Chương 157: Military Parade

In January of 185 AD, the second year of the Zhongping era, in Zhuo County, Zhuo Commandery, Youzhou...

Early in the morning, Liu Ce was dressed in his armor—the Black Gold Armor—attended by Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, and others.

"My husband looks so radiant today." Cai Yan said, adjusting his sash with a smile in her eyes.

Zhang Ning handed over her sword: "May my husband's military review go smoothly."

Zhen Jiang, Ren Hongchang, and the five Zhen sisters also came to see them off, filling the courtyard with beautiful women.

Looking at this large family, Liu Ce thought to himself: If this were in modern times, it would be the dream of countless men.

"Alright, I'm off." He waved his hand, then mounted his horse.

Outside the governor's mansion, the advisors, including Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai, had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Liu Ce emerge, they all bowed and greeted him: "My lord, Marquis."

"Let's go."

Liu Ce took the lead, "Let's go see what we've accomplished in the past three months."

The battalion commanders were already in place in front of the reviewing stand.

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, while his horse snorted.

Zhang Fei was bragging to Zhao Yun beside him, "Fourth brother, I'll show you the soldiers I, Old Zhang, train later. I guarantee they'll be more spirited than yours!"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "I know that Third Brother's soldiers have loud voices."

……

Each battalion has its own unique characteristics.

Outside Zhuoxian County in Youzhou, a wide flat area was cleared out, and a wooden platform three zhang high was temporarily erected.

The stage was covered with large flags bearing the character "Liu," fluttering in the cold winter wind.

Below the stage, 39, 000 soldiers stood in neat rows in thirteen square formations.

These soldiers were dressed in uniform dark-colored close-fitting clothes—the Mingguang armor hadn't been made yet, so they had to wear these for now.

A horizontal sword hung at his waist, half-drawn from its sheath, gleaming coldly; in his hand he held a long spear, its tip pointing upwards, reflecting a cold light in the sunlight.

What was most striking was their military bearing: each one stood tall and straight, eyes fixed ahead, even their breathing seemed synchronized. More than 30, 000 people stood there, so quiet you could hear the wind, with only the rustling of flags.

The momentum is already there.

On the high platform, Liu Ce, dressed in black armor and covered with a scarlet cloak, looked majestic and awe-inspiring.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai and other strategists lined up on both sides, all dressed in formal attire.

Guo Jia had originally intended to skip the visit, but Liu Ce dragged him here by the ear. Now he's wrapped in a thick fur coat, huddled in a corner, yawning.

Xi Zhicai nudged him: "Fengxiao, the Marquis is watching, so be more alert."

Guo Jia rubbed his eyes: "In this freezing weather, instead of drinking indoors, you're out here in the wind, Marquis... really..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Ce glanced at him, and Guo Jia immediately shut up and stood up straight.

Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction, walked to the front of the stage, and glanced at the dark mass of people below.

He raised his hand and pressed it down.

The once noisy training ground fell silent instantly. Only the rustling of the flags in the wind could be heard.

"Excellent!" Fang Xuanling couldn't help but praise in a low voice, "Their orders are strictly followed, and they already show signs of a strong army!"

Du Ruhui nodded and said, "It's been three months, and you generals have worked hard to train the refugees and local militia to this level."

He took a deep breath, gathered his strength, and spoke in a booming voice that resonated throughout the entire venue:

"Soldiers!"

Thirty-nine thousand people looked up in unison, their eyes fixed on the high platform.

"What were you like three months ago?"

Liu Ce scanned the entire scene.

"Some are refugees, starving and skin and bones; some are local militia, only knowing how to wield hoes; some are former Yellow Turban rebels, hiding like rats!"

These words were so blunt that many people in the audience lowered their heads.

"But now!"

Liu Ce's voice suddenly rose, "Look at yourselves! Neat formations, obedience to orders, strong bodies, and bright eyes! Three months of push-ups trained your willpower! Three months of drills trained your discipline! Three months of equipment training trained your muscles and bones!"

He paused, then said firmly, "With these three things, you will be true warriors! In the future, whether facing the iron cavalry of the Wuhuan and Xianbei, or any enemy who dares to invade Youzhou, we will be able to advance without fear and be invincible!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the 30, 000 soldiers below the stage shouted in unison:

"Unstoppable! Invincible!"

