The Innocent Heart - Chapter 32

After this minor hiccup, the three of them finally returned to the main topic. Wei Qing did not find the matter difficult; he had observed Guan Yueyao’s every move in the barracks during the day. This youth possessed not only true talent and practical knowledge but also a certain tenacity. This was likely the reason he was able to convince the soldiers after his duel today.

“You mentioned yesterday that you would first conduct a…” Wei Qing paused in thought, recalling that rather peculiar term: “Ah, yes, a physical fitness test?” Saying this, he voiced his confusion about the purpose: “But I don’t know what the goal of doing this is?”

“I want to first understand the difference in physical fitness between the various soldiers through a few simple movements. Then, based on everyone’s different constitutions, I will devise different training plans.” This was the result of Guan Yueyao’s diligent thought; considering his current experience and knowledge, it was a very comprehensive conclusion. At least in his athletic career, he understood that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and uniform training alone cannot maximize a person’s physical potential. Although he did not know the idiom “teach according to aptitude” (Yin Cai Shi Jiao), nor the educational meaning and origin it contained, he still made this decision based on his experience and consideration.

Wei Qing nodded in strong agreement, then asked again: “What assessments do you plan to conduct tomorrow?”

“The middle-to-long-distance run is a definite. The standing long jump requires a sand pit, and pull-ups require a frame, which probably cannot be easily procured right away, so I estimate we can only add sit-ups,” Guan Yueyao counted on his fingers; these were some of the most common physical fitness tests in the modern era.

Wei Qing remained unclear, as the term sit-up did not evoke any clear image for him. Seeing this, Guan Yueyao smiled, stood up, and called out to Huo Qubing: “Qubing, come quickly! Let’s demonstrate for your uncle!”

After sitting idly for a while and recovering slightly from the physical fatigue, he regained his vigor, intending to show Wei Qing his abilities well. Huo Qubing had been practicing the tasks Guan Yueyao assigned him alone at home that afternoon, feeling bored. Upon hearing Guan Yueyao speak, he promptly responded, coming over and familiarly placing his knees on Guan Yueyao’s feet while also firmly pressing his hands onto his bent knees.

Guan Yueyao began to perform sit-ups quickly under Wei Qing’s astonished gaze.

“It’s like this. Through this movement, the strength of the waist and abdominal muscles can be very well exercised,” Guan Yueyao stopped after doing about forty sit-ups, panting slightly as he explained.

“Young Master, the hot bath has been prepared,” Just then, a maidservant entered with her eyes slightly lowered, reporting respectfully.

Wei Qing looked at Guan Yueyao, whose hair was dishevelled from the previous movements, and smiled: “Go quickly and have a good soak to relax yourself.”

After sending Guan Yueyao away, Wei Qing turned to his nephew. He was quite curious about the movement Guan Yueyao just performed but felt too awkward to try it in front of Huo Qubing.

“Uncle, why don’t you hold my legs down so I can do a few too?” Huo Qubing shamelessly came over at this moment. As he spoke, he seemed afraid Wei Qing would refuse, so he added: “Ah Yao has also been taken away by you today, so I haven’t been able to practice anything besides archery this afternoon.”

“Nonsense! Before you knew Yueyao, couldn’t you do anything?” Wei Qing glared at his nephew crossly, but ultimately could not resist his pouting. He stood up, walked to Huo Qubing’s side, and imitating Huo Qubing’s posture from before, helped him press his feet down.

“Like this?” Wei Qing asked, somewhat uncertainly.

“Yes, please press down firmly,” Huo Qubing instructed before imitating Guan Yueyao’s earlier movement and starting to do sit-ups.

“What does it feel like doing this?” Finally, Wei Qing could not suppress his curiosity. Looking at his nephew who was struggling happily, he asked.

“Just as Ah Yao said, I can feel the strength in my abdomen being exercised.” Huo Qubing paused slightly, then continued to do them seriously after saying this.

These training methodologies, researched and summarized by countless scholars and athletes in modern times, greatly increased the efficiency and results of individual exercise. Although they were just a few simple movements, they actually contained the cumulative research and experience of many people.

Wei Qing did not respond to his nephew’s words but silently committed the movement to memory.

Late at night, after finishing dinner with Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao and discussing tomorrow’s arrangements, Wei Qing returned to his study and summoned his personal attendant.

“Changsheng, hold my legs down like this.”

Guan Yueyao and Huo Qubing naturally did not know what Wei Qing secretly did after returning to his study last night. Huo Qubing was extremely interested in the fact that Guan Yueyao would enter the army before him. He clearly understood that he would also become a general leading troops in the future, so what Guan Yueyao was doing now seemed like an excellent preview for him. He also wanted to participate, even if he could not personally train the soldiers in the barracks; he could offer suggestions to Guan Yueyao. This nearly eleven-year-old youth already had many ideas in his mind, awaiting verification.

