General Meng Dashan was the first to get angry and kicked Xiao Tian: "You bastard! How dare you sell the prized horse bestowed by the Commandery Princess? I'll twist your head off!"
Xiao Tian looked frail, but he was quite strong. Perhaps he was used to being kicked, as he remained steady and bowed his head to admit his mistake: "It's my fault."
Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "General Meng, don't be upset. I'm not angry."
Then, she softened her voice and said, "Xiao Tian, are you thinking about exchanging it for silver to treat your mother's illness?"
Tears welled in Xiao Tian's eyes. He didn't speak but nodded vigorously.
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and said, "You're an archer; you should have a good horse. Just keep it. Where do you live? What are your parents' names? Write them down and give them to Commander Song. I'll ask Doctor Sun from the mansion to visit and see your mother."
Xiao Tian trembled, then knelt with a thud, knocking his head on the ground three times: "Thank you, Commandery Princess! Thank you, Commandery Princess!"
The renowned doctors in Nanyang County often charged exorbitant fees for house calls. As an ordinary soldier, even if he saved enough, he couldn't afford them, let alone Doctor Sun from the Prince Mansion.
He was the imperial physician who attended to the Prince and Commandery Princess! A divine doctor from the apricot family!
His mother was saved!
Xiao Tian raised his head, eyes tinged with red: "From today, my life belongs to the Commandery Princess. I'll go through fire and water for her!"
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Practice your archery well; there will be plenty of opportunities to use your skills in the future. There's no need to go through fire and water. I will ensure everyone lives a good life."
A few short words stirred an intense emotion in Xiao Tian, making him want to offer his heart: "Yes, I will definitely practice my archery diligently from now on."
The trusted aides watching this scene were filled with pride and admiration.
The Commandery Princess truly is the Prince's granddaughter, matching him in generosity and grandeur.
Even those like Liu Hengchang, who were recruited later, felt warmth seeing Xiao Tian rewarded so generously. The Commandery Princess valued them, too.
Song Yuan's eyes carried a hint of amusement. The Commandery Princess, with her divine power, had changed significantly in temperament. A sword, a horse, and a few words were all it took to win over Tao Da and Xiao Tian, warming the hearts of all the trusted aides.
He really didn't need to worry about the Commandery Princess. She knew exactly what she was doing.
"It's already noon; everyone should have lunch first," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile. "Eat well, and then we'll have the third and fourth rounds."
The trusted aides responded enthusiastically in unison.
After a year of gloom, their morale was revived.
The meals in the Personal Guard Camp were always decent. At noon, there were two dishes, one meat, and one vegetarian, with unlimited rice. Today, as the Commandery Princess visited the camp, she had someone inform the kitchen to add extra dishes, and ten pigs were slaughtered.
Tao Da held a knife in his left hand, a bowl larger than his face in his right, half filled with rice and half with dishes. On top was a piece of braised pork as big as his palm, smelling delicious.
The trusted aides knew Tao Da was a simple guy and teased him with a playful smile: "Tao Da, the Commandery Princess's knife was for you; would you mind lending it to us for a day?"
Tao Da clutched the knife to his chest and focused on eating.
"Tao Da, the Commandery Princess is only half your height." Someone laughed and said.
Tao Da placed his bowl on the ground with a thud. Then, in full view, he stood up, grabbed the joker, swung him around forcefully, and threw him out.
Bang! The unfortunate aide hit the ground, dizzy, vomiting all over, even the fatty meat he had eaten came out.
Tao Da announced in a booming voice, "Whoever dares speak ill of the Commandery Princess, I'll beat him up."
The trusted aides laughed heartily, giving Tao Da a thumbs up.
As for the unfortunate joker who got beaten up, no one even spared him a glance.
...
At that moment, Jiang Shaohua was having lunch in the barracks.
The food on the table was the same as what the trusted aides ate, including cabbage and bean curd, a bowl of braised pork. There was also an added dish of shredded meat fried with vegetables and a dish of fried birds.
For the second round of the contest, 300 birds were released, and the kitchen didn't waste a single one, collecting them all. In the limited time, 20 were prepared, marinated, and double-fried in hot oil. The aroma was enticing, making one's mouth water.
At her insistence, Song Yuan accompanied her, and Qin Zhan Meng Dashan and Liu Hengchang sat at the lower end of the table.
The usually rough soldiers, who ate with loud manners, were now extra cautious, afraid that their crude dining etiquette would scare off the delicate, beautiful Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua didn't say much, eating one mouthful after another.
The others gradually felt something was off.
One bowl, then another, and another.
The four large dishes on the table quickly dwindled.
… Wait, can the Commandery Princess really eat this much?
Qin Zhan's eyes widened, "Isn't the Commandery Princess full yet?"
Meng Dashan forgot to lift his chopsticks in surprise: "The Commandery Princess shouldn't overeat."
Liu Hengchang, who was the newest with the least experience, remained silent, thinking to himself that after a year, the Commandery Princess seemed to have changed a lot.
"I can still eat more." Jiang Shaohua showed no signs of being full; in fact, she ate even more joyfully and casually invited her stunned uncle Song Yuan: "Uncle, this fried bird is delicious; you should try it too."
Song Yuan nodded instinctively and took a piece into his mouth.
The crispy skin and tender meat were indeed delicious.
Qin Zhan Meng Dashan exchanged glances and kept silent, picking up their chopsticks and increasing their eating speed.
After the meal, Jiang Shaohua took a stroll around the military camp.
To the others, it seemed like she had been away for only a year. But only she knew she hadn't been here for over twenty years. Today, stepping back, she felt a familiar strength slowly waking within her.
This 2,000-strong Personal Guard was her foundation and her confidence to stand tall.
Some truths are difficult to express; even stated clearly, not everyone is willing to listen.
No matter, when her fists are strong enough, everyone will naturally quiet down to listen to her voice.
Song Yuan and the others followed Jiang Shaohua, pondering as they strolled. The Commandery Princess ate more than a few burly men at noon; wasn't her stomach going to be overstuffed?
Jiang Shaohua stopped in front of a barracks and turned to the group with varied expressions: "I plan to build two more military camps. Separate the Three Elite Guard Camps, giving each a dedicated camp."
At these words, everyone's body tensed, and any minor thoughts vanished.
"Does the Commandery Princess plan to expand the Personal Guard?" Song Yuan was the first to ask.
Jiang Shaohua nodded decisively, "Yes."
Qin Zhan and the others' eyes lit up.
With the Three Elite Guard Camps, each camp had 600 people, with them each leading one camp. Although the military camp was large, internal competition among the camps sometimes created disharmony.
If three camps were established, each with its dedicated camp, and more recruits could join…
Men innately desire to make achievements. As military generals, they naturally wish for more soldiers under their command.
Qin Zhan restrained his excited emotions, lowered and softened his voice, "How many people does the Commandery Princess intend to recruit?"