Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 48: Appreciation

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Appreciation

What else could it be?

Of course, it’s because County Magistrate Cai is cowardly and doesn’t dare to face the Commandery Princess’s rage himself, so he sent him to take the blame first.

Steward Cai’s mouth felt a bit bitter as he finally mustered the courage to raise his head. Just one glance, and he was scorched by the Commandery Princess’s brilliance in his eyes, quickly lowering his head again: "To the Commandery Princess, there are many official duties in the county government, and Lord Cai cannot leave for a day. So, he sent this humble servant to apologize first and begged the Commandery Princess to forgive Lord Cai’s neglect."

After three days of fast horseback riding, they had already reached the foot of Black Pine Mountain. Jiang Shaohua’s anger in his heart not only had not subsided but had burned even brighter. Hearing this, he snorted coldly: "According to what you say, when a Prince Mansion long-term follower died at the hands of bandits, County Magistrate Cai did not manage to personally visit the Prince Mansion to apologize; is that also due to the numerous official duties?"

Steward Cai steeled himself to plead for County Magistrate Cai: "Commandery Princess, please calm your anger. Spring plowing has just begun, and Lord Cai has been inspecting the fields every day. He was originally planning to visit the Prince Mansion after the spring plowing..."

Jiang Shaohua interrupted Steward Cai coldly: "There’s no need to say another word. Since he won’t come to the Prince Mansion, I have personally come. First, we’ll suppress the bandits, then go to the county government; at that time, I will ask your Lord Cai in person."

Steward Cai dared not say anything else and kept bowing his head repeatedly, quickly reddening his forehead.

This Steward Cai, however, is indeed loyal to his master.

Jiang Shaohua’s expression slightly relented: "There’s no need to bow your head anymore, rise! You stay in the military camp and await my orders."

Steward Cai bowed three more times, thanked the Commandery Princess for her grace, then stood up, hunched over, and exited the tent. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, glancing towards the county government.

Lord Cai, I have done what I can. From here on, you must fend for yourself!

On the open ground outside the tent, chopped wood was quickly brought in to construct the camp. Deep pits were dug to place trees with retained foliage inside and solidify them. Hundreds of strong men came and went, busily working, quickly raising a small camp.

Steward Cai, accustomed to being busy and involved at the county government, couldn’t help but get involved and help out: "With so many people running back and forth, it’s wasting manpower and time. You divide each team into three groups, one group to chop trees, another to transport lumber, and the last to stay and build the camp."

"Also, don’t all gather in one place; each team should have its area. No laziness is allowed; each team must complete the camp they are responsible for."

"Come on, you go to this side, and your team to that place..."

At first, some people complained about the bleating and nagging like a black mountain goat, but Black Mountain Goat spoke clearly and methodically, and working according to his instructions indeed became more efficient. Everyone followed his lead without protest. The bustling became less crowded, everyone had tasks to do, all busy yet not chaotic with everything in order.

Steward Cai shouted for more than half an hour until his voice was hoarse. He wiped his forehead with his sleeve, looking for water to drink. As he turned his head, a water pouch was suddenly handed in front of him: "Thirsty?"

Steward Cai nodded instinctively. Upon seeing the smiling, charming face, his legs went weak, and he knelt down: "Commandery Princess!"

...The speed of kneeling is way too fast.

Jiang Shaohua found it somewhat amusing: "It’s County Magistrate Cai who made a mistake, not you. If I were to hold someone accountable, I would only seek out County Magistrate Cai and not vent on you. What are you so afraid of?"

Steward Cai himself didn’t know what he was afraid of.

He traveled thousands of miles with County Magistrate Cai to assume office, played mind games with the wealthy households, dealt with unruly villagers, and never feared. During Prince Nanyang’s lifetime, Steward Cai even met him during inspections in Li County.

For some reason, this young Commandery Princess gave him an immense feeling of oppression.

Perhaps this is a deep-seated instinct.

Watching the sweat pouring from Steward Cai, Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "Stand up! Earlier, I saw you directing everyone to build the camp, orderly and competent. You did well, and this water pouch is a reward from me."

Steward Cai was surprised and kept thanking for the grace, respectfully receiving the water pouch.

Hearing the Commandery Princess casually instruct: "Since you are here, remain in the military camp. First organize the construction of the camp. Report back after this task is completed."

Steward Cai, long enslaved by County Magistrate Cai, was accustomed to the busyness and immediately responded to the order. After drinking half of the water in the pouch, refreshed, he continued arranging commands.

Song Yuan glanced at the Commandery Princess’s gaze, speaking in a low tone: "This Steward Cai, I have some impression of him. Four years ago, when the Prince inspected various county governments, Li County’s government was the most meticulous and thorough. At that time, the Prince especially praised County Magistrate Cai. Steward Cai was present then too. Most of the answers to the Prince’s questions were provided by him."

It seems that in the Li County government, the one truly working is this Steward Cai.

Jiang Shaohua understood: "County Magistrate Cai indeed has a good steward."

"Keep Steward Cai here, allow me to observe his capabilities more."

Song Yuan nodded slightly.

...

At the foot of Black Pine Mountain, the chopping of trees and the building of camps kept going, with many carrying knives and bows heading into the forest.

With such commotion, the bandits within Black Pine Mountain were neither deaf nor blind; naturally, they were startled. The 300 bandits in the camp panicked, and several minor chiefs rushed in, chattering away.

"Boss, what should we do now?"

"Judging by this noise, those who came are strong and in large numbers, many more than us. We can’t possibly defeat them; we should run away quickly!"

"Yes, yes, we should escape through the back gate into the mountain valleys and hide for a month or two, then return. These soldiers surely won’t waste time here long with us."

Previously, when Prince Nanyang sent soldiers to suppress the bandits, they would escape at the first sign of danger, hiding for a time before returning.

Because of this, although Black Pine Village wasn’t large, it managed to evade crackdowns several times and persists to this day, gaining some notoriety in Nanyang County.

The bandit leader’s surname is Zhu, he had a fierce face full of murderous flesh, and his go-to weapon was a thick-backed machete. Legend has it he could cleave a person in two with a single chop, earning him the nickname "Zhu Yidao."

Zhu Yidao sneered: "Prince Nanyang has been dead for a year, and there’s nothing but a ten-year-old girl left in the Prince Mansion. What the hell do we have to be afraid of!"

"Why run away? Fix your hearts in your guts. This is precisely our chance to make a name for ourselves."

The minor chiefs exchanged looks, after a while, one boldly spoke: "Boss, it’s true that the Commandery Princess is just a girl, but the Prince Mansion’s personal soldiers are hardly amateurs, robust and fierce one by one. In a face-off, we’re likely no match."

"Forget making a name; keeping our lives might be hard."

"Exactly, we better run... ouch!"

A cry of agony echoed as the talkative one was kicked to the ground. The other chiefs immediately shut up, quiet as chickens.

Zhu Yidao scanned them with a sinister look: "Anyone dares to speak about running, I’ll chop him first!"

"Spread my word, everyone keep vigilant, start patrolling inside and outside the camp tonight."

"Anyone approaching the camp, cut them down!"

...