Chapter 65: The Prince of Qi's Schemes

At noon, the scorching sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the main hall of the Shangmu County Defense Camp.

Standing by the window was Xiao Sanzi, clad in chainmail, earnestly recounting something to the figure before him.

Today marked the fourth day since Jiang Jiang Mingyu had annihilated the foreign cavalry.

Inside the hall, the Prince of Qi, who had just returned with troops from elsewhere, wore a purple python robe and asked displeasedly in a loud voice, "What did you say?"

"Those few broken blades under Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command actually killed over a hundred foreigners?"

His eyes revealed shock and suspicion, as if he could not believe the words of Xiao Sanzi standing before him.

Xiao Sanzi nodded repeatedly, speaking with animated excitement, "Exactly; everyone in the city knows."

"The heads severed by the foreigners still hang at the North Gate. Not only did Jiang Da Ren defend Shangmu City, but he also captured over a hundred warhorses. His star is currently rising high!"

Having said this, Xiao Sanzi once again described in detail how Jiang Jiang Mingyu had set a trap that day, luring the foreign cavalry deep into the city before poisoning them to death.

Upon hearing the details, the shock and suspicion on the Prince of Qi's face gradually turned solemn.

He slowly settled into his seat, muttering, "This prince indeed underestimated this newly arrived Imperial Envoy."

"Even if this prince personally led the border armies against those foreign cavalry, I fear it would require a bitter battle, resulting in lost soldiers and generals."

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, merely a civil official, actually possesses such methods; this prince truly finds himself admiring him."

Xiao Sanzi nodded vigorously, a hint of mischief suddenly flashing in his eyes as he spoke, "Your Highness, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity!"

The Prince of Qi looked puzzled, frowning as he asked, "What opportunity?"

Gazing into the Prince of Qi's eyes, Xiao Sanzi spoke slowly, emphasizing each word, "Think about it: annihilating the foreign cavalry and defending Shangmu County—what a tremendous merit this is! Such a thing has never occurred in Shangmu County before."

"Yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu is so busy every day with repairing the city and mining coal that he is dizzy with work, having no intention whatsoever of reporting to the court to claim merit."

"If you, my lord, report this matter to the court, stating that our people annihilated the foreign cavalry,"

"it will surely count as Da Gong. Since this is a victory never before seen in Shangmu County, once Your Majesty is pleased, he will certainly reward you heavily."

He spoke with animated excitement, his eyes carrying an expression that said, "I am so happy for you."

After listening, the Prince of Qi stroked his beard and pondered, then frowned, saying, "This idea is not bad, but..."

Xiao Sanzi hurriedly pressed, "Does Your Highness have any other concerns?"

The Prince of Qi settled into his gold-inlaid carved chair, pondered for a long while, and then slowly said, "But this merit truly belongs to Jiang Jiang Mingyu; the common people all know and witnessed it. If the Emperor learns the truth in the future, we will be in serious trouble."

Xiao Sanzi had already prepared a countermeasure for the Prince of Qi: "Even if Jiang Jiang Mingyu reports this matter, based solely on the words of the few men under his command, do you think Your Majesty will believe him?"

"Moreover, now that Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, he still needs to rely on Your Highness to guard the border and will not make things difficult for you. Rather than greedily seeking some profit from the coal mines, seizing this once-in-a-lifetime Da Gong is far more worthwhile!"

Seeing the Prince of Qi still hesitating, Xiao Sanzi continued to incite him: "Your Highness, think about it: since Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrived, when has he ever given Your Highness an ounce of face? First, he killed Xia Duo and Prince Liang, then he forced Ma Ma Defake to commit suicide, and this time he even stole Your Highness's merit. Even without him, relying on our armies, we could have repelled the foreigners sooner or later. This merit should have belonged to Your Highness from the start!"

Xiao Sanzi flattered and fawned over the Prince of Qi, cunning light shining in his eyes, as if victory was already in his grasp.

After thinking it over again, the Prince of Qi finally slapped his thigh and said, "You are right; this Jiang Jiang Mingyu is indeed becoming increasingly outrageous. It is just that on the day the foreigners were killed, this prince was not in the city; how can we explain that away?"

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Sanzi's face as he continued to flatter, "This only proves that Your Highness commands the troops with great skill."

"If we could crush the foreigners even while you were not in the city, imagine if you had personally commanded; would we not have annihilated the foreigners outright?"

Hearing Xiao Sanzi's flattering words, joy immediately spread across the Prince of Qi's face; his eyes sparkled, the corners of his mouth turned up, as if all the merit and glory had already fallen upon his head.

He excitedly rose from the carved chair, waved his large hand, and heavily slapped Xiao Sanzi on the shoulder, laughing loudly, "Good! Extremely well said! Good lad, you have a promising future."

