FENG YU JIU TIAN VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 19.2
Lu Dan came to meet Duke Ming to discuss to him about the good news. Feng Ming however did not view it as good news and told Lu Dan that because of this he had created another enemy. Lu Dan reassured Feng Ming that within three months, nothing will happen to Feng Ming since Jun Qing is a well respected commander and if he agreed to assist Feng Ming in regarding Dong Fan’s military division then he will not allow anything to happen to Feng Ming. However, after the three months are up and Feng Ming had not display any talents or ability then Jun Qing could easily suggest the Great King to execute Feng Ming if he wanted to. Hearing this, Feng Ming was scared but then asked Lu Dan if he is willing to allow him to die since Dong Fan King also has the unparallel sword.
LD: Duke Ming has misunderstood. Lu Dan only stated that the other unparallel sword is somewhere near the Great King, I did not said that the Great King is wearing it on him. Duke Ming shouldn’t worried, once Duke Ming has passed the three months mark and demonstrate your ability and loyalty to Dong Fan, then the Great King will wear the unparallel sword on him. When that time comes, all those who are loyal to the Great King will protect Duke Ming.
FM: You are not teasing me are you?
LD: Lu Dan does not like to tease. The Great King is the most important person of Lu Dan’s life. Lu Dan does not want to carelessly give him to another person. Luckily, Duke Ming has passed many trials of Lu Dan. If you can pass this life and death trial, then you will become the perfect person in my mind.
FM: I have never wanted to be the person of your choosing.
A moment later, someone came with the orders of the Great King and Feng Ming received the order of what Lu Dan discussed with him earlier. Afterwards, Feng Ming tried to think of a plan to handle Jun Qing, but after some time of thinking he tired himself out and took a nap.
While still dreaming, Feng Ming heard someone calling his name: “Duke Ming? Duke Ming?” It was a male voice and that person was shaking him.
“Duke Ming? Hurry and wake up.”
“Who’s there inside?” A guard standing watch outside felt as if he saw something and yelled out.
When Feng Ming opened his eyes everything was the same as before, two female attendants came in and asked if Feng Ming needed anything. He just told them that he was probably talking in his sleep. He tried to remember that voice and thought that it sounded like Rong Hu, but he couldn't make sure since he was in a sleeping state and thought it must be because he misses everyone from Xi Lei therefore his dream had become strange.
The guards searched the room but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. They then tell Feng Ming to rest and not to worry since they will be on the look out for anything suspicious. That night, Feng Ming couldn't sleep much.
The next day, Feng Ming was called up early and the female attendant informed him that Jun Ling Si had ordered General Chang Yen to come and request for Duke Ming to participate in the meeting. She then tells Feng Ming that Jun Ling Si is very strict and one time because a soldier was late to the meeting, his feet were chopped off.
Feng Ming was half asleep while his servants were dressing him and was in a rush to leave. One of the female attendants giggled and told Feng Ming that he shouldn't be in a haste and brought over a red cloak. “Yesterday, Advisor had left this, saying that Duke Ming is afraid of the cold and if he goes outside, he will need to wear something warmer.”
Didn't know what material the woven cloak was made of, but it was of good quality and the fur made from a very rare kind of white fox fur. When wearing upon oneself, it was very warm and comfortable.
Although Feng Ming knew that Lu Dan just wanted to buy his loyalty, he couldn't help but admired Lu Dan’s sense of thoughtfulness.
While looking around, Feng Ming noticed a general standing outside and he thought to himself that that person must be Chang Yen.
From today onward, whoever is in the Dong Fan’s military division can all become his enemy, seeing that hard to tease figure, even if Feng Ming did not had enough sleep, he was immediately awoke for some portion, he straighten himself upward, hid his sleepy face, and use the high and mighty attitude of royalty that Rong Tian had taught him before to walk towards that person.
FM: You must be General Chang Yen. I have let General waited long enough. (Feng Ming gave him a bright smile of intimacy)
Chang Yen turned himself around, his sharp eyes piercing directly at Feng Ming, after seeing a young handsome face, he couldn't help but became startled. He didn't participated that banquet the other night in the inner palace, so he only heard stories about Feng Ming. He heard people complimenting how handsome Feng Ming is and just thought that he would have the same sinister look as Lu Dan, but when seeing him now, he is someone with a natural kind demeanor.
It would be difficult for anyone to have ill feelings towards a comfortable smile with no evidence of hidden intentions, compare to the dark smile of Lu Dan, this smile appeared gentle filled with confidence.
Feng Ming was being examined by Chang Yen from top to bottom.
