Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 62: The Hu Biao Army

  "Knock knock knock!"

  The muffled drumbeat broke the silence of the dawn, and also awakened the sleeping Bianjiang camp, gradually releasing infinite vitality.

  With the beat of drums, countless black streams poured out from each barracks and converged on the huge drill ground in the center of the Da Ying camp, gradually forming a larger and larger black ocean.

  Countless people of all colors are also being herded towards the big stadium under the watchful eyes of the Imperial Guards.

  The peaceful and long drumbeat lasted for a while, then suddenly changed to a rapid one. The rapid drumbeat stopped abruptly after ten breaths.

  In front of the grand school grounds is a gigantic, five-zhang-tall dotting platform that has been newly renovated. A huge, copper-colored object with an opening as wide as one zhang in diameter is supported by several wooden pillars at the center of the dotting platform.

  A bronze object with a huge mouth facing downwards to the large campus. Next to the stage is a bamboo peak made of countless bamboo slips, towering over ten zhang high.

  A three-zhang-high flagpole stood on the stage, with a giant black-bottomed flag fluttering in the air. On the flag, a black, zhang-long fierce tiger was opening its big mouth and letting out a long roar towards the sky, emitting an aura of ferocity that seemed to jump out. A pair of shiny black armor hung beside the flag.

  If someone's eyes are good enough, they can immediately see the difference in this black armor. On the left chest of this black armor, there is a flag with a miniaturized version of the same tiger seal printed on it, shrunk countless times.

  On the vast campus, in the middle of the square opposite the podium, a multicolored ocean of more than 400,000 prisoners and slaves gathered together, whispering to each other. As time passed, the buzzing discussion grew louder and louder.

  On both sides of the colorful sea of people, there were 100,000 armor-clad soldiers with bright weapons standing in a dense forest. All the imperial guards stood still, holding their breath and concentrating.

  A strong and intense killing aura began to silently spread and envelop the entire scene, as the more than 40 million prisoners in the central area felt a chill run down their spines. The over 40 million prisoners in the center gradually quieted down, waiting quietly.

  Everyone was unaware of why they were gathering, and no one recognized the giant tiger flag on the stage, let alone knew what the countless bamboo slips piled up into a mountain peak were for.

  "The Emperor has arrived!"..."The Emperor has arrived!"...

  A loud declaration came from afar, one after another, the standing imperial guards heard that His Majesty the Emperor had arrived, and immediately their expressions changed, their bodies straightened up even more.

  More than 400,000 prisoners in the central area suddenly burst into a huge uproar when they heard that His Majesty the Emperor had arrived. Some begged for mercy, some wailed, and some cursed. The entire parade ground was instantly filled with noise.

  The tens of millions of prisoners sensed it, the silent and motionless imperial guards on both sides couldn't help but grip their weapons tightly, a strong killing intent swept towards the center. With just one order, these tens of millions of prisoners who ignored the emperor would be slaughtered on the spot.

  "Upward"

  A loud and shrill neigh pierced through the air, particularly jarring amidst the dull murmurs.

  The rapid hoofbeats of "da-da-da" came from afar and stopped abruptly in front of the more than 400,000 prisoners.

  What appeared before the eyes of the prisoners in the front row was a magnificent five-colored horse, on which sat a middle-aged general with a height of eight feet, a stern face, and a bright black armor. At this moment, the middle-aged general was holding a seven-foot-long dragon-shaped ring knife, staring angrily at more than 400,000 prisoners.

  This middle-aged general suddenly slammed the dragon bird large ring knife in his hand to the ground, half a foot into the earth, and let out a thunderous roar.

  "If you make another disturbance, you will be put to death without pardon."

  This loud shout was like a thunderclap in the sky, instantly overwhelming the dull hum of voices, and the entire campus suddenly fell silent.

  Many of the Imperial Guards on both sides recognized this general, and seeing him alone, they were so shocked that they froze in place, their forty thousand strong army of convicts suddenly stopping in unison. With a loud shout, they slammed their weapons to the ground and cried out in unison: "Execution is certain! Execution is certain! Execution is certain!"

  A massive wave of sound stirred up the dust on the campus, forming a yellowish-brown giant dragon that rose into the air. The intense killing intent caused many of the more than 400,000 prisoners in the center to tremble simultaneously and fall to their knees.

  That great general was Zhang Han, who had just accompanied Hu Hai to ride horses and come. Seeing the prisoners, Hu Hai's face changed, and he rode his horse out, finally successfully calming down more than 400,000 prisoners who were about to riot.

  Zhang Han saw that the prisoners had become quiet, so he dismounted his horse and knelt down on the ground with reverence, loudly saying: "I respectfully welcome Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and forever!"

