Chapter 99

Chapter 100: A Messy Day (Part 2)

In the canteen, the people finally saw Zhao Cheng. The little eunuchs immediately stood with their hands hanging by their sides, heads lowered, waiting for the prince's instructions. The newly arrived young men also realized something was amiss and, embarrassed, released Zhao Zhong and the others, unsure of what to do next, huddling together like frightened rabbits, secretly observing Zhao Cheng's expression.

"Why is it so chaotic? Zhao Zhong, haven't you taught them the rules for dining yet?" Zhao Cheng ignored them and pointed to the five squad leaders standing in a row.

"Prince, we haven't had the chance yet; they just rushed in!" Zhao Zhong straightened his hat, glared at the young men beside him, and replied.

"Remember, don't call me Prince here; call me Captain!" Zhao Cheng said.

"Yes, Captain!" Zhao Zhong stood at attention and replied.

"Since you haven't had the chance to explain, I'll do it myself!" Zhao Cheng looked around the room and said, "Everyone, return to your seats according to your squads!" No matter what, his status was there; a prince was a prince. Even though he spoke gently, it immediately created an invisible pressure, especially for the young men who didn't know him well. The sound of chairs and benches moving was a cacophony, and everyone sat down, eagerly watching Zhao Cheng.

"Why are your hands so dirty? Aren't you afraid of getting a stomachache if you eat with them?"

"And you, that military uniform cost five strings of coins. Don't you think it's a waste to use it as a handkerchief?"

"Don't look around while eating; focus. Time is precious, or you'll go hungry."

"Stop talking; your spittle will get into the food. Don't you find yourself disgusting? Do you think others don't?"

As Zhao Cheng walked to his table, he pointed out those who were not following the rules.

"Now, I'll explain a few points: First, wash your hands before eating; pay attention to personal hygiene. Second, sit according to your squads during meals; no moving around or talking. Third, don't waste food; take only what you can eat. I'll say this once. Since it's your first day, I won't punish you. Next time, anyone who breaks the rules won't eat and will be beaten with a military stick. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Louder! Are you men or women?" The response was a chaotic murmur, and Zhao Cheng was clearly unsatisfied.

"Yes!"

"Hmm, that's better!" Zhao Cheng nodded and let them off. "Today, Squad A is on duty. You will distribute the food and clean the canteen after the meal!"

"Yes, Captain!" Zhao Zhong stood up and ordered his squad to distribute the bowls and chopsticks, placing a pot of food and a pot of rice on each table, including Wang Yong's, though his portion was slightly larger but no different from the others.

"Who told you to start eating? Did you hear the start command?" A soldier from Squad C, seeing the food on the table, grabbed his chopsticks and lifted his bowl. Before he could take a bite, he was slapped. He turned around and immediately wilted, realizing it was Pan Long, one of the prince's two close bodyguards, whose presence alone was intimidating.

"Don't hit him; the rules need to be learned gradually!" Zhao Cheng quickly stopped him, and Pan Long glared at him before sullenly sitting down next to the prince.

"Meal time!" After Zhao Zhong finished distributing the food, he gave the command. The soldiers, having learned their lesson, waited until they saw Zhao Cheng pick up his bowl before they started eating. Despite the scolding, the young men were quickly drawn to the abundant lunch, pouring all their enthusiasm into their bowls, after all, they were eating the same food as the prince.

After lunch, Zhao Cheng and the squad leaders personally heated water and 'served' the newcomers a hot bath, making them feel the 'warmth' of this large family. In the afternoon, with nothing much to do, each squad stayed in their rooms to study the 'internal regulations,' understanding the daily schedule and some basic rules, such as saluting the squad leaders, greeting the prince, and yielding the path to squad leaders and superiors. This time, the new recruits understood the power of the squad leaders, who could report their misbehavior, and those who had been causing trouble earlier were now more subdued.

At the seventh watch (around 9:45 PM), a whistle sounded, signaling bedtime. After a flurry of activity in the dormitories, the place quieted down. At the beginning of the tenth watch (around 10:00 PM), another whistle sounded, and all the lights in the dormitories were extinguished, except for a few lanterns in the courtyard and the main house.

In the main house, only Zhao Cheng and a few others remained. They were temporarily acting as the management of the team, without formal titles, but with simple divisions of labor. Zhao Ren, though a clerk, did work equivalent to a deputy captain. Zhao Zhi and Zhao Xiao were responsible for daily life, while Zhao Yi and Zhao Xin were messengers.

