Chapter 413

At this moment, a hint of annoyance flashed across Shi Guangzhu's smooth, round cheeks; she sprang to her feet and said with a cold laugh:

"Punish me? If the Duke of Jing were here in person, I would still show him an extra three points of respect!"

"You motherfucker, a mere family general whose ancestors were just mud‑leg peasants scraping for food in the fields—how dare you swagger like this! I don't believe it; if you dare lay a hand on me, try it!"

Beside them, Jiang Zining's gaze darkened a few shades, his face flushed red, and he likewise rose, clutching his throat and shouted angrily:

"General Shi is right! Our founding‑state martial lineage is like branches of the same tree; with a friendship spanning over a hundred years, in seniority even the Duke of Jing must address us as 'uncle.'"

"You are only a family general, lucky to have risen to a high position, yet you dare run wild against us here!"

Xie Qing rose to his feet, expressionless, and said:

"General Zhang, though a Deputy Military Governor, has only served a short time and does not understand the close ties within our founding‑state martial lineage."

"I advise you to think twice before speaking or acting; don't let impulsiveness ruin your bright future!"

"The Grand General assigned you to oversee camp affairs, not to blame your own men! For this matter, you should first report to the Grand General before making a decision!"

Xie Qing said the words "one of our own" with great confidence, because in fact, when you count it, he is indeed kin‑related to the Jia Family.

His sister, Xie Shi, married Marquis of Baoling, Shi Nai, as his principal wife; according to kinship, Jia Jing must address Xie Shi as "aunt" when he sees her!

The Duke of Shan's manor, the Marquis of Pingyuan's manor, and the Jia Family have also shared friendships for several generations.

Although in recent years the two families have become closer to the Prince of Nan'an, they still belong to the same founding‑state lineage, and during every festival they never cease to interact!

Zhu Que's expression turned sullen, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, and he thought to himself:

"These idiots who lean on their ancestors' lingering shade—could they still think that this uprising is their own initiative, or that the Grand General will look upon them favorably?"

"But on second thought, it might be the Grand General's friendly attitude toward Niu Jizong, Shi Ding, Feng Tang, Han Wu and others that led these people to misjudge."

"They think he wants to unite the founding‑state martial lineage, thereby gathering allies in the court and consolidating his military authority!"

"After all, even he himself hadn't expected that after the Grand General returned to the capital, the first thing he would do would be to go after the founding‑state martial elite!"

"Only blame the Grand General and the Son of Heaven for being too concealed, revealing not a single whisper!"

Zhu Que's thoughts flashed like lightning, then his sharp gaze swept over Shi Guangzhu, Jiang Zining, and Xie Qing, his expression solemn as he said coldly:

"This Lord, personally appointed by the Grand General to command the Twelve Regiment camp affairs, declares that you have violated military law and insulted a superior."

"According to camp regulations, I punish you bastards; there is no need to further report to the Grand General!"

Zhu Que's retort was equal, his words carrying a hint of humiliation!

Shi Guangzhu's face changed instantly at the words, and he kicked the chair beside him, shouting angrily:

"How dare you! My sister is the Virtuous Consort personally bestowed by the Son of Heaven; when you call me a bastard, aren't you also insulting her?"

"You are despising the Son of Heaven; I will charge you with the crime of great disrespect!"

One must admit, fate is indeed strange; the title Yuan Chun never received in this life has now been granted to Shi Guangzhu's sister!

Jiang Zining followed immediately, his anger flaring as he said:

"You mongrel, you are merely a dog of the Duke of Jing, yet you dare speak so insolently to us!"

When Jiang Zining uttered those words, the onlookers who had been silently watching the drama in the barracks all changed expression.

No matter how Zhu Que spoke, he was still a Lord, and such insult could not be tolerated.

The hot‑tempered Ma Guocheng instantly became unable to sit still.

He was, aside from Yu Shiyong, one of only two people present who were not of the founding‑state martial lineage.

After the incident with the Marquis of Linchuan and others, he has always looked down on these hereditary nobles who merely rely on their family's influence to commit wrongdoing.

He immediately, his face darkening, slammed his table, his eyes flashing with ferocity, and shouted:

"Jiang Zining, Shi Guangzhu, I f*** your mother, you bunch of good‑for‑nothing scum who have no achievement and disgrace your ancestors!"

"Violating military regulations, corrupting discipline, refusing to repent, yet daring to be so arrogant within the central camp!"

"General Zhang is a commander appointed by the Grand General; such defamation cannot be tolerated!"

Speaking thus, he then turned to Zhu Que and shouted:

"General Zhang, for these reckless brutes, we in the northwest have killed countless of them! No need for words—just order someone to take them down and punish them severely!"

