“Bai Yu, Centurion of the Yulin Army!”
“Wang Ergou, Centurion of the Yulin Army!”
“Yelü He, Patrol Inspectorate Officer!”
“…”
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Warhorses arrived quickly, one after another.
They dismounted and bowed to Ning Que.
They were elites carefully selected by Ning Que.
Some were from the Yulin Army, others from the Patrol Inspectorate.
There were also palace officials and charioteers.
Emperor Feng had granted him immense power.
He could choose anyone he fancied.
No need to ask for instructions!
Nor did he need approval!
Ning Que had also made his selections carefully.
Some of these individuals he had cultivated in advance.
For example, Bai Yu, who came from a military family; his father was Old Prince Ning's personal guard. He himself was diligent enough to win the championship in military competitions, successfully entering the Yulin Army. For the past two years, he had been conscientious and never made a mistake.
Not just in martial arts.
Bai Yu's dream was to become a general!
To lead ten thousand cavalry, capturing cities and territories!
Therefore, Bai Yu would read military books in his spare time. He was also skilled at training soldiers and was known for his impartiality in the army. His troops were the elite of the Yulin Army's elites and were quite famous.
When Emperor Feng heard that Ning Que wanted to take Bai Yu, he was quite reluctant. After all, Emperor Feng intended to promote Bai Yu, thinking of appointing him as a general of the Yulin Army in the future.
“It’s good that you’ve arrived.”
“First, go to Butler Fu to register.”
“Understood.”
Bai Yu walked at the very front.
Being chosen for the Three Guards already proved their capability. Each person was carefully considered and finalized by Ning Que.
They each had their own specialties.
A crucial part of becoming the Three Guards.
Take Bai Yu, for instance; he was best at training soldiers.
Because he was extremely strict, they called him King Yama.
But not a single soldier under him was unconvinced.
He was quite famous in the Yulin Army.
With him training soldiers in the future, Ning Que would be at ease.
And there was Wang Ergou.
This young man came from a hunter's background.
Emperor Feng once went hunting and accidentally encountered him. Wang Ergou had been skilled at archery since childhood, never missing a shot within fifty paces. He was proficient in camouflage and tracking, often pursuing large prey. And because he had trained some hunting dogs, he was also half a veterinarian, having a small reputation in the surrounding ten miles.
Ning Que chose him precisely because he valued these skills. His Three Guards were meant to go on the offensive in the future, not just defend. At such times, there needed to be scouts skilled at tracking enemies, at least capable of leading them through the vast grasslands.
As for the others, they all had their unique strengths.
Because Ning Que only brought elites.
Naturally, he required them to be multi-talented.
Ning Que rebuilt the Three Guards with the goal of expanding territory. Currently, Great Feng's target was the Liao Kingdom, whose royal court was a thousand li away from Yanmen Pass. If they launched a large-scale attack, logistics and supplies would be a major problem. But if they brought too few troops, they could easily be encircled and annihilated…
The solution was to streamline the army.
Everyone should be able to perform multiple roles!
Moreover, having more skills is always better; the more one knows, the better.
“Bai Yu.”
“Your subordinate is here.”
“From now on, you will be this Prince’s Commander of the Winged Guards, responsible for managing the Winged Guards.” Ning Que handed over the jade token, smiling, “This Prince’s requirement for you is simple: in the shortest possible time, make these new recruits courageous!”
“Your subordinate obeys!”
Bai Yu took the jade token.
The front was carved with the character ‘Yi’ (Wing), and the back had a wolf's head.
“Wang Ergou, from now on, you will serve as the Commander of the Merit Guards.”
“Iron Ox, you will be this Prince’s Commander of the Personal Guards!”
The commanders of the Three Guards were decided by Ning Que long ago.
Among them, the Personal Guards were the most important of the Three Guards.
Normally, the Three Guards were responsible for protecting Ning Que.
When battles were intense, the Merit Guards and Winged Guards would be dispatched.
Only then would the Personal Guards be deployed.
The Commander of the Personal Guards not only had to be exceptionally capable.
