Chapter 65: Prince Qi

At noon, the scorching sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the defense barracks hall of Shangmu County.

By the window stood Xiao Sanzi, clad in chainmail, eagerly recounting something to the front.

Today was the fourth day since Jiang Mingyu annihilated the foreign cavalry.

Inside the hall, Prince Qi, who had just returned from leading troops from afar, wore a purple python robe and asked sharply, “What did you say?”

“Those few rusty blades under Jiang Mingyu’s command killed over a hundred foreigners?”

His eyes widened in disbelief, as if he could not trust what Xiao Sanzi was saying.

Xiao Sanzi nodded vigorously, beaming with excitement: “Exactly. Everyone in the city knows it.”

“The heads of the foreigners are still hanging from the North Gate. Magistrate Jiang didn’t just hold Shangmu City—he captured over a hundred warhorses. He’s riding high right now!”

Then Xiao Sanzi recounted again in detail how Jiang Mingyu had set a trap, lured the foreign cavalry deep into the city, and poisoned them.

After hearing the details, Prince Qi’s shock gradually turned solemn.

He slowly sat down in his chair and murmured, “I truly underestimated this new imperial envoy.”

“Even if I led my border troops myself against those foreign cavalry, it would have been a grueling battle with heavy losses.”

“Jiang Mingyu is merely a civil official—and yet he possesses such skill. I must admit, I’m impressed.”

Xiao Sanzi nodded vigorously, then a sly glint flashed in his eyes as he said, “Your Highness, this might be a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!”

Prince Qi frowned in confusion. “What opportunity?”

Xiao Sanzi fixed his gaze on Prince Qi’s eyes and spoke slowly, word by word: “Think about it—annihilating the foreign cavalry and defending Shangmu County is an enormous achievement. It’s never happened here before.”

“Yet Jiang Mingyu is buried in repairing the city walls and mining coal—he hasn’t even thought of reporting this to the court for merit.”

“If Your Highness reports this to the court, claiming it was your men who destroyed the foreign cavalry...”

“It would be a monumental achievement—the first such victory in Shangmu County. When His Majesty is delighted, he will surely reward you handsomely.”

He spoke with radiant enthusiasm, his eyes gleaming as if he were rejoicing on Prince Qi’s behalf.

Prince Qi stroked his beard, pondering, then frowned: “This idea is good—but...”

Xiao Sanzi pressed urgently: “Your Highness, what concerns you?”

Prince Qi settled into his gilded carved chair, silent for a long while, then said slowly: “But this achievement belongs to Jiang Mingyu. The people have all witnessed it. If the Emperor ever learns the truth, we’ll be finished.”

Xiao Sanzi had already prepared a response: “Even if Jiang Mingyu exposes this, who will the Emperor believe—just a handful of his men?”

“Besides, the Emperor has just ascended the throne and still relies on Your Highness to guard the frontier. He won’t dare punish you. Why settle for minor coal profits when you can seize this once-in-a-millennium glory?”

Seeing Prince Qi still hesitating, Xiao Sanzi pressed further: “Your Highness, since Jiang Mingyu arrived, has he ever shown you the slightest respect? First he killed Xia Duobulian, then drove Ma Defake to suicide, and now he’s stolen your glory. Even without him, our army would have repelled the foreigners eventually. This glory was always yours!”

Xiao Sanzi flattered Prince Qi, his eyes gleaming with cunning, as if victory were already assured.

Prince Qi pondered again, then slapped his thigh: “True. Jiang Mingyu has become increasingly insolent. But I wasn’t in the city when the foreigners were killed—how do I explain that?”

Xiao Sanzi’s lips twitched faintly into a smile as he continued fawning: “That proves Your Highness’s exceptional command.”

“Even without you present, we crushed the foreigners. If you had commanded personally, you’d have wiped them out entirely.”

Hearing Xiao Sanzi’s flattery, Prince Qi’s face lit up with joy, his eyes shining, his mouth curling upward—as if all the glory and honor had already been bestowed upon him.

He leapt from his carved chair, slapped Xiao Sanzi’s shoulder hard, and laughed loudly: “Excellent! Brilliant! Good lad—you’ve got a future!”

