The Beautiful CEO’s Dragon Blood Bodyguard
Chapter 1382: Swift and Decisive

Chapter 1382: Chapter 1382: Swift and Decisive

Ji Wanrong, holding the Commandery Princess Token, shouted assertively to the soldiers of the City Defense Camp behind her, "Why haven’t you released the people yet?"

The soldiers exchanged glances, the Governor and Commander had already yielded, so they dared not act rashly.

Without a word, they quickly untied the ropes binding the people on the city walls.

The people atop the city wall began to cry out, hugging one another and shouting in excitement.

Led by someone, they all knelt toward Ji Wanrong.

Both outside and inside the city walls, people knelt in unison, shouting, "Long live the Princess, the Princess is wise!"

Ji Wanrong’s mouth curved slightly; though she’d been in power in the South Yangtze Prefecture for half a year, this was the first time she truly felt in charge.

With a gentle wave, she commanded, "Everybody rise!"

Wiping their tears, people stood up one after another.

Ji Wanrong continued, "I, the Princess, understand everyone’s feelings, I also know your grievances. The water bandits are rampant, causing havoc everywhere. Yi Zhongcheng, Wuzhou Lord, not considering defeating the bandits to bring peace, instead turned the blame on you all. As the Imperial Court-appointed South Yangtze Commandery Princess, I represent the court in apologizing to you, you’ve been wronged."

She clasped her hands and bent to bow.

The people below were roused, hastily bending to return the courtesy.

Someone cried out, "What the Princess says is true, all of this is the fault of that scoundrel official, we do not blame the Princess."

"The Princess thinks for us commoners, why would we blame the Princess."

Someone raised their arms to shout again, "Long live the Princess!"

"Long live the Princess"

"Long live the Princess!"

The shouting was unceasing, reverberating both inside and outside the city walls.

Long Fei and his group’s mouths curved in smiles, silently noting the people’s hearts could be utilized.

After this ordeal, the hearts of the people of the four states in South Yangtze would all lean toward the Prefecture Princess Mansion.

Previously, the Prefecture Princess Mansion may have been a puppet, merely ornamental, but from now on, it would no longer be.

Yi Zhongcheng wiped away hot sweat, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became, feeling a chill and involuntarily glared secretly at Ji Wanrong.

Ji Wanrong turned to the crowd, raising her hand to press down.

The scene turned solemn, everyone focusing on her.

Her gaze was bright, countenance resolute, she addressed all present with a clear shout, "The rampant water bandits of Yunmeng Marsh, I am already aware. From now on, the military and political affairs of the four states of South Yangtze will be taken over by the Prefecture Princess Mansion. I assure you, within one month, the bandits will be eliminated, restoring peace and order for all of you!"

The crowd was initially surprised, then spiritedly invigorated, eyes reddening, once more raising arms to shout long live.

Yi Zhongcheng looked dejected, realizing Ji Wanrong intended to seize his authority through this matter.

She pointed her delicate finger at him, chided sternly, "Yi Zhongcheng, you’ve ignored the laws of the court, disregarded the people’s trust, neglected the court’s weighty commission, the Emperor’s great commission, nearly tarnishing the court, almost causing catastrophe. As the Commandery Princess, I order that starting today, your position as Wuzhou Lord be temporarily suspended. Once I report