Chapter 38: Rebellion?

The next day, after breakfast, Jiang Mingyu waved to Murong Yun, Tukesulu, and the four newly recruited yamen runners and said, “Come with me—I’ll take you out to observe the people’s conditions. We don’t have much time left.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion erupted outside.

He frowned, about to ask what was happening, when a foot suddenly kicked open the county yamen’s main gate, and a group of armed soldiers surged inside.

Their clothes were tattered, their faces weathered and scarred, their eyes filled with hunger and rage.

Leading them was a middle-aged officer, his face pale, a wine-blotch on his nose, a small beard on his chin. When he saw Jiang Mingyu, hatred flashed in his eyes. He strode forward, pointing at Jiang’s nose, and barked, “You’re the new imperial envoy?”

Jiang Mingyu stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed. “I am Jiang Mingyu, the imperial envoy. Why have you brought so many men into this yamen?”

The bearded officer’s fury did not wane: “Good. I hear you’re now in charge of Shangmu County—I’ve come to the right man.”

His demeanor was as threatening as if he meant to take a life. All the soldiers raised their blades and clubs, their gazes sharp, ready to strike at any moment.

“Do you know how long it’s been since our border troops received our pay? Two months! Two full months! We risk our lives daily fighting foreign invaders to protect Da Feng’s safety, yet when we return, we can’t even get a meal! What kind of justice is this?”

He gestured to the soldiers behind him. “Look at them—what state are they in? Some are covered in wounds, some are skin and bone, some don’t even have clothes to wear! We’re just representatives. Hundreds more are waiting in the barracks, armed with swords and spears, all waiting for one signal.”

“We don’t mean to threaten you, my lord, but you must understand—we’ve reached our limit. If we don’t get our pay today, don’t blame us for being uncivilized. We’re rough men. If we draw blood, don’t take it personally.”

Tukesulu flew into a rage: “This is rebellion! Do you know the penalty for rebellion? Execution of nine clans! Execution of nine clans!”

The bearded officer sneered. “Rebellion? We’re already miracles for having lived this long. We’ve bled and sweated for our country, yet we get nothing in return. We can’t go on living—and neither will you corrupt officials. Today’s rebellion? You forced it upon us.”

"Mr. Jiang, give us a straight answer: pay us, or we all die together."

Jiang Mingyu’s heart sank. He knew these soldiers were cornered and wouldn’t back down.

He also knew the yamen’s treasury couldn’t cover their pay.

He paused, trying to calm the situation: “Brother, don’t get worked up—this matter, this imperial envoy—”

The bearded officer cut him off impatiently: “Don’t talk to me about ‘this imperial envoy.’ Are you determined not to pay?”

“Then don’t blame us for being ruthless. Come on, brothers—attack! Kill this dog of an official!”

Facing over a hundred ferocious soldiers with blades in hand, Tukesulu didn’t hesitate—he shoved Jiang Mingyu behind him.

Meanwhile, Murong Yun and the others turned pale.

These soldiers had spent years on the battlefield, killing as easily as slaughtering chickens.

The troops advanced step by step, yet Jiang Mingyu’s brow remained calm. “Are you men sent by Commandant Ma?”

His voice was quiet, yet clear as ice in the wind.

The bearded officer grinned savagely. “What’s that to you? I said—pay us, and you live. Don’t pay, and you die! Even if you’re an imperial envoy, we don’t fear you!”

His soldiers immediately echoed him.

“That’s right. If you don’t produce silver today, you leave your life here.”

“We’re going to starve anyway. Taking an imperial envoy down with us? Worth it.”

“What imperial envoy? We can’t even live—why should we fear him? Brothers, chop him down!”

“...”

The scene grew more chaotic. It was clear: one wrong word from Jiang Mingyu, and blood would spill on the spot.

Jiang Mingyu remained utterly unruffled. “Gentlemen, calm down. When did I say I wouldn’t pay?”

He was now certain—these men were sent by Prince Qi to stir trouble.

Aside from Murong Yun and Liu Ershou, only Prince Qi’s trusted Commandant Ma knew Jiang Mingyu was the emperor’s personally appointed envoy.

Fine. You want to play? I’ll play with you, Jiang Mingyu thought.

Murong Yun, whose face had shifted through several expressions, couldn’t help whispering, “Xingqiu, we—”

Jiang Mingyu raised a hand. “I have my plan.”

His cold gaze swept over the bearded officer and his men, making them flinch.

The bearded officer, bristling with menace, extended his rough hand. “Then hand over the silver?”

He seemed already eager to strike.