"The breakfast is all ready, how come no one from the camps has come to pick it up? Little Hill, go take a look what's going on?" the head chef said.
"Yes."
Not long after, "Captain, they, they..."
"Take a breath first, speak slowly."
Little Hill took a deep breath, and after calming down: "Captain, He Lianyu and the others are being chased around the camp to run laps by the new general, who said they may have to run until noon."
"That long?"
"That's right, I went over to take a look, good gracious, that female general was holding a long whip behind them, whipping anyone who slowed down, it was miserable."
"Gong Xiaohua didn't come today?"
"She came, and was whipped even more miserably."
"Ah, no way." The other chefs stopped what they were doing and gathered around in disbelief.
"Absolutely true. Gong Xiaohua, while running, was cursing the whole time, and the more she cursed, the more fiercely she was whipped. It was quite amusing."
"Well, we made breakfast for nothing today, let's put it aside for now and make extra for their lunch later. Let's all disperse for now."
"Yes."
After running 10 laps, the soldiers all collapsed limply on the spot.
As for He Lianyu and the other young masters, who had only run halfway, they also wanted to stop and rest for a bit, but just as they were about to lie down, they heard that hair-raising clip-clop of hooves behind them.
"Young Master, let's keep running, I heard from my second cousin's little brother-in-law that this woman killed people at Xiongshan Pass without blinking an eye. That fierce General Gao, you all know about him, right? I heard he violated military rules and was shot dead by her on the spot. My aunt specifically came to my house to repeatedly advise me not to cause trouble in the camp."
The devilish voice came from behind them, and everyone's backs stiffened as they hurried to stand up again, supporting each other as they continued running forward.
The people who had finished 10 laps did not leave either, and sat in place to enjoy the sorry state of the young masters, when would they ever have this opportunity!
The young masters, under Gong Xiaohua's whipping, persisted in running another 5 laps. He Lianyu only felt his legs were like a thousand pounds, the world spinning around him. If he kept running, he would have to give up his life here today, so he steeled his heart, lay down on the ground and said, "I'm not running anymore, beat me to death I still won't run." His previously arrogant and noble young master demeanor was completely gone.
Seeing this, the others also lay down, looking utterly exhausted and on the verge of death.
Seeing this, Gong Xiaohua also knew these people had reached their limit, if they kept running they would faint.
"Morning drill ends here for today. Starting tomorrow, those who are late again will not be whipped, but will be punished according to military law. Did you hear that clearly?"
"Heard clearly."
"Louder."
"Heard clearly!"
"Very good, dismissed."
Hearing they were dismissed was like heavenly music to their ears. They scrambled like rabbits released from cages, their souls returning to their bodies, and headed straight for the barracks canteen.
"Quick, quick, I'm starving to death!"
"Old Zhu, hurry up, bring out anything edible for us brothers!"
Head chef Older Zhu immediately ordered his subordinates to bring out the prepared lunch, but as soon as they carried out a bucket, it would be snatched up and emptied. In the end, nearly 100 buckets of rice were completely devoured, not even the soup dregs were left.
Everyone looked at Older Zhu.
Older Zhu?? The food they usually disdained as unfit for dogs was now so popular.
Seeing everyone staring at him with wide eyes, he had never felt so much attention before.
"Where's the rice? There's nothing left?" A tall and burly man, holding his rice bowl, looked at the empty food buckets and said in distress. He had only eaten half his fill!
"No, no more left." Older Zhu said.
"Captain, the breakfast is still over there, should we bring it out for them?"
"Why didn't I think of that, quick, bring it all out."
When He Lianyu's group came over, everyone spontaneously gave up their seats.
"Older Zhu, quickly serve us the lunch."
When the chef brought each of them a bowl of clear rice porridge, two steamed buns, and a small plate of pickles, everyone was dumbfounded. What was this? Pig feed?
"Older Zhu, are you looking to get whipped? How dare you serve us this kind of food."
