Chapter 311: Use Titles in Formal Settings

Next, Chen Yan accompanied Li Shimin to the Negotiation Office.

When he saw the 800-man army that Chen Yan had trained, Li Shimin's eyes lit up with brilliance.

What kind of army is this?

Its discipline is strict, its morale soars, and orders from above are executed instantly, even during training, it somehow looks pleasing to the eye.

Everyone moves in perfect unison, lacking the chaos seen in other armies.

What is this?

You should know, how long has Chen Yan been recruiting this army?

In total, not even a month—within a month, he managed to train the originally frail commoners into this form.

More importantly, Li Shimin saw in these 800 the aura of the Mysterious Armor Army, a sense of indomitable spirit and steadfast belief.

What is this?

It's the army's soul.

Honestly, what else can't Chen Yan do?

"Zi An!"

Li Shimin suddenly said, "I think the merit you've earned now is far too small with only 800 men; after we return, Guanyin Maid even complained to me, saying I'm being petty."

"I consider Guanyin Maid's point reasonable; how about this—let's discuss a force of three thousand?"

"You don't need to worry about anything else; just handle the training, and I'll take care of the rest!"

"How does that sound?"

Chen Yan: "......."

Facing Li Shimin's expectant gaze, he didn't know what to say.

He was speechless.

Last time I asked for three thousand and you refused, yet now that the Flagless Cavalry shows some results, you scramble to provide them.

You even brought Empress Changsun into it.

Would Empress Changsun blame you for saying such things? How could I not know?

Are you just fooling around?

"His Majesty, we cannot increase it further; eight hundred is already a suitable number, and adding more may not be beneficial."

Chen Yan replied tactfully, "Moreover, what you see now is not the final Flagless Cavalry; their weapons, armor, horses, and various other items are all the best I have, and the cost is far from small......."

"You need money?" Li Shimin's face was full of disbelief.

Forget three thousand; with Chen Yan's current income, supporting thirty thousand would be no problem.

"That's not lacking......."

Chen Yan twitched his mouth and said bluntly, "A target of three thousand is too large; you dare to give, I wouldn't dare to take, you must consider the consequences if it gets exposed."

Li Shimin paused, understanding his meaning.

Indeed, a goal of three thousand is far too large; whether within the Tang Dynasty or sending the Flagless Cavalry beyond, the risk of exposure is high.

That is clearly not what they want to see.

"Alas~"

Li Shimin watched the 800 training and shouting slogans below, feeling an indescribable regret.

He was truly envious.

A 3,500-strong Mysterious Armor Army is one of his biggest trump cards; if another Mysterious Armor Army appeared......

He wouldn't even dare imagine that scenario.

It's wonderful.

"His Majesty!"

Niu Jinda, who had been idly standing by, said casually, "Since this army is already arranged and can't be expanded, why not use Chen Xiaozi's method to train other troops?"

"Anyway, Chen Xiaozi has plenty of money; just let him fund it."

Chen Yan:?

Li Shimin:!!!

With those words, Chen Yan was stunned, and Li Shimin became excited.

"Zi An!"

Li Shimin looked at Chen Yan eagerly, finding him more charming than Empress Changsun right now.

Chen Yan paused twice, "His Majesty, in formal settings please use titles."

"Our relationship hasn't reached that level; Zi An is being a bit too familiar."

Li Shimin: "......."

Niu Jinda: (laughs)

Li Shimin, with a dark face, said, "I don't need you to fund it; just give me the training method."

"Chen Aiqing!!!"

He forced out those final three words as if squeezing them from his teeth.

"Oh dear!"

Chen Yan clapped his hands, "Your Majesty, what are you saying?"

"The Tang Dynasty is my home; patriotism relies on everyone!"

"Your Majesty wishes to train an elite army; as a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, as your good son‑in‑law, shouldn't I contribute some money?"

"Are you doubting me, Your Majesty!"

"As for the training method, I intended to hand it to you today, so rest assured."

Speaking, he paused and looked at Li Shimin with a sincere expression: "Also, there are only the three of us here, all of us are comrades; calling you 'Your Excellency' would be a bit too formal."

"That's not good!"

Li Shimin:......

Niu Jinda:......

"Hehe!"

Li Shimin was truly silenced by Chen Yan's shameless vigor; after holding it in for a good while, he finally let out a cold laugh.

"Kid, I must admit I'm impressed by you."

Niu Jinda shook his head and sighed, "Back in those days, your father and your uncle were so brave that they could charge through ten thousand troops without flinching!"

"And you… sigh~"

He looked up to the heavens and let out a long sigh.

Li Shimin nodded heavily in agreement, feeling that Niu Jinda's words were indeed very reasonable.

Fine, he didn't want to bother with these any further.

As for Chen Yan, Li Shimin had long known what sort of person he was.

Chen Yan simply shrugged indifferently.

If caring about face would cause him massive bleeding, then this face—better not have it.

"By the way, who do you plan to have lead the Flagless Cavalry?"

Li Shimin then brought up another matter, "You actually intend to assign the Flagless Cavalry to go out of Tang Dynasty to specialize in robbery and looting; Cheng Chu Mo and those three youngsters definitely can't do it. Not only are they too young and lack the ability for now, but even sending them out would be hard for you and your uncles to explain."

"So, have you already got someone in mind?"

A strange hue flashed in Chen Yan's eyes, and he immediately said, "Of course not; I've been worrying about this lately. Such an elite unit certainly needs a good commander."

"But my ability is limited; I truly can't find a suitable candidate. Perhaps His Majesty could recommend one?"

Li Shimin was very pleased with Chen Yan's attitude.

With that, he was completely at ease.

Just as Li Shimin was pondering whom to send, Niu Jinda spoke up.

"Your Majesty, how about letting me take it?"

He said excitedly, "I was the one who recruited this army and served as the chief instructor training them; I'm the most suitable candidate."

"No!"

Li Shimin and Chen Yan spoke in unison, both showing a resolute attitude.

Chen Yan simply didn't want Niu Jinda to take the risk; Li Shimin, however, thought that Niu Jinda's experience training the Flagless Cavalry could continue to help him train the troops later.

Sending him away would be such a waste.

Niu Jinda opened his mouth, but seeing their firm stances, he realized he had no chance.

Li Shimin pondered for a long time and then uttered a name.

"How about Su Dingfang?"

"When defeating the Göktürks, his merits were considerable, and having served in the army for many years, he is suitable in every respect."

"Then, let him serve as a deputy commander of the Flagless Cavalry?"