"Unstoppable! Invincible!"

"Unstoppable! Invincible!"

The three shouts, each one louder than the last, shook the high platform and startled birds in the distant forest.

Liu Ce raised his hand and pressed down, and the entire room fell silent instantly.

"Pass on my military orders!"

He announced loudly, "Each battalion, in turn, conduct the parade. Begin!"

The guards shouted the order: "The general commands—the military parade begins!"

Command flags waved, and drums thundered.

The sound of orderly footsteps rang out first from the southeast corner.

The first formation moved. Three thousand soldiers marched in unison, their spear tips pointing diagonally forward, toward the high platform.

At the front of the formation, Guan Yu rode a crimson warhorse, wielding his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, exuding an imposing aura.

Behind him, a large flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the three characters: Loyal and Brave Battalion.

When he reached thirty paces from the high platform, Guan Yu reined in his horse and shouted:

"The soldiers of the Loyal and Brave Battalion pay their respects to the General of the Flying Cavalry!"

"Greetings, General!" Three thousand men responded in unison, their voices echoing across the land.

Liu Ce nodded in return from the high platform. In his heart, however, he thought: Guan Yu's aura is indeed formidable. But if it were accompanied by modern military music, it would be even more impressive.

After the Loyal and Brave Battalion passed by, Zhang Fei's Broken Battalion followed.

Zhang Fei rode a black horse, his eighteen-foot spear slung over his shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. The soldiers in his battalion were just like him, walking with a powerful stride, their footsteps thumping loudly on the ground.

"Soldiers of the Broken Camp, pay your respects to the General of the Flying Cavalry!"

"Greetings, General!"

Liu Ce laughed: Zhang Fei has made all his soldiers have the same temper as him.

The third was Zhao Yun's elite battalion. Zhao Yun, clad in silver armor and a white robe, wielding his Dragon Gallant Silver Spear, was exceptionally handsome. The soldiers in his battalion marched with the most synchronized steps and performed the most precise movements, clearly demonstrating their hard work.

"The elite troops of the Valiant Cavalry pay their respects to the General of the Flying Cavalry!"

"Greetings, General!"

Liu Ce mentally gave Zhao Yun a thumbs up: Zilong is always reliable.

The following are in order: Qin Qiong's Vanguard Battalion (temporarily led by Luo Cheng), Cheng Yaojin's Fierce Charge Battalion, Lü Bu's Flying Cavalry Battalion, Yuwen Chengdu's Heavenly Treasure Battalion, and Zhang Liao's Mighty Far-Reaching Battalion (temporarily led by Yan Liang).

Gao Shun's Trapped Camp – Gao Shun was the strictest in training his troops, and his soldiers had the best discipline. He truly deserves to be called the famous general who trained the Trapped Camp in history.

Yuchi Gong's Imperial Guard (temporarily replaced by Wen Chou), Huang Zhong's Elite Archer Battalion, Yu Jin's Resolute and Heavy Battalion, and Zhang He's Ingenious and Versatile Battalion.

Thirteen formations marched past the high platform in turn. Liu Ce nodded to each battalion as it passed.

Seeing this scene, Liu Ce's modern spirit was burning brightly.

"This feels... like a National Day military parade!"

He was secretly pleased.

"It's just a different perspective—I used to watch it on TV, now I'm watching it on stage. But watching it on stage is definitely more enjoyable, that feeling of being above everyone else..."

Fang Xuanling and others were also whispering among themselves.

"Excellent! This is the mark of a strong military!"

Fang Xuanling clapped his hands in praise, "In the past, military training only emphasized charging and fighting, not discipline. Now, with orders being obeyed strictly and formations being well-ordered, our combat effectiveness will surely increase many times over!"

Du Ruhui nodded: "The lord's modern military training method is indeed effective. Although it seems simple, it trains the fundamentals."

Xun Yu laughed and said, "With such a strong army, Youzhou has nothing to worry about."

Guo Jia rubbed his hands together: "All done? Let's go back and drink some wine, I'm freezing..."

Xi Zhicai rolled his eyes at him: "All you know is drinking."

...