With Yun Qing saying this, Li Yun Shu had no reason to refute it, so she simply stopped dwelling on the issue and focused on guiding them on their way.
Xie Rang felt a little melancholy after hearing this. He didn't really need the Grand Tutor to be so prepared for a rainy day.
The three of them, each with their own thoughts, soon arrived at the training ground. At that moment, Meng Wan and Li Fu were leading the soldiers in some simple warm-up exercises.
The border is indeed different from other places. Yun Qing had long known from history that a group of outstanding women soldiers had emerged from this area. However, there were very few records about them in official history. After seeing the scene, she realized that there were indeed quite a few women soldiers.
[History has never lacked brilliant women, but in patriarchal societies, their brilliance was often overshadowed, and they rarely even received a place in official history. It was only in modern times that this force began to be recognized, which is truly remarkable.]
As a woman herself, Yunqing, like her mentor, empathizes more with women in historical research, and seeing things firsthand is naturally even more moving.
Li Yunshu began her introduction: "The border does not support idlers. All women have the right to join the army. Everyone must work together to protect our homeland."
People living here are different from those elsewhere in many ways. These are habits accumulated over many years, and everyone finds them quite common.
"I never expected that the most difficult place would be more free than the capital."
Following Li Yunshu's lead, Yunqing continued, and the two sisters reached a high degree of agreement on this matter.
Xie Rang asked softly, "Does the Grand Tutor find the capital too dull and boring?"
Yun Qing: ...
[Damn it, I forgot the little tyrant is still here!]
She changed the subject somewhat awkwardly: "This place is free, but it is not my home."
This can be seen as a subtle way of saying that his heart is with the capital.
Xie Rang was easily appeased: "If the Grand Tutor is willing, he can also form an all-female army in the capital in the future."
Xie Rang had already strolled around here in the morning, so he knew that these female soldiers were extremely capable. Then he thought, since there are often women among the secret guards and assassins, why can't other women join the army?
They are not necessarily weaker than men.
Yun Qing's expression remained unchanged, but Li Yun Shu's expression changed first.
Wait... why does this young emperor seem to have such a strange attitude towards her older sister?
Is it something that can be casually announced to form an army in the capital? Isn't the young emperor really afraid that his elder sister's achievements will overshadow his own? Or is he planning to use her to his advantage later?
Li Yunshu felt that this matter was not so simple, but then she thought that her older sister should also understand that it was good enough for Li family to maintain its current state, and no other support was needed.
My parents said that my older sister has always been a woman of her own mind, and I should trust her!
Unbeknownst to Yun Qing, in the blink of an eye, Li Yun Shu had already thought through a whole host of things. She did not immediately agree with the young emperor's words: "We'll discuss it later."
Yun Qing can make some minor changes in private, but she doesn't dare to get involved in things that go too far against mainstream history. Besides, it's too early to talk about these things; it'll be better to wait until the little tyrant truly takes power.
[Don't be fooled by what we say now; we might not agree later. Hopefully, we won't give too much.]
All right.
It seems the Grand Tutor doesn't believe it.
Led by Li Yunshu, they went to a high place where the Li family couple were already waiting. The soldiers below were lined up in a fixed formation, just waiting for the order so they could show off their achievements over the past few days.
To avoid frightening the people in the city, this military exercise was held in the desert, which is also the border with the Rouran. The occasional military exercises are meant to intimidate them.
Despite constant preparations, it's always better to avoid war if possible, since war only brings suffering to ordinary people.
"Your Majesty, everything is ready. Shall we begin?"
Li Xu, Li's father, walked over, followed by Meng Wan. Both of them were dressed in armor, like generals.
In name only, the young emperor is the most honorable person here. He has no intention of overstepping his bounds to the imperial power since he left home, so he naturally has to ask for permission before doing anything.
Xie Rang nodded: "Okay."
Yun Qing stepped forward, also somewhat curious about the grand scene.
Li Xu ordered his men to beat the drum.
Thump—thump—thump.
As the three drumbeats fell, the formation below began to change. In the harsh environment, flexibility is essential for combat. So they saw the formation change several times, but all were well-organized. Even with the sand and dust blinding them, there was no panic.
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the crowd: "Come on—"
The soldiers immediately dispersed, seemingly waiting for something.
Yun Qing's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively called out to Xie Rang, "Your Majesty, cover your ears."
They were already quite far away, but Yun Shu said that the gunpowder had been improved and would probably be even more powerful.
Xie Rang was an obedient person, and immediately covered his ears.
Before long, the ground seemed to be blown open by something, yellow sand shot into the sky, and a series of booming sounds filled the air, which was very shocking.
Xie Rang only now truly understood the extent of the power the Grand Tutor had described; it was nothing short of miraculous.
Because the soldiers' warhorses had undergone repeated training before their arrival, they were able to remain in place despite the fright and did not run away.
Once the noise subsided, Li Xu said, "We dare not slack off in the training of our warhorses for even a day. The time when the grass and water are plentiful will soon arrive. If the Rouran invade, we will certainly not let them off easily."
Border affairs are of paramount importance to national defense; only when the borders are secure can the nation remain stable. His unwavering loyalty, honed over generations and dedicated to this cause, explains his secure position as the head of the clan. Even those not in court should fear his presence.
Xie Rang agreed: "General and Madam, as well as the thousands of soldiers, have worked hard. Once we return to the capital, I will issue an edict to allocate funds to further strengthen the border defenses."
Xie Rang knew that if his royal uncle wasn't stupid, he would definitely agree to this matter; otherwise, if the Rouran invaded, the person sitting on that position wouldn't be secure.
Li Xumengwan clasped his hands in thanks: "On behalf of the soldiers and the people of the border, we thank Your Majesty!"
After witnessing the outstanding performance of the gunpowder, the subsequent martial arts training seemed too routine; it demonstrated skill but wasn't as impressive.
Xie Rang gave a few brief comments, and the martial arts demonstration was already coming to an end. Yun Qing, who was watching from the side, was thoroughly enjoying the performance.
[Watching live is definitely different from watching on TV! It's a pity I didn't have my phone, otherwise I would have recorded all these scenes!]
Yun Qing's eyes were bright. Without a cell phone, she felt that her brain was also a good tool. In modern times, it could be used as research material for things like the layout of ancient armies!
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