Morning running began.
The military generals pushed off the ground and shot forward like arrows.
General Cheng Ying ran at the very front. After completing one lap, he still had enough energy to run backward, grinning at the civil officials behind him.
“Gentlemen, I’ve prepared hot tea at the finish line. Take your time!”
After saying that, he even made an inviting gesture, which nearly made Chancellor Lin Zhenyan blow his beard out of anger.
“You… you brute… you’re going too far…”
Lin Zhenyan gritted his teeth and tried to chase, but after only two steps he was already gasping like a broken bellows.
The other generals were equally unyielding—each one moving like the wind, quickly leaving the civil officials far behind.
In contrast, the civil officials were in complete collapse.
Chu Heng was running when his own poorly tied shoelaces tripped him.
“Ahhh!”
He crashed straight to the ground and bit into the dirt.
“Pah, pah, pah…”
He crawled up, covered in dust and utterly miserable.
Lu Wenbin’s huge belly jiggled violently; after less than a hundred meters he collapsed onto the ground.
“No… no more… let this old man… rest a bit…”
He lay on the grass, gasping heavily.
No matter how the scarecrows poked him with vines, he refused to get up.
“Sir, please continue running.”
The scarecrow’s mechanical voice rang out.
“Otherwise, punishment measures will be executed.”
“Whatever… do whatever you want…”
Lu Wenbin waved his hand, looking like a man who had given up completely.
“I… really can’t run anymore…”
The scarecrow fell silent for a second.
Then it bent down, lifted Lu Wenbin onto its shoulder, and started running.
“Ahhh! Put me down!”
Lu Wenbin bounced on its shoulder, screaming miserably.
“I’ll run myself! I’ll run myself, alright!”
Only then did the scarecrow set him down.
Lu Wenbin rubbed his aching stomach, almost in tears.
After three laps, the civil officials were sprawled everywhere like broken corpses.
The military generals, however, were still full of energy—even stretching on the spot.
Princess Feng Zeyuan looked at this stark contrast in physical fitness and shook her head.
【Their bodies are really too weak.】
【No wonder the court of Great Xia feels so lifeless. With these physiques, it’s already impressive they can survive a single court session.】
【Looks like PE needs to be strengthened.】
She clapped her hands.
“Warm-up is over. Go eat breakfast.”
Within half an hour after breakfast, everyone assembled again.
“Good. Next, we begin broadcast gymnastics training.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a projection appeared in the sky.
A group of teenagers in white school uniforms stood neatly on a playground.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, full of vitality.
“The first national middle school broadcast gymnastics routine — ‘The Era is Calling!’”
“Prepare—start!”
Light, upbeat music played.
The students on screen began exercising:
stretching movements, chest expansion, leg kicks, side bends…
Every motion was clean and precise.
The officials stared in shock.
That surging energy and vitality struck them deeply.
Chancellor Lin stared at the sky, a trace of longing in his eyes.
“These youths… have such spirit…”
“If all the young people of Great Xia were like this, why would the nation not be strong?”
Chu Heng also nodded.
“This ‘broadcast gymnastics’ seems like a good thing.”
However, when they personally tried to imitate it—
the situation instantly collapsed.
“First section, stretching exercise!”
Lin Zhenyan took a deep breath, raised his arms, and slowly bent forward.
CRACK!
A sharp sound.
“Ahhh—!”
He screamed and froze mid-motion, clutching his waist.
“My waist… it’s broken…”
His face turned pale, cold sweat pouring down.
The surrounding officials all stepped back in fear.
“Chancellor Lin has sprained his waist!”
“This exercise… this exercise is cursed!”
“I’m not doing it! I refuse!”
Chaos erupted instantly.
Feng Zeyuan facepalmed.
【I knew this would happen…】
【These old bones need gradual training.】
She clapped her hands.
“Don’t panic! Liu San, bring the medicated wine.”
“Chancellor Lin, go rest first. The rest continue.”
“Reduce the range of motion by half. Do it slowly.”
With Lin Zhenyan as a warning example, the others became extremely cautious.
“Second section, chest expansion!”
Lu Wenbin spread his arms, trying to expand his chest.
