After attending the banquet, Shao Xun stayed in the military camp.
The camp was located inside Dongyang Gate, near the Imperial Street, not far from the Minister of Works' residence and close to the palace.
He Lun's two thousand elite troops had withdrawn from Jinyong City and also moved into the camp.
Now, both the upper and lower armies were stationed there, making the area around the Minister of Works' residence appear strong and well-defended—at least on the surface.
"Can't shoot arrows? Can't even hold a spear steady? What use are you? Get out of here."
"You've been slacking off all morning during training. What use are you? You, you, and you, all of you, get out."
"You took a day off but didn't return until the next afternoon. Do you think the camp is a marketplace? Fifty lashes, then get out."
"Spreading rumors all day, undermining morale. Fifty lashes, then get out."
"You lot aren't any better. Leave on your own, don't make me throw you out."
As the saying goes, once you have power, you start giving orders.
Mi Huang didn't have the official seal of the Commandant, and Shao Xun hadn't officially been appointed as the Commandant's Assistant, but both had already stepped into their roles, and no one doubted their authority.
Shao Xun spent the past few days weeding out unqualified recruits.
A large number of smooth-talking city folk from Luoyang, all recruited by Wang Bing, numbered over three hundred.
Shao Xun didn't hold back, scrutinizing each one, and most were dismissed.
Only a few dozen remained, mostly laborers from the markets.
After a brief conversation to gauge their character, he kept them.
They still needed to recruit over two hundred more.
This wasn't too difficult.
Mi Huang mentioned that there were over thirty thousand miscellaneous troops in and around Luoyang, along with an unknown number of deserters.
With careful selection, they could even find over two hundred experienced and capable men.
Shao Xun agreed and assigned the task to Wu Qian, instructing him to handle it quickly.
The power struggle between Sima Yue, Sima Ying, and Sima Yong was likely nearing its end.
Once the distribution of benefits was settled, external armies would enter the city, complicating the situation further.
Additionally, the remaining honest laborers were organized into a separate unit.
Shao Xun wasn't particularly fond of overly obedient soldiers—those who were slow to react and couldn't tell left from right, making training a nightmare.
But this time, he had a personal motive.
The performance of the young men during the battle at the Taiji Hall had given him an idea.
Why not take advantage of the recruitment process to assign these seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds to the troops as squad leaders, platoon leaders, and unit commanders? A full unit consisted of fifty men, requiring sixteen officers at the squad leader level or above.
There were plenty of seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds, some of whom truly lacked academic talent and couldn't progress further in their studies.
Shao Xun thought that since they had already learned the basics and weren't illiterate, they might as well stop studying and start leading troops.
While deserters and stragglers had their merits, they often came with bad habits, and the young men might not be able to control them.
So, he decided to have them lead the honest laborers.
In the military, skill spoke louder than words.
Those who had only done manual labor had little to no military training.
If the young men couldn't handle them, then they weren't cut out for a military career and would remain squad or platoon leaders for life.
The task of reorganizing the army was complex, but Wang Bing seemed to have little to do, so Mi Huang pulled him aside for tea.
"Brother Shao has achieved many merits and is well-known throughout the residence. What do you think, Jiye?" Mi Huang asked, carefully observing Wang Bing's expression.
Wang Bing wasn't tall but was quite sturdy.
Perhaps because he had been groomed for a military career from a young age, he lacked the softness typical of scholars and instead exuded a rugged masculinity.
However, looking tough didn't necessarily mean he was truly strong-willed.
Wang Bing lacked the ruthless determination to fight to the death when necessary.
His family background had ensured he never faced a situation where he had to risk his life to survive.
His official position was prepared by his family.
With a little maneuvering, he could start as a general.
If his subordinates didn't obey, no problem—his family would send some retainers to help him control the troops.
He had never encountered real difficulties.
Thus, when faced with ruthless individuals, he often found himself at a loss.
Mi Huang wasn't a ruthless person; he spoke quite amiably.
But Wang Bing's gaze kept drifting toward Shao Xun, who was busy training the troops on the field.
Shao Xun was only a unit commander, and even as the Commandant's Assistant, he was supposed to "assist" in training the troops.
But looking at him, it was clear he was taking charge, not just assisting.
"When I first met him, I sensed a strong killing intent. He seemed polite and refined, but in reality, he was fierce and cruel," Wang Bing recalled.
At the time, he and He Lun had met this fellow townsman in front of the armory.
The conversation was polite, and Shao Xun's manners were impeccable.