"No, Young Master, everyone, this is...you all came too late, the earlier food was snatched up by them, this is all that's left now." Older Zhu had a pitiful look on his face as he answered.
In the past when they came to the camp they would leave after finishing morning drills, and have lunch at restaurants outside. How would they ever come here?
He Lianyu and the others were stunned.
Today a she-devil came and not only did they get a beating, now they had to endure such coarse food.
Looking around at those soldiers guarding their bowls like protecting their calves, humph, how shameless.
"I'm not eating, let's go."
Just as they stood up, their stomachs rumbled loudly. So hungry!
"Young Master, I think I'll eat a little, I'm feeling dizzy."
"Me too, too hungry, can't walk anymore."
"Young Master, you should eat some too, don't starve yourself."
"That's right, Young Master, I have to say, this coarse food is quite tasty to eat."
"Then I'll try some?"
"Please try it." Older Zhu hurriedly handed chopsticks to He Lianyu, fawning over him.
And so the group of young masters had the most destitute meal of their lives for the first time.
And as expected, they will have hundreds, thousands more such meals awaiting them in the future.
What's more, beyond their expectations, they will later relish such meals with gusto, and become connoisseurs of coarse fare.
Gong Xiaohua returned to the military camp, and General Yang led her to the general's tent.
After the two handed over duties, she began to formulate training plans for the camp, as well as training arrangements. The lunch brought in from the canteen was left untouched for a long time.
"Xiaohua, ever since you came back from outside, you've been writing nonstop. Have some lunch first, the rest can wait."
"Let me finish this soon, it's almost done."
Li Zichen came to Gong Xiaohua's side and saw she was still drafting the military camp's training plan.
Most of the training methods and time arrangements were similar to Xiongshan Pass. She added two items of field combat training, survival training, and a weekly martial arts instruction.
"The training items are a bit different from Xiongshan this time."
"Mm, last time at Xiongshan we only had concentrated training because of the short time and large number of people. This time there are fewer soldiers at Xiyuan, and we don't know how long we'll be staying, so I plan to turn them into an elite force."
"Can they do it? After all most of them are the sons of influential families and some are cast offs from other armies."
"Everyone has their own strengths. After running dozens of laps today, their limit is better than I imagined. With training, they will certainly improve."
"Uncle, please have someone notify the regimental commanders to come over."
"Alright, I'll also have someone reheat your meal."
"Thanks." I am rather hungry.
Soon after, the regimental commanders came together. Seeing the new general frowning at something unknown.
The few were extremely nervous, afraid she would "go on a killing spree" again without warning, and were scared witless, shouting in unison: "General!"
"Mm, everyone please sit."
"Thank you General, may I ask why you have summoned us?" They were relieved that she didn't fly into a rage. While eating lunch, they heard everyone talking about how she killed General Gao and whipped the prince of Wei, they were terrified.
"Commanders must understand there can be no order without rules. The country has its laws, the military has its regulations. I hope commanders will discipline your regiments properly from now on."
"Yes, General. But some of them...have too high status, we don't dare to discipline them."
"You mean He Lianyu?"
"Yes."
"If they disobey and violate military regulations, punish them according to the rules."
"Yes, General."
"Also, this is Military Advisor Li. You can consult the Advisor on military and political matters in the future."
"Yes."
The regimental commanders also exchanged greetings with Li Zichen.
"We'll be relying on Advisor Li from now on."
"No need to stand on ceremony, I hope the commanders will give me guidance as well."
At this time, head chef Older Zhu reported from outside, "Advisor Li, I've brought the general's re-heated meal."
"Please come in."
Seeing this, the others took their leave one by one.
Notification at the training ground:
"5 km cross-country run at 7am, obstacle training at 9am, climbing training at 11am, weekly extreme training, wilderness survival, what's this about martial arts?..."
"What is all this about extreme training and obstacles? I've never heard of such things."
"Those who do not comply will be caned thirty times. Those who offend more than three times will be expelled from the army."
"This she-devil clearly wants to work us to death!"
