20demayo Chapter 96 The Empress Inspects the Soldiers
Chapter 96 The Empress Inspects the Soldiers
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
When Lin Chen strolled in, Empress Zhao Lingyang was standing by the window reading a memorial.
Hearing footsteps, he didn't even look up: "You're here? Find yourself a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Chen didn't stand on ceremony, found a chair, plopped down, and crossed his legs.
"Your Majesty summoned me here, surely not to assign me more work? My back has been bothering me lately, so I can't do heavy work."
The Empress looked up at his words, a half-smile playing on her lips.
"Your back is bothering you? I've heard that the Duke of Lin has been indulging in nightly revelry lately, having a great time?"
Lin Chen remained calm and composed.
"Your Majesty is wise; those are all rumors. I have recently devoted myself to studying the ways of health preservation, going to bed early and getting up early, and keeping my mind pure and free from desires."
"A life of simplicity and abstinence?" The Empress put down her memorial, walked up to him, and looked down at him.
"Eight wives, and you tell me you're content with a life of abstinence?"
"That's a matter for the future, a matter for the future," Lin Chen chuckled. "Right now, I'm still completely innocent."
The Empress, too lazy to argue with him, turned and returned to her desk.
"Let's get down to business. The Tiger Legion has been formed for two months, and I plan to inspect it on the first day of next month. As its commander, you mustn't embarrass me."
Lin Chen did the math in his head; there were still twenty days until the first day of next month.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I guarantee you will see a truly elite force."
"That would be best." The Empress paused, her tone softening slightly.
"I heard that your elder sister asked you out alone?"
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless:
"Yes, Her Highness the Eldest Princess has been stuck at the peak of the Grandmaster level for three years and said she wants to go into seclusion in the Meditation Hall to break through."
The Empress was silent for a moment, then sighed softly:
"My elder sister has had a difficult time these past years. You know about her relationship with the prince consort."
It's good that I can cultivate peacefully at Zuiyue Pavilion; please take good care of me.
"Your Majesty, I understand." Lin Chen nodded. "All arrangements have been made to ensure Her Highness's safety."
"Hmm." The Empress picked up another memorial.
"I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare for your coming-of-age ceremony. The date is set for the eighth day of next month, and it will be held at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence."
However, I will personally attend the ceremony, and all the officials of the court and the major noble families will also be present; the occasion will be quite grand.
Lin Chen was immediately bewildered: "Your Majesty, I'm just a rough man, I don't know how to handle such a grand occasion..."
"You are now the Duke of Zhenguo; you must be used to this kind of situation." The Empress's words left no room for argument.
"Moreover, this is your formal ceremony to take over the Lin family, so it must be a grand occasion."
"When the time comes, all eight ladies will attend the ceremony together, which will be a satisfactory explanation to the world."
Having said that, Lin Chen could only agree: "Your subject obeys the decree."
"There is one more thing," the Empress said solemnly.
News has come from the northern border that Beishuo has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, and it seems that it can no longer hold back.
I plan to send you to the northern border as a border patrol envoy after you come of age.
"The Northern Territory is the foundation of your Lin family; you are the most suitable person to go there."
Lin Chen inwardly groaned, but outwardly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I'm just a spoiled brat, I don't know much about warfare."
"If you don't understand, then learn." The Empress glared at him.
"As the Duke of Zhenguo, you should have a sense of responsibility. Besides, it's not like I'm sending you to fight a war; it's just patrolling the border and conducting reconnaissance."
"I understand," Lin Chen said weakly.
"Well, if there's nothing else, go back." The Empress waved her hand. "Prepare well for the inspection, don't disappoint me."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
Lin Chen left the imperial study and breathed a long sigh of relief.
With inspections, coronations, weddings, and border patrols all happening, can't people even relax in peace?
Oh well, things will work themselves out.
The most important thing right now is the review in twenty days.
I need to go check out the Tiger Legion's camp; I don't want to embarrass myself in front of the Empress.
……
West of the city, the Tiger Legion's main camp.
When Lin Chen arrived, Zhao Zilong was training cavalry on the drill ground.
Eight thousand cavalrymen were arrayed in neat square formations, their horses strong and their riders imposing.
Their uniform white armor gleamed in the sunlight, creating an impressive sight.
Two months ago, during the selection process, all eight thousand people were at least seventh-rank martial artists.
