Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 321: Chapter 318 Refusal

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”Fourth Brother, can we still join now?” Chu Zhichuan asked awkwardly, ”I still think entering the Phoenix Camp is better.”

”Isn’t the Town Guard Division also good?” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Being a Dean, you can earn merits without much danger.”

In Yujing City, the Town Guard Division is actually a good position.

Those martial arts experts became obedient upon arriving at Yujing City and dared not act recklessly.

The real threat is those who are impulsive and act hastily; when the Town Guard Division intervenes, they often immediately back down and accept their punishment obediently.

The real danger lies in the Town Guard Divisions of smaller towns, where the Emperor is far away, and martial arts experts become more daring.

Moreover, the experts in the Town Guard Division are not as numerous as in Yujing.

As a result, martial arts experts become even bolder, taking chances and daring to clash with the Town Guard Division.

”It’s too boring.” Chu Zhitian lamented, ”I didn’t expect it to be so dull and uninteresting.”

Chu Zhichuan nodded.

They had imagined the Town Guard Division to be filled with thrilling battles against martial arts experts.

In reality, in the Town Guard Division, once they appear, few martial arts experts dare to raise a hand, and tensions often subside.

These boring days left them more dispirited and unable to endure any longer.

But they did not want to go to the military camp, as Chu Zhitian didn’t want to follow in their father’s footsteps.

Chu Zhichuan could only accompany him.

However, seeing the Phoenix Camp being built so vigorously, they couldn’t resist wanting to join in the excitement.

After all, the Phoenix Camp is the Imperial Guard situated in Yujing City, unlike the Border Army, it isn’t very dangerous.

Presumably, there would be no objections from their parents.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

”Fourth Brother, if we go in, we’ll follow orders obediently, and we can even change our names and start as ordinary soldiers,” Chu Zhichuan quickly said.

Chu Zhitian nodded quickly, ”Starting as an ordinary soldier is also fine.”

This was to replicate their father’s old path and experience his situation back then.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Phoenix Camp originally consists of teams of six, with no mid-level officers, all are small soldiers.”

The command structure of the Phoenix Camp is vertical, allowing for the most precise and timely command.

Each additional layer slows down the operation.

Eighteen small teams form one battalion, ten battalions; for others, it seems complicated and troublesome to remember, but for him, it’s as clear as the lines on his palm, as natural as using his arms and fingers.

Chu Zhitian said, ”Small soldiers are good, then we...”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Chu Zhitian immediately felt disappointed, ”Is it too late?”

”The six-person formations you’re looking to train in are already too late for you to join and keep up,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Moreover, now is different from before, it’s not suitable for you anymore.”

”Why?” Chu Zhitian didn’t understand.

Chu Zhichuan also said, ”Fourth Brother, we can endure hardships, it’s no problem.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”When the Phoenix Camp was established, the situation wasn’t so dire. Now, I am only grateful you didn’t join back then.”

The two looked at him in confusion.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced around.

Chu Mingxuan waved his hand.

The maids and eunuchs serving around retreated in the blink of an eye, leaving only the four of them in the hall.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Eighteenth Uncle, there are still people outside.”

Chu Mingxuan strode outside and shouted, ”All of you keep your distance, do not eavesdrop!”

”Yes.”

The guards and his personal eunuch outside responded and withdrew ten meters from the hall.

Chu Zhiyuan used ”Sound Transmission into Secret” to explain the current situation.

The three listened with astonished expressions.

”Really?” Chu Mingxuan was surprised, ”Do they really dare to do this?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”We’ve lost one of our military towns, and the impact is huge.”

If it weren’t for the loss of Fuyuan Town, Da Lie and Da Guang would not have dared to take this step.

The fall of Fuyuan Town has numerous implications.

Most importantly, it revealed the strength of Da Meng and the weaknesses of Da Jing.

Thus, they prepared to switch allegiances.

Seeing the decay in military readiness in Da Jing’s Eastern Territory, they became even more contemptuous.

With Da Meng’s influence ahead and the Eastern Army’s weakness behind, they grew bolder, thinking that even if Da Jing wanted to retaliate, it wouldn’t be anything to fear.

