Green Mountain
Chapter 401 - 321. Military Training_2

Chapter 401: 321. Military Training_2

Li Xuan shook his head, "I haven’t heard of it. Those in the fighting profession can’t show their faces in polite society, and they don’t dare to cause trouble in front of the officials and nobles of the inner city. If they really make a fuss, causing the Five Cities Military Department to suppress them, many people would die."

Chen Ji realized, no wonder the ruffians were stopped in Baishun Alley.

Qi Zhenzhuo asked sneakily, "Master, did you go to the Eight Great Hutongs last night? Why didn’t you call me?"

Chen Ji replied casually, "I went to Tianqiao to watch wrestling yesterday. On my way back, I passed through Zhengyang Gate and happened to see a fight breaking out inside. By the way, have you heard about Heji and Furui Xiang in the outer city? What’s their background?"

Qi Zhenzhuo shook his head, "Who would pay attention to those in the Lower Nine?"

The three crossed Taiping Bridge, and Li Xuan said, "I have heard about it. Heji is an old brand. Under its name, there are some taverns and brothel businesses, but their main income comes from extortion and collecting Peace Money. However, it wasn’t like this in the early years. Initially, they were in the business of guarding homes and escorting caravans."

Turning into West Chang’an Street, Li Xuan continued, "Heji became famous for the word ’loyalty.’ The old boss was unmatched in loyalty, always helping those in trouble within the Jianghu. He despised evil and never mingled with bandits while escorting caravans, relying solely on his skills to go about his business. It’s said that a Jianghu figure he once helped turned into a bandit in Taihang Mountain. In his thirteenth year of escorting through Taihang Mountain, the bandits heard of his passing and waited by the road to offer him a bowl of wine in respect. The old boss didn’t drink the wine; instead, he personally killed the bandit and distributed the booty to the victims of the bandits’ previous plunders."

Qi Zhenzhuo widened his eyes, "They were friends before, and he just killed him like that?"

Li Xuan glanced at him, "What do you think the Taihang Mountain bandits are? Any famous bandit has killed hundreds of people, has taken villages’ women by force, and demands the first night of newlywed brides. Such people, if not killed, what use are they? To me, killing them is right!"

Qi Zhenzhuo smacked his lips, "That’s true."

Chen Ji asked nonchalantly, "How did Heji turn into what it is now?"

Li Xuan shook his head, "I grew up in front of Zhengyang Gate in the outer city, listening to storytellers outside the teahouse since childhood. The old boss is a frequent character in the stories of the storytellers, so I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know about the rest."

Chen Ji asked again, "Who’s backing Heji and Furui Xiang? Without sky-high connections, it’s impossible to establish themselves in the Imperial Capital, right?"

Li Xuan shook his head again, "Their backers are incredibly secretive. After all, everyone cherishes their reputation and doesn’t want to be associated with these Lower Nine trades, or else they’d become a laughing stock."

Chen Ji made a sound of acknowledgment, and the three of them turned from West Chang’an Street into the Yulin Army Commander’s Mansion.

As soon as they entered the gate, someone in the drill ground started jeering, "Qi Zhenzhuo, hurry and use your two bamboo poles to sweep the ground. The dust here is perfect for your bamboo poles."

Qi Zhenzhuo cursed angrily, "Stop talking nonsense and get lost if you have nothing to do. You’re ruining the reputation of the Yulin Army!"

Chen Wenren had just changed into his armor and came out of the governor’s office. As he adjusted his forearm guard, he spoke slowly, "Qi Zhenzhuo, don’t think you’re something special just because you went to Guyuan. As far as I know, you didn’t kill any enemies there."

Qi Zhenzhuo’s face changed.

Chen Wenren finished adjusting his forearm guard and glanced at Qi Zhenzhuo, "What, you think others can’t see the battle report or the memorials?"

He waved his hand, and someone threw a copied Cabinet’s comment in the middle of the drill ground. With a snap, the pages of the comment scattered.

Chen Wenren sneered, "When the Heavenly Strategy Army attacked the Crown Prince, you hid on the roof of the Dragon Gate Inn. Later, you went into the well to hide. Even when the Crown Prince was taken, you didn’t swear to protect him but instead got captured as well. Qi Zhenzhuo, all the Yulin Army by the Crown Prince died in battle, only you survived. Now tell me, who ruined the reputation of the Yulin Army?"

Qi Zhenzhuo’s face turned dark.

Chen Wenren kicked the memorial in front of Qi Zhenzhuo, "Focus on your drills and don’t think about unrealistic things. Achieving glory has nothing to do with you. Your brother-in-law is your brother-in-law, and you are you. He’s going to the Longevity Army sooner or later. By then, who in the Yulin Army can back you? You haven’t even killed anyone, so stop using others’ authority."

Qi Zhenzhuo didn’t dare say a word, causing all the Yulin Army around Chen Wenren to burst into laughter, "Stop training the troops, Lord Qi, better train your courage first!"