Now, after rigorous training and ample resources, all members have broken through to the sixth rank, with 30% reaching the fifth rank.
Cavalrymen with such cultivation levels are among the best in the entire Great Yan region.
"My lord." Zhao Zilong saw him arrive, rode over, dismounted, and bowed.
He currently displays the cultivation level of a Grandmaster at its peak, but his command of troops does not rely on absolute martial prowess.
"General Zhao, you've worked hard." Lin Chen waved his hand. "How's the training going?"
"My lord, the eight thousand iron cavalry have taken initial shape," Zhao Zilong said confidently.
"His horsemanship, archery, charging, and formation changes are all highly proficient. Although he has not yet fought in actual combat, he is capable of handling some emergency situations."
Lin Chen glanced at the menacing ranks on the training ground and nodded in satisfaction:
"His Majesty will be coming to inspect us in twenty days, so we must prepare well."
A glint of light flashed in Zhao Zilong's eyes: "Rest assured, my lord, I will not fail your trust."
Just then, Li Chunfeng walked over.
"My lord," Li Chunfeng bowed.
"Mr. Li," Lin Chen said with a smile, "with you and Zilong here, it will be difficult for the Tiger Army to fail. After the inspection, Mr. Li can relax and enjoy his retirement at home."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng said, bowing.
"Now, eight thousand iron cavalry are under the command of General Zhao. With the help of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Battle Formation set up by me, they can gather the blood and qi of the whole army when they charge, and their power is comparable to the full-force attack of a Grandmaster at the peak."
If they form a defensive formation, they can withstand an enemy force several times their size.
Lin Chen's eyes lit up: "That amazing?"
"That's still a conservative estimate," Yuan Tiangang added.
"The Tiger Legion is equipped with top-of-the-line gear, and each member is issued three bottles of Body Tempering Pills and one bottle of Qi Nourishing Pills."
Over the past two months, his cultivation level has improved rapidly, and his combat strength far surpasses that of ordinary troops.
Lin Chen felt a secret sense of satisfaction.
With such a powerful army at their disposal, plus their own Great Snow Dragon Riders, they could roam freely in the North.
"By the way, what about the Eight Vajras?" he asked.
Zhou Tong walked over from the side, bowed, and said:
"My lord, all eight of us are here. As you instructed, we only reveal our early Grandmaster cultivation to outsiders, except for our fifth brother, who is at the late Grandmaster level."
Lin Chen nodded. The Eight Vajras were actually all late-stage Grandmasters.
Exposing only one would deter troublemakers without being too conspicuous.
"Let's go check out the training," Lin Chen said.
The group moved to the training ground.
Eight thousand cavalrymen were practicing their charge, their hooves thundering and dust billowing.
When they reached within a hundred paces, the cavalrymen simultaneously drew their bows and unleashed a rain of arrows like locusts.
When he reached fifty paces, he held his spear horizontally, its cold light gleaming.
When they had charged twenty paces, the battle formation suddenly changed, like a sharp blade piercing straight into the "enemy formation".
"Great!" Lin Chen couldn't help but cheer. Although he didn't understand, he was deeply impressed.
Moreover, how could a man not like elite troops?
Zhao Zilong explained:
"This is a wedge formation, suitable for charging and breaking through enemy lines. If you encounter a strong enemy, you can change it into a circular formation for defense, or a goose formation for encirclement."
"Not bad, not bad." Lin Chen nodded repeatedly.
"For the parade in twenty days, let's practice this charge and change formation together, along with the infantry's spear formation. That should be enough to impress everyone."
"yes!"
After inspecting the camp, Lin Chen returned to the central command tent.
Zhao Zilong, Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, and the Eight Great Vajras reported on their training progress in turn.
After listening to the report, Lin Chen summarized:
"The inspection in twenty days is very important. His Majesty will be coming in person, so there can be no mistakes."
"We've intensified training these past few days, providing the best food and plenty of medicine to ensure the soldiers are in peak condition."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
After making the arrangements, Lin Chen left the camp.
On the way back to his residence, he leaned against the carriage, thinking about the inspection.
Eight thousand iron cavalrymen, all at least of the sixth rank, charging forward in coordination with changes in battle formation... this scene should be quite awe-inspiring.
The Empress should be satisfied with this, right?