“What?!”
As Pei Ji’s words fell, the few people instantly turned pale with fright.
Yang Ran’s eyes widened foolishly, almost disbelieving his own ears.
Shen Jing is the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army?
He had just shown off to Shen Jing at the gate, and in the blink of an eye, he had become the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army?
Impossible!
Either Pei Ji made a mistake, or he was dreaming.
Shen Jing couldn't even tie a chicken, so why would he be the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army?
“What are you still standing around for?”
Pei Ji raised his eyes and scanned the stunned few, “Why aren’t you greeting your Commander?”
The others snapped back to reality and, somewhat bewildered, saluted Shen Jing: “Greetings, Commander!”
Only Yang Ran stood there like a fool.
Even now, his mind was still crashing.
“Yang Ran!”
Pei Ji’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Are you unconvinced, or did your father not teach you how to salute a superior?”
“No…”
Yang Ran struggled to collect himself, “Duke Qi, you haven’t made a mistake, have you? Isn’t he the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial? He… how could he be the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army?”
Even now, Yang Ran was unwilling to believe the reality before him.
Pei Ji’s gaze suddenly turned cold, “How about I give you a chance to go to the palace and ask the Emperor?”
“This humble general… wouldn’t dare!”
Yang Ran was full of embarrassment, and with a stiff upper lip, he saluted Shen Jing: “Greetings, Commander!”
Shen Jing simply nodded, then turned to look at Pei Ji, “How could the Emperor let such a big fool be a Commandant in the Dragon Martial Army?”
Listening to Shen Jing’s words, Yang Ran forgot his anger and just kept lamenting in his heart.
He didn't need to think twice to know that Shen Jing would definitely target him relentlessly later!
His days in the Dragon Martial Army would certainly be very difficult!
At this moment, Yang Ran was already having second thoughts.
“The Emperor is probably eliminating a menace for the people!”
Pei Ji smiled at Shen Jing, then his expression suddenly turned stern: “I don’t care if you are convinced or not, Shen Jing is the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army personally appointed by the Emperor. Anyone who dares to disobey military orders, when military law is enforced, it won’t matter who stands behind you!”
“Yes, sir!”
The few of them acknowledged the order in unison, their voices much louder.
“Alright, I won’t say anything more unnecessary!”
Pei Ji no longer wasted words, and said in a deep voice: “Although the Dragon Martial Army is newly established, the Emperor attaches great importance to it and has ordered me to personally oversee its formation.”
“The Dragon Martial Army’s military pay is the same as the City Guard, with a temporary strength of six thousand, all infantry!”
“I don’t care if you select from young and strong men performing corvée labor or recruit soldiers, within ten days, you must complete the formation of the Dragon Martial Army and set up a temporary camp at the old kiln site south of the city!”
“The Ministry of War will assist you, but the main tasks still need to be handled by yourselves!”
“I can give you a heads-up: next spring, the Emperor will personally inspect the Dragon Martial Army!”
“You probably have about three months to train the Dragon Martial Army!”
“If the training isn’t good, and I lose face, I don’t care who you are…”
Pei Ji had a smile on his face, but that smile was somewhat chilling.
After Pei Ji finished speaking, the few could only stiffly accept the order, but secretly groaned in their hearts.
They had to complete the formation of the Dragon Martial Army and build a temporary camp within half a month.
Wasn't this asking for their lives?!
Shen Jing couldn't help but suspect that they were deliberately putting pressure on him, trying to force him to show his true capabilities.
But the problem was, he truly didn't know much about marching and fighting!
His military theories were all learned from TV dramas in his previous life.
Afterward, Pei Ji gave some specific instructions, then let them go prepare, keeping Shen Jing alone.
“Have you noticed anything from the Emperor’s arrangement of generals, big and small?”
Pei Ji asked Shen Jing with the intention of testing him.
“Kindergarten, I guess!”
Shen Jing said casually.
“What?”
Pei Ji was puzzled.
Shen Jing chuckled, explaining: “I mean, the Emperor seems intent on cultivating a younger generation of generals.”
“Exactly!”
Pei Ji nodded, “Later, several young junior generals will report to the Dragon Martial Army. These people are all incredibly arrogant, whether you can keep them in line depends on your ability!”
“You really think highly of me!” Shen Jing said with a wry smile.
He had thought that once the Dragon Martial Army was established, it would be his own forces.
Now, it seemed that was not the case at all!
Given the family backgrounds of these generals, if he dared to have even a hint of rebellion, he would probably be chopped to pieces before he even left the camp.
“Nonsense! If the Emperor didn’t value you, would he let you be the Commander of the Dragon Martial Army?”
Pei Ji smiled at Shen Jing, “Oh, and I recommended Fan Qinghu to the Emperor. When he recovers from his injuries, have him report to the Dragon Martial Army as well, to serve as a Commandant first!”
“I thank Duke Qi on behalf of Fan Qinghu!”
Shen Jing felt a hint of comfort in his heart.
Hmm, at least there was one of his own now!
“He is a meritorious person, this is what he deserves!”
Pei Ji nodded with a slight smile, “Oh, there’s another thing. Just listen to it yourself; don’t spread it before it’s confirmed!”
As Pei Ji spoke, he lowered his voice and whispered to Shen Jing.
Using troops against the Qiang people?
Listening to Pei Ji’s words, Shen Jing couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.
Are they really going to war?
Holy crap!
The Emperor wasn’t brainwashed by him, was he?
Am I that talented?
“It’s only a possibility, not yet confirmed.”
Pei Ji said sternly: “I’m telling you this in advance so you have an idea!”
Shen Jing’s eyelids twitched, and he asked in a low voice: “If we use troops against the Qiang people, will the Dragon Martial Army be deployed?”
“It’s actually more about training troops!”
Pei Ji sighed softly: “We old fellows, some are old, some are sick! Many of the generals of the middle generation were actually very talented, but unfortunately, they were lost in the chaotic wars of previous years before they could fully mature! When it comes to your generation, we cannot repeat such things…”
Speaking of this, Pei Ji was filled with emotion.
In the chaotic wars of previous years, the greatest losses were among the sons and nephews of people like them.
These people had not accumulated military merits in their early years and only served in the army, so their official ranks were not high.
During major battles, these people led troops and charged to the front.
Many outstanding young talents were lost this way.
Although some people like Liang Jinzhong emerged during this period, they were, after all, a minority.
A few days ago, when Emperor Zhou was fully preparing for war, he suddenly realized that there was a significant generational gap among Great Zhou’s generals.
Therefore, when Emperor Zhou discussed matters with him a few days ago, he mentioned the idea of training troops.
Since it was about training troops, they would naturally pick the weakest target first!
Among the enemies surrounding Great Zhou, the Qiang people were undoubtedly the weakest.
If troops were used against the Qiang people, it might not be necessary to completely subdue them; it could very likely be a long-term, small-scale war of attrition.
This way, it would not consume too much grain and fodder, and it could achieve the goal of training troops.
Thus, if there were a major war in the future, these younger generation generals would at least have accumulated some experience, and the losses should be much smaller.
Of course, this was currently just an idea; whether to fight or not still depended on the specific situation.
If circumstances did not permit, the court would not seek trouble unnecessarily.
But regardless of whether they fought or not, the Dragon Martial Army must be prepared to fight!