Chapter 121: Hot-Blooded

The Drill Ground was so quiet that one could hear the breathing of the soldiers.

Especially the soldiers at the tables nearby; their breathing was heavy, and their eyes were shining.

"No need for formalities. This is what you deserve. If not for you risking your lives to infiltrate the Northern Di army, I don't know how many more soldiers would have had to sacrifice their lives to capture him," Zhao Xu said.

Chen Hu nodded.

If not for them at that time, his thousand-plus men would likely have all been killed in battle before the reinforcements arrived.

He felt no jealousy at all regarding these rewards.

Other generals nodded one after another, likewise acknowledging their meritorious service.

Sun Qiang and the others were still in a state of excitement; among the six of them, three came from the former County Soldiers.

Previously, they, as ordinary soldiers from farming families, had no opportunity for promotion in the army; even if they performed meritorious service, it was often snatched away by their superiors.

It was good enough if they could get a few copper coins to buy a jar of Wine to drink.

But now, not only had they been promoted three ranks, but each of them had also received one thousand taels of Silver and ten mu of fertile land.

This simply allowed them to climb from the very bottom of Yan Commandery to a middle-class wealthy family in one leap.

"Serving His Highness is our honor. To repay His Highness, we are willing to follow His Highness forever with our loyalty and our lives," Yu Fang, one of the six, shouted. He was somewhat literate and was better at speaking than the others.

General Chang Wei heard this and revealed a smile.

Zhao Xu smiled and nodded, lifting a cup of Wine, "I won't say anything more; it's all in the Wine."

The serving soldiers filled the six men's cups, and the six raised their bowls and drank them in one gulp.

After drinking the Wine, the six returned to their own table.

As soon as they sat down, the soldiers at the same table immediately pulled them over to pour them more drinks, causing quite a commotion.

Chang Wei swept his gaze over them and said to Zhao Xu, "Your Highness, for soldiers to be promoted three ranks for meritorious service in battle, that is rare even in the Imperial Guard."

Liu Fu echoed, "On this point, this official agrees. Whether in the officialdom or the military, generals are basically controlled by the Rich Clan. Even if military merit is achieved, it is often usurped. The combat effectiveness of the Great Song Imperial Guard has been declining year after year, and this is not unrelated."

Zhao Xu looked toward the soldiers filling the Drill Ground and nodded slowly.

He naturally understood the current corrupt policies of the Great Song, so this time he intended to use this to shape the military ethos of the Prince's Personal Army.

Just like the commoners who were once trapped by the Rich Clan.

Their lives were like a pool of stagnant water, without hope.

And after he gave them hope, the commoners played an important role in this Autumn Hunt.

On the main battlefield, he defeated the Northern Di, but on the secondary battlefields in the countryside, the commoners also fought well.

These past two days, statistics have been continuously sent over; thousands of Northern Di Cavalry were killed by Village Soldiers in the countryside, and the Village Head of each village successively sent over the captured Warhorse, Armor, and Weapon.

The same logic applies.

In the army, soldiers also need hope.

He wants to let the soldiers see a path through which they can climb.

Instead of a military environment that is like stagnant water, no matter how heroic they are.

"Such things, this Prince absolutely cannot allow to happen in this Prince's army. We must give the soldiers a path to rise. For the soldiers who performed meritorious service in this battle, you make a count, and reward them according to their different merits. As for the generals who were cowardly during the war, they should be removed, and as for the soldiers, those who should be punished, punish them."

Zhao Xu said heavily.

He rewarded Sun Qiang and the six others in front of everyone just to set an example.

It was to pave the way for the comprehensive rewards and punishments that would follow.

"Yes, Your Highness," Chang Wei replied.

Zhao Xu continued, "Also, for the soldiers who died in battle or were severely wounded and disabled, both the military and the Government Office must consider their care. You two discuss it and submit a plan to this Prince."

Liu Fu and Chang Wei both answered in the affirmative.

