My Three Kingdoms is not right

Yang Xiu has been extremely busy these past few days.

The military equipment that Cao Cao promised to provide was delivered to the Guanglu Temple the next day.

The armor, swords, spears, and bows and arrows, although mostly old items discarded by Cao Cao's army, were plentiful and varied, which was a timely help for the Imperial Guards who were lacking in everything.

Yang Xiu led a group of clerks to count the items for a whole day, and personally drafted a distribution plan—which team would have priority, which batch would receive the items first, how to record the maintenance, and everything was done in a meticulous and orderly manner.

When Liu Xun saw her proposal, he praised it repeatedly.

Yang Xiu's expression remained normal, but he unconsciously puffed out his chest, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Right now, as she flipped through the bamboo slips presented by her subordinates, she couldn't help but recall Liu Xun's smile:

He's really amazing!

A member of the imperial family who grew up in the deep palace was able to persuade his mother, a stubborn old minister, to support his command of the army, and to obtain military equipment from a figure like Cao Cao.

Such methods and such courage are rare, not to mention men, but even among all the civil and military officials in the court, how many could do it?

But the more Yang Xiu thought about it, the more his inexplicable irritation surged.

Recalling her mother's words in the study that day: "Her Highness the Princess has a very good impression of the Yang family... I've heard of your talent... You're now of marriageable age, if you could..."

At the time, she only felt it was absurd, and that her mother was confused. How could a man who undressed in public and had no shame be worthy of the legitimate daughter of the Yang family of Hongnong?

But later she met Liu Xun.

The man stood in the sunlight, cupped his hands in a smile at her, and said, "I've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."

And after spending time together these past few days...

Yang Xiu's gaze unconsciously drifted into the government office. Through the half-open door, he could see Liu Xun bent over his desk, intently reviewing documents.

The afternoon sun shone on his profile, outlining his handsome features, and his serious expression was captivating.

He was clearly a man, yet he possessed the fortitude and decisiveness of a woman; he should have been a pampered princess, yet he was willing to work from morning till night in this dusty government office.

For some reason, Yang Xiu's breathing became rapid.

So... she had already figured it out!

Although this princess acted somewhat outrageously, she did so for the sake of the Han dynasty and for the greater good.

He is of noble birth, born into a wealthy and powerful family, and is still young, so it's perfectly normal for him to be a little willful.

As a woman, and a bit older than him, I should be tolerant of him.

Yang Xiu thus convinced himself.

She has been working diligently on the mundane affairs of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices these days because she has already regarded Liu Xun as her future husband.

Of course I should help my fiancé with his affairs!

Coming back to her senses, she carefully examined the arms register in her hand, and another thought welled up in her mind:

Cao Cao's distribution of these weapons was far too straightforward.

Could it be that she still harbors feelings for the princess?

Thinking of this, Yang Xiu unconsciously increased the force in his hands, and actually broke one of the binding ropes of the bamboo slips.

The minor official beside him was startled: "Minister Ming?"

"Nothing, you may leave." Yang Xiu placed the document on the desk expressionlessly.

Just then, a captain strode in: "Minister Ming, you wanted to see me?"

Her name was Mu Qing, born into a respectable family in Fufeng County. She was skilled in archery and horsemanship and had an upright character. Back in Chang'an, she was a military officer in the Tiger Guard and Feathered Forest Army, and she diligently protected the imperial court on its return eastward.

After Liu Xun took over the Imperial Guards, he immediately recognized her practical abilities and promoted her to the rank of Tiger-like Gentleman of the Palace, with a salary equivalent to 600 shi (a unit of grain), in charge of daily training.

Yang Xiu nodded: "How is the training progress of the new army?"

As the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household Department, she shouldn't have been involved in training matters. However, due to the large number of vacancies in the Imperial Guard's officer positions, she had no choice but to take on more responsibility.

Mu Qing cupped his hands and replied, "The training of the newly recruited Tiger Warriors is on track. According to the military regulations set by Your Highness, they practice drills every morning, undergo physical training in the afternoon, and review military orders before the evening break. Although the soldiers complain, they all grit their teeth and persevere. Now the military appearance is already quite impressive."

