Chapter 75: Even killing you would still be a bargain

It's just right to take this opportunity to tell Jia Jing and Emperor Jing Sheng that Bashang Daying is the territory of their Jingnan Wuxun war merit; no one may lay a hand on it.

Seeing the two violently counterattack, again bringing up the Retired Emperor and implying threats, Jia Jing couldn't help but sneer.

He frowned and spoke in a cold voice:

You have violated military law, plain for all to see, the facts are all there. Yet before me, the Military Governor, you still dare to act so arrogantly, constantly invoking the Retired Emperor, showing no remorse!

I, the Military Governor, have been ordered by the Emperor to take charge of Bashang Daying, overseeing all its military affairs; moreover, I hold the Imperial Sword, so I can handle all personnel matters of Bashang Daying as I see fit.

Not to mention merely arresting and punishing you, even killing you outright would be within my authority!

Seize these two scoundrels, strip them of their armor, take their seals, and await my report to the Emperor before deciding their fate!

At Jia Jing's order, his personal guards immediately stepped forward, intending to seize the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence and the Marquis of Linchuan.

How could the Marquis of Linchuan let Jia Jing just take him? He immediately exploded, drawing the sword at his waist and pointing it at Jia Jing, saying:

This is a vital military camp; how can you be so insolent? Do you think my sword is dull?

Come!

At the Marquis of Linchuan's order, hundreds surged in from outside the barracks—his household retainers and personal guards—surrounding Jia Jing and his men; Jia Jing's guards drew their swords in opposition, and the situation instantly grew tense.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence kept his eyes on Jia Jing's reaction, his face dark as he spoke with a veiled threat:

Marquis of Jingwu, Bashang Daying belongs to us! If you still don't know what's good for you, then today you'll be nothing but a mutineer in the army, and the newly appointed Military Governor will unfortunately be killed!

Believe me, even if the court finds out, it will only order rewards for us loyal soldiers!

The scene instantly turned grim and lethal.

Everyone awaited Jia Jing's response; if he continued to use force, today would surely see a clash, and worse, a mutiny of tens of thousands in the camp.

The soldiers all gripped their sword hilts tightly, their expressions cold and ruthless.

A melee was about to break out right before their eyes!

Who would have thought,

Jia Jing pondered for a moment, sheathed the Imperial Sword, then waved his hand; his personal guards immediately sheathed their swords.

Jia Jing laughed and spoke:

We were just joking earlier!

I am young and made a momentary joke; please don't misunderstand, my lords!

His voice carried a hint of insufficiency, as if he feared the power of the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence and dared not oppose them.

But what's with the women in the barracks? Why is the camp so lax today, with no drills? As Military Governor, I cannot help but inquire!

Seeing Jia Jing's demeanor, the two marquises secretly laughed; he's just a naive youngster who folds at the slightest scare!

They had thought he was some formidable figure, said to have considerable strength, but it turned out to be mere rumor—his reputation undeserved.

The Marquis of Linchuan's face showed a mocking expression; Jia Jing's earlier posturing had left him quite uneasy,

After all, if they really killed Jia Jing, they wouldn't easily explain it to the court; Emperor Jing Sheng is now powerful, and they don't really want to be the ones to stick their necks out.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence likewise had his troops sheathe their swords, secretly rejoicing: 'It was a bluff; we held up under pressure and weren't forced to confess and be bound.'

He lifted his head and laughed, saying:

It's only natural that the Military Governor, on his first visit to the camp, doesn't understand camp affairs!

These women are merely the camp's laundry workers; as for why the camp's defenses are lax today, it's because of the heavy snow a few days ago—the cold weather prompted us to give the soldiers a day off.

Neither I, the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence, nor the Marquis of Linchuan expected the Military Governor to come today; we have been remiss and ask for forgiveness!

The Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence quickly thought of an excuse, and with a rather respectful gesture, clasped his hands.

As long as Jia Jing doesn't confront them head-on or infringe on their interests, he can still give them face and go through the motions.

Hearing this, Jia Jing looked around the barracks; the gate stood wide open, surrounded by soldiers watching the spectacle, and the mid- and high-ranking officers in the camp had mostly assembled.

He then laughed and spoke loudly:

Ah, I see! I was just being hasty—but this matter can't be decided on your word alone; I see that the three Senior Colonels and more than ten Colonels in the camp have mostly arrived; let them voice their opinions as well.

In that case, if you agree with the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence—that today is indeed a day off and the women are merely laundry workers—then please stand beside the two marquises to show your support for them.

Let me see how many there are; if the majority opinion is hard to oppose, I, the Military Governor, will also make amends to the two marquises to preserve harmony.

Jia Jing chuckled and addressed the mid- and high-ranking officers of Bashang Daying who were gathered to watch.

Bashang Daying has a force of 100,000 troops, with one Military Governor, two Deputy Military Governors, three Senior Colonels, and several dozen Colonels.

The Military Governor oversees all military affairs within the camp and is the highest authority.

The Deputy Military Governors assist the Military Governor, handling concrete matters of training, combat, logistics, and discipline.

Each Senior Colonel commands a division of troops, overseeing cavalry, infantry, and artillery, each division numbering tens of thousands.

Colonels each command a force of ten thousand, serving as subordinate officers to the Senior Colonels.

Of course, there are also the Imperial Eunuch Supervisor and civil officials sent by the court, but their authority is limited; the real power in Bashang Daying still lies with the Jingnan Wuxun.

Hearing Jia Jing say that, the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence grew more composed, thinking Jia Jing spoke thus because he was young and inexperienced, seeking a way to save face.

After all, he's a young man who places too much importance on his own reputation.

He also wanted to show Jia Jing the influence he and the Marquis of Linchuan wield over Bashang Daying, hoping Jia Jing would realize the difficulty of opposing them and henceforth obediently serve as his Military Governor, causing no further trouble.

Thus, he laughed and called out to the surrounding officers:

"Huang Bin, Zhou Xin... what are you few doing standing there? Didn't you hear the Military Governor's words?"

"Come over and prove to me and the Marquis of Linchuan that we two are wholly devoted to the public good—how could we violate military law?"

The Marquis of Linchuan also shouted:

"You lot still standing there like wooden posts? Come see our Military Governor—he's mighty indeed!"

Having said that, he burst out laughing, clearly not taking Jia Jing seriously.

The few Senior Colonels and Colonels outside the camp gate heard the exchange between Jia Jing, the Marquis of Linchuan, and the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence.

Most of them are from the Jingnan Wuxun lineage, and they themselves have interests with the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence.

Among them, the Huang Bin and Zhou Xin shouted for by the Loyal-Diligent Marquis were the colonels in charge of the camp's infantry and cavalry, and they each held the rank of first-class earl.

At this point, seeing that Jia Jing on the field was clearly putting on a fierce front but weak inside, the Facing River Marquis and the Loyal-Diligent Marquis steadily held the advantage, calm and unhurried, each laughing as they walked into the camp buildings to declare their loyalty.

"The Facing River Marquis and the Loyal-Diligent Marquis are both officials who wholeheartedly serve the public! I can testify for them!"

"Not bad, these two women are merely laundry laborers in the army!"

"Indeed, the troops are indeed off duty today!"

"The Military Governor has just arrived; we must not wrongfully accuse good people!"