CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: AUTHORITY AND PRESTIGE

"Commandery Princess, what’s that commotion?" Yin Zhu, who had been silent the entire time, was startled by the noise behind him.

Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly, "It seems the Left General is in a fit of rage, smashing things around, his old wounds are not yet healed, and now he’s got new ones."

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai both grinned broadly.

Serves him right!

"He’s been bedridden for about ten days, and now with all this, will he need to continue recovering?" Tu Bai asked Yin Zhu with a smile.

Yin Zhu shrugged, "More or less! Doctor Sun is in the military camp. If he were to ask Doctor Sun to diagnose and treat his injuries, he might recover faster."

Unfortunately, Left General Zuo Zhen feared the Commandery Princess and held the same apprehension towards Doctor Sun, only willing to summon a military doctor for treatment.

Li Tie was undoubtedly the most notorious opportunist in the Nanyang Army, switching sides so quickly it left people speechless. He had barely turned his back on Zuo Zhen before he came to the Commandery Princess to pledge his loyalty.

"Commandery Princess, I made a foolish mistake back then and took the wrong path. Now that the Commandery Princess is willing to give me a second chance, I will not let down the trust and expectations of the Commandery Princess," Li Tie bowed deeply with a humble demeanor, trying to make eye contact with the Commandery Princess despite being more than a head taller.

In appearance, Li Tie was even taller and more imposing than Yu Chong. However, he was tough on the outside but weak on the inside, with a spineless backbone.

Jiang Shaohua said nothing, gazing at Li Tie steadily for a moment.

Li Tie, under the cold gaze, broke out in a cold sweat, the suffocating feeling of being overpowered by the Red Tassel Spear in the Martial Arts Training Ground washing over him once more.

"Li Tie," the Commandery Princess’s voice was calm, neither high nor low, "all those things you did before, are erased today. But remember, I will only give you this one chance. If you repeat any treacherous behavior, I will risk severe punishment from the court and strike your head off with a spear!"

This is not a threat!

The Commandery Princess has both the power and the ability!

Li Tie’s back was drenched in cold sweat, and he lowered his stance even further, "Thank you Commandery Princess for the opportunity. From now on, I will be like a hunting dog for the Commandery Princess, following orders without question."

Jiang Shaohua replied indifferently, "How you say it doesn’t matter, only how you do it matters. I’m waiting to see your future actions."

"Dismissed!"

Li Tie acknowledged the order respectfully and withdrew.

Outside the military tent, the sunlight was scorching. Li Tie looked up at the sky, his eyes stinging slightly. He stood under the blazing sun for a moment, waiting for the sweat on his back to dry before leaving with heavy steps.

...

The next day, Chen Zhuo and his party returned to the military camp.

Accompanying Chen Zhuo was County Magistrate Wu from Wan County.

County Magistrate Wu, whose hair was turning gray with age, knelt and paid his respects to the Commandery Princess with utmost reverence upon seeing her.

This shows the importance of establishing authority!

Jiang Shaohua smirked inwardly while maintaining a gentle smile, "County Magistrate Wu, there’s no need for such formalities. Commander Song, please help the County Magistrate up on my behalf."

Song Yuan responded and stepped forward, effortlessly assisting County Magistrate Wu to his feet. The Commandery Princess offered him a seat, and County Magistrate Wu nervously sat down next to Chief Clerk Wen.

Jiang Shaohua smiled as she looked at Chen Zhuo, "You’ve worked hard inspecting Wan County these past few days, Chief Historian Chen."

Chen Zhuo bowed and replied, "This is my duty, I don’t dare to call it hard work." Then, he proactively reported on the inspection of Wan County.

Wan County is also a lower county, with a city that only has about six thousand people combined. County Magistrate Wu managed his jurisdiction diligently, patrolling daily during spring plowing. The Taiping Grain Warehouse is full, but it’s mostly stocked with old grain.

That’s not a big deal. Old grain is cheaper than new grain, and most of the Taiping Warehouse’s stock is old grain.

Jiang Shaohua’s brow eased, and she commended County Magistrate Wu with a smile, "I issued an order to all counties over a month ago to replenish the Taiping Grain Warehouse. For County Magistrate Wu to achieve this shows dedication to duty without misleading me."

County Magistrate Wu quickly stood up to respond, "This is what I should do."

"Being able to properly handle the responsibilities is indeed commendable," Jiang Shaohua said warmly, "My grandfather came to me in a dream, warning of droughts and locust plagues in the next three years. Wan County is one of the hardest-hit areas. If the county government stores more grain, in times of disaster, more lives can be saved."

"When that time comes, County Magistrate Wu will understand the painstaking efforts I made."

County Magistrate Wu repeatedly agreed.

Even in times of peace, storing grain is common. The Commandery Princess has given an order, so it must be followed!

Eighty percent of the silver in the county government is being used to buy grain; we’ll just have to tighten our belts in other areas later.

Jiang Shaohua turned to Wen An, "Wan County still needs to build three more Taiping Grain Warehouses. Chief Clerk Wen, have you selected the locations for the new warehouses these past few days?"

Wen An immediately perked up and replied, "The locations have been chosen. With the spring plowing over, County Magistrate Wu has already ordered to conscript laborers, and construction can begin in three to five days."

Jiang Shaohua nodded in satisfaction.

County Magistrate Wu did not linger in the military camp; after paying his respects and expressing his loyalty to the Commandery Princess, he returned to Wan County that very afternoon.

That evening, Jiang Shaohua held a small banquet, attended by Chief Historian Chen, Commander Song, Chief Clerk Wen, as well as Yu Chong and Li Tie.

After the banquet, Chen Zhuo privately advised, "Counting the days, the memorial has already been sent to the court. The letter I wrote to Vice Minister Ding of the Ministry of War should also have arrived."

"Vice Minister Ding will recommend Yu Chong as the main general of the Nanyang Army. If this succeeds, the Nanyang Army will return under the command of the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "The chances of success are fifty-fifty. We must be prepared for the court to send another military general."

Man proposes, God disposes.

Chen Zhuo nodded and replied softly, "If it doesn’t succeed, it’s alright. Yu Chong is loyal to the Commandery Princess, and Li Tie is now on your side. The entire military camp is grateful to the Commandery Princess. Even if the court sends someone else, in the Nanyang Army, it’s still the Commandery Princess who calls the shots."

Jiang Shaohua rarely showed a hint of childishness, "If one comes, I’ll fight one! If two come, I’ll beat two! After all, I’m young and reckless!"

Chen Zhuo chuckled quietly, as if comforting a child, "Yes yes yes, the Commandery Princess possesses divine power; beating someone is a mere flick of the wrist. As a military general, being unable to hold their head high against the Commandery Princess on the martial field would earn them nothing but ridicule for their incompetence if word gets out!"

The two shared a knowing smile.

...

Subsequently, Jiang Shaohua continued to oversee the military camp, and naturally, the ever-busy Chief Historian Chen could not rest, leading Chief Clerk Wen to inspect other counties.

The benefits of Jiang Shaohua’s oversight in the military camp were immediately apparent.

The soldiers had wages in their pockets and new clothes on their backs, the Nanyang Army’s meals improved significantly, with ample nutrition, and morale was high, maintaining daily drills.

Military cohesion quickly formed, and with the Commandery Princess’s full support, Yu Chong displayed the demeanor of a main general.

Ten days passed in a flash.

On this day, a group arrived outside the military camp.

This group consisted of ten people, led by a tall young man with sharp eyes, "I am Peng Sihai, the personal soldier of Young Master Zheng from Duke An’s Mansion, here on Young Master’s orders to request an audience with the Commandery Princess."