Chapter 67: Told You to Show Off

Early the next morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Lord Murong Murong Yunhai in fresh clothes and Tu Tu Kesiluo driving a cart piled high with severed heads, raced straight for the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's provincial capital.

The group hurried along without stopping, pressing on day and night.

After a little over half a day of travel, by noon the next day, the three of them finally arrived before the governor's mansion of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's province.

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the gate of the governor's mansion, Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw the Prince of Qi, his face etched with anxiety, pacing back and forth in place.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's arrival, the Prince of Qi was clearly startled, asking with some bewilderment, "My Lord Jiang, how is it that you have also come to the provincial capital?"

Having come to falsely report military merit, he instinctively blocked the large cart behind him, his eyes revealing panic and guilt.

He never dreamed that just as he had sent someone to notify the governor, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would suddenly step in and interfere.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained calm and composed, hiding nothing: "Your subordinate has repelled the foreign enemies and has come specifically to inform the Governor so that merit may be reported to the Imperial Court."

Having finished speaking, his gaze fell upon the cart behind the Prince of Qi. Squinting, he asked, "Your Highness, what does this mean? If your subordinate is not mistaken, these heads on the cart must be those of the foreign barbarians hanging on the Shangmu city gate, correct?"

Upon being questioned by Jiang Jiang Mingyu, a layer of panic rose on the Prince of Qi's face.

Seeing that he could no longer conceal the truth, the Prince of Qi trembled: "There is no special meaning. This King merely came to have Governor Wang report the battle situation to the Sovereign."

Originally, he had arrived with light baggage and should have reached the provincial capital much earlier.

It was only to transport those heads that he had specially sent people to bring a large cart, which delayed his journey.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said calmly, "Your Highness, if your subordinate recalls correctly, when the foreign barbarians attacked, you were apparently not in the city at all?"

"Furthermore, it is said that when your city defense camp heard of the foreign attack, they were the first to turn tail and flee. Had your subordinate not remained calm in the face of danger and devised a plan to annihilate them, Shangmu would have fallen long ago."

"On that basis alone, does Your Highness still have the face to claim merit?"

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, the Prince of Qi realized that if he did not get rid of him quickly, a great scandal would surely erupt before Governor Wang Zhe.

So he sneered, "According to the Imperial Envoy's account, was it all your merit that repelled the foreign barbarians this time?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced around and said calmly, "Your subordinate does not mean that, but the facts are indeed so."

A hint of disdain appeared on the Prince of Qi's face: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you truly dare to speak. Are you not afraid the wind will blow your tongue off?"

"The foreign barbarians who invaded this time numbered over a hundred. How could you, with merely a handful of men under your command, possibly have the ability to kill them all and drive them back?"

"It is simply ridiculous. You shamelessly wish to monopolize the battle merit for your future career; you are truly a shameless scoundrel!"

"If you have any self-awareness, get back to Shangmu immediately and continue digging coal. Do not embarrass yourself here!"

"Do you think the Governor will believe this King, or your absurd lies?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu scoffed and retorted, "Where exactly Your Highness was that day, the Governor should be perfectly well aware."

A flash of panic crossed the Prince of Qi's eyes, but he quickly forced himself to appear calm: "That is correct. This King was indeed in the provincial capital that day; this is a well-known fact!"

"But I strictly trained my troops and commanded with skill. The soldiers of my city defense camp are brave and fierce in battle; no one can deny this."

He repeated almost word-for-word the nonsense that Little Third Son had spouted on that day.

Seeing the shameless look on the Prince of Qi, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head with a bitter smile: "Your Highness's explanation is truly interesting."

"The thickness of Your Highness the Prince of Qi's face is something this official can never hope to match."

"However, the truth this time is well known to the common people of Shangmu. Once the Governor reports to the Sovereign and asks for clarification, how will you cover up your lies?"

The Prince of Qi had already anticipated that Jiang Jiang Mingyu would come to contest the merit and had prepared a countermeasure in advance: "You are merely the acting magistrate. Who among the common people dares disobey your orders? Whatever you say, they will accept as truth."

"Moreover, you have shown great benevolence to the people in your daily life. Even if the Imperial Court investigates, the people will surely stand on your side."

"How could the Imperial Court possibly believe such groundless and absurd words?"

