Chapter 411
Bai Qingyan gave a slight nod. Only then did the Governor leisurely start to speak, “I sincerely want to serve the Commandery Princess. If there is anything that the Commandery Princess requires, please do not hesitate to ask. I will do everything I can, even if it means risking my life.”
“Then first, I must trouble the Governor’s son. There will be more work in training soldiers and eliminating bandits in the future. I will rely on the Governor’s assistance,” Bai Qingyan said to the Governor.
The Governor, being a clever person, understood Bai Qingyan’s implication. She wanted to test one of his sons first. If he proved useful, she would use him in the future.
The Governor maintained his composure and ventured, “There is another matter. I heard that the Lord of Gaoyi has already headed to Chunmu Mountain. I have more than ten family servants with excellent martial skills. If the Commandery Princess trusts them, they can go to Chunmu Mountain now to protect the Lord of Gaoyi. If the Commandery Princess has already arranged everything, these people can follow your orders and assist in the training.”
“Then let the Governor’s family servants follow Bai Qingping and the Governor’s son,” Bai Qingyan nodded toward the Governor. “Thank you for your trouble.”
When it concerned Bai Jinzhi’s safety, Bai Qingyan did not dare to gamble on testing the Governor’s trust and loyalty with Bai Jinzhi.
Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, the Governor knew it was time to stop. He nodded, knowing there would be opportunities in the future to prove his loyalty and dedication to the Princess of Zhen.
After the Governor left, Bai Qingping asked, “Elder sister, did you make the Governor’s son work with me to keep an eye on him? After all, we are using Bai Clan’s money to train the soldiers. Are you worried that the Governor might seize control of the military power?”
Bai Qingping was afraid of misunderstanding Bai Qingyan’s intentions and wanted clarification.
Bai Qihe unexpectedly felt somewhat gratified to see the closeness between Bai Qingping and Bai Qingyan. This was how the Bai family should be, united in heart and purpose.
“Have the Governor’s son follow you daily, but you don’t need to be overly guarded. Just keep the important matters from him,” Bai Qingyan advised.
“Rest assured, elder sister, I will make sure to do it well!” Bai Qingping stood up and promised.
Bai Qihe left the Bai Mansion with his son, touching his son’s head with a hand full of affection as they climbed the carriage. Fortunately, his son was more understanding than his wife.
On the morning of the eleventh day, as the sky gradually brightened, the flames in the high-mounted brazier around the training grounds flickered violently in the wind.
Nearly two hundred common citizens of Shuoyang City had already gathered in the grounds, chatting and laughing.
Among these citizens were Bai Clan tenants hoping for rent reductions, forced Bai Clan elders, and ordinary folks attracted by the monthly payments. Very few had come specifically to fight bandits.
Bai Qingping and the Governor’s third son, Shen Yanzong, stood on a high platform, looking at the lazy crowd. Bai Qingping wondered if these scattered commoners could be trained into an anti-bandit force.
“We need to get them in formation before the Commandery Princess arrives.” Shen Yanzong tightened his fists, his eyes falling on a bow. About to take action, he recalled his father’s advice, turned to Bai Qingping with a smile, and said, “Does Mr. Bai have any ideas? We can’t let the Commandery Princess see this disorder.”
Bai Qingping was powerless. He knew the best way was to intimidate the crowd with force, but he lacked the strength.
Before Bai Qingping could speak, a horse’s neigh echoed.
Everyone looked towards the entrance of the training grounds and saw Bai Qingyan, in neat practice attire, leap down from a horse, wielding an ebony whip. Her deep, serene gaze fell on the disorganized crowd of Shuoyang citizens. Unlike Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong, she did not seem rushed and leisurely walked towards the platform.
Behind her followed a unit of well-trained Bai Mansion guards, each armed with knives, their steps synchronized, and their boots thundering as they marched.
Perhaps due to Bai Qingyan’s imposing presence and the menacing guards behind her, the entire training grounds fell silent. The common citizens shuffled back to their positions, their expressions solemn as they gazed at Bai Qingyan on the high platform.
Being just ordinary citizens of various ages, it was natural for them to start off disorganized. This was all within Bai Qingyan’s expectations.
She remembered her grandfather’s first trip with her to the Bai family’s military camp, coinciding with the arrival of the first batch of recruits. She clearly recalled how General Shen Kunyang trained new soldiers. She would make slight adjustments for the citizen trainees accordingly.
“Bring it up,” Bai Qingyan directed the guards beside her.
Soon three guards carried three baskets of varying amounts of meat. Bai Qingyan addressed the citizens standing tensely in the training grounds, “Starting today, every day, the top three performers can take home these three portions of meat.”
For the average household, particularly those training to reduce rent or attracted by the monthly silver payment, life was tough. Meat, rarely seen all year, was a significant temptation for the common citizens.
The crowd began to buzz, their expressions excited.
“Today’s training content will be announced by Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong. The results will be announced by sunset, and the bottom three performers will be dismissed,” Bai Qingyan’s voice was steady and cold.
Those planning to take it easy were stunned and asked, “Does that mean… no rent reduction either?”
“Of course!” Bai Qingyan nodded.
Having said that, she turned to Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong, “You may begin.”
Today’s drill, Bai Qingyan was merely present to control the scene. She sat on the platform reading, while Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong managed the training.
The first day was always the hardest. Yet when the trainees saw their noon meal included meat, they cheered excitedly.
Bai Qingping announced that all future participants would have meat at every meal to ensure they were well-fed for training to fight bandits.
Those intending to slack off, upon seeing such meals, were motivated by the idea of taking the meat basket home for their families, stirring their resolve and enthusiasm.
Bai Qingyan observed the men Shen Yanzong brought and noted they appeared seasoned as if they had been in the military for a long time. freewёbnoνel.com
She focused on two particular individuals whose training techniques somewhat resembled the Bai family military style, sparking her suspicion.
In the afternoon, the citizens trained harder than in the morning, sweat pouring down their faces, but none complained of fatigue.
As the sun set, Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong picked the top three and bottom three trainees. The top three received the meat, while the bottom three, reluctant to leave because of the meals, pleaded, promising to work harder and not fall behind tomorrow.