Yang Xiu nodded. Liu Xun's training method, though strange, was indeed effective. Hundreds of people standing together, their movements perfectly synchronized, were quite impressive.

"But," Mu Qing gritted her teeth, "they refuse to practice from Hu Ben's side."

"Refuse to practice?" Yang Xiu frowned slightly.

"They are unwilling to participate in training, are very lazy, and do not obey orders," Mu Qing said with a wry smile. "It's not that I don't want to manage them, it's just that... I can't manage them."

Yang Xiu's face darkened.

She naturally understood Mu Qing's predicament.

Those who followed the Tiger Warriors were the daughters of high-ranking officials and nobles who had been recruited by him to join the Imperial Guard.

Liu Xun treated them very well, immediately awarding them the rank of "Tiger Warriors" (a military officer) with a salary of 200 shi (a unit of grain), which was given to everyone.

Although Mu Qing was nominally their superior, in reality, those guys all came from prominent families and were arrogant; who would take her seriously?

"Take me to see this." Yang Xiu had a headache.

When Yang Xiu arrived at the drill ground, a scorching heat was rising from the rammed earth ground.

In the distance, newly recruited ordinary soldiers were practicing their formation movements, sweating profusely. After days of daily drills, they had become quite disciplined.

On the other side of the training ground

A group of elegantly dressed ladies were gathered in small groups under the shade of a tree.

Some leaned lazily against the tree trunks, chatting and laughing, while others even laid out soft cushions and ate dried fruit and snacks, completely ignoring the deafening sounds of drills in the field.

Armor was piled up haphazardly to one side, and some people had even taken off their outer military uniforms, revealing the exquisite brocade robes underneath.

"Emperor Dezu is here!" Zhao Zhen, with sharp eyes, spotted Yang Xiu first, and stood up with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting.

Many of these noble ladies were Yang Xiu's playmates, and upon hearing this, they all came to look and greet her.

Yang Xiu had been holding back his anger, but he couldn't let it out at the moment. He could only force a smile, give them a perfunctory greeting, and then speak:

"You are now the imperial guards, why are you not participating in training according to military regulations?"

Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "The sun is too strong right now, we can practice later. Besides, what's the point of practicing those boring drills and laps?"

"Exactly!" Guo Ran chimed in, "We all come from distinguished families and have studied classics, history, archery, and horsemanship since childhood. Why should we have to struggle and struggle with those peasants? It would only tarnish our status."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Seeing the grim expressions on the faces of Mu Qing and the other veteran soldiers of the Imperial Guard, Yang Xiu interrupted them in a deep voice: "Now that you have joined the army, you should abide by the military regulations. These are the rules set by Her Highness the Princess, and you should all follow them."

Seeing that she was speaking seriously, the noble ladies looked at each other and remained silent for a moment.

The logic is sound, but how could they willingly lower themselves like that?

"Why must Emperor Dezu force people to do things against their will?" This time, it was Zhong Xiang, daughter of Zhong Ji, the Commandant of the Changshui School, who spoke.

Because her father had been granted the title of Marquis by the Emperor, she had been quite pleased with herself these days, and spoke without much restraint: "The fact that we came is in itself a show of support for His Highness and a gesture of respect to Brother Dezu. My mother said that His Highness would not send us to fight in a real battle."

Yang Xiu was speechless for a moment after being choked by her words. He opened his mouth to scold her, but found that he couldn't say anything powerful.

Because these noble ladies are right.

Their joining the Imperial Guard was more symbolic than practical.

This means that their families are demonstrating their political stance. For Liu Xun, the support of these forces in the court is far more important than their fighting ability.

After weighing the options carefully, Yang Xiu finally said helplessly, "In that case, I will not force you to train like ordinary soldiers."

"But one thing is certain: no noise or horseplay is allowed on the drill ground, and no interference with others' training is permitted. The military discipline and appearance of the Tiger Legion must be maintained."

The noble ladies responded in unison, chattering and creating a chaotic scene, when suddenly a cold voice rang out from outside the circle.

"You're wrong!"

Liu Xun had already appeared not far away at some point.