Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 45: Fury

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Fury

What?!

Jiang Shaohua suddenly stood up, her black eyes sparked with flames: "Who was killed? Where did they encounter bandits?"

Chen Zhuo was the Left Chief Historian of the Prince Mansion, usually handling the official documents of Nanyang County. He had six long-term followers, all skilled individuals. Several days ago, Jiang Shaohua ordered Chen Zhuo to issue a document, instructing each County Magistrate to prepare to build granaries and store grain. After drafting the document, Chen Zhuo had the Commandery Princess apply her seal and sent the followers to the various counties to deliver the documents.

The county cities varied in distance, with the closest taking just a day to reach, while the farthest could take six or seven days on horseback round-trip. Once the followers completed their tasks, they gradually returned to the Prince Mansion to report.

In theory, even if it was slow, they should have returned in about ten days.

One follower, Wu Changsui, however, never returned.

"Wu Changsui went to Li County to deliver the document and has yet to return. I was planning to send someone to search for him, but unexpectedly, tonight I received the news of his death."

Chen Zhuo’s expression was agitated, his eyes burned red with anger: "When he left, he was accompanied by two guards. As the three of them left Li County, they were killed by a nest of bandits, and their bodies were buried in a mountain ravine. The scent of blood attracted wild animals, which dug up the ground and dragged the bodies out..."

"Some nearby villagers entered the mountain for game and discovered the remains of the three, reporting it to the county government. The forensic doctor found the Prince Mansion’s waist badge during the examination. County Magistrate Cai immediately sent a messenger with the news. There’s also an apology letter for the Commandery Princess."

Chen Zhuo took the letter from his sleeve and handed it over.

Jiang Shaohua’s face was cold as frost as she took the letter and opened it.

The literary talent of County Magistrate Cai was exceptional, the letter full of self-reproach and anguish, making it extremely moving.

The anger in Jiang Shaohua’s heart intensified, her right hand crumpled the letter into a ball, and with a slight exertion, the paper turned into powder, falling through her fingers.

Song Yuan’s eyes were similarly ablaze with anger, he bowed and said: "Commandery Princess, I will immediately lead men to bring County Magistrate Cai to the Prince Mansion for you to question and deal with."

Under County Magistrate Cai’s jurisdiction, such an incident occurred, with the dead being the long-term followers on duty from the Prince Mansion. Both emotionally and rationally, County Magistrate Cai should personally come to apologize.

Now, he only sends a nonchalant letter, clearly not taking the Commandery Princess into account.

Feng Wenming also said: "Please let the Commandery Princess command, let Commander Song lead the trip to bring County Magistrate Cai to the Prince Mansion."

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze was like a sharp blade, coldly said: "No need, I will personally go."

Everyone was shocked.

Chen Zhuo, despite his intense anger, retained a shred of reason, and blurted out: "Commandery Princess, your esteemed body cannot be easily endangered."

"Indeed, those bandits dare to attack Wu Changsui and the others, evidencing their brutality. We should first send someone to eradicate the bandits and clean them out completely." Feng Wenming also spoke in opposition.

However, Song Yuan, knowing the Commandery Princess’s Divine Power and skills, remained silent.

As expected, the Commandery Princess was resolute: "Grandfather has been gone for a year, and I have been mourning in the Prince Mansion. People like County Magistrate Cai who dare to disregard me are surely numerous."

"This time, I will personally lead men to eradicate the bandits and show all those who waver where they stand before the long spear in my hands."

The final sentence was cold as death, murderous intent soaring.

Chen Zhuo wanted to persuade more, but Jiang Shaohua had already looked over: "Chief Historian Chen, hear my command. Tomorrow you will lead Yang Zheng to the county government first, take down County Magistrate Cai, and wait for me to arrive."

The Commandery Princess ordered, Chen Zhuo had no choice but to comply, bowed, and agreed.

"I temporarily entrust the Prince Mansion’s matters to Chief Historian Feng."

Feng Wenming raised his head and met the Commandery Princess’s eyes, his heart quietly relaxed. Although the Commandery Princess was young, her temperament was decisive and unyielding. Even Chen Zhuo could not stop her, he could only accept the orders: "Yes, I respectfully follow the Commandery Princess’s command."