"Although everyone is tired today, we can't be complacent. Zhao Ren and Zhao Yi, you take the first shift. Zhao Zhi and Zhao Xiao, you take over after an hour. Zhao Xin and I will take the last shift!" Zhao Cheng looked at his exhausted 'generals' and instructed them. They had been quite worn out by the day's events.

"Yes!" They stood at attention and replied. Zhao Cheng waved them off. "Zhao Xin, why aren't you leaving? Is there something you need?" He was curious when he saw Zhao Xin still in the room.

"Second Master, let me sleep in the outer room. I can't sleep with so many people in the squad!" Zhao Xin hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"That's not possible. We've already arranged for you to live and train with the squad. How can you always want special treatment?" To strengthen 'leadership,' Zhao Cheng had placed them in different squads to monitor the new recruits and help them integrate quickly.

"Second Master, I've always had my own room since I entered the mansion. You have no one around you now; you need someone to attend to you. Let me stay here!" Zhao Xin continued to plead.

"If you stay with everyone for a while, you'll find it interesting and get used to it. Besides, this isn't the mansion; I can take care of myself!" Soldiers should live in a group, not in single rooms, Zhao Cheng said, finding it somewhat amusing.

"I won't go to the squad to sleep. If you don't agree, I won't sleep. I'll just sit here!" Zhao Xin pouted and sat on the ground, acting spoiled.

"Do you look like a soldier?" Zhao Cheng was taken aback, not expecting this.

"I never wanted to be a soldier; I just wanted to be a servant by the prince's side!" Zhao Xin stubbornly said, defying the prince.

"Fine, if you don't want to, I won't force you. You can leave tomorrow and go back to growing vegetables!" Zhao Cheng shouted, angry and confused by Zhao Xin's behavior.

"Second Master, you're sending me away? You're sending me away?" Zhao Xin's eyes welled up with tears, unable to believe the prince's harsh words.

"Second Master, calm down. Zhao Xin has always been like this. We've been together for so many years; he's always slept alone!" Zhao Ren and Zhao Yi, on duty, rushed in to mediate.

"Undisciplined and disorganized, he won't do well here. Send him back to the mansion with the food delivery tomorrow. There are many rooms there; he can choose any. This is just the beginning. In the future, during campaigns, dozens or even hundreds will sleep together. It's better for him to leave now before he can't sleep!" Zhao Cheng angrily pointed at Zhao Xin.

"Second Master, I won't leave. I want to stay by your side!" Zhao Xin knelt down and hugged Zhao Cheng's legs.

"You're a strange one. You don't want to leave, but you can't sleep with others. What do you want to do?" Zhao Cheng tried to shake him off, but Zhao Xin held on tightly.

"Second Master, Zhao Xin has a few quirks, but he's very dedicated. Keep him. Didn't you tell us to be lenient with the new recruits and help them improve gradually?" Zhao Ren pulled Zhao Xin up and pleaded.

"You're good at being nice and quick to learn. You're using my own words against me!" Zhao Cheng said helplessly. These servants had grown up with him, and he had been subtly educating them, hoping to turn them into capable assistants. However, this situation was difficult. It was a pity to send him away now, but if he made an exception, it would be hard to enforce rules later.

"Second Master, isn't Zhao Xin your personal attendant? It's appropriate for him to stay in your room. It's convenient for you to communicate and have someone around when needed!" Zhao Yi, usually quiet, interjected.

"Second Master, Zhao Yi is right. Letting him stay here is also part of his training!" Zhao Ren added.

"Stop crying like a woman!" Zhao Cheng walked away, thinking that in his previous life, messengers in the military also stayed next to their superiors to facilitate communication. He decided not to insist, tacitly agreeing.

"Second Master, you agree?" Zhao Xin wiped his tears, unsure.

"Yes, move your things over. I'll set up a bed for you next to the study. You've had this habit for so long; it's not like you're a woman. Sleeping together is more fun!" Zhao Ren grumbled and went with Zhao Yi to set up the bed.

"Phew..." Seeing them leave, Zhao Xin let out a sigh of relief, his face flushing. He patted his chest and went to pack his things. After half an hour, Zhao Xin settled into a small room next to the prince's bedroom. As soon as he finished, he heard the prince getting up and quickly dressed to greet him. "Captain, are you checking the barracks?"

"Hmm!" Zhao Cheng grunted and walked out. Zhao Xin knew the prince was still angry and quickly draped a cloak over him, holding a lantern to lead the way.