Yang Ling looked up at the sky and laughed. He sneered and said, "Bureau Head Liu's good soldiers have indeed gathered at a quarter to seven in the morning."
Bureau Head Liu said with an unruly expression, "Milord's orders are like a mountain. Since you said to gather at a quarter to seven in the morning, this general naturally does not dare to be late, but I also do not dare to be early."
When Yang Ling met his provocative gaze, his heart suddenly trembled and he became clear-headed. There was no fear on Liu Shiyong's face. It was clear that he had caught on to Yang Ling's faulty wording. If Yang Ling wanted to punish him according to military law, he would definitely report him for disobeying orders. If he caused such a ruckus, the lawsuit would drag on for a long time. Who in the army would still respect him? Wouldn't that be exactly what they wanted?
Yang Ling pressed down on the hilt of his sword and took a few deep breaths to stabilize his emotions. He stood up and said, "Milord, the soldiers don't know how to behave. This general will return to the formation and organize the troops!" Liu Shiyong saw that Yang Ling was at a loss for words and couldn't help but smile proudly. He stood up and said, "Milord, the soldiers don't know how to behave. This general will return to the formation and organize the troops!"
He mounted his horse and rushed back to the Third Division. He waved the horsewhip in his hand and whistled loudly as he yelled, "Milord, the soldiers have no rules. This general will return to the formation and organize the troops!"
The soldiers of the other two divisions saw him act like he was herding sheep and couldn't help but snicker. Yang Ling sneered as he looked at the chaotic drill ground and allowed Liu Shiyong to act as he pleased. Liu Shiyong was immensely proud of himself. Seeing that this Milord General's prestige had been swept to the ground and his face covered in dirt, he finally reined in his troops and reported in a serious manner, "Reporting to Milord General, the Third Division of the Left Sentinel Army has assembled. Milord, please give your orders!"
Yang Ling acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He looked at the commander below the stage and asked, "Commander, where is Milord General Bao?"
Liu Shiyong rushed to say, "This lowly officer was just about to report to Milord. Milord General Bao wasn't feeling well yesterday and is getting worse today. This lowly officer is asking Milord for leave."
Yang Ling glanced at him with a faint smile on his face. Liu Shiyong was shocked and thought to himself, "Did I go too far? If this brat is angry and wants to kill me, can I really make things worse and make him leave with his face covered in dirt?"
While he was being cautious, he heard Yang Ling nonchalantly say, "That's true. Yesterday, I heard that General Bao fell ill. This general has just been appointed and is very busy, so I haven't had the time to visit him. After the martial arts exhibition is over, Bureau Head Liu, please accompany me to visit General Bao."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "For today's drill, all the soldiers are fully armored, but why aren't there any weapons in their hands? Is this how you usually practice martial arts? "
Lian Delu cupped his hands and said, "Milord, the Shenji Battalion is very close to the Imperial Palace and is afraid of alarming the palace and the common people. Thus, we usually only use firearms during the monthly drill and pull the troops into the mountains for training. Normally, we only practice formations and formations."
Yang Ling had seen the firearms teams of the border army in the past. The motley crew's fighting style was truly appalling. Ever since he found out that he was being transferred to the Shenji Battalion, he had been thinking hard about the training methods of the future generations and how to increase the firing speed of firearms given the current level of firearms technology.
The greatest bane of firearms in this era was the enemy's cavalry. If he could teach the three-stage shooting method and the three-row shooting method to the soldiers, they would definitely become a formidable force when paired with the shield-bearers and cavalry. Hearing Lian Delu's words, he couldn't help but frown. "The Shenji Battalion specializes in firearms. If we only practice martial arts once a month, how can the soldiers be proficient in using firearms? Treasurer, go and fetch the firearms and cannons. The entire battalion is moving out. I am going to enter the mountains for training! "
The treasurer bowed and said, "Milord, the firearms and cannons can only be taken out with Milord's seal. Milord, please give the order. In addition, the firearms and cannons are controlled by Deputy General Bao. Without his seal, we can't use them. Milord … "
Hearing this, Yang Ling slowly took two steps back and sat on the commander's seat that his bodyguards had arranged for him. Leaning back in his chair, he said, "If that's the case, we won't go to the mountains to practice martial arts today. Let's do what the three divisions usually do."
