Chapter 81: The Inspector

Jiang Mingyu listened to Wang Zhe’s question, paused briefly, instinctively touched his forehead, and replied in a calm, courteous tone: “My lord, please speak—what guidance do you offer?”

Wang Zhe fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: “The military situation along the border is clear to both of us. When spring arrives next year, the enemy will surely return, and it will inevitably be a bloody, brutal battle.”

“Currently, you are temporarily acting as both county magistrate and commandant of Shangmu. What sound strategy do you propose to counter this foreign invasion?”

“I understand that, as a scholarly man of refined manners, bearing such a heavy burden is exceedingly difficult. But under the circumstances, we have no choice but to rely on you—no one else dares take on Shangmu’s mess.” Wang Zhe’s tone carried resignation.

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly after hearing this: “My lord overstates it. Defending our homeland and protecting our people is the sacred duty of every Da Feng official. This matter poses no great difficulty for me.”

“Yet I believe the foreign tribes grow arrogant precisely because the court’s stance is too weak. Unless we address this root cause, the warfare will only escalate.” Jiang Mingyu’s expression was grave, his tone resolute.

Wang Zhe frowned slightly, his voice subtly sharpening: “What do you mean?”

Jiang Mingyu sighed softly and continued: “In every past campaign, our forces have been forced into passive defense—even pushed to the brink of defeat. This implicitly emboldens the enemy, convincing them that Da Feng’s military is weak and its territory ripe for the taking.”

“Worse still, this passive stance has shattered our troops’ morale. Last time the enemy invaded, merely dozens of cavalry riders drove away hundreds of Shangmu’s defenders.”

Jiang Mingyu’s voice was calm but each word firm: “Forgive me for speaking plainly: to resolve this fundamentally, we must abandon defense and take the offensive. Only by making the enemy personally endure the iron blood and majesty of our army—by leaving them littered with corpses—will they learn fear and retreat. Only then can our border achieve lasting peace.”

After hearing Jiang Mingyu’s words, Wang Zhe fell into thought, then slammed his hand hard on the table: “Good! Lord Jiang, you speak wisely.”

“Had previous magistrates possessed your resolve, Shangmu would never have sunk to its current state.” Wang Zhe’s admiration was unmistakable.

“Come, come—tell me your plan. What exactly will you do?” Wang Zhe’s eyes gleamed with interest as he looked expectantly at Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu did not hesitate: “Recruit soldiers. Without sufficient manpower, we cannot repel the enemy.”

“May I ask, my lord the Inspector, what was the largest force the foreign tribes ever fielded in a single invasion?”

Wang Zhe recalled slowly: “The largest invasion years ago involved over five thousand cavalry—covering hills and plains, a terrifying sight. Shangmu’s walls fell; the magistrate and commandant both died in battle. The enemy looted freely before departing, as if entering an empty land.”

Recalling this painful past, Wang Zhe’s eyes flickered with wariness and sorrow; his lips drooped slightly, as if bearing deep trauma.

Jiang Mingyu pondered a moment, then spoke steadily: “In that case, we must conscript at least ten thousand soldiers just to hold back the enemy.” His tone was calm and certain.

Wang Zhe nodded: “Indeed. To crush the enemy outright, we need fifty thousand troops.”

“But Shangmu’s treasury is empty. How can we recruit and train such a massive army? The military expenditures would be astronomical.” Wang Zhe’s brows knitted tightly, his eyes filled with clear anxiety.

Jiang Mingyu replied without hesitation: “The situation is already this dire—why not petition the court directly for reinforcements and special funding from the Ministry of Revenue?”

Wang Zhe gave a weary smile, his face darkening: “If the court were willing to aid us, would Shangmu have sunk to this state?”

Jiang Mingyu frowned, puzzled: “What do you mean?”

Wang Zhe sighed deeply, his facial muscles seeming to sag: “You must know that the Ministry of Revenue is now firmly controlled by the Rabbit Chancellor’s faction.”

“The Rabbit Chancellor’s faction and the Crane Chancellor’s faction have been as hostile as water and fire—that’s an open secret in court. Unfortunately, I am a disciple of the Crane Chancellor.”

“The Crane Chancellor has fallen from power. They’re barely refraining from kicking us while we’re down—asking for their aid is pure fantasy.”

He sighed again: “So relying on the Ministry of Revenue is impossible.”

As he spoke, Wang Zhe’s brows remained furrowed, his lips downturned, his entire being shrouded in gloom.

Jiang Mingyu had not imagined that Shangmu’s decay stemmed not only from foreign aggression but also from such intricate court politics.