More importantly, he had to be loyal enough!
Among them, Iron Ox was the one Ning Que trusted the most.
Ning Que looked at them, stood up, and bowed deeply.
“Your Highness?”
“You… what are you doing?”
“How can you perform such a grand ceremony for us?”
Ning Que raised his head and said seriously, “Over these years, the people of Jingyang have suffered greatly. In the Battle of Yumen Pass, Jingyang bled profusely. And in these years, I rarely came to Jingyang, which made you suffer.”
“Back then, my royal father lacked funds, so the Three Guards’ military pay was very low; every household could only grit their teeth and endure. Now, that won’t happen…” Ning Que clenched his fists, “The Three Guards’ military pay will only be slightly lower than the Yulin Army. Here, it’s about more work, more gain; I will never mistreat you!”
“Prince Ning!”
“Prince Ning!”
“Prince Ning!”
Led by Butler Fu, everyone cheered.
Ning Que merely smiled and nodded.
He was not refuting his royal father’s methods.
Rather, he believed that suffering should not be glorified.
Ning Wang Three Guards were not synonymous with hardship.
They fought for the country, traveling far and wide.
They deserved certain treatment.
The main reason was that he was not short of money now.
If he weren't worried about overstepping, Ning Que could have raised the military pay even higher; surpassing the Yulin Army would be no problem!
...
...
Bang!
Gu Yuan slammed his fist heavily on the table.
“Is the news true?”
“Yes.” His subordinate lowered his head, “I personally investigated the news; it can’t be wrong. Ning Que raised the Three Guards’treatment, and has already recruited over twenty thousand people. Most are locals from Jingyang, and the rest are military officials transferred from various regions.”
“Over twenty thousand people!”
Gu Yuan was furious, his teeth grinding.
He hadn't dared to leave his house these past two days.
All thanks to Ning Que, he had become the laughingstock of Chang’an City.
Privately, they all called him the “Shit-Spraying General”!
What about Ning Que?
Now he was famous throughout Chang’an.
And he had quickly assembled the Three Guards.
The number of people had already exceeded twenty thousand!
“Ning Que is truly impressive.”
“With a single word, he even took my people.” Gu Mingzhi held his cup, a cold expression on his face, “The Patrol Inspectorate is subordinate to the Prefect of the Capital, my subordinate, yet they were directly transferred without anyone even notifying me!”
“It’s nothing but relying on the Emperor’s favor.”
Gu Yuan spoke bitterly.
Such treatment truly made people envious.
The key was that the Three Guards had already been established!
Ning Que also controlled the tiger tally!
Western Liang had already made peace with Great Feng.
The most likely place for future conflict was the north.
For these past years, Feng Wuzhe had been guarding the north.
The Duke of Zhen of Great Feng, Ning Que’s maternal uncle.
The Liao Kingdom had been restless these past years.
Great Feng would definitely send troops!
Gu Yuan gripped his cup tightly.
Originally, he had hoped to lead troops into battle.
But looking at Emperor Feng’s attitude, it was clear he intended to support Ning Que.
Allowing him to form the Three Guards was to elevate him.
Moreover, Feng Wuzhe was Ning Que’s maternal uncle.
He would definitely assist Ning Que with all his might!
As for Gu Yuan?
Don't even think about it, there was no hope.
For a military general to climb the ranks, there was only one path.
War!
Without war, they would be completely dominated by the civil officials.
“Forget it…” Gu Mingzhi sighed deeply, “You and I are now targets of public criticism. The Emperor clearly wants to suppress us, thereby weakening Prince Qi’s influence. Son, I think it’s better to keep a low profile during this time. If we tear off the mask, the Gu Family will be completely abandoned.”
“Alright.”
Gu Yuan also nodded.
“Patriarch, Young Master!”
“Lin Xianhong is here again!”
“Hmm?”
Gu Yuan immediately frowned.
Lin Xianhong had been trying to enter the manor since yesterday.
However, he had rejected her every time.
He hadn't expected her to come again now!