Ning Chen didn't reproach Lei An and Yue Congyun any further. They were his own trusted generals, and they had done well enough as it was.

"All right, both of you, get up.

Old Pan, tell the kitchen to prepare a feast. Tonight we're having a family dinner.

Oh, and go call Qi Yuanzhong and the others over. There are a few things I need to tell them."

Before dinner, Ning Chen called everyone into his study for a small meeting.

It was about one thing only: training the navy.

Ning Chen's gaze settled on Qi Yuanzhong. "Brother Qi, I plan to train a navy of fifty thousand, to retake the island Zhang Tianlun left behind and to conquer the Zhaohe Kingdom.

I've decided you'll command these fifty thousand naval troops.

I brought two men back from Tianci Village this time. They've lived by the sea all their lives, and they're strong swimmers and good seafarers. I'm handing the two of them over to you. Watch them for a while, then put them to real use."

Qi Yuanzhong was flushed with excitement. He bowed to take the order. "This officer receives the order and will not fail my lord prince's trust."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod. "Then it's settled. I'll assign you fifty thousand men. When spring comes next year, I want fifty thousand tigers and wolves who know how to fight on the water.

This prince will personally name the fifty-thousand-strong navy... the Great Xuan Navy."

Qi Yuanzhong said, "This officer obeys!"

Yuan Long suddenly stood up. "My lord prince, can we train with them?"

"Hm?"

Yuan Long said, "We in the Ning'an Army think we're as good as anyone, but swimming is our weakest point. Can we train with them?"

Ning Chen blinked. He'd completely overlooked that.

"All right. Yuan Long, lead the Ning'an Army and train alongside them."

Feng Qizheng shot to his feet. "Then the modao army trains too!"

Ning Chen thought for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "All right. Then you lead the modao army and train with them... You won't be…