...

Chen Zhuo arrived furious, returned with a heavy expression.

Feng Wenming whispered: "The Commandery Princess wants to eradicate the bandits, nobody can stop her. Don’t worry too much, Song Yuan will surely do his utmost to protect the Commandery Princess."

"The Prince Mansion’s personal soldiers are inadequate, at that time, they’ll employ Personal Guard Camp people. A group of mountain bandits, just a motley crew, not worth worrying about."

Chen Zhuo sighed deeply, furrowed his brow: "I’m not only concerned about the Commandery Princess’s safety, but more afraid of the unrest in people’s hearts."

When Lord is young, the country doubts.

For the Commandery Princess, not only is she young, but also a woman. Of the fourteen county magistrates, how many truly submit in heart and words? County Magistrate Cai dares to be so frivolous and arrogant, is it not because the Commandery Princess is a ten-year-old girl?

Feng Wenming sighed: "That’s just unavoidable. The Commandery Princess wants to control the entire Nanyang County, it’s no easy task."

Nanyang County is fine, the people benefit from the Prince’s favors, extending to the Commandery Princess. But the distant counties are different, much farther from the Prince Mansion, and when governance decrees are issued, some feign compliance, some perfunctorily attend to duties. It’s hard to say how many truly follow orders diligently.

Wu Changsui meeting bandits and being killed, whether it was an accident or not, occurred in Li County, and County Magistrate Cai must be held responsible for it.

...

Jiang Shaohua calmed down after her anger and issued orders to Qin Hu: "You now go to the Personal Guard Camp to relay my command, instruct General Qin to prepare ten days of military rations. Each person with two horses, departing with me tomorrow to eradicate the bandits."

The Personal Guard Camp had six hundred elite soldiers. Plus the Prince Mansion’s personal soldiers, it made eight hundred people.

The bandit nest in the ravine, at most three to five hundred people. Eight hundred elite soldiers should be enough to handle them.

"Commandery Princess, let Liu Hengchang go along." Song Yuan whispered: "Eradicating bandits requires encampment raids, Liu Hengchang is skilled in it. Also, taking eight hundred men is still a bit sparse, better to mobilize two hundred more from the Third Camp!"

Full effort is required even for catching a rabbit.

Jiang Shaohua immediately agreed.

That night, Jiang Shaohua only slept for two hours. She got up at the fourth period of night.

Mrs. Zhang, despite her arguments, could not stop her mistress, with red eyes, helped Jiang Shaohua dress: "Commandery Princess, don’t find me nagging, you are someone who accomplishes great things, but I only hope for your safety and well-being."

Jiang Shaohua reached out to hug Mrs. Zhang, then turned and left.

Mrs. Zhang watched Jiang Shaohua’s slender and straight back, tears suddenly welled up at the corner of her eyes.

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai, with average skills, were both good at riding. The Commandery Princess needed close attendants beside her, so both of them went along.

Mrs. Zhang did not know how to ride, so she had to stay behind.

At dawn, Jiang Shaohua’s group left the city gates.

An hour later, they entered the military camp.

On the Martial Arts Training Ground, several hundred elite soldiers stood solemnly in soft armor. Long knives hung at their waists, bows and arrows on their backs, their eyes piercing, their aura imposing.

"Welcome Commandery Princess!" Qin Zhan shouted, Liu Hengchang and others called out together.

Jiang Shaohua dismounted and walked to the two-meter-high Martial Arts Platform, leapt up lightly, and landed gracefully.

The Commandery Princess truly has excellent skills!

The personal soldiers secretly praised in their hearts.

Facing the personal soldiers, Jiang Shaohua stood steadily, the sunlight bright and blazing. As the soldiers looked at the Commandery Princess against the light, they only felt like the Commandery Princess was glowing from head to toe.

"The Prince Mansion’s long-term follower on official duty met bandits and was killed, two accompanying guards died tragically."

"I will eradicate these bandits and show everyone that whoever dares to harm the people of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, will face such consequences!"