Standing nearby, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai and Tu Tu Kesiluo both widened their eyes in shock, witnessing for the first time that human shamelessness could reach such a degree. The Prince of Qi, however, was beaming with pride, asking and answering himself: "Of course the Governor will not believe you, because those are all fabricated lies!"

"And this King will explain to him in detail the great price paid by my forces to annihilate the foreign barbarians that day."

He pulled a document from his sleeve: "Look, this King prepared it long ago."

"In this battle, even though my city defense camp was well-trained, we still suffered over one hundred and eighty casualties before destroying the foreign barbarians."

"Soon, this document will be placed on the Sovereign's desk."

"At that time, please, Magistrate, open the Shangmu treasury and distribute compensation funds to these fallen soldiers to comfort the army's morale."

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu look as if he had just eaten a cockroach, the scar on his face twitched with excitement once again.

This not only made Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had always ridden on his head, suffer a setback, but also allowed him to rake in a sum of money. Delightful, truly delightful.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mind raced, and he soon forced a smile: "It seems Your Highness is determined to monopolize the battle merit?"

The Prince of Qi sneered: "This merit rightfully belongs to this King."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu still wore a gentle smile on his face, but a hint of mockery appeared in his eyes: "In that case, your subordinate will yield the merit to Your Highness. Not only that, I will also open the treasury as you said and fully distribute the consolation funds. Your Highness, are you satisfied now?"

As soon as his words fell, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, standing nearby, frowned tightly and said with suspicion and confusion, "Brother Jiang Xingqiu, what are you..."

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai could not understand in his heart why Jiang Jiang Mingyu would make such an obviously illogical decision.

Meanwhile, upon hearing this, the Prince of Qi was already beaming with joy, even becoming somewhat carried away: "Excellent! The Imperial Envoy is indeed reasonable. Since there is no issue, you may return. This King will certainly not forget your generosity today."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu cast a meaningful glance at the still-bewildered Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, signaling him not to rush.

Then Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned to the Prince of Qi, his face still wearing a gentle smile: "Your Highness is too kind. Your subordinate is merely fulfilling his duty. However, there is one small matter I am afraid I must remind you of."

The Prince of Qi, overjoyed, waved his hand and said, "Just speak."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said calmly: "Since over one hundred and eighty members of the city defense camp died in this battle, it means these people are gone forever."

"Therefore, the military rations this official will provide to the city defense camp will certainly no longer include the share for these nearly two hundred people."

"As for what to do if these people cause trouble, then I ask Your Highness the Prince of Qi to take extra care."

He even drew out his voice: "If these people collectively go to the provincial capital to cause trouble and beg for food, the consequences would be unimaginable. I believe that if the Governor learns the truth, he will surely be overjoyed."

Seeing the frozen smile on the Prince of Qi's face, Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled: "Actually, it is not difficult to handle. If Your Highness can be ruthless enough, find an opportunity to kill them all, and everything will be settled once and for all."

"Of course, that also seems inappropriate. There is no wall that does not let the wind through. Your Highness had best wipe them out in one sweep and slaughter the entire city defense camp clean; that is the only foolproof method."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and swayed, looking as if he were doing it all for the Prince's own good.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, who had been confused nearby, immediately understood and smiled. So Jiang Jiang Mingyu was waiting for the Prince of Qi right here. He looked at the Prince of Qi mockingly: Why aren't you showing off anymore?

The Prince of Qi's face turned as black as a sky filled with dark clouds. He had thought he had anticipated all countermeasures, yet he had missed the crucial link of military rations.

The flesh on his face twitched violently; after a long while, he stared with wide eyes and said, "My Lord Imperial Envoy, truly a master of calculation."

"Today, this Prince has been bested; we shall see how this plays out."

Having spoken, he immediately ordered the Yamen Runners at the gate: "Go tell Inspector Wang that this Prince shall return another day."

Watching Prince Qi depart in a rage, Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted loudly, "I must thank Prince Qi for his thoughtfulness, knowing I was coming to report my merit, and specially helping to transport these heads. Your Highness, this humble official thanks you!"

"When you have time, come sit in the county yamen; this humble official will treat you to tea. No need to see me off."

Prince Qi, who had not yet gone far, suddenly stumbled: "Surnamed Jiang, let us see how long you can remain arrogant."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu paid him no further heed, but instead handed a visiting card to the gate Yamen Runner: "Imperial Envoy Jiang Jiang Mingyu, here to pay respects to Inspector Wang."