"Use veteran soldiers as the estate guards?" Cen Rubai was startled at this and hurriedly advised against it. Not only would it be undignified, it would also be utterly incapable of forming any defense.
"They were indeed seasoned elite soldiers back then, but twenty years have passed. They are all old and frail now, I fear..."
But Su Ziji had already made up his mind and insisted, "They may be old, but old soldiers never die; they merely fade away. The Eastern Palace once used them as guards, and now I will use them as guards as well."
"That is the only way not to dishonor them."
"Think about it. If I merely kept them in the residence, not only would they feel embarrassed, but wouldn't outsiders say I was fishing for fame and reputation?"
"This..." Cen Rubai's learning had always been exceptional, needless to say, and after weathering wind and rain these past years, he had vaguely discerned his young lord's intentions. After a moment's thought, he gained some understanding and began to see the light.
"...This is good too. The Dai Marquis Residence is still too empty. It is not obvious just after moving in, but over time, it will become difficult to keep it running."
"Buying people at such a critical juncture would make it easy for others to plant spies among us. These twenty-two households all came from military families. Invite them into the residence: the old men become soldiers, their sons and grandsons become hereditary household guards and servants, while the women become maids and old serving women. That was how it used to be, and it is how it is now. It also solves the shortage of people in the residence."
As Cen Rubai spoke, he understood the purpose. Not only was there no