FM: General Chang Yen is someone who is tall and filled with strength, you seemed to be a someone who is very good at interrogating a spy of a military opponent, haha, because just having General Chang Yen’s large eyes looking back and forth like this, [a spy] cannot hide any secrets.
Chang Yen felt uncomfortable and withdrawn his glances.
CY: Commander Jun has been waiting in the meeting hall discussing with other generals from the military division, I request Duke Ming to come with me.
Chang Yen and Duke Ming walked to the meeting hall, which was somewhat farther than what Feng Ming was used to so Chang Yen ended up slowly down his pace for Feng Ming to catch up. After walking for some time, Feng Ming asked Chang Yen how much longer, in which Chang Yen stated that it’s just up ahead.
Feng Ming followed Chang Yen and stepped inside the large gates. The meeting hall was filled with generals, separated in an orderly right and left side. Standing behind them were either their subordinate or lieutenants. The majority of them were very young, but yet very vibrant.
The person sitting in the central point was a tall man with deep set of eyes, showing unmatched confidence. He was looking down and examining carefully at a set of documents, on his left shoulder, he wore a purple belt, which made it apparent that he was the most senior commander of Dong Fan military force.
When Feng Ming and Chang Yen entered, all of their eyes fell upon Feng Ming. These were the people who putted their all on the battlefields; their eyes were even sharper than regular people. Being surrounded and stared upon by them, even though Feng Ming was used to being stared at, he could feel the atmosphere around him turned heavy, even breathing was a bit difficult.
The only person that didn't bother to look at Feng Ming was Jun Ling Si, Jun Qing who was sitting straight in the middle.
CY: Jun Ling Si, Duke Ming has arrived.
Jun Qing didn't care much for his “adversary” and a moment later, he slowly put down the documents in his hands and lifted his head to look at Feng Ming.
Feng Ming was standing proudly and met his direct gaze. Jun Qing motioned his hand: “Please sit down, Duke Ming.”
Earlier, a guard had set up the table. Don’t know whether if it was Jun Qing’s idea or not, but the seating was next to the door, making Feng Ming sit in a way directly facing Jun Qing, while the other generals sat on both sides. In this position, Feng Ming and Jun Qing’s “adversary battle” could be displayed for everyone to see.
Feng Ming was extremely uncomfortable when sitting in that position, he smiled at Jun Qing.
FM: Jun Ling Si requested for my presence this early to attend the meeting; I’m not sure what we will be discussing about?
Glancing around, they are all Jun Qing’s people, each one of them could easily kill him with just one swallow. Why is the situation right now compared to being imprisoned in the Heaven and Earth palace has not improved a bit?
“You call this early?” One general who looked to be around his fifties answered. “Huh, we have waited for an entire hour for one person already.”
JQ: Xie Guang, Duke Ming is a guest of the Great King, invited here to attend the meeting, please don’t be rude.
When Jun Qing spoke, the general immediately closed his mouth and dare not to utter another word.
Chang Yen was sitting on the left side of Jun Qing, seems to be a position directly below of Jun Qing.
CY: Today’s meeting was mainly to discuss about training matters. All of the generals have brought up some methods of training the troops and wrote their ideas on these documents for Jun Ling Si to look over.
FM: Training troops? Jun Ling Si is the strongest military commander of Dong Fan, if we’re talking about training troops, you must have lots of methods already.
JQ: The main point of this meeting today is to discuss about training troops, all the other generals have written down their opinion on the matter, as of right now we are still missing Duke Ming’s opinion.
There were more than ten dangerous piercing eyes staring at him. Feng Ming looked at the serious face of Jun Qing and he knew he could not avoid this if he wanted to. He had to prepare himself and displayed a natural smile on his face.
FM: Please don’t be in a hurry, Jun Ling Si. Let me begin by talking a little about some of the training methods you've came up with. All of your generals thought about training methods, but that is nothing more than to improve a set of skills. Something along the line of having serious discipline, rewarding and punishing accordingly, generals should be role models for the soldiers, and maintaining morale. It is all of these, am I right?
Everyone’s faces changed color.
Feng Ming can speak of all these things because he had learned them from Rong Tian, so he only guessed that all the other kingdoms had similar outlook on training methods and he was right. For Feng Ming to easily tell them (about the methods), of course would make those generals surprised since they had always thought of him as someone who used his beauty to seduce Xi Lei King.
JQ: Hearing Duke Ming say that, it seems that our training methods is still inadequate, please enlighten us Duke Ming.
Feng Ming’s situation right now was like having the enemy surround him on all four directions, like standing in fire and sitting on coal. At this moment, he finally understood Lu Dan’s hidden intention.
