[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-179":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205468,1561,"Chapter 179: This Matter Has a Suspicious Twist","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-179",179,"\u003Cp>Mao Bin entered the residence, and the two exchanged pleasantries for a while. Lord Ji even gave Mao Bin a chair, which left Assistant Regional Commander Mao overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, and he cautiously sat on only half of his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the topic of the new Yongning Garrison Commander candidate came up, Mao Bin said, \"Not long ago, I went to Baoan Department City. After inspecting various matters in Baoan, I was deeply moved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was sharp and thin; he had deliberately kept it low in front of Ji Shiwei, but as he grew more animated, his voice gradually rose again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"The troops in Baoan Department City drill rigorously, their armor and city defenses are fully prepared, and Baoan Department is also vigorously opening up farmland. Presumably, before long, the farming administration will flourish, and the soldiers and civilians will have ample food and clothing. This is all due to the efforts of the city's Garrison Commander, Wang Dou. My lord, although Wang Dou is young, he is quite talented. I believe he is the best candidate for the new Yongning Garrison Commander. What is your opinion, my lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military Defense Circuit Ji had been listening to Mao Bin without any expression. Only when Assistant Regional Commander Mao finished and looked at him expectantly did he say flatly, \"Wang Dou indeed has ability, but he is too young and has only recently been promoted. This is precisely the time he needs tempering. The matter of Wang Dou's promotion should wait until the military administration review in a few years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant Regional Commander Mao was stunned, unable to understand why Military Defense Circuit Ji's attitude had shifted so quickly. He was speechless and could not utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far from Baoan Department City, an elegant carriage was parked. Beside the carriage, Ji Junjiao turned her head to look back at the department city, then raised her head to gaze at the sky. For a moment, her heart felt vast and empty, filled with a sense of melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, her personal maid Hudie reminded, \"Young Lady, the master urges haste. We should be on our way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another personal maid, Qingting, looked somewhat worried. She said in a low voice, \"Young Lady, this servant has heard some rumors and gossip... and also heard that the master was quite angry in the residence. This return to Lucheng...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao smiled faintly and said, \"You need not worry about this matter. Have you prepared the gifts for Father and Mother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both maids replied, \"Young Lady, rest assured, we servants have long since prepared them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao said, \"Good, let us be on our way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage traveled southeast all the way, and on the second day, it arrived at Huailai Guard City. When she entered the Military Defense Circuit residence, Ji Junjiao gave a light cough and instantly assumed a dignified and demure manner. She entered the residence gracefully, and when she arrived at the hall, she saw her father, mother, even several elder brothers and sisters, and two brothers-in-law all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao was inwardly startled, but her face showed a joyful expression. She stepped forward quickly and said obediently, \"Daughter pays respects to Father and Mother. Jiao'er has been away from home; have you both been in good health?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then said to everyone around her, \"Elder brothers and sisters have all returned? That is truly wonderful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother, Lady Chu, was delighted the moment she saw her daughter. This youngest daughter of hers was the most well-behaved, always sweet-tongued, and looked like a darling child. She was greatly favored in the residence and had always been the joy of Ji Shiwei and his wife. Upon seeing her daughter, Lady Chu instantly forgot everything else. She lovingly pulled Ji Junjiao into her arms and said repeatedly, \"Good, good, this daughter of mine knows best how to care for her mother. Look at my child, you've grown thinner, and even more charming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, she chuckled heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei, upon seeing his daughter, also felt his anger rapidly dissipating. He coughed and said sternly, \"Jiao'er, kneel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao said in surprise, \"Father, why is this? Has Jiao'er done something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu also said with distress, \"My lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei kept a stern face and merely said, \"Kneel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao watched as the several elder brothers and sisters beside her kept signaling her with their eyes, and she knelt down, feeling wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei said, \"I ask you, now in Yanqing Department, rumors