Chapter 74

After Ma Guocheng left, Lord Linchuan couldn't help but slam the table again, angrily saying:

"Damn it! What the hell, you have no shame! Thinking you're allied with Duke Ying, you dare run wild in Shenjing City; sooner or later you'll get what's coming to you!"

Lord Zhongqin's expression also turned sour, and he murmured:

"The pressing priority remains to deal with Jia Jing the youngster; give him a few days."

Lord Linchuan, hearing this, sneered:

"You all overestimate that Jia Jing youngster; he only got a bit of luck and a small achievement, a kid whose hair hasn't even fully grown, what's so terrifying about him!"

"All of Bashang Daying are people from my Jingnan line; if you ask me, just give him a taste of something fierce!"

"He dares to publicly insult Duke Zhao and the Grand Emperor, as if he thinks Jingnan has no one!"

Lord Linchuan harbors strong hostility toward Jia Jing, not only because of differing stances but also because Jia Jing was appointed Military Governor of Bashang Daying, taking the position of their Jingnan Wuxun.

Even if the title of Duke of Cheng cannot command Bashang Daying, it should have rotated to him or Lord Zhongqin to become Military Governor.

Since Emperor Chengzu, Bashang Daying has been the territory of the Jingnan Wuxun; how can the founding line's Wuxun lay claim to Bashang Daying's military authority!

Lord Zhongqin, with a composed face, urged:

"It's better not to underestimate him; after all, he defeated a Qing Army force of 150,000, was ennobled in a single battle, and is somewhat famous throughout Shenjing City."

"Moreover, he has the current higher-ups' support…"

Lord Zhongqin's words contain a hint of apprehension, whether toward Jia Jing or toward Jing Sheng Di is unclear.

Lord Linchuan, hearing this, snorted coldly:

"It's only because the Qing Army's Crown Prince Yin Ti was incompetent that Jia Jing the youngster got a cheap advantage."

"Moreover, he has imperial support, we have the Grand Emperor's backing; as long as we hold military power, what does the emperor matter? If you truly provoke me, I'll march my troops into the capital!"

Before Lord Linchuan finished speaking, a shout from his personal guards outside the tent was heard:

"What person! This is a critical military camp; no unauthorized entry!"

Then a squad of soldiers in bright armor and immaculate formation surged into the room; among them stepped a young commander in white armor, a sword at his waist and a spear in hand, exuding great authority—tall, composed, he walked slowly to the center of the barracks.

Immediately after, the personal guards and servants of Lord Linchuan and Lord Zhongqin poured in from outside, taking positions on either side of the room to guard the two.

Inside Bashang Camp, Jia Jing advanced almost unimpeded; first, the camp's discipline had collapsed, and no one dared to stop the newly appointed Military Governor.

Second, Jia Jing and his party headed straight for the Central Army commander's barracks, completely ignoring the personal guards and servants of Lord Linchuan and others who tried to block and warn them.

"Are you two the Deputy Military Governors of Bashang Daying, Lord Linchuan Hu Mei and Lord Zhongqin Lu Ju?"

Jia Jing's expression turned icy; he pressed his sword against his fist, casting a cold glance at Lord Linchuan, Lord Zhongqin, and the women beside them.

Zhu Que and the personal guards, knives in hand, stood silently behind Jia Jing.

Lord Zhongqin, looking at Jia Jing and his entourage, felt a chill, apparently deducing Jia Jing's identity; he raised his hands and asked in a deep voice:

"Are you Jingwu Marquis Jia Jing? Do you not know that this is a restricted military camp?"

Jia Jing sneered and shouted loudly:

"Ridiculous! I am the emperor's personally appointed Military Governor of Bashang Daying; there is no place in Bashang Daying I cannot go. Yet you two openly drink and consort with prostitutes in the army; do you not know military law?"

"No wonder the entire camp's discipline is lax; with deputy governors like you who disregard military law, what good soldiers can you produce!"

"I, by the emperor's decree, wield the Imperial Sword to command Bashang Daying and reorganize military affairs; with the Imperial Sword present, it is as if the Son of Heaven himself is here—won't you step down from your lofty seats?"

