Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite Chapter 265 Spending Money to Redeem Freedom

"No problem, I’ve just been lying down for too long; my hands don’t feel like my own. If I rest another two months, I’m afraid I’ll forget how to wield a sword."

Saying this, he overca himself and started practicing with the sword again.

Compared to before, it was less fluid.

But for soone recovering from a serious illness, it was already quite a success.

The Fourth Prince stood by the side, watching for a while.

He noticed Lin Xingzhi’s sweat flying off his forehead, but still not willing to stop.

His expression was full of relief.

"Indeed a promising talent, Old Ji, I’ll leave this person to you. Whether we can produce another capable Imperial Guard Commander in the future depends on your skills."

Old Ji, whom the Fourth Prince ntioned, was the newly appointed Imperial Guard Commander standing beside him.

He was once one of the top experts in the Imperial Armor Army.

Compared to strategizing on the battlefield, he was more suited to stay by the Emperor’s side.

After all, the ability to see in six directions and listen in all eight isn’t sothing everyone possesses.

Being an Imperial Guard Commander is no easier than being a general leading troops into battle.

Especially after the incident with Cui Shixiu, the entire Imperial Guard was practically overhauled.

The Fourth Prince transferred five thousand n from the Imperial Armor Army to replace the Imperial Guard.

They were all n of courage.

And exceedingly loyal.

The original Imperial Guard was sent to the Imperial Armor Army for training.

First, to give them a wake-up call, second, since the Imperial Guard role had beco too easy, many had forgotten their real skills; it was ti for them to start afresh.

Once the news spread, complaints ca from many.

After all, serving at the imperial court offered more opportunities for rapid advancent.

Whereas in the Imperial Armor Army, one had to rely on genuine skills.

Many couldn’t bear this hardship and sought to subtly express their reluctance to join the Imperial Armor Army.

It was Jiang Huanqing who was sharp-minded and suggested.

"With at least ten thousand of the Imperial Guard being swapped this ti, most are young aristocrats out to gain rit. If they don’t want to join the Imperial Armor Army, why not have their families pay to redeem them, at five hundred taels of silver each. That’s not too much, is it?"

In an ordinary household, five hundred taels could last several years.

But for those noble families, it was very simple.

Compared to the lives of their sons and nephews, five hundred taels seed like child’s play.

Therefore, when the news first ca out, everyone was skeptical.

Worried it might be a deliberate test for them.

So everyone waited to see.

Who knew the Fourth Prince would declare that at most a thousand could leave the barracks.

The pampered young aristocrats from influential families generously opened their wallets.

Leading to the point where, to free their children from the harshness of the Imperial Armor Army, the gates of the Fourth Prince Mansion were nearly trampled down.

Today soone ca to plead, and tomorrow another to cry.

It was chaos for the Fourth Prince and Fourth Princess Consort.

Giving face to this family ant having to give it to another.

In the end, the Fourth Prince feigned a headache and left the matter to the people below.

And naturally, the quota quietly expanded.

Eventually, the redemption fee grew, with even so paying five thousand taels for freedom.

After the grand military affair was settled, the Fourth Prince received a total of 684,000 taels in redemption money.

After reporting to the Emperor, he allocated half to the National Treasury and half was used as military stipends for the Imperial Armor Army.

Not only were all the soldiers outfitted with new armors and weapons, but even there was more fat in the broth.

This was killing three birds with one stone.

Both the Imperial Armor Army and the Imperial Guard gained significant enhancents.

Those young masters with no ambition and unwilling to endure hardships were successfully excluded from the core of power.

For this, Jiang Huanqing was promoted three ranks, becoming the deputy leader of the Fourth Prince’s Personal Guard.

This brought hope to the Rongchang Marquis Mansion.

"Rest assured, Prince. With his determination to shield with his body before, I am deeply impressed and will certainly teach well, not letting the Emperor and Prince’s appreciation of talent go to waste."

The Fourth Prince nodded with satisfaction.

Then his eyes fell on Jiang Huanqing.

He had sowhat underestimated this young man before.

It must be said, his mind is indeed sharp.

It gave him another idea, but he still needed to wait and see.

They were still in their early twenties, after all, and gaining honor without enough experience isn’t necessarily good.

If the foundation is unstable, a tall building can collapse.

This everyone understood.

So, take it slow, there’s no rush.

Lin Xingzhi and Jiang Huanqing sparred for a while longer, until both were sweating profusely, then they noticed the figures of the Fourth Prince and Commander Ji.

Imdiately, they walked over and knelt on one knee.

"Your subordinate greets the Fourth Prince and Commander Ji."

"Hmm, rise."

"Thank you, Prince."

Both were stalwart n; once raw recruits, after about a year of training, they already showed signs of a great general.

However, the road ahead was long, and truly reaching this point...

Was still an unknown number.

"Are your injuries fully healed? Training so hard here? Be careful not to damage your health foundation."

"Rest assured, Prince. If I weren’t fully recovered, my second uncle at ho wouldn’t have let out."

This was true.

Judging by his current complexion and stature, it was clear he had recovered well during his months convalescing at the Dong Family.

"Hmm, that’s good. But still, take it step by step, don’t rush this mont, understand?"

"Yes, thank you, Prince, for the guidance. I will rember it."

Hearing his response, the Fourth Prince and Commander Ji exchanged a look.

Both showed expressions of satisfaction.

"Alright, recover in the army for two months, and once ready, follow Commander Ji into the Imperial Guard."

Join the Imperial Guard?

He rembered having clearly stated before that he still wanted to return to the Imperial Armor Army.

Why was he now being sent to the Imperial Guard?

He was about to refuse.

But the Fourth Prince added.

"This was a direct order from the Emperor, appointing you as First-class Imperial Guard Captain, with a Yellow Jacket bestowed by the Emperor. Since the founding of Da Wei, only seven Yellow Jackets have been given, all to ritorious ministers of Da Wei. I won’t say much, but I recall Commander Ji also has one, correct?"

"The Prince has a good mory. Indeed, I have one."

Lin Xingzhi didn’t quite understand the significance of the Yellow Jacket yet.

But when he heard that only seven people had it, he was more than a little shocked.

Being a First-class Imperial Guard Captain is indeed impressive.

To say nothing of the fact, he’d be commanding the entire Qian’an Hall’s Imperial Guard.

A year ago, he was still a guard with no rank, now he’s a favorite at the court.

This speed is truly unmatched by others.

However, those present felt it was deserved.