20demayo Chapter 41 Unexpected, Yet Reasonable
Chapter 41 Unexpected, Yet Reasonable
Yang Yan noticed the other person's sudden silence and his intense gaze.
He immediately realized that his questioning had been too sharp and had crossed the line of ordinary martial arts inquiry.
It even touched on a dangerous and sensitive area.
His expression softened instantly, and a gentle, even slightly childlike smile returned to his face, as if the sharp-tongued questioner who had just been pointing directly at the foundations of the nation had never existed.
"It seems the military has a deep-rooted system of rules and regulations that cannot be fully explained in a few words." He turned to the young general with a relaxed tone.
"It's still early, so please start from the beginning and tell me in detail about the various regulations in Daxing Garden, from the daily military training to the soldiers' meals, nothing is unnecessary. We can talk as we walk."
This seemingly casual instruction carried an air of absolute authority.
He skillfully steered the conversation back to a safer direction.
And naturally, they firmly grasped the initiative in the dialogue.
The young general took a deep, almost imperceptible breath.
He had been well-versed in classics and history since childhood, especially military books, and often boasted that his knowledge surpassed that of his peers, which is why he was selected to join the ranks of the imperial guards, a group of noble sons.
Only today do I realize that the sharpest things in the world are not limited to swords and knives.
The few words of this Prince of Changning not only pierced through the ills of the military formation, but also revealed the heavy veil covering the "ancestral system" and "established laws".
This was a kind of clarity he had longed for but never dared to utter.
"Your Highness's insight is profound and thought-provoking."
He bowed again, this time with his back straight as a pine tree, exuding the uprightness and solemnity unique to martial artists.
"The implications are profound and far-reaching, beyond the comprehension of someone as insignificant as myself. However, since Your Highness has inquired about this matter, I... will certainly do my utmost to answer all your questions."
He spoke the last eight words slowly and clearly, without the deliberate "boundaries of speech" he had drawn before.
This is almost a subtle yet clear shift in attitude.
Yang Yan understood the implied meaning, and his smile became more genuine as he nodded.
Yang Yong watched his son's conversation with a low-ranking military officer. He could understand every word, but when put together, it was like being lost in a fog.
"System," "sharp," "mirror image"... these rigid concepts, like sharp pebbles, were thrown into the lake of his mind, which was usually filled with poetic rhythms and political rhetoric, and only stirred up unfamiliar ripples and a faint sense of irritation.
He suddenly felt a strange sense of alienation and emptiness, as if he were separated from an important conversation that was taking place by an invisible veil. This was the central position that he, the Crown Prince of the Sui Dynasty, should rightfully occupy.
He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, trying to steer the situation back to the familiar, harmonious father-son dynamic: "Yan'er, military affairs are only a matter of knowing a little bit; after all, they're not our primary duties, so there's no need to delve too deeply into them and waste our energy..."
Upon hearing this, Yang Yan turned around and gave his father a bright, untroubled smile befitting a dutiful son, replying, "Father's teachings are correct, Your Majesty, I understand."
The young military officer stepped aside, leading Yang Yan and his son forward slowly. His voice was steady and clear, as if the brief but sharp confrontation had never happened.
"Your Highness, the fundamental principle behind the establishment of Daxing Garden lies in the eight characters: 'Protecting the capital and defending against powerful enemies.'"
The young military officer stepped aside and led Yang Yan and his son forward slowly.
The sound was steady and clear.
The brief but sharp exchange that had occurred earlier has vanished.
"Your Highness, the fundamental purpose of the Daxing Garden's establishment is to protect the capital and defend against powerful enemies."
He pointed north.
There are continuous walls of the garden and the Dragon Head Plain further away.
"Daxing City was located southeast of Chang'an City of the Han Dynasty. Although the terrain was good, the palace city was located in a depression, while the terrain to the north was higher. This was a major taboo for military strategists."
"If an enemy attacks, the palace will be in danger from its high vantage point."
"Therefore, the primary purpose of designing Daxingyuan was to overcome this inherent weakness."
"Your Highness, please take a look."
He pointed to the old rammed earth wall.
"That is the site of the old city of Chang'an of the Han Dynasty, which, together with the newly built garden wall, formed a double line of defense, inside and outside."
He paused, then changed the subject, returning to Yang Yan's initial question.
"As for the difference between the training of the garrison soldiers and the imperial guards that Your Highness just asked, the root cause lies in the military system of our Great Sui Dynasty."
"Their responsibilities are different, therefore their training methods are also vastly different."
"As His Highness the Crown Prince said before, 60% of the troops in our Great Sui Dynasty are government soldiers."
"This humble servant dares to add that the garrison at Daxing Garden is not a fixed army, but rather consists of elite soldiers from the twelve central guard prefectures who take turns on duty."
"These soldiers are registered in the prefecture and county, and usually farm. They are rotated here to serve regularly. At this time, their identity is that of guards."
His voice has a unique rhythm.
He explained the dry military system in a clear and organized manner.
"The soldiers of the Fubing (府兵) were both soldiers and farmers. Their essence lay in the four words: practicing military skills during the off-season for farming."
"On ordinary days, their primary task is farming and production to be self-sufficient."
Therefore, training is mostly seasonal, and the content focuses on the basics.
"For example, marching in formation, changing formations, and the basic use of spears and crossbows."
"The purpose was to ensure that they did not forget the importance of battle, so that they could quickly form an army should the court summon them."
"This is the prepared army."
"But the Imperial Guards are different."
The young man's voice rose a few decibels.
"They are a standing imperial guard, professional soldiers whose core duty is to protect the palace and safeguard the capital!"
"Therefore, in addition to daily patrols and duties, their training is continuous and even more rigorous and complex."
"They need to be proficient in various formations and movements, skilled in horse archery, and practice tactical coordination in joint operations."
"Even the daily ceremonial guard posture has strict rules!"
"This is a battle-hardened elite force, completely different from the reserve troops of the local militia!"
His words, though eloquent, were full of wisdom, thoroughly and incisively dissecting the essence and differences in training between the two military systems!
Yang Yong listened attentively and nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at the young general.
Yang Yan's heart was stirred with even greater turmoil.
This man possesses exceptional insight and clear logic; he is far from an ordinary military officer who only knows brute force.
As he looked at the other person's angular face, sharpened by the north wind, a thought grew stronger in his mind.
He stopped and turned to face the young officer: "What's your name?"
The young general seemed taken aback by his sudden question, paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, suppressing his earlier high spirits and adopting a more solemn demeanor.
He put his feet together, clenched his fists, and his armor made a soft clanging sound.
"This humble servant, Li Mi, courtesy name Xuansui, is the son of Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan."
Li Mi?!
boom!
These two words are not a thunderclap, but a rift that splits through time and space.
One moment he was an observer examining ancient military systems with modern knowledge; the next moment, the torrent of history, carrying real flesh and blood and destiny, ruthlessly crashed into his world.
In an instant, he felt the deafening shouts around him, the howling north wind, and his father's astonished gaze.
Everything faded away.
Only these two words remain in the world.
It transformed into four large, blood-red characters—Lord of Wagang!