are raging, saying that your conduct is improper, and that you and Baoan Department Garrison Commander Wang Dou have been... have been overly intimate. Is this true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu frowned and said, \"My lord, can you not speak properly? Why speak to Jiao'er with such a fierce and menacing tone? What if you frighten her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei snorted, \"A doting mother spoils the child. It is precisely because of your indulgence that our daughter has become so unruly. Now Department Magistrate Wu has come to annul the engagement. This old man has already lost all face, do you know that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao's tears rolled down in streams. She wept and said, \"Daughter does not know why such rumors have arisen. It is just that daughter has grown up under her parents' knees since childhood. Do Father and Mother truly not know daughter's character?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said sorrowfully, \"Daughter knew of Father's cough and specially brought back mountain apricots from Baoan Department. She also knew that Mother often suffers from waist and leg aches, and entrusted someone to buy local grapes from Baoan Department to bring back, along with gifts purchased for all the elder sisters and sisters-in-law. As for that Garrison Commander Wang Dou of Baoan Department City, daughter merely felt grateful that he once escorted her. When encountering him in the department city, she expressed thanks once or twice, but there is absolutely no such improper conduct as the rumors claim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao suddenly stood up: \"If Father believes daughter has lost her chastity and honor, then daughter will prove her virtue with death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she made as if to dash toward a nearby pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mustn't, you mustn't...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone around hurriedly grabbed hold of her, hands scrambling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu threw her arms around Ji Junjiao, weeping and wailing, saying only, \"My daughter, you absolutely must not do this. If anything were to happen to you, how would your mother go on living?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao also hugged Lady Chu and wailed loudly: \"Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu shouted at Ji Shiwei, \"My lord, will you only be satisfied if you drive our daughter to her death? Such a well-behaved daughter of mine, even when returning to the city, still remembered her mother's aching waist and legs. Would she do something that harms her virtue and reputation? My lord, do not be muddled and fall into the malicious schemes of outsiders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei, seeing his daughter about to take her own life, was also alarmed. Only when he saw her held back by others did he breathe a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lady Chu shouting beside him, he merely sat blankly in his seat, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eldest son, Ji Boqing, stepped forward and said, \"Father, there is something fishy about this matter. The speed and ferocity with which these rumors have come are quite suspicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"That Garrison Commander Wang Dou of Baoan Department City, your child has also heard of him. This man is quite talented and also upright in character. He once sternly refused Assistant Regional Commander Mao's demand for wealth and beautiful women, and also refused a marriage alliance proposed by the local gentry, stating that the wife of his humble days cannot be abandoned. Such a person is absolutely not what the rumors claim him to be. Moreover, he is a military man...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu interjected, \"Yes, yes, that Wang Dou is very upright. How could he have an illicit relationship with Jiao'er? There must be some conspiracy aimed at our Ji family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei said curiously, \"Assistant Regional Commander Mao once demanded wealth and beautiful women from Wang Dou? I have not heard of this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Boqing said, \"This matter is known to everyone in Baoan Department, and there are even rumors about it in Lucheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei said, \"Strange. Just a few days ago, Mao Bin even recommended Wang Dou to me as the candidate for the new Yongning Garrison Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Boqing said, \"This Mao Bin is greedy for wealth and lustful, and has always been vengeful over the smallest grievance. Wang Dou refused his demand for bribes, so he must hate him to the bone. Would he still recommend Wang Dou as the new Yongning Garrison Commander?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent. Ji Shiwei's second son, Ji Zhongkun, said, \"Father, when your child was in Yanqing Department, he also saw many of Mao Bin's trusted subordinates gathering in various teahouses and wine shops...