”This...”

”Once actions commence, it will be extremely dangerous; at that time, I have to oversee the entire camp and cannot focus solely on you. Even a Great Grandmaster in such chaotic circumstances might not be able to protect you.”

Chu Mingxuan suggested, ”Let them be your personal soldiers.”

The two nodded vigorously.

This was a good idea.

Following closely behind Fourth Brother would make them less endangered.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”When the time comes, I will have to be everywhere, filling in gaps. You won’t be able to keep up.”

”...True.” Chu Mingxuan helplessly looked at Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan, ”In my opinion, let’s forget about it.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If you insist on joining, do it after this is over.”

”But then...” Chu Zhitian frowned.

That would make the exit too unseemly.

Refraining from entering during real danger and rushing in after the danger passes,

how many people would privately mock them?

They’d bring shame to their father’s reputation.

Chu Zhichuan guessed his thoughts seeing his expression.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”You can also do this: first, register in the Care Register, and since the duties in the Town Guard Division can’t be handed over immediately, wait a while before joining the camp. Entering after the action is complete is not too late, ...but it’s best not to enter at all.”

The two hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Do you know that Third Brother was ambushed and nearly lost his life?”

”Ah—?” The three were suddenly startled.

Chu Zhiyuan then recounted the incident.

This was what Chu Mingrui mentioned in a letter, kept in utmost secrecy, with no information leaked.

The three looked at each other incredulously.

Chu Zhiyao, as the Princely Heir, although holding a military position, was akin to a personal soldier, always by the central tent, almost never in danger.

But this time, he was almost killed.

Being in the army indeed was not easy.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Moreover, although the military camp is just outside the city, you have to live there. Being able to return to the city once a month is considered good.”

He smiled at the two, ”Ninth Brother, do you think Tenth Aunt will agree? And Tenth Brother, any issues with the Duke of Shou?”

”Do we really have to live in the camp?” Chu Zhitian quickly asked, then patted his forehead, sighing, ”Of course, living in the camp is necessary.”

Asking that was indeed foolish.

Not living in the camp would mean leaving it every day to go back to the mansion. How could that be possible?

Only a General has that privilege.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at the two.

The two hesitated.

Chu Zhitian was thinking of his mother, as his father was away all year round. The grand Prince Ying Mansion only had him as the pillar.

If he wasn’t in the mansion, his mother would be too lonely.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Think it over carefully. If you really want to enter the Phoenix Camp, I will first register you in the Care Register, and you can join after two months.”

”Fourth Brother, what do you think?”

”Initially, I thought you should join, but now I think you shouldn’t.”

”...Then let’s drop it,” Chu Mingxuan said, ”Fourth Brother won’t harm you, if there are benefits, he’ll only think of you.”

”Fourth Brother...” The two solemnly cupped their fists.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, ”Why distinguish among ourselves? I initially thought of establishing the Phoenix Camp to train in battle formations. These soldiers would be seeds, to implement formations in other military camps in the future, ...but now it seems different. We have to go to war, and head to the most dangerous places. You’re not suited for it, better not risk any harm.”

”Yes.” The two nodded solemnly.

”I originally wanted to join too,” Chu Mingxuan said, ”The four of us together, but now it seems, let’s forget it.”

He liked excitement, feared loneliness, and enjoyed being with Chu Zhiyuan.

Seeing the danger now made him wary.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Eighteenth Uncle, if you truly want to come, you can directly be the General, and I’ll be the Deputy General, allowing you to oversee from the rear without going to the front lines.”

A Prince’s status is indeed different from a Princely Heir’s.

This is where it fully manifests.

”Then let’s forget it,” Chu Mingxuan waved his hand.

Doing this would only make a fool of himself; he didn’t have the face for it.

”Fourth Brother, are you really going to the Eastern Territory?”

”I have to set off within a month, this matter is top secret, not to be told to anyone.”

”Of course!”

”Fourth, I just remembered, I have a treasure, best suited for the sea,” Chu Mingxuan smiled.

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