Chapter 232: Chapter 232: A Lesson
A little skirmish between the three housekeepers doesn’t need to be taken to heart.
After Jiang Shaohua sent the memorial to the court, she set off for Wuyin County. County Magistrate Gao in Wuyin County also gave Jiang Shaohua an unexpected surprise.
It turned out that before the spring plowing, County Magistrate Gao had purchased a large batch of sorghum seeds and distributed them to the people. Sorghum is drought-resistant, and thus was not affected by the lack of rain, growing quite well. At the very least, Wuyin County would not lack grain this year.
Jiang Shaohua warmly praised County Magistrate Gao.
County Magistrate Gao humbly cupped his hands and replied, "This year, I had a long discussion with County Magistrate Cai and received a lot of insights from him. Previously, I worked diligently but without the right methods, seeing little effect. In the future, I need to think more and come up with ways to improve the people’s livelihoods, doing my best to fill their bellies."
Their awareness and initiative are truly inspiring and delightful.
Jiang Shaohua’s gloomy mood of the past few days was swept away.
After staying in Wuyin County for a few days, the last stop was the Nanyang Army Camp.
Having not visited for half a year, as soon as Jiang Shaohua entered the camp, she keenly noticed some changes. The soldiers all had rosy complexions, indicating they were eating well, and their clothes were all newly issued uniforms of this year. The morale was visibly uplifted.
"General Yu has put in a lot of effort these past months," Jiang Shaohua praised with a smile, "Entering the Nanyang Army Camp today, the morale is indeed high."
Yu Chong, who led the troops every day, had tanned and revealed a bright set of teeth with a smile, "Last year’s military drill, the Nanyang Army lost to the Personal Guard Camp, and everyone was not convinced. Holding in their frustration, they’ve been drilling for half a year. Everyone is hoping for the Commandery Princess to come and inspect soon."
These words carried a slight hint of provocation.
Liu Hengchang remained expressionless and glanced at Yu Chong.
The competition among civil officials is subtle, but among military generals, it’s even more common to contend with one another. As the saying goes, ’In civil arts, there’s no first; in military arts, there’s no second.’ Who would willingly accept being inferior?
Yu Chong had suffered a setback at the hands of the Second Camp and now wanted to regain his face from the Three Elite Guard Camps. But it depended on whether the Third Camp Commander approved.
Yu Chong didn’t back down, looking straight back. A spark seemed to flicker between the two military generals.
Jiang Shaohua observed with amusement but didn’t reveal it.
Military generals need to have a fierce spirit. Without battles in daily life, staging a martial drill is suitable; it can also encourage the soldiers to train diligently!
Indeed, after barely settling in at the camp, during dinner, Yu Chong eagerly proposed the matter of a martial drill, "Commandery Princess, the last martial drill was a disgraceful loss for the Nanyang Army. Over the past six months, I have been training hard, and with the arrival of the Three Elite Guard Camps, I wish to engage in another martial drill."
Jiang Shaohua turned with a smile, "Commander Liu, what do you think?"
Liu Hengchang replied succinctly, "I am willing to spar with General Yu."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Very well. The trusted aides have been rushing for a while; they should rest for three days. Three days later, General Yu will mobilize six hundred elite soldiers to conduct the martial drill with the Three Elite Guard Camps."
If it were Qin Zhan or Meng Dashan here, they’d surely beat their chest and claim no rest was needed, that they could fight the next day.
Liu Hengchang never wasted energy on unnecessary appearances. After the trusted aides rest, they’ll be in better form, ensuring a more reliable win.
"Yes, I accept the command," Liu Hengchang said.
...
Three days later, at the Martial Arts Training Ground.
Liu Hengchang personally took the field, leading six hundred trusted aides. Yu Chong, filled with fervor, also took to the field.
The weapons used by the soldiers were wooden, with the tips covered in white lime. If struck, it would leave white marks, indicating defeat and the need to withdraw from the drill.
Jiang Shaohua smilingly instructed the two, "In the martial drill, minor injuries are inevitable, but be measured in your actions and avoid the vital points."
Liu Hengchang and Yu Chong both agreed.
The soldiers also enthusiastically agreed.
Jiang Shaohua personally beat the war drums, and after a series of drumming, the martial drill officially began.
Among the three housekeepers, Lu Cong, being a civil servant, was completely clueless about the formation and combat, watching with particular focus.
Ma Yaosong, proficient in martial arts and full of youthful vigor, watched with excitement, occasionally clenching his fists—wishing he were on the training ground himself, wielding a wooden spear and fighting heroically.
Chen Jinyu watched for a while and then quietly chuckled, "Commandery Princess, the Third Camp is consistently holding the upper hand."
Jiang Shaohua softly laughed, "Commander Liu is best at leading and training troops. Neither the First nor Second Camp can match the Third Camp. Naturally, the elite soldiers from the Nanyang Army aren’t opponents either."
"However, the Nanyang Army has indeed improved well in the past half year," said Song Yuan, who was usually quiet, also rare in offering praise, "General Yu has indeed put in a lot of effort."
Still, training soldiers is not something achieved overnight. The Personal Guard Camp trains every day, never slackening. The Nanyang Army hoping to catch up in half a year is simply impossible.
Yu Chong was well aware of this. His enthusiasm and initiative were meant to show loyalty to the Commandery Princess and to use the martial drill to train the army, dispelling any restlessness in the camp.
After an hour, the retreat signal was sounded.
The victory of the Three Elite Guard Camps was without suspense, with more than four hundred soldiers remaining on the field.
Meanwhile, most of the six hundred Nanyang Army soldiers had been pushed back, leaving only two hundred on the field.
Yu Chong, looking somewhat disheartened, cupped his hands in shame, "I lost! The Three Elite Guard Camps are impressive! Commander Liu’s troop training is effective!"
Liu Hengchang smiled and cupped his hands, "Thank you for letting us win!"
Yu Chong, being from a military family and knowledgeable in military tactics, remarked to his trusted aides upon returning to the camp, "You have all witnessed the prowess of the Three Elite Guard Camps today."
"This Liu Hengchang is most skilled in training formations. Groups of five, one with a short and another with a long weapon, coordinate seamlessly in advance and retreat."
"From now on, we must also work harder on our formations."
The military officers exchanged glances and each agreed.
Li Tie, known for his sycophancy, having ingratiated himself over the past six months, also became one of Yu Chong’s confidants. He whispered, "General Yu, if it’s inconvenient for you to appear, I can discreetly seek out Commander Liu for guidance."
It was indeed inappropriate for Yu Chong, as the main general, to do such a thing. Li Tie was a suitable choice for this task.
Yu Chong thought it over and nodded in agreement, "Very well, seek out Commander Liu privately for advice. Oh, don’t go empty-handed; I have a good sword here. Take it to him. Also, have the cook prepare some dishes to send to Commander Liu’s tent."
There’s a saying: when someone offers you food, it’s hard to talk or act sternly.
Enjoying a sumptuous dinner and receiving the treasured sword, Liu Hengchang then sincerely pointed out the various shortcomings of the Nanyang Army.
Jiang Shaohua was aware of these private interactions but did not interfere. Just as civil servants formed factions, military officers also loved to align and form cliques. These things were unavoidable.
After spending several days in the Nanyang Army Camp, Jiang Shaohua and her entourage set out to return to Nanyang County.
Cui Du sent a message saying that the new grain at the field manor had reached harvest time. Jiang Shaohua intended to go personally for the new grain harvest.