Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 291 The Sensation Caused by the Military Academy
"Wow!" Compared to the soldiers' enthusiasm, the generals and officials were equally excited. With each large gulp of food the alligator dragon swallowed, the officials passing the food around couldn't help but let out a surprised exclamation that lingered for a long time.

About half an hour later, thanks to the combined efforts of the officials, all the food from several wheelbarrows was finally fed into the alligator dragon's belly.

As expected of a true dragon, even its appetite is astonishing! After the food was fed from the wheelbarrow, the officials remained as enthusiastic as ever, their eyes still fixed on the quietly lying alligator dragon. In fact, their gazes towards the alligator dragon became even more fervent.

Those who had previously doubted the authenticity of the alligator dragon now had no doubts whatsoever. After all, everyone had witnessed the alligator dragon eating! Moreover, they had personally participated in feeding the alligator dragon—how could it be fake?!
Even those who had initially worried that the dragon might suddenly attack and harm people no longer had any doubts. After all, the undeniable facts were right before their eyes: although this true dragon might appear somewhat ferocious, with longer teeth and sharper claws, it was extremely intelligent and wouldn't harm anyone!
Looking at the alligator dragon now, everyone felt that it no longer had any ferocious or terrifying appearance. Instead, it made people feel that this was how a true dragon should be; it was truly majestic and inviolable, exuding the domineering aura of royalty that looked down upon the world! This was everyone's initial understanding of the alligator dragon after feeding it.

Regarding the rapid change in everyone's attitude, one can only say that it truly proves the saying: "When one reigns supreme, great scholars will naturally come to debate the classics for me!"

"Roar~" The crocodile dragon, having eaten and drunk its fill, once again displayed its disdainful demeanor to the crowd. It slowly moved a few steps, then lazily and contentedly raised its neck high and let out a long dragon roar towards the sky.

Under the blazing sun, the scene of the ferocious yet majestic alligator singing its song was deeply etched into the hearts of everyone in the training ground from that moment on! Unforgettable!

"Gulp~" The soldiers who had witnessed the alligator dragon swallow all the food from several wheelbarrows into its belly, and then looked at the alligator dragon's majestic body and heard the long and deep dragon roar, couldn't help but swallow hard and became stunned.

At this moment, the soldiers, with their limited knowledge, didn't know what ancient dragons looked like. However, faced with this terrifying creature that could devour several cartloads of food, they were completely convinced that the behemoth before them was definitely a dragon! After all, what else could a being capable of consuming so much food be but a dragon?!
At this moment, everyone had already accepted deep in their hearts that the ferocious and terrifying beast in front of them was definitely a real dragon, and not some illusory story based on rumors, gossip, or hearsay!

But what excited them even more was not just that.

His Highness really has a dragon!

The Crown Prince we follow is a true dragon!

The Crown Prince we follow must be the legendary Son of Heaven!
Even if His Highness is not yet the Son of Heaven, His Highness will surely be the Son of Heaven in the future!

In an instant, after the initial allure of land distribution, coupled with the awe-inspiring appearance of the alligator dragon, countless soldiers felt an overwhelming surge of emotion—a mixture of generosity, fervor, and indignation.

"Gentlemen!" After the feeding was finished, Wei Jizhong returned to the platform and began to speak. The soldiers below, seeing someone speaking on the platform, couldn't help but cast eager glances their way up. Even the soldiers in the back row, unable to hear what was being said, all craned their necks, their eyes fixed on the platform, as if that would allow them to hear clearly.

At this moment, Hu Tian and many other generals had gathered again on the high platform, listening to Uncle Wei speak once more.

"The alligator dragon is Your Highness's birth dragon, and it has existed since Your Highness was born."

"Thanks to His Highness's years of training, Lord Alligator is now over ten zhang and three chi long, with a considerable number of sharp teeth." On the high platform, Wei Jizhong skillfully explained the Alligator's physical condition to everyone. These figures excited the crowd, their eyes shining with excitement!
The Crown Prince we follow is the true Son of Heaven! Long live the Crown Prince! At this moment, this is the most excited voice in the hearts of countless people on the training ground!

However, Wei Jizhong's seductive voice did not end there; instead, it became even more fervent.

".
"By order of His Highness the Crown Prince, for the long-term stability of our newly expanded Yunnan territory, to commend the valiant fighting of our army and navy, to reduce wartime casualties, and to accelerate the pace of external expansion, and with His Highness's approval, a military academy will be established within the Prince's residence! It will be specifically used to train military talent," Wei Jizhong announced, delivering another bombshell.

For a moment, everyone was stunned, even the military officers like Hu Tian and Qian Zhongcai were visibly shocked! Not to mention the civil officials like Yao Guan. Because His Highness the Crown Prince was actually planning to establish a military academy! To specifically train military personnel! Throughout history, the country has been governed by civil administration; never before had a military academy been established to train soldiers! And to select and train people directly from the army! This was an unprecedented event in history!

However, Wei Jizhong paid no attention to anyone's expression and continued to explain the work assigned by His Highness the Crown Prince.

"Among all the soldiers of my Yunnan Expeditionary Army, the most elite soldiers from each army will be selected! The soldiers with the greatest merits will be reported to the Prince's Palace by their respective armies."

Afterwards, the Imperial Guards of the Prince's Palace will personally verify the information. After the Prince's Palace has screened and approved the selection, forty of the most meritorious and elite soldiers will be sent to the Prince's Palace!

They entered the military academy to learn military knowledge such as marching and combat!

They will receive the most advanced military training in the Prince's Palace, and even His Highness the Crown Prince will personally teach them!
After completing all the training, the Prince's Palace will personally arrange for the trainees to be assigned to the army and navy, guaranteeing them a minimum rank of centurion!

Furthermore, the student with the best performance will be personally received by His Highness the Crown Prince, who will bestow upon him a token. He will also be permitted to accompany His Highness the Crown Prince in feeding the dragon.

Finally, the most outstanding trainees will be awarded the title of "Disciple of the Prince's Palace!" Wei Jizhong's words caused a huge stir! No one present was a fool; they could see that His Highness was cultivating trusted generals! And not just any generals, but the lowest-ranking officers in the army! Because the army is composed of countless centurions!

Those who emerge from the Military Academy will become His Highness the Crown Prince's most steadfast followers! The title of "disciple of the Prince's Palace" is His Highness's most powerful leverage in controlling the army! Of the four cardinal virtues—Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher—His Highness possesses two! In the future, even if someone harbors ulterior motives, they will likely find themselves without an army to command!

In reality, what no one at the scene knew was that Zhu Zhanhe planned to occupy three of the so-called Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher positions himself! This was because he also intended to have his Crown Princess, Lady Xia, train some beautiful female officials to be married off to outstanding, unmarried civil and military officials from humble backgrounds under his command! Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe planned to occupy all three positions himself!

At this moment, Yao Guan and the other civil officials realized that the little-known Uncle Wei in front of them was the most hidden person among them. He was not only helping His Highness raise dragons, but he was also His Highness's most trusted confidant.

(End of this chapter)