Since he is now at this point, even if Feng Ming knew that it’ll be of an advantage to Lu Dan, he couldn't help but had to use his brains to come up with a military strategy/method to create some hardships for Jun Qing.
FM: How would I dare to criticize that your training methods is not good.
Feng Ming gave a dashing smile, simply stood up and walked towards the center like a supermodel displaying his fashion clothes, he continued.
FM: If we look at this from a small aspect, then naturally we can train and discipline a good group of soldiers. But these are nothing truly spectacular, the methods for great training is to create an army that is incomparable.
A set of footsteps filled with confidence and pride walked towards Jun Qing, Feng Ming paused, lowered his head to examine closely the face that had no change of expression from Jun Qing.
FM: Jun Ling Si, do you want to know, what it means to have superior training strategy?
JQ: I am curious to hear.
FM: That is…the system.
JQ: The system? (Jun Qing raised his eyebrows)
All the other generals held their breaths waiting for the answer and looked at each other.
FM: That’s right, the system. Everyone here understands that a soldier’s morale is very important, but you don’t know how to make an army’s morale rise to its peak. Reward, punishment, training, every day repeating the same thing, teaching the basic skills is not the key, the key is to reform the military system so that each soldier strive to do his best and continue to motivate himself.
“Duke Ming has said a lot of things, but you have not reached the important point.” Suddenly, a voice traveled forth from behind. Though the sound was delicate, but it had a cold tone similar to Jun Qing. “The problem about soldier’s morale, we already know about that. But the system that Duke Ming talked about, what kind of system is it really, that can boost one’s morale and can it really allow Dong Fan’s military’s strength to reach its highest level? These questions, Duke Ming has not said a single word to clearly answer them. To be invincible in the world…it sounds more like smooth words that an ignorant person would boast about.”
Someone had pointed out a few problems to Feng Ming and he made several faces inside his mind, Feng Ming turned around towards the direction of the questioner. That person had a special position, a young and only general to stand behind Jun Qing, the clothing similar to the rest, skin fair white, and a handsome face, however it’s a pity that the person’s eyes revealed a sense of coldness. Just looking at that person, one would understand how much strict military styled training was put through at a young age, definitely not someone who would joke around at ease.
Jun Qing noticed that Feng Ming was carefully examining the person behind him so he said: “This is my daughter, Jun Ting, she is Dong Fan’s 13th military assistant.”
So it is a female, no wonder her voice was delicate and appearance is very handsome.
FM: Greetings Miss Jun Ting. (Feng Ming gave her a friendly smile).
JT: This is a military meeting, Duke Ming, please address me as 13th military assistant. The problem I have brought up, I still request Duke Ming to answer please.
FM: Describing the system is very easy, however to create a system that will be useful is not an easy task. 13th Military Assistant (13MA) just asked me a very pertinent question, can my method make a soldier’s morale reach his highest point? If I were to explain my method right now, everyone here will not be able to see the actual result, therefore, I want a better way to prove my method so that everyone can see.
CY: What way do you have?
What Chang Yen brought up was in fact something that all the other generals were curious about. As someone who have been together with the two people of extreme intelligence in psychological warfare like Rong Tian and Lu Dan, Feng Ming naturally would learned a bit on using psychological strategy.
FM: Actions speak louder than words, the outcome will prove whether or not there’s result. If you really want to witness my method of training soldiers, I request Jun Ling Si to give me a group of soldiers, who will be solely trained by me. After three months, Jun Ling Si can inspect my training. I will not ask for a large number of people, you don’t have to worry Jung Ling Si, just 100 people is enough.
Since that will be the end of three months period, if he were to die then he’ll die. For now, he just need to hold a small portion of the soldiers in his hand, have a better chance to connect with more people then the opportunity of him leaving here would increase, at the point if he were to use a bit of manipulation at the right time, then who would know whether these 100 people will help him escape.
JQ: Only 100 people, how can we see the results of training? I will send 3000 soldiers of 13MA for Duke Ming. Although Duke Ming wanted to solely take charge of the training, 13MA will assist you. Other than that, we cannot wait until after three months to see the results, we will inspect once every month, then we’ll use 3000 soldiers in my military division to become opponents with 13MA’s soldiers, using 3x the result to measure Duke Ming’s training method.
13th Military Assistant, she will be assisting? Every month there will be an inspection?
Feng Ming’s face turned pale.
Jun Ting didn't care much for Feng Ming’s pale face, and only replied.
JT: I understand the orders, I will put in my all to help assist Duke Ming in his training.
JQ: Excellent, today’s discussion will end right here, meeting adjourned.
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