That afternoon, Gong Xiaohua arranged for Li Zichen to be responsible for the construction of the training base in the camp. The materials used were mainly wood, with endless mountains and peaks outside the camp that could be used for on-site logging and direct harvesting of timber. The site was outside the camp with direct land reclamation, and manual labor was naturally the soldiers and officers of the camp.
After having lunch, Heir Apparent Yu and others went to the doctor and got some medicine to dissipate blood stasis. Gong Xiaohua had held back some force when whipping them, so it just looked shocking on the surface. There were actually just some whip marks without bleeding or torn skin. Still, these young masters were hurt enough to grit their teeth.
"Your Highness, you have to think of something. If we let her keep going like this, the good days for us brothers will be over."
"With just us few directly clashing against her, we definitely can't win. Why don't we ambush her on the way back to the city, and then..."
Before he could finish speaking, an order came from outside that the whole camp was to start land reclamation and build the training base in the afternoon.
"Should we go or not?"
"No."
But contrary to their wishes, the other party perversely sent people to check the camp. At this point, the identities of these young masters from prominent families were useless. The captain arrested people on the spot under the general's orders.
One by one, the lazy slackers were all reported to Gong Xiaohua. Not only were they arranged to do the heaviest work, but there were also people supervising them without giving them a chance to be perfunctory.
In the past, everyone regarded Heir Apparent Yu as their leader, and whoever wasn't actively currying favor with him. Yet after just one morning, Gong Xiaohua had deterred them. They were all turncoats.
"You traitors, spineless cowards. Just one whip from her and you're all too scared." Heir Apparent Yu scolded the soldiers escorting them.
The soldiers all lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye. They didn't want to either, but they were even more afraid of the female devil's whip. It was as if saying, go ahead and beat her if you can.
"What? You're not convinced?" Gong Xiaohua looked at them expressionlessly.
"So what if I'm not convinced? Let me tell you, don't be arrogant. Be careful or I'll make it so you can't stay in the capital anymore."
"I'll be waiting. But don't blame me for not warning you—before you gain absolute power to contend against me, it's best to restrain yourself. Otherwise, it will be you suffering physically, not me."
After speaking, her left hand slowly drew out the sword. The blade gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
Heir Apparent Yu and the others were so frightened that they retreated several steps, but still couldn't resist running their loud mouths: "You, what are you trying to do! Let me tell you, I'm His Majesty’s cousin. If you dare touch me, I can get you kicked out of the Xiyuan Army before tomorrow comes!"
"That would be tomorrow's matter. Today, I still have the final say. You can choose not to go, but my sword is blind."
"You! You! Damn you for being so vicious. Let's go!" He said, then picked up the tools next to him and shouted at his partners in crime.
Everyone else responded: You should be the one to toughen up your spine!
Gong Xiaohua thought: Scaring them a bit makes them quite obedient.
When Heir Apparent Yu’s group arrived at the destination and saw the wild grass taller than a person in front of them, as well as the tools in their hands called hoes, they looked at each other: "Do you know how?"
Everyone shook their heads.
By the first hour of you (5-7 pm), they finally finished a day of labor service. Although Heir Apparent Yu’s group didn’t get rid of much grass, they themselves were almost on the verge of collapse.
Born with golden spoons in their mouths, they had never done so much hard work before. By the time it was over, not only were they exhausted, but blisters had also formed on both hands from the intense pain. Let alone having the energy to ambush Gong Xiaohua halfway on the road back.
After barely making it back to Prince Chen's Residence with their weary bodies, they were nearly beaten out by the gatekeeper at the front entrance.
It was because at this time, not only was Heir Apparent Yu’s hair disheveled and messy, but his whole body was also covered in mud stains, and the clothes on his body could hardly be recognized from their original appearance. Anyone who saw him at first glance would mistake him for a beggar!
When the Concubine of Prince Chen received the news, she thought her son had been in another brawl with someone. She wondered who would dare lay hands on him—Prince Chen was His Majesty’s own brother, and Heir Apparent Yu was His Majesty’s cousin. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare provoke them.
After her son had washed up and she saw the whip marks on his body and the blisters on both hands, the Concubine of Prince Chen had a ferocious look on her face. "What boldness to actually harm you like this, darling A’Yu. Tell Imperial Mother who did this and see if I don't flay his skin off!"
When it was brought up, He Lianyu was full of grievances: "It was none other than that new she-devil female general!"
"Who?"
"That new Guangwei female general uncle Emperor just granted the title to. Relying on her high martial arts prowess, she abuses us over the smallest disagreement. She even bragged that as long as I'm under her command, I have to submit to her."
"The female general? The one who recently returned to the capital after winning a battle?"
"Yes, it's her."
"She may be a female general but there’s no need to fear her. It’s just that the Qin family behind her can’t be offended." The Concubine said with some hesitation.
"So my beating was for nothing? What if she beats me to death in the future? What am I supposed to do?" He Lianyu wailed dramatically, clearly putting on an act.
But the Concubine took it seriously upon seeing her precious son in such a sorry state. While they couldn't lightly offend the Qins, it should be fine to reprimand that Guangwei general a little, right?
"Stay home and recuperate these two days. I’ll go to the palace and see the Empress Dowager tomorrow."
The next day, as soon as it struck the hour of chen (7-9 am), all the soldiers of the Xiyuan Army had already begun their morning drills, except for some of the sons of prominent families who were absent.
Prolonged laziness caused these soldiers to lack perseverance. Long-distance running could not only temper their grit but also build up their physical fitness. Running 5 kilometers of cross-country every day was indispensable.
Of course, there were also many types of cross-country, using progressive cycling. Upon reaching a certain level, they would have to start weighted running to train speed.
Additionally, what was valued on an actual battlefield was being fast, accurate, and ruthless—defeating the enemy in one move was the most effective combat requirement. This demanded actual combat martial arts.
For martial arts, Gong Xiaohua planned to teach the renowned practical combat martial arts technique from the modern battlefield of her previous world, the "Breaking Edge Eight Saber Method", as well as the "S Nation Grappling Techniques" in the Xiyuan Army. These two martial arts techniques existed in wars for the purpose of killing enemies.
Learning these martial techniques skills was a necessary requirement for the entire army. Aside from these, archery and equestrian training were held in the camp every three days—these were also indispensable battlefield skills for a soldier.
Starting today, Gong Xiaohua would no longer train at the Qins’ in the mornings, but participate together with the Xiyuan Army’s officers and soldiers. Of course, most of her time was spent in the role of an instructor.
After today’s morning drills ended, she began to teach the Breaking Edge Eight Saber Method. She stood alone on the drill grounds platform and demonstrated it once through.
"Breaking Edge Eight Saber Method. First saber: frontal great chop breaking edge saber. Second saber: dropping saber sweeping block... Eighth saber: stepping to change form and thrusting saber."
After demonstrating the entire set of saber techniques, the people below watched ardently with their hot blood boiling. Discerning people could see that these saber moves were overbearing—purely offensive with no retreat, and every cut was fatal. If it really came time to enter the battlefield one day, there would at least be a guarantee of survival, if not invincibility. For a time, everyone was filled with passionate fighting spirit and began to devote themselves to the thrill of martial arts practice.
Midway, Li Zichen rushed anxiously onto the drill grounds platform: "Xiaohua, there are people from the palace here asking you to enter the palace."
"Did they say what matter it was?"
"They refused to disclose it, but I'm guessing it's likely related to yesterday's events and unavoidable. Be careful when you enter the palace."
"Mm. You take charge of military affairs for now. I'm going there and will return shortly."
"Don't worry. I have everything under control here."
