Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Shock
Liu Hengchang reacted quickly, immediately saying: "Commandery Princess is mistaken, I have never been disrespectful to the Commandery Princess."
He only felt a slight sense of regret and lament.
Jiang Shaohua’s bright black eyes, seemingly able to see into one’s heart, calmly rested on Liu Hengchang’s face: "I have no intention of questioning, General Liu need not be alarmed."
"General Liu, born into a military family, learned skills from a young age. A man of great ambition and aspirations. When you came to Nanyang County back then, it was to achieve something under my grandfather’s command. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away early. I was just a ten-year-old girl, and taking over Nanyang County was not an easy task. It was inevitable that people’s hearts would waver."
"General Liu’s doubt and unease about the future and career are common human feelings. I understand them all."
"I ask General Liu to rest assured in your duty and give me three to five years of time. Then, even if I wanted to dismiss General Liu, General Liu would be reluctant to leave Nanyang County."
Liu Hengchang has always been composed, not showing joy or anger easily. But now his expression was constantly changing, showing the agitation of his mood.
He wanted to say something, but upon meeting Commandery Princess’s perceptive black eyes, he felt it unnecessary to speak further.
The Commandery Princess lowered herself to speak such heartfelt words, showing her regard for him. Saying anything more would be overstepping.
"I have remembered the Commandery Princess’s words," Liu Hengchang finally bowed and said, "I am wholeheartedly loyal, and I ask the Commandery Princess to see this clearly."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and personally reached out to help Liu Hengchang up.
Standing to the side, Qin Zhan could not help but feel a bit jealous.
In this campaign against the bandits, he contributed the most efforts and achieved the greatest merits. Yet the Commandery Princess valued Liu Hengchang more...
"Uncle Qin," while Qin Zhan was feeling sour inside, the Commandery Princess smiled and looked over: "For this campaign against the bandits, the First Camp contributed the most, and Uncle Qin is the key figure. I’ve remembered all this!"
Qin Zhan immediately felt completely refreshed, grinning, "This is all part of my duty. My entire family, old and young, are supported by the Commandery Princess. It’s only right for me to risk my life for the Commandery Princess."
"I am different from those who came later with many thoughts. I am someone of the Prince Mansion my whole life. Even if one day I die on the battlefield, I still have sons, and in the future, grandsons. They will naturally succeed me and continue to serve the Commandery Princess."
Liu Hengchang: "..."
Liu Hengchang was used to hearing Qin Zhan’s taunting words and remained unfazed, maintaining his calm demeanor.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled while she admonished: "Talk of life and death less often; I dislike hearing such things. Also, everyone in the Personal Guard Camp is the same, regardless of when they arrived."
Even being chided by the Commandery Princess, Qin Zhan was not annoyed. He chuckled and agreed.
The two bowed to say goodbye together, then led the personal soldiers to ride back to the military camp. By nightfall, they just barely returned to the Personal Guard Camp.
Meng Dashan personally came out to greet them, glaring jealously at Qin Zhan: "This time I’ll let you have it, but next time there’s a bandit suppression, our Second Camp will go."
The suppression of bandits was a great success, with rich rewards for the personal soldiers who went to war. The soldiers who stayed behind at the camp also received half of the rewards. However, what Meng Dashan cared about was not gold and silver, but the honor of going to war against the bandits.
Qin Zhan looked smug: "Old Meng, talking to me is useless. I didn’t compete with you; it was the Commandery Princess who personally selected our First Camp to suppress the bandits. The Commandery Princess clearly understands that our First Camp has the strongest fighting power."
"Bah! So capable, yet you borrowed archers from our Second Camp." Meng Dashan half jokingly cursed, truly feeling a bit sour inside.
Liu Hengchang typically remained silent, bowing and returning to the Third Camp first.
Qin Zhan pulled Meng Dashan’s sleeve: "Come, let’s go to my tent, have a couple drinks, and talk."
After a few rounds of drinking, Qin Zhan finished boasting about the suppression of bandits, praised the Commandery Princess’s fierce bravery, and then mimicked the words the Commandery Princess said to Liu Hengchang today.
Meng Dashan listened, his drink lost its flavor. He slammed his cup down with anger and dissatisfaction: "If Liu Hengchang dares to be disloyal to the Commandery Princess, I won’t let him off lightly!"
Qin Zhan poured wine for Meng Dashan: "I felt uncomfortable hearing those words too. However, after riding all afternoon and blowing cold wind for half the day, my mind became clearer."
"You and I are both old members of the Prince Mansion; we would never betray the Commandery Princess. Liu Hengchang came later, only been in the camp for four years. Now that the Prince is gone, the Commandery Princess is the one in charge. It can’t all be blamed on Liu Hengchang for feeling uneasy."
"For the Commandery Princess to value and bring him in like this, she must see his capabilities and skills. You and I should treat him with respect in the future. Don’t cause disputes that would trouble the Commandery Princess."
Meng Dashan nodded, clinking glasses with Qin Zhan, continuing to drink.
"Building the military camp should proceed as quickly as possible." Qin Zhan said in a low voice: "From what I see, the Commandery Princess, although young, is very ambitious and has her plans in mind."
Meng Dashan responded affirmatively: "We don’t need to overthink, just follow orders from the Commandery Princess."
After a pause, Meng Dashan added: "Today when the First Camp returned, they brought quite a few women. These women came from the bandit nest, how should they be settled?"
"Settle them in the kitchen." Qin Zhan raised a brow: "There are also eight female bandits; the Commandery Princess spared them from death, but they’re not free from punishment. In the future, they will do the heavy labor in the military camp. Those who can endure will survive, those who can’t have a short destiny."
"Additionally, there’s one named Kong Qingwan, she’s from a noble family and educated. The Commandery Princess specially instructed us to select some people from the camp for Miss Kong to teach them literacy."
...
On the other side, Liu Hengchang was also drinking in the tent. Accompanying him were some close-knit advisors who came to Nanyang with Liu Hengchang.
"Having won a major battle, why is the General still heavy-hearted?"
"Is the General feeling suffocated? The Commandery Princess is just a little girl, and with the General’s skills, staying in the Personal Guard Camp is indeed a bit of a grievance."
"If you want to leave, make plans early! We’ll follow the General no matter what."
"That’s right! Wherever the General goes, we go!"
Liu Hengchang returned to his senses, frowned, and glared at the indiscreet advisors: "From now on, don’t speak such nonsense. Although the Commandery Princess is young, she is wise and decisive, treats her subordinates generously, and shows great respect and courtesy towards me. How could I be ungrateful and casually leave the Personal Guard Camp?"
Two of these advisors went on the campaign, nodded in agreement. They had sharp ears and heard what the Commandery Princess said to their General today.
Anyone would be greatly affected.
The three who stayed in the camp looked at each other, not understanding why Liu Hengchang had such a change.
Liu Hengchang said no more, only advised again: "Do your duties well, don’t complain or say foolish things."
All the advisors nodded in agreement.
...