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei stroked his beard and pondered. After a long while, he snorted, \"Mao Bin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at his daughter Ji Junjiao and sighed, \"Jiao'er, your father wrongly blamed you. But gossip is a fearful thing. For the near future, you should stay at home and not go running about outside, especially not to Baoan Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Chu said to Ji Junjiao, \"Jiao'er, your father is right. You should stay home more and keep your mother company. Don't always be running off outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed, \"You are no longer young; it's time to find a marriage match. So picky... Ah, what a pity about that child Wu Lue. This old body found him quite agreeable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly ground her teeth and said, \"That old scoundrel Wu Zhi, speaking of our family's Jiao'er like that. Hmph. Just let him wait and see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao was already nearly nineteen. For other families' daughters, their children would already be running all over the place, but she was still unmarried, which worried Lady Chu greatly. She had finally found a family of matching status, but unfortunately, it had fallen through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao hugged her mother and said coquettishly, \"Mother, daughter of course knows that when a man is grown he should marry, and when a woman is grown she should wed. But although it is said to follow the parents' command and the matchmaker's word, daughter also knows that Father and Mother are not such conventional people, and are willing to let daughter seek her own happiness, just like elder brothers and sisters. Look, how harmonious and happy their lives are now? Is Mother so anxious to marry daughter off because she does not wish daughter to be as happy as her brothers, sisters-in-law, and sisters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Junjiao's words made her several elder brothers, sisters-in-law, elder sisters, and brothers-in-law nod repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Shiwei shook his head, speechless. Lady Chu said, \"This child, how can you speak like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she chuckled again and lovingly pulled Ji Junjiao into her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the storm had calmed, Lady Chu told Ji Junjiao to return to her room to rest. Back in her own boudoir, Ji Junjiao muttered to herself, \"This is bad. Now I can't go out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xuanfu Garrison, East Road, Yongning City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongning City was the stationing place of the East Road Assistant Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison. In the fifteenth year of the Yongle reign, Yongning Guard was established. In the first year of the Xuande reign, Yongning Guard was renamed Yanqing Left Guard. Because it was close to the Mongol frontier, it was a place where heavy troops were concentrated. Within its territory, Sihaiye Fort, Zhousigou Fort, and Heihanling Fort were all key frontier passes. The city wall was six li and thirteen paces in circumference, entirely faced with brick, and it controlled nearly fifty subordinate forts. In earlier years, a Garrison Commander was established, and later the East Road Assistant Regional Commander was relocated here to take charge of defense and garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Hongzhi reign, Yongning Guard already had over 8,700 military and farming households. Although many had fled over the years, the foundation was still solid. In addition, the several thousand \"reinforcement troops\" stationed here by the Assistant Regional Commander, along with a large number of mules and horses, attracted a great number of merchants. This was reflected in the streets of Yongning City, which were quite bustling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carts and camels of supply trains that entered the city from time to time, the shop assistants shouting loudly along both sides of the street, the densely packed shop signs, the military households in tattered clothes, the refugees dragging their families along, and the battle soldiers from the Assistant Regional Commander’s reinforcement battalions who swaggered down the street in worn-out armor, their blades and spears slung crosswise. There were even quite a few Mongols dressed in frontier-style leather robes despite the sweltering heat, leading camels and horses as they wandered the streets, yet no one showed the slightest interest in stopping them to ask questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongning City had two gates, east and west, and the Defense Assistant Regional Commander’s residence was not far from the west gate. In this area along West Street, street stalls selling water-milled fried cakes, cooked meat, meatballs, and water tofu were everywhere, their enticing aromas earning it the name Food Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the bustling diners, a rather sturdy man in a long robe walked inconspicuously toward a street stall selling water tofu. Four men were seated at this stall — some tall, some short, but all with rather fierce expressions. One of them was especially broad-shouldered and imposing, with a full beard of curly whiskers; at that moment he was wolfing down water tofu and water-milled fried cakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long-robed man walked up to the curly-bearded man and said in a low voice, “Chief Wen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing raised his head, swept an inconspicuous glance around, and said, “How is the situation?”\u003C\u002Fp>",2321,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","e923ed06ba32f3f1c281ad7bf67ce981b5e6ed3a821b23278f354dc33f61f8ed","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-180","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-178",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]