Depart?

Are you kidding me!

These people were basically scoundrels who were expelled from the Sixteen Guards. After leaving the Sanglin Garrison, they could only be faceless hangers-on or auxiliary soldiers for the rest of their lives!

Therefore, despite the unpleasant words from the military commander, they decided to stay.

Coupled with the impact of the three hundred militiamen led by Li Jue, they suddenly realized that this young fellow might actually have some skill...

Seeing that no one was leaving, Li Jue immediately announced the regulations of the Zhechong Prefecture.

In fact, the regulations formulated by Li Jue were very simple: hygiene and discipline.

"First rule: Urinating or defecating anywhere within the military camp is prohibited; violators will be punished with ten strokes of the military rod!"

"Secondly, no matter what it is, you must ask permission before leaving the military camp; otherwise, you will be punished with ten strokes of the military rod!"

"Article Three..."

Xue Shisan listened for a while and realized that he hadn't remembered anything else except "ten military lashes".

Isn't this punishment too lenient?

According to the rules of the Sixteen Guards of the Tang Dynasty, the number of lashes must be at least tripled!

Li Jue knew the punishments were lenient, but his regulations were detailed and numerous. Many of the punishments were merely disciplinary, intended only to teach them a lesson.

After announcing the rules of Sanglin Zhechong Prefecture, Li Jue set an example by moving into the military camp that same day, eating and sleeping with everyone.

The three hundred militiamen he brought were not disbanded; they were all scattered by him and lived with the newly arrived soldiers, who were taught their own local customs.

Xue Shisan was assigned to a dormitory with Sun Dayong and Hu Dazhuang. Looking at the neat bedding and rows of wooden bunk beds in the barracks, he couldn't help but start making plans in his mind.

Who exactly is this Commandant of the Vanguard, that the imperial court would build such a fine military camp for him?

Xue Shisan followed the Tang Dynasty in its campaigns in the north and south in his early years, and stayed in many military camps.

Needless to say, in open field battles, having even a tent would be considered good. But when they were stationed in Chang'an, the imperial court never built such a well-organized military camp.

Moreover, the bedding looked brand new, and each person also had a small table and cabinet to store some personal belongings.

Hu Dazhuang was directly appointed as the dormitory head, leading several militiamen from Sanglin Village to explain the uses of various items to the soldiers in his dormitory.

"Each person needs two basins, one for washing their face and one for washing their feet!"

"Each person will have two water cups, one for brushing teeth and one for drinking water!"

"Each person needs two towels, one for wiping their face and one for wiping their feet!"

"Each person..."

Xue Shisan had already seen the pots and jars on the table, and asked in disbelief upon hearing this.

"These are all for us?"

"yes!"

"It's free?"

"yes!"

"Our lord has the ability to turn lead into gold, he won't miss these little bits and pieces!"

"hiss……"

Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan was stunned. Soldiers of the Tang Dynasty had to bring everything themselves. Not to mention washbasins, they even had to bring extra pairs of shoes and socks so they wouldn't be left without any to buy on the battlefield.

However, Sanglin Zhechong Prefecture actually gave it away for free!

He didn't believe it was the work of the Commandant of the Vanguard. He had served under several commanders over the years, but he had never seen a commander so generous.

After all, the position of Zhechong Duwei was only for training troops for the imperial court. When it came to actual warfare, these men would be scattered and reorganized.

Its sole purpose is to prevent generals from abusing their power!

Therefore, the captains of each military command were very strict with their soldiers.

Let alone giving them free gifts, not making excuses to get them to give money as a gift, they're already considered good people.

"Brother Hu, what's the background of your Lord?"

"What's their background?"

“Our lord’s grandfather is a close advisor to His Majesty, and his father even saved the current emperor’s life!”

"Oh oh oh..."

Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan immediately lost interest. If Li Zhong's relationship was only this small, it probably wouldn't be worth the court investing so much money.

Although he was not satisfied with Hu Dazhuang's answer, he was quite satisfied with Li Zhong's performance.

After all, there aren't many superiors who can live, eat, and sleep with these ordinary soldiers these days. Many military commanders only check in once a month, and no one can find them for the rest of the time.

"Brother Hu, are you tired from training every day?"

"Not tired!"

"It's much easier than farming!"

What do you guys usually practice?

"There's not much training involved. It's just standing at attention with Sir Alex Ferguson, lining up in formation, and going for a run in the morning and evening."

"Oh oh oh..."

"How long have you been practicing?"

"I forgot, it's probably been about a month..."

"Hiss... He can achieve this level in just one month?"

Hearing this, Hu Dazhuang asked in curiosity.

Is this a good idea?

"Our lord calls us pigs every day, saying we can't even learn such a simple formation..."

"hiss……"

"Your lord is really strict with his troops!"

Just as the two were chatting, the sound of a gong suddenly rang out in the military camp.

Upon hearing the sound, Hu Dazhuang immediately grabbed the small rice bowl from the table and called to everyone in the dormitory.

"Hurry up and grab your eating utensils, it's lunchtime in the barracks!"

"ah?"

Although many of them were soldiers reporting for duty for the first time, when they heard "meal time," they instinctively grabbed their bowls and followed the soldiers out.

This is considered the most unified tradition of the Sixteen Guards of the Tang Dynasty: if you don't eat actively, you'll go hungry.

Xue Shisan followed Hu Dazhuang to the military camp canteen, where they saw that many people were already standing outside.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!