Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 452 Inspection (Part 4)

Song Dalang reassured his father honestly, "That's just how Commander Pei is. It would be strange if he didn't beat people up in the training ground one day. It's not like he's specifically targeting the Pingyang Army!"

The phrase "our Commander Pei" came out so naturally.

General Song couldn't help but glance at Song Dalang.

Song Dalang grinned and said in a low voice, "The Emperor has indeed shown my father some respect today. Usually, when our personal guards are training, the Emperor personally takes charge. Don't be fooled by the Emperor's gentle words; when it comes to fighting, Commander Pei is no match for the Emperor's ruthlessness."

General Song was somewhat shocked: "You mean, the Emperor personally drills his personal guards every day?"

Song Dalang nodded and sighed: "Yes. Every day at dawn we go to the training ground and practice for an hour before going to court. After finishing our political affairs, we also go to the training ground. In the evenings we study, and whenever the emperor is free, he will personally teach us. When he is not free, he will ask Prime Minister Pang, Minister Qin, and Minister Meng to take turns teaching us. What I have learned in the past six months is more than I have in the previous twenty years."

These are not personal guards; they are clearly military generals personally trained by the emperor.

General Song paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "I will go and ask the Emperor to send your second and third brothers to the Imperial Guard as well."

Song Dalang was both amused and exasperated: "This is inappropriate. Father, please don't speak rashly."

That's really inappropriate. It's like having the emperor teach your sons. Teaching one is one thing, but two or three? Isn't that just taking advantage of someone else?

General Song thought it over and over, then said with a regretful expression, "Very well, let's wait until you've become capable before we talk about it."

In the other military tent, Pei Yan was complaining, "These Pingyang army generals are such useless trash. They're not even as good as Song Dalang!"

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "Song Dalang is already the most outstanding among the young generals of the North. How come in your mouth he's only slightly better than a piece of trash?"

Pei Yan retorted confidently, "Am I wrong? Civil officials rely on their talent and learning to establish themselves, while military generals rely on their personal bravery, don't they? If you're useless, what kind of good soldiers can you lead? If one soldier is useless, the whole army will be useless!"

“The Pingyang Army is actually quite good,” Pei Qinghe said calmly. “You’ll see for yourself.”

Pei Yan couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder you want to inspect all the military camps in the north. Such an army can only kill bandits and outlaws. I'm afraid it can't defeat the Imperial Guard or the Jiangnan militia. Let alone fight the Xiongnu barbarians."

Pei Yan was well aware of Pei Qinghe's lofty ambitions. To truly eliminate the external enemy, they needed to lead a truly elite army into the grasslands. Relying solely on the Pei family army was insufficient.

“The real elite troops in the Pingyang Army are General Song’s personal guard,” Pei Qinghe said in a low voice. “I paid special attention today, and there are about a thousand of them. If General Song can train his troops diligently and produce another two or three thousand of these elite soldiers, they can be of use in the future.”

He paused for a moment, then continued, "General Song is a smart man. Today, you and I played the good cop and the bad cop, and he must know what's going on. He will then focus on training the troops."

Therefore, this is also an important reason why Pei Qinghe wanted to personally inspect the military camp. No matter how many words are spoken, nothing is as effective as coming in person and using absolute military force to crush and intimidate people's hearts.

"Starting tomorrow, you will lead the Imperial Guard and the soldiers of the Pingyang Army in drills." Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with light: "Let the Pingyang Army see what true elite troops are!"

Pei Yan grinned: "Okay!"

……

Pei Qinghe stayed in the Pingyang military camp for ten days. During these ten days, Pei Yan led his personal guard battalion and the Pingyang army in daily drills. Their military bearing was impeccable, and their physical strength and endurance were astonishing. They would train for an entire day at a time.

His own young general, Song Dalang, was also training hard every day in the Emperor's personal guard camp. The generals in the Pingyang army had no choice but to grit their teeth and train with him, and then they had to endure Commander Pei's merciless ridicule every day.

During this period, a troop formation drill was also held. Each side fielded five small battalions of one hundred men, forming their own defensive formations to fight against each other. As a result, the Pingyang army suffered repeated defeats, losing both face and reputation. Not only was General Song utterly humiliated, but even the previously stubborn military officers were ashamed and vowed in private to train relentlessly to create truly elite troops.

On the tenth day, Pei Qinghe once again proposed a sparring match: "I've heard that General Song's personal guard is an elite force. How about we each send two hundred of our personal guards for a sparring match today?"

General Song roused himself and agreed, personally selecting two hundred elite troops.

Pei Yan was eager to fight, but Pei Qinghe stopped her: "Don't make a move today. Song Dalang, come here."

Song Dalang obeyed the order.

Pei Qinghe looked at Song Dalang: "You have been by my side for more than half a year. Today, you will lead two hundred personal guards to have a match with the elite of the Pingyang Army. Let me see your abilities. And let General Song see how much benefit his son has gained by becoming the emperor's personal guard."

Pei Yan didn't interrupt, only giving a threatening glance and shaking her solid fist.

If you lose, you're dead!

Song Dalang straightened his back and loudly replied, "Your Majesty, please witness how I break through the enemy's formation and defeat them!"

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Very well, I'll be watching!"

In the ensuing match, both sides were giving it their all.

Song Dalang wanted to win spectacularly, while the Pingyang army wanted to win back some territory and save face for their general; the atmosphere was tense from the start. Even with wooden swords and spears, in the fierce fighting, some were hit and fell to the ground, quickly being carried off.

General Song was the most nervous, his eyes fixed on the surging soldiers fighting on the field. He hoped the Pingyang army would win, but he also wanted to see his son shine, his feelings were very conflicted.

After an hour of intense fighting, the Emperor's personal guard won the competition with an absolute advantage!

General Song looked ashamed: "The Emperor's Personal Guard is truly formidable! This humble general admits his inferiority!"

Pei Qinghe laughed and said, "General Song's personal guards were defeated by his own young general. He should be convinced of their defeat now!"

General Song's brows relaxed and he smiled.

Just then, a fast horse galloped into the Pingyang military camp, delivering the latest battle report from Liaoxi City to Pei Qinghe. After reading it, Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, then handed the report to General Song: "This is a battle report sent by Li Chi. General Song, please take a look."

General Song was overjoyed upon seeing the report: "General Li has won a great victory! The Xiongnu barbarians have been driven away. They didn't even have time to take the looted money and grain with them."

Pei Qinghe was very pleased: "In the past, the Liaoxi Army was good at defending cities and dared not go out to fight, and suffered repeated defeats. Now, Li Chi was able to lead the troops to drive away the Xiongnu barbarians, which shows that the morale of the Liaoxi Army has been restored!"

"General Song, elite troops need to be trained, but they are also forged in battle."

General Song's heart stirred, and he looked at Pei Qinghe: "If there is a war, please ask the Emperor to send the Pingyang Army as the vanguard!"

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "There will surely come a day when General Song will lead the vanguard to defeat the enemy!"

(End of this chapter)