CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159: THE DOUBLE ACT

Zuo Zhen truly is an ill-fated person.

In the Da Liang Army, military generals like Zuo Zhen are a dime a dozen. It’s just that Zuo Zhen was greedier, extending his hands further. He happened to encounter Jiang Shaohua, who unceremoniously made an example of him to establish authority.

Empress Dowager Zheng seized this opportunity to blow up the issue, forcing Prime Minister Wang to handle it impartially. From the moment Zuo Zhen left the military camp for the Capital City, he was nothing but a discarded chess piece.

Jiang Shaohua had her own sources of information, knowing far more than Li Tie.

For example, after Zuo Zhen was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice Prison, he initially refused to confess. He arrogantly declared that Prime Minister Wang would save him from disaster. Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Wang never came but instead sent someone to the Zuo Family, warning them not to extend a helping hand. Poor Left General, suffering beatings and hardship in prison, didn’t even have anyone to deliver meals to him. After less than half a month, he confessed everything.

Additionally, Empress Dowager Zheng clung to the matter, with the Empress Dowager’s followers led by Duke An, the Minister of War, filing petitions accusing Zuo Zhen, requesting the Emperor to punish him severely.

Zuo Feng, Zuo Zhen’s elder brother, the Commander of the Border Army at Yanmen Pass, submitted a petition amidst the clamorous public opinion, admitting his failure to properly educate his brother and asking the Emperor for severe punishment.

This case was adjudicated for over two months, eventually resulting in Zuo Zhen being dismissed from his position and banned from reappointment forever.

It could be said that Zuo Zhen’s political career was completely over.

Li Tie came to report eagerly, aiming to curry favor. Jiang Shaohua wouldn’t offend Li Tie and responded with a smile, "Thank you, General Li, for the report; I, the Commandery Princess, understand."

"Zuo Zhen cannot return to the military camp in his lifetime, so General Li can rest assured now."

Li Tie responded without hesitation, "I, the humble officer, am loyal only to the Commandery Princess. Whatever Zuo Zhen’s actions may be, they have nothing to do with me."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Such good news should be shared with all the generals and soldiers in the military camp so they too can rejoice."

Li Tie immediately accepted the order, "Yes, I, the humble officer, will go and spread the word."

In the army, there are order officers who pass down orders layer by layer. Within less than an hour, the joyous news of Zuo Zhen being severely punished by the court was known to all the thousands of soldiers in the camp. Everyone was jubilantly cheering.

This also shows how unpopular Zuo Zhen was.

That evening, a row of stoves was set up in the kitchen, with dozens of large iron pots boiling over blazing fires, the aroma of meat wafting everywhere. The Commandery Princess and a group of military generals and soldiers dined together.

The soldiers ate to their heart’s content and, when they returned to their tents to sleep, they were happily humming with satisfaction.

"The Commandery Princess is really good to us!"

"Left General treated us like we weren’t humans, withholding wages and rations, not even sparing army clothing for us to wear. The Commandery Princess is much better."

"Look at those in the Personal Guard Camp, each riding a fine horse. I wonder when we’ll be able to ride such warhorses!"

"Ha, don’t worry about that. The Commandery Princess won’t neglect us."

...

"I, the humble officer, have something to discuss with the Commandery Princess."

Yu Chong rubbed his hands, looking slightly embarrassed, sneaking a glance at Song Yuan and Meng Dashan.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Feel free to speak up, no need to avoid Commander Song and the others."

Yu Chong gritted his teeth and said boldly, "The Nanyang Army hasn’t received warhorses since four years ago. In these years, some warhorses have died of old age, and some are damaged beyond riding. In the military camp of four thousand soldiers, there are only over a thousand old horses."

"I, the humble officer, intend to train an elite cavalry. I implore the Commandery Princess to allow the racecourse to send a batch of fine horses to the Nanyang Army this year."

Meng Dashan immediately spoke up, "Commandery Princess, our Personal Guard Camp needs expansion and also lacks horses."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and glanced at Meng Dashan, "The Personal Guard Camp has at least one person per horse, and indeed, the Nanyang Army has too few warhorses. This year’s horses from the racecourse will prioritize the Nanyang Army."

Yu Chong was overjoyed, repeatedly bowing his thanks for the Commandery Princess’s grace.

Meng Dashan was unhappy but didn’t conceal it, directly saying, "Commandery Princess, Biyang Racecourse can raise up to five hundred horses a year. Even if all were given to the Nanyang Army, it wouldn’t mean everyone would have a warhorse."

"Moreover, the Nanyang Army hasn’t obeyed the Prince Mansion’s orders in recent years. Why should the Prince Mansion provide them with horses?"

Yu Chong, not one to be easily bullied, immediately retorted, "Commander Meng, that statement is incorrect. Our Nanyang Army’s soldiers have always been loyal to the Prince Mansion. Previously, it was Zuo Zhen causing trouble from within. Now that Zuo Zhen is severely punished, everyone in the Nanyang Army belongs to the Commandery Princess. We will henceforth follow all the Commandery Princess’s orders."

"The Commandery Princess sending warhorses to us, we are deeply grateful and will definitely train diligently in the future."

Meng Dashan scoffed, "Indeed, it’s time to train well. A bunch of undisciplined soldiers, if they were in our Personal Guard Camp, would have been driven out long ago."

Yu Chong: "..."

Yu Chong, face flushed, looked at the Commandery Princess, eagerly awaiting her support.

Jiang Shaohua gently said, "General Yu, don’t be upset. Commander Meng’s words aren’t without reason. The Nanyang Army had been neglected for years; despite recent progress, it’s still far from being truly elite. There’s definitely a need for proper training and reorganization."

"I, the Commandery Princess, will provide horses and grain. I hope that within two years, the Nanyang Army can become the most elite force in Da Liang."

Yu Chong, calming his mind, solemnly clasped his hands, "Please rest assured, Commandery Princess, I, the humble officer, will exert all efforts to train the troops."

Meng Dashan suddenly quipped, "Tomorrow, our Second Guard Camp of six hundred will head to the exercise field, and General Yu can select a thousand men. We will face off once, letting General Yu first see what truly elite soldiers are."

As a main general, how could one tolerate such ridicule!

Yu Chong glared in return, "No need, our Nanyang Army will also field six hundred men. Tomorrow, we invite the Commandery Princess to personally watch the battle!"

Yu Chong bowed and took his leave hastily.

Meng Dashan grinned, "Commandery Princess, how was my performance just now?"

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow with a smile, giving Meng Dashan a thumbs up.

This duet had, of course, been planned beforehand.

Warhorses were to be given to the Nanyang Army, but not too easily. The intention was to have the entire Nanyang Army grateful and teach the soldiers a lesson, making them realize what elite troops are and understand that there are always higher mountains.

...

Early the next morning, Jiang Shaohua led the military generals onto the platform to review the troops.

In the vast martial exercise field, six hundred soldiers from the Nanyang Army stood on the left, with six hundred from the Personal Guard Camp on the right. Armor couldn’t be worn, and the weapons in hand were wooden long knives or spears.

Drills in the army were routine, and getting accidentally injured was common as long as no one died.

The other Nanyang Army soldiers spread out in the distance, peeking curiously.

Yu Chong had stayed up half the night, selecting the most elite soldiers from the military roster. The Nanyang Army soldiers were now all standing proudly, undaunted.

In contrast, the Personal Guard Camp was much more at ease. The twelve team leaders were silently planning to showcase their skills in front of the Commandery Princess and give the Nanyang Army a small lesson.