Chapter 142: Storming the Military Camp

"Then this Marquis will await your esteemed presence tomorrow. Farewell!" With that, Cai Cong cupped his fists toward Li Jing and said, "Thank you, Minister Li, for speaking up out of a sense of righteousness."

"It was merely within my duty; no need for such elaborate courtesy," Li Jing replied calmly, without casting an extra glance at Cai Cong because of this. This was his way of self-preservation. In the military, even Qin Qiong's prestige fell far short of his. He was the God of War in strategy, while Qin Qiong was the God of War in combat—a single character's difference made a gulf as wide as a thousand miles.

Therefore, he did not form cliques for private interests, nor did he associate privately with either civil or military officials. This was his way of telling Li Shimin that he was not the type to harbor rebellious bones.

Cai Cong walked out, but after a short moment, he walked back in. He strode directly up to Du Ruhui, who wore a troubled expression, and said with earnest seriousness, "Lord Du, if you trust me and can take advice to heart, then do not overwork yourself and handle everything personally. To tax your mind and body so heavily—just think about how Zhuge Wolong met his end."

Cai Cong left immediately after speaking, leaving Du Ruhui frozen in place for a long time. Fang Xuanling patted Du Ruhui on the shoulder and said, "Don't blame the boy. Although his words sound harsh, they make complete sense. If you drive yourself that hard, sooner or later your body will give out."

"I am not a man who cannot tell right from wrong; I can certainly distinguish between good intentions and malice. It's just that I feel my remaining days are few, and I wish to contribute as much as I can to this realm!" Du Ruhui said calmly. No one knew his own physical condition better than he did; each day was worse than the last. Fang Xuanling wore a sorrowful expression, not knowing what else to say. He gave Du Ruhui's shoulder a heavy pat and sat back down at his desk.

Without a moment of rest, Cai Cong hurried to the military camp. The training inside was in full swing, featuring drills fierce enough to make even veterans who had looked death in the eye break out in a cold sweat.

"Gather up, everyone! This Marquis has something to say!" Cai Cong shouted loudly while riding on his small white horse. Many soldiers came to assemble with their upper bodies bare, while others emerged from hidden spots as if descending from the heavens as divine troops, leaving no clue as to where they had popped up from.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

"You're all fine men, but what kind of training is that with clubs and bamboo poles? Can wooden sticks break a wooden dummy post? And you lot—without shirts on, can your bare skin withstand friction better than clothing?" Cai Cong shouted loudly, having noticed some men with rubbed-raw skin.

The men below remained silent. *My dear Marquis, the well-fed do not know the hunger of the starving! If we had proper equipment, who would be willing to abuse themselves like this?*

"Ahem! Not a word from any of you; looks like you've got plenty of pent-up resentment. However, tomorrow you are all to bring out your absolute finest gear. The Ministry of Revenue doesn't believe our wear and tear is that high? Well, I'm going to bring them all here so they can see for themselves whether we're embezzling. Whether they willingly shell out enough military pay depends entirely on your performance tomorrow. If you perform poorly and we don't get the funds, don't any of you damn well come crying to me later when you have no pants to wear!"

Cai Cong swore profanely, looking not a bit like the director of an academy, yet this bunch of men ate right out of the palm of his hand. They roared and hollered as if pumped full of adrenaline.

"Just leave it to us, Marquis! Tomorrow we guarantee those high-ranking officials will know they were wrong."

"That's right! Tomorrow we'll make sure they see the massive difference between us and the good-for-nothing rabble in other camps."

The soldiers spoke with extreme arrogance, which greatly displeased Cai Cong. An arrogant army is bound to taste defeat! Having learned just a few tricks, they all fancied themselves capable of soaring through the skies and burrowing through the earth.

"Shut your damn traps, all of you! You talk big now, but if anyone drops the ball tomorrow, I'll have him thrown into solitary confinement for ten days to half a month."

Cai Cong's words caused everyone to shrink their necks back; spending half a month in solitary was far more terrifying to them than being killed.

"Back to what you were doing! Extra rations tonight, and put on a good show tomorrow." With that, Cai Cong returned to his tent and instructed someone to bring him bedding.

