Chapter 148: Being quite honest with her
PS: Dear ones, Qingqing has worked hard to prepare three updates today. Since Qingqing is working so hard, please show up actively. The book review section is as cold as winter ╮(╯▽╰)╭. The first update will be posted first, and I will continue to write. Dear ones, please give Qingqing motivation, Amen (⊙ o ⊙) ha~
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Hearing Xiao Mingzheng's assessment of her painstaking efforts, which had taken her hours to create, Zhong Min was petrified. Was there anything wrong? She had clearly put so much effort into this project, and it was definitely worth a try. How could Xiao Mingzheng so arbitrarily reject it without even giving it a full review?
"No, Your Highness, you haven't finished reading it yet, how do you know it's not possible?" Zhong Min was naturally a little anxious. The boss's words were crucial. If he vetoed it, wouldn't the 500 taels of silver that was about to be in hand be gone?
"I gave you time to practice your calligraphy before, but you didn't listen. Now only you have the courage to show such calligraphy to others." Although Xiao Mingzheng said this, there was no trace of disgust in his expression. Instead, there was a faint smile.
Zhong Min finally understood that the mess the master had been talking about wasn't referring to her proposal, but to her handwriting. She breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "So Your Highness was referring to the handwriting. Don't worry, I will definitely keep your teachings in mind and practice calligraphy when I have time. But Your Highness, could you please take the trouble to read the content first?"
Just say it, how could Xiao Mingzheng be such a dictatorial person? Besides, how could my level even catch his eye? Although Zhong Min said that she would practice hard in the future, she didn't take it seriously at all. She didn't want to be a calligrapher, so she just wanted to understand it. She was already old, so why bother herself?
When Xiao Mingzheng heard Zhong Min say this, he seemed to be able to read her mind and said directly, "Forget it. If you really wanted to practice, you wouldn't be at this level now. I'm too lazy to bother recognizing you. Why don't you tell me? It's a good opportunity for Jiaxing to listen too."
As he said this, he handed the duplicated words back to Zhong Min. It wasn't that he really thought her handwriting was too ugly, but he just thought it would be more interesting to hear her say it in person.
Seeing this, Zhong Min nodded repeatedly, took the thing without even looking at it, and immediately explained it in detail.
In fact, the core of her plan this time was to train students according to their aptitude and categorize them. She had just reviewed the recruits and found that they varied greatly. Only a few had good qualifications. If she wanted to train all of them to the same standard in such a short period of time, even ten Luo Jiaxings, let alone one, would be extremely difficult.
Therefore, Zhong Min advocated reclassifying these new recruits according to their strengths or weaknesses. Those with slightly better conditions should be picked out and trained according to the requirements of standard sergeants. Those with poor conditions should be selected first and then incorporated into the corresponding teams according to their strengths, focusing on certain professional training. For example, those with high throwing accuracy should be trained as archers, those who can ride horses should be trained as cavalry, those who are good at climbing should be trained as siege phalanxes... and so on. Even some new recruits who have no strengths at all can be trained as rear supply soldiers. After all, these are some necessary personnel.
This way, we can fully tap into the strengths of the new recruits and better train them according to their abilities, greatly improving the effectiveness and practicality of the training. It will also help soldiers become more confident, which is also beneficial to the morale of the army. At that time, we can strengthen the coordination training of different types of recruits, which will further enhance the overall combat capability of the entire army.
Zhong Min spoke in great detail, and Xiao Mingzheng and Luo Jiaxing nodded from time to time as they listened. It was obvious that they highly recommended this method of training students in accordance with their aptitude and practicing in different categories. At the same time, they also raised some of their own doubts from time to time, and Zhong Min calmly answered them one by one. They went over the entire plan several times but did not find any problems.
"What do you think, Jiaxing?" After listening to Zhong Min's explanation, Xiao Mingzheng asked Luo Jiaxing, "Based on your experience, would it be difficult to implement this?"
Luo Jiaxing shook his head and said with certainty, "I think this method is excellent and there won't be any major problems in its implementation. In my opinion, we can gradually promote this method in the future training of soldiers in our barracks. This should greatly improve the combat capability of the entire army."
Xiao Mingzheng nodded after hearing this. "This is exactly what I was thinking. It seems that Min'er has not only solved the immediate problem, but also provided a very effective model for long-term development. So, this matter is settled. Starting tomorrow, we will implement training according to her new method."
Zhong Min was naturally delighted to hear Xiao Mingzheng's immediate decision. This at least meant that the five hundred taels of silver were already in her grasp. However, she still had to remind him of one thing: after all, the silver wasn't going to be given for free.
