LF Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Reviewing the Five Camps (Part 2)

Your Majesty rode slowly towards the main tent in the camp on a tall horse. The midday sun shone on the armor of the accompanying guards, glittering dazzlingly.

Only that touch of scarlet was an exception. Thin and small, riding on horseback, closely following Your Majesty, she appeared somewhat delicate and pitiful.

Jiang Yinghua whipped her horse, accelerating to catch up with the main group. When she reached behind Your Majesty, Yan Wanzhi tactfully slowed down, allowing Jiang Yinghua to move in.

Hearing the sound, Your Majesty glanced sideways without turning her head, and said lightly, “She’s learning to be sensible.”

Jiang Yinghua pondered these words, and something felt off no matter how she listened to it, as if she was teasing a mischievous three-year-old child. Therefore, she stubbornly remained silent.

Upon entering the camp gate, the Imperial Guards and soldiers inside the camp were dressed in full battle attire, with drums and gongs sounding in unison, and military flags fluttering brightly.

The West Camp’s commanding general led the officers, lined up on the side. Seeing the Imperial arrival, they all knelt in welcome, their voices of praise loud and earth-shaking, their momentum magnificent.

All the way, the music did not stop, and the cries of “Long live Your Majesty” also continued until Your Majesty ascended the tent and took her seat, then the drums and gongs ceased.

This was the first time Jiang Yinghua had experienced such a scene from childhood.

She remembered when she was young, her father had also entered the capital to observe the troops. At that time, she was petite and delicate, holding her father’s small hand, together overlooking the dense ranks of soldiers under the command platform from the Imperial seat. At that time, her father was dressed in ordinary clothes, gentle and refined, unlike her elder sister today, who was heroic and imposing.

One military review gave off the air of a personal expedition by the Emperor.

After Your Majesty was seated, Jiang Yinghua stood dutifully by her side with her sword, while an official from the Ministry of War stepped forward to request the imperial decree for the grand review.

Your Majesty replied with a resounding “Granted,” followed by three earth-shattering cannon salutes like thunder.

Jiang Yinghua was secretly shocked. Cannons were precious, and she originally thought Your Majesty was just passing by, but she didn’t expect today’s spectacle to be so grand.

After the three cannon salutes, thirty thousand troops from two camps formed a formation, changing unpredictably according to the guidance of the military flags. Although they should have received news and rehearsed for Your Majesty’s review, the disciplined military appearance and skilled formations were enough to reflect that these tens of thousands of soldiers were usually well-trained and had a solid foundation.

Jiang Yinghua carefully observed, thinking that the rumors were indeed true. Although the West Camp’s Imperial Guards were small in number, they were all elite soldiers and strong generals. If the soldiers throughout the country could reach this level, what would there be to worry about enemy invasion?

After the formation display was the archery review. A group of generals and soldiers took turns to the field, cavalry and infantry, fixed targets, moving targets. After a round of training, the accuracy was acceptable. Although Your Majesty on the Imperial seat had a solemn expression, Jiang Yinghua clearly saw the slightly raised eyebrows and eyes; Your Majesty must be in a great mood.

After all the procedures were completed, Your Majesty did not leave as usual but ordered the soldiers to continue training as usual. She got up and inspected the camp, carefully scrutinizing the daily life of these soldiers.

The afternoon sun was strong and somewhat dazzling. Being in armor, they were being baked and felt quite hot.

Jiang Yinghua had gotten up a little late and had not eaten, so she felt dizzy and listless.

However, Your Majesty was in high spirits, watching very carefully, and had no intention of leaving. Jiang Yinghua, who had been following her only half a step behind, gradually fell behind due to exhaustion.

Yan Wanzhi noticed her abnormality, seeing that her eyes were dim, and she seemed quite tired.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was prepared, Yan Wanzhi’s hands, clasped in the wide sleeves, suddenly dropped one, gently poking Jiang Yinghua’s sleeve.

