Chapter 176

Jiang Xiaomu pressed step by step, his short blade waving so tightly not even wind could get through, forcing the woman to retreat again and again.

Just as he was about to back the woman into a corner, a killing intent flashed in Jiang Xiaomu's eyes.

Just then, Zhang Yu suddenly called out to stop.

"All right, all right, just enough to make the point."

Zhang Yu said with a grin:

"Mr. Jiang, your martial arts are indeed superb; I am impressed!"

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed, what trick is this dog official up to again? He sheathed his short blade and coldly stared at Zhang Yu.

"Mr. Jiang, I have already sent people to Jingcheng to gather news; you just need to wait patiently."

Although Jiang Xiaomu was doubtful, he could only let it go for now.

He walked out of the study, but his mind remained filled with unease.

Who exactly is this woman? And what medicine is Zhang Yu selling from his gourd?

Over the next few days, Jiang Xiaomu led a rather tormented life.

He repeatedly pondered the woman's identity and Zhang Yu's intentions, but still could not figure it out.

He simply stopped thinking about it, just practicing his skills each day to pass the time.

At the same time, he closely monitored the city's movements, fearing another mishap.

That day, Zhang Yu sent someone to invite him to the mansion for a chat; Jiang Xiaomu still did not know what medicine Zhang Yu was selling from his gourd.

Arriving at Zhang Fu, Zhang Yu came out to greet him with a beaming face, still holding a bright yellow scroll in his hand.

"Congratulations, Mr. Jiang! Congratulations, Mr. Jiang!" Zhang Yu said, clasping his hands and smiling.

"The Imperial Court's edict has come down!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart leapt with joy—could he really be appointed Prefect?

He hurriedly took the edict, unfolded it, and his face instantly darkened.

The edict read that the Imperial Court had already appointed a new Prefect.

And Jiang Xiaomu's name appeared prominently in another clause, he was appointed as a subordinate sixth-rank military officer—Martial Might Lieutenant.

"Huh? Just this? What is this? Sending off a beggar?"

He forcibly suppressed his anger, giving a false smile as he said to Zhang Yu:

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Zhang Yu seemed not to notice Jiang Xiaomu's displeasure, still saying with a grin:

Mr. Jiang, you don't need to be courteous; this is what this official ought to do.

Jiang Xiaomu sneered inwardly, "Should do? You've pocketed so much of my silver, and still have the nerve to say it's what you should do?"

I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now.

Jiang Xiaomu cupped his fists and turned to leave.

Mr. Jiang, take care, remember to pick a day to assume office.

Zhang Yu stood at the doorway, smiling narrowly, seeing Jiang Xiaomu off.

The more Jiang Xiaomu thought about it, the angrier he became; Zhang Yu had clearly pocketed his silver, then casually assigned him a post just to brush him off.

Clutching that bright yellow imperial decree, he left Zhang Fu.

He felt as if he had swallowed a dead fly—disgusted and stifled.

Damn it, that dog official Zhang Yu is clearly treating him like a monkey!

He cursed silently, having hoped to profit from this opportunity, but instead ended up losing everything—he'd tried to steal a chicken and lost the rice, wasting all that silver for nothing.

He wandered aimlessly through the streets, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the big camp outside the city.

From afar, he heard the earth-shaking sounds of drills.

He looked up and saw that Xiong Kuohai was leading a group of brothers in training.

Xiong Kuohai's eyes were sharp; he spotted Jiang Xiaomu at a glance.

"Boss! Boss is here!"

Upon hearing that, the soldiers all stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes toward Jiang Xiaomu.

Xiong Kuohai trotted over to Jiang Xiaomu, grinning widely, and said:

"Boss, why did you come? Are you here to inspect the work?"

Jiang Xiaomu gave him an annoyed glare.

"Inspect my ass! I'm just an idle nobody now!"

"An idle nobody?" Xiong Kuohai scratched his head, looking puzzled.

"Boss, what do you mean by that?"

Jiang Xiaomu waved the decree in his hand.

"Have a look yourself."

Xiong Kuohai took the decree and read it aloud, word by word.

