Chapter 246: Military Camp, Wei Qing (No computer, typed by hand, too hard)

The next day, Su Ye rushed nonstop to the New Army Grand Camp outside Cangling City.

The escorting guard generals Xuanwu and Xu Chu followed closely behind, their armor clinking softly, which sounded especially clear in the morning light.

Su Ye moved through the camp, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, missing no corner.

He saw the soldiers' backs, though fatigued, still straight, and saw the determination and anticipation flickering in their eyes.

These new troops, though not yet baptized by fire, had high morale, which pleased Su Ye.

However, his purpose for this trip was not merely inspection.

Of course, his goal this time was not these thirty thousand new troops.

In his mind, there was still an important person to meet—namely, Wei Qing.

Wei Qing, a name not well-known among the new troops, was a colonel whom Su Ye kept deeply in mind.

Su Ye moved through the camp; his arrival had not been announced beforehand, so the soldiers showed surprise and tension when they saw him.

Finally, on a drill field, Su Ye saw Wei Qing training the soldiers.

Seeing this, Wei Qing immediately performed a respectful salute.

Hearing Su Ye's words, Wei Qing froze for a moment, then quickly reacted.

But Su Ye paid no heed to that; his gaze searched for that familiar figure.

"The subordinate pays his respects, my lord."

"However, I have another reason for coming here tonight."

"Zhongqing, no need for formalities; I heard in the Inspector's Manor that you have performed outstandingly in the new troops, so I came specially to see you."

Actually, that's nonsense; Wei Zifu has only been out for a day, where would constant mention come from?

Hearing this, Wei Qing felt warmth in his heart; he knew his sister had always been silently caring for him.

He paused, then continued speaking.

"My lord overpraises. My sister and I are children of an ordinary family; our achievements today rely entirely on our own effort and luck."

Su Ye said with a smile.

"I am curious—what kind of family could raise such outstanding talent as you?"

"Your sister Wei Zifu is my maidservant, constantly mentioning you in my ear."

"My lord overpraises; these are merely what I ought to do."

Besides, no one would bother to verify this flimsy excuse.

Su Ye stepped forward and gave a slight nod.

Speaking, his gaze unintentionally swept over the soldiers beside Wei Qing, discovering that though fatigued, they were spirited and well-trained.

"I have seen your talent and effort."

Su Ye nodded and said.

He wore a plain military uniform, his posture upright, his brow bearing a heroic air.

He raised his head to look into Su Ye's deep eyes and said.

"Luck is also part of strength. However, I can see that you siblings possess extraordinary ambition and talent."

Su Ye heard this and smiled slightly.

"Then Zhongqing, what are your thoughts on this new army?"

He paused, then looked into Wei Qing's eyes and asked.

Wei Qing's body stalled; instantly he realized Su Ye was testing him.

Although he did not know why his sister was so important in Su Ye's eyes, he merely mentioned it.

Seeing this situation, as long as we don't slip up, it seems our sibling duo is about to take off.

"Governor-General, the new troops have high morale but lack combat experience. My lord, you should appropriately strengthen practical drills to raise the soldiers' fighting ability."

"Moreover."

His mind was a thousand thoughts, yet Wei Qing quickly adjusted his mindset, organized his thoughts, and spoke in a low voice.

Facing Su Ye's deep gaze, he paused, seemingly organizing his wording.

This moment of silence made the surrounding air seem to solidify.

"My lord, the new troops' combat strength is indeed not weak, but to be frank, they are now too mediocre."

At last he spoke, his voice carrying a note of resolve.

Wei Qing's words caused Su Ye to raise his eyebrows slightly, but he did not interrupt, instead waiting quietly for what followed.

"This new army's combat strength is indeed not to be underestimated; they are well-trained, disciplined strictly, and can display respectable strength on the battlefield."

Wei Qing first affirmed the new army's strengths, then shifted tone and continued, "However, there is something I cannot swallow; I must speak plainly. Though the new army is strong, it appears overly mediocre, lacking distinctive traits and advantages."

He lifted his gaze to Su Ye, eyes flashing with firm light: "In my view, a truly standard army must not only possess strong combat strength, but also have its own character and soul."

"Such an army can sweep all before it on the battlefield, becoming the enemy's nightmare."

"However, the current new troops, though brave, lack such qualities."

Wei Qing's voice gradually grew low.

"For present-day Cangzhou, we need not merely a strong army, but also an elite force capable of playing a decisive role at critical moments."

"The current state of this new army obviously cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."

Su Ye listened to Wei Qing's words, his brow slightly raised.

He naturally understood Wei Qing's meaning and also realized the problems currently existing in the new troops.

Indeed, such an army lacking distinctive traits and advantages.

Although it is the latest large army trained by Li Shanchang and them.

But it is merely used to supplement the presently lacking ordinary county troops of Cangzhou's native lands.

Even the best possible outcome would merely be becoming a reserve for Li Jing in Qi Zhou.

Or even if luck is bad.

It's possible that, in a shortage of manpower, one would be directly transferred to Li Jing's Qi Zhou front lines to serve as cannon fodder.

But now Wei Qing's intention is clearly not that.

Su Ye felt a surge of joy in his heart.

He vaguely remembered that the famous Feather Forest Army and Feather Forest Cavalry of the Han dynasty were related to Wei Qing.

The Feather Forest Army, this unit was initially called the Jianzheng Camp Cavalry, later in 104 BC, during Emperor Wu of Han's reign, it was renamed the Feather Forest Army and became a renowned palace guard.

"Fear that the Commandant's authority is too great, and thus established the Feather Forest and Expectation Gate under the Minister of Ceremonies, after which the strength of the northern and southern armies began to balance."

In other words, the Feather Forest is a guard unit under the Minister of Ceremonies.

It selected the sons of good families from the six commanderies of Longxi, Tianshui, Anding, Beidi, Shangjun, and Xihe to guard the Chengzhang Palace; initially called the Jianzheng Camp Cavalry, later renamed the Feather Forest Cavalry, meaning 'to be the nation's wings, as flourishing as a forest.'

During the Eastern Han, they were called Feather Forest Gentlemen, and later generations of palace guards also often bore the name Feather Forest.

The Feather Forest Army had seventeen prohibitions and fifty-four capital offenses; its discipline was strict and its combat strength extremely strong, thus it was highly valued by Emperor Wu.

Famous generals such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing all came from the Feather Forest Army.

"Zhongqing, you are right."

"A new army indeed needs to find its own characteristics and advantages in order to become a truly standard army."

Su Ye looked at Wei Qing, who had his head slightly bowed, and spoke slowly.

Wei Qing felt a surge of joy upon hearing those words; he knew his suggestion had won his lord's approval.

(End of chapter)