Chapter 97: The Grand Contest

Just as he was speaking, a clamor came from outside.

Zhu Yong stepped out of the tent and saw Chang Mao and Zhu Shuang quarrelling.

"On what grounds do you say I'm slacking? I clearly finished running!" Zhu Shuang blushed, his neck thick.

Chang Mao sneered, "You did finish, but you were the last one, dragging the whole team down!"

"I... I'm young, what's wrong with running slowly?"

"Being young is no excuse; on the battlefield, will the enemy spare you just because you're young?"

The two argued fiercely, unable to settle.

Zhu Yong walked over, his expression calm, and said, "What are you arguing about?"

Chang Mao straightened immediately and said, "General, the Third Prince is slacking in training and refuses discipline."

Zhu Shuang added, "Second Prince, I didn't slack; I just ran a bit slower…"

Zhu Yong looked at the two, then glanced at Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and Zhu Su standing nearby.

"Chang Mao, as the squad leader, if the members didn't keep up, do you bear responsibility?" he asked.

Chang Mao was startled and said, "I…"

"Of course you have responsibility; you're the squad leader, you must run with them, help them keep up. What good is just scolding?" Zhu Yong said.

Chang Mao lowered his head and said, "Yes, I was wrong."

Zhu Yong turned to Zhu Shuang and asked, "Is it true that you run slowly?"

Zhu Shuang whispered, "Yes…"

"If it's true, admit it; no excuses. Starting today, you will add ten li of training each day, stop when you can keep up with the squad," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Shuang wore a bitter expression, "Second Prince…"

"In the camp, address me as General," Zhu Yong said sternly.

"Yes, General…" Zhu Shuang hung his head dejectedly.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gang then said, "General, we request to train together with the Third Brother."

Zhu Yong gave them a glance, nodded, and said, "Approved, you also add ten li of training."

"Thank you, General!" Zhu Di shouted.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao watched from behind, exchanging a smile.

"Biao Er, Lao Si and Fifth Prince, they've got a certain vigor," Zhu Yuanzhang whispered.

Zhu Biao nodded, "Fourth brother and Fifth brother are indeed good, willing to endure hardship and take responsibility."

After handling the matter, Zhu Yong took Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao to observe other trainings.

On the obstacle course, the soldiers vaulted over high walls, climbed rope nets, crossed the log bridge, moving cleanly and efficiently.

At the shooting range, the soldiers practiced crossbow bolts; the targets were a Hundred Steps away, hitting seven or eight out of ten.

In the combat arena, pairs sparred, punches landing solidly but stopping at the right moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang grew increasingly satisfied as he watched.

"Yong Er, your troops are well trained, even neater than the soldiers I led back then,"

Zhu Biao added, "Second Brother, next month's Grand Capital Camp Competition, Longxiang Army will surely take the top prize."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "I just think of training good soldiers to protect Father and Elder Brother."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said, "Good child, hearing you say that eases Father's mind."

After watching the training, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao prepared to return to the palace.

Meanwhile at the capital camp, dusk fell and the soldiers began dinner.

A big pot of stewed meat, white steamed buns, enough to fill the belly.

Zhu Yong also carried a bowl and ate together with the soldiers.

Chang Mao brought his bowl over and sat beside him.

"General, today… I spoke rashly, I'm sorry," Chang Mao whispered.

Zhu Yong glanced at him and said, "Knowing your mistake is enough; remember, a squad leader doesn't just train others, he must advance together with his brothers."

"Yes, I will remember," Chang Mao said earnestly.

Zhu Shuang also brought his bowl over, murmuring, "Second Prince, I truly didn't slack today…"

"I know, your stamina is lacking, so you must train more; don't be discouraged, more practice will fix it," Zhu Yong patted his shoulder and said.

Zhu Shuang nodded and ate heartily.

Zhu Di, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Su also gathered around, a bunch of half‑grown kids, eating with gusto.

The setting sun sank in the west, bathing the Yanwu Chang in golden light.