"Your Highness, there's one more thing." She said to Xiao Mingzheng, "What I just described is only an overall plan, and the specific training methods for each type of training will also vary. Because this group of new recruits needs to show results in a short period of time, the training subjects and methods will naturally differ from usual ones. This difference is related to an important issue."
"What's the problem?" Xiao Mingzheng replied, "Just tell me."
Zhong Min thought about it and said without hesitation, "Well, I want to know why the prince has suddenly and secretly recruited so many new soldiers and insisted on training them within three months. What is his purpose? Given the prince's style, it's impossible for him to be so anxious without reason. If I could know the tasks these new recruits will be assigned in three months, perhaps I can set up a more targeted training plan for them."
As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Jiaxing glanced at Zhong Min with a slightly awkward expression, his expression telling him that the question was inappropriate. Such a confidential matter was not known even to the highest-ranking military officers. Only the prince, himself, and two other officers involved were aware. Even if Zhong Min had no ill intentions, such a confidential matter should not have been raised.
Seeing Luo Jiaxing's suggestive look, Zhong Min seemed to realize that her question might be inappropriate for someone of her stature. However, words spoken were irrevocably out of place, and even if she changed her words now, it would be useless. Besides, she didn't really think it was a big deal. If she wanted to answer, she could. If she couldn't tell her, she could just keep it to herself. It wouldn't be as serious as Luo Jiaxing thought, would it?
Unexpectedly, Xiao Mingzheng didn't react as Luo Jiaxing had feared. After hearing Zhong Min's question, he only thought for a moment before answering directly, "After returning from the capital, I received a secret letter from Qingzhou. The Qing King is seriously ill and is estimated to have little time left. He has three sons, each of whom is currently plotting to inherit the Qing King's throne and Qingzhou's 60,000 troops. The Qing King's youngest illegitimate son is on good terms with me, and if he ascends to the throne in the future, it will naturally benefit me. I have agreed to help him ascend, but if the original northwest garrison is used, it will easily attract the attention of the enemy and cause war. Secondly, the people in the capital will use this as an excuse to eliminate me. Therefore, I asked Jiaxing to complete this task within three months."
Luo Jiaxing couldn't help but be stunned by Xiao Mingzheng's confession to Zhong Min, but Zhong Min was quite satisfied after hearing it. At least Xiao Mingzheng didn't guard against her. It can be said that the trust between them has a certain foundation.
"Does the prince intend to send all these new recruits to Qingzhou to assist?" Zhong Min analyzed, "New recruits are still new recruits. Even if they have been trained, they have no experience in all aspects. I'm afraid something might happen easily."
Xiao Mingzheng nodded. "I've considered this as well, so I plan to secretly rotate the troops, using some veterans to lead some new recruits. This way, we can resolve the Qingzhou issue without affecting the situation here."
"Now I understand completely. I also know what areas I should focus on training these new recruits during this period." Zhong Min said confidently, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. Just prepare 500 taels of silver notes when the time comes."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingzheng and Luo Jiaxing laughed in unison in the tent.
Over the next few days, Zhong Min, Luo Jiaxing, and the other training officers were busy. Following her methods, they quickly reorganized the troops and began training with a different focus. Soon, everyone saw the effectiveness of this special training method: not only was the officers highly motivated, but the new recruits' confidence was unprecedentedly strong, and morale soared.
Zhong Min also used some simple tricks to strengthen the unity and cooperation among the soldiers, and asked Luo Jiaxing to pay attention to regulating the soldiers' emotions and attaching importance to their sense of belonging. In this way, it would naturally be easier to improve their loyalty.
After a month, the results were astonishing, even Zhong Min herself hadn't expected such smooth sailing. After all, she'd only had theoretical knowledge before, with no practical experience. This validation proved she was on the right track. Xiao Mingzheng frequently came to check on the recruits, and seeing them excel day by day, his expression was naturally delightful. He even generously gave Zhong Min five hundred taels of silver in advance.
The night she received the banknote, Zhong Min happily ran to find Xie Feng, ready to tell him she'd treat him to a drink the next day. After all, without Xie Feng's intelligence and covert help, she wouldn't have had the chance to earn those five hundred taels. But just as she left the study and went downstairs, she saw Luo Jiaxing running towards Moyuan with a serious expression.
Seeing this, Zhong Min was immediately puzzled. Why was Luo Jiaxing here so late? Could something urgent have happened in the army? She couldn't help but worry. Luo Jiaxing had clearly seen Xiao Mingzheng at the barracks this afternoon, but why would he come here so late? If there wasn't something urgent, he wouldn't have made this trip again.
Before she could think about it, Luo Jiaxing was already in front of her. She hurried forward and asked, "Brother Luo, why are you here so late? Is there something wrong?"
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