He was appointed to a critical mission to restore military discipline.
When Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing arrived at the Zhenbei Army camp, dusk was falling. There was no smoke rising from the camp; instead, groups of soldiers were gambling and playing around outside their tents. Rusty weapons were piled up haphazardly in the corners, and a few thin horses listlessly grazed on withered grass—the scene before them was even more dilapidated than the rumors had described.
"General!" Zhao Wu, the deputy general in charge of welcoming them, strode forward, his armor still stained with mud. "The border has been repeatedly raided by the Xiongnu, and the supply of food has been intermittent. The brothers... really can't muster any energy." His voice was low and full of helplessness.
Shen Qingci's gaze swept over the chaos in the camp, his brow furrowed. That very day, he summoned all the generals for a meeting. The flickering candlelight in the tent illuminated faces that were either weary or numb. "Discipline is the foundation of military might; food shortages breed unrest!" Shen Qingci slammed his sword heavily on the table, making the bamboo slips on it rattle. "From this day forward, a new system will be implemented throughout the army: daily drills at dawn, without fail; those who embezzle military pay or desert in battle will be punished according to military law; those who falsely report battle achievements or oppress the people will be executed without mercy!"
The generals exchanged glances, some with objections, but none dared to contradict Shen Qingci, their eyes filled with unwavering resolve. After the meeting, Shen Qingci immediately wrote a letter and sent it by fast horse to the capital, imploring the emperor to allocate provisions and weapons. He also personally led a team to inventory the camp's stock, sending rusted weapons for repair and gathering the weak horses for feeding.
Su Yunqing wasn't idle either. She noticed that there were only two veteran medics in the camp, who were often helpless when faced with wounded soldiers. Early the next morning, she set up a makeshift medical station in an open area outside the camp, sorted and organized the herbs she carried, and took out silver needles and gauze from her baggage. "Our soldiers are fighting on the front lines; how can we let injuries and illnesses diminish their fighting strength?" she said to the soldiers who gathered around her. "From today onwards, I will teach you how to identify hemostatic herbs and how to treat external injuries, so that you can better save yourselves on the battlefield in the future."
During the day, Shen Qingci personally supervised the drills. Dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and wielding a long spear, he demonstrated spear techniques, each move powerful and forceful. Initially, the soldiers were sluggish and perfunctory, but seeing their commander leading from the front and remembering the hope brought by the new system, they gradually perked up, their shouts echoing throughout the camp. Su Yunqing, meanwhile, was busy at the medical station, massaging soldiers who had sprained their ankles during training and changing dressings for veterans whose old injuries had recurred. Her gentle yet firm touch brought the soldiers a long-lost warmth.
A few days later, the provisions and weapons for the capital arrived one after another. Shen Qingci ordered the granaries to be opened, allowing the soldiers to have a hearty meal, and then distributed the brand-new armor and sharp weapons. When the soldiers put on the well-fitting armor and gripped the heavy spears, their fighting spirit was rekindled.
Looking at the newly renovated military camp, Zhao Wu was filled with admiration: "General, the brothers are now in high spirits. When the Xiongnu invade, we will surely wipe them out!"
Shen Qingci gazed towards the border, his expression grave: "The Xiongnu cavalry are advancing with overwhelming force; we must not let our guard down. Pass down the order to strengthen border patrols, closely monitor the Xiongnu's movements, and be ready to engage them at any time!"
As night deepened, the usual merriment could no longer be heard in the military camp; only the breathing of the sleeping soldiers mingled with the occasional sound of horses' hooves in the distance. Su Yunqing carried a bowl of warm medicine into the central tent and handed it to Shen Qingci: "You've been working hard these past few days; you should rest too."
Shen Qingci took the medicine and drank it all in one gulp. He then held her hand, his eyes filled with gratitude: "With you here, I can feel at ease. Once we defeat the Xiongnu, I will definitely share peace with you."
Su Yunqing smiled faintly: "The best peace is for us to guard the border together and fight against foreign enemies."
Outside the tent, the starlight shone brightly, illuminating the orderly military camp. A fierce battle concerning the safety of the border was quietly brewing.
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