After finishing, he first froze, then burst into a deafening laugh.

"Hahaha! Boss, you're now a Sixth-rank Lieutenant! Congratulations, congratulations!"

The surrounding soldiers also broke into cheers.

"Congratulations, Boss! Congratulations, Boss!"

Jiang Xiaomu looked at this excited bunch, but his heart just couldn't muster any joy.

"Boss, now that you're an official, the brothers will henceforth follow you to eat well and drink well!"

Xiong Kuohai said this with a look of anticipation.

Jiang Xiaomu gave him an annoyed glance.

Living high on the hog? You're dreaming, kid!

I'm currently being played by that dog official Zhang Yu, feeling resentful!

Xiong Kuohai, upon hearing this, immediately wiped the smile off his face and asked cautiously:

"Boss, what exactly is going on? How did Lord Zhang…"

Jiang Xiaomu briefly recounted the events, making Xiong Kuohai grit his teeth in anger.

"That dog official! He's utterly despicable! Boss, rest assured, the brothers all feel indignant for you!"

Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand.

"Forget it, talking about this now is useless; I need to think about what to do next."

"Kuohai, you lead the brothers in continued training; I'm heading back first."

"Yes, Boss!"

Jiang Xiaomu turned and left the main camp, his mind filled with myriad thoughts.

Upon returning to his residence, Jiang Xiaoyu was sitting in the courtyard, needle and thread in hand, mending clothes.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu return, she hurriedly rose to greet him.

"Brother, you're back."

"Hn." Jiang Xiaomu forced out a smile.

"Xiaoyu, how was your day?"

"Pretty good." Jiang Xiaoyu answered obediently.

"Brother, what are you holding in your hand?"

"Nothing." Jiang Xiaomu, not wanting to worry his sister, gave a casual excuse.

He walked into the room, tossed the edict onto the table, and slumped into the chair.

Jiang Xiaoyu also followed him in, seeing his exhausted expression, she asked concernedly:

"Brother, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his temples and feigned weariness with a sigh.

"Xiaoyu, I've been tired from training lately; I want to rest a bit, don't call me for dinner."

Jiang Xiaoyu looked at her brother's weary expression; although worried, she nodded obediently.

"Brother, rest well; I'll make you some calming soup."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded and went back to his room.

He closed the door, took out the bright yellow edict from his bosom, and gave a cold snort.

"A Sixth-rank Lieutenant? Zhang Yu, what do you think I am?"

He crumpled the edict into a ball and threw it into the corner.

Early the next morning, the steward of the Zhang residence, accompanied by two servants, carried a box to Jiang Xiaomu's dwelling.

The steward, smiling broadly, opened the box to reveal a brand-new lieutenant's uniform and a token engraved with the words "Imperial Bestowal".

"Sir Jiang, this is the uniform and token that the master specially ordered me to deliver; please accept them."

The steward, bowing and scraping, said:

"The master also said that the arrangements at the barracks have been made; please report for duty today."

Jiang Xiaomu took the uniform and token, his face showing no joy, only ridicule.

"Lord Zhang sure made thorough arrangements."

The steward, reading his expression, asked cautiously:

"Sir Jiang, do you have any other orders?"

Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand,

"Nothing more. Go tell Lord Zhang that I understand."

After the steward left, Jiang Xiaomu changed into the brand-new uniform, looked at himself in the mirror, and gave a self-mocking laugh.

"A Sixth-rank Lieutenant? They really think highly of me."

He took the token to the camp outside the city, where Xiong Kuohai and the others had been waiting for a while.

"Boss! You've finally arrived!"

Upon seeing Jiang Xiaomu, Xiong Kuohai immediately went forward, his face full of excitement.

"The brothers have all been waiting for you!"

Jiang Xiaomu looked at this group of eager soldiers, his feelings mixed.

He took a deep breath and spoke loudly:

"From today on, this is no longer the main camp, but the barracks!"

"You are no longer ordinary soldiers, but the elite troops of Great Qian!"

The soldiers immediately burst into earth-shaking cheers, each filled with high spirits.