Chen Ji glanced at them and silently pulled Qi Zhenzhuo into the governor’s office to change into armor.

While changing armor, he tightened the strap on his front armor and spoke casually, "Arguing is the most useless action in the world. Practice your formation well, and one day you’ll raise your head high."

Qi Zhenzhuo took a deep breath, "Master, I understand... how should we practice? With those bamboo poles? I’m afraid they’ll laugh at us again."

Chen Ji looked back at the drill ground. Chen Wenren was leading over two hundred Yulin Army soldiers holding axes for ceremonial training. He said calmly, "Close the door, we’ll practice in the corridor of the Covered Building."

Qi Zhenzhuo was puzzled, "Practice in the Covered Building of the governor’s mansion? The corridor there is so narrow, only three people can pass, there’s no room to maneuver."

Li Xuan said thoughtfully, "Chen Ji, where exactly is the Mandarin Duck Formation suitable to be used?"

Chen Ji stood at the door, closing it with both hands to block out sunlight and prying eyes, leaving only a faint light filtering through the white paper window.

Chen Ji turned and stood in the dim governor’s office, "On flat ground. In alley fights."

Qi Zhenzhuo asked curiously, "Practicing right here in the governor’s mansion?"

Chen Ji said calmly, "Practice in the governor’s mansion during the day, and at night, I’ll take you to practice with real swords and spears."

...

...

At 5 p.m., the sun set in the west.

The sound of the drums from the Bell and Drum Tower came, with eight hundred evening drumbeats starting slowly but ending quickly, exhausting the last bit of heat and warm light.

In the drill ground, Chen Wenren glanced at the tightly closed door of the governor’s office and frowned, saying, "These people have been holed up inside all day without coming out. What are they doing?"

Someone sneered, "Lord Qi is too ashamed to face anyone, hiding inside to take a big nap, I bet. Sir, don’t bother with them. Anyway, it’s their turn to be on night duty. Why don’t we go to Chessboard Street for a drink?"

Chen Wenren glanced again at the governor’s office, then turned and walked out: "Let’s go."

When the Yulin Army Commander’s Mansion quieted down, the main gate of the government office still hadn’t opened, nor were there lights lit. Only the occasional faint sounds of shouting and fighting coming from the Covered Building proved there were still people inside.

Not until the sun fully sank behind the city and the night patrols struck the hour at 9 to 11 PM, did the governor’s office gates finally open.

The Yulin soldiers carrying weapons, shields, and bamboo exited in single file, while six horse-drawn carriages were quietly parked in front of the city gates, with no coachmen in sight.

Li Xuan was puzzled, "What’s this?"

As the words fell, someone pulled aside the curtain from within a carriage. Zhang Zheng smiled and said, "As soon as Xiaoman mentioned you needed six carriages, Axia was certain you were up to something big again. How could we miss out on such excitement? We’re here to join in the fun too."

Chen Ji looked into the carriage and saw Xiaoman and Zhang Xia sitting quietly inside. Zhang Xia glanced at the weapons in their hands, pondered for a moment: "Heji? Furui Xiang? Three Mountains Association?"

Chen Ji laughed and said, "Heji."

Zhang Xia thought for a moment longer, but she did not persuade Chen Ji not to go, just reminded: "If you can’t win, then run."

Chen Ji agreed: "Alright!"

More than thirty Yulin soldiers squeezed into the six carriages, leaving two outside each carriage to drive the horses. The wheels rumbled against the blue bricks, heading toward Xuanwu Gate.

Inside and outside the carriages, the Yulin soldiers uniformly took out gray cloths and covered their faces.

Zhang Zheng was surprised, "What’s this for?"

Qi Zhenzhuo shook his head, "I don’t know. It’s what the master instructed."

Zhang Zheng looked at Chen Ji.

Chen Ji earnestly said, "Afraid of losing face if we can’t win."

Zhang Xia casually tore a piece from Zhang Zheng’s sleeve and divided it into three strips, "Let’s cover ourselves as well."

The carriage arrived in front of an inn on Xuanwu Gate Street. Chen Ji signaled with his eyes at Qi Zhenzhuo, who pressed two fingers to his lips and whistled.

But after waiting for fifteen minutes, Brother Pao and Er Dao still hadn’t appeared.

Zhang Xia curiously asked, "Did the people you’re waiting for run away?"

Chen Ji leaned against the carriage quietly saying, "Let’s wait a bit longer."

Zhang Xia curiously asked again, "What kind of people?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment, "People from Jianghu."

Xiaoman muttered quietly, "What kind of answer is that?"

The next moment, someone knocked on the carriage.

Chen Ji opened the curtain and saw Brother Pao and Er Dao gasping for breath outside the carriage, "We’re not late, are we?"

Chen Ji laughed and said, "It’s still the 9 to 11 PM hour, not late, but I thought you wouldn’t come back."

Brother Pao grinned and said, "I keep my word and I never back out. We Pao family folks never talk the talk without walking the walk."

Chen Ji put down the curtain, "Get in."