Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 350: Morale (Part 1)

The matter concerning Cui Zhi and the other two was just a trivial matter in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes, not worth mentioning.

After inspecting the Three Elite Guard Camps, she then went on to inspect the Personal Guard Camp and the Second Guard Camp.

The Personal Guard Camp was her leverage and confidence in establishing her foothold in the court of Nanyang, and she valued it the most. She stayed in the Personal Guard Camp for nearly a month before departing.

Next, she was headed to the Nanyang Army Camp.

Upon receiving the news, Yu Chong, along with a group of trusted military generals, rode ten miles out of the camp to greet her.

"This humble subordinate welcomes the Commandery Princess!"

The military generals were full of vigor, and their faces were brimming with sincerity and respect.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Everyone, please rise from your salute."

Yu Chong and the others thanked the Commandery Princess for her grace, mounted their horses, and escorted the Commandery Princess back into the Nanyang Army Camp.

The Nanyang Army Camp was notably inferior to the Personal Guard Camp, but over the past three years, continuous training had been maintained. The food in the camp was abundant, and the soldiers were all in high spirits and full of energy.

It was worth noting that in the past one or two years, the court had been at war constantly, causing the National Treasury to be tight. The military pay of stationed troops in each state was repeatedly reduced, causing widespread complaints. Nevertheless, the Nanyang Army Camp was unaffected; their military pay, warhorses, armor, and provisions were supplemented by the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

In such circumstances, how could the Nanyang Army not have a heart for the Commandery Princess?

Soldiers live by their pay. They serve whoever provides them with their income and meals, and they offer their lives in return.

Seeing the Commandery Princess enter the camp, who knows which soldier first knelt down, but soon, a throng of soldiers knelt, kowtowing to the Commandery Princess from afar.

Jiang Shaohua felt a warmth in her heart. In the military camp, strength is venerated, and the world of the soldiers is extraordinarily pure. What she had invested in was just some military pay and provisions, but what she reaped was the hearts of the Nanyang Army.

"Everyone, please stop kowtowing and stand up!" Jiang Shaohua raised her voice, her words clearly reaching everyone’s ears.

Only then did the soldiers each rise, and instead of crowding closer, they craned their necks to look from afar.

Jiang Shaohua smiled, walked forward proactively, swept her gaze over a soldier, and kindly asked, "Did you receive this month’s military pay?"

The tall and robust soldier was thrilled, straightened his chest, and loudly replied, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the military pay has always been issued at the start of each month, never delayed or withheld."

Satisfied, Jiang Shaohua nodded and asked further, "How is the daily food?"

"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, we have three meals a day; there’s plenty of bread and rice porridge in the morning and evening, and two dishes and a soup for lunch. We have meat every other day."

This kind of diet is no worse than that of the Imperial Army in the Capital City.

Jiang Shaohua then called another soldier forward to inquire about the daily training situation. The soldier she called was equally excited and answered without hesitation, clearly speaking the truth; otherwise, he would have shown some signs.

This was in the Nanyang Army Camp, where Jiang Shaohua needed to show some degree of effort. This wasn’t necessary in the Personal Guard Camp.

After making her rounds, Jiang Shaohua went to settle in the military tent.

As per military routine, that evening’s dinner was exceptionally rich. Several fat pigs were slaughtered in the kitchen, along with two sheep. Each soldier received a palm-sized piece of meat and a steaming hot, fragrant bowl of mutton soup.

While eating, a soldier suddenly teared up, wiping at his eyes.

This soldier was the lucky one whom the Commandery Princess first questioned during the day, surnamed Zhao, the fifth in his family.

"What’s with the tears, Zhao Wu, when we have good food and drinks?" An older soldier beside him teased with a smile.

The soldier called Zhao Wu said softly with reddened eyes, "I’m just thinking, I’m so fortunate to be in the Nanyang Army Camp, worry-free about food and shelter every day. The pay I save is sent home to buy food, just enough to fill my parents’ and siblings’ stomachs. Otherwise, my entire family would probably starve to death."

Zhao Wu was from Bingzhou, which suffered from severe drought followed by locust plagues, claiming countless lives. His family survived thanks to the money he sent back.

Thus, Zhao Wu’s gratitude and appreciation for the Commandery Princess were particularly earnest.

Many soldiers were like Zhao Wu. Hearing these words, each soldier felt grateful: "Isn’t it true? Soldiers in other camps lack clothing and food, and their pay is often deducted. We’re the only ones who receive our pay on time every month."

"It’s all thanks to the Commandery Princess’s generosity. We are not ungrateful like wolves with white eyes. The Commandery Princess treats us with such great kindness, and in the future, at her command, I’d dare go through the worst trials."

"Of course! My life has long been the Commandery Princess’s."

Yu Chong had issued a strict order forbidding the soldiers from saying things like, "Even if the Commandery Princess revolts, we’re with her," but while they didn’t say it aloud, it’s what most of them felt inside.

At that moment, Jiang Shaohua held a small banquet in the military tent, attended by Song Yuan from her side and Yu Chong and Li Tie from the Nanyang Army generals.

As for Chen Jinyu, Ma Yaosong, and Tang Youyin, they were not yet qualified to sit at the same table with the military generals. They set up a small table outside the tent, eating and drinking while eavesdropping.

Alcohol was forbidden in the camp, so Jiang Shaohua replaced it with water: "The morale of the Nanyang Army is high, and our military appearance, spirit, and combat power far surpass those of the past. This is all thanks to General Yu’s efforts! I toast to General Yu!"

Yu Chong, who led the troops in the scorching sun, had a tanned face that turned red with excitement, his eyes gleaming, and he respectfully held the teacup with both hands: "The court has been increasingly delaying and cutting military pay. Yet, our Nanyang Army soldiers are not worried about food and clothing, and our pay is plentiful, all thanks to the Commandery Princess’s benevolence. This cup is a toast to the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled happily, as the tea cups clinked together with a crisp sound.

Following that, several military generals toasted the Commandery Princess with their tea, creating a harmonious atmosphere. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Jiang Shaohua had spent half a year in the Capital City, accomplishing a few things that caused a sensation in the court, and these stories eventually reached the camp. The generals were not only amazed but also increasingly respectful and fond of the Commandery Princess.

After three rounds of tea and more than half full, Li Tie coughed, speaking in a low voice: "Commandery Princess, this humble subordinate dares to speak a few heartfelt words."

"For these past years, General Yu has led us in daily training. It’s no exaggeration to say that the current Nanyang Army is indeed an elite force."

"However, continually drilling like this, without real combat or exposure to blood, the soldiers are still lacking some bravery."

Another military general boldly interjected: "Indeed! We also want to take the troops out for some real training."

Yu Chong immediately glared at the two: "You two should not be reckless! We are stationed troops and cannot act without the Ministry of War’s orders from the court. Do you intend to cause trouble for the Commandery Princess? Do you think the Prime Minister in the court is a pushover?"

A tune echoed back and forth, quite theatrically!

They were envious of the Personal Guard Camp’s successive deployments to the North for "grain deliveries."

The generals, cooped up in camp all day, indeed felt stifled.

All claim to be like mighty eagles, who wouldn’t want to soar high in the sky? Why is it that the Personal Guard Camp could fight grand battles, while the Nanyang Army had to stay nestled in the camp every day?