When Chief Historian Chen was ntioned, County Magistrate Cai finally put down the teacup in his hand.
The Commandery Princess is just a young woman, easy to deceive. But Chen Zhuo has served as the Prince Mansion Chief Historian for thirty years, holding significant weight in the Nanyang County officialdom. After Prince Nanyang’s death this year, it was Chief Historian Chen who was in charge of managing the affairs at the mansion.
The steward eagerly watched his master, waiting for a while before finally hearing a sentence: "Prepare the pen and ink. I will personally write a letter to Chief Historian Chen to explain a thing or two."
Steward: "..."
Is that all?
No need to prepare generous gifts?
That’s too presumptuous!
The steward wanted to persuade further, but County Magistrate Cai impatiently waved his hand: "You may retreat first! I’ve been busy all day, and it’s rare to have the leisure to enjoy so tea. I’ll go to the study later."
The steward was also disheartened.
Faced with such a master, what else could he do? Oh well, he had fulfilled his duty as a steward; if County Magistrate Cai insisted on courting disaster, no one could help him.
As expected, news ca two days later.
The Commandery Princess personally led a thousand elite soldiers into the domain of Li County, heading straight towards the direction of the bandit’s lair in the mountains.
Cough cough cough!
County Magistrate Cai was choked by the hot tea in his mouth, coughing several tis, his face flushing red: "What—what did you say? The Commandery Princess has co to suppress the bandits with troops?"
The steward, with a bitter face, confird: "Yes, a thousand n and two thousand horses, in a mighty display, with no intention of avoiding the public eye. They entered Li County’s territory and went straight to Black Pine Mountain. Furthermore, Chief Historian Chen also personally ca to Li County, and is on the way, about a day or two from reaching the county governnt. My lord must prepare in advance and consider how to respond to Chief Historian Chen’s questioning... My lord!"
County Magistrate Cai’s eyes went dark, his body swaying unsteadily.
The steward, quick on his feet, supported the staggering County Magistrate Cai.
County Magistrate Cai took several deep breaths, unable to recover for a mont. He tightly gripped the steward’s arm: "The Commandery Princess is only ten years old, just a little girl. How could she dare to personally lead troops to Li County to suppress bandits?"
The steward sighed: "From this, we can see that the Commandery Princess is not soone to be trifled with. My lord must handle this carefully. Otherwise, this official’s hat will likely be unprotected."
No matter how young the Commandery Princess is, she is still the ruler of Nanyang County. The appointnt and removal of all officials in Nanyang County depend on the Commandery Princess’s will. With just one word, she could send County Magistrate Cai back to his hotown.
County Magistrate Cai finally knew fear.
Unfortunately, it was already too late! The Commandery Princess led a thousand elite soldiers and generals straight to Black Pine Mountain, without even stopping by the county governnt, showing her great anger.
County Magistrate Cai, in a state of panic, clasped hands trembling uncontrollably: "What should we do now?"
If he had listened and personally went to the Prince Mansion to apologize, to appease the anger of the Commandery Princess and Chief Historian Chen, he wouldn’t be feeling guilty and fearful now.
While internally raging and venting his grievances, the steward couldn’t show it on his face and had to rack his brains to think of a way to navigate for his master: "The Commandery Princess personally leading troops to suppress bandits is sothing the lord cannot pretend not to know. Send all the local governnt officials from the county governnt to guide the army."
Make ands by rit!
County Magistrate Cai hadn’t lost his mind completely, imdiately saying: "Don’t leave even one official behind; send them all to serve the Commandery Princess. You go too! Apologize to the Commandery Princess on my behalf!"
Steward: "..."
...
Ten miles outside Black Pine Mountain, a thousand personal soldiers had already begun setting up camp.
Establishing camp during a military campaign is of great importance. Qin Zhan was skilled in warfare but lacked in choosing camp locations and setting up camp. He did not contest for credit and directly recomnded Liu Hengchang in front of the Commandery Princess, who consented without a word.