After dropping these words, Zhao Xu then picked up his wine bowl and walked toward the Drill Ground.

Arriving in front of a table of soldiers, he raised his wine bowl and said, "Everyone has worked hard. This Prince toasts you all, but with so many tables, this Prince can only take a small sip to show my heart, otherwise, I fear I would drink myself to death."

The soldiers were originally drinking and eating meat; Zhao Xu's sudden arrival startled them all, and they stood up one after another.

Zhao Xu said he wanted to toast them, and they were even more excited, their faces turning red, not knowing what to say.

Chang Wei and the others saw Zhao Xu act this way and all stood up to follow behind him.

Yan Wang treated the soldiers with such affinity that they were deeply moved.

"Don't just stand there, drink it all," Chang Wei said to the soldiers with a smile.

The soldiers came to their senses, and one soldier boldly said, "We will finish ours, Your Highness, please drink as you wish."

Having said that, the ten of them drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Xu laughed loudly, patted the shoulder of the nearest soldier, and said, "Good, you were good in battle, and you are good at drinking too."

After saying this, he walked toward the next table.

At this time, the seated soldiers all cast their gazes toward Yan Wang, their surging excitement unable to dissipate for a moment.

And the soldiers at other tables saw Yan Wang toasting the soldiers table by table.

Although the soldiers who hadn't been reached yet continued to drink and eat meat as usual, their hearts were full of anticipation.

Not until Yan Wang came over and let them drink a bowl as well were they satisfied.

In the large Drill Ground, Zhao Xu went from the first table to the last.

Time passed from noon until evening; no soldier was left out, and he returned to his own table.

At this time, he said to the officers and soldiers, "The battle is won, the banquet is eaten, and in the coming days, there will be rewards for merit. But do not forget those soldiers who died at the hands of the Northern Di, and do not forget that the Northern Di are still watching us from the North Territory. However, do not be afraid. After today, you must train with your lives. When the Northern Di come again, this Prince will lead you to another victory."

The pride that had just sprouted in the generals and soldiers because of the victory was extinguished by these words from Zhao Xu.

That's right, they had only won a small Autumn Hunt.

Moreover, this was only because the Northern Di were arrogant and fell into a trap.

In the North Territory, the powerful Northern Di would not be hurt in their vitality because of this one small failure.

However, just as Yan Wang said, they are no longer afraid.

The myth of the Northern Di's invincibility has been shattered in their hands.

"His Highness is mighty!"

"His Highness is mighty!"

"..."

Spurred by the Wine, the soldiers' hot blood made their hearts burn even hotter, and they shouted loudly.

This was heartfelt respect for Yan Wang, and also a spur to themselves.

The setting sun was like blood.

A trace of autumn chill blew across the Drill Ground with the wind; the Wine was finished, but for every soldier and general.

This Yan Wang who devised the great defeat of the Northern Di.

This Yan Wang who always stood on the front lines with the soldiers during wartime.

This Yan Wang who could drink at the same table with every soldier.

Was deeply carved into their hearts.

They had a reason to fight—to fight for Yan Wang.

As long as Yan Wang is here.

Yan Commandery has hope, and their lives have a future to look forward to.

"Xu Lie, escort His Highness back, and be sure to pay attention to safety." Chang Wei's eyes were unfocused.

He was too happy today, and the Wine from the Prince's Mansion was also too delicious.

Now that the effects of the Wine had gone to his head, he felt light-headed as he walked.

Chen Hu and Lv Chang were even worse off; they drank until they finally buried their faces in the vegetable plates and could not get up.

Xu Lie shook his head repeatedly; as he was responsible for guarding Yan Wang's safety, he naturally could not drink Wine.

Scanning the Drill Ground where soldiers were vomiting everywhere, he helped Zhao Xu up and walked toward the outside.

Yan Wang was drunk.

Table after table, even a single lick would be enough to get drunk.

Seeing the sky growing darker, he ordered a carriage to be brought from the Prince's Mansion to carry Yan Wang back.