Develop strategies and rectify military discipline

After establishing his authority through archery, Shen Qingci immediately set about reorganizing the military camp. He and several deputy generals first went deep into the barracks to inspect the situation. They found that the soldiers' bedding was tattered and worn, the food in the kitchen was mixed with sand and gravel, and half of the swords in the armory were rusty and the arrows were missing fletchings. These sights confirmed his judgment that the army was suffering from "shortage of supplies and lax discipline." They also made him realize that Li Linfu's embezzlement had already shaken the foundation of the Zhenbei Army.

That night, the central command tent was brightly lit. Shen Qingci laid out the drafted reorganization regulations on the table, his voice steady: "Currently, the army suffers from three problems: lax discipline, shortage of provisions, and outdated weaponry. If these problems are not eradicated, we will surely be defeated in this battle." He traced a map with his finger and glanced at the generals. "From today onwards, the entire army will implement the new system. Those who violate it will be dealt with according to military law!"

The first rule was to enforce strict military discipline. Shen Qingci abolished the previous loose training system, stipulating that soldiers should assemble for drills at dawn, study battle formations at noon, and patrol the camp at dusk. No one was allowed to be late or leave early. He personally led the inspections, and on the first day, three soldiers were absent from drills due to gambling. He punished them with twenty strokes of the military rod according to military law and displayed them in cangues for three days. "Military law is as solid as a mountain, with no exceptions!" Shen Qingci stood on the command platform, his voice echoing throughout the camp, "If anyone dares to disregard military discipline again, this beating will be the example!"

By making an example of someone to deter others, the military camp's atmosphere was completely transformed. The soldiers dared not slack off anymore; their shouts during drills echoed through the valleys, and the previous gambling and shirking of responsibility disappeared. Shen Qingci also kept his word, eating the same coarse rations and practicing high-intensity martial arts with the soldiers every day. Even with calluses forming on his palms, he never stopped, gradually winning the soldiers' genuine trust and respect.

Meanwhile, Su Yunqing set up a temporary medical tent on the west side of the military camp, erecting a wooden sign that read "Free Medical Treatment." She categorized and arranged the medicinal herbs she had brought, taught the accompanying medical officer to identify herbs and prepare ointments, and even composed simple first-aid rhymes for the soldiers to memorize. "On the battlefield, swords have no eyes; the more first-aid methods you learn, the more chances of survival you have," she gently instructed as she bandaged the wounds of injured soldiers, her voice gentle yet efficient. The medical tent was bustling with people every day, and the soldiers' respect for this tireless supervising wife grew ever stronger.

With the issues of military discipline and the wounded resolved, the shortage of provisions and weaponry became the biggest problem. Shen Qingci wrote a memorial overnight, detailing the army's food shortages and weapon losses, imploring the emperor to allocate supplies, and secretly attaching preliminary evidence of Li Linfu's embezzlement of military provisions. After sending the memorial, he did not sit idly by but instead sent people to contact various border prefectures, explaining the urgency of the military situation and requesting a temporary loan of provisions and weaponry, promising their return to the court after the war.

However, just as the reorganization was beginning to show results and morale was rising, an undercurrent quietly emerged. Li Linfu learned that Shen Qingci had established himself in the army and was furious. He secretly sent his trusted men to the border to spread rumors: "Supervisor Shen holds a large army and intends to use it for his own benefit, colluding with the Xiongnu to rebel!" The rumors spread like wildfire and quickly reached the entire army camp. Some soldiers began to have doubts again, and their enthusiasm for training waned.

That day, when Shen Qingci was inspecting the training ground, he noticed something unusual about the soldiers. Upon questioning them, he learned about the rumors. He frowned, knowing full well that this was Li Linfu's treacherous scheme—if morale collapsed again, not only would the reorganization efforts be ruined, but he himself would also be doomed.

"It seems that this tough battle will not only be fought against external forces, but also against internal ones." Shen Qingci gazed at the distant beacon tower, a cold glint in his eyes. He turned to his adjutant beside him and said, "Pass down the order: tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the entire army will assemble at the command platform. I have something to say."

Su Yunqing was also worried after learning about the rumors. She found Shen Qingci and said softly, "Brother Qingci, Li Linfu is trying to sow discord. We can't let him succeed."

Shen Qingci grasped her hand, his gaze firm: "Don't worry, the morale of the army is built on concrete actions, not on rumors. Tomorrow, I will expose this lie in front of the entire army."

As night deepened, the lights of the military camp flickered in the north wind, and a contest concerning the stability of the army's morale was about to begin.