Liu Hengchang lanted once more in his heart, "eting a wise lord, but alas, the wise lord is a woman," showing nothing on his face, and after receiving his orders, led his n to chop wood and build the camp.
Song Yuan and Qin Hu, along with the two hundred trusted aides, remained still. Their duty was to ensure the safety of the Commandery Princess. Regardless of ti or place, they guarded the Commandery Princess’s side.
At this mont, Jiang Shaohua was not idle either, gently inquiring the youthful and delicate-looking Divine Archer Xiao Tian: "Out of your group of ten, why did only you and Tao Dalang return?"
Xiao Tian respectfully replied: "To report to the Commandery Princess, our ten n split into five teams, with two n per team exploring the mountain paths. Communication in the forest is difficult, and we agreed to et at dusk. Tao Da and I calculated the army’s marching speed and ca ahead to et them. The rest will not descend from the mountain until evening."
In truth, Xiao Tian was not considered short among his peers. However, Tao Da was so tall and robust, standing there like an iron tower, making Xiao Tian appear particularly frail and slight.
Tao Da, being inarticulate, was a simple-minded fellow, well-suited to pair with Xiao Tian. While Xiao Tian briskly reported the scouting situation, Tao Da nodded his head on the side.
After listening, Jiang Shaohua dismissed Xiao Tian and Tao Da to rest before summoning Song Yuan and Qin Zhan to discuss strategies for suppressing the bandits.
Liu Hengchang was also called over.
In the temporarily erected tent, Jiang Shaohua tapped a simple route drawn by Xiao Tian: "The general location of the bandit’s camp is here, with the gate large and sturdy. The specific situation still requires further investigation."
Song Yuan continued the conversation: "The logistics and supply camp are still on the road, so it’s the perfect ti to explore the terrain thoroughly in the next couple of days."
Qin Zhan said, "During these two days, I’ll lead so n to hunt in the forest, providing a treat for everyone. Eating dry biscuits and drinking cold water for days on end leaves even the sturdiest n weak."
Jiang Shaohua agreed: "Stirring up movent will certainly alarm the bandits, and if they cause a commotion, we might just capture a couple of them alive."
Qin Zhan imdiately perked up, gripping his fists into large balls that cracked noisily: "Just leave that to ."
At this mont, there was movent outside the tent.
"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, County Magistrate Cai sent the steward and governnt officials to serve at your command."
Song Yuan snorted coldly: "He has the nerve. I’ll go see to it that they’re sent away."
"Since they’re here, let them stay," Jiang Shaohua said indifferently: "Most of the governnt officials are from Li County; send them into the mountains to scout. Let that steward co in. I have sothing to ask."
Song Yuan acknowledged with a sound, then turned to instruct Qin Hu.
Qin Hu swiftly went to deliver the ssage.
The governnt officials, panting after a two-hour journey, were divided into teams of five, each given a bamboo whistle for communication and sent into the mountains with crestfallen faces.
The steward entered the tent, trembling with fear, not daring to look up, and knelt down with a thud: "This humble servant, Cai Ye, greets the Commandery Princess."
The na is rather interesting.
Steward Cai was thin, dark, and emaciated, with two goatee-like strands, resembling a black goat.
Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, casually inquiring: "You also bear the surna Cai. Are you by chance related to County Magistrate Cai?"
Steward Cai replied with his head lowered: "This humble servant is a distant relative of County Magistrate Cai. I passed the scholar’s examination at sixteen, never succeeding in the following years, my family’s ans unable to continue supporting my studies. This humble servant then sought refuge with Lord Cai and beca the steward at the Li County governnt."
To attain the status of a scholar at sixteen, he was considered exceptionally talented in studies.
Unfortunately, his family was poor, and his appearance unfavorable. Given Da Liang’s officialdom’s superficial standards, even if he entered the bureaucratic circle, his prospects were dim.
Jiang Shaohua cast a glance: "County Magistrate Cai didn’t co himself; what are you here for?"
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