Chapter 180 Guessing
These three hundred men were not all recruited by Zhao Ziyuan from outside; in fact, more than half of them were already serving in the Yingzhou army.
In recent years, Fu Mingyi has attached great importance to military affairs, and military reports from various prefectures and armies have been sent to Nanhua on a regular basis. The Ministry of War, which is under the Prime Minister's jurisdiction, has one copy, and the Privy Council also has one copy.
Although these reports were not given directly to Fu Mingyi, they were ultimately intended to be presented to the emperor.
As the emperor's tutor, Fu Mingyi effectively assisted in governing the country, so he was naturally able to see these things.
Xiao Qing was impatient to read these reports, and even if he did, he wouldn't be as meticulous as Fu Mingyi. Therefore, his understanding of these military reports largely depended on Fu Mingyi's judgment and reporting.
However, she remembered that the Yingzhou army was not considered outstanding among the southern states.
But these people in front of me...
Zhao Ziyuan stood upright behind Xiao Qing and Mr. Wu. Although she appeared calm and composed, she was actually quite nervous.
He dared not ask who the two people were, but he remembered very clearly that in such a chaotic situation, the boy was the one being protected.
Now that he has returned safely, he went straight to Phoenix Perch Gorge. That's why he didn't ask any questions, but directly presented the Dragon Talisman and led his men into the gorge.
As Xiao Qing hesitated to begin inspecting the army he had hidden deep in the mountains, he grew increasingly uncertain about his future.
The Dragon Talisman Man did not accept the money, nor did he make any demands on these people.
What was he thinking? Or was he simply clueless about military affairs, so...?
As Zhao Ziyuan was lost in thought, Xiao Qing turned around.
“Governor Zhao,” she said, looking at Zhao Ziyuan with a calm expression.
"Your humble servant is here."
"Governor Zhao, among these people, who do you think is most suitable to face the enemy head-on?"
Zhao Ziyuan immediately said, "There are about a hundred people. These people are skilled in close combat and have no relatives or friends. When the battle begins, they can definitely be sent as the vanguard without any distractions."
"Who are not suitable for going to the battlefield?" Xiao Qing asked again.
Zhao Ziyuan was taken aback for a moment. "Although he is not suitable for the battlefield, he can achieve unexpected victories in other areas. Well, he is also very helpful in fighting the enemy on the battlefield."
Xiao Qing smiled and said, "Governor Zhao misunderstands. I didn't mean to say that this group of people is useless. I just wanted to know if Governor Zhao has any suitable training methods for this group of people if they were to be trained separately?"
Zhao Ziyuan's mind works very quickly.
"To be honest, sir, although I have gathered these three hundred men and know that they each have different characteristics and strengths, I only know how to fight. Even if we have different focuses when training them and train them more in battlefield skills, I still cannot completely... well... teach them according to their aptitude."
He felt he had found a pretty good word.
"However, although I cannot, Your Majesty will surely be able to find a suitable person."
He lowered his voice: "Most of these people are homeless and desperate, and happen to possess a skill. If they were to drift aimlessly, it would be a waste, and they might even be used by江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) forces, which would be a threat to the imperial court..."
Xiao Qing nodded slightly.
Zhao Ziyuan's words make perfect sense.
"Time is of the essence, and I cannot linger here for too long. Commander Zhao, please conduct a brief review as per the usual training requirements."
Zhao Ziyuan clasped his hands together, feeling somewhat reassured.
Xiao Qing and Mr. Wu stepped back a few steps, and Zhao Ziyuan stepped forward to direct the training of the troops.
Xiao Qing whispered to Mr. Wu, "Mr. Wu, could you help me see if there's anyone special? I also want to see what Zhao Ziyuan's taste is like."
Mr. Wu smiled silently to himself and nodded slightly.
When Fu Mingyi suggested splitting up, he wasn't entirely in agreement.
It seems that although Xiao Qing is young and has been relying on Fu Mingyi and others for many years, his actions are still methodical and organized.
After a quick look, Xiao Qing had a general idea of what was going on.
She had seen Zhao Youchen training his troops.
In comparison, Zhao Youchen's methods of training troops were more systematic and well-organized.
Zhao Ziyuan's methods of training troops were simpler and more practical. Indeed, as he said, he focused on battlefield combat skills, which differed from Zhao Youchen's approach to training the Imperial Guards.
Xiao Qing thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Governor Zhao, as the Governor-General of Yingzhou, you are in charge of the Yingzhou army. Yet you have abused your position to privately recruit elite troops and hide them in the mountains. Do you know your crime?"
Zhao Ziyuan knelt on one knee. "This humble official knows his guilt. This humble official also considered reporting to the court to recruit again. However, two years ago, this humble official reported to the Privy Council, requesting an imperial decree to widely recruit useful refugees into the army for unforeseen needs. But the Privy Council initially delayed in responding, and later..."
Because of the hierarchical reporting system, Zhao Ziyuan could not speak openly, but he hoped that when the imperial court sent someone to inspect the state army, he would be given a chance to give a self-introduction.
What happened next?
"I have heard that the national treasury is under heavy burden and that conscription is already planned in various regions, so I have rejected your request."
Xiao Qing thought about it carefully and couldn't recall receiving such a request.
Privy Council, Sun Jinyi.
"Then why did Governor Zhao still do this?"
Zhao Ziyuan remained silent for a long while, considering the matter carefully.
Xiao Qing noticed his hesitation and encouraged him, "Governor Zhao, please speak freely."
Zhao Ziyuan hardened his heart and said, "To be honest, I am not entirely without selfish motives."
"Firstly, judging from the court's recent movements, I feel that the emperor intends to launch a northern expedition. Although my Zhao family has served in the military for three generations, we have no outstanding military achievements. I am willing to prepare in advance, and perhaps we can establish a great foundation. Ordinary military training is unlikely to achieve unparalleled merit."
Xiao Qing thought to herself: This is a general with ambition, aspirations, and aspirations.
"Secondly, the Great Xiao Dynasty has encountered a national crisis and should have been able to recuperate. However, the imperial court's military service, taxes, and miscellaneous duties are not easy, which has led to the people migrating to other places, and some even becoming vagrants or bandits. The country is not stable. I also want to do my best to take in these people who have special skills but have nowhere to go, which can be considered as... contributing a little to the stability of Yingzhou."
He thought to himself: Feng Zhengmin, look how good I've been to you. Yingzhou has never once mobilized its army to suppress bandits. Why don't you ever think about why? Do you really think it's all because you've handled administrative affairs well?
He spoke with a serious expression, but his gaze was firm. He knew that what he was saying would probably not be pleasant to hear by those in the imperial court.
But he was betting that the young man was of high enough status, kind enough, and magnanimous enough.
Wait… a thought flashed through his mind.
The one who gave him the Dragon Talisman... his surname is Fu.
The Nanhua official surnamed Fu... was even allowed to carry a dragon talisman while traveling...
Grand Tutor?!
Now look at the young man in front of you.
At his age, it would be a stretch to say that he's ready to become an official in the imperial court.
Could it be... that he is actually a member of the royal family?
Think about which members of the royal family were of marriageable age? Who was serving the emperor?
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