Chapter 185: Bestowal

However, Jiang Xiaomu had anticipated this.

He flashed his body, dodging the battle-axe's attack, while his curved blade sliced like lightning across the commander's throat.

"Ugh..." the commander widened his eyes, a low groan escaped his throat, and the battle-axe in his hand fell limp to the ground.

He clutched the wound spurting fresh blood, his body swayed a few times, and finally collapsed with a thunderous crash.

The fishy bloody smell permeated the air; Jiang Xiaomu tore a strip from his battle robe and hastily bandaged his left arm wound.

The bright red blood soon soaked through the bandage, winding down his arm.

He furrowed his brow, but paid it no mind, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield.

The rebel reinforcements, originally full of vigor, now fled like stray dogs in all directions.

Corpses lay scattered across the field in disarray, like discarded ragdolls tossed aside at random.

The air reeked of nauseating iron rust mixed with the earthy stench, making one almost want to vomit.

"General! We've captured a few live ones!"

Zhou Wu's voice came from not far away, filled with excitement.

He escorted several trembling rebel soldiers to Jiang Xiaomu's presence.

"What did the interrogation reveal?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked expressionlessly, his tone icy as winter frost.

"Reporting, General, these fellows are tight-lipped; they refuse to say anything."

Zhou Wu scratched his head helplessly.

"However, I have already sent men to torture them severely; I believe we will soon make them talk."

"No need." Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand.

"First lock them up in Bincheng Great Prison, then interrogate them slowly after the war ends."

"Yes!"

Zhou Wu received the order and departed.

Jiang Xiaomu surveyed the surroundings, confirmed no other rebel remnants remained, then ordered the soldiers to clean up the battlefield.

He himself walked to a relatively clean stone, sat down, took out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from his bosom, and began writing a letter to the Empress.

"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Xiaomu, today outside Bincheng, routed the rebel reinforcements..."

His brush flew like dragons and snakes, recording today's battle details in full.

As he neared the end, he paused slightly, the brush tip hovering over the paper, as if hesitating about something.

After a moment, he still lifted his brush and wrote:

"My left arm has only a minor injury, it's nothing serious; please, Your Majesty, do not worry."

After finishing the letter, he carefully folded the paper, placed it in an envelope, and affixed his personal seal.

Then he summoned a personal guard and instructed:

"Deliver this letter to the capital as quickly as possible and present it to Your Majesty."

"As you command!"

The personal guard took the envelope, carefully tucked it into his bosom, and turned to leave.

Jiang Xiaomu rose to his feet; waves of pain shot through his left arm, yet his face remained calm as water.

"Enter the city, pacify the populace, hunt down every rebel remnant, leave none!"

The soldiers responded with a thunderous assent and swiftly sprang into action.

Bincheng's city gates stood wide open, welcoming not a triumphant procession, but the survivors of the catastrophe.

They were sallow and thin, their eyes full of fear, yet upon seeing Jiang Xiaomu and his soldiers, hope ignited in their gazes.

Jiang Xiaomu rode his warhorse slowly into the city, the streets on both sides packed with people.

The war had brought them too much suffering; they longed for peace, they longed for a stable life.

Jiang Xiaomu gazed at these commoners, his heart a tangle of mixed feelings.

Far away in the capital, Jingcheng, atop the Golden Throne Hall, the Empress sat upright, proper and solemn.

She held Jiang Xiaomu's letter in her hand, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

"Jiang Xiaomu has indeed not disappointed my expectations!"

She spoke aloud, her voice brimming with pride.

"Your Majesty, General Jiang is brave and skilled in battle, truly a pillar of the state!"

One minister hastily echoed.

"Indeed, General Jiang is not only strong in martial prowess but also resourceful and strategically adept."

"Had it not been for General Jiang, the consequences of this Bincheng siege would be unimaginable!"

Another minister likewise added.

The Empress gave a slight nod, already having formed a plan in her mind.

"Issue my decree at once: send someone to Bincheng to take over Jiang Xiaomu's duty of defending the city, and have him return to the capital swiftly!"

A few days later, the newly appointed garrison commander arrived by order and began rebuilding Bincheng.

After completing the handover, Jiang Xiaomu set out with his personal guards to return to the capital.

Along the way they endured wind and dew, marched by day and camped by night; after several days they reached the capital.

At the capital's city gates, banners fluttered and drums and music resounded.

Inside the imperial palace, civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides, the scene magnificently grand.

Jiang Xiaomu removed his weapons and armor, walked before the Empress, and knelt on one knee.

"I, Jiang Xiaomu, pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Jiang Sir, you've worked hard!"

"To serve His Majesty, I would not refuse even ten thousand deaths!"

Jiang Xiaomu said in a deep voice.

"Good, well said!"

That evening, at the victory feast, goblets and tallies intermingled, songs and dances rose in peace.

Jiang Xiaomu, however, seemed out of place; he held his wine cup, his gaze wandering, as if not interested in the lively scene.

The Empress noticed Jiang Xiaomu's silence, raised her wine cup, and gave him a slight smile.

"Jiang Aiqing, you have merit in quelling the rebellion; I am greatly pleased. Speak, what reward do you desire?"

Jiang Xiaomu set down his cup, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice:

"I dare not claim credit; everything is to ease Your Majesty's worries. I have only one request."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

The Empress looked at him with great interest.

"When I was in Wangzhou City, I lived and died with my brothers; we were as close as limbs."

"Now that I have entered the capital, I earnestly ask Your Majesty to transfer them to the capital as well, so they may continue to follow by my side."

Jiang Xiaomu's tone was sincere.

The Empress pondered for a moment; these soldiers had followed Jiang Xiaomu for years, loyal and steadfast, and had indeed earned considerable military merit.

"Good, enough righteousness; even when promoting yourself, you do not forget your brothers."

"Approved; I will issue an edict to transfer them to the Capital Guard, to continue under your command."

Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy and hastily bowed in thanks.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace!"

With this elite force of Xiong Kuohai, I can further strengthen my position in the capital.

The Empress then said:

"Furthermore, I have already purchased a residence for you near the palace city; you can move in tomorrow."

Jiang Xiaomu bowed again in thanks, yet doubt rose in his heart.

This reward is perhaps too generous; the Empress's regard for him seems to exceed his expectations.

In troubled times, great merit that threatens the ruler is no blessing.

After the victory feast, Jiang Xiaomu returned to his temporary lodgings, the doubt in his heart unable to dispel.

"Brother, what are you thinking?"

Jiang Xiaoyu's voice interrupted Jiang Xiaomu's thoughts.

"'Nothing,' Jiang Xiaomu forced a smile."

"'Just thinking about the days to come.'"

"'The days to come?' Jiang Xiaoyu tilted her head and asked innocently:"

"'Will we be able to be together every day from now on?'"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his sister's head, a warm current rising in his heart.

"'Of course, from now on we will never be parted again.'"

The next day, Jiang Xiaomu brought Jiang Xiaoyu to the new residence.

Carved beams and painted pavilions, towers and terraces—far superior to their previous dwelling in Wangzhou City.

"'Wow, brother, this place is so beautiful!'"

Jiang Xiaoyu ran excitedly around the courtyard, like a happy little bird.

Jiang Xiaomu watched his sister's joyful back, his tense nerves also relaxing.

Perhaps he was overthinking; the Empress merely valued talent.