My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 306 Barbarians
"kill!!"

Inside the training ground, shouts of battle rose from all sides.

The camp here is getting bigger and bigger, even larger than the area of ​​the Eagle Cavalry Prefecture back then.

The officers here are all from the Right Army, while the middle and lower ranks are selected from military prefectures in various places. As for the lower-ranking soldiers, Yuan Li suggested that a group of veteran soldiers be selected first to form the backbone, and then new soldiers be recruited.

Those recruited are all from respectable families in the area. They need to prove their clean identity and have a certain amount of family property. They don't necessarily have to be able to prepare their own shields and bows and arrows, but they must at least be able to ride horses and be tall. These two requirements alone will eliminate those from the poorest backgrounds. Only the sons of landlords from middle-class or upper-class families are qualified to enter Yingyang Mansion.

In terms of physical fitness, those who are constantly hungry can't compare to those who eat meat and fish every day.

The new army gradually took shape. Li Xuanba was not very familiar with the training methods, but fortunately Yuan Li was. He used to be in charge of training in the Right Army, so Li Xuanba was only responsible for supervision, while Yuan Li was responsible for the actual training.

The emperor attached great importance to this new army, providing it with the highest level of sustenance and subsidies. They were given pork every three days, their entire families were exempted from corvée labor and incorporated into the military register, their weapons were replenished monthly, and over ten thousand laborers were available to construct the training grounds.
The longer one stays in the army, the more one understands why the emperor can arbitrarily abuse veteran officials and nobles, and no one dares to resist him.

The main reason is that if these military governments in various places wanted to rally them to rebel against the emperor, they would probably need the kind of appeal that Yuwen Shu had, and even Yuwen Shu might not have been able to do it.

The new army's drills were very frequent, but because the treatment was also excellent, the soldiers had no complaints. At most, they would curse Yuan Li in private and hurl all sorts of little curses at him, which Yuan Li was used to.

Li Xuanba hadn't left the training ground for a long time, but he wasn't worried about what was happening outside.

Now the three brothers work together without distinction, and even if I don't show my face, the eldest and second eldest brothers can handle things in an orderly manner.

He cherished his time at the training ground, training under Qin Qiong while improving his leadership skills.

Li Xuanba would occasionally lead his soldiers on a walk around the area, carrying heavy loads as they marched. Their only goal was to keep up with the group.

On this day, the soldiers in the training ground were training hard when a group of people appeared outside the main gate of the left training ground.

A carriage slowly came to a stop outside the gate of the training ground.

Supported by several lackeys, an official in a long robe slowly walked down. He was not very old, around forty years old, but had a refined appearance and was very respectable. He looked at the drill ground directly in front of him and couldn't help but frown.

He looked around and said helplessly, "Does Your Highness really intend to do this?"

Several scholars nearby hurriedly said, "Dugu Zanwu, Your Highness, as the Governor of Henan, must uphold justice and enforce the law. No matter who it is, if they dare to go out and plunder or harass the people, they cannot be let off the hook, even if it is the military government! This is under the Emperor's nose. If we allow them to act recklessly, how can we command this powerful army in the future?"

This Dugu Zanwu was the top advisor under the Governor of Henan. He looked weak and unassuming, but he was actually from Guanzhong.

Just a few days ago, the King of Qi summoned him and told him about the new army's destruction of the surrounding villages, ordering him to investigate thoroughly.

Dugu Zanwu immediately knew that this was His Highness's way of taking revenge on Li Xuanba.

But isn't this a bit too direct?
He offended His Highness not long ago, and His Highness's first act after being reinstated is to punish him?

Dugu Zanwu was both amused and exasperated. However, the King of Qi was very resolute, and as Zanwu, he had no right to refuse. After thoroughly investigating the so-called plundered villages, he received the same answer: they all pointed out that soldiers from the nearby military government had robbed the villages, killed people, and abducted women, etc. It was as if someone had taught them to do it, and their statements were all very consistent.

