My older brother said I'm invincible.

How valiant is Chapter 299?

"Although I know some methods of warfare, I lack the discernment to recognize talent."

"Instead of asking me to make recommendations, you might as well choose for yourself. If you like something, just take it."

Duan Wenzhen was right. Just as he had guessed, Lai Huer gave the choice to Li Xuanba and was unwilling to participate in the matter at all.

Li Xuanba was somewhat troubled. "I don't know how to choose. What advice does the Duke of Rong have for me?"

"Haha, that's easy!"

"follow me!"

Lai Huer stood up and strode outside, with the young man following behind him. Li Xuanba also stood up and followed him out of the tent. The two of them walked up to the high platform together.

Lai Huer spoke a few words to the young man beside him.

A moment later, the soldiers began to quickly assemble in front of the high platform.

At Lai Huer's command, the soldiers began their 'performance'. They formed a battle formation, rode past on horseback, and each drew their bow to the left and right, displaying great strength. Li Xuanba was somewhat impressed. He had previously fought against the Eagle Banner troops in the south, and those people were also very powerful, but compared to these people, they were still somewhat inferior.

It must be said that this was a powerful army protecting Luoyang, unlike the armies of other places.

Li Xuanba watched intently, but Duan Wenzhen's words kept replaying in his mind. When he looked around, he indeed saw dozens of people standing below the high platform, not participating in the formation.

After thinking for a moment, Li Xuanba decided not to follow Duan Wenzhen's arrangements and to tell the truth.

"Duke".

"I've heard that you have a valiant warrior under your command named Qin Qiong. I wonder if he's in the army?"

Lai Huer was somewhat surprised. "There is such a person, but he is not from the military headquarters here. He is my personal guard. From whom did you hear about him?"

“My elder brother once told me about him.”

Lai Huer was even more astonished. He pointed at the young man in front of the platform and called out to him. The young man quickly returned to Lai Huer's side. He was the same slightly lazy person from before.

"Shubao, do you have connections with the Duke of Tang's mansion?"

Qin Qiong shook his head and looked at Li Xuanba again.

Lai Huer said with a smile, "It seems that the young master of Tang is indeed very powerful. I specially summoned this man from the Licheng Military Prefecture. His bravery and fierceness far surpass ordinary people! Even among the Twelve Guards, not many people know about him!"

Li Xuanba looked at Qin Qiong with curiosity. This man was indeed tall, but he didn't seem to have the demeanor of a warrior. He wasn't like Yuchi Gong, whose bravery could be seen at a glance. His elder brother had mentioned his name earlier and thought highly of him. Dou Mingde and now Lai Huer had both praised him highly. He was indeed extraordinary.

Li Xuanba bowed to Lai Huer and said, “General, the new army has just been formed and needs brave generals to assist it. I would like to ask you to transfer this person to me.”

Lai Huer chuckled a few times, then looked at Qin Qiong, "Uncle Bao, what do you think?"

"I do not wish to leave the general."

Qin Qiong said seriously.

Lai Huer reprimanded him displeasedly, "I value you not only because of your bravery, but also because you have lofty ambitions. Now His Majesty is forming a new army, which is a chance for soldiers to distinguish themselves! How can you refuse? If you miss this opportunity, will you still have the chance to become an officer in the future? Or do you want to be a squad leader for the rest of your life?"

After being scolded by Lai Huer, Qin Qiong dared not say a word.

Lai Huer had been kind enough to promote him.

Lai Huer looked at Li Xuanba and said softly, "This man is brave. If you want him, General, I will not object. However, he is not from Guanzhong. His family is from Licheng, and his father and grandfather once served as officials in the State of Qi."

Li Xuanba calmly said, "Unfortunately, His Majesty only said that we can select more from the elite troops of Guanzhong, but he did not say that they must be from Guanzhong. Aren't the people of Licheng His Majesty's subjects as well?"

"well said!"

Lai Huer clapped his hands and then looked at Qin Qiong.

Qin Qiong was destined to have no chance of promotion with him. This had nothing to do with how fierce he was, but rather with his place of origin. In the imperial guards of the Heluo region, there was no general who was not from Guanzhong. If he were elsewhere, he might have a chance, but here, even Lai Huer could not force him to rise.

