Chapter 67

Early the next morning, Jiang Mingyu rode off toward Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner’s State Capital with Murong Yun, now dressed in new clothes, and Tukesulu driving a cart piled high with severed heads.

The group pressed forward relentlessly, never stopping to rest.

After half a day’s hard travel, by midday the next day, Jiang Mingyu and the others finally arrived at the front gate of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner’s official residence.

As they approached the residence gate, Jiang Mingyu spotted Qi Wang, his face tense, pacing anxiously in place.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s arrival, Qi Wang visibly startled, asking in surprise: “Lord Jiang, why are you here in the state capital too?”

Instinctively, he stepped in front of the cart behind him, his eyes filled with panic and guilt.

He had never imagined that just after sending word to the Inspector, Jiang Mingyu would suddenly show up to interfere.

Jiang Mingyu remained calm and unflinching: “Your servant repelled the foreign invaders and has come specifically to report this achievement to the Inspector.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the cart behind Qi Wang, and he narrowed his eyes: “Your Highness, what is the meaning of this? If I’m not mistaken, those heads on the cart are the same foreign ones hung on the northern gate of Shangmu?”

At Jiang Mingyu’s question, Qi Wang’s face flushed with panic.

Seeing he could no longer hide it, Qi Wang’s face twitched: “It means nothing—I’ve merely come to ask Inspector Wang to report the battle to His Majesty.”

He had originally arrived light and should have reached the state capital long ago.

But to transport those heads, he had specially dispatched a cart, which delayed his journey.

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Your Highness, if I recall correctly, you weren’t even in the city when the foreigners attacked?”

“Moreover, it’s said your city defense battalion, upon hearing of the foreign assault, was the first to turn and flee. Had I not held my ground and devised a plan to annihilate them, Shangmu would have fallen long ago.”

“With that, how dare you still claim credit?”

Hearing Jiang Mingyu’s words, Qi Wang realized that if he didn’t get rid of him quickly, he’d be humiliated before Inspector Wang Zhe.

He sneered: “According to Your Excellency’s account, then, all credit for repelling the foreigners belongs to you?”

Jiang Mingyu glanced around calmly: “I don’t claim that. I merely state the facts.”

Qi Wang’s face twisted with disdain: “Jiang Mingyu, how dare you say such things? Afraid your tongue will be blown off by the wind?”

“Hundreds of foreigners attacked—how could your handful of men possibly kill them all?”

“This is laughable. You shamelessly seek to monopolize the victory for your future career—you’re truly brazen and shameless!”

“If you have any sense, go back to Shangmu and dig coal. Don’t stand here and disgrace yourself!”

“Do you think the Inspector will believe you—or my words?”

Jiang Mingyu scoffed: “Where exactly were you that day? The Inspector knows full well.”

Qi Wang’s eyes flickered with panic, but he quickly forced composure: “Correct—I was in the state capital that day. That’s common knowledge!”

“I’ve trained my troops rigorously and commanded them effectively. No one can deny their bravery and combat prowess.”

He repeated almost word-for-word the nonsense Xiao Sanzi had spouted that day.

Watching Qi Wang’s brazenness, Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head in bitter amusement: “Your Highness’s story is quite amusing.”

“Your Highness’s skin is so thick, this official is utterly outmatched.”

“But the people of Shangmu all know the truth. When the Inspector reports to His Majesty and is questioned, how will you explain it?”

Qi Wang had anticipated Jiang Mingyu’s claim and prepared his counter: “You’re only a temporary county magistrate—who dares defy you? Whatever you say, they’ll believe.”

“Besides, you’ve long showered the people with favors. Even if the court investigates, they’ll side with you.”

“How could the court possibly believe such baseless nonsense?”

Standing beside him, Murong Yun and Tukesulu stared wide-eyed, witnessing for the first time how shameless a man could be. Qi Wang, however, beamed with self-satisfaction, answering himself: “The Inspector will never believe you—because it’s all fabricated lies!”

