Chapter 131: New Regional Military Commissioner

Jiang Mingyu brought Zhu Ge Yu back to the county yamen, arranged for her to stay in a quiet little courtyard, then hurried back to his study to handle official business.

He had barely sat down when Murong Yunhai rushed in, snowflakes clinging to his clothes.

“Xingqiu brother, I come to bring you good news,” Murong Yunhai said with a smile. “The first batch of iron ore has reached the state capital; we’ve already dug up plenty more, and it’ll all be shipped within a few days.”

Jiang Mingyu clapped him on the shoulder: “You’ve worked hard, Yunhai.”

He mentally calculated the time: “There are eight days left before the New Year. You must hurry—try to return before New Year’s Eve so we can have a reunion meal together.”

“Don’t worry, Xingqiu brother, I’ll definitely make it back,” Murong Yunhai said. “By the way, shouldn’t you give bonuses to the laborers? They’ve worked so hard for our cause.”

Jiang Mingyu nodded: “That’s a good idea. Tell them that if they work well, I’ll give each of them a red envelope.”

Murong Yunhai’s eyes lit up: “That’s wonderful news, Xingqiu brother—you’re truly generous.”

“Heh, I’m not generous—I’m visionary,” Jiang Mingyu chuckled. “With this iron ore, we can forge more weapons and armor to strengthen our army.”

“And I have an even bigger plan.”

“What plan?” Murong Yunhai asked curiously.

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: “Not yet. I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

He saw Murong Yunhai off, then picked up his brush again and resumed writing his letters.

These past days, he had maintained contact with Wang Zhe, keeping track of the Huang family’s porcelain business. According to Wang Zhe’s letters, he had successfully taken over the Huang family’s porcelain operations and was now paying taxes to the Inspector’s office on schedule.

With this news, Jiang Mingyu could finally begin implementing his next plan.

He gently set down his brush, took a sheet of white paper, and began sketching designs for his new porcelain.

This design had formed in his mind long before he served at the Inspector’s office, but he had never had the chance to put it into practice.

Now, with sufficient resources and manpower at hand, he could begin producing this new porcelain.

The porcelain was an adaptation of Western Region styles—something the Great Feng had never seen before. Not only were its colors vivid and shapes distinctive, but it also had one unique feature: it displayed different hues depending on the angle and lighting.

Jiang Mingyu was certain that once this new porcelain was introduced, it would cause a sensation—and bring substantial profits.

“With this unique product, I can amass great wealth,” Jiang Mingyu thought with quiet delight. “To outmaneuver Prince Qi, fifty thousand troops alone are far from enough.”

“I need to expand my military equipment and recruit more soldiers—this will require massive funding.”

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he called out to the guard outside: “Go to the state capital. Inform the Inspector that I’ve completed the design for the new porcelain. Once the market stabilizes, I can begin production. Have him send personnel to assist me as soon as possible.”

“Yes, my lord.” The guard departed.

Jiang Mingyu turned to another guard: “You have a task for me…”

He whispered his plan to the guard and ordered him to carry it out.

The guard stared in shock: “My lord, what are you planning?”

Jiang Mingyu refused to elaborate: “Just do it. You’ll understand later.”

The guard obeyed without further questions.

The next two days passed quietly; Jiang Mingyu busied himself with official duties while anxiously awaiting a reply from the Inspector’s office.

Finally, six days before the New Year, the guard sent to the state capital rushed back.

But his panicked expression tightened Jiang Mingyu’s chest—he immediately asked: “What’s wrong? What happened?”

The guard gasped: “My lord, something has occurred.”

Jiang Mingyu’s face darkened. “What is it? Has the Huang family’s porcelain business encountered trouble?”

The guard shook his head urgently: “No, the Huang family’s business is going smoothly. The Inspector has already assigned personnel to take over our new porcelain production.”

Jiang Mingyu exhaled, yet unease lingered. “Then what exactly happened?”

The guard continued: “My lord, a new Regional Military Commissioner is arriving in Shangmu.”

“What? A new Regional Military Commissioner?” Jiang Mingyu exclaimed. “Explain clearly—what’s going on?”

A dark premonition surged within him. If this new commissioner truly arrived, his military authority might be stripped away—meaning all the effort and resources he’d poured into building his army could be taken from him.

Worse still, his larger plan remained unexecuted—he could not afford to sit idle.

The guard bit his lip, hesitated, then finally spoke the truth: “My lord, the Inspector’s office has sent word: a new Regional Military Commissioner named Yang Hui is arriving in Shangmu.”

