Chapter 63: The Fake Princess and His God of War Prince (20)
The soldiers of the Northern Border possessed an extremely strong sense of belonging and honor.
Starting from the generation of the old King of Beichen, the relationships between the Northern Border soldiers had been forged tightly through battle after battle.
The personal troops of the King of Beichen revered him as a god. He led them to protect the country and establish merit, and they had never questioned any of Xiang Yinnian’s decisions.
Except recently.
“I don’t know what the Wangye is thinking, bringing the Wangfei to the drill grounds every day. Doing absolutely nothing, just sitting there for the whole day.”
“Bringing him to the drill grounds is nothing. Two days ago, he even went to the military camp, wandering back and forth under the city walls. In my opinion, he’s just stuffed and bored. Isn’t the backyard of the Wangfu enough for him to stroll in? Why run to the foot of the city wall to hang around?”
“Sigh, a few days ago, General Yu was beaten with twenty heavy strokes for no reason. She only recovered yesterday.”
“You can’t say it was for no reason. The Wangye said General Yu was insubordinate and provoked the Wangfei.”
“It’s hard to explain. There is a distinction between superior and inferior. If that’s truly the case, General Yu’s beating wasn’t in vain. But however you think about it, it feels like a beauty causing calamity.”
“Isn’t it just so? Shoulders can’t carry, hands can’t lift. Every day, someone has to prepare soft cushions and animal fur rugs. Brothers are drilling down below, and he’s watching the excitement up above. Drinking tea one moment, eating snacks the next—like he’s watching a damn monkey show!”
“Why such great resentment? When the old Wangye was alive, didn’t the old Wangfei also stay at the drill grounds daily?”
“The old Wangye and old Wangfei were a deeply loving couple. She fought side by side with the old Wangye, braving death. How can that be the same?”
“Truly baffling. In my view, General Yu is such a good person, so well-matched with the Wangye. Yet the bright moon shines on the ditch; the Wangye’s heart is now entirely hung on the Wangfei.”
“Hah, to each their own. Perhaps the Wangye just likes the type that falls with a push. After all, putting everything else aside, the Wangfei is so beautiful. Heroes have a hard time passing the beauty barrier; it’s excusable.”
“Right now, I only pray the Wangfei can be of one heart with our Northern Border.”
“Enough, why think so much? What does it have to do with you blockheads? The Wangye is brave and resourceful; he must have his own considerations for what he does. Unless the Wangfei put a hex on him, maybe there’s the Wangye‘s own reasoning in this. It’s not your turn to worry about things that don’t concern you.”
…
On the high platform of the drill grounds, Xiao Ji closed his eyes, leaning back in the lounge chair, carefully distinguishing the noisy discussions of the soldiers in the field. He extended a hand toward Xiang Yinnian sitting beside him.
Receiving the signal, Xiang Yinnian stuffed a plum blossom pastry into his hand. “It’s been over half a month. Have you seen anything?”
Xiao Ji took the pastry and commented objectively:
“Talkative, lazy, unruly.”
In the entire Great Yue, who didn’t look upon the troops of the Northern Border with awe? Enemy forces would lose their courage upon hearing of them and retreat three she (90 li).
The soldiers of the Northern Border had always been Xiang Yinnian’s pride. If anyone else evaluated them like this, Xiang Yinnian would definitely point at their nose right then and curse them for farting.
But the words came from Xiao Ji.
Originally, Xiang Yinnian invited Xiao Ji into the military camp and drill grounds mainly to put Xiao Ji’s heart at ease and to let Xiao Ji find an opportunity to build some prestige.
The Northern Border soldiers were Xiang Yinnian’s limbs. Xiao Ji’s identity was sensitive to begin with, and Xiang Yinnian had always hoped the two sides could accept each other.
Xiao Ji was born deep in the palace and had never been on a battlefield. Although his martial arts were unfathomable, no matter how many books on strategy he read, going into battle to kill enemies was just paper talk for Xiao Ji. Xiang Yinnian didn’t actually expect Xiao Ji to help him much with training the troops.
But two days ago, under the city wall of the military camp, Xiao Ji had merely circled back and forth twice before exposing, in a few words, the formations they had deployed during their clashes with the Rongdi on this land over the years.
Where to attack and where to defend—he hit the nail on the head.
So at this moment, when those three extremely unpleasant words left Xiao Ji’s mouth, Xiang Yinnian didn’t dare breathe loudly. He simply asked humbly:
“Then what should be done?”
