Jingyang, drill ground.
"Everyone, start running!"
"Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for an hour."
"If you don't suffer in peacetime, you'll die on the battlefield."
"The Prince said that as long as no one dies, this commander can train you to your limits. If any of you can't take it, you can step forward now. To become one of the Prince's Three Guards is an unparalleled honor. If you don't have the ability, leave early. There are plenty of others who want to join."
Bai Yu's face was dark as he cracked his whip.
Dust filled the drill ground.
The soldiers, clad in full armor and carrying weapons, ran like mad. Each one was breathless and drenched in sweat. Some ran to the side, constantly vomiting. After vomiting, they dared not stop and continued to run like mad.
After running for more than ten laps, they moved on to the next exercise. They crossed several trenches and then crawled under barbed wire. When they breathlessly reached the archery target, Wang Ergou was already waiting there.
"You are using a three-stone strong bow."
"Each person has five arrows, and the target is thirty paces away."
"You must hit at least two!"
"Start now!"
Those at the very front had already begun to draw their bows.
However, after the physical exertion, everyone was extremely tired, and even drawing the bow was difficult. Even if they managed to draw it, it was hard to maintain accuracy. Arrows flew wildly, most of them missing the target. Fortunately, there were also trained strong men who successfully passed the test.
But, it wasn't over yet!
Those who passed the test mounted their horses. They galloped along a marked path, and along the way, colored sandbags would be thrown. They had to perform various maneuvers on horseback to evade them.
After finally enduring this stage, they were met by the military elites. They all held wooden sticks, and the next step was one-on-one combat.
These elites were all household retainers from the manor, trained by Iron Ox himself, and now served as Ning Que's personal guards. When the two sides engaged, these exhausted strong men all fell to the ground within ten rounds. Each one was bruised and swollen, struggling even to stand up.
"Unqualified, continue!"
Iron Ox coldly waved the flag.
They then scrambled back to Bai Yu.
...
"These people are truly not easy."
"With this kind of training, we'll need to prepare more medicinal herbs."
"For daily meals, it's best to add locust powder."
Chang Baicao, from a distance, couldn't help but say, "It's just too easy for accidents to happen, we need to find more physicians. I know a few, but I don't know if they'll agree."
"Then I'll trouble Uncle Chang."
"This training method, I've truly never seen before."
"Is the Prince not afraid of over-training them to the point of uselessness?"
"No."
Ning Que was very firm, explaining, "Three minutes on stage, ten years of practice off stage. They go to the battlefield to risk their lives, not to play house. I'd rather they get injured now and give up and go home, than for them to die on the battlefield."
"The Prince is not easy either..."
Chang Baicao couldn't help but sigh softly.
He could say he had watched Xiao Ning grow up.
Back then, Ning Que was a handful.
Always causing trouble and mischief.
At that time, Ning Que was very happy; he never had to worry about family matters. He had three elder brothers, so he didn't have to worry about the future of the Prince's manor.
But later...
Ning Que seemed to grow up overnight.
He followed Old Princess Ning's arrangements and obediently married his wife.
Ning Que seemed cynical, but he inherited Old Prince Ning's bravery and wisdom, and he was extremely kind to the common people. His current diligent training was also to ensure these people could return home alive.
"The ones who aren't easy are them."
Ning Que smiled and picked up his teacup.
Ever since he sent Samuer out of the pass, he had begun training the Three Guards. He rested at the ancestral home in Jingyang every day, supervising training before dawn. The elites he had carefully selected had also arrived one after another.
"The Liao envoy arrived in Chang'an the day before yesterday."
"I heard they've already broken off talks with the Ministry of Rites."
"Liao's attitude is very strong; they've come to cause trouble."
"Is there going to be another war...?" Chang Baicao lowered his head and sighed softly, "To subdue the enemy without fighting is truly the best strategy!"
"Uncle Chang, some wars must be fought."
"If we don't beat them into submission, there will be no peace!"
"Xiao Ning is right."
"Hmm?!"
Ning Que turned around and saw a pot-bellied middle-aged man standing before him. He was dressed lavishly, and the golden silk and jade belt at his waist were worth a fortune; every gesture exuded nobility.
"Wan... Senior Brother Wan?!"
"Haha, Little Junior Brother!" Wan Sanqian spread his hands, smiling proudly, "No, I should call you Prince now. It's been five years since we last met."
"Senior Brother, don't make fun of me with that."
"You and I will always be fellow disciples; there's no need for formalities."
Ning Que smiled slightly, stood up, and introduced, "Uncle Chang, this is my senior brother from when I studied in Kunlun, named Wan Sanqian."
"Haha, Divine Doctor Chang Baicao, I've long admired your reputation." Wan Sanqian smiled and stepped forward, complimenting, "Don't listen to Xiao Ning's nonsense; I don't have the ability to be a formal disciple, just a registered one. It's just that I started earlier, so he calls me Senior Brother, but in reality, how could I have that qualification...?"
"Wan Sanqian?"
"You are... the owner of Eight Treasures Company?!" Chang Baicao was stunned, exclaiming, "The Wan Sanqian, known as the richest man in the world, whose wealth rivals a nation's?"
"Hehe, that's right."
Chang Baicao was completely petrified.
Who didn't know the name Wan Sanqian?
This man enjoyed traveling everywhere, doing business wherever he went. He applied business tactics with masterful skill, controlling the economic lifelines of many countries.
Furthermore, Wan Sanqian was famously benevolent and charitable. He often disguised himself to provide relief to the poor. Countless people had benefited from his kindness. With great wealth and power, and widespread connections across the land, he could be said to have influence in both the righteous and illicit circles. Jianghu wanderers, greenwood outlaws, skilled craftsmen... if he asked for help, countless people would assist him without expecting anything in return.
"However, I am not the richest man."
"If we're talking about the richest, it has to be my junior brother."
Wan Sanqian looked at Ning Que with a beaming smile, "Eight Treasures Company could not be what it is today without Xiao Ning's guidance behind the scenes. On the surface, I am the owner of the company, but in fact, many decisions come from Xiao Ning."
"This?!"
Chang Baicao's face showed surprise.
Goodness, he was hiding it so deeply?
He didn't even know!
"Don't listen to my Senior Brother's nonsense." Ning Que waved his hand, "I merely offered a few simple suggestions. By the way, Senior Brother, do you have any news about Liao?"
"Hehe, there's too much!"
"Senior Brother, please sit first."
"Qingfeng, pour tea."
"This must be the immortal tea you mentioned in your letter, right?" Wan Sanqian picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and immediately showed delight, "Xiao Ning is still as before, always full of brilliant ideas..."
With that, he put down the teacup.
He looked at Ning Que with extreme seriousness.
"One thing I can confirm!"
"Liao is preparing for a large-scale military deployment!"