CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: RECTIFICATION

Military exercises at the camp were a common sight, nothing special at all. Although the Nanyang Army was lax and hardly as formidable as before, there was a martial arts competition once a month.

The Commandery Princess ordered ten sets of armor to be displayed, and the soldiers’ eyes lit up immediately.

The salaries, provisions, warhorses, and weapons of the Nanyang Army were far inferior to those of the Personal Guard Camp, and most of the armor was from several years ago, old and dilapidated, barely usable. These ten sets of armor were all made of fine iron, top-quality armors. Before displaying them, they were specially polished with oil, glistening brightly under the sun.

Such a set of armor would cost thirty taels of silver. It was their entire year’s salary.

Every soldier rubbed their fists and was eager to compete, and the morale soared suddenly.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "The martial arts competition will consist of three rounds: the first round tests strength, the second tests archery on horseback, and the third is pair combat."

"Everyone can choose one event to sign up for. If we cannot finish today, we’ll continue tomorrow."

Someone, bold enough, shouted out from the crowd, "Will there be armor tomorrow as well?"

This immediately elicited a burst of laughter.

Firstly, the Commandery Princess’s actions over the past two days had rallied the troops’ spirits. Secondly, the Commandery Princess was young and, even standing on the high platform, appeared petite and delicate, making it hard for the soldiers to feel much awe.

Song Yuan frowned.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and stopped Song Yuan with her eyes. Prestige is intangible and exists only in people’s hearts. No rush, take it slowly!

"There will be armor tomorrow as well." Jiang Shaohua smiled charmingly, her voice pleasant and crisp, "Moreover, anyone who wins first place in the three events will also receive a bow and arrow from me."

The soldiers were overjoyed and started to weigh themselves mentally, rushing to sign up.

Yu Chong had already prepared, dividing the Martial Arts Training Ground into three sections with five military generals in each, responsible for recording and judging, among other things.

In the lively and bustling scene, Jiang Shaohua also became interested, strolled down from the commanding platform, and joined in to watch.

Song Yuan closely followed, with over twenty personal soldiers surrounding the Commandery Princess, deliberately separating them from the other soldiers.

In fact, even if the personal soldiers stepped aside, the soldiers did not dare approach. The hierarchy in the military camp was clear, and they wouldn’t dare lightly offend the Commandery Princess.

After watching for a while, Jiang Shaohua turned and smiled at Song Yuan with a sigh, "It is indeed much worse than the Personal Guard Camp."

The same is true of military exercises; the elite combatants in the Personal Guard Camp were fierce competitors. Today’s Nanyang Army exercise, there were only a few who could lift a hundred-pound stone lock.

As for archery on horseback, hitting seven targets out of ten was already considered good. In the fistfight competition, they exchanged blows back and forth, but for a discerning eye, one could tell how skilled they really were.

Song Yuan whispered, "If the Personal Guard Camp were at this level, I wouldn’t have the face to appear before the Commandery Princess."

Yu Chong, standing nearby with ears perked up, felt his face flush hotly, wanting nothing more than to bury his head into his chest.

In recent years, the Nanyang army’s morale had diminished, and lax training had occurred. They couldn’t stand comparison to the Commandery Princess’s Personal Guard Camp at all.

Jiang Shaohua, smilingly comforting the shame-stricken Yu Chong, said, "This is not your fault, no need to feel ashamed. However, from now on, how these soldiers are trained will be your responsibility. In a few months, I’ll come to check. If it’s still like this, you can’t blame me for not showing General Yu a good face."

Yu Chong composed himself, and solemnly replied.

...

"General, there’s a martial arts competition going on at the camp. Those troops got their wages, wore new clothes, new shoes, and ate a few meals of meat, and now they’re working hard in front of the Commandery Princess without knowing north from south."

Shan Wu reported softly beside the bed.

Lying on the bed, Left General’s swelling had lessened, but it was bruised all over with a thick layer of gray medicinal paste, looking even more miserable.

Zuo Zhen, hearing this, had sparks flying from his eyes, spat harshly, and a twitch at the corner of his mouth tugged painfully at the muscles on his face.

Shan Wu looked worriedly at his master, "It’s been two days, and the general’s facial injuries have shown little improvement. Could it be that Doctor Sun’s medical skills aren’t good enough?"

Or maybe Doctor Sun was secretly ordered by the Commandery Princess to deliberately delay the healing?

Zuo Zhen understood the implication in Shan Wu’s words, and his face twitched again, causing another bout of pain.

After a moment, Shan Wu cautiously proposed, "How about I go find a military doctor to take a look at the general?"

Zuo Zhen grimaced and nodded.

Coincidentally, Doctor Sun came in at that very moment.

Zuo Zhen: "..."

Shan Wu: "..."

Zuo Zhen’s expression couldn’t be discerned, but Shan Wu looked embarrassed, coughed, trying to explain, only to hear Doctor Sun say, "There’s a military doctor skilled in treating external injuries in the army, it’d be good to have him check on Left General. Left General is not in any serious condition, and I won’t come after today."

Saying this, he cupped his hands and left.

Shan Wu was momentarily speechless.

Zuo Zhen glared fiercely, "Hurry up."

After burning a stick of incense, the military doctor rushed in. Seeing Left General’s unsightly face, the military doctor was startled and exclaimed, "Who was so audacious as to hurt the general’s face!"

Zuo Zhen’s eyes spewed fire.

Shan Wu’s back went cold, quickly taking over, "Hurry and treat the general’s wounds."

The military doctor dared not speak further, carefully checking Left General’s injuries, and praised the ointment, "This is a secret recipe from the Sun family, remarkably effective for treating external injuries. Luckily the Commandery Princess brought Doctor Sun here, otherwise, where in the army would we have such good medicine."

Saying this, he earnestly pleaded, "I wish to consult Doctor Sun, could the general speak kindly on my behalf?"

Zuo Zhen: "..."

Shan Wu: "..."

...

Da Liang, Capital City.

At noon, with the sun blazing, a long line of carriages approached from the northwest official road, arriving at the city gate.

According to regulations, such large entries and exits must be thoroughly inspected.

The City Guard softened upon seeing the insignia presented by the other party, bowing and scraping to greet and salute the carriage, "This subordinate greets Mr. Zhao."

The palace’s favorite, Mr. Zhao, didn’t even lift the carriage curtain, saying through it, "I’m here to report back to the Empress Dowager, check the convoy then open the city gate."

The City Guard responded repeatedly, pretending to inspect, then quickly gestured. The convoy soon entered the city gate.

"This journey, thanks to Mr. Zhao’s care." The middle-aged man with a beautiful beard in the carriage cupped his hands towards the fair and flower-like Mr. Zhao, "Having arrived in the Capital City, I’ll take my leave now."

Mr. Zhao, reluctant to part, reached out to hold the man’s hand, "If Mr. Qiu has no place to stay, why not lodge at my humble abode?"

Mr. Zhao referred to Mr. Qiu, none other than Qiu Yuanshang from the Nanyang Prince Mansion, Chief Steward.

Qiu Yuanshang, having endured for over twenty days, finally reached the Capital City, unwilling to stay at Mr. Zhao’s abode... which obviously didn’t sound like a proper place.

After declining repeatedly, Qiu Yuanshang firmly disembarked, taking his belongings and luggage with him.

Mr. Zhao sighed wistfully, composed himself, and headed into the palace to see the Empress Dowager.