to Jiang Chen.

"I lost?"

Jiang Chen chuckled. "Looks like you were a little careless. Do you want to try again?"

The general jumped up from the ground, his face flushed, and finally shook his head.

He had just said that he was willing to accept defeat, so if he went up now, wouldn't he be slapping himself in the face?