Then Prince Qi narrowed his eyes, suspiciously asking: “But you’ve repeatedly advised me—why? Do you have ulterior motives?”

Nothing comes for free—he didn’t believe that Xiao Sanzi, who had once demanded a Commandant’s post just to offer advice, had no hidden agenda.

Xiao Sanzi bowed with a fawning smile: “Your servant speaks so much out of loyalty to Your Highness.”

“Secondly, I hope Your Highness will take me under your wing and nurture me.”

“These are my truest words. I beg Your Highness to see them clearly.”

As he spoke, Xiao Sanzi raised his right hand and pressed it lightly against his left chest, feigning heartfelt sincerity.

Prince Qi burst into laughter and clapped his hands: “Good! I won’t let you down.”

“Before dawn tomorrow, send men to remove the heads from the city gate. I’ll go to the provincial capital myself and have Inspector Wang report this achievement.”

A flicker of cunning crossed Xiao Sanzi’s face, then he resumed his fawning smile.

Meanwhile, in the morning chamber of the Shangmu County yamen, sunlight streamed through the window lattice in golden beams.

Jiang Mingyu lounged comfortably in a high-backed chair, hands clasped behind his head, utterly relaxed.

Opposite him stood Cloud of the Murong, frowning in suspicion as he asked: “Brother Xingqiu, why are you in such a hurry to go to the provincial capital?”

He couldn’t understand why Jiang Mingyu, who should be staying to command, suddenly wanted to leave the county.

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, his tone casual: “Why? Of course to claim credit.”

“Of course to claim credit! We wiped out so many enemies—that’s a major achievement. The provincial inspector must know and report it to the court.”

“I risked my life, even played the role of a coward—do you think I won’t let the court know?”

“Besides, this is my official record for promotion. To rise higher in the future, I need this achievement documented—how could I let it go to waste?” Jiang Mingyu added with a sigh.

“Most importantly, I need to go to the provincial capital to try selling more coal.”

“To make Shangmu County prosperous, relying solely on Longteng County as a buyer is far from enough.”

“Raising troops, hiring laborers, repairing walls, feeding everyone—everything costs silver.”

Jiang Mingyu spoke with full confidence, his face glowing with determination.

Originally, Jiang Mingyu had planned to go to the provincial capital the day after defeating the foreigners to petition Inspector Wang Zhe for credit. But the county still had many affairs requiring his presence, so the trip had been delayed.

Now, Tu Kesiluo’s thirty well-trained men had begun drills, and the coal miners had returned to work. Jiang Mingyu felt the time had come to head to the provincial seat.

Cloud of the Murong nodded: “Good. I’ll accompany you to the provincial capital early tomorrow.”

Jiang Mingyu shifted into a more comfortable position and smiled: “Get a large cart, bring Tu Keshiluo, and take samples of the coal. By the way—have you prepared the new clothes I ordered? I’m going to claim credit. I can’t show up looking shabby and be looked down upon.”

Jiang Mingyu had already heard about how Cloud of the Murong had been mocked in Longteng County for dressing like a beggar—he wouldn’t let him lose face this time.

At that moment, Cloud of the Murong was about to tell Jiang Mingyu the new clothes were ready.

Just then, a loud “bang” echoed as the county yamen’s main gate was smashed open. Li Goudan burst in, gasping for breath.

His steps were unsteady, swaying left and right, his feet slipping several times as he nearly collapsed before Jiang Mingyu.

Li Goudan was drenched in sweat, eyes glazed, his expression one of utter despair.

Jiang Mingyu’s brow furrowed. He demanded sternly: “Goudan, what happened? Why are you in such a state?” He stared at the dark red bloodstains on Li Goudan’s clothes, his heart sinking.

“My lord! I’m useless! I’m completely useless!” Li Goudan dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he screamed hysterically.

Jiang Mingyu’s heart tightened. He snapped sharply: “What happened? Speak!”

Li Goudan’s eyes were bloodshot as he shrieked: “My lord! Our coal’s been stolen!”

“I’m the only one who escaped—the laborers escorting it were all killed! I’m useless—completely useless!”