Chapter 34 First Come First Served

  The garrison and training camp of the Hundred Riders were located at the Taiji Palace's Xuanwu Gate, where Li Shimin had directed a major coup. In the past, entering the imperial palace from here would directly face the emperor's living quarters, making it a weak point in defense and a strategic location.

  Now, this place is guarded by the Left Guard Gate led by Li Junxian. The barracks of the hundred riders are a row of newly built houses that are rich and magnificent, with new paint and bright glazed tiles, showing a noble air everywhere.

  "Mu Bai, the Emperor attaches great importance to you hundred riders. Look at this newly renovated barracks for officers and soldiers, it's better than any of the Imperial Forest Army's. Because you are the Emperor's personal meritorious guards, in every aspect, you must be the best." Li Jun Xian pointed to the row of military barracks and said to Qin Mu Bai, "Look at your quarters, even ordinary hundred riders' treatment is not worse than many generals'. Four people share a room, each room has a servant and an eunuch serving. There are special people feeding horses, delivering meals, sweeping the courtyard. You six hundred hundred riders have more than a thousand servants and cooks serving you. With so many people serving you, I'm afraid that under the sky, there's probably no other soldiers as pampered as you hundred riders."

  Qin Mubai seemed to have understood, although Li Junxian spoke in a rather casual and joking tone, there was a hint of sourness. Fellow officials are like enemies, Li Junxian has been in charge of the Left Guard Gate at the Taiji Palace's Xuanwu Gate for many years, but he hasn't received such treatment.

  "Since we are treated so well, I think our responsibilities and tasks are also very arduous." Qin Mubai said.

  "It's fine as long as you understand." Li Junxian handed over a folded letter to Qin Mubai with an expressionless face, saying, "Take a look first, this is the training plan I made for your hundred riders after hearing the emperor's decree."

  Qin Mubai took it over and glanced at it, taking a light breath in his heart!

  This is clearly a "murder plan"!

  The training schedule had made precise arrangements for all twelve periods of the day. From dawn till midnight, every moment was arranged to be "full". This made Qin Mubai, who was familiar with 21st century military camps, feel somewhat astonished - this was clearly devilish training!

  In addition to the military rules and brainwashing political slogans set by the emperor for the Hundred Riders, it can be seen that after this, the Hundred Riders will become a team that absolutely obeys, is meticulous, invincible, and fearless of death. A group of top-notch bodyguards and the most gorgeous killing machines.

  "What's wrong, are you scared?" Li Junxian raised an eyebrow, his smile a bit cold.

  Qin Mubai lightly closed his folding fan and walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly: "Excuse me, General Li, may I offer my opinion?"

  "Of course." Li Junxian said in a serious tone, "The Emperor has given the order, you are the commander of the Hundred Riders, and I am just your assistant. Major decisions still need to be made by you."

  "That's good. I'll make some adjustments to some of the training subjects." Qin Mubai paused, turned his head and looked at him, "Can I?"

  Li Junxuan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he smiled as if nothing was wrong: "Of course. After all, the final decision will be made by the Emperor anyway."

  Qin Mubai nodded and stopped talking, thinking to himself: It seems that the Emperor is still not at ease with me, this newcomer. What he said sounds good, sending an "experienced" general to assist me, but in reality, he wants to supervise me from the beginning, or even render me powerless. No wonder, the Hundred Riders are the most elite troops closest to the Emperor. The Emperor doesn't know me very well, how could he trust his life and everything to me?

  Actually, Qin Mubai was muttering to himself, not about how to compete with Li Junxian for favor and win the emperor's trust. It was just that Li Junxian's training plan was too 'unscientific'.

  For example, after lunch, there is only a short rest time, and then immediately engage in high-intensity strength training. Even if you practice hard and get strong, your stomach will be ruined. If you don't know how to rest, you won't know how to work, and being overly strict and bitter won't produce true heroes. Moreover, these training subjects are too traditional and no different from those of other Tang Dynasty armies. Even if the quality of these hundred riders is indeed much higher than that of ordinary soldiers, with this method of training, what can be achieved in the end? What qualifications do they have to serve as the emperor's personal guards?

  At this moment, Qin Mubai already had a detailed training plan in his heart, which was learned from the National Defense Science and Technology University and modern armies. With some modifications to make them suitable for the current situation of the Great Tang army, it would be fine.

  Doesn't the Emperor need a batch of real " Zhongnanhai bodyguards"? Alright, I'll give you a batch of special forces!

  Li Junxian took Qin Mubai to the Hundred Riders' Camp and walked around, then gathered 600 soldiers. Among the officers of the Hundred Riders, except for Qin Mubai, who was the first officer, none of the other officers had taken office yet. Qin Mubai thought that the Emperor was being very thoughtful. By letting him take office first and establishing a "first come, first served" impression in front of the soldiers, it would be very beneficial for him to win over people's hearts and unite the troops in the future.

