Liang Xiao said without hesitation, "Select young people between eighteen and twenty-five years old, assign them various training based on age groups and specialties. To establish belief, first take care of their families, then let them understand that they are engaged in a great cause. Just like the Shadow Guards, my subordinates should also be heroes who march forward steadfastly in the darkness."
March forward steadfastly in the darkness!
Sima Jing looked at Liang Xiao with approval and nodded slightly, "I will do my best to arrange the training of Liang Second Young Master's subordinates."
In fact, Sima Jing was also uneasy about letting others handle this, and he wanted to see what kind of troops Liang Xiao could train, and whether they would be detrimental to Xiao Qing in the future.
He understood that Xiao Qing was deeply in love with Liang Xiao, but as a veteran minister behind the scenes, he had taught Xiao Qing the art of rulership with Wang Canghai and Ning Xuejun, so he had to maintain absolute rationality.
Seeing that Liang Xiao seemed hesitant to speak, Sima Jing smiled and said, "I also understand what Liang Second Young Master wants to say. I am not short of money, I have no children, and I don't need to seek titles for my wife and children. Why don't you write a poem or song for me, just like you did for those old ministers when choosing talents for state affairs."
Liang Xiao thought for a moment and readily agreed.
Sima Jing personally ground ink for Liang Xiao and watched him write.
As Liang Xiao's brush moved like a dragon and snake, Sima Jing's cold heart was stirred by waves of emotion.
A "Po Zhen Zi"!
[Drunkenly, I light the lamp to look at my sword, dreaming of bugles blowing across the camp. Eight hundred li of roasted meat under the command, fifty strings play the northern music, autumn soldiers muster on the battlefield.
The horse is like a swift Di Lu, the bow is like a thunderbolt, the string twangs. To accomplish the king's affairs under heaven, and win fame in life and after death. Alas, my hair has turned white!]
Reading the lyrics, a sense of heroism surged in his heart, and the ending carried a touch of tragedy. Sima Jing was rarely moved to tears.
"A good line, 'To accomplish the king's affairs under heaven, and win fame in life and after death'!"
"'Di Lu' refers to a certain precious horse? Then what is this eight hundred li?" Sima Jing asked.
"It is the name of an ox. I borrow it to express my ambition. Even the most precious beef should be used to reward the soldiers," Liang Xiao explained.
Sima Jing clapped his hands and praised, reciting it repeatedly, and memorizing the poem.
"I like this poem very much, but it is better to give it to the Lord to keep, so that the Lord will be pleased," Sima Jing sighed.
Liang Xiao naturally did not object. Sima Jing immediately summoned two Shadow Guards and had them take the "Po Zhen Zi" back to the capital, and then accompanied Liang Xiao to the northern military camp.
Lu Yi was full of confidence in Liang Xiao and was not surprised by Sima Jing's reappearance. He congratulated Liang Xiao and made a promise.
"This marshal permits the two of you to select the most loyal, brave, and intelligent soldiers from the army, and the old commander will arrange their training!"
Liang Xiao did not object. At his current status, it was not appropriate for him to personally select personnel who were like death warriors. Even if Xiao Qing trusted him, he had to avoid suspicion, unless he really became the驸马 (emperor's son-in-law).
Upon learning that Sima Jing had Liang Xiao's "Po Zhen Zi," Lu Yi and others were stunned, and Zhuo Wulue even copied it on the spot!
Lu Yi felt a little bit of displeasure in his heart.
Such a fitting poem, and it wasn't written for me? I'll have to squeeze a poem out of this kid sooner or later!
Hearing that Sima Jing had sent the calligraphy back to the capital, Lu Yi could already imagine Xiao Qing's reaction and could not help but complain inwardly.
The child will surely be smitten again and unable to restrain herself...
Thinking of the letter Xiao Qing had sent him, which was full of exaggerated praise for Liang Xiao, Lu Yi felt a headache.
Where was the art of rulership promised?
Fortunately, Liang Xiao did not disappoint Lu Yi. Xiao Qing was, after all, a young girl, and Lu Yi felt somewhat relieved.
The child had a difficult life. She had finally found such a precious elder brother. Alas, let her be smitten...