A trace of a proud smile flashed across Liu Shiyong's face. The other generals looked at Yang Ling with less respect and more vulgarity and disdain. Yang Ling acted as if nothing had happened and only focused on watching the three divisions train their subordinates.
The usual training of the Divine Barracks was to walk in formation and rehearse the formations. They had long been trained to the point that they were extremely familiar with it. The formation was comparable to a ceremonial guard. When the formation was being rehearsed, you would attack and I would defend, you would defend and I would attack, coming and going, it was very flowery, it was dazzling and it was worth appreciating.
These heavily armoured soldiers walk in formation beautifully and the changes between the various formations are incomparably ingenious. In addition to their heavy armors, their feet are heavy and their movements are sonorous. They flashed and moved on the drill ground, kicking up dust and making the spectators' blood boil. At first glance, they really look like an army of tigers and wolves.
When Yang Ling saw it, he thought back to the battle at the Chicken Crowing Inn and the battle at the Gourd Cave. Comparing the two, he suddenly felt that these flashy but impractical things might look good in a performance, but they did not have much killing power.
He was extremely bored watching but as the commanding general, it is not appropriate for him to leave. He could only sit there and patiently wait for the three divisions to finish their training. When the training ended, Yang Ling immediately brought his bodyguards and followed Liu Shiyong to General Bao's tent. Liu Shiyong saw his easygoing expression and thought that he has been tortured to the point of losing his temper and is here to express his goodwill to Brother Bao. The wariness in his heart gradually disappeared.
General Bao's tent is at the innermost part of the camp. It is a courtyard built against the mountain and there are four bodyguards standing guard at the entrance. Yang Ling followed Liu Shiyong into Bao Jinchen's bedroom and saw General Bao leaning against the quilt on the kang bed with a towel on his head.
Liu Shiyong said: "Official Bao, General Yang heard that you are bedridden and specially came to visit."
General Bao saw Yang Ling and quickly struggled to get up. He repeatedly said: "It is just a minor illness, how can I trouble Official. My leg ailment is acting up again these few days and I really cannot walk so I have to take a leave to rest. Official will be training the soldiers today. What do you think of my military prowess? "
Yang Ling supported his body as he was about to get off the kang bed and covered him with the quilt. He said with a smile: "Official Ning and Official Bao have led the troops well and the military is well-organized. This general's horizons have been greatly broadened. Ha-ha, I heard that Official Bao is ill and should have immediately come to visit. However, the three divisions are gathered at the drill ground and it is not good to leave you there. That is why I came late. General Bao, please do not blame me. "
General Bao took the opportunity to lie back on the bed and said with a fake smile: "It is nothing. Military affairs are more important. Official is young and promising. Under your leadership, our Left Sentry Camp will definitely become stronger. This general is old and has nothing else to say. "
Yang Ling faintly smiled and glanced at Liu Shiyong. He said: "This general is, after all, a scholar and does not know the rules of the military. There are many things that I would like to learn from you. As a matter of fact, yesterday I ordered the three divisions to wait for my orders at the drill ground at quarter past seven in the morning. In the end, I was thoughtless and said to gather at quarter past seven in the morning. Bureau Head Liu arrived on time and was misunderstood by me and reprimanded. This general still feels very ashamed when I think about it."
Bao Jinchen chuckled and glanced at Liu Shiyong. He cheerfully said: "What Official said is not wrong. Ha-ha, however … the training exercise is not a big deal. If you are late, then so be it. People say that a new official needs to make drastic changes. I just need to make a show of it. There is no need to be too serious about these ruffian soldiers."
Yang Ling smiled and said: "If this official had the support and assistance of a virtuous old general like Official Bao, the entire army would be united as one. Why would I need to make drastic changes? So, Old General, you must get well quickly. Although there is no fighting in the army, the daily chores are hard for this official to deal with. "
Bao Jinchen hurriedly said: "For Official to receive the Emperor's favor, how could you not handle such a small matter? Ha-ha, I am too humble. There has been no commander in the army these past two days, so I could only force myself to support myself. Now that Sir Yang is here, I can finally rest. There are many matters in the army that I will have to trouble Sir Yang to handle. "
Yang Ling immediately stood and said: "Of course, of course. Since General Bao has not recovered from his illness, then rest well. There is no need to worry too much about the affairs of the army. This official will take his leave now."