When Dugu Zanwu reported the situation to the King of Qi, the King of Qi ordered him to come to the training ground to confront Li Xuanba.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Zanwu was so frightened that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Li Xuanba's reputation has spread far and wide. At first, he was only known for his bravery, but now he is also known for his cruelty and tyranny. This is mainly because his intrusion into the Prince of Qi's mansion has given him a bad reputation. Many scholars are afraid of him, and even some scholars from Guanzhong are afraid of him.

Dugu Zanwu dared not refuse, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and come here.

Hearing the shouts of battle in the distance, Dugu Zanwu's eyes were filled with despair.

If I had known this would happen, I would have resigned and gone home!

The young men following him were all newly recruited scholars by the King of Qi. They came from the Central Plains, Shandong, and the south, and were all genuine scholars from prestigious families. Dugu Zanwu didn't know why his prince suddenly wanted to use these scholars.

These men, summoned by the King of Qi, arrived in Luoyang, all extremely excited and arrogant, seemingly disregarding the soldiers. In their eyes, as officials under the Governor of Henan, these mere soldiers couldn't possibly harm them. Their thinking stemmed from their lack of understanding of these fierce soldiers.

These people have terrible tempers and don't treat outsiders like human beings at all. If you anger them, they will really pull out a knife and kill you, without caring who the hell you are.

Dugu Zanwu took a deep breath and led the way to the training ground.

As they approached, several soldiers blocked their way, raising their spears so close to the officials that they seemed poised to pierce them at any moment.

Dugu Zanwu suppressed his unease. This was His Highness's order, and he had to carry it out even if it meant death.

He raised his head and said, "I am Dugu Mude, a military advisor under the Governor of Henan. I am here to see your general. You may go in and report!"

The soldiers stared at them for a long time before one of them turned and walked into the drill ground. No one answered him.

The scholars around Dugu Zanwu were indignant and very dissatisfied with their attitude.

Li Xuanba was holding the stone lock, his body drenched in sweat.

Just as I was busy, Yuanli ran over and whispered what was happening outside.

Li Xuanba slowly lowered the stone lock and looked at Yuan Li. "Since when can local authorities govern Yingyang Prefecture? Don't even mention the Zanwu (a government office), even if the Governor of Henan himself came, I wouldn't see him."

"Go and drive them away."

Yuan Li agreed and turned to leave.

Qin Qiong looked at Li Xuanba and asked, "General, are we really not going to pay any attention to this?"

"No need, King Qi, he's a petty man. Just ignore him. Let him say whatever he wants. Let's continue our training!"

Yuan Li led a large group of soldiers, their faces fierce, out of the drill ground gate.

Upon exiting the door, he saw Dugu Zanwu standing outside.

To be honest, the steward was actually relieved to see that it wasn't Li Xuanba who came out, and his expression became even more domineering. "I'm here to see General Li. Who are you?"

"I am Yuan Li, the brave and resolute general!"

"General Yuanlang".

Zanwu bowed his head in greeting, "Where is General Li?"

"The general has no time to see you. If you know what's good for you, leave now and don't cause any more trouble."

Yuan Li waved his hand, shooing the other party away as if he were a beggar.

Zanwu was furious. In front of many scholars around him, he displayed his authority, saying, "I have important business to discuss with the General. How dare you be so disrespectful to me?!"

"That's rude, you old dog, what are you going to do about it?"

"You uncouth brute! You rude barbarian!"

Yuan Li's eyes widened. "You, surnamed Dugu, are calling me a barbarian? If it weren't for my ancestor, Emperor Xiaowen, would you even know how to write your own name? I bet you'd still be herding sheep on the grasslands!"

"Guards! Throw them out!"

The soldiers, fierce as tigers and wolves, pounced. Zanwu ran extremely fast, leaving the few scholars who hadn't reacted yet. They were beaten by the soldiers and ran around screaming. After a while, the gate of the training ground became very quiet. Yuanli nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)