Xiao Ji looked at Xiang Yinnian. “The Rongdi haven’t invaded Great Yue territory for three years. If I guess correctly, three years ago, these soldiers shouldn’t have been in their current state, right?”
Xiang Yinnian paused. “With Ben Wang here, the Rongdi wouldn’t dare easily…”
“Not daring easily doesn’t mean they aren’t conserving their strength.”
Xiao Ji interrupted Xiang Yinnian. “One thrives in calamity and perishes in soft living. With the Wangye’s prestige present, it is normal they do not dare.”
“But a cornered dog will jump the wall. Outside this city, whenever winter comes, there is no harvest. If the cattle and sheep are raised well, they can survive. But if they encounter natural disasters or man-made calamities and something happens to the livestock, they have nothing to lose. They will fight with their lives.”
Xiang Yinnian didn’t necessarily misunderstand the principle, but after years of continuous victories, it was inevitable to become arrogant while in the thick of it.
Xiang Yinnian’s ability was undeniable, but on the other hand, whether the Rongdi were creating a smokescreen remained unknown.
With these words from Xiao Ji, a chill ran down Xiang Yinnian’s spine. He pondered for a moment and said:
“How the Northern Border soldiers should be disciplined will require the Wangfei to expend some effort.”
With Xiang Yinnian giving the word, Xiao Ji immediately called for paper and brush. He not only set new rules but also changed the training methods.
Xiang Yinnian didn’t discuss it with anyone. As soon as Xiao Ji drafted the various regulations, he took them directly to the military advisors and vice generals, ordering execution to begin the next day.
Now there was trouble. The soldiers, who had been relaxed for a few years, suddenly received new rules. They dared not speak out openly, but privately, complaints were everywhere.
If these rules had been set by Xiang Yinnian, the Northern Border soldiers would have accepted it, knocking out their teeth and swallowing them, obeying as they should.
But within two days, someone leaked the details, saying this was all the Wangfei’s arrangement, making them eat bitterness for no reason.
This completely ruined things.
…
“Speak.”
Xiang Yinnian sat inside the tent, his face gloomy.
Lin Heng shuddered at Xiang Yinnian’s tone, not daring to breathe loudly. He mumbled:
“The people below say the Wangfei harbors ill intentions and is blindly interfering. They say the new schedule and training methods aren’t for the sake of the Northern Border, but to work people to death.”
Xiang Yinnian’s face grew darker and darker. “And?”
Lin Heng swallowed his saliva, ignoring the various ugly words as much as possible, and went straight to the point:
“They also said… military orders must be obeyed, but if we want them to do it willingly, whoever set the rules…”
Speaking to this point, Lin Heng stole a glance at Xiao Ji and lowered his head again:
“…should advance and retreat together with the soldiers.”
As soon as the words fell, with a snap, the green jade teacup in Xiang Yinnian’s hand was crushed to pieces.
“Tell them, starting tomorrow, Laozi will train with them!”
Xiao Ji remained as calm as usual from beginning to end. He even raised a hand to stroke Xiang Yinnian’s back:
“I have neither blood ties nor camaraderie from fighting alongside the soldiers. I merely hold the title of Wangfei and am from the Royal Family. It is only logical they do not submit. What kind of anger is the Wangye getting into?”
Xiang Yinnian knew Xiao Ji was right.
And the Northern Border soldiers had been comfortable for too long. Now that the training regulations—whether in duration, method, or standard—had been greatly increased, in the short term, it indeed damaged the soldiers’ right to slack off.
But ultimately, he couldn’t resist cursing, “Ungrateful little bastards.”
Xiao Ji stuffed the teacup by his hand back into Xiang Yinnian’s hand. “Drink your tea.”
With that, he turned to Lin Heng and said: “Go pass the order. Starting tomorrow, Ben Gong will personally accompany them.”
Translator’s Note: “Laozi” (老子) is an arrogant way of referring to oneself, often used by rougher characters or when someone is angry (literally “Your Father” or “Old Master”). Longyang refers to the “Passion of the Cut Sleeve,” a historical euphemism for male homosexuality. The “Three-Seven” fight ratio mentioned by Xiang Yinnian implies Yu Qing would beat the other person 70% of the time, or rather, the outcome is devastatingly in her favor (Three punches results in a funeral).
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thank you for the chapter! 💗
sooo excited to see Xiao Ji in action! thanks for the chapter ♡