Afterwards, the Prince of Qi narrowed his eyes and asked suspiciously, "It is just that you have repeatedly helped me with strategies and plans; why is that? Could it be that you harbor some scheme?"

No one acts without benefit; he did not believe that Xiao Sanzi, who had demanded the position of Commandant in exchange for his advice that day, would ask for nothing now.

Xiao Sanzi smiled obsequiously: "This humble servant has said so much; first, it is out of loyalty to Your Highness."

"Secondly, I also hope that the Prince of Qi will nurture and promote this humble servant more."

"These are the sincere words of this humble servant's heart; I beg Your Highness to understand clearly."

Having said this, Xiao Sanzi raised his right hand and pressed it lightly against his left chest, wearing a hypocritical expression of utmost sincerity.

The Prince of Qi burst into loud laughter, clapping his hands and saying, "Good, this prince will not treat you unfairly."

"Before dawn tomorrow, send someone to remove the heads from the city gate; this prince will personally go to the prefectural city to have Inspector Wang report this merit for me."

A hint of cunning flashed across Xiao Sanzi's face, before he once again put on an obsequious smile.

At this moment, inside the morning court chamber of the Shangmu County Yamen, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting beams of light.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu leaned comfortably in an armchair, his hands pillowed behind his head, looking entirely at ease.

Standing opposite him was Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, who frowned tightly and asked with a suspicious expression, "Brother Jiang Xingqiu, why are you in such a hurry to enter the prefectural city? Is there some urgent matter?"

He truly could not understand why Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who should be staying to command and stabilize the situation, suddenly wanted to leave the county seat.

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily and said in a relaxed manner, "What for? Naturally, to go and claim merit."

"What for? Of course, to go and claim merit! Having eliminated so many foreign enemies, this is surely Da Gong; we must at least let the Prefectural Inspector know so he can report it to the court."

"When this Imperial Envoy initially risked being chopped to death, even acting like a grandson, could I not let him report it to the court for everyone to know?"

"Furthermore, this is also the political achievement required for this official's promotion. If I am to rise high in the future, I must rely on the record of this merit; how could I simply let it go to waste?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and sighed.

"Most importantly, this official needs to go to the prefectural city to see if we can promote the coal further."

"If we want Shangmu County to become wealthy, relying solely on Tenglong County as a buyer is far from enough."

"Raising troops, hiring laborers, repairing city walls, food, drink, and daily necessities—which of these does not require silver?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke with full confidence, his face overflowing with a smile of determined success.

Originally, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had intended to go to the prefectural city the day after repelling the foreigners to seek merit from Inspector Wang Zhe. However, at that time, there were still many affairs within the county city requiring the presence of this highly respected Imperial Envoy to stabilize the situation, so this journey was delayed until now.

Nowadays, the thirty trained strongmen under Tu Tu Kesiluo had begun their drills, and the coal mine workers had long since returned to work. Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt the timing was right; it was time to depart for the prefectural capital.

Hearing this, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai nodded and said, "Very well; early tomorrow morning, I will accompany Brother Jiang Xingqiu to the prefectural city."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shifted into an even more comfortable posture, smiled, and said, "Get a large cart, bring Tu Tu Kesiluo along, and take samples of the coal as well. By the way, are the new clothes I asked you to make ready? Since we are going to claim merit, how can we dress in a way that is undignified and invites contempt?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had long since learned about the incident in Tenglong County last time, where Lord Murong Murong Yunhai had been mocked for dressing like a beggar; this time, he absolutely could not allow him to lose face.

At this moment, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai was just about to open his mouth to tell Jiang Jiang Mingyu that the new clothes were all prepared.

Just then, with a loud "Bang!", the main gate of the county yamen was burst open, and Li Goudan rushed in, gasping for breath.

His steps were extremely unsteady, swaying left and right; he slipped several times beneath his feet, nearly falling before Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Li Goudan was drenched in sweat, his eyes staring blankly, wearing a look of panic as if facing certain death.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's brows immediately knitted tight; he asked in a deep voice, "Goudan, what has happened to you? Why are you in such a wretched state?" He gazed at the dark red bloodstains on Li Goudan's clothes, his heart filled with unease.

"My lord! I am useless! It is all my fault for being useless!" Li Goudan dropped to his knees, tears bursting from his eyes as he screamed hysterically.

A chill ran through Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; he immediately asked sternly, "What exactly happened? Speak quickly!"

Li Goudan's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted with a hoarse, strained voice, "My lord, our coal has all been robbed!"

"Except for me, who barely escaped with my life, all the civilian laborers escorting the coal were killed! I am too useless, completely useless!"