Jiang Yinghua turned her head in surprise. Yan Wanzhi’s expression was calm, still standing dutifully to the side, following Your Majesty’s gaze, but the small movements below never stopped. She didn’t know what she was holding in her palm, and she knocked Jiang Yinghua with the back of her hand, signaling that person to reach out and take it.

Jiang Yinghua was full of suspicion, but she quietly put her hand behind her back and opened it. With a “thud,” a round thing fell into her palm. Jiang Yinghua hurriedly clenched her hand and took advantage of no one being prepared to take it in front of her and take a look. It turned out to be a round piece of maltose.

Jiang Yinghua smiled almost imperceptibly, glancing at that person out of the corner of her eye, unexpectedly feeling that Yan Wanzhi was not always dull and boring.

She was indeed very hungry, and stars were falling in front of her eyes. She felt that if Your Majesty walked for another half a quarter of an hour, Jiang Yinghua would have to perform a fainting act on the spot. Thinking of this, Jiang Yinghua pretended to wipe the sweat from her face and quickly swallowed the maltose.

The slight sweetness entered her throat, and soon, she recovered a little strength, at least the golden stars in front of her eyes were reduced.

A captain of the West Camp’s infantry had a good way of training his subordinates. Your Majesty was attracted and went over to inquire and learn. Jiang Yinghua took the opportunity to slow down and approached Yan Wanzhi, lowering her voice and saying, “Thank you. Why do you carry this with you?”

Yan Wanzhi glanced left and right, slightly turned her body, and a slight sound of air was transmitted into Jiang Yinghua’s ears: “This subject is weak and occasionally dizzy, eating this thing is slightly helpful.”

Jiang Yinghua glanced at her with a smile in her eyes, she really was an out-and-out weak scholar.

Seeing that Your Majesty was talking with people enthusiastically, Jiang Yinghua was bored standing there, so she continued the topic and said: “Scholar Yan is so meticulous, this Prince admires it. But next time you set up a game, don’t use wooden arrowheads, it’s not exciting.”

Yan Wanzhi stood behind her, her brows furrowed into a knot upon hearing this. She thought for a long time but didn’t understand what game Jiang Yinghua was talking about, and hesitantly asked: “What does Your Highness mean? What wooden arrow?”

Jiang Yinghua couldn’t figure out Yan Wanzhi’s personality, but since the matter had already happened, it seemed unnecessary to pretend to be stupid.

Yan Wanzhi’s reaction seemed like she really didn’t know anything. In that case, was the test in the dense forest arranged by someone else on Your Majesty’s orders? Was that test really just to test her skills, as Your Majesty said?

Jiang Yinghua felt a little tired. How many unrelated forces were there around her elder sister, and how many eyes were watching her words and deeds at all times?

Staying in the manor as a carefree and wealthy idler could avoid trouble, but her mother and elder sister insisted otherwise. Now, she had finally persuaded herself and planned to make a career, but was she already being suspected and guarded against before she even started?

She said lightly: “It’s nothing.” After saying that, she raised her foot and followed, dutifully listening to the little captain’s passionate report on the experience of training behind Your Majesty.

Many times, Jiang Yinghua wished that she had no blood relationship with the supreme Emperor, just like this little captain, conscientiously doing his duty. If one day he was favored by the monarch, how enviable would be the joy of being recognized and encouraged.

Being born into the imperial family, it was not easy to make choices. There were too many considerations and too many things that were involuntary. For the country and the family, loyalty and filial piety were all difficult subjects to be explored throughout one’s life.

As Jiang Yinghua thought this, a layer of sorrow couldn’t help but appear on her face. Yan Wanzhi’s doubts had not yet dissipated, and when she quietly saw Jiang Yinghua’s expression, the confusion in her heart was even greater.

Yesterday’s inexplicable sobbing, bizarre drunkenness, today’s listlessness, and worry, none of these seemed like the emotions that someone whose long-awaited wish had been fulfilled should have.