Jia Jing took the Imperial Sword from Zhu Que's hand, raised it high, and the personal guards behind him drew their blades, cold-eyed.

Lord Linchuan and Lord Zhongqin were stunned in place by Jia Jing's abrupt command, unable to react for a moment.

They hadn't expected Jia Jing to appear at the camp today; they thought he still needed a few days before taking office, and had planned to either feign compliance while undermining him later or give him a mild warning.

But the lack of preparation today allowed Jia Jing to storm straight into the Central Army camp.

Both men's expressions shifted rapidly, unsure how to act.

Especially Lord Linchuan, who at that moment held a wine cup in one hand and embraced a woman with the other, was disheveled and at a loss.

At that moment, they heard another sharp command:

"Hu Mei, Lu Ju, I hold the Imperial Sword as if the emperor himself were present; you sit high in the hall, indulging in debauchery and disrespect—are you mocking the emperor?"

Jia Jing drew the Imperial Sword and shouted angrily, his face cold and fierce.

At this point, Bashang soldiers near the Central Army commander's barracks heard the commotion and gathered around, watching the spectacle and chatting.

There were also trusted soldiers of Lord Linchuan and Lord Zhongqin, weapons in hand, encircling the barracks, restless.

Lord Zhongqin's face turned embarrassed as his gaze fixed on the Imperial Sword in Jia Jing's hand,

He ultimately made no move under everyone's eyes, snorted coldly, rose from his seat, walked slowly down, and stood before Jia Jing.

Lord Linchuan followed Lord Zhongqin, and the two stood side by side.

Jia Jing, without waiting for their reaction, shouted loudly again;

"With the Imperial Sword present, as if the emperor himself were here, you two stand and answer without any courtesy of a subject—what crime does that constitute!"

Lord Linchuan's face flushed with anger, about to speak, when Lord Zhongqin, his face ashen, tugged him.

The two hesitated, then straightened their attire, knelt on the ground, and said:

"I, your servant, heed the holy command!"

Originally the two were only putting on a show, intending to stand up after Jia Jing said a polite phrase,

But Jia Jing had no such intention; instead, he held the sword and stepped onto the platform, shouting abruptly:

"Hu Mei, Lu Ju, as deputy governors, you do not train troops or organize military affairs within the camp; instead you drink and consort with prostitutes, causing the discipline to crumble."

"I have personally seen that the camp gates lack sentries, the armaments are rusted, and the soldiers are as lax as common townsfolk."

"In this vital capital region, the military discipline is this rotten; the Da Han Empire's military code clearly states: drinking and consorting with prostitutes within the camp, and failing to set up defenses, shall be beheaded! Do you understand your crime?"

As soon as Jia Jing finished speaking, Lord Linchuan could no longer hold back, sprang to his feet and said:

"Jia Jing youngster, what an imposing official authority you wield! I have tolerated you for a long time. You are merely a minor third‑rank marquis, lucky enough to achieve a modest feat, yet you dare to act presumptuously before us!"

"Do you know that my position as Deputy Military Governor of Bashang Daying was personally conferred by the Grand Emperor; without his decree, no one can punish me!"

The Loyal and Diligent Marquis Lu Ju, standing at the side, quickly rose to his feet and said in a cold voice:

"I advise Marquis Jingwu to think twice before acting; don't make a scene that leaves you unable to back down, or you'll lose face!"

The Loyal and Diligent Marquis had originally intended to go along with Jia Jing, to be evasive and accommodating for a while, then later find a chance to undermine Jia Jing and drive him out of Bashang Daying.

Who would have thought, Jia Jing came and directly accused them, even declaring the crime deserved death, treating the two of them as easy targets—how could they tolerate that?

If they were to bear the crime Jia Jing accuses them of, not to mention imprisonment and execution, at the very least they would be removed from office and stripped of position—this is something they could never accept under any circumstances.

So, the two chose to rise up in violent retaliation,

Anyway, Jia Jing can't really do anything to them, since most of the people in the camp are their own troops—what's there to fear!