Lai Huer had always felt sorry for this man, but now, Li Xuanba had given him a new idea: if he could follow Li Xuanba and join the new army, he might be able to change his status and become a real military officer.

Qin Qiong understood Lai Huer's good intentions, bowed deeply to him again, and then greeted Li Xuanba. "Thank you, Duke Rongguo."

"It's alright, it's alright, you can look around as you like. You can take any of the soldiers here, except me, if you take a fancy to them!"

Li Xuanba then instructed Yuan Li to select the bravest military officers.

When Li Xuanba thanked Lai Huer again and left the military mansion, he was surrounded by more than thirty people.

This number is already quite large, after all, Li Xuanba was selecting officers, not ordinary soldiers.

These people seemed quite excited and full of energy. They were all grateful to be able to join the new army as military officers and had a bright future ahead of them! Only Qin Qiong did not seem so excited and remained as lazy as ever.

Yuan Li walked beside Li Xuanba, and said hesitantly, "General, this Qin Qiong isn't one of our own. He doesn't seem particularly brave either. Could he be related to Lai Huer and just someone they've flattered? Lai Huer is on their side too."

Li Xuanba said unhappily, "How could the Duke of Rong be such a person? He just helped us, how can you say that?"

Yuan Li knew that Li Xuanba was angry, so he smiled sheepishly and apologized to him.

Li Xuanba led these people to another training ground outside the city. This training ground was the temporary garrison of the new army. The recruited troops would receive training and reorganization here before going to the imperial city to perform duties such as garrisoning.

The training ground is under construction and not yet completed. Currently, only the first batch of military officers have moved in.

Most of the soldiers from the Right Army have now been assigned here as military officers, and they are all acquaintances.

The newcomers brought by Li Xuanba quickly became familiar with them, all speaking with the same accent and laughing heartily. Only Qin Qiong stood alone to the side, his face showing neither disappointment nor embarrassment; he remained as relaxed as ever.

Li Xuanba realized that if the mindset within the new army could not be corrected in time, outsiders would have no chance of gaining a foothold in the army.

"Form ranks!!"

Li Xuanba stood solemnly at the front, with the military officers gathered in front of him, all serious and not daring to laugh.

Li Xuanba walked past them one by one. “His Majesty has ordered me to gather the strongest soldiers in the land and build the most powerful army. When I select people, I do not only look at their background, but also pay attention to their talents. I will not accept incompetent people.”

"General Yuan, come out first!"

Yuan Li was at a loss, but still stepped forward. Li Xuanba took out his golden mace and said, "Let's start with you. Pick up your weapon and fight me!"

Yuan Li immediately broke out in a cold sweat. "My lord, how could I possibly dare to fight you?"

"Don't worry! Just stop when you've made your move; that's a military order!"

Left with no other choice, Yuan Li drew his sword and engaged Li Xuanba in battle. Despite Yuan Li's usual obsequious demeanor, he was quite skilled, far superior to the gang of thugs around Yang Jian. The two fought fiercely, with Yuan Li testing the waters for several rounds before launching a fierce attack. However, Li Xuanba seized the opportunity and knocked his weapon away.

"My lord, I have been defeated."

"Yes, we must continue training and not slack off. Otherwise, even people from Guanzhong will find it hard to stay in the new army."

"Here!"

"Next!"

Li Xuanba fought several men in a row, but none of them could defeat him. The soldiers quieted down and were no longer as arrogant as before.

Only then did Li Xuanba look at Qin Qiong.

"Qin Jun, come here."

Qin Qiong had been lazily standing at the back, seemingly lost in thought, when he was called upon. Startled, he looked at Li Xuanba before him, his expression hesitant. "General," he said, "I think I should..."

"Get out of the queue."

Qin Qiong shut his mouth and walked out in a few steps.

Yuan Li chuckled and looked around, then whispered, "I think this fellow is all talk and no action; I'm afraid he won't even last one move."

A new recruit from the military headquarters muttered, "Not necessarily."

(End of this chapter)