Yang Ling walked to the door and sniffed. There was a faint smell of alcohol in the room. With a cold smile, he walked out, leaving Bao Jinchen and Liu Shiyong staring at each other in shock.
※ ※ ※
"Liu Biao, immediately return to the Imperial Bodyguard. If Official Zhang returns to Tianjin, go find Official Qian Ning and then go to Dongchang to see Eunuch Fan. Ask the guards to come forward. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground in Beijing, you must find some of the spices that General Bao likes to eat. Yiqing, let's go, let's go find the commander to have a chat! "
"Hu Zhongjun, this general has just been appointed and doesn't understand the duties of the deputy generals. Tell me in detail."
… …
"Alright! This official understands. General Bao is bedridden and cannot be tired. This general is duty-bound. Clerk, note it down. From today onwards, this official will be in charge of all matters in the army. Rations and military supplies are especially important. Without this official's seal, they cannot be used. Without this official's signature, no matter who it is, no one will be able to write off the accounts. In addition, tomorrow is the day of payment, right? Don't pay the Third Division's soldiers for the time being. Last night, this official received a complaint saying that a few sentinel chiefs and generals in the Third Division have falsely claimed their pay. Let's talk about it after I investigate it! "
"These low-level officials are taking free pay and violating military discipline. They must be strictly controlled. From now on, any promotion of officers above the rank of Centurion must be approved by this official. Otherwise, it will not take effect. " Yang Ling walked to the door with a cold smile. He turned back and said, "Prepare a table of good food for noon today. I want to invite City Secretary Lian."
Didn't that fatty Peng like to be a grass on the wall? Alright, then let's leave him hanging on the wall first. Otherwise, it won't be a good deal.
The middle-ranking officer secretly wiped away his sweat. This refined and refined General was truly formidable. He had stripped General Bao naked with a smile. In the past, he had seen high-ranking military officers scheming against each other. They were all trying to buy people's hearts and build up their reputation. From time to time, they would even compete in martial arts. Who had ever used such a sinister trick?
The Lieutenant General was in charge of the internal affairs of the army, and the position of an internal affairs officer in the capital was a lucrative one. Having witnessed Yang Ling's methods today, Hu Zhongjun was afraid that Sir Yang Ling, who was loyal to the country and devoted himself to it, would steal his own job. He hurriedly smiled apologetically and said, "Yes, yes, yes. Don't worry, Sir. I will immediately inform Sir Bao to prepare a feast for lunch."
Hearing this, Yang Ling raised his eyebrows and coldly said, "Didn't I say that Sir Bao is bedridden and does not need to ask for instructions? Are you not going to listen to this official's words? "
Hu Zhongjun panicked and hurriedly said, "Sir, you have misunderstood. I am talking about Sir Bao. He is not Sir Bao. No, I am talking about Sir Bao, not Deputy General Bao. I am talking about his cousin, Sir Bao Jinzhong, the Procurement Officer of the Left Sentry Army."
"Oh?" Yang Ling's eyes lit up. He lightly slapped the horsewhip in his hand. After thinking for a while, he chuckled and said, "The Procurement Officer of the army? Then he is responsible for the food and expenses of our five thousand soldiers? "
The next day, when the East Sentry Army distributed their salaries, the soldiers of the Third Division did not receive a single silver. The quartermaster of this division received a message: Last night, a soldier wrapped a stone in paper and threw it into the General's bedroom, reporting that several generals of the Third Division had falsely reported and falsely claimed their salaries. Therefore, the Third Division's salaries could only be distributed after the Commander-in-Chief investigated the matter.
After being scolded by Liu Shiyong, the quartermaster went to ask the General when he would investigate the matter … Liu Biao, the General's personal guard, solemnly told him that the General was too busy and was currently reorganizing the camp. Because the General's breakfast this morning was filled with a dead cockroach, the General flew into a rage. If the Commander-in-Chief's food was like this, how could the food of the ordinary soldiers still be considered human food? Therefore, the General, who loved his soldiers like his own children, was investigating the Procurement Officers of the army. As for the investigation of the Procurement Officers' salaries, they would just have to go back and wait for the news.
