Chapter 65: Submitting a Memorial to the Grand Emperor (Part 1)

Jia Zhen slammed his palm down on the desk, causing the teacups atop it to rattle loudly. His eyes flashed like lightning, fixing directly upon Peng Jizhong, as he demanded in a stern voice, "What did you say? You cannot comply? How dare you defy me?"

Peng Jizhong kept his head lowered, not daring to meet Jia Zhen's gaze. Cold sweat seemed to bead on his forehead, yet he forced himself to persevere, saying, "Master Jia, this humble servant truly cannot comply with this matter. I beg Master Jia to forgive me."

With a sinister look in his eyes, Jia Zhen threatened, "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! If you do not comply, I will have the skin peeled right off your back!"

Peng Jizhong drew a ragged breath, clenched his teeth tightly, and pleaded, "I beg you... I beg Master Jia not to force this upon me."

Laughed in furious anger, Jia Zhen suddenly stood up, strode to the hall entrance, and barked, "Someone come here!"

No sooner had the shout fallen than Lai Er, the chief steward of the Ningguo Mansion who had been keeping watch outside the great hall, led several fierce lackeys forward in prompt response.

Jia Zhen turned around, pointed at the cowering Peng Jizhong inside the hall, and ordered Lai Er, "Beat him."

Lai Er immediately signaled several fierce lackeys to step forward and administer a beating.

The thugs pounced on Peng Jizhong like wolves and tigers, their fists and kicks falling like falling rain.

Lai Er himself did not lift a finger, standing off to the side with cold detachment.

Beaten until he cried out in misery, Peng Jizhong began to beg for mercy, "Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me..."

With a light command, Jia Zhen said, "Cease."

The lackeys stopped on cue.

Peng Jizhong was already injured, his clothes in disarray, with blood seeping from his nostrils.

Looking down at Peng Jizhong from above, Jia Zhen coldly asked, "Can you comply now? Do you still dare to defy me?"

With a trembling voice, Peng Jizhong answered, "I... I will comply."

A complacent smile curled the corners of Jia Zhen's mouth. He waved his hand, ordering Lai Er and the thugs to withdraw. He retrieved a five-hundred-tael banknote, tossed it casually before Peng Jizhong, and said in a deep voice, "If you had simply agreed from the start, would you have suffered a beating for nothing?"

One of Peng Jizhong's legs had been injured in the thrashing. Clutching the five-hundred-tael banknote, he dragged himself up with great difficulty and limped out of the Ningguo Mansion.

He glanced back at the towering front gates. The plaque bearing the imperial inscription "Decree-Built Ningguo Mansion" gleamed brightly in the sunlight, and the pair of majestic stone lions flanking the entrance stood formidable and imposing, as if mocking his wretchedness.

Filled with resentment and dragging his wounded leg, he boarded a carriage and vanished down Ningrong Street.

***

Peng Jizhong returned to the eastern suburbs, but instead of heading straight back to the Qin household, he dragged his heavy steps toward the gates of the Jiang residence.

The gates of the Jiang manor were tightly shut. Peng Jizhong raised his hand and struck the door-ring, the sound dull and hurried.

Before long, the leaves of the door parted slightly, and Dong Feng, the gatekeeper boy, poked his head out. Seeing the bruises and swelling on Peng Jizhong's face, he could not help but be startled and asked, "Steward Peng, you... what has happened to you? Have you been in a fight with someone?"

Enduring his pain and humiliation, Peng Jizhong urged anxiously, "I have an urgent matter requiring an audience with Master Jiang. I must trouble you to announce my presence."

Not daring to be negligent, Dong Feng nodded hastily and said, "Wait a moment, I shall go report this right away."

With that, he turned and hurried into the inner courtyard.

Jiang Nian was sitting in the study, receiving instruction from his private tutor Qu Jishan.

Being quick-witted, Dong Feng did not make the report in front of Qu Jishan; instead, he waited until Jiang Nian stepped out of the study before relaying the message in hushed tones.

Hearing that Peng Jizhong had an urgent matter to discuss and had come away injured, Jiang Nian furrowed his brows slightly and immediately surmised that this concerned Qin Keqing.

Jiang Nian walked out of the inner courtyard on the spot and came to the front gates.

Peng Jizhong pulled out the five-hundred-tael banknote given by Jia Zhen and reported every detail of how Jia Zhen had coerced him and ordered his lackeys to beat him.

