CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: A STERN WARNING

Chief Clerk Wen cautiously replied, "The fourteen counties are at varying distances. To patrol them all would take at least two to three months. The Commandery Princess has previously led troops to suppress bandits and has been inspecting the workshops these days without a single day’s rest. Now to inspect the warehouses as well, isn’t it too exhausting?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled, glancing at Chief Clerk Wen, "I, the Commandery Princess, am full of energy, not feeling the slightest bit tired. But Chief Clerk Wen, you’re fifty-nine this year, and not as physically fit as the young ones. You might not endure the hardships of traveling."

Without waiting for Chief Clerk Wen to respond, she continued considerately, "Actually, at your age, Chief Clerk Wen, if you hold on for another year or so, you can retire honorably. Why suffer through laborious tasks, it’s best to pass through with ease. This is human nature, and I won’t hold it against you."

Chief Clerk Wen’s somewhat bald forehead began to sweat as he immediately stood up, "I have never thought this way. As a Prince Mansion Official, drawing a handsome salary, it’s only right for me to serve the Commandery Princess diligently. How could I dare to be negligent or careless? Please let the Commandery Princess understand."

Jiang Shaohua did not speak, she only looked at Chief Clerk Wen.

Chief Clerk Wen felt a tremor in his heart and regretted deeply.

Indeed, he hadn’t been negligent, but compared to Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, who were busy in the signature room all day, he lacked by far. And compared to Shen Mu, who almost lived in the workshop at night, he was even less diligent. Even Yang Zheng, who has been putting on a show recently, is more diligent than he is.

The Commandery Princess may be young, but she is not easily deceived; today, this was both a reprimand and a warning.

Chief Clerk Wen endured the urge to wipe his forehead and continued, "Before spring plowing, the Commandery Princess ordered each county to replenish the granaries, and after spring plowing, to immediately build granaries to store grain. This concerns the livelihood of the people of Nanyang County for the next three years, and no one can afford to be slack."

"I believe it’s necessary to patrol each county. Ideally, we should identify one or two derelict in their duties, severely punish them as a warning to others, and ensure all county governments take this seriously."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.

Chief Clerk Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the Commandery Princess instruct, "Chief Clerk Wen, you are the expert in warehouse storage. I entrust this task to you."

This is an entirely thankless task.

Chief Clerk Wen, who prided himself on always being amicable and never held grudges, lamented silently but dared not show any sign on his face, and he responded respectfully.

What else could he do?

Chief Steward Qiu was driven away, Lu Junma was scolded publicly, and another, County Magistrate Cai, was dismissed, not to mention the more than three hundred bandit corpses that had been beheaded...

This ten-year-old Nanyang County Princess acts decisively and with fierce measures. Even Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, have to serve cautiously; how could he, a mere Prince Mansion Clerk, dare to contend with the Commandery Princess?

Chief Clerk Wen respectfully accepted the task and bowed out.

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

As Chief Clerk Wen retreated, the trusted aide Qin Hu came in quickly, bowed, and reported, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the Left General of the Nanyang Army has sent a messenger."

The main general of the Nanyang Army bears the surname Zuo, with a single name, Zhen.

The Zuo family is a top military family in Da Liang, and this Zuo Zhen is an authentic direct descendant of the Zuo Family, and shares the same mother as the border army commander, Left Great General.

The Left Great General commands a hundred thousand border troops, holding military power as a core pillar of Da Liang. Zuo Zhen’s martial skills are average and his abilities modest, but relying on the big tree that is the Left Great General, he easily secured the position of the main general of the Nanyang Army four years ago.

After Zuo Zhen took office, he cleared dissenters on a large scale, siphoning funds and consuming plunder. The Nanyang Army, initially considered elite, was made chaotic.

In the year that Prince Nanyang passed, Zuo Zhen became even more unscrupulous, with extravagant talk in the military camp, not taking the young Commandery Princess seriously at all.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered, looking at Song Yuan, "The sudden dispatch of the messenger by the Left General suggests an important issue."

Song Yuan internally despised people like Zuo Zhen, but knew Zuo Zhen had supporters in the court and could not be easily offended: "Since the Left General sent a messenger, it’s necessary to meet."

Jiang Shaohua acknowledged and sent someone to invite Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, to come.

...

Half an hour later.

The messenger sent by the Left General entered the main hall.

This messenger, a loyal personal guard of Zuo Zhen, was tall and courageous-looking, but his eyes failed to conceal his arrogance. Upon entering the main hall, he barely bowed his head in greeting: "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."

Song Yuan’s eyes flashed with anger.

Jiang Shaohua stopped Song Yuan from drawing his sword with her gaze, then looked at the messenger: "For what purpose has the Left General sent you?"

The messenger, surprisingly without a letter, conveyed a verbal message, "The Left General has heard that the Commandery Princess led the Personal Guard Camp to Li County to suppress bandits and has specially sent me to convey a message. In the future, with such matters of bandit suppression, please order the Nanyang Army to handle it, thus sparing the Personal Guard Camp from the task."

Chen Zhuo suddenly erupted in anger, "Ridiculous! How dare Zuo Zhen meddle in the affairs of the Commandery Princess. Get out and tell Zuo Zhen to come to the Prince Mansion in person to apologize to the Commandery Princess! Otherwise, I, Chen Zhuo, will not let him off!"

Chen Zhuo, usually composed and elegant in demeanor as a civil servant, rarely became so furious!

Even Jiang Shaohua was taken aback and hurriedly comforted the enraged Chief Historian Chen with a smile: "Chief Historian Chen, calm down. There is no need to argue with a narrow-minded fool."

The messenger was also startled, yet he, worthy of being Zuo Zhen’s personal soldier, did not kneel to apologize, stubbornly responding: "Our Left General is a Fourth-rank General, appointed by the Emperor to command the Nanyang Army. Although Chief Historian Chen is a Prince Mansion Chief Historian, he cannot casually insult our general."

If even his personal soldier behaves this way, it certainly reflects Zuo Zhen’s overbearing and arrogant character!

Clearly, he had no regard for her, the Nanyang County Princess!

Jiang Shaohua suddenly smiled: "I, the Commandery Princess, need to patrol the fourteen counties and was hesitating over where to start. Since the Left General is dissatisfied with me, I’ll begin with Wan County, just right to visit the Nanyang Army Camp and meet the Left General in person."

Everyone was shocked by these words.

"The Commandery Princess plans to patrol the fourteen counties?" Chen Zhuo was surprised: "Why was this never mentioned before?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly: "I was about to discuss it with Chief Historians Chen and Feng."

Chen Zhuo: "..."

Feng Wenming: "..."

The Commandery Princess must have already made up her mind, what is there to discuss?

Song Yuan gestured, and Qin Hu along with other trusted aides came, collectively expelling the arrogant messenger. Suddenly, the main hall became much quieter.

Jiang Shaohua explained her intention to patrol the granaries of the fourteen counties: "... Chief Historian Feng will remain at the Prince Mansion to handle minor affairs. Chief Historian Chen will travel with me, also Chief Clerk Wen and Yang Shi will come along."

Chen Zhuo immediately said, "Even if the Commandery Princess hadn’t mentioned it, I would have volunteered to travel with you."

Feng Wenming had nothing to say, bowing to accept the command: "I will guard the Prince Mansion for the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, turned to Song Yuan, and said: "Please have Commander Song visit the Personal Guard Camp, and have Meng Dashan lead the Second Battalion of trusted aides to depart with me the day after tomorrow."