Chapter 4: Co-opting the Imperial Guards (Part 2)

Tang Xuan nodded and exclaimed, suddenly thinking: "Why hasn't the drug craving hit me these past two days? Could it be that I've quit for a month? I really miss that feeling, heh heh, what a fool! Of course, it's not the pain of drug withdrawal, but the comfort of my little aunt's true energy! I can also take the opportunity to gain some advantage while risking injury, how thrilling!" As Tang Xuan pondered, he nearly drooled. Over the past month, although he had gone to the Yuling Palace every night, he had never enjoyed the company of the concubine. He needed to take good care of his health, and when the time comes, heh heh! Of course, he would have a grand time! Little earthworm, little earthworm! One day, I will turn you into a giant dragon!

"Without capable soldiers, one cannot wage war!" Tang Xuan muttered to himself. Slowly opening his eyes, he then asked the old eunuch, "Old Yu, have you sent the additional 700,000 taels of silver to Grand Master Wu? How are the disaster victims faring?"

Tang Xuan also established numerous military welfare systems. For instance, when a soldier has a birthday, he may receive one or two taels of silver as a gift; if a soldier's parents have matters at home, he can request leave to return, whether for a funeral or a birthday celebration, and can receive three taels of silver to take home. Soldiers are given two days off each month, and if there are any issues within the military, they can report them to the eunuchs. Minor matters are handled by the eunuchs, while major issues are resolved by Tang Xuan. Over the course of a month, Tang Xuan, dressed in military uniform, led the Imperial Guard in numerous skirmishes. In one of the largest encounters, thousands of people engaged in a chaotic battle, resulting in a significant defeat for a rival gang. Of course, aside from the Imperial Guard soldiers, no one knew that the thin, bony figure with a sharp face, who was the most enthusiastic in fighting and the most underhanded in his actions, was none other than the current emperor.

In the imperial study, Tang Xuan sat on a chair with his eyes closed, resting his mind, while the old eunuch waited attentively. Tang Xuan had been feasting and drinking with the soldiers for a month, and in addition to presiding over many grand competitions, he spent his days mingling with the soldiers, often bestowing rewards. His reputation in the military grew day by day, and upon seeing Tang Xuan in full military attire, they would immediately salute with the most standard modern military greeting: "Good day, General!"

The eunuch leaned forward and said: "In response to Your Majesty, Master Wu has dispatched his students to escort the disaster relief supplies and books to the disaster area. Everything is relatively stable!"

He is extremely satisfied with his recent performance. Most of the Imperial Guards are individuals with limited education, characterized by their straightforwardness. When Tang Xuan is with them, he also behaves in a coarse manner, frequently using vulgar language, such as "damn it" and "to hell with him." Initially, this startled the Imperial Guards, but they eventually became accustomed to it. They began to imitate Tang Xuan's way of cursing, adopting a bandit-like demeanor.

Ah! Our Emperor is truly wise

Many nobles and ministers, upon learning of this, took Tang Xuan as a topic of amusing conversation during their leisure time.

With the antics of the foolish Emperor Tang Xuan, the Imperial Guard has never been as excited as it is now. Every meal time, the remarkably dressed Tang Xuan would cheerfully walk over and dine with them. Although there are over 100,000 members in the Imperial Guard and dozens of dining halls, Tang Xuan's continuous rotation of dining means that within half a month, nearly all members of the Imperial Guard have had the honor of sharing a meal with the Emperor. Furthermore, Tang Xuan instructed the Imperial Guard that when he wears the dragon robe, they should address him as 'Your Majesty,' and when he is in military attire, they should call him 'General.' He even personally taught them a standard military salute. For those who learn and apply it correctly, a reward of one or two taels of silver will be given.

Sixth Prince, it is said that in recent days, the Emperor has organized a military competition among the Imperial Guards, the first of its kind. I wonder if this is true

From that day on, Tang Xuan really dined with the Imperial Guards every meal! Furthermore, during court sessions, he announced that he was to be titled as the "Heavenly Splitter, God of War, Invincible, and Majestic Ten-Star General!" He even had a set of Ten-Star General attire specially made, with ten golden stars embroidered on each shoulder! Tang Xuan secretly felt pleased, saying to himself: "In the past, I could only admire the grandeur of the Five-Star Generals on television; now I am a Ten-Star General, and I should also have some prestige!" As for the princes and ministers, they had already heard about his strange behavior of dining with the Imperial Guards, but they did not pay much attention to it. They merely mocked him in secret, cursing this foolish emperor for his antics! With all the delicacies available, he chose to eat the soldiers' meals; could it be that this emperor is pig-headed? Does he have to compete with others for food to find it delicious?

Wise! Wise!

With Tang Xuan backing them, the Imperial Guards acted with impunity in the imperial city, even disregarding the guards of the princes. This was due to the emperor's incompetence; although the Imperial Guards were dispatched from the princes' residences, they lacked the prestige of the princes' personal guards. Their treatment was also inferior. The princes intended to incite dissatisfaction among the Imperial Guards towards the emperor, hoping that when the time came, with a single command, the guards would naturally turn to their side and together overthrow this despotic emperor. However, unbeknownst to them, the Imperial Guards often received disdainful looks from the princes' personal guards. The princes aimed to foster discontent among the Imperial Guards towards the emperor, anticipating that when the moment arrived, a single command would sway the guards to their side to rebel against this despotic emperor. Yet, in private, the Imperial Guards frequently faced scorn from the princes' personal guards. The status of the Imperial Guards was lower, and sometimes when they sought assistance at home, upon hearing they were from the princes' personal guards, people would greet them with smiles and immediately offer help. But upon hearing they were from the Imperial Guards, they would put on a stern face and ignore them. The Imperial Guards had long been seething with anger. After several skirmishes, the soldiers had come to regard Emperor Tang Xuan as the most amiable person. If a day passed without him visiting the military camp to walk around and stir up some excitement, they felt something was missing. However, Tang Xuan had also spent nearly 300,000 taels of silver.

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Ha ha! Prime Minister Sima, isn't this a sign that you are out of touch with the news? Our Emperor has not only organized a martial arts competition, but also competitions in lightness of body, archery, long-distance running, and even ball-snatching contests! There are singing, calligraphy, painting, and even gambling competitions, as well as contests in deception and boasting, truly a diverse array of events! Now, whenever the Imperial Guards have free time, they are intensively practicing! It is said that the prizes are quite substantial!

Hehe, spending several hundred thousand taels of silver to win the hearts of the soldiers is quite a bargain, isn't it?" Tang Xuan thought to himself with satisfaction, rubbing his swollen wrist, which he had sprained during a fight yesterday. Having spent time in a military academy, he understood what kind of superior soldiers preferred: someone approachable, who kept their word, was clear about rewards and punishments, and could share both hardships and joys with the troops, thus earning their genuine admiration.

There are over 100,000 imperial guards in the palace, managed by four commanding generals: Zheng Zhitong, Zhang Yi, Qin Yuzhong, and Hu Deshi, each equivalent to a second-rank military official. All of them are subordinates of the Third Prince. Tang Xuan secretly dispatched an old eunuch to investigate the interests, hobbies, and backgrounds of these individuals, while he quietly calculated in his mind.

Tang Xuan displayed no airs of superiority, even engaging in a few games of chance with the soldiers. He intentionally lost some money, and for those soldiers who stood out in the competition, Tang Xuan randomly conferred a few titles upon them and presented them with some silver as rewards. Accompanied by the victors, he booked the renowned brothel in the imperial city—Baihua Lou—allowing the soldiers to revel until dawn. This quickly became a remarkable tale.