Chapter 160 The Gentlemen

For a moment, the training ground was quiet except for the wails and gasps of a few people.

Lu Shan stared intently at Lin Changning with considerable admiration. At first, he thought Lin Changning was someone of higher status, sent down to keep these spoiled brats in check, but he never expected him to be someone with real skills.

Lin Changning looked at the few people groaning on the ground and the three still standing, raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly, "Do you submit or not? If you do, then get down."

The three standing men clasped their hands in a gesture of respect and sheepishly helped the people on the ground back to their group.

Lin Changning faced the line below and said loudly, his gaze sweeping over the rows of people: "If there are any who are not satisfied, they are welcome to come up here together."

Upon hearing this, the drill ground fell completely silent for half a day.

That means you've given up, and that's good.

Lin Changning squinted and nodded in satisfaction: "We've been training all morning, it's time to eat. Line up and head to the mess hall for lunch. We'll continue with the afternoon drills. Anyone who is absent after noon will be dealt with according to military law."

After speaking, Lin Changning walked slowly to the group of spoiled brats who had been knocked unconscious. Seeing their disheveled appearance, he coughed lightly and called to Lu Shan: "Lu Shan, take them to the military medical station for proper treatment. Also, send two people to each household to inform their elders to invite them over."

Lu Shan clasped his hands in response and turned to walk outside.

Watching Lu Shan's departing figure, Lin Changning thought to himself, "He is indeed a useful person."

After standing still and scanning the area for a moment, Lin Changning began to walk towards the tent assigned to him by the commander. Each of the several commanders had their own tent, and the lunch had already been delivered early.

They actually needed to be equipped with personal guards, but Daxing Guard was currently busy with household registration and rebuilding houses with the people of Daxing, so they couldn't spare the time. For now, they could only make do with what they had, or they could choose a few personal guards from each of the 800 people to use temporarily.

But seeing how lazy these 800 people looked, Lin Changning had already given up on the idea.

Lifting the curtain of his tent, Lin Changning saw the person sitting inside and greeted him with a smile, "What brings you here, Second Brother?"

Qi Rong gestured for Lin Changning to look at the pastries and dishes on the table and smiled, "The manor made some pastries today. I thought you liked them, so I brought them over to find you."

Looking at the dazzling array of dishes on the table, Lin Changning couldn't help but exclaim, "The food served by the Right Guard of the King of Chu is truly excellent."

Qi Rong served Lin Changning a full bowl of rice and placed it on the table: "After all, it is the face of the Prince's Mansion, so it can't be too shabby. The tax revenue is quite generous. My uncle has also served on the border for many years and cares deeply for the soldiers, so he has never been stingy with their food."

Lin Changning nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and started stuffing food into his mouth. He had spent the whole morning running around catching people and had just finished dealing with a few troublemakers, so he was very hungry.

One of them elegantly stretched out her chopsticks and watched Lin Changning wolf down his food, saying, "Sixth Brother, no one is competing with you. Don't eat too fast, be careful not to hurt your spleen and stomach. Your injuries have just healed, so eat less spicy food."

Lin Changning, his cheeks bulging, nodded, chewed and swallowed his food: "I ran around all morning, caught a few little brats, and just had a sparring match with someone. I'm really starving."

Qi Rong nodded and stopped trying to persuade him. He knew that Liu Lang had a big appetite. He was only sixteen years old and still growing. It wasn't like he couldn't afford to feed him. Let him eat as much as he wanted.

As she spoke, she picked up her chopsticks and gracefully began to eat with Lin Changning.

Actually, he was recuperating at the Prince's Mansion that morning. His aunt was worried about his injuries and wouldn't let him come to the Capital Garrison. But today, before the morning was even over, he heard that Liu Lang was riding a horse and leading men to drag the sons of wealthy gentry from the mansion.

These people are not easy to deal with. After thinking it over, he put on his clothes, grabbed a box of pastries, and rushed to the commander's office to support Lin Changning.

The rank of a fifth-grade commander is still too low...

He had just arrived when he heard about it and went to inquire. He never expected that Liu Lang would be so decisive. Each of these spoiled brats who didn't show up for duty received 80 lashes.

After this incident, people below, regardless of their status, will have to think twice before acting. However, this also suited his uncle's wishes perfectly. He placed Changning in this position to discipline these spoiled brats and change the atmosphere in the army.

After eating until he was about 70% full, Qi Rong put down his chopsticks and quietly watched Lin Changning devour the food on the table.

After eating his fill, Lin Changning patted his belly, his eyes narrowed with satisfaction. Qi Rong shook his head and chuckled, "Are you done eating? If you are, I'll have the dishes taken away."

Lin Changning nodded: "Let's retreat, Second Brother. We'll have the energy to fight if we're full."

Soon someone came in and cleared away all the plates and pastries on the table.

Qi Rong sat in his seat and looked at Lin Changning, asking, "Sixth Brother, what do you plan to do next? These gentry in Taiyuan are not easy to deal with. I'm worried they might come looking for trouble for you, so if anyone from their household comes looking for you later, I will receive them."

Lin Changning understood immediately. His second brother wanted to take the blame for him and help him withstand the pressure from the wealthy gentry in Taiyuan.

Lin Changning felt a warmth in her heart, thinking how fortunate she was to have such a superior. However, she still said, "Second brother, there's no need to worry. I have my own methods for doing things. Besides, I have already asked Lu Shan to find the elders of these families. They should arrive in a little while."

Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning's confident expression, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded: "Okay."

Lin Changning smiled as he saw that Qi Rong still seemed a little worried: "If you're not at ease, you can listen in from behind the curtain today. If anything goes wrong, just come out and cover for me."

Qi Rong nodded: "I understand."

As the two were talking, Lu Shan had already reached the door: "Commander, the man has been brought here."

Lin Changning nudged Qi Rong: "Second Brother, please step aside for a moment."

Lin Changning only let people in after Qi Rong hid behind the tent.

More than a dozen family heads followed Lu Shan into Lin Changning's tent, and many of them were secretly sizing up the newly appointed commander.

Seeing that this person was young and handsome, they couldn't help but start guessing who he was.

He dared to barge into their home and drag out his own nephews and nieces to whip them on his very first day here; he's no pushover.

Such people either have a high enough status, a deep enough background, or are very capable.

So young, he must be some young master sent to Taiyuan to gain experience. Their child missed the first day of work and just happened to offend this person, so he gave them a hard time as soon as he arrived.

The two men at the front exchanged glances, secretly wondering where this person came from. If his status wasn't particularly high, they would put pressure on him; if his status was high enough, they would lower their heads.