Thinking like Liu Hengchang, there's not just one or two.
Half of the Personal Guard Camp are either old guards or younger generations from the Nanyang Prince Mansion. They are sincerely devoted to Prince Nanyang and equally loyal to the Commandery Princess.
The newly recruited guards over the past few years have more complicated thoughts. Most of them come from various counties of Nanyang County, aiming to achieve fame and fortune under Prince Nanyang. Who would have thought that the Prince would pass away early, and their master would become the Commandery Princess?
What can a ten-year-old girl do?
Military pay indeed hasn't been reduced at all.
But in the future, when the Commandery Princess gets married or brings in a husband, won't these loyal guards become idle layabouts?
Over the past year, the Commandery Princess has stayed home to mourn for the Prince, and this filial piety deserves everyone's respect. However, the fact that the Commandery Princess hasn't entered the military camp for a year has made everyone restless. Half a month ago, Commander Song even caught two gossipers and gave them a solid beating with the military baton.
The Commandery Princess's visit today eased the minds of the guards quite a bit. At least, for now, the Commandery Princess still cares about them.
As for the future, they'll deal with it when it comes!
Jiang Shaohua smiled and instructed, "General Qin, General Meng, General Liu, take the Third Camp and train them well. Those who perform bravely will be rewarded with a fine horse by me, the Commandery Princess."
The three of them are sixth-rank military officers, and the Commandery Princess calling them generals is indeed an honor.
A fierce light flashed in Qin Zhan's eyes, and he was the first to turn and shout to the guards, "Everyone, show your real skills. Whoever wins first place today, the Commandery Princess will reward with a fine steed!"
Everyone who practices martial arts loves horses. Hearing this, their spirits lifted, and they shouted loudly.
Dashan Meng, also a boisterous man, grinned and immediately encouraged his own camp of guards.
Liu Hengchang was unhurried and composed, first calling over a few subordinates to carefully arrange the troops.
In the Personal Guard Camp's martial arts drills, there are generally four stages. The first test is of strength, with a line of stone locks of varying weights set out in a row. It's straightforward with no tricks; the strongest wins.
The second test is horseback archery, where they shoot moving targets while riding; the one who hits the most wins.
The third is hand-to-hand combat, and the fourth is a combat formation test.
For the first three tests, each Personal Guard Camp selects twenty people. In the final test, all guards must participate. The guards were raring to go, nearly coming to blows to compete for spots.
Seeing the guards so noisy, Song Yuan was about to glare at them when Jiang Shaohua signaled him with a smile.
Song Yuan lowered his voice and said, "These rascals, if not controlled, would cause a huge commotion."
In truth, they still lack a sense of awe towards the Commandery Princess.
In the past, if the Prince just stood there, even if he said nothing, they wouldn't dare make such a fuss.
Jiang Shaohua understood this well and didn't mind, laughing softly, "Prestige must be built gradually. Uncle, don't worry, I have it under control."
Song Yuan thought quietly about the Commandery Princess's divine power and said no more.
Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, and a few other young personal guards looked on eagerly, nudging each other and winking.
Jiang Shaohua turned her head with a smile, "You all go and show your skills as well."
The Commandery Princess is truly understanding!
The guards were overjoyed, rubbing their fists in anticipation.
"You're all close guards stationed in the Prince Mansion," Jiang Shaohua said with a bright smile, "If you lose, not only will it disgrace Commander Song, but it'll also disgrace me, the Commandery Princess."
Qin Hu, full of confidence, puffed his chest, "Just wait and see, Commandery Princess!"
Meng Sanbao chuckled, "If we win, will the Commandery Princess reward us with a fine steed?"
These two young personal guards followed her into the capital in the previous life, protecting her safety. After Uncle Song Yuan's death, it was their loyalty that kept them by her side. In her heart, they were like family.
Jiang Shaohua looked at the youthful and exuberant boys, feeling happy and her lips curled up, "If you win, you'll also be rewarded with a fine steed!"
Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao beamed with happiness and eagerly went to participate.
...
Next, the Martial Arts Training Ground was bustling with excitement.
In the first test, sixty strong men took turns stepping forward, exerting all their strength to lift the heavy stone locks. The winner was Tao Da from the First Guard Camp.
This Tao Da wasn't very old, only twenty-two. He was even taller than Song Yuan by a head, dark and robust, standing like an iron tower. Jiang Shaohua stood before Tao Da, reaching only his waist, appearing especially slender and delicate.
"Commandery Princess, I don't want a horse, I want a good knife." Tao Da looked at the Commandery Princess with eager anticipation.
Qin Zhan chuckled, giving Tao Da a slap, "You big fool! The Commandery Princess rewards genuine fine horses! And you're being picky."
Tao Da didn't dodge, taking the slap without changing his expression, his voice buzzing, "I just like knives."
Most military men, who practice martial arts, think roughly. Tao Da, in particular, is notorious for being stubborn. In terms of skill, he should have been in the Prince Mansion long ago. However, his 'simple' nature made Song Yuan reluctant to see him, often passing him over when selecting personal guards.
Tao Da didn't mind. He just liked staying in the military camp, training daily, and following orders. How nice is it not to think!
Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly and turned to Song Yuan, "Uncle, reward him with your knife!"
Song Yuan was a master of the knife and used a thick-backed long knife made by skilled craftsmen, forged and tempered from the finest steel.
Without a second word, Song Yuan untied his knife and handed it to Tao Da.
Tao Da was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.
Even Qin Zhan, who previously called Tao Da a big fool, smiled, "The kid has good fortune."
Such a fine knife cannot be bought no matter how much silver you spend.
Tao Da contentedly held the treasure sword, while the guards nearby looked on with envy, their eyes red.
In the second test of horseback archery, everyone was full of energy, and even the birds in the sky suffered. An arrow to the throat was a lucky hit, and many were shot two or three times. The most unfortunate one got hit five times.
At the end of the count, the winner was from the Second Guard Camp.
This divine archer was about twenty years old. Each guard in the camp was practically a strong man, and although he wasn't tall or strong, his skin was fair, his appearance delicate and shy, "Thank the Commandery Princess for her reward."
Jiang Shaohua had no impression of him and became interested, "What's your name?"
The young man replied, "My surname is Tian, and I'm the fifth in my family. My family are hunters, and I've been using a bow since I was a child. Four years ago, when the Prince recruited personal soldiers, he offered a generous settlement, so I came."
No wonder he wasn't employed in the Prince Mansion. Song Yuan chose guards mostly from legitimate offspring. Those recruited from outside, no matter how skillful, are excluded from the list.
Meng Dashan added with a smile, "Xiao Tian is a good boy; he sends all his monthly pay back home."
Xiao Tian, flattered, explained bashfully, "My mother is seriously ill and needs medication. My older brothers are married and have families to support. I'm just a bachelor with nowhere else to spend money."
Then, he cautiously asked, "Commandery Princess, can I exchange the horse you reward for silver?"
Everyone: "..."