Chapter 780: Annoying

Gong Xia saw him so furious he seemed ready to burst into flames and hurriedly urged him to sit, his temples throbbing as he mediated between the two.

Gong Xia invited Jiang the steward to take the seat of honor.

Jiang the steward sat without hesitation in the main seat; evidently enraged, he began listing Jiang the Commandant's family lineage, connections, achievements, and service record.

Jiang the Commandant, aged fifty-nine, now holds the Third-rank post of Quanzhou Garrison Commandant—a position that places him among the elite of the empire.

Jiang the Commandant also hails from a distinguished family; his father was a hero of the Jingnan Campaign, and he himself earned military merit—though it was on the northern frontier. Years ago, Japan sent two tribute delegations, each holding their own inspection tally and claiming to be the true envoy.

The inspection tallies bore distinct characters and half-seals; the other halves were held by Great Ming, and when matched, they revealed which was genuine.

The imperial court could tell the difference, but at the time it did not wish to publicly shame Japan, so it recognized both delegations, accepted the tribute from both, and gave identical gifts in return.

The court had sternly rebuked Japan and forbade such incidents from recurring.

Great Ming assumed the matter was settled, believing it had shown Japan due deference.

Yet when the two delegations returned to Quanzhou, just one step from leaving the border, they began quarreling among themselves and turned on each other.

Just as the court prepared to send envoys to mediate, one delegation turned violent and launched a raid on Quanzhou's civilians.

Eventually, the court dispatched troops to quell the unrest, and two deputy generals died.

Jiang the Commandant was the second general sent down; he drove both delegations out of Quanzhou, and the Emperor rewarded him by appointing him Commandant of the Quanzhou Garrison.

Jiang the steward recounted this with extraordinary excitement, emphasizing Jiang the Commandant's valor, speaking all the while with sidelong glances at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun sipped tea, sensed Jiang the steward's gaze, lifted her head, and asked curiously: "If Jiang the Commandant was so heroic, why didn't he annihilate both delegations instead of letting them leave?"

Jiang the steward frowned slightly: "They were diplomatic delegations, not Japanese pirates…"

"They came without summons, killed our people, looted our wealth—what else could they be but pirates?"

Jiang the steward replied with restrained anger: "The court received them with full diplomatic protocol—could Your Majesty have erred?"

Pan Yun said: "To forge documents and deceive Your Majesty is a crime deserving an additional penalty—such men must be utterly exterminated. Otherwise, it proves Japan harbors treacherous intent and seeks rebellion—then we must raise an army and punish them."

Jiang the steward: …

Gong Xia cleared his throat softly: "At the time, the Emperor was only eleven, newly ascended—the court's priority was stability…"

Jiang the steward realized his mistake and nodded hastily: "Indeed, our lord acted under orders from the Empress Dowager and the Three Grand Secretaries—how could we have acted on our own to kill?"

Jiang the steward finally regained his composure and declared solemnly: "Imperial affairs are not matters of martial righteousness resolved by violence. Pan Daoist, you are still too young and impetuous."

Pan Yun smiled. If I were to play along with your stubborn old fools, what joy would life hold?

Jiang the steward said with deep implication: "Pan Daoist, heaven and earth are vast; a single person is like a blade of grass. Obey the rules, and you become part of a vast prairie. Disobey, and you remain a solitary blade—no matter how tall or strong, you are still just one blade."

Pan Yun: "What if I am a tree?"

"Then you are still only one tree, doing no great good," Jiang the steward said. "The Emperor is heaven. No matter how tall or massive a tree grows, it cannot touch heaven. If heaven wishes you dead, you will die."

Pan Yun's eyes narrowed slightly as she tapped her fingers lightly on the table: "Did you come here specifically to say all this?"

Jiang the steward pressed: "Do you find my words reasonable, Pan Daoist?"

Pan Yun nodded: "Reasonable. Extremely reasonable. My reverence for the Emperor flows like an endless river—I would never dare neglect it." Jiang the steward scanned her face, trying to discern whether she spoke truth or falsehood.

But Pan Yun's expression never changed—it was impossible to tell.

Yet this very lack of reaction suggested little sincerity lay beneath.

Jiang the steward felt resentment: How could anyone dare show disrespect to the Emperor?

"As long as Pan Daoist observes proper court etiquette, I have a task for you."

Wang Cong spat out his tea and nearly choked himself to death.

Jiang the steward turned and glared at Wang Cong.

Wang Cong quickly apologized, stealing glances at Pan Yun.

Gong Xia hurried to add: "Pan Daoist, this is also the higher authority's will. Since you revere the Emperor, you should serve him."

Pan Yun stared blankly, as if only now realizing, then nodded dully: "Go on."

Jiang the steward snorted haughtily: "Had you not saved the delegation, this task would never have fallen to you. Serving the Emperor is a blessing earned over three lifetimes."

Pan Yun nodded repeatedly: "You are right, Jiang the steward."

Seeing her compliance, Gong Xia felt uneasy, hesitating whether to stop Jiang the steward.

Jiang the steward continued: "The sea bandits who ambushed the delegation are Japanese pirates seeking revenge. Please go to Prefect Lu and report that you overheard the bandits discussing collusion with the Japanese pirates."

Pan Yun: "These sea bandits are all subjects of Great Ming—how could they collude with Japanese pirates?"

"How many times have sea bandits colluded with Japanese pirates? Didn't you yourself, Pan Daoist, once exterminated sea bandits, many of whom were Han civilians impersonating Japanese?"

Pan Yun opened her mouth, then after a long pause, nodded: "That's true—but in this case, I truly heard no such collusion."

Jiang the steward said coldly: "The Commandant says you heard it—you heard it."

Pan Yun: "If the Commandant is so powerful, why doesn't he go himself and report this to Prefect Lu, the Emperor, and the ministers?"

"You!" Jiang the steward was furious: "Pan Daoist, you just swore to observe court etiquette and follow the Emperor's orders…"

"Jiang the steward!" Pan Yun cut him off sharply: "You claim this is the Emperor's command—what proof do you have? So far, you alone have spoken. Empty words—don't tell me you're merely the Commandant's steward. Even if the Commandant himself stood here, without the Emperor's handwritten order or imperial decree, I would never believe you!"

Pan Yun lowered her gaze, scanning him from head to toe, and said haughtily: "Though young, I am no fool. Not everyone who claims to carry the Emperor's command truly does."

"You!" Jiang the steward leapt to his feet, pointing at Pan Yun, speechless with rage.

Gong Xia rose quickly to calm him, his eyes flickering with doubt.

Indeed—how could they be certain this was the Emperor's command?

Jiang the steward wasn't even the Commandant—he was just a steward.

Seeing Gong Xia's suspicion, Jiang the steward felt a surge of frustration and muttered low: "A messenger from the palace is currently at our residence. I came to you instead of our lord merely to keep this discreet and avoid drawing attention." (End of chapter)