Zhu Yong looked at the soldiers, at these younger brothers, feeling reassured.

Training soldiers is hard, tiring, and even faces accusations, but he knows he is doing nothing wrong.

Train good soldiers, protect this family, protect this nation.

This is what he ought to do.

As for the civil officials' idle chatter…

Let them go.

He gave a simple smile, bit into a bun… delicious.

August 1st, early morning.

At the Yan Wu Chang in the capital suburbs, War Flags fluttered, the banners of the Forty‑Eight Guard rustling in the summer wind.

A viewing platform was erected on the north side of the Yan Wu Chang; Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the center, Empress Ma on his left, and Crown Prince Zhu Biao on his right.

Civil and Military Officials sat on both sides, sealing off the Yan Wu Chang beneath the stage.

Today is the day of the capital camp's Forty‑Eight Guard grand competition.

Zhu Yong stands before the Longxiang Army's formation, clad in black iron armor, with a scarlet cloak draped over his shoulders.

Behind him, ten thousand Longxiang Army soldiers stand solemnly, silent as crows and sparrows.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong and other generals sit in the front row of the viewing platform, their gazes fixed on the Longxiang Army.

"Bo Ren, I heard Prince Wu's troop training has a special method…" Xu Da asks Chang Yuchun in a low voice.

Chang Yuchun grins and says, "Brother Tiande, you'll see soon enough; my son trained under Yong Er for several months, and now he's practically a different person."

At the civil officials' seats, Lv Ben and Wang Guangyang and others are also murmuring.

"They stand neatly, but what's the point of the fancy display?" Wang Guangyang says dismissively.

"Exactly, battlefield melee relies on bravery; no matter how neat the formation, it can't kill the enemy." someone agrees.

At the Chen Hour, drums sound.

Zhu Yuanzhang rises, walks to the front edge of the viewing platform, and declares loudly, "Today's grand competition aims to test the capital camp's combat strength; each guard should show its true skill, and the victor will receive great rewards!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" the Forty‑Eight Guard soldiers shout in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

The first item of the grand competition is formation martial display.

First to take the field is the Jin Guard, three thousand soldiers marching in formation; their steps are fairly orderly, but on close inspection a few lag behind the rhythm.

Next come the Yulin Guard, Huben Guard… each guard appears in turn, their performances largely similar.

The civil officials watch drowsily, and the generals can't muster enthusiasm; they are used to this.

Until the Longxiang Army takes the field.

Ten thousand soldiers split into ten formations, entering from the east side of the martial display ground.

"Quick step… march!" Zhu Yong orders.

"Tap tap tap…"

Ten thousand pairs of feet strike the ground simultaneously, the sound so uniform it seems like a single person.

The formations march; from the side they form a line, from the front a line, and even from an angle they remain a line.

The soldiers' arm positions and stride lengths are identical down to the smallest fraction.

On the viewing platform, the civil officials stare wide‑eyed.

The generals sit up straight.

"How… is this trained…" Xu Da gasps, inhaling sharply.

Chang Yuchun chuckles, "Your Highness calls this Standing Military Posture; you must stand steady first before you can march in unison."

As the formation reaches the front of the viewing platform, Zhu Yong shouts loudly, "March… forward!"

"Swish!"

Ten thousand legs kick out together, all at the same height and with identical motion.

"Tap tap tap…"

The sound of the marching steps striking the ground rolls like a muffled thunder, shaking the viewing platform with a slight tremor.

Zhu Yuanzhang watches, his eyes shining, and Empress Ma cannot help but nod.

Zhu Biao even breaks into a smile, saying his second brother's troops are trained so well it brings great pride to his face.

When the formation martial display ends and the Longxiang Army withdraws, they still keep the tidy formation.

The viewing platform falls silent for a moment, then erupts with discussion.

"This… this is too orderly!"

"How was this trained?"

"Prince Wu's troop training truly has unique qualities…"

"..."

Lv Ben and the others wear grim faces, yet have nothing to say; anyone with sight can tell that the Longxiang Army's formation is stronger than the other guards by more than a step.