Chapter 95

Wang Ziteng and Xia Shouzhong were startled, and quickly stood in front of Emperor Jing Sheng Di to protect him.

"Audacious! This is the present..." Xia Shouzhong's face turned solemn; just as he was about to call out Emperor Jing Sheng Di's identity, he was stopped by the emperor.

He came in plain clothes simply to see the real situation, not wanting to reveal his identity in advance and give the camp time to prepare.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di signaled Niu Jizong to continue the negotiations.

"I am Left Deputy Governor Niu Jizong of the Five Military Governor's Office, this is my seal, today I have come to see your Military Governor; why don't you quickly open the camp gate!"

The leading officer hesitated briefly, examined Niu Jizong's seal, and still chose not to open, but asked:

"Since a governor has arrived, why was there no prior notice? We have not received any orders from superiors; military orders are like a mountain! Therefore we cannot let you pass!"

"You young officer, why are you inflexible, delaying my business! Can you afford that?"

Niu Jizong pretended to be angry, his expression stern, and shouted loudly.

"Delaying the adult's affairs, I, a junior officer, cannot bear it! But if today I let the adult in without permission, my head will surely be cut off!"

"Therefore, if the adult truly wishes to enter, please allow me to go and report!"

The leading officer's face did not change, and he replied in a deep voice.

Niu Jizong was about to speak further, but Emperor Jing Sheng Di had already spoken:

"Fine! Go summon your Military Governor, he will recognize us!"

Seeing that he truly could not get in, Emperor Jing Sheng Di could only call Jia Jing out first, which would also prevent the camp from having time to prepare.

"Wait a moment!"

The leading officer nodded, then waved his hand and ordered a nearby soldier to call Jia Jing.

In no time, the camp gate slowly opened, and Jia Jing, clad in armor, came out leading several personal guards.

From a distance he saw Emperor Jing Sheng Di among the crowd, and hurriedly quickened his steps forward to salute, saying:

"Your Majesty! I was unaware of your arrival, and failed to greet you from afar; I beg your forgiveness!"

The soldiers behind Jia Jing, seeing this, also hurried to salute.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di chuckled and helped Jia Jing to his feet, his expression somewhat awkward.

He could not say, "I originally intended to make a surprise inspection of the troops, but couldn't even get through the gate!"

He could only force a few hollow laughs and say:

"Your officer leads fine troops! Quite reminiscent of Zhou Yafu Xiliuying!"

"The camp gate is guarded watertight. I intended to give you a surprise, but unexpectedly couldn't get in... Ha ha!"

"Your Majesty flatters me! Of course a military camp has military law!"

"If the world is unsettled, who knows whether barbarians or bandit spies might infiltrate the camp to gather intelligence; allowing anyone to enter at will would be detrimental to our army!"

"I have always taught the soldiers that our Ba Shang camp is the final line of defense for Shenjing, and must be constantly vigilant, never complacent!"

"Therefore, the camp gate must be guarded as strictly as in wartime; without a military order no one may enter or exit casually, lest a single slip on the battlefield cost the lives of the entire camp!"

Jia Jing, seeing that Emperor Jing Sheng Di was not angry, carefully explained everything to him.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di certainly understood the benefits of strict military law, and having just experienced the lax gate of Jingying, he now compared it with Ba Shang camp and felt even more impressed.

"Your officer, walk with me a bit! Keep it quiet; I will first observe the training conditions inside the camp!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di said to Jia Jing.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Jia Jing could not have been unaware that Emperor Jing Sheng Di was here to inspect the rectification of Ba Shang camp; he simply pretended not to know because the emperor did not say so.

Jia Jing greeted Niu Jizong, Wang Ziteng, Xia Shouzhong and others; Niu Jizong and Xia Shouzhong returned the greeting with cheerful smiles.

Only Wang Ziteng snorted coldly, his attitude perfunctory. Jia Jing ignored him and, following behind Emperor Jing Sheng Di, walked together toward the camp.

Upon entering, Emperor Jing Sheng Di immediately noticed the differences between Ba Shang camp and Jingying.

It was the vitality: every training ground in the camp rang with soldiers' vigorous marching chants, a scene of bustling life and competition, completely unlike the dead atmosphere of Jingying.

The soldiers in Jingying hung their heads, eyes vacant, faces sallow, clothing ragged and dirty, giving the impression of starving refugees.

Many even sat directly on the ground to bask in the sun, with no posture when sitting or standing, looking as if their spines had been pulled out.

Weapons were scattered everywhere, or simply tossed together in piles of broken copper and scrap iron, with no one to organize them.

In Jingying there was hardly any training; most gathered loosely or slept, creating a chaotic clamor like a market.

And the soldiers and officers of Ba Shang camp!

Orderly! Fully equipped! Each performing their duties!

What Emperor Jing Sheng Di saw was either training, patrolling, or standing guard; when Jia Jing passed, each stood upright, saluted, and greeted.

Walking the whole way, he did not see a single lazy soldier.

Next was the environmental hygiene.

The ground and each sector of Ba Shang camp were very clean and tidy; the earth appeared leveled, hard yellow soil, with no dirty traces.

Recall that when he entered Jingying earlier, the camp area and training grounds were messy.

Even among the emperor's guards, someone stepped in excrement; the whole camp reeked, making his head ache.

Just this alone made Emperor Jing Sheng Di feel that Jingying and Ba Shang camp were incomparable.

Later, Jia Jing led Emperor Jing Sheng Di to inspect the camp's residential area, kitchen, logistics, armory, and miscellaneous zones.

Along the way, the emperor's expression grew increasingly moved and delighted.

Finally, the group arrived at the training field's military training area.

"One, two, three, four...!" Simple yet rhythmic chant rang deafeningly, tens of thousands marching in step—a truly spectacular sight.

Especially that they maintained formation, which undeniably made the sight even more astonishing!

"What is this?"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, watching the troops run with loads on the training ground, rolling like an earth dragon, shouted in surprise toward Jia Jing:

"Your Majesty! This is a type of training I devised, called Loaded March! On the battlefield one must not only be able to fight, but also be able to run!" Jia Jing replied earnestly.

"Military Governor Jia, that's an interesting remark! On the battlefield you're not thinking about how to defeat the enemy, but instead thinking about fleeing—could this be teaching the soldiers to become deserters?"

Wang Ziteng, standing nearby, furrowed his brows and asked Jia Jing in a low voice.

Wang Ziteng's questioning, like a cold flash, flashed between the two.