Zhu Que was silent for a moment, then nodded, and from the command table drew a command arrow, heftily throwing it down, solemnly ordering:

"Come! Capture these two and deal with them according to military law!"

"Yes!" The personal guards on either side took the command arrow, responded, and immediately moved to subdue Jiang Zining and Shi Guangzhu.

"I'll see who dares! I am a first‑rank son of the Son of Heaven, commander of the Zhenwei Camp, a fourth‑rank official of the court; you, a Deputy Military Governor, have no authority to deal with me!"

Jiang Zining immediately drew the dagger at his waist, gripping his throat, and looked toward the command table beside Zhu Que, shouting:

Shi Guangzhu's face darkened further, and he said fiercely:

"What a dog‑hearted fool! My sister is the Virtuous Consort, I am the current Imperial Uncle, a first‑rank general!"

"If you dare lay a hand on me and the palace finds out, you will meet a terrible end!"

Xie Qing's expression changed, his lips moving, and he shouted at the seated silent Shi Ding, Marquis Hou Xiaokang, Feng Ziying and others:

"Lord Shi, Lord Hou, we belong to the same founding‑state lineage; now we are being bullied to the extreme, will you just sit by and do nothing…"

"Lord Zhang, acting as Military Governor, is acting according to military law, which is proper!" Shi Ding's deep voice cut off Xie Qing's pleading.

After his conversation with Jia Jing that day, he already fully understood Jia Jing's intention to reform the founding‑state lineage!

Today, not assisting Zhu Que in holding Shi Guangzhu and Jiang Zining accountable is already a matter of past courtesy; how could they still help Shi and Jiang defy Zhu Que's orders!

Feng Ziying, Hou Xiaokang and the others also pressed their lips together silently, saying nothing.

They may not know Jia Jing's plan to reform the lineage, but they have all served under Jia Jing and know his trust in Zhu Que and his ruthless enforcement.

In the army, an order is as supreme as heaven; the blatant insults and resistance by Shi and Jiang to superiors constitute grounds for Zhu Que to order their execution, which would not be excessive.

Zhu Que scanned the expressions of those in the barracks, then silently withdrew the object he was gripping back into his sleeve.

Since he chose to launch the rebellion today, he had naturally made full preparations.

At this moment, not only had he arranged hundreds of soldiers outside the barracks, but he also held the command token and personal edict given by Jia Jing.

Who today dares to jump out, collude with evil influences, defy military orders— that basically lands them on the list for this camp's major purge.

"Capture these two barbarians quickly; anyone who dares to resist will be executed without exception!" Zhu Que waved her hand again, speaking coldly.

Jiang Zining and Shi Guangzhu are all bluster and no substance; seeing Zhu Que about to get serious, even the other founding martial heroes didn't help, they immediately panicked. Looking at the approaching personal troops' long blades, Jiang Zining's knife-wielding hand trembled, and he instinctively threatened while sweating profusely.

"General Zhang, you recklessly abuse your authority, falsely charge crimes— aren't you afraid of causing unrest among the 80,000 troops of Jingying, making the Son of Heaven aware and punish you? I want to see His Majesty… I want to see the Grand General…"

Before the words finished, a metallic, cold, solemn sound like metal striking stone came from outside the tent.

"Who wants to see this lord?"

The tent curtain was lifted from outside; sunlight poured in, laying a bright white passage inside the tent.

From the blue-striped stone-paved camp road came a troop of elite soldiers clad in armor.

And Jia Jing, with a stern expression, surrounded by attendants, unhurriedly stepped into the central command tent.

The generals in the tent all stared, simultaneously rose, causing a clatter of armor plates.

"This humble general pays respects to the Grand General!"

Jia Jing solemnly glanced at everyone in the tent, then slowly walked to the Grand Tutor's seat behind the commander's desk at the head of the tent and sat in the center.

Ma Guocheng stepped forward a few steps, hand on sword as escort, stood to Jia Jing's right; Zhu Que stood to Jia Jing's left, whispering something in his ear; instantly the tent inside and out was filled with armor-clad, sword-bearing soldiers, guarding left and right.

Jia Jing, while listening to Zhu Que explain the situation, also cast his indifferent gaze over the panicked faces of Shi Guangzhu and Jiang Zining, carrying an indescribable weight, like an unsheathed blade.

After a moment, Jia Jing's expression showed neither joy nor sorrow, and he coldly uttered two words.

"Raise the tent!"

"The Grand General has raised the tent!" The personal troops followed, shouting in unison.

In an instant, drums boomed inside the camp, and countless officers rushed to gather at the central command tent.