CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 208: DEPARTURE

Three days later, Jiang Shaohua led the group to set out.

This time on patrol, fewer people accompanied them than the previous time. Chief Historian Chen stayed at the Prince Mansion, and Chief Clerk Wen was also kept back. Accompanying them, apart from Song Yuan and other trusted aides, were three housekeepers.

The promotion of Lu Cong to housekeeper, in fact, came as a surprise to the subordinates. However, since the Commandery Princess wanted to use Lu Cong, no one would jump out to oppose. Just as Jiang Shaohua had said to Chen Jinyu, the position of housekeeper, when valued, is a confidant, and when not valued, is a leisurely role. How to use it is entirely up to the Commandery Princess.

After this year, everyone has built strong confidence in their own Commandery Princess.

A single Lu Cong can’t stir up major trouble.

The first stop Jiang Shaohua went to was naturally the Personal Guard Camp.

Qin Zhan, Meng Dashan, and Liu Hengchang rode together to greet them. Liu Hengchang, adhering to his humble habits, stood at the back as usual, and spoke the least.

Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan still had their old temperaments. Upon seeing their master, they couldn’t wait to boast a little: "Commandery Princess, let’s visit our First Camp first! We recruited one hundred sixty new soldiers, trained them for several months, just in time for the Commandery Princess to inspect."

"Our Second Camp recruited one hundred forty-five new soldiers, among them are over ten skilled archers from hunting backgrounds, all assigned to Xiao Tian. Each in Xiao Tian’s team has impressive archery skills. Commandery Princess should personally take a look."

Qin Zhan favored tall, strong, and invincible men, similar to Tao Da’s type.

Meng Dashan, on the other hand, preferred good men with outstanding archery skills. Therefore, First and Second Camp had different focuses when recruiting trusted aides.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded: "Alright, I will inspect all. By the way, how many people did the Third Camp recruit?"

Liu Hengchang cupped his hands and replied: "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the Third Camp recruited one hundred twenty people."

The Third Camp’s recruitment standards for trusted aides were different again. Liu Hengchang came from a military family, and a few letters sent out attracted many sons of military families seeking opportunities. However, Liu Hengchang was not indiscriminate, each one had to pass his personal examination in both literacy and martial prowess before being enlisted.

Comparatively, it was evident that the quality of the recruits of the Third Camp was higher. These one hundred twenty new trusted aides were mostly literate sons of military families, linking them to many military families of Da Liang.

This was also the invisible benefit of employing Liu Hengchang wisely.

After hearing this, Jiang Shaohua was quite satisfied internally but did not show it outwardly: "I will stay at the First Camp for two days first, then visit the Second and Third Camps in order."

Everyone had no objections and agreed with smiles.

The arrangements were handled by Yin Zhutu Bai. The Commandery Princess was not about grandeur, nor was there a heavy emphasis on lodging; cleanliness and tidiness were enough.

Jiang Shaohua rode for most of the day, showing no signs of fatigue, and energetically toured the First Camp. Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong were equally vibrant.

Lu Sheren, who had just assumed office for three days, was already feeling overwhelmed.

Since childhood, Lu Cong was more scholarly, entered the civil service at twenty, and wherever he went, he either rode in a sedan or a carriage. His horsemanship and stamina were average. Today, he had to ride alongside reluctantly but managed not to fall behind. Once inside the military camp, he was utterly exhausted, with no idle time even for a sip of water, and had to accompany the Commandery Princess on a tour of the camp.

By nightfall, Lu Cong was drenched in sweat, his legs heavy as if filled with lead.

Looking again at the Commandery Princess, Chief Historian Chen, and Ma Sheren, they were all still relaxed, chatting and laughing.

The Commandery Princess finally remembered to show concern for Lu Sheren, turning her head with a smile and asking: "Lu Sheren, can you manage?"

Lu Cong quickly wiped the sweat off his forehead and decisively replied: "I’m fine, thank you Commandery Princess for your concern and inquiry."

Jiang Shaohua understood and smiled: "Lu Sheren used to be a civil servant, traveling by sedan or carriage. Now riding with me, it’s natural to feel a bit unaccustomed. No need to force yourself, if you’re tired, rest in the camp for a while."

Lu Cong was unwilling to admit defeat, gritted his teeth to maintain face: "I can manage."

Jiang Shaohua did not persuade further.

To work by her side, fast riding and abundant energy and stamina are necessary conditions. Lu Sheren, being in his prime, would get used to it with some practice.

Hence, Lu Cong experienced scenes he had never seen or imagined in his life.

The Commandery Princess did not prepare separate meals, and ate with the Personal Guard of the First Camp. After dinner, she even recruited several experts from the First Camp for sparring.

The Commandery Princess, with dexterous moves, used a wooden long spear, and quickly took down opponents one by one. All the trusted aides cheered loudly for her.

Lu Cong felt dizzy watching and couldn’t help but ask Ma Yaosong beside him: "Ma Sheren, is the Commandery Princess really this skilled?"

Could it be that the trusted aides were intentionally showing leniency?

Ma Yaosong, passionate with excitement and eager to join the practice himself, turned with a laugh: "The Commandery Princess’s prowess is much more than this. Watch more in the future and you’ll see."

Implying that, as a mere housekeeper, you’re not worth the Commandery Princess and the trusted aides putting on a show to intimidate you.

Lu Cong, with a thick skin, pretended not to catch the sarcasm, and sincerely said: "I’m new here, unaware of the depth, let alone the Commandery Princess’s preferences and taboos. I’ll rely on Ma Sheren’s guidance in the future."

With Chief Historian Chen being a woman, Lu Cong felt it was inappropriate to get too close, so he flattered Ma Sheren instead.

Ma Yaosong, though young, was shrewd and not easily appeased, chuckled and replied: "Lu Sheren is too kind. I started serving the Commandery Princess only six months earlier and am still adapting myself, unqualified to guide Lu Sheren."

Lu Sheren thoughtlessly praised Ma Sheren.

Ma Sheren reciprocated with feigned sincerity, also praising Lu Sheren.

Chief Historian Chen secretly rolled her eyes, uninterested in listening to their insincere flattery, got up and changed her seat.

Lu Sheren: "..."

Ma Sheren: "..."

Lu Sheren gave a dry laugh: "Chief Historian Chen is truly a candid person."

Ma Sheren chuckled in agreement.

...

After Jiang Shaohua inspected the First and Second Camps, she went to the Third Camp.

Liu Hengchang indeed worked meticulously. He didn’t rush to present the new soldiers but first presented two military registers: "Commandery Princess, I’ve updated the Third Camp’s military registers. The first book is the original six hundred people, the second is the new personal soldiers. Future new soldiers can be added sequentially."

The First and Second Camps also had registers, but they only recorded basic information like name, age, and origin.

The Third Camp’s registers were more detailed, also documenting origins and preferred weapons and more. The handwriting showed it was written by Liu Hengchang.

Jiang Shaohua sincerely praised: "Commander Liu is thoughtful."

Liu Hengchang smiled: "I cannot match Commander Qin’s decisiveness nor Commander Meng’s bravery, my only merit is meticulousness."

Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan, with their straightforward natures, couldn’t help but roll their eyes as they listened.

However, after perusing the registers, they couldn’t help but admire them as well. This kind of meticulousness was indeed something they could not replicate.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "During the bandit suppression in Li County, it was the First Camp, last year’s patrol was the Second Camp, this time, I request Commander Liu to lead the Third Camp’s trusted aides to accompany."

Liu Hengchang, invigorated, immediately cupped his hands and agreed.