The proposal to train special forces

Li Zhi’s analysis and the method he proposed, though seemingly feasible, still had many unresolved issues.

Li Jing asked, “Your Highness, have you considered that the enemy’s soldiers are equally skilled in mounted archery, and our cavalry faces difficulties in resupply? How, then, can we truly threaten them?”

Li Zhi replied, “There’s no need for our forces to confront the enemy head-on. We only need to scout the terrain in advance and launch a surprise attack when they are unprepared.”

At this, he revealed a sly grin. “As long as our soldiers are capable enough, they could wipe out an entire tribe in one strike. Everything the enemy possesses would then become our supplies.”

Li Jing pressed further, “But how can Your Highness ensure that the soldiers are capable enough?”

Li Zhi answered, “Through training, of course. I have thought of some ways to improve the soldiers’ abilities and would like to ask for your guidance as to whether they might be effective.”

After hearing Li Zhi’s request, Li Jing said, “Your Highness, by all means, let me hear your thoughts.”

Truthfully, in his previous life, Li Zhi was not a true military enthusiast. He merely watched various military-related videos from time to time out of idle curiosity. Among these, the content on special forces training left a deep impression on him, prompting him to look further into that subject.

He now relayed all this knowledge to Li Jing. Although these things were mere surface demonstrations for modern special forces, in this era, they represented a training method a thousand years ahead of its time.

Because Li Zhi’s methods were far harsher than the standard practices of the day, Li Jing found some aspects difficult to comprehend once he’d heard the entire account. He asked, “Your Highness, I understand the emphasis on capability training, but why place such importance on soldiers’ conduct and internal affairs?”

The training methods Li Zhi described mainly included reconnaissance, infiltration, assassination, and similar subjects, along with strict discipline and standardized internal management.

In Li Zhi’s view, the reason the army of his previous life could maintain high morale and strict order under the harshest conditions must be tied to such training.

He explained to Li Jing, “I believe that apart from advanced weapons and armor, the most crucial element of a powerful army is strict discipline and indomitable will.”

He took a moment to organize his thoughts and continued, “I think that through rigorous conduct training and internal management, these qualities can be cultivated.”

Li Jing asked in confusion, “And on what basis do you believe this?”

Li Zhi replied, “Conduct training must occur year-round, so the soldiers must endure all kinds of harsh weather. Over time, this will naturally toughen their will.”

He went on, “For a soldier to keep his quarters in perfect order every day is an exceedingly tedious task. Persisting in this not only grinds down their impatience but also indirectly increases their perseverance and habit of obeying orders.”

Though Li Jing knew well the importance of following orders, he had always enforced this in his own training through harsh punishments. Li Zhi’s approach struck him as novel and intriguing.

He hesitated and asked, “Your Highness, such methods have never been implemented in the army. How can you be sure they’ll yield such results?”

Li Zhi replied, “My reasoning is based on human nature.”

Li Jing asked, “What do you mean?”

Li Zhi said, “Everything I proposed goes against a person’s instincts. If we can forcibly suppress those instincts in the soldiers, they will naturally become obedient to all other commands as well.”

Li Jing reflected deeply on this. Li Zhi had a point—strict training and management could indeed help soldiers break many bad habits. Once forced to accept these changes, they would habitually comply with other requirements as well, thus increasing their obedience.

Having figured this out, Li Jing looked at Li Zhi with a complex expression. He could hardly fathom how someone so young could approach the problem from the perspective of human nature. He decided to try out Li Zhi’s suggestions; if successful, it would further refine his own military doctrine.

With this in mind, Li Jing said to Li Zhi, “Your Highness’s proposal may be worth a try. I shall report this to His Majesty and organize a force to test it.”

Li Zhi responded, “If you require my assistance, I will do all I can to help.”

Li Jing nodded, then took his leave to see Emperor Taizong.

Having led troops for many years, Emperor Taizong’s military acumen was in no way inferior to Li Jing’s.

Therefore, after hearing Li Jing’s report, he analyzed it briefly and agreed that it was worth attempting. He immediately summoned Zhangsun Wuji, Yuchi Jingde, and other generals to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to discuss forming a special operations force of about a thousand men.

After Li Jing had explained the new training methods once again, the first to object was Duke of Lu and Left Guard General Hou Junji.

He addressed Emperor Taizong, “Your Majesty, I believe that the training methods proposed by Prince Jin and Minister Li are baseless fantasies and will do little to improve the troops’ combat strength.”

Emperor Taizong asked, “And why do you say so, Minister Hou?”

Hou Junji replied, “Your Majesty, our Tang soldiers are already united in heart and formidable in formation, inspiring fear among all the surrounding peoples. There is no deficiency in our military discipline.”

He then looked at Li Jing and continued, “As for individual abilities, they matter little in large-scale battles.”

Emperor Taizong responded, “I cannot quite agree, Minister. When our soldiers face the enemy, aside from their sturdy armor and weapons, they often lack in personal skill.”

Hou Junji said, “Your Majesty, the nomadic tribes are uncivilized and naturally brutal. Their environment differs greatly from ours, giving them an innate physical toughness that cannot be matched through training.”

Li Jing countered, “Minister Hou, that is far too arbitrary. Our Tang has many brave men whose personal strength is all the result of training—how can you say training is useless?”

Hou Junji retorted, “Which of these brave men did not train from childhood, spending more than a decade to achieve such skill? How could a short period of training possibly suffice?”

Li Jing pressed, “How can you be sure it will not work before the attempt is even made?”

Hou Junji was left speechless by Li Jing’s question. The truth was, his eagerness to object stemmed from personal motives. His loyalty was to Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and he had been closely watching Li Zhi’s actions. Li Zhi’s outstanding performance in the study of natural philosophy had already placed great pressure on Li Chengqian. Now that Li Zhi was beginning to involve himself in military affairs right after starting to study military strategy, Hou Junji felt he could not easily consent to this.