Listening in silence, Jiang Nian pondered for a short while before letting out a cold scoff, thinking to himself, "After dealing with Wang Ziteng, it's time to set Jia Zhen straight this time!"

Jiang Nian said to Peng Jizhong, "You have done exceedingly well in this matter! I am not a man devoid of gratitude. Do not keep this five hundred taels of silver from Jia Zhen; I shall give you five hundred taels of my own shortly!"

With a worried expression, Peng Jizhong voiced his fears: "Master Jiang, if I fail to follow Master Jia's instructions, he will surely order his thugs to beat me again, or even... even take my life."

With a stern look, Jiang Nian said in a deep voice, "You need not worry. I shall handle him, and I will ensure your safety. Accompany me now to the Left Garrison Commandant's Office to lodge a formal complaint against that Jia Zhen!"

Peng Jizhong's eyes widened abruptly: "..."

***

Had Jiang Nian not possessed his fortune golden finger, facing this affair with Jia Zhen, he most likely would not have chosen to lead Peng Jizhong directly to the Left Garrison Commandant's Office to accuse Jia Zhen.

He had just caused a major upheaval with Wang Ziteng upon entering the capital, alarming Emperor Taishun and even the Retired Emperor, Emperor Jingning. Immediately afterward, his imperial examinations had also drawn the attention of Emperor Taishun. If he were to now stir up a commotion with Emperor Taishun by clashing with Jia Zhen over Qin Keqing, it would be unwise and rash.

Yet, possessing the fortune golden finger, and striving diligently of late for the examinations and his entry into the imperial court, he believed fortune was currently smiling upon him. He reasoned that this time he could deal with Jia Zhen in a straightforward and forceful manner, without needing to expend time, effort, and energy on alternative methods.

Though Peng Jizhong feared Jia Zhen and dreaded lodging a lawsuit, he nevertheless followed Jiang Nian and He Yun to the Left Garrison Commandant's Office. He Yun had even specifically donned his official uniform as a Fifth-Rank Imperial Dragon Guard.

The morning sun cast its glow over the Left Garrison Commandant's Office situated outside Chaoyang Gate. Its high grey-blue walls seemed edged with gold, and the banner fluttering from the flagpole appeared similarly lined with a golden border.

Inside the yamen, Ma Peicheng, the regional commander of the Left Garrison, was accompanying the newly appointed commander of the capital garrison, Lu Keduo, on an inspection of military affairs.

Lu Keduo, attired in full official robes, maintained an imposing demeanor and steady strides. Wherever he passed, officers and soldiers invariably saluted him with solemn respect. As Ma Peicheng led the way, explaining the camp's affairs to Lu Keduo, his tone remained respectful yet cautious, while Lu Keduo nodded from time to time or fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, one of Ma Peicheng's personal guards approached and whispered a few words into Ma Peicheng's ear, prompting Ma Peicheng to nod slightly.

This interaction was caught by Lu Keduo. His gaze narrowed as he asked, "What is the matter?"

After a brief hesitation, Ma Peicheng leaned closer to Lu Keduo and lowered his voice: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Jiang Nian has come to the Left Garrison Office, stating he has an urgent matter requiring an audience with this humble subordinate."

Hearing this, a peculiar glint flashed in Lu Keduo's eyes, and he asked in a low voice, "Could it be that young master who is extremely close to the Thirteenth Prince?"

Ma Peicheng nodded. "Precisely that young master."

Lu Keduo's expression turned amused.

He was already aware of the affair between Jiang Nian and Wang Ziteng, and his heart held both astonishment and delight.

What astonished him was that a high-ranking official like Wang Ziteng, who was also a trusted military commander under the Retired Emperor Jingning, had been disciplined by an imperial decree solely for provoking a young gentleman, plunging his rank from commander of the capital garrison down to regional general and vastly diminishing his power.

What delighted him was that he, Lu Keduo, had been promoted to commander of the capital garrison, filling the vacancy left by Wang Ziteng. Furthermore, he had long harbored a grudge against Wang Ziteng, who had always looked down upon him, deeming him mediocre and incompetent, whereas Lu Keduo viewed Wang Ziteng as arrogant and overbearing. Because Wang Ziteng had been penalized on account of Jiang Nian, Lu Keduo could not help but feel a lingering sense of goodwill toward this young gentleman.

Lu Keduo instructed Ma Peicheng, "Have Jiang Nian brought in. I wish to see him."