Yang Ling was really angry. Under the watchful eyes of the five thousand soldiers, he had repeatedly played tricks on the General of the three armies. Even the Buddha would be angry. If he had the ability to offend a superior, then he should be prepared to bear the corresponding responsibility. Yang Ling had never led an army before, but he knew that the top commander always had two things to focus on: personnel power and financial power. Once these two things were restricted, seniority, prestige, and high prestige were all nonsense. If a soldier had no salary, why would he care who he was? If an official followed you, they would not have a future, and there were not many who were willing to continue foolishly taking risks.
In the Procurement Division, Bao Jinzhong straightened his neck and sneered, "General, there are five thousand strong men here. How many cabbages will they have to eat in one winter? How can the accounts be so clear? As for the meat, they can come and use it as soon as they sign a note. Here! " He pulled over a large sack and pointed at the messy account books inside. "This lowly official has to go back and forth several times every day to purchase goods. I don't have many people by my side, so there are not many who know how to keep accounts. There are even fewer who can understand. Who can keep these accounts clean? In any case, this lowly official has not embezzled a single cent. If Milord doesn't believe me, feel free to investigate! "
Yang Ling looked at the three sacks of accounts that did not distinguish between loans and loans and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Although taking away the personnel and financial power could suppress Bao Jinchen's domineeringness, it could not take away his right to control military equipment. The separation of guns and firearms was a method used by the imperial family to restrain each other. If he wanted Bao Jinchen to obediently submit, listen to his orders, and cooperate with his training plan, he had to have something on him. If he had evidence that Bao Jinchen had embezzled military funds, would he still be afraid that he wouldn't obediently submit? But how could he have the manpower to sort out these accounts?
Just as Yang Ling was worrying, a middle-ranking officer ran in panting and shouted, "Milord, your brother has come to visit the army. This lowly official does not know his identity and did not dare to let him into the camp. Milord, please go and take a look."
"My brother?" Yang Ling was startled. Could it be that Dongchang or the Imperial Bodyguard had sent a group of executioners who only knew how to shout and kill to help? He glanced at Yang Yiqing. Yang Yiqing shook his head slightly, indicating that he did not know.
Yang Ling kicked the big sack and said, "Procurement official Bao, you don't need to be stubborn. These three sacks of things, this official may not necessarily be unable to take care of them. Yiqing, you stay here and watch. This official will go and take a look at the gate first."
Inside the fence of the gate, which was half the height of a person, stood several soldiers. There were also seven or eight people outside. From afar, Yang Ling could see that the tall and sturdy man was his father-in-law, Han Lin. Since his father-in-law had found his way here, needless to say, Young-niang must have also come. Yang Ling was so happy that he ruthlessly whipped the horse's buttocks. The horse galloped to the entrance of the gate and pulled on the reins, shouting loudly, "Quickly open the gate."
Several soldiers turned their heads and saw that the General Officer had arrived. They quickly turned over and bowed down, saying in unison, "Greetings to Milord."
At this time, he heard a delicate and clear cry of surprise from outside the fence, "Ah! What a handsome young General! "
Yang Ling took a closer look and saw that the speaker was a young scholar holding a folding fan. He was about thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing a green silk gown and a gongzi headband. There was a beauty mole on the corner of his mouth. His appearance was even more delicate and charming than a beautiful woman. Yang Ling felt that this young man's appearance was very familiar. He took a closer look and suddenly cried out in alarm, "It's you?!"
The young scholar had only seen his side profile. He saw that this young General with helmet and armor was extraordinarily valiant, with a pair of peach blossom eyes staring at him with rapt attention. As soon as he saw him turn around, he could not help but be pleasantly surprised and pointed at him, calling out, "Ah! It's … it's him! "
Only now did Yang Ling see that there were three other gongzi standing next to the young scholar. Two of them were handsome and pretty, wearing a light purple scholar's gown. The one next to them was wearing a six-piece hat, a tight-fitting gown with narrow sleeves. Her eyebrows were smiling and her eyes were full of beauty. She was none other than Han Youniang …
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