Chapter 24

On the training ground, the young masters of the Xu family, dressed in dazzling attire, rode their steeds and led their men in a surge.

In the center of the green stone platform, five fat pigs were being slaughtered, and ten large iron pots of boiling water were set up nearby. A huge stone mill, pulled by three donkeys, ground out white flour that fell like snow.

The women hurried to prepare food for the hunt, with steamed buns filling the tables with their fragrant aroma. The men loaded various camping supplies onto the carts.

People from the surrounding villages came to watch the spectacle, and the training ground was filled with the clamor of voices. Everyone about to set out for the hunt was dressed impressively, in bright warrior robes, carrying bows and arrows, and wearing swords at their waists. Even the horses were adorned in red and gold, and the servants, dressed uniformly, held various weapons, resembling an army about to march into battle.

With a deafening cannon blast, Zhu Gaozhi and Zhu Gaohui, dressed in azure dragon armor, slowly appeared with their fierce guard. The horses leaped like dragons, and the men were as strong as bears, making the atmosphere on the training ground even more热烈.

Compared to the elite guards of the Yan王府, the Xu family, being a military family, had almost everyone trained. Xu Jingqin smiled faintly, intending to show the Zhu brothers the well-disciplined nature of his family. He lightly waved his hand.

The originally chaotic crowd instantly gathered, and the people cheered even louder. Even the proud Zhu Gaozhi was slightly taken aback. Several large Ming war flags rose slowly, with the Tiger Wing flag leading the way, fluttering in the wind. Under the flag, Xu Wen, dressed in a blue leather armor, rode a horse and brandished a spear, leading twenty strong men with hunting dogs.

The Ming Flying Dragon war flag stood in the center, its bright colors catching the eye, with a large "Xu" character on the secondary flag. Xu Jingqin, dressed in dark attire and wearing a helmet with a pheasant feather, rode a tall chestnut warhorse, flanked by Xu Ji and Xu Jingzhi, resembling the Three Brothers of Peach Garden. Behind them were fifty solemn knights in black warrior attire, fully equipped.

On the left wing, Xu Jingli led twenty men, with a black bear war flag behind them, adorned with arrows and snakes. On the right wing, Xu Jingchang led another twenty men, with a white bear war flag behind them, holding shields and raising swords.

Under the Leopard Tail Banner, Xu Song, dressed in white, rode a white horse and laughed, playing with a red-tasseled spear, leading twenty long spear men responsible for the rear guard.

The training ground was surrounded by noisy servants and tenants, old and young, tall and short, fat and thin. There were also village girls, maids, and servants, regardless of their appearance, all vying for attention and flattering the young masters.

"Truly worthy of the Wei Guogong family, a pack of wolves and tigers," Zhu Gaozhi, feeling uncomfortable on his horse, slightly moved and smiled as he watched his brother Zhu Gaohui ride confidently under the Flying Dragon flag.

As the 'big brother' of the Xu family, Xu Jingqin bowed to Zhu Gaozhi and Zhu Gaohui and asked, "Is anyone still missing?"

Xu Song, at the back, laughed and said, "My third brother isn't here yet. He'll have to be in charge of the grain transport."

"Heh, that's him. It's a good use of his talents," Xu Jingqin said, and the brothers all laughed.

Zhu Gaozhi smiled and said, "Yesterday, Brother Hao borrowed my horse and thirty warhorses. It seems he's been preparing diligently."

Xu Jingqin said disdainfully, "Your Highness, you don't know. Xu Hao is mediocre in martial arts and always ranks last among my brothers. He doesn't even know how to command a formation. Even with your warhorses, he's just a mob."

Suddenly, the crowd became restless, all looking toward the house, and some even screamed. Zhu Gaozhi's curiosity was piqued, but his gaze remained on the hunting party, surprised to find that no one moved, while some of Zhu Gaohui's guards couldn't help but look back.

Earlier, his praise was merely out of politeness, but now he was genuinely impressed. He thought to himself, "No wonder my grandfather is the greatest hero of our Ming Dynasty, the invincible Grand Marshal Xu Da. Even his grandchildren can train servants like elite soldiers."

In a pavilion on a nearby hill, a middle-aged man with a broad back and a bear-like build praised, "A tiger's cub, the old man has successors."