  After all, Changsun Miao and those people have a very strong background, with prestige and influence among the sons of officials that Qin Mubai cannot match for the time being.

  "Your Majesty has spoken, and it will be about seven days before the other officers take office," said Li Junxian. "Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with these people under your command within these seven days. I want to remind you that among these six hundred people, even if they are just small soldiers, they may have a great background. Therefore, many of them are proud and arrogant. It will be difficult for you to conquer them. This is a huge test."

  "A man without personality is not a good guy, and a soldier who is not proud is not a good soldier." Qin Mu Bai smiled slightly, "These people all have backgrounds and are also capable. But their background can't protect them from being killed by the enemy. Since they've joined the Hundred Riders, they should put aside their backgrounds and other things. The Hundred Riders only need their capabilities. If they can't do it, then get out."

  Having said that, Qin Mubai gazed at Li Junxiang with a smile on his face, his expression calm and determined.

  Li Junxuan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Then go ahead and do it with all your might!"

  Six hundred soldiers stood in a neat square formation, all looking at their highest direct superior - Qin Mubai.

  Six hundred people, six hundred different gazes. Among them were envy, jealousy, discontent, as well as expectation and admiration. Qin Mubai almost read out six hundred different thoughts from their gazes.

  "Now what needs to be done is to unify their thoughts." After making up his mind, Qin Mu Bai took a step forward, pulled out the military rule book given by Li Shi Min and waved it, saying, "Brothers, let's not waste words. Those who can enter the Hundred Riders are all people with vision and ability. What we're here for, I'm sure everyone is clear in their hearts. Without rules, there's no square circle. Today is our first meeting, so we won't speak loudly or make friends, nor will we do what new officials do when they take office - kill chickens to scare monkeys. This is the Hundred Riders military rule personally bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor. I hope everyone will remember it in their hearts and engrave it on their bones. Military orders are like mountains, and rules are ruthless. From now on, no matter who it is, as long as they break these military rules, they will be punished according to law."

  Six hundred soldiers suddenly stood upright with a stern expression, none of them had expected the herald to start with such words.

  This is the first thing that was done, which is to put a tight seal on each of the soldiers. Those who are willing to wear it must wear it, and those who are not willing also have to wear it.

  After that, Qin Mubai summoned several civil officials and clerks assigned to Li Shimin's hundred riders, letting them copy the military rules six hundred times, one for each person. In addition, in the barracks and training grounds, the military rules were also erected in the form of stone steles. Let everyone be deeply influenced by these military rules, and remember them subconsciously, not to take a step beyond the thunder pool.

  "In three days, we will have a written examination on military regulations. I will also participate in it and ask Li Changshi to proctor the exam," Qin Mubai said, "So within these three days, everyone must memorize the military regulations by heart. Those who fail the exam can pack up their bedding and go home."

  "What?!...". The crowd of soldiers was in an uproar, "Is there such a thing in this world?!"

  As a result, a large number of shocked and suspicious eyes were cast towards Qin Mu Bai, naturally including many dissatisfied ones.

  Li Junxian also slightly furrowed his brow and said in a low voice, "General Qin, isn't this going too far?... Uh, what I mean is, you're so easily dismissing a soldier, it's hard to convince the crowd."

  Qin Mubai understood the meaning expressed in Li Junxiang's and these soldiers' eyes. These people all have a history and background, and it's not easy to be selected into the Hundred Riders... Can you, Qin Mubai, just expel them like that?

  Wei Ran sneered coldly. Qin Mu Bai thought to himself: Are you all waiting for my explanation? What a joke! Do I have to explain everything to you, or are you all going to be the ones giving orders?

  "This will be made public like a mountain, and absolutely no changes will be made, no personal favors will be granted, and the law will not be bent. Therefore, brothers must remember and implement it." After a pause, the whole scene was silent, Qin Mu Bai shouted loudly: "Did you hear that?"

  "I heard... clearly." A faint and scattered response.

  "Speak louder!"

  "Listen carefully!"

  "Neaten up!"

  "I've heard it clearly!"

  "That's settled." Qin Mu Bai smiled slightly, "Three days from now at this hour, the military regulations exam will be held. Those who are absent will be considered to have automatically given up their rights and will be treated as deserters. Dismissed."

  "Affirmative!" The soldiers responded in unison and dispersed, no one whispered or murmured again.

  Li Junxian watched from the side, casting a sideways glance at Qin Mubai with furrowed brows, thinking to himself: This kid is ruthless and has a deep understanding of the situation, he's a formidable character despite his young age, no wonder the Emperor took a liking to him at first sight!

  "General Li, I'll be staying in the barracks for the next three days. Can you take charge of our daily drills during this time? I need some time to attend to some important matters." Qin Mu Bai said.

  "This is no problem. I was originally here to assist you with these things." Li Junxiang nodded in response, but thought to himself: You're going to go all out to memorize the military rules, afraid that when the time comes, you won't pass the test and lose face?

  .??，！