“Yang Hui?” Jiang Mingyu frowned. “That name sounds familiar.”

The guard nodded: “Yes. He was recommended personally by Minister Tang.”

Jiang Mingyu’s frown deepened. “Minister Tang? Why would he recommend a Regional Military Commissioner to Shangmu? Something’s off.”

The guard’s face showed confusion too: “Minister Tang claims Shangmu has gone too long without an official commissioner, violating imperial regulations. And Yang Hui has battlefield achievements—he’s considered a capable candidate.”

“But the strangest part is, Yang Hui actually accepted—and has already departed from Longteng County. He’ll reach the state capital soon.”

Jiang Mingyu pondered. Something felt wrong. Why would anyone willingly come to Shangmu as commissioner? And why was Minister Tang so invested in this appointment?

He calmed himself: “I must not panic. There’s still time. If I prepare before Yang Hui arrives, I can handle them.”

“No matter what they intend, I won’t let them take me by surprise.”

Yang Hui, fearless and determined, had come to assume his post. This alone was suspicious; compounded by Tang Cheng’s covert manipulation, the situation grew even more obscure.

Jiang Mingyu reflected carefully—was this again Tang Cheng’s doing? After months of covert struggle, his instincts told him something was amiss.

In the state capital, he had suspected Prince Qi wanted to seize full control of his fifty-thousand-man army. If Yang Hui was indeed Tang Cheng’s man, his suspicion was confirmed.

Wang Zhe’s long-standing fear was likely this very thing.

If Yang Hui took command of those fifty thousand troops, they would become Prince Qi’s instruments—and Jiang Mingyu could never allow that. If Tang Cheng orchestrated it all, it made perfect sense—even Wang Zhe, as Inspector, would have little recourse.

To uncover the truth, Jiang Mingyu asked: “You said Yang Hui came from Longteng County?”

The guard bowed: “Yes, my lord.”

Jiang Mingyu ordered at once: “Go back to Longteng County. Find County Magistrate Song. Investigate Yang Hui’s background thoroughly.”

The guard departed.

Jiang Mingyu murmured to himself: “If this man is truly sent by Tang Cheng, I must plan what comes next.”

Two days later, the guard returned without pause. Jiang Mingyu asked: “Did you find anything?”

“My lord, we uncovered some details.”

“Yang Hui is just an ordinary man—nothing remarkable about him. But he has a cousin named Ma Yingjie.”

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes widened. “Who is he?”

The guard replied promptly: “Report, my lord—he is Minister Tang’s Private Secretary, deeply trusted by him.”

Jiang Mingyu suddenly understood—he saw the truth unfolding. He realized his suspicions were not unfounded. Everything pointed to a grand scheme by Prince Qi.

Jiang Mingyu realized: “My guess was correct—this is Prince Qi’s trap. If so, Yang Hui cannot be allowed to live. Leaving him alive would bring endless trouble.”

He asked himself: “But how can I eliminate him without anyone noticing? This must be handled with extreme care.”

As Jiang Mingyu pondered, a guard announced: “My lord, the new Regional Military Commissioner, Yang Hui, has arrived.” Jiang Mingyu picked up the teacup on his desk, sipped the fragrant tea, and said calmly: “Let him in.”

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out: “Where is Lord Jiang? I have urgent business to report!”

Jiang Mingyu turned and saw a short, narrow-faced middle-aged man standing behind him. The man wore heavy armor, a broad-bladed saber at his waist, and a crimson cloak—his bearing was commanding.

Jiang Mingyu smiled politely and bowed: “I am Jiang Mingyu. Are you the new Regional Military Commissioner, Lord Yang?”

Yang Hui, well-versed in court protocol, returned the bow: “Indeed, I am.” He pulled out an official document and handed it to Jiang Mingyu. “Lord Jiang, I have been ordered to assume command. Please hand over the seal of the City Defense Camp.”

Jiang Mingyu examined the document and smiled: “Lord Yang, rest assured—I’ll escort you to the handover immediately.”

Seeing everything proceed smoothly, Yang Hui smiled inwardly. “Thank you, Lord Jiang. I’m grateful for your guidance.”

They arrived at the City Defense Camp. Jiang Mingyu handed over the seal. Yang Hui held it in his hand, beaming—he had finally fulfilled Tang Cheng and Ma Yingjie’s orders.

Jiang Mingyu smiled: “Lord Yang, keep the seal safe—it must not be lost. I’ll assign personnel to assist you in familiarizing yourself with camp duties.” Yang Hui thanked him repeatedly; Jiang Mingyu responded with courteous politeness, though his mind was already plotting.