"Just a facade," an elderly man with a vigorous spirit shook his head slightly. "Without experiencing death and slaughter, even the best training is just a hollow shell, not comparable to your battle-hardened elite."

The middle-aged man was puzzled and asked, "Are these servants not trained by your personal followers?"

The old man smiled and said, "Our generation is old. The young generation now regards Li Jinglong as a god. Everyone says Li Jinglong is skilled in training troops and tries to emulate him."

The middle-aged man laughed and shook his head. "I see. Even the Emperor admires the handsome and elegant Jinglong, often praising him. But in my view, being skilled in training troops does not mean being skilled in using them. If we talk about military genius, no one can match your father-in-law."

"Not anymore. Who doesn't know General Lan now?" The old man's expression was calm, his white brows furrowed. "Lan Yu is overly ambitious and lacks restraint. Don't get involved."

The dignified middle-aged man's expression changed, and he bowed deeply, respectfully saying, "Thank you, Father-in-law."

The old man accepted his bow and suddenly pointed to the training ground, laughing. "Interesting! Look, I finally have grandchildren who are not bound by convention."

"Hah!" The middle-aged man also laughed.

On the training ground, Zhu Gaozhi and his brothers all looked back, all shocked to see six young female riders leading the way, riding slowly in formation. Each wore a fox fur cap, a sky-blue armor skirt, and a matching horse, as if the horses were also armored. Red silk ribbons tightened their upper bodies, and they wore green shoulder guards and blue boots, with swords and short bows on their sides, resembling armored female knights.

Following them were two beautifully dressed young female generals, riding white horses, with two splendid banners of flowers closely following. Both wore bright red narrow-sleeved shirts, over which were blood-red robes, and they had stone-blue dragon-embroidered shoulder guards. Their heads were adorned with white caps, and their hair was tied into golden yellow braids, both playful and heroic, each wearing a long sable cloak.

Behind the two young and beautiful female generals were six strong female guards and twelve robust women on foot, dressed similarly to the female knights.

Zhu Gaohui asked in surprise, "Who are they?"

Beside him, Xu Ji rubbed his eyes and said hurriedly, "They seem to be Hongye and Lüzhu."

Xu Jingqin smiled bitterly. "What a mess, why did they come?"

"Good, good," Zhu Gaohui nodded excitedly, and Zhu Gaozhi was also pleased. Seeing this, Xu Jingqin and his brothers didn't say anything.

Everyone was amazed, cheering and pointing. Suddenly, the group of female soldiers split to the sides, seemingly making way for their commander. People eagerly looked back.

Sure enough, a magnificent chestnut horse galloped out from the inner courtyard, with a young general on its back, wearing a dark blue robe with a five-color embroidered flying fish.

The young general had sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, red lips, and white teeth. He wore a white jade crown and held a halberd, looking as heroic as Lu Bu on his Red Hare. The crowd immediately burst into cheers.

This Lu Bu was undoubtedly Xu Hao. Xu Hao wished he could find a crack to hide in. Who knew his sisters would dress him up so fiercely? If he had known, he would have preferred to ride a wooden cart and hold a feather fan, pretending to be Zhuge Liang rather than the invincible Lu Bu.

But since it was too late, he could only tough it out. Xu Hao smiled bitterly, mustered his courage, and waved his halberd to the cheering crowd.

Behind him were sixteen bow knights in sky-blue attire, wearing stone-blue capes, with four hunting dogs running around the horses.

Following the morning drill, Xu Hao stopped his "Red Hare" between Hongye and Lüzhu, holding his weapon. From a distance, Zhu Gaozhi stared in disbelief at the particularly strong and gentle horse, exclaiming, "Poor my Snow Lion!"

Xu Hao pretended not to hear. Amid the cheers of the crowd, he slowly raised his right arm. A sharp eagle's cry echoed, and a hunting eagle swooped down from the sky, landing steadily on his arm.

This scene, with the delicate female generals and the magnificent hunting eagle from Liaodong, along with the handsome young general on the Red Hare, stunned everyone. They clapped and cheered, as if watching a grand performance at a temple fair.

At this point, Xu Hao, who usually preferred a low profile, raised his head proudly, striking several poses, thinking, "Whatever, I'm going to make a fool of myself today."

The cheers were like a tidal wave. At this moment, the girls watching from the inner courtyard were extremely excited, hugging each other and cheering.

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