I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 126 Military Exercises

Under Zhuge Liang's advocacy of "promoting agriculture and grain production, closing the borders and allowing the people to rest," Yizhou was able to gain a respite after its defeat at Yiling.

It was precisely because of this that the various new policies implemented by Liu Shan after his ascension to the throne were able to be carried out smoothly.

It was June, and the second batch of tea was being sent to Jiangnan.

Although it is also this year's spring tea, it is an aged tea that has undergone several months of fermentation, giving it a unique flavor.

With spring planting completed, the court stable, and the south at peace, the military settlements, water conservancy projects, and academies in various regions are all progressing smoothly. Now is the perfect time to train troops.

The young generals who had just graduated from the martial arts academy were already bursting with excitement and were ready to put their lifelong skills to good use.

Currently, Yizhou is at peace, and both Wei and Wu are holding back their troops, so there is really no war to fight.

We can't launch a northern expedition at this time!

Liu Shan pondered for a long time in his study, then picked up his pen and wrote a decree. At the court assembly the next day, he threw the decree in front of his ministers.

"On the First Military Exercise at the Imperial Academy".

"My dear ministers, I believe that an army that can fight is a good army, so I plan to hold a military exercise."

Although the ministers were hearing the term "military exercise" for the first time, they immediately understood that Liu Shan meant troop training.

In fact, military training existed as early as the Yin and Shang dynasties.

Back then, it wasn't called military training; it was called a meeting of feudal lords, a rallying ceremony, a pledge to the troops, all about appearances and testing the hearts of the people.

Later, King Zhuang of Chu stationed his troops in Luoyi, displaying his power in the Zhou capital region.

On the surface, it seems to be vying for power and influence, but in reality, it's about conquering the Central Plains, carrying a strong sense of intimidation.

After the Han Dynasty, military training became a true military exercise and practical drill, gradually becoming the benchmark for military administration in later generations.

Cao Cao once trained cavalry in Xiangcheng. This elite force, known as the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry," launched a night raid on Wuchao during the Battle of Guandu, burning Yuan Shao's army's provisions and causing the enemy to fall into chaos without a fight.

This move turned the tide of the war and laid the foundation for Cao Cao's dominance in the Central Plains.

Zhou Yu, the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu, trained his navy and refined his tactics at Poyang Lake. He eventually led his navy westward and decisively defeated Cao Cao's army at the Battle of Red Cliffs, creating a legendary tale of defeating a superior enemy with a smaller force.

Wang Ping is currently training troops in the south, creating an elite force skilled in mountain warfare, archery, and defensive combat, in preparation for the future Northern Expedition.

In the past, military training was mostly focused on honing military discipline, practicing formation changes, and familiarizing soldiers with offensive and defensive transitions; these were all one-dimensional exercises.

The military exercises proposed by Liu Shan, however, completely simulated the battlefield situation, forming two armies to truly confront each other, which was closer to actual combat and could better test the generals' command abilities and the soldiers' combat capabilities.

As early as last year, when the senior students in the military training class graduated, they should have conducted military exercises as their graduation thesis.

However, the political situation was still unstable at the time, there were disturbances in the south, and Cao Wei was eyeing the country covetously. Most importantly, the national treasury was unable to bear the cost of food and military equipment for large-scale exercises, so the matter had to be put on hold for the time being.

With peace and stability restored across the country, salt, iron, Shu brocade, and tea have become stable sources of income, and the national treasury can afford a military exercise, making the exercise imperative.

"Your Majesty's suggestion is excellent."

Xiang Chong was the first to stand up and echo, "Our Han soldiers are good at fighting on plains, but lack experience in mountain warfare and fighting against cavalry in formation. This is a good opportunity to train them."

Xiang Chong's words were spot on.

Yizhou is mostly mountainous, while the soldiers who followed Liu Bei into Sichuan were all from Jingzhou who were skilled in plains warfare. If they did not overcome the disadvantage of the mountainous terrain, how could they launch a northern expedition in the future?

Cao Wei possessed the northern plains and had a formidable cavalry force. In the past, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry swept across the Central Plains. If the court did not have an infantry formation capable of resisting the cavalry when it launched its northern expedition, it would inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Li Yan also stepped forward, nodding in agreement, "I second that. Theoretical knowledge is ultimately insufficient; it's time to let the young people go out and gain experience."

Both the Jingzhou faction and the Dongzhou faction agreed, and the Yizhou faction had no choice but to follow suit.

Moreover, there are many young generals in their Yizhou faction who graduated from the Imperial Academy, which is an excellent opportunity for them to make a name for themselves.

Seeing that all three parties had agreed, Liu Shan pressed on, saying, "Since none of you ministers have any objections, then let it be decided that way."

"This exercise is to hone the skills of young people. I plan to gather the young people who have graduated from the Imperial Academy and form an army to practice against another army."

"As for the commander of the other army..."

Liu Shan looked at the row of military generals and said, "Li Yan, Wu Yi!"

"Your Majesty, we are here!" The two men stepped forward at the same time, bowed, and accepted the decree.

"I hereby appoint you two, one as commander-in-chief and the other as deputy commander-in-chief, to lead the veteran elite troops against these young generals, and to give them a good lesson in actual combat. What do you two think?"

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials were momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

As a minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor, Li Yan was the nominal head of the military and political affairs of the court. He was skilled in leading and managing troops and had extensive experience.

Wu Yi followed Liu Yan into Sichuan when he was young, and was a seasoned and experienced soldier.

Now that the two have been granted titles and ranks, their positions in the court are second only to Zhuge Liang. It would be a waste of their talents to let them lead an army to train young people.

"Li Duhu and Dutinghou are both important officials of the court, veterans of countless battles. The young generals of Yizhou all regard them as role models. Why not take this opportunity to give them some pointers? They will surely benefit greatly."

Zhuge Liang personally came out to persuade them, making it difficult for Li Yan and Wu Yi to refuse.

"Since it's for the sake of promoting young people, I, an old man, must do my best," Li Yan said modestly. "But let me make it clear beforehand: if you get beaten to tears, don't go to His Majesty or Prime Minister Zhuge to complain."

The courtiers burst into laughter.

These greenhorns were practically easy prey for Li Yan and Wu Yi.

Liu Shan thought about it and agreed. He said, "As you all know, although these young generals are well-versed in military strategy, they have never experienced the battlefield. I will naturally select good generals to command them."

"Zhao Yun and Ma Zhong."

"Your subject is here!"

"General Zhao will be the commander-in-chief, with General Ma as his assistant, leading the youth army to confront Protector-General Li and Marquis Duting. What do you two generals think?"

"Your subject obeys."

Upon hearing that Zhao Yun was to be the commander and Ma Zhong the deputy, Li Yan and the others immediately stopped smiling.

Zhao Yun was one of the military generals who followed Liu Bei the longest. His seniority and combat experience were impeccable, and he was also respected by the people.

As for Ma Zhong, Liu Bei once said of him, "This world is not lacking in virtuous men."

With two capable generals joining forces to lead the youth army, even though the soldiers are relatively inexperienced, they are by no means weak and easy to defeat, and the battle against them will be extremely difficult.

As the Central Protector-General, Li Yan was in charge of both internal and external military affairs, so he had no reason to back down and responded loudly.

"Your subject receives the imperial decree."

"Your subject obeys the decree," Wu Yi bowed and said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan slapped his thigh and said, "That's excellent. The entire exercise will be overseen by the Prime Minister's Office."

"I trouble you, Prime Minister, to oversee the army and ensure fairness."

"My esteemed ministers, I sit with you in the central command tent to observe the battle between the two sides."