Chapter 94: Rebellion or Submission?

Li Wenqing's face finally showed a long‑absent smile; the case files were no longer piled up like mountains, and he even had time to go to the city.

In the city's teahouse, he drank tea and listened to opera.

But this peace was merely the calm before the storm.

Jiang Xiaomu stood on the city wall, looking at the bustling crowd below, yet felt not the slightest ease.

Because of his actions, he would inevitably arouse dissatisfaction from some people, especially those in high positions.

Sure enough, a letter from the Governor's Mansion broke the tranquility of Wangjiang Cheng.

Prefect Zhao summoned him.

Jiang Xiaomu changed into a clean set of clothes, tidied his slightly disheveled hair, and stepped into the Governor's Mansion with a steady pace.

Prefect Zhao sat in the main hall, his face grim.

He did not speak, merely stared silently at Jiang Xiaomu, a gaze that seemed able to see into one's heart.

Jiang Xiaomu also remained silent, standing calmly there, allowing Prefect Zhao to size him up.

This conversation would decide his fate, life or death!

Finally, Prefect Zhao spoke:

"Mr. Jiang, I am grateful that you suppressed the bandits in the city, greatly reducing the crime rate."

"But have your recent methods been a bit excessive?"

"Sir, to deal with these outlaws, one must fight violence with violence."

Jiang Xiaomu replied without humility or arrogance.

"Harsh penalties? Hmph!" Prefect Zhao snorted coldly.

"You are challenging my authority!"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; Prefect Zhao was hinting at his private raising of troops.

"Sir, please understand, those people are not my private troops."

"They are merely civilians who spontaneously organized to protect their homeland."

Jiang Xiaomu explained.

"Civilians? Do you think I would believe that?"

Prefect Zhao slammed the table hard, making the tea cups jump.

"Jiang Xiaomu, you have guts, daring to raise private troops right under my nose!"

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent; saying anything now would be useless, so he simply closed his eyes and left it to fate.

He even felt a bit regretful for not having chosen the three suggestions the system had given!

Prefect Zhao looked at him, sighed, and after a moment said:

"Jiang Xiaomu, you are very smart and also capable."

"I appreciate talent like yours; I have always regarded you as one of my own."

"But remember, Wangjiang Cheng is my territory!"

"All your actions must be under my control!"

"I do not want to be stabbed in the back by my own people; do you understand what I mean?"

"Subordinate understands."

Jiang Xiaomu lowered his head.

"Understanding is good." Prefect Zhao's tone softened somewhat.

"This time, I can let bygones be bygones."

"But I hope this is the last time."

"Those 'civilians' of yours had better behave themselves and not cause any more trouble!"

"Yes, sir, rest assured, I will certainly keep them in line."

Jiang Xiaomu replied respectfully.

"Hmm." Prefect Zhao nodded.

"Jiang Xiaomu, you are talent; I hope you can serve me well."

"As long as you are loyal to me, I guarantee you will have greater room for advancement in the future."

"Thank you, sir, for your cultivation."

Jiang Xiaomu performed the salute again.

Leaving the Governor's Mansion, Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath.

He had just walked through the gates of hell; although Prefect Zhao's admonition was not explicit, he already understood its meaning.

As long as he behaves himself and assists Prefect Zhao in governing Wangjiang Cheng well, the matter of raising private troops can be overlooked by Prefect Zhao.

But if he makes any move, Prefect Zhao will certainly not let him off.

Jiang Xiaomu immediately had Xiong Kuohai summon everyone.

"From today on, no one may call themselves private troops; externally they shall all be called the City Guard Team."

"Our task has only one goal: to protect the safety of Wangjiang Cheng. Understand?"

"Understood!" everyone replied in unison.

"Xiong Kuohai, from today you are the captain of the City Guard Team."

"As for manpower distribution, you handle it."

"Yes, Boss."

At night, Jiang Xiaomu stood alone on the city wall, gazing at the dark night sky beyond the city.

Suddenly, he felt a chill, as if someone were watching him from the shadows.

"Who is it?" Jiang Xiaomu asked in a low voice, his tone wary.

