CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: FACTIONS

Forming factions in the military camp is a common occurrence.

Yu Chong was a trusted aide of the former main general, a military general promoted by Prince Nanyang. Since Zuo Zhen arrived, he had been suppressed in every way, and life was very difficult for him.

Now that the Commandery Princess had spoken to support him, he naturally knew what choice to make and immediately responded loudly, "Yes, since the Commandery Princess has spoken, I will boldly say what I know."

Li Tie, who had not yet witnessed the Commandery Princess’s prowess firsthand, surprisingly interrupted again, "General Yu, please speak cautiously!"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered, and she said indifferently, "Is General Li threatening General Yu, or is he threatening me, the Commandery Princess?"

Li Tie’s expression stiffened, and he bowed and apologized, "How dare I offend the Commandery Princess! I am merely concerned that such filthy matters in the military camp might besmirch the ears of the Commandery Princess."

"I, the Commandery Princess, intend to listen carefully." Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded, and her voice was somber, "The rations for the Nanyang Army come from the taxes and supplies of Nanyang County. What is there that I cannot hear?"

"From now on, without my permission, General Li is not to speak. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a crime of insubordination."

Li Tie hit a hard wall and grudgingly kept silent.

In contrast, the military generals of Yu Chong’s faction all brightened up.

Yu Chong, having endured until today, was no push-over either. Taking advantage of the Commandery Princess’s authority, he quickly continued, "In addition to delaying and withholding military rations, many veterans and injured soldiers have been dismissed from the military camp. Not a single name on the military register was reduced, but in truth, the number of people decreased by thirty percent."

The empty rations for these thirty percent of soldiers were naturally all swallowed by Zuo Zhen.

Jiang Shaohua sneered, "Zuo Zhen must have quite the appetite, unafraid of bursting."

Yu Chong continued, "Moreover, the soldiers are supposed to receive new clothes and shoes each season, but they haven’t been issued in the past two years. The rule of eating meat once every three days is also gone. Everyone barely sees a bit of meat for half a month, with everyone looking malnourished, where is there any strength left for training."

Once the conversation box was opened, someone couldn’t help but speak out, following Yu Chong, "It’s one thing to get no meat, but at the very least, soldiers should get enough to eat. In the past, they had their fill of steamed buns and rice porridge, but now they’re only half-full at a meal."

"Exactly, while Left General is scraping everywhere, filling his own pockets, living in luxury, the soldiers’ lives are too harsh."

As the complaints poured out, even those neutral military generals couldn’t help but sigh repeatedly.

The Nanyang Army was originally an elite force, among Da Liang’s forty states and three hundred counties, there were over fifty stationed forces. The Nanyang Army was one of the best among them.

Being ravaged by Zuo Zhen for a few years, the current Nanyang Army was far from what it was before.

General Li Tie and the other military generals didn’t look too happy. Bloodsucking from the soldiers is hardly a rarity in the military camp. They were all "latecomers" from the past few years, and whereas Zuo Zhen ate the meat, they couldn’t help but sip some soup from it.

The Commandery Princess’s thorough investigation was evident of her intent to seek accountability. Several military generals who had witnessed the Commandery Princess personally knocking down Zuo Zhen were even more terrified.

What exactly does the Commandery Princess intend to do?

Chen Zhuo remained silent, mulling over things in his mind.

Zuo Zhen’s takeover of the Nanyang Army was at the behest of Prime Minister Wang and the will of Emperor Taikang on the Dragon Throne. Back then, Prince Nanyang swallowed his resentment, instead expanding the Personal Guard Camp, with both the court and him having a tacit understanding of each other.

The Commandery Princess’s dramatic display in the military camp today, first beating up Zuo Zhen, then rallying such an array to support Yu Chong—could it be that she intends to regain control over the Nanyang Army?

It must be said, Chen Zhuo was perceptive, accurately grasping Jiang Shaohua’s intentions.

Jiang Shaohua unhurriedly spoke, "I, the Commandery Princess, have heard what you said. Hearing is false, seeing is believing. General Yu, go sound the military drum, have everyone gather at the Martial Arts Training Ground. Then bring the military register, and I will personally count them."

Upon hearing this, Li Tie and others showed their dismay.

Li Tie could no longer care about the Commandery Princess’s authority and spoke up, "Commandery Princess, this is against protocol!"

Jiang Shaohua chuckled coldly, "Whose protocol must I, the Commandery Princess, abide by?"

Li Tie gritted his teeth, "I dare to speak, the Commandery Princess holds an esteemed status, and no one in the military camp dares to stop you. However, in the camp, only the main general is qualified to review the troops."

Jiang Shaohua was not angry, seriously considering for a moment, "There may be some truth in what you say. Then, why don’t you go ask Left General’s opinion now?"

Qin Hu immediately stepped forward, "This way, General Li, please."

Li Tie: "..."

Li Tie had no choice but to swallow his displeasure and follow Qin Hu to Left General’s bedside.

At this time, Doctor Sun had already applied medicine and bandaged Left General. The bruises on his waist and abdomen were covered by clothes, which was not so bad. But the face, swollen like a pig’s head, smeared thickly with gray ointment, was shocking.

Li Tie was taken aback, blurting out, "General! What happened to your face!"

This needs asking?

Can’t you see?

Zuo Zhen’s mouth twitched, causing a burst of severe pain that instantly twisted his face, squeezing out a muffled curse.

Doctor Sun hurriedly advised warmly, "Left General, your face is quite injured, please refrain from speaking recklessly. Also, the external injuries on your waist and abdomen are also considerable, you must rest in bed for at least half a month."

Zuo Zhen gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with rage, but with a burning face and unbearable pain in his waist and abdomen, he couldn’t move at all.

Li Tie saw this, and his heart skipped.

He knew the Commandery Princess had personally punished Left General, but he thought, after all, the Commandery Princess was a young lady, how skilled could she really be? It must be that Left General had to endure because of the Commandery Princess’s status.

But now it seemed, Left General indeed lost to the Commandery Princess. One should not hit someone in the face, but the Commandery Princess hit him so hard, leaving no face for Left General at all...

Li Tie steadied his resolve and whispered, "Left General, the Commandery Princess wants to review the military register and count the troops, I can’t stop her, what should we do now?"

Zuo Zhen’s eyes flashed maliciously, lifting his right hand, pointing towards the Capital City.

Li Tie quickly understood, "Left General wants to write a memorial to the court, to impeach the Commandery Princess?"

Zuo Zhen grimly forced out a "Yes."

This meant that until the court issued an edict or Prime Minister Wang spoke, no one in the Nanyang Army Camp could stop what the Commandery Princess wanted to do.

Li Tie knitted his brows, subtly reminding, "General, the soldiers in the camp are indeed lacking, and the military rations are indeed delayed... we have to guard against the Commandery Princess writing a memorial first to impeach you."

Zuo Zhen slightly nodded, pointing to Shan Wu.

Shan Wu caught on immediately, taking paper and pen, and writing a letter on behalf of his master.

The formal impeachment memorial would be drafted by the military’s clerical staff. The letter Shan Wu was writing would be sent directly to the Capital City, into the hands of Prime Minister Wang.

Thud thud thud!

Thud thud thud!

The deep sound of the military drum resonated, causing the eardrums to buzz.

According to military law, anyone who did not reach the Martial Arts Training Ground by the end of the third drum would be severely punished.

Li Tie dared not delay any longer, immediately bowing to take his leave, rushing to the Martial Arts Training Ground.

At this time, Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua had already stood on the high platform for troop assembly, the Red Flood Dragon Banner unfurling in the wind, flying through the air.