Chapter 268: Elder Xiang! (2/2)

”That'll suffice. The Training Grounds Number 2 should be able to be officially opened by the time I return,” Wang Chong chuckled.

If he were to make good use of the Training Grounds Number 2, not only could he enhance his own influence, it could also serve as a valuable money tree.

After all, that was a spirit vein! An immense spirit vein that harnessed an astonishing reserve of Origin Energy!

All the large clans would be dying to lay their hands on it!

As long as Wang Chong made good use of this resource, it could possibly become his next mountain of gold, after the Hyderabad ore.

However, this matter would still have to be settled a step at a time; haste would only make waste.

After giving instructions for the future to Xu Ping, Wang Chong pondered for a moment before walking over to one of the training fields in the base.

By the side of the training field stood an old instructor, who was presumably in his fifties. He was supervising the training of the young men and women on the field. His sideburns were snowy-white, and he had a stern expression which indicated professionalism in this job.

”Gongzi!”

Upon seeing Wang Chong walking over, the old instructor hurriedly walked over and bowed respectfully.

”Gongzi!!”

At the same moment, the young men and ladies also noticed Wang Chong as well, and they hurriedly put aside their training and bowed to Wang Chong excitedly.

Their eyes were filled with admiration and delight, as though they were meeting with their idol.

”Un,” Wang Chong chuckled as he waved his hand, ”You should continue with your training.”

Those simple words incited a wave of excitement across the group, and some of the younger ladies were screaming in delight.

Wang Chong might still be young, but the accomplishments behind him far surpassed his age. As such, the crowd was under a slight illusion that Wang Chong was significantly older than them.

”Elder Xiang, this way please!”

Amidst the enthusiastic gazes of the crowd, Wang Chong smiled and walked around alongside the old instructor. The old instructor went by the surname of Xiang, and he was the chief instructor whom his little uncle and the eight initial instructors had strongly recommended.

Even though he wasn't the first to arrive at this base, he did possess the greatest prestige here, and it didn't seem like this would change anytime soon.

All of the Imperial Army instructors viewed him as their leader and respected him deeply. It truly wasn't easy for Wang Chong to invite him here.

Before him, Wang Chong didn't dare to pull his weight as the offspring of Duke Jiu, so he too respectfully addressed the other party as “Elder Xiang”.

”There are strict regulations for those who have retired from the Imperial Army, and these rules forbid us from accepting requests such as that of gongzi's, not to mention, gongzi seems to have great ambitions in this aspect. However, Duke Jiu is a respectable man with high morals; the world has seen this for themselves. Furthermore, gongzi has displayed a heart that worries for your country, and a willingness to bear the burden. It is because of these that I accepted your request,” Elder Xiang said as the duo walked by the perimeter of the training field. There were many prestigious and powerful clans in the capital, and many had the intention of engaging his expertise. But he had turned down every single one of them without fail.

The only reason why he made such an exception was because he bore a very high opinion of Wang Chong. The regional commander incident was an extremely sensitive issue, and it took great guts to report this to the Sage Emperor.

One must know there was a good chance that one might be executed for this matter.

Not to mention, Wang Chong also came from the respectable and incorruptible lineage of Duke Jiu. These were the main reasons why he accepted this undertaking.

”I thank Elder Xiang for your compliments. The main reason why I established this base is indeed to serve the country in times of need. In the present circumstances, there are many hostile gazes eyeing us—Ü-Tsang, the Turkic Khaganates, Goguryeo, Mengshe Zhao, and the Abbasid Caliphate. These powers aren't what they used to be. Their militaries have grown strong, and they have displayed strong aggression against us. However, few of the entire royal court is aware of this matter, and even fewer are paying it any heed. All I hope is that my actions may prove to be of some use in the perilous times that we're venturing into,” Wang Chong sighed.

Wang Chong would never say such words to the other instructors, and neither would they ask him about them, either. However, Elder Xiang was different. Having spent twenty-seven years of his life as an instructor, he had groomed many generations of Imperial Army soldiers. In fact, most of the current instructors were his students.

His prestige, influence, standing, and rallying power were incredible in the Imperial Army.

On top of that, Elder Xiang had also participated in several major campaigns in the past, and this had helped him to build a strong relationship with many military officers and governmental officials. As such, he was well aware of the various affairs surrounding the empire.

Little Uncle Wang Mi had emphasized multiple times in the letter that he must treat Elder Xiang earnestly and not hide anything from him, and that he wouldn't be able to do so even if he tried to.

If he could win Elder Xiang's favor, he could win considerable help through the rallying prowess of the other party.

Elder Xiang stopped in his footsteps and turned to look at Wang Chong with a pair of eyes that could peer deep into one's soul. A short while later, he nodded his head. He could see sincerity in the other party's eyes.

Wang Chong meant what he said.

”It's a good thing that you can think of all of this. As a child from a clan of general and ministers, it's a blessing for the nation that you noticed the threats surrounding the empire and are facing them. I have seen many scions in my life, be it from the royalty, prestigious clans, or nobility. Some of them live their life idly and without purpose, some of them vie with one another for fame and prestige... but very few of them can truly see past themselves and share the burdens of the nation. This is truly a rare trait among your peers.

”If you can protect this earnest heart of yours, you'll achieve great things in the future. I've already sent a few letters to my old friends and students in hopes that they can lend you a hand in your future endeavors!”

Elder Xiang spoke slowly, but his words struck a chord of joy in Wang Chong's heart.

”Thank you, Elder Xiang!”

Elder Xiang's friends and students didn't just number in the dozens; just his old friends themselves numbered in the hundreds, not to mention his students!

Given Elder Xiang's standing in the Imperial Army, his words would surely have a huge and instantaneous influence on the retired Imperial Army instructors.

With this, what Wang Chong had to worry about now wasn't whether there were sufficient Imperial Army instructors to support his base, but whether there was sufficient space to support the inflow of Imperial Army instructors!