Jiang Shaohua's eyes sparkled: "Recruit another two thousand soldiers." He added, regrettably: "With the financial resources of Nanyang County, we can only support that many soldiers."
Not just Qin Zhan and the others, even Song Yuan felt his blood boiling upon hearing this, and couldn't help but ask: "Why does the Commandery Princess suddenly want to expand the Personal Guard?"
Jiang Shaohua once again brought out the excuse of "Grandfather's dream": "...In the dream, Grandfather told me that after the drought followed by the locust plague, the coming years would be tough for the Northern States. Bandits and rebels are rampant, and those large families who have built Wu Castles are taking advantage of the situation to recruit refugees and strengthen their power. The court has no power to control such chaos."
"Our Nanyang County, situated at the junction of north and south, will also be affected. To ensure the safety of Nanyang County, we must have adequate military force."
"The combat strength of the Nanyang Garrison is mediocre. The current Left General is a person sent by the court, and he is not aligned with us. We cannot rely on him at critical moments."
"Therefore, we must expand the Personal Guard."
It was Song Yuan's second time hearing about "Grandfather's dream," so he naturally accepted this reasoning.
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan were both trusted and valued Personal Guards of the late Prince Nanyang and believed from their hearts that even in the afterlife, the Prince would protect Nanyang County.
Only Liu Hengchang slightly furrowed his brows, glancing at the young Commandery Princess.
It was quite a coincidence that Jiang Shaohua also glanced over.
Caught in the act, Liu Hengchang showed not a hint of guilt, speaking solemnly: "I dare to say a few unpleasant words."
"Four years ago, the court sent the Left General to take command of the Nanyang Garrison. In rage, the Prince expanded the Personal Guard from five hundred to two thousand men. The court was in the wrong first, and without justification to pursue it, they tacitly approved."
"Now, if the Commandery Princess wants to continue expanding the Personal Guard, if the court investigates, how should we deal with it?"
This question was quite pointed.
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan listened with some discomfort, simultaneously glancing at Liu Hengchang.
Song Yuan also turned his eyes over to him steadily.
Unchanged in expression, Liu Hengchang continued: "I am not intentionally making trouble. Although Nanyang County is the Commandery Princess's fief, under heaven, all land belongs to the king. If the Commandery Princess wants to build granaries to store grain, the court will not interfere. But if she wants to build a military camp to expand the Personal Guard, the court likely won't let it slide."
Jiang Shaohua, rather than getting angry, looked approvingly at Liu Hengchang: "General Liu is right. The most difficult part of this matter is deceiving the court."
By mentioning deception, Jiang Shaohua's stance was clear.
The military camp must be built, and the Personal Guard must be expanded.
As for how to "deceive" the court, that would require careful consideration.
Liu Hengchang poured more cold water on the plan: "Building a military camp is a major undertaking; doesn't it require labor? It's difficult to hide from the court!"
"Who said we need to recruit labor?" Jiang Shaohua raised a brow: "This year, Nanyang County and the other counties need to build granaries, starting after spring plowing; there's no extra labor available."
Liu Hengchang was puzzled: "Without recruiting laborers, how will the military camp be built?"
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan were also a bit confused and turned together to look at the Commandery Princess.
Song Yuan had a flash of inspiration, quickly exchanged a glance with the Commandery Princess, instantly understanding her intention, and said: "The Commandery Princess wants the Personal Guards to build the military camp themselves!"
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "The Personal Guard Camp has nothing else to do apart from training; isn't it natural for them to build their own camp?"
Upon thinking it over, Song Yuan found it made perfect sense. Eighteen hundred robust men, provided with three meals a day, and paid monthly, what was wrong with doing some hard labor?
Qin Zhan was the first to voice support: "The Commandery Princess is right. Not to mention anything else, our camp of six hundred men, each strong and reliable. Who dares to complain will be disciplined with the military cane."
Meng Dashan considered for a moment: "In that case, training will need to be suspended for the next few months."
Building a military camp requires heavy lifting of stones and timber, which is hard physical labor.
Jiang Shaohua nodded: "Once the location is chosen and construction begins, training will be halted. At that time, we'll have the kitchen slaughter a few pigs daily, make sure the dishes are rich and filling, so everyone can eat well."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Then, they heard the Commandery Princess adding: "During the day, everyone will work on the military camp, and at night, they'll spend an hour studying and learning characters."
The crowd: "..."
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan's faces twisted slightly. They were rough men, accustomed to wielding sabers and spears, doing manual labor was acceptable, but how could they be made to study and learn letters?
While they wished to learn, the characters didn't wish to know them!
Qin Zhan coughed, cautiously plastering a smile on his rugged face: "Commandery Princess, I'm a rough man, illiterate as a basketful. Perhaps let's skip the reading and writing."
Meng Dashan rubbed his fingers, smiling along: "Commandery Princess, I'm the same as Old Qin, not made for that."
Jiang Shaohua warmly changed her tone: "Uncle Qin, Uncle Meng, you are both in your prime. If the world truly plunges into chaos in the future, I will have to rely on you everywhere. Right now, it's enough to lead six hundred men with the military cane and prestige. But in the future, if you lead a thousand, two thousand, or even more?"
Whether it was the way she called them Uncle Qin and Uncle Meng that made their blood boil, or hearing about "two thousand or even more" inciting ambition, the faces of Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan both turned red.
Jiang Shaohua continued: "When it comes to personal skills, General Liu is no match for the two of you. However, the discipline of the Third Camp is the strictest and their formations are the strongest. In single combat, the First and Second Camps have many experts. But when it comes to full-scale drills, the victorious one is always the Third Camp."
"Haven't you ever wondered why that is?"
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan blushed again.
Liu Hengchang's face also turned a bit red.
He was a descendant of the Liu military family, with roots in scholarly pursuits, having studied military books and tactics from a young age. With many disciples from the Liu family, since he couldn't stand out, he sought a different path.
Four years ago, when Prince Nanyang recruited personal soldiers, he came to join upon hearing the news. Prince Nanyang personally assessed him, allowing him into the Personal Guard Camp, and within less than two years, he became Third Camp Commander because of his familiarity with military books and expertise in training formations.
Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan were direct Personal Guards of the Prince Mansion, brothers by bond, and had deep affection. Even unintentionally, the fact remained that he, an outsider, was intentionally or unintentionally marginalized.
After the Prince's death, with the young Commandery Princess, the mood within the military camp was unsettled, and he was no exception. Every man wanted to make his mark, but what future was there following a ten-year-old girl?
Moreover, Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan often spoke sarcastically, leaving him somewhat displeased.
Unexpectedly, the Commandery Princess exalted him like this directly in front of Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan!
"Commandery Princess, such praise is more than I deserve," Liu Hengchang steadied himself, deeply modest in tone: "Generals Qin and Meng far surpass me. Knowing my own shortcomings in personal skills, I concentrated my efforts on formations."
Qin Zhan, straightforward in nature, replied with a reddened face: "General Liu, don't tease us. Old Meng and I are both rough men and indeed should read some military books."
Meng Dashan thumped his chest: "We will follow the Commandery Princess's orders."
…