  "Long live Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live forever and ever!"

  On both sides, 200,000 black-armored Imperial Guardsmen followed Zhang Jue and knelt down on the ground, shouting loudly. The yellow dragon that had just been stirred up by the sound waves had not yet fallen when even more yellow dragons rose up, and the entire drill ground was suddenly a blurry yellow.

  More than 400,000 prisoners in the center only reacted at this time, and they hurriedly knelt down to welcome Hu Hai, but their voices were sparse and uneven.

  At this time, Hu Hai had already climbed onto the commanding platform on the grand campus. The convicts had just rioted, and Hu Hai was afraid of causing chaos. With 200,000 imperial guards to eliminate these 400,000 convicts, it was inevitable, but the imperial guards would also lose at least half of their men, which was not what Hu Hai wanted to see.

  At a critical moment, Zhang Han came out and, together with the 200,000 soldiers of the Imperial Guard, immediately intimidated the rioting prisoners, putting Hu Hai's mind at ease.

  "Men at attention!" Hu Hai shouted loudly in front of a large paulownia simple loudspeaker.

  The sound went through the huge opening of the horn and rotated with amplitude, suddenly echoing throughout the entire campus. The effect was not bad, Hu Hai smiled.

  Although I don't know why the emperor's voice was so loud, all the imperial guards still respectfully said "Thank you, Your Majesty", and with a clatter of armor and weapons, they stood up one after another.

  Looking at the armor and sharp weapons of the forbidden soldiers below, Hu Hai's heart surged.

  "You are worthy of being the most elite soldiers of our Great Qin, I am deeply comforted!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Another loud shout.

  "Today, I will bestow the name 'Hu Bao' on the most elite soldiers of our great Qin. From now on, the Imperial Guard will be known as the 'Hu Bao', and it will be the first army of our great Qin, serving as the personal guard for all future emperors of Qin, forever pacifying the world!" Hu Hai declared loudly.

  The voice fell, and the entire campus was silent.

  A moment later, 200,000 imperial guards knelt down on the ground: "Long live your majesty! Long live your majesty!" The huge waves of sound dispersed the yellowish-brown dust that had been hovering over the large drill ground.

  "This is the military flag of Hu Bīng Army, this is the armor of Hu Bīng Army. The military flag has a fierce tiger, and the same fierce tiger is branded on the armor. This is the honor of my Hu Bīng Army. Can you wish for me to forever stabilize our Great Qin Empire?"

  "I would die for Your Majesty! I would die for Your Majesty! I would die for Your Majesty!"

  "In the prison, there are more than 400,000 convicts and slaves. Do you see that bamboo forest by the platform? Those are the records of your crimes. I will tell you today, would you like to become soldiers of Great Qin from now on? Those who are willing can stay, those who are unwilling can leave, and past crimes will not be punished."

  I will leave behind the troops who have made achievements. After June, I will select soldiers for my Hu Bao Army in this large training ground, and you can all participate. The Hu Bao Army should be the first army of Great Qin, only the most elite and brave warriors can wear this armor and enjoy the glory of this flag.

  "However, the 200,000 soldiers of the Forbidden Army will also be selected to join the Hu Bao Army. Those who are capable will enter, and those who are inferior will leave. This selection will take place every two years from now on, and all soldiers of our Great Qin can participate. Do any of you have any complaints?" Hu Hai said in one breath.

  "Long live Your Majesty!"

  ……

  The vast grassland stretches as far as the eye can see.

  The lush green grass began to sprout on the vast grassland north of the Yin Mountains, with endless emerald green radiating vigorous vitality.

  A group of black armored knights broke the silence of the prairie at dawn, their heavy hooves trampling several tender grasses that still had dew on them.

  "What's going on? Is General Shaz long about to return to Jiuyuan?" a young voice rang out from among the horse troops.

  "You little guy is quite well-informed. Fortunately for our great Qin, His Majesty has been enlightened by the First Emperor and both General Meng and Lord Mu have been released. However, General Meng will lead the 190,000 troops from Xianyang to quell the rebellion in the south, while Lord Mu is coming to Jiuyuan!"

  As the voice turned around a face just as young faced the young knight who had just spoken and smiled.

  "Your Majesty is sending General Da and the 190,000-strong army to quell the rebellion in the south. What if the Xiongnu were to invade?" a young voice asked anxiously.

  "You stinky kid, you think a lot. General Xin let us come deep into the northern mountains to scout out the Huns' military situation, isn't that what this is all about? But I'm worried those Hun barbarians won't dare to come." Shi Chang laughed and scolded.

  (Recommendations wanted!)