Concerned about whether the testing method he and Guan Yueyao had agreed upon yesterday would be effective, he appeared very distracted during the military strategy rehearsal with Liu Che in the Xuanshi Hall today.

“Qubing, why are you so distracted? What is troubling you?” Liu Che, looking at the youth who was spacing out again over the sand table before him, was not annoyed, but rather asked with a touch of amusement.

Huo Qubing snapped back to attention, his face flushing red, and replied honestly: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Uncle and Ah Yao are conducting a physical fitness test for the soldiers in the army today. I… I am simply very curious about the results.”

“Physical fitness test? What new trick is Zhongqing coming up with now?” To his surprise, Liu Che also became interested upon hearing this. He stroked his chin and asked with interest.

“Ah Yao proposed it first, saying he wanted to see the current physical condition of the generals and soldiers in the camp,” Huo Qubing quickly added.

“Oh? Since there are no major political matters today, why don’t you come with Me, and we can go take a look at that physical fitness test.” Liu Che’s curiosity was piqued by Huo Qubing’s words. He acted immediately, giving up his lesson, and led Huo Qubing and his retinue to the Northern Army garrison where Wei Qing was stationed.

When Liu Che and Huo Qubing arrived, the physical fitness test conducted by Wei Qing and Guan Yueyao was in full swing. On the training ground, sturdy, muscular men were running around the field with bare arms, sweat pouring down their faces, and shouts of encouragement rising one after another—there was none of the grim martial spirit typically seen in barracks.

“Run faster, run faster! If you don’t reach the end soon, you’ll be disqualified!” A slightly raw shout rang out at this moment.

Huo Qubing didn’t need to think to know that was Guan Yueyao’s voice. His gaze involuntarily followed the direction of the sound. At this time, several soldiers who had sprinted with all their might to the finish line were shouting their names. Behind Guan Yueyao, a scribe was bent over, scribbling on bamboo slips, recording something.

“Let’s go, come with Me to take a look,” Liu Che gestured, signaling the attending eunuchs and palace maids not to follow, only taking Huo Qubing and a few Qimen Army guards into the drill ground.

“Greetings to Your Majesty!” Wei Qing turned around and was greatly startled to see the Son of Heaven, who should have been in the palace, arrive at the camp so unexpectedly. He hurriedly paid his respects to the arrival.

“No need for formalities. What is this you are doing?” Liu Che waved his hand but kept his eyes fixed on the spirited training ground. This novel method of training was truly the first he had ever seen.

Wei Qing’s explanation was essentially the same as what Huo Qubing had told him earlier. Liu Che listened for only a moment before refocusing his attention on the soldiers leaping about on the field. At this moment, they seemed imbued with a vitality he had never seen before. The cheers and shouts that came from the heart seemed to possess some kind of magic, making those involved feel uplifted.

Truly interesting, Liu Che thought.

“Zhao Wu, unqualified.”

“He Zhi, unqualified.”

“Luo Zhao, unqualified.”

“Those who are unqualified must run two more laps after the testing is finished before they can eat.”

Guan Yueyao’s voice came again, followed immediately by the soldiers’ wails. Liu Che couldn’t help but joke upon hearing this: “Truly unexpected. Yueyao is quite strict when acting as an instructor.”

Wei Qing couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth either. Guan Yueyao’s demeanor these past two days had also greatly surprised him. That young man who initially seemed a bit wayward—who would have thought he also had such a serious side.

A dull ache pulsed in his lower abdomen—the aftereffect of secretly doing sit-ups in his study last night. But as someone who had practiced martial arts for years, even if he didn’t know the exact reason, this familiar soreness made him understand that the seemingly simple movements Guan Yueyao demonstrated actually had remarkable effects. They could precisely exercise the body parts that were usually difficult to train but were crucial for military personnel.

The knowledge Guan Yueyao possessed held very important and positive significance for the Han Army at this time. Currently, in terms of average individual combat capability, the Han Army was clearly inferior to the Xiongnu. All along, the Han Army’s advantage lay in resource allocation, numbers, and superior equipment. But Guan Yueyao’s arrival might improve this situation for the Han Army. Thinking of this, Wei Qing deliberately praised Guan Yueyao more highly in front of Liu Che.

“Your Majesty doesn’t know, but Yueyao truly put in some effort yesterday to win over these soldiers,” Wei Qing said with a smile, recounting the duel in the barracks yesterday, detail by detail, to Liu Che.