In front of the Jingyang County Prince's Estate.
A long queue had already formed.
Every household had sent someone.
Iron Bull led the short young man forward.
"How old are you this year?"
"Eighteen!"
"Eighteen, my ass!" Ning Que nearly spat out his tea, looking at the young man in surprise. "Whose family is this? I'd guess you're at most fifteen, you don't even have a beard. How could you be eighteen?"
"Maybe I just look younger?"
He nervously touched his nose, feeling guilty.
The middle-aged man following behind him quickly stepped forward, smiling apologetically: "Your Highness, please just take him. He's the only suitable one in our family. The other two are girls, we really have no other choice."
"Where's the register?"
"Check it, let's see how old he really is."
The Jingyang County Magistrate immediately ordered someone to check the records.
Ning Que looked helpless, patiently explaining: "This Prince appreciates everyone's good intentions. However, the Three Guards' training is too arduous, and they will have to go to the battlefield in the future. Everyone, listen to this Prince's command."
"Those with wives but no sons, step forward!"
"Those with fathers, sons, or brothers all serving in the army, step forward!"
"Only sons in their families, step forward!"
"..."
After waiting for a long time, no one stepped forward.
Samuer watched blankly.
She could understand Ning Que's thoughts.
The Three Guards were not an iron rice bowl.
The pay was not high, and they had to go to the battlefield.
War meant death!
Think about the Battle of Yumen Pass three years ago.
Old Prince Ning's personal guards were all killed in action!
Jingyang County was draped in white mourning clothes, filled with cries.
Even coffins were sold out...
Ning Que truly did not want to see this scene again.
He just wanted to add numerous restrictions.
At the very least, he had to ensure they had descendants.
Even if they died on the battlefield, at least someone could take care of their parents.
Ning Que's eyes were already red.
He looked at the stubborn common people and sighed deeply.
What he feared most was seeing this scene.
After the Battle of Yumen Pass, he dared not come to Jingyang County. He was afraid these people would ask him if their sons fought bravely.
"You all should listen to His Highness."
"At least leave a successor for your own family."
"Even if it's not for the Three Guards, you can still serve His Highness."
Butler Fu couldn't help but interject, continuing: "His Highness has already decided how to recruit soldiers. You all should not cause trouble. Those who do not meet the requirements, please step forward voluntarily."
"..."
Everyone looked at each other.
Finally, some people left with their heads lowered.
And then more and more followed.
Ning Que waved his hand, signaling Iron Bull and the others to continue.
"Are you Liu Qin?"
"Wait, where's your Adam's apple?"
"I... I..."
The County Magistrate flipped through the register, looking at the person in front of him in surprise, "This Magistrate has met Liu Qin. I remember he had an accident on the mountain last year. What's going on with you?"
With that, he waved his hand.
Someone stepped forward and removed the person's hat.
Long, dark hair immediately cascaded down.
It was truly a beautiful woman!
"Sir, I was wrong!"
"And what's going on with you?"
Ning Que looked helpless.
What kind of situation was this?
Was this going to be a Mulan-like story of a daughter joining the army in her father's place?
The young girl looked flustered and quickly said: "My brother has a leg ailment, so he definitely can't become a personal guard. So he asked me to disguise myself as a man and join the army in his place. Your Highness, I have also practiced martial arts since I was young, I can also join the army!"
"That's enough."
Ning Que looked helpless, waving his hand: "You go back. For a woman to disguise herself as a man and join the army, this is a serious crime. Explain it clearly to your brother, tell him to recover well and not to rush. If your family has any problems, you can send someone to find this Prince."
"Alright..."
Ning Que looked at her and smiled helplessly.
The Liu family of Jingyang County was still quite famous.
He remembered that his father had once brought him to Jingyang County for an award ceremony and specifically mentioned the Liu family. He said they were brave soldiers with outstanding military achievements, fearless of death. Their father was surrounded and captured by Western Liang people; he bit through a rope with his teeth to escape. Without food or water, he relied on his two legs to travel hundreds of miles back to the army camp. At that time, both his legs were already festering, but he stubbornly persevered.
"Good, thank you, Your Highness."
Samuer looked forward along the line.
At this moment, the number of people was not decreasing but increasing.
Jingyang County was merely a county seat.
Yet so many people wanted to become members of the Three Guards.
Compared to them, Western Liang was far inferior.
Western Liang was ultimately just a small country.
Although its territory was vast, its population was not large.
Even if everyone became a soldier, it couldn't compare to Great Feng.
The crucial factor was morale!
Seeing these soldiers eager to enlist, Samuer knew that Ning Wang Three Guards would soon be re-established. For Western Liang, this was not good news.
Moreover, Ning Que would be even more difficult to deal with!
Ning Que was very talented and handled matters flawlessly. Compared to the upright Old Prince Ning, Ning Que was more cunning.
Think about Gu Yuan's fate?
He was tormented by Ning Que to the point of wishing he were dead!
And he couldn't even retaliate.
"Iron Bull, continue according to the rules."
"Those who do not meet the requirements will not be recruited."
"Yes, sir!"
Iron Bull nodded.
Ning Que had very high requirements for the Three Guards.
Age, height, and weight were all rigid requirements.
In addition, they had to have a certain foundation in martial arts.
The Three Guards were not just for show.
They would have to fight for their lives on the battlefield in the future!
His high demands now were to ensure fewer casualties.
"How do you feel, Princess?"
"Quite good." Samuer looked at the long queue, "It seems His Highness intends to select carefully, taking the path of elite soldiers."
"Naturally."
"However, I'm afraid it won't be enough, will it?" Samuer narrowed her eyes, pointing into the distance: "With His Highness's requirements so high, the Three Guards might not even be able to gather enough people."
"They alone are not enough."
Ning Que laughed.
"Only a small portion of them have fought in battles."
"Most of them aren't even centurions."
"They don't understand troop deployment at all."
"After recruiting them, they will only be at the grassroots level."
"Then, selecting some elites from the Yulin Army, plus the Prince's Estate's household generals, will be temporarily sufficient. Afterwards, they will be gradually promoted based on their performance."
"Impressive."
Samuer showed a hint of surprise, looking at Ning Que and sighing: "If only you were a Western Liang person. To be so fully prepared in such a short time."
"I've been preparing for three years already."
Ning Que said lightly.
He seemed to have done nothing in the past three years.
But in reality, many things had been secretly prepared.
Commanding an army was not an easy task.
One had to select suitable talents and cultivate them.
At the very least, they had to achieve strict obedience.
They had to understand military orders and recognize military flags.
"The Princess is a smart person."
"You should know why I was willing to bring you to see this."
"Since the alliance treaty has been signed, please ensure Western Liang abides by the rules."
"Don't worry."
Samuer smiled.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to start a war.
After coming to Chang'an this time, she only then realized how vast the difference between the two countries was. The two countries had been at war for many years, and Western Liang often gained some advantages, but the price paid was too great!
In contrast, Great Feng was vast and rich in resources.
Even if they suffered a defeat, so what?
After two or three years of recuperation, they could make a comeback!
After so many years of fighting, Western Liang was merely struggling to hold on.
Samuer looked at the people of Jingyang County in the distance.
She knew that Ning Que was not boasting.
The famous Ning Wang Three Guards would soon be rebuilt!