A soft voice came from the darkness. "It's me."

Following the voice, a figure stepped out of the shadows—it was Ye Ying, dressed in black that blended with the night.

Jiang Xiaomu's tense nerves instantly relaxed, and he let out a long breath, saying:

"Ye Ying, how come it's you? It's so late—what are you doing here?"

Ye Ying walked up to his side, speaking with a teasing tone:

"I've been cooped up in the mountains for too long, bored out of my mind, so I thought I'd come see you, this busy person."

"How come? You don't welcome me?"

Jiang Xiaomu forced a smile but didn't respond.

Ye Ying's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she said in a probing tone:

"Looking at you like this, it seems you have something on your mind?"

"Could it be... that the matter of raising private troops has been discovered by Old Zhao?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart sank; nothing could be hidden from Ye Ying, so he frankly admitted:

"That's right—I was given a stern talking-to by Lord Zhao today."

Ye Ying gave a light chuckle, her tone amused:

"Old Zhao's little schemes—I can still see through them?"

"But this time his reprimand of you might not be a bad thing."

Jiang Xiaomu looked at her, puzzled, and said:

"A good thing? What do you mean?"

Ye Ying walked to the city wall, overlooking the scattered lights within the city, and said:

"Old Zhao is getting old; guarding such a large city, he's increasingly unable to cope."

"He needs someone like you to help him, which is why he gave you that dressing-down."

"He wants you to restrain yourself, lest your achievements threaten the ruler."

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent; Ye Ying's words made sense, but he still felt uneasy.

Ye Ying turned around, fixing him with a piercing gaze, and said:

"Jiang Xiaomu, would you like to... become the city lord yourself?"

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted; he snapped his head up to look at Ye Ying, his eyes full of shock:

"What are you saying? Me, become city lord? This... this is impossible?"

Ye Ying stepped up to him, her voice tinged with allure:

"How impossible? Old Zhao is advanced in years and has no heirs."

"Although he is a prefect sent by the imperial court, the court now is decadent and incompetent."

"This Wangjiang Cheng will sooner or later have a new master; rather than let others benefit, we might as well take charge ourselves!"

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head, speaking firmly:

"No, I cannot do that."

"I was originally a refugee; to now have a foothold where I can settle and make a living is already a great blessing."

"Even if I truly became city lord, with my refugee background, lacking proper legitimacy would surely invite trouble."

"Lord Zhao has shown me kindness in recognizing my worth; I cannot betray him."

Ye Ying let out a soft sigh, as if she had expected him to say that.

"You, you're just too hidebound!"

"Old Zhao gave you a dressing-down, yet you still feel grateful to him."

"Have you ever thought about what you'd do if one day Old Zhao could no longer tolerate you?"

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent; he had considered this question before, but whenever he thought about it, he forced himself not to dwell on it.

Ye Ying continued:

"Jiang Xiaomu, you're still too kind; in this chaotic world, kindness is the greatest weakness!"

"Do you think that because you're loyal to Lord Zhao, he'll let you off?"

"Don't forget, he's a politician; for his own gain, he can sacrifice anyone—including you!"

Jiang Xiaomu's face grew uglier and uglier; Ye Ying's words were like a sharp dagger, stabbing his heart.

Ye Ying looked at him, her tone softening somewhat, and said:

"Jiang Xiaomu, I only want to help you; I know you have ability and ambition."

"You could easily do better than Lord Zhao; if you're willing, I can help you."

"We could jointly control Wangjiang Cheng, and even... a larger territory!"

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, striving to calm himself, and said:

"Ye Ying, I know you mean well, but I really cannot do that."

"I cannot betray Lord Zhao, nor can I betray the people of Wangjiang Cheng."

"I promised them I would protect them; I cannot go back on my word."

Ye Ying looked at him, her eyes showing a bit more disappointment, but she quickly regained composure and said:

"All right, since you've made up your mind, I won't press you further."

"But remember, in these chaotic times, only the strong can survive!"

Having said that, Ye Ying turned and left, her figure quickly vanishing into the night.

Jiang Xiaomu stood alone on the city tower, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Ye Ying's words left him feeling confused.