Jiang Yinghua followed Your Majesty like a walking corpse for another half a quarter of an hour. Your Majesty finally relented and decided to enter the prepared central military tent to rest for a while. Hearing this, Jiang Yinghua finally felt relieved. If she continued to be tormented, she really couldn’t bear it today.

After entering the tent, someone had already prepared pastries, tea, and fruits. Tired and hungry, Jiang Yinghua sat down and reached out to take a pastry to satisfy her hunger, but at the moment of touching the pastry, she felt the gaze cast from above. Subconsciously, she looked up and saw Your Majesty’s eyes were fixed on her hand without moving away. Jiang Yinghua understood and withdrew her hand.

Your Majesty did not intend to let her touch the food here.

She couldn’t touch the pastries, and she didn’t dare to drink the tea at all. For no other reason than that her stomach was empty, and drinking tea would only aggravate her hunger and make it even more unbearable.

“Hua’er, the captain’s words just now were all based on experience. Hearing this, what are your thoughts?” Your Majesty said quietly.

Jiang Yinghua panicked immediately. She hadn’t been listening to what that person was saying just now. Her mind had long been scattered elsewhere, so how could she have any thoughts?

“This subject, this subject doesn’t know much about the intricacies of infantry training, and I don’t know how to comment on it. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.” Jiang Yinghua stood up and bowed respectfully to apologize.

Your Majesty chuckled and did not expose her, but turned to smile and ask Yan Wanzhi: “Prince Zhao listened for a long time, but couldn’t say a word. Yan Qing has always been eloquent and quick-witted, have you figured out some tricks?”

Yan Wanzhi was very surprised. How could she, a civil official, be singled out to answer such a question?

The key was that Yan Wanzhi’s mind was on suspecting Prince Zhao just now, and her two ears were just decorations. Even Prince Zhao, who had been immersed in the military for more than a month, couldn’t say anything, it would be a miracle if she, a civil official, could make up a reason.

“This subject is foolish, does not understand military affairs, and dare not speak rashly.” Yan Wanzhi replied without confidence, her heart in her throat.

Your Majesty looked at these two people. They had clearly followed her all the way, and she had intended to let them learn well by her side, but each and every one of them dared to muddle through. If it weren’t for the fact that today’s training was so enthusiastic and made her very pleased, she would have already been furious.

“Forget it, I’m tired anyway and want to rest for two quarters of an hour. Since the two of you are unwilling to use your brains, then move your muscles. I trouble you two to kneel outside the tent.” Your Majesty sat upright at the head, instructing softly.

Your Majesty’s sarcasm made Jiang Yinghua and Yan Wanzhi shudder. The two hurriedly retreated one after the other and knelt honestly in the scorching sun outside the tent.

Fortunately, there was no one else around except the guards; otherwise, they would lose face and wouldn’t be able to live.

Jiang Yinghua secretly slandered, today she had offended the gods and everything was going wrong.

Boredly roasting in the sun, her knees and waist were sore and swollen. In order not to fall asleep, she teased Yan Wanzhi next to her in a low voice: “Scholar Yan’s brain is only so-so. When Your Majesty made things difficult, you were also speechless. Now, you’ve fallen to the same fate as me and become miserable sisters.”

Yan Wanzhi was currently crying out in her heart. Hearing this teasing, she mustered her spirits and retorted: “Your Highness is wrong, I am a man, and cannot be called sisters with you.”

Jiang Yinghua almost laughed out loud, biting her lip to force the laughter back. The way Yan Wanzhi looked right now was no different from a wronged little wife, and didn’t look like a young man at all.

“Do you…have any more candy?” Jiang Yinghua turned her head slightly and asked softly, her eyes full of anticipation.

Yan Wanzhi reached into her pocket and groped around, finally finding the last two pieces. She placed the candy in her palm, positioned it in front of her abdomen, and coughed slightly, suppressing her voice.

Jiang Yinghua turned her eyes and saw that none of the guards dared to stare at her. She boldly and quickly grabbed a piece from Yan Wanzhi’s palm and deftly threw it into her mouth, her face filled with a triumphant smile.

