Hou Junji Files a Complaint
The new barracks were located less than ten li outside Tonghua Gate to the east of Chang’an city.
The entire complex was built with a sturdy brick-and-mortar structure.
Each barrack could accommodate twenty men, with every individual assigned a single bed and personal washing utensils.
Specially constructed washrooms, baths, and toilets stood within the camp, and the facilities on the training field far surpassed those of any other garrison.
Even the horses were abundant—each man had his own mount, with some to spare.
The recruits, upon seeing such luxurious quarters, erupted in cheers of delight.
It seemed to all that joining this new army was a stroke of extraordinary fortune.
Little did they know their joy was somewhat premature, for starting the very next day, they would be subjected to a daily regimen of training that felt nothing short of infernal.
At dawn on the second day, Li Zhi arrived at the camp together with Li Jing.
After Su Lie assembled everyone, Li Jing took his place at the front of the ranks.
He cleared his throat and addressed them: “From this day forth, we are all brothers-in-arms in this army.”
Casting his gaze over the new recruits, he continued, “His Highness the Prince of Jin has graciously requested His Majesty to bestow upon our forces an illustrious name: the Dragon Cavalry.”
The soldiers, upon hearing that their unit bore the word “dragon,” immediately burst out in fervent cries: “Dragon Cavalry! Dragon Cavalry!”
In mythology, the dragon is the most formidable of all divine beasts, said to be capable of anything.
Furthermore, all words associated with the dragon are closely linked to the imperial authority.
By granting this name, Emperor Taizong wished for this army to be absolutely loyal to him and invincible on the battlefield.
After the cheers had rung out for a while, Li Jing raised his hand to quiet the assembly.
When the grounds had fallen silent, he continued, “Comrades, His Majesty has bestowed upon us such a unique title in the hope that we will be loyal to him, valiant and undefeated.”
His expression suddenly turned stern, and his voice rose: “Therefore, we must uphold strict discipline, train with diligence, and repay His Majesty’s favor with unwavering will, strong bodies, and indomitable spirit.”
The men shouted again, “Training! Training!”
Li Jing signaled for quiet once more and said, “As Mencius once said, ‘Without rules, nothing can be accomplished.’ I shall now read aloud the army’s regulations.”
Having said this, he withdrew a neatly folded sheet of rice paper from his robe and slowly unfurled it.
He then began to read and explain each rule.
The very first stated that those who failed to answer the roll call, failed to assemble, or arrived late would be flogged thirty times for a first offense, fifty for a repeat.
Second, those who caused disturbances, incited trouble, made noise at night, or concealed such behavior would be flogged seventy times.
Li Jing had barely read two articles before every soldier stood at rigid attention.
The whip was an excruciating punishment; at best, it would flay the skin, at worst, break bones and sever tendons.
Given the rudimentary state of medicine, severe injuries often meant death.
Li Jing went on, “If one’s weapons are dull, banners unkempt, if one steals from others, disobeys orders, delays or shirks duties—the penalty is one hundred lashes.”
By now, many faces had turned pale, for a hundred lashes was a certain death sentence.
Li Jing continued, “Contempt for orders, reckless speech, leaking military secrets—death by beheading.”
A hush fell over the assembly.
Li Jing pressed on, “Feigning illness to shirk duties or battle, bullying the populace, rape or other heinous crimes, fleeing without fighting—all punishable by death.”
He recited a dozen more regulations, every one carrying the death penalty.
These laws were far stricter than the general military code of the Tang dynasty—many punishments even the seasoned veterans like Su Lie had never heard before.
When Li Jing had finished, everyone stood white-faced, scarcely daring to breathe.
He then produced another sheet of rice paper.
He announced, “You officers may have noticed the unique nature of this barracks. I shall now declare its rules.”
The regulations were: all soldiers must go to bed immediately after lights-out is sounded, rise at once when reveille is blown, make their beds, and begin washing without delay.
Everyone was required to assemble on the training field within half a quarter-hour after reveille—about fifteen minutes, a feat nearly impossible under the current standards.
When Li Jing finished reading, even the veterans like Su Lie drew a silent, deep breath.
There were also detailed requirements for meals, using the latrines, and more.
Especially the matter of the latrines, which Li Jing singled out for special emphasis.
The men of this era lacked the modern sense of sanitation and would relieve themselves wherever they pleased.
Li Zhi had specifically instructed Li Jing on the importance of this rule: to prevent the spread of disease.
Having completed his task, Li Jing stepped aside.
Li Zhi then took over, instructing everyone in formation drills and the use of the various pieces of equipment.
From that day on, the unit began a regime of training that was nothing short of hellish, and before long, several outstanding soldiers emerged from among the new recruits.
Among them was the future renowned general Xue Li—Xue Rengui.
At this time, Xue Rengui was only seventeen, just of age to enlist.
The intensity of training in the Dragon Cavalry far exceeded that of typical units, and so, naturally, their consumption of equipment and provisions was much higher.
All such requisitions had to be approved by Hou Junji, Minister of War.
This provided him with an excuse to raise objections, so he quickly compiled a report of the Dragon Cavalry’s two-month expenditures and submitted it to Emperor Taizong.
Upon reading Hou Junji’s figures, Emperor Taizong could not help but frown, for the consumption was nearly twice that of other units.
Food and medicinal supplies, in particular, had more than doubled.
Left with no choice, the Emperor summoned Li Zhi and Li Jing to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, intending to have them explain such extravagance.
When the two arrived, Emperor Taizong immediately asked, “Yaoshi, Zhinü, Minister Hou has presented me with the Dragon Cavalry’s consumption over the past two months. To my eye, it seems rather excessive.”
Li Jing replied, “Your Majesty, the Dragon Cavalry’s training is far more rigorous than any other, so injuries are inevitable, and the wear and tear on equipment is naturally greater.”
Hou Junji interjected, “Prime Minister Li, I cannot concur with your view. The training in all units is considerable, yet never have we seen so many injuries. Is the Dragon Cavalry at war every day?”
Li Jing responded, “I am to present Your Majesty with an elite force within a year; daily training must be exacting, and combat drills are correspondingly harsh.”