After learning about his background, Wang Bing didn't think much of him.
But a year later, this man had become famous for slaying enemies and achieving great feats.
In contrast, Wang Bing had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Zhang Fang, his troops scattered, and his army annihilated.
The changes were too drastic, leaving him disoriented and struggling to accept.
"Brother Shao is actually a man of deep loyalty and gratitude," Mi Huang said with a smile.
"He repays even the smallest kindness tenfold. You won't lose out."
"Nice words," Wang Bing scoffed.
"Jiye, you're just speaking out of frustration," Mi Huang shook his head.
"I'm saying—" Wang Bing looked up, carefully examining Mi Huang, then suddenly laughed.
"You're speaking so highly of him. Have you really thought it through? Aren't you afraid he might turn on you later?"
Mi Huang nodded.
"Of course, I've considered his character before making a decision."
"People's true nature is hard to discern," Wang Bing warned.
Mi Huang didn't respond directly.
Instead, he said, "Our Mi family from Donghai is skilled in business. One of our secrets is judging people. Once we've made a judgment, we don't hesitate."
"Things are unpredictable," Wang Bing sneered.
"Who would have thought Liu Xuande would be driven out of Xuzhou in such a sorry state?"
"It all comes down to taking risks," Mi Huang said.
"What endeavor doesn't involve risk? If we were always hesitant, our Mi family wouldn't have grown so large."
"So, you're determined," Wang Bing sighed, then asked, "Are you planning to make him your son-in-law? A man like him isn't easy to control. Be careful not to invite a wolf into your home, only to have him take over your family's wealth and retainers."
"That's none of your concern," Mi Huang said expressionlessly.
"You must know that Shao Xun will be recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate this year. Once that happens, his status will change. You should think carefully about how to proceed."
Wang Bing's expression shifted, and he fell silent.
Mi Huang was his direct superior and had many ways to pressure him.
Open resistance was difficult.
Looking at the lower ranks, from unit commanders to squad leaders and even ordinary soldiers, two-thirds were loyal to Shao Xun, leaving Wang Bing effectively sidelined.
In a place like Luoyang, where disputes were often settled with blades, he had no means to resist.
If things came to a head, Wang Bing suspected Shao Xun might just strangle him with a bowstring on a dark, windy night and bury him in the wilderness, never to be found.
How did he end up in such a situation?
"I want to appoint a unit commander," Wang Bing suddenly said after a long silence.
"I owe someone a favor, and now I need to repay it. Don't worry, it won't cause any trouble."
Mi Huang didn't agree immediately.
Instead, he asked, "Anything else?"
"After the Minister of Works takes control, I want to become a general in the imperial guards. You'll need to put in a good word for me," Wang Bing added.
"That's easy," Mi Huang agreed readily, then frowned.
"As for the unit commander, we'll need to discuss it further. Bring the person over first, and we'll see."
Wang Bing snorted.
"Shao Xun sure has a high opinion of himself."
In the military, it was common for officers to appoint their own trusted subordinates, a practice that had been around since the late Han dynasty.
Senior officers would place their confidants in lower positions, who in turn would appoint their own trusted men, creating a clear hierarchy of personal loyalty.
Thus, Wang Bing's complaint didn't carry much weight.
But he still felt deeply frustrated and couldn't quite come to terms with it.
Mi Huang noticed this and took Wang Bing's hand, speaking earnestly.
"Jiye, don't be like this. Look at me—I've achieved many merits in the past six months, and the Minister of Works has praised me repeatedly, rewarding me generously. Shao Xun is still your unit commander. When he achieves merits, you'll benefit as well. Think about it—doesn't that make it easier to accept? Besides, in these chaotic times, you can't guarantee you won't face difficulties or even danger. When that happens, won't you need us Donghai folks to stick together? Once Shao Xun achieves fame and success, as his fellow townsman, do you think he'll treat you poorly? Think it over."
"Alright, I can't argue with you," Wang Bing said, seemingly annoyed as he slapped the table.
"I'm already under your control, so what can I do? I want to become either the Left or Right Guard General. If the opportunity arises, you must speak up for me."
"Of course," Mi Huang said with a satisfied smile.
Wang Bing appeared angry, but in reality, he had already given in.
With no internal opposition left in the lower army, they could now focus fully on training.
Mi Huang had great confidence in Shao Xun.
As long as they didn't go to war within the next year, given enough time, Shao Xun would undoubtedly forge a capable fighting force.
One year.
Just one year!
(End of Chapter)