Chapter 12: The Military Governor

The battle outside the Jiang family courtyard quickly subsided.

Xue Pan was captured, and more than half of the twenty or so of his lavishly dressed retainers, servants, and assistants were also seized. The rest fled from the other end of the alley, but it no longer affected the overall situation.

“Master, I am He Yun. The situation outside has been settled. Please come out to meet the Military Commissioner,” He Yun called out loudly from outside the courtyard gate.

“Mil... Military Commissioner?”

Xue Pan, who had been captured, heard He Yun’s shout and anxiously looked toward Tang Jina. Seeing Tang Jina’s official Military Commissioner uniform, his terror intensified.

Xue Pan originally did not recognize Tang Jina and was still wondering who this military officer leading the troops was.

Now he knew—it was the Military Commissioner of Jiangning.

The Military Commissioner of Jiangning was a first-rank military official, stationed in Jiangning alongside the Governor-General of the Two Rivers.

According to the Da Qing official rank system, although the Military Commissioner of Jiangning wielded less power than the Governor-General of the Two Rivers, his status was actually higher. When both reported to the emperor, the Military Commissioner of Jiangning’s signature always appeared before that of the Governor-General.

The Xue family was no longer what it once was. Though still bearing the title of imperial merchants, the family had neither official posts nor noble titles. Their greatest backing was Xue Aunt’s brother, Wang Zitong.

Wang Zitong was the Military Commissioner of the Capital Garrison.

“Heavens! What on earth is going on? I only meant to give that prisoner a good beating. How did I end up disturbing the Military Commissioner? Could it be that prisoner is acquainted with the Military Commissioner?”

Xue Pan’s mind was in chaos, gripped by panic.

At that moment, accompanied by a muffled “click,” the tightly closed Jiang family gate finally opened—not broken down by the “Xue family troops,” but unlocked from within by the father and son duo, Dong Liang and Dong Feng.

Jiang Nian stepped out of the courtyard calmly, his expression serene, his gaze steady. He approached Tang Jina, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, “Greetings, Lord Tang.”

A faint smile appeared on Tang Jina’s stern face, his tone gentle. “Nian, you were startled.”

Jiang Nian replied, “Fortunately, Your Lordship arrived in time. Please, come inside for a detailed discussion.”

Tang Jina nodded.

Jiang Nian’s eyes flickered, glancing at Xue Pan standing beside him, who was sneaking a look back at Jiang Nian.

Their eyes met in midair; Xue Pan shrank back in fear, feeling a chill run down his spine as if Jiang Nian’s gaze was a sharp sword piercing him. He quickly lowered his head, avoiding Jiang Nian’s eyes.

The captured Ji’er also looked at Jiang Nian, her expression filled with fear and unease.

At Jiang Nian and He Yun’s polite invitation, Tang Jina stepped inside the courtyard but stopped within, saying to Jiang Nian, “I won’t go further inside. There are many people detained outside. What do you intend to do with them?”

Jiang Nian replied, “I will trouble Lord Tang to escort them to the Military Commissioner’s office. As for what follows, we shall discuss it later.”

Tang Jina nodded in understanding. “Very well.”

Jiang Nian’s tone carried an apology. “I originally sent Steward He to request Lord Tang to dispatch some soldiers, but I did not expect Your Lordship to come in person. I am truly ashamed.”

Tang Jina waved his hand, speaking solemnly, “Steward He indeed told me this. However, upon learning that the Xue family was gathering to cause trouble for you, and fearing for your safety, I dared not delay and personally led the troops here.”

Jiang Nian bowed respectfully, sincerity in his voice. “Thank you, Lord Tang, for your assistance. I shall remember this kindness deeply.”

Tang Jina smiled faintly, thinking to himself, “My actions today are not just to earn favor from this imperial prince, but primarily for His Majesty—and for myself!”

Tang Jina had long known that Jiang Nian was the son of Emperor Taishun!

In fact, Tang Jina shared a history with Jiang Nian.

More than a decade ago, when the Fourth Prince traveled south on an important imperial mission, Tang Jina was his personal bodyguard and trusted military officer.

Tang Jina had witnessed almost the entire story of the Fourth Prince meeting Jiang Xuelian, falling in love, and having a child.

Tang Jina was a disciple strongly promoted by the Fourth Prince!

Six years ago, before Tang Jina took up the post of Military Commissioner of Jiangning, the Fourth Prince had specifically instructed him to protect Jiang Xuelian and her son, Jiang Nian.

Now Tang Jina also knew that the current emperor, Taishun, had permitted Jiang Nian to enter the capital, and that He Yun had become a fifth-rank Dragon Guard Captain.

In Tang Jina’s eyes, Emperor Taishun cared for this son. Even if the emperor had yet to publicly acknowledge Jiang Nian, he likely would in the future.

Tang Jina’s personal military support for Jiang Nian today was partly to secure a favor from the imperial prince, but more importantly, it was a demonstration of loyalty to Emperor Taishun. If anything went wrong with Jiang Nian, the emperor might punish him.

...

Jiang Nian and He Yun escorted Tang Jina to the courtyard gate, watching as Tang Jina led a hundred soldiers, escorting Xue Pan along with more than a dozen of the Xue family’s retainers, servants, and assistants away. Among them, three were carried away, badly injured—some crippled by the beating.

Only after the group disappeared down the alley did Jiang Nian withdraw his gaze, stepping lightly back into the courtyard. He then looked up toward the boundless sky, still bright with warm sunlight, the azure expanse clear and profound.

The storm had passed!

Meng Xiong, Dong Liang, and Dong Feng—the three recently purchased slaves—looked at Jiang Nian with newfound respect and admiration. Today’s events gave them a fresh understanding of their young master.

“Master is extraordinary. To have the Military Commissioner personally lead troops to protect him today—no wonder Lord Wang of the Yaxing was so respectful to both Master and Steward He,” Meng Xiong thought with admiration.

Jiang Nian instructed He Yun, “Meng Xiong was brave in defense today and earned merit—reward him forty taels of silver. Dong Liang and Dong Feng also performed well—each receives twenty taels as encouragement.”

Today’s turmoil had left Jiang Nian quite pleased with the three.

All three were willing to risk their lives in defense, especially Meng Xiong, who was bold and decisive.

Wang Dian and Wang Maoan had indeed chosen some fine slaves for Jiang Nian.

“Thank you, Master!”

Dong Liang hurriedly pulled Dong Feng forward to bow respectfully, filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Master!”

Meng Xiong cupped his hands in thanks, secretly rejoicing. He was grateful to serve such a master—not only was there an astonishing backing behind him, but he was generous to his subordinates. Such a master was truly worth loyalty.

Jiang Nian’s gaze swept over the quietly arranged bows, arrows, and long-handled blades in the courtyard. He thought silently, “The bows and long-handled blades prepared today went unused.”

If the “Xue family troops” had broken into the Jiang residence and threatened his safety, Jiang Nian would have shown no mercy. He would have unleashed the arrows without hesitation and ordered Meng Xiong to wield the long-handled blades to reap lives. If necessary, he would have taken Xue Pan’s life himself.

“I wonder what Sister Bao is doing right now? Her brother just caused such a scene for me. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for her to come and apologize to me, would it?”

As Jiang Nian walked toward the inner chambers, his thoughts drifted to Xue Baochai. A faint, playful smile curved his lips as he anticipated the next act of this unfolding drama…