But his belly was too big—his arms couldn’t even meet behind him.
So he could only pat his stomach like he was checking a watermelon.
Thump thump thump…
The sound was surprisingly loud.
People nearby couldn’t help but laugh.
“Third section, leg kicks!”
Chu Heng lifted his left leg, trying to kick high.
But his left hand also lifted along with it.
Left hand and left leg moved together in perfect chaos.
“Sir Chu, you’re moving opposite limbs!”
Someone couldn’t help but call out.
Chu Heng froze, then quickly tried to fix it.
The more he tried, the worse it got.
In the end, he gave up completely.
“I… I can’t do it…”
He looked utterly defeated.
Feng Zeyuan watched the chaotic scene and twitched her mouth.
【Good heavens.】
【Is this really exercise?】
【This is more like geriatric rehabilitation training.】
【With this level of fitness, and you still want to revive the empire?】
【Fix your backs first!】
She took a deep breath and grabbed the loudspeaker.
“Stop! Everyone stop!”
The officials were relieved and immediately froze in place.
She walked down from the platform into the crowd.
“You need more detailed instruction.”
Her gaze fell on Feng Zeyang and Feng Huainan.
“Brother. Father. Step forward.”
Feng Zeyang smiled gently and walked out.
Feng Huainan followed, still confused but obedient.
“Next, my brother will demonstrate the correct form, and my father will demonstrate the incorrect form.”
Feng Zeyuan said with a sweet smile.
“Watch carefully.”
Feng Huainan: “…”
Where am I supposed to put my dignity as a father?
“First section, stretching exercise.”
Feng Zeyang’s movements were graceful and precise, perfectly executed.
The crowd burst into admiration.
“As expected of the top scholar!”
“Perfect form!”
Feng Huainan tried to imitate him.
But when he bent forward, his fingers were still a foot away from his toes.
“Father, your flexibility is really lacking,” Feng Zeyuan said bluntly.
Feng Huainan’s face turned red.
“Ahem… I’ve been busy with state affairs…”
“No problem, train slowly.”
She patted his shoulder.
“You’ve got plenty of time anyway.”
The officials watching suddenly felt much better.
So even the princess’s father isn’t good at it!
We’re not the worst ones!
Feng Zeyuan noticed their reactions and suddenly had an idea.
“Watching without practicing is useless.”
“From now on, we’ll implement a one-on-one tutoring system.”
“Those who do well will teach those who do poorly.”
Her gaze landed on Cheng Ying and Chu Heng.
“Cheng Ying, you teach Sir Chu.”
Cheng Ying grinned and walked over.
“Sir Chu, excuse me.”
Without hesitation, he grabbed Chu Heng’s shoulders and started stretching him.
“Ahhh! Easy! Easy!”
Chu Heng screamed in pain.
“My old waist is going to break!”
“Sir Chu, your joints are too stiff.”
Cheng Ying said seriously.
“You really need proper stretching.”
“I don’t need it! I don’t need stretching!”
Chu Heng struggled desperately.
But Cheng Ying’s strength was overwhelming.
All he could do was endure the “training.”
The rest of the officials were assigned tutors as well.
Soon, the entire farm echoed with cries of agony.
“Ahhh! My leg!”
“Gentle! Gentle!”
“My lord, have mercy!”
Feng Zeyuan watched the lively “training session” and nodded in satisfaction.
【Good. Now this looks right.】
【Once their flexibility improves, the exercises will be much easier.】
Half an hour later, the officials finally managed to grasp the basics of the broadcast gymnastics.
Although stiff, at least they were no longer moving in complete chaos.
Feng Zeyuan looked at the sky.
“Good. Today’s physical education class ends here.”
Everyone sighed in relief.
Finally!
But the next second—
“Next is a relaxation activity.”
She smiled sweetly.
“Everyone, follow me and dance to loosen up.”
Before they could react—
a bizarre melody suddenly echoed across the farm.
“You are my little apple~”
“How can I love you enough~”
The cheerful, almost brain-melting rhythm filled the entire space.
The officials froze in place.
“This… this demonic sound…”
“Your Highness… you don’t mean to say we’re going to—”
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