And he had not imagined that Wang Zhe, like himself, was deeply tied to the Crane Chancellor.

In that case, he and Wang Zhe were comrades in the same trench.

Jiang Mingyu felt a quiet surge of relief—having the Inspector’s support would spare him much trouble. Yet he still did not understand why the Crane Chancellor had fallen.

He quickly asked: “What exactly happened to the Crane Chancellor?”

Wang Zhe still looked bitter: “Lord Jiang may not know, given our remote border location. I only learned of it myself after receiving a secret letter from the Crane Chancellor in the capital...”

He then recounted every detail of the news he had received.

Jiang Mingyu was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. Heaven’s will defies human plans—he silently thanked the Emperor for already knowing his ties to the Crane Chancellor and entrusting him with this mission. Otherwise, he would have been utterly lost.

The two stood in silence for a long while; Jiang Mingyu felt his legs go numb and shifted slightly. Then he spoke again.

After a pause, Jiang Mingyu resumed: “My lord, do not despair. Since the Crane Chancellor’s fall is irreversible and the court cannot aid us, we must rely solely on our own strength.”

Wang Zhe pressed: “What do you mean?” He frowned, puzzled.

Jiang Mingyu paused briefly, then explained: “Shangmu possesses abundant coal resources—something you already know. If we begin mining these coal deposits and sell them across the realm, we can secure ample military funding.”

“If you are willing to collaborate, we can negotiate coal trade agreements with neighboring prefects. With sufficient military supplies, training elite troops will follow naturally. The foreign threat will vanish, and Shangmu will revive.”

“Once two prefects agree, this trade can be sealed. With ample military funds, how could we fail to drive out the enemy?” Jiang Mingyu’s eyes shone with certainty.

He turned to Liu Yi, standing nearby: “Liu Miss, please go find Tukesiluo and the others. I’ll join you shortly.”

Liu Yi, understanding Jiang Mingyu wished to dismiss her, said nothing, bowed, and walked out swiftly.

Once Liu Yi had left, Jiang Mingyu continued: “If this trade succeeds, my lord, you too will share in the profits. With strengthened forces, your reputation will spread far and wide. Promotion to the next rank will be within reach. This is a rare double gain—please lend your full support and help us achieve greatness.”

Wang Zhe hesitated slightly, asking softly: “The foreign troops are strong and well-equipped. Are you truly confident you can crush them utterly?” His face still bore worry.

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes blazed with fervor, his voice unwavering: “With sufficient funding to train fifty thousand troops, I will swear a military oath: I will annihilate every last enemy, reduce them to scattered ruins.”

Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s unshakable confidence, Wang Zhe finally slammed his hand down decisively: “Good! Lord Jiang, you are truly bold—I admire you! Then I shall fully support your plan!”

Jiang Mingyu inwardly rejoiced, bowing again to thank Wang Zhe for his backing.

Wang Zhe nodded: “I shall immediately submit a petition to the court to issue you an imperial edict authorizing the recruitment of fifty thousand troops. I will also begin arranging the coal trade at once.”

“But I trust you will keep your word. Even with my support, military law will show no mercy if you fail.” Wang Zhe’s tone was calm yet firm.

Wang Zhe secretly calculated: if this coal trade brought substantial profit and enabled his promotion, it was an exceptionally advantageous deal.

Even if Jiang Mingyu lost on the battlefield, Wang Zhe would suffer no real loss—he would keep every silver coin he earned.

Overall, this plan was safe for him, yet the gains were immense.

Jiang Mingyu bowed deeply to Wang Zhe, sincerely saying: “Thank you, my lord Inspector, for your trust. I shall give my all—I swear I will not disgrace your confidence!” With the recruitment authority secured, he felt as if he were floating on air.

With the power to recruit, he rejoiced inwardly, already envisioning fifty thousand troops waving swords, their morale soaring.

Imagining holding the imperial edict in his hands, truly assembling fifty thousand elite soldiers, Jiang Mingyu trembled with excitement, his eyes gleaming.

When the recruitment edict was finally placed in his hands, Jiang Mingyu shook with emotion, nearly overcome with joy.

As long as this paper became fifty thousand elite troops, even Prince Qi would think thrice before troubling him. Jiang Mingyu smiled inwardly: “Prince Qi, sharpen your neck and wait—I’ll come for you soon!”

Jiang Mingyu caressed the edict in his hand, his gaze resolute, his voice brimming with confidence. He had already mapped out every detail of troop training, vowing to forge a blood-soaked force that would strike terror into the hearts of all enemies.