A short while later, Meng Baolai walked in carrying the bedding and said with puzzlement, "A rare visitor indeed! You actually want to spend the night in the camp, Marquis? Did the sun rise from the west today?"

For a camp commander, eating and sleeping in the barracks was the most normal thing in the world, but Cai Cong practically never stayed overnight in the military camp, which was why Meng Baolai was so startled.

"The sun didn't rise from the west; your Marquis is simply here to take refuge. I won't be leaving the camp for quite some time, so you lot are in for a miserable time."

Cai Cong said with displeasure. Two giant crocodiles were fighting over territory, turning the outside world upside down, and even the aristocratic families were wading into the muddy waters to fish for profit. Li Shimin and the others would have plenty of headaches over this. Believing his own arms and legs were too small, Cai Cong had no intention of getting mixed up in such matters; hiding away was clearly the wisest course of action.

Early the next morning, Fang Xuanling arrived at the gates of the military camp. With just a single glance, he was so angry his lungs nearly burst. There were only two fresh-faced young soldiers guarding the main gate; if anyone were to attack the camp right now, they would probably breach it in less than a quarter of an hour.

" Who goes there? The military camp is a restricted area, no unauthorized entry!"

Fang Xuanling, leading his carriage and entourage, tried to charge right in. The two young soldiers crossed their spears to block him, only to be rudely shoved aside by his men.

"Hmph! Charge in for me!" Fang Xuanling's beard trembled with rage as he pointed at the gates and yelled. How could such a military force have the nerve to demand more pay than others?

Seeing this, the two young soldiers made no move to stop them; they simply shrugged and let them be—if someone wanted to court death, no one could save them. Seeing the indifferent attitude of the two guards only fueled Fang Xuanling's anger further, but before his fury could truly flare up, it was instantly doused.

Figures burst forth from the ground on both sides, grabbing his men and dragging them down into trenches. Screams rang out one after another, and before he could even react, he saw countless sharp arrows aimed directly at the remaining men.

In an instant, cold sweat drenched his back, and he froze in place, not daring to move. Although he didn't believe these people had the guts to shoot and kill him, what if one of those bastards accidentally let go?

"Who dares to trespass in the military camp?" Meng Baolai demanded loudly, stepping out with a sharp horse-chopping saber raised.

"Th-This is Lord Fang Xuanling, Duke of Xing," an attendant said with trembling fear. *Dear mother! Are these people actually going to strike?*

"On what grounds are you trespassing in the camp? Do you hold an imperial edict from His Majesty?" Meng Baolai asked sternly, his eyes locked onto them with a piercing gaze.

"This official bears no edict from His Majesty; I merely accepted an invitation from the Marquis of Chang'an to arrive on appointment today," Fang Xuanling replied indifferently, completely disregarding Meng Baolai.

"Even if you came by appointment, you cannot barge into a military camp. As someone from a military background yourself, surely the Duke knows that trespassing in a camp is punishable by beheading? Take them all down!"

Meng Baolai sneered. *You want to act high and mighty? If we don't show you a bit of color today, do you think our New Army is easy to bully?*

Fang Xuanling was seized by the arms and shoved forward. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected that Meng Baolai would actually dare to arrest him.

"What do you think you're doing? I am a Duke! If you kill me, His Majesty will execute your entire clan down to three generations! Cai Cong, where are you? Come out right now!" Confronted with flashing blades, Fang Xuanling could no longer maintain his composure.

"What is going on? Who is calling this Marquis?" Cai Cong walked out looking bleary-eyed, complaining with deep dissatisfaction.

"It is this old man calling you! Watching me in such a humiliating state, you must be secretly overjoyed in your heart, aren't you?" Fang Xuanling's face was livid. When had he ever suffered such a massive loss of face?

Cai Cong was taken aback. *Could it be my skills have rusted? I don't look like I just woke up? Or did he overhear me chuckling behind the curtain?*

*Impossible! How could he have seen through that?* At this thought, he put on a righteous and stern expression and said, "What is the meaning of this? Elder Fang is a man of noble character and high standing—who gave you the audacity to treat him this way?"