Liang Xiao was unaware of Lu Yi's inner thoughts at this moment. He merely suggested to Lu Yi that they go and see the current state of the Great Gan Iron Guards.
Everyone followed Lu Yi to the newly designated "Iron Guard Camp" to watch Liang Xiao review the Great Gan Iron Guards.
The Great Gan Iron Guards were already elite soldiers of the northern military camp. Apart from the various weight-bearing running training newly added by Liang Xiao, they were much more proficient in other aspects than the Qingtian Guards.
Yue Xiu, Yue Chong, and Yue Ming, three elite barbarians recommended by Liang Xiao to Lu Yi, were skilled in swordsmanship and were appointed as colonels by Lu Yi, specifically responsible for training the Great Gan Iron Guards.
Nan Jiyun was the deputy commander of the Great Gan Iron Guards, but he was mainly responsible for training the White Robe soldiers, as Nan Jiyun was most skilled in spear fighting, and the White Robe soldiers generally used spears.
The "White Robe Camp" was next door, and they could even watch each other train directly through the camp fence.
Lu Yi's intention was obvious: he hoped that the military forces of the two countries would spur and motivate each other.
Upon discovering the sudden assembly of the Great Gan Iron Guards, Nan Jiyun also rushed to the Iron Guard Camp. The White Robe soldiers who were resting also began to discuss in small groups.
"Could it be the Marquis of Anguo, protected by that Heavenly General? I heard that the Marquis of Anguo is very good at training troops, and General Nan is supervising them!"
"Just relying on strength, we are probably no match for the Great Gan Iron Guards. We cannot slack off in training, lest the title of the First Legion be snatched away by them!"
These White Robe soldiers were elite cavalry. Their numbers were maintained at seven thousand. In terms of infantry duels, they might not be as good as the Great Gan Iron Guards. Only in cavalry battles could the White Robe soldiers' advantages be demonstrated.
"I heard that the Marquis of Anguo has applied for a complete set of military equipment from His Majesty, and we White Robe soldiers will also get some!" The White Robe soldiers became happier and happier as they talked.
The White Robe soldiers were already well-equipped troops, their equipment being so fine that it could even rival the vanguard death squads. Even their warhorses were clad in leather armor with light armor plates attached to the outside.
Even so, Liang Xiao still proposed to Xiao Qing to strengthen the equipment of the White Robe soldiers.
Therefore, the White Robe soldiers had a very good impression of Liang Xiao, and even believed that it was the Heavenly General who was guiding Liang Xiao to treat them well!
As the White Robe soldiers talked, they ended up convincing themselves and voluntarily returned to their training, fearing that they might be surpassed by the Great Gan Iron Guards one day.
Liang Xiao was extremely satisfied with the demeanor of the Great Gan Iron Guards.
This was the benefit of picking up ready-made, but Liang Xiao still hoped to build the Qingtian Guards from scratch with his own hands.
Sima Jing temporarily stayed in the military camp to cooperate with Lu Yi in selecting personnel, and Liang Xiao returned to the Liang Mansion.
After Liang Xiao left, only Zhuo Wulue and Sima Jing remained with Lu Yi.
"Old commander, what do you think of this young man Liang Xiao?"
Sima Jing said frankly, "Even though I had psychological preparation, I was still secretly shocked when I met Liang Second Young Master, and felt inferior! I have met the Sword Saint, the Qin Saint, the Dao Sect of the Great Liang, including Wu Yi and Xue Jun. It is hard to imagine that a nineteen-year-old boy could have a more steady and profound demeanor than them."
Lu Yi and Zhuo Wulue looked at each other.
Sima Jing was the mentor of Ding Wuyi and Ning Xuejun!
These two were already masters comparable to the Sword Saint and the Dao Sect, yet they did not receive such high praise from Sima Jing!
"Regardless, it is truly a blessing for our Great Gan that the Lord has this person!" Sima Jing finally laughed heartily in Liang Xiao's absence.
Lu Yi and Zhuo Wulue remained silent. They could see that Sima Jing had held back for too long in order not to lose face in front of Liang Xiao!
As soon as Liang Xiao alighted from the carriage, he saw the Heavenly Mountain Swordsman patrolling around with the Liang Mansion guards, looking tense.
"Marquis of Anguo, we have just captured a follower of the Spring Return Sect!"