The open space in front of Xuanwu Gate.

The Crown Prince's six detachments, numbering over 16,000, were marching past Xuanwu Gate in sequence, organized by their respective military units.

Li Zhi sat under a red parasol, inspecting the troops with a heavy heart.

Although there were two palace maids holding long-handled fans in front of him to shield him from the dust, the dust kicked up by the horse's hooves still made him afraid to breathe.

Upon seeing this, Wang De, the eunuch beside Li Zhi, quickly spoke in a muffled voice to the Left Guard Commander who was giving orders.

"Are you in such a hurry to be reincarnated? Can't you slow down a bit?!"

Upon hearing this, Di Rong, the Left Guard Commander, asked with some displeasure.

"Is it fast?"

"Too fast! Look at the dust it kicked up! The Crown Prince was choking on it and didn't even dare to breathe!"

"this……"

Upon hearing this, Di Rong glanced at the Crown Prince, who was covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve, and could only turn his horse around and tell his men to slow down.

Although the soldiers of the Crown Prince's Six Guards tried their best to control the pace of their warhorses, they still kicked up a lot of dust, which made Li Zhi feel displeased.

My uncle is just bored and has nothing better to do than get involved in this mess!

If Father Emperor wants to personally lead a campaign, then let him. He can't very well send me to accompany him with the troops, can he?

And I'm just bored, so who cares how well they practice? I'll just watch it all during the inspection...

Li Zhi only read half of it before calling Di Rong over.

"General Di, you've worked hard. Your training is excellent, and I'm very satisfied!"

"You may continue your training here. I have some urgent business to attend to and need to return first..."

"ah?"

Di Rong was stunned when he heard this, and then, seeing the Crown Prince's departing figure, his once-warm heart turned cold.

They were busy for more than ten days in preparation for the Crown Prince's inspection!

To everyone's surprise, the crown prince didn't even have the patience to finish reading it and just turned tail and left.

The soldiers at the back of the line were all very disappointed when they saw the Crown Prince leave.

They really wanted to show their faces in front of the Crown Prince and let him know how hard they had trained.

"General Di, shall we continue?"

Hearing his subordinate's aggrieved words, Di Rong sighed helplessly.

"never mind!"

"The Crown Prince is gone, what's the point of our drills anymore!"

However, no sooner had Di Rong finished speaking than a hundred riders came galloping towards them.

"His Majesty has decreed that the inspection shall continue!"

"His Majesty also said that the garrison troops of Shangzhou Zhechong Prefecture are a bit disorganized, and ordered Commander Di to give them a good drill!"

Upon hearing this, Di Rong's dejected expression vanished, replaced by disbelief, fear, and surprise.

"His Majesty...is His Majesty here?"

"exist!"

"They're observing your military parade from nearby!"

Upon hearing this, Di Rong immediately shouted to the guards behind him.

"Everyone, pay attention! His Majesty is watching from afar. Anyone who dares to slack off will be dealt with severely when we get back!"

The soldiers, who had just been somewhat disappointed, became incredibly energetic and started waving their weapons with great enthusiasm as soon as they heard that His Majesty was inspecting them.

Although they don't know where His Majesty is hiding, as long as His Majesty says he is watching, then he must be watching.

Then, whenever a general from the Zhechong Prefecture passed by the main gate of Xuanwu Gate, they would practically glare at him, holding their weapons high as if afraid that His Majesty would not see how majestic and powerful they were.

A full quarter of an hour passed before Li Shimin finally ran down the hillside after the fifteen garrison commanders had passed by in turn.

Li Shimin, riding a sturdy warhorse, held a whip in his hand and summoned the captains of the Zhechong Prefecture to give them a speech.

"Commander of Shangzhou, come here!"

"These are the soldiers you trained?"

"Even a dog I leash in Shangzhou would be better trained than you!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of Shangzhou wanted to laugh but dared not, their faces turning red with suppressed laughter.

Du Chong, the Commandant of Shangzhou, was so ashamed that he wished he could disappear into the ground.

"This humble servant is guilty and begs Your Majesty to punish me!"

"Hmph!"

"I'll first fine you one month's salary. If you dare to be so perfunctory again, I'll dismiss you from your post!"

After reprimanding the captain, Li Shimin did not spare the soldiers either.

"Look at your listless appearance and your chaotic formation. Do you even deserve to be called the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Guards?"

As soon as Li Shimin said this, everyone knelt down in response.

"Your humble servant is guilty!"

"During the inspection in April, I will definitely give you a thorough check. If you dare to be so negligent again, you'd all be sent home to take care of your children!"

"promise!"

After reprimanding the soldiers of Shangzhou Prefecture, Li Shimin went to the soldiers of Ningzhou Prefecture and started cursing them as well.

Where is the Commandant of Ningzhou?

"Your subordinate is here..."

"Oh, it's you. I haven't been watching you practice archery for years, and you're already trying to fool me?"

"Your humble servant is guilty!"

"Hmph!"

"Guards, give this guy thirty lashes to teach him a lesson!"

Although Li Shimin's words were harsh, both those being scolded and those watching the spectacle felt a warmth in their hearts.

Because this at least proves that His Majesty the Emperor is truly paying attention to them!

Li Shimin reprimanded them one by one, and finally rewarded the outstanding Zhechongfu with wine and meat before returning to Taiji Palace.

However, Li Shimin was very dissatisfied with Li Zhi's performance and immediately ordered someone to summon Li Zhi.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Did you participate in the military parade today?

"ah?"

"yes……"

"My uncle said we should always keep an eye on the soldiers to prevent them from becoming complacent!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Your duties as the Crown Prince have indeed been lax, but you, as the Crown Prince, have been even more negligent!"

"I've already been merciful enough by not requiring you to eat and sleep with the soldiers. Yet, you left so early without even watching the entire military parade!"

"Do you realize that this is an extremely irresponsible act towards the soldiers!"

"The Tang Dynasty's soldiers receive no pay, only honor and face. If you don't even give them that much face, how can you expect them to fight bravely on the battlefield in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi knelt down with a thud.

"Father, your son was wrong, your son will never dare to do it again!"

"From today onwards, you will train with them. If the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace perform poorly when I inspect them in a few months, I will depose you from your position as Crown Prince!"

"ah……"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi inwardly groaned. He had no desire to live and eat with those peasants; that would be the death of him!

But when he saw his father's ashen face, he could only grit his teeth and agree.

"promise……"

"Get out!"

Li Zhi took a few steps back meekly, then turned and left.

As soon as he left Ganlu Hall, he went straight to the Ministry of Personnel to find Changsun Wuji.

"Uncle, save me!"

"Your Highness, has something happened?"

"Uncle, I was reviewing the troops at Xuanwu Gate just now, but I left before it was over. My father found out and was furious. He said I have to eat and sleep with the soldiers and train with them..."

"My uncle knows, I was born and raised in the palace, I've never suffered like this before, sob sob sob..."