“Meanwhile, I will personally explain to him how great the sacrifice was—how many of my city defense troops died to exterminate the foreigners.”

He pulled a document from his sleeve: “Look—I’ve already prepared this.”

“Despite my troops’ rigorous training, we still suffered over one hundred and eighty casualties to eliminate the foreigners.”

“Soon, this document will be on His Majesty’s desk.”

“At that time, please open the Shangmu treasury and distribute compensation to the families of these fallen soldiers—to soothe the troops’ spirits.”

Watching Jiang Mingyu’s expression as if he’d swallowed a cockroach, the scar on Qi Wang’s face twitched with glee.

Not only had he made Jiang Mingyu, who had always towered over him, eat humble pie—he’d also pocketed a profit. Delicious, truly delicious.

Jiang Mingyu’s mind raced, then he forced another smile: “So Your Highness is determined to claim all the credit?”

Qi Wang sneered: “This achievement rightfully belongs to me.”

Jiang Mingyu still wore a gentle smile, but his eyes now held a glint of mockery: “Then I’ll yield the credit to Your Highness. Not only that—I’ll open the treasury and fully distribute the compensation, as you requested. Are you satisfied now, Your Highness?”

No sooner had he spoken than Murong Yun frowned, looking puzzled: “Xingqiu, what are you...?”

Murong Yun couldn’t fathom why Jiang Mingyu would make such an illogical decision.

At once, Qi Wang’s face lit up with delight, bordering on triumph: “Excellent! Your Excellency is truly reasonable. Since there’s nothing to it, you may return. I shall never forget your generosity today.”

Jiang Mingyu cast a meaningful glance at the bewildered Murong Yun, signaling him to wait.

Then he turned to Qi Wang, still smiling gently: “Your Highness overstates things—I merely fulfill my duty. But there’s one small matter I must remind you of.”

Qi Wang, overjoyed, waved his hand: “Go on.”

Jiang Mingyu said calmly: “If your city defense battalion lost over one hundred and eighty men in this battle, then those men are permanently gone.”

“Therefore, from now on, the military stipend for the city defense battalion will no longer include their nearly two hundred shares.”

“As for what happens if these men suddenly appear demanding pay—that’s your problem, Your Highness.”

He stretched his words: “If they all march to the state capital begging for food, the consequences could be dire. I’m sure the Inspector, upon learning the truth, would be overjoyed.”

Seeing Qi Wang’s frozen smile, Jiang Mingyu chuckled: “Actually, it’s not hard. If Your Highness has the heart, just find an opportunity to kill them all—problem solved, once and for all.”

“Of course, that might not be wise. Walls have ears. Better to wipe out the entire city defense battalion—then there’s no risk at all.”

Jiang Mingyu shook his head, as if offering sage advice.

Beside him, Murong Yun, who had been confused moments before, now understood and smiled slyly—he realized Jiang Mingyu had been waiting for this moment. He smirked at Qi Wang: Why aren’t you boasting anymore?

Qi Wang’s face turned as dark as a storm-laden sky. He thought he’d anticipated every move—until he forgot the military stipend.

His facial muscles trembled violently; after a long silence, he glared and spat: “Your Excellency, you’ve made a shrewd calculation.”

“Today, I’ve been outmaneuvered. We’ll see who wins in the end.”

He immediately ordered the yamen runners at the gate: “Tell Inspector Wang I’ll return another day.”

Watching Qi Wang storm off in fury, Jiang Mingyu called out loudly: “Thank you, Your Highness, for your thoughtfulness—you even helped transport the heads for my report! Your Highness, I’m deeply grateful!”

“When you have time, drop by the county office—I’ll treat you to tea. No need to see you off.”

Qi Wang, not far from the gate, stumbled forward: “Jiang! Just how long do you think you can keep acting so arrogant?”

Jiang Mingyu ignored him entirely, handing a visiting card to the gate guard: “Imperial Envoy Jiang Mingyu, here to pay respects to the Inspector.”