Yan Wanzhi glanced sideways, feeling that Jiang Yinghua was really interesting at the moment. Even a piece of candy could make her so satisfied.

In fact, she had not eaten lunch before accompanying the Emperor. The Emperor had set off in a hurry, and as a close minister accompanying her, she had been waiting outside early in the morning and had no time to rest. The crux of the problem was the late-rising Jiang Yinghua.

Yan Wanzhi was already feeling a little dizzy and faint. She worried that Jiang Yinghua would want to ask for candy later, so she kept waiting and didn’t dare to put the maltose in her own mouth.

Jiang Yinghua closed her eyes, hoping that time would pass quickly. Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed before her eyes. She thought someone had come out of the tent and hurriedly opened her eyes, but she heard a muffled sound. She saw Yan Wanzhi had tilted her body and fallen in front of her. The piece of maltose in her hand had also rolled onto the grass.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was prepared, Jiang Yinghua quickly hid the thing in her sleeve. Seeing this, the guards hurried forward to check the person’s breath and then hurriedly entered the tent to report.

In a short while, Your Majesty came out of the tent, glanced at the unconscious Yan Wanzhi, and said lightly: “Carry him in.” After saying that, she turned around and was about to raise her foot to return to the tent.

Seeing this, Jiang Yinghua timidly called out to her: “Your Majesty, this subject…can this subject go in?”

Your Majesty turned her head and saw that Jiang Yinghua’s face was not very good, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. She was very puzzled, these two people were really strange today, each of them was delicate and weak, unable to be punished or scolded. She had already taken off her heavy armor in the tent, and at this moment, she was in plain clothes and helplessly flicked her sleeves. “Get in here.”

Jiang Yinghua was pardoned and followed the person into the tent.

When Yan Wanzhi woke up, Your Majesty finally decided to return and go back to the hunting lodge to rest.

The next morning, Jiang Yinghua dared not oversleep at all. She packed up early and was told that the day’s arrangement was to review the Northern Camp of the Imperial Guards.

Alright, she was back in her old nest. Jiang Yinghua resignedly put on the armor that she both loved and hated, and followed Your Majesty, repeating yesterday’s items.

Fortunately, they set off early in the morning, and it was not yet noon when it ended, which was much more bearable than yesterday.

When Your Majesty issued a decree to reward them, Jiang Yinghua stepped back a few steps and stood in front of Yan Wanzhi, saying: “Don’t faint again today.”

Yan Wanzhi replied in a slightly embarrassed tone: “I wouldn’t dare, thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“Don’t be silly next time, if you have something to eat, why not put it in your mouth?” Jiang Yinghua hinted playfully, and then quietly moved back to her original position.

After the rewarding ended, Jiang Yinghua breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that today’s itinerary could come to an end, but she did not expect that Your Majesty had another decree to issue. The Inner Counselor beside her said loudly: “Announce the Imperial Edict!”

A group of ministers knelt down. The Inner Counselor read Your Majesty’s Imperial Edict in a loud voice. Jiang Yinghua was stunned, and couldn’t come back to her senses in the end. What was said at the end of the Imperial Edict was “By Imperial Order, Jiang Yinghua, Prince Zhao, is appointed as the Commanding General of the three garrison camps of the Jingbei Garrison of the Jingji Imperial Guards, with control over all military affairs of the Jingji patrol and defense forces.”

The power to dispatch and command a full ninety thousand troops, Your Majesty gave to her so easily. Jiang Yinghua was astonished and forgot to respond for a moment.

It wasn’t until the Inner Counselor respectfully held the Imperial Edict and came forward, leaning over to her and gently reminding her: “Your Highness, receive the Edict and thank the Emperor.”

“This subject, Jiang Yinghua, receives the Edict and thanks Your Majesty.”

She took the Imperial Edict in a daze, and looked up at Your Majesty in disbelief, but saw a hint of comfort in that person’s eyes.