Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Eaglet (Part 1)
"My father once served as a scout in the army and had a knack for taming eagles. Unfortunately, he was severely injured in battle six years ago and could no longer ride, so he had to leave the military camp and return home."
"At that time, I was only twelve years old. With my father having nothing to do at home, he taught me the skills of being a scout and shared all his knowledge of eagle taming with me. I studied at home for six years."
Li Tianxi, after all, is a passionate young man, and when talking about his strengths, his eyes glowed brightly: "These fledgling eagles have just been born. They are perfect for taming. After two or three years of effort, they will be useful."
Jiang Shaohua listened with great interest and eagerly asked, "What can the trained eagles do?"
Li Tianxi replied with a smile, "Eagles can fly high and far to survey terrain, hunt prey, and with special training, they can even deliver messages and signal warnings. Back when my father was in the reconnoitre camp, there was a trained eagle. Every time they went scouting, it was very useful, and it helped my father avoid many dangers and save his life."
Jiang Shaohua, delighted, suddenly stood up: "Where are the fledgling eagles? Take me to see them."
Li Tianxi felt equally enthusiastic, thinking that having his skills valued by the Commandery Princess was a great thing: "They’re just outside in the military tents."
Liu Hengchang laughed and chimed in: "The Commandery Princess wants to see them; you lead the way."
Li Tianxi responded and turned around to lead the way.
Jiang Shaohua immediately got up and left the military tent, followed closely by the others.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Shaohua arrived at Li Tianxi’s military tent. The trusted aides sharing the tent with Li Tianxi had already stepped aside.
The tent could accommodate up to seven or eight people.
Those qualified to enter the tent with the Commandery Princess to see the fledglings included Li Tianxi leading the way, Song Yuan, Liu Hengchang, and a few housekeepers.
Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao couldn’t squeeze in, standing outside the tent, eagerly craning their necks to get a glimpse inside.
"The First Camp has Tao Da, the Second Camp has Xiao Tian, and now the Third Camp has produced Li Tianxi." Meng Sanbao muttered softly: "Brother Hu Zi, we should work harder; otherwise, we’ll fall behind soon."
Qin Hu proudly puffed his chest: "They’re still a bit short if they want to surpass us."
Song Yuan coughed lightly.
Both immediately fell silent.
Inside the tent, Jiang Shaohua sat in a chair, carefully examining the fledglings on the table. Their nests were brought together, and five fledglings were inside, all thin and emitting weak cries from their mouths, lacking any majesty or might, akin to chicks.
"Are these really fledgling eagles?" Jiang Shaohua questioned on behalf of everyone: "Why do I see them more like chicks?"
Chen Jinyu chuckled: "Now that the Commandery Princess mentioned it, they do resemble them quite a bit."
Li Tianxi immediately explained: "Fledgling eagles are like this when they’re young. After a month or two of raising them, their unique features will become apparent."
"However, raising eagles is no easy task. These five fledglings might not all survive and grow up. Not all might withstand the taming process."
That’s it. Liu Hengchang shot a commendable glance at his nephew.
One should leave room when speaking.
Jiang Shaohua smiled at Li Tianxi: "Since you have the skills to tame eagles, give it your all and raise these fledglings. If you successfully train them to be eagles, I will surely reward you generously."
Li Tianxi’s spirit surged, and he responded loudly: "I will surely give it my all to raise the eagles."
Jiang Shaohua left feeling rather pleased.
Liu Hengchang deliberately stayed behind and whispered to his nephew: "From today onwards, focus all your efforts on these fledgling eagles."
"The Commandery Princess values those with skills and abilities. The First Camp’s Tao Da is immensely strong and exceptionally brave. The Second Camp’s Xiao Tian is a Divine Archer, skilled in tracking and hiding. Then there are Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao by the Commandery Princess’s side; they are the sons of Qin Zhan Meng Dashan, skilled and loyal, trusted aides to the Commandery Princess."
"You are my nephew, Liu Hengchang, and a legitimate member of a military family. In terms of background, you are no less than the others. Whether you can gain the Commandery Princess’s favor and earn a future depends on yourself."
Li Tianxi’s blood surged: "Don’t worry, uncle. I spent six years learning from my father and have mastered the skills of raising and training eagles. Just wait and see!"
Liu Hengchang laughed, and his hand clapped his nephew’s shoulder: "Good! I hope you make a name for yourself and bring me some pride."
The three Personal Guard Camps are both colleagues and competitors.
Liu Hengchang acts low-key, usually not competing with the First or Second Camps, but truthfully, he’s holding in a lot.
This year, the Commandery Princess has favored him in every way, and he has been convinced by her. Thus, he brought his nephew into the Personal Guard Camp to fight for a future.
"Uncle always describes how remarkable the Commandery Princess is in his letters, and I witnessed it firsthand a few days ago." Li Tianxi genuinely sighed: "The Commandery Princess wielded the sword, slaying a fierce tiger with great heroism. Moreover, she cares for the people, staying in this impoverished place, Li County, for so many days to ensure their safety in the mountains."
"Such a Commandery Princess is indeed a wise master, worthy of loyalty and following."
Liu Hengchang raised his eyebrows and smiled: "You haven’t fully witnessed the Commandery Princess’s greatness. Wait and see in the future!"
Li Tianxi grinned, nodding repeatedly.
...
Jiang Shaohua returned to the military tent, feeling cheerful and didn’t rush to sleep.
About an hour later, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao arrived.
"The matter the Commandery Princess wanted us to investigate, we’ve looked into it. This Li Tianxi’s mother is Commander Liu’s cousin. Commander Liu lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his uncle and aunt, growing up with Li Tianxi’s mother, with a close bond akin to siblings."
"The Li Family is also a military family. Li Tianxi’s father is the legitimate son from the Li Family. He previously served in the border army, reaching the rank of Standard Seventh Rank as the Commander of the reconnoitre camp."
"Unfortunately, fate was not kind. During a scouting mission, he encountered a large group of Tatar cavalry. The entire reconnoitre camp was wiped out, and he narrowly escaped with his life, but was severely injured, unable to fight on the battlefield anymore. He had to return home to the Li Family."
"Li Tianxi is the only son in the family, and it’s said that he was already engaged in a betrothal. His future father-in-law is no other than Commander Liu."
Jiang Shaohua was somewhat surprised and laughed: "So Li Tianxi is Commander Liu’s future son-in-law?"
Qin Hu chuckled: "Exactly. Commander Liu is very low-key, never mentioning this before anyone, only saying Li Tianxi is his nephew. This matter was accidentally revealed by Li Tianxi during casual conversations in the military tent, and it quietly spread."
A pile of rough men in the military camp, all with looser lips than their belts, making it impossible to keep secrets.
Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao searched for the trusted aides sharing the military tent with Li Tianxi and quickly discovered everything.
Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows relaxed, smiling slightly: "Commander Liu even brought his son-in-law into the Personal Guard Camp and personally recommended him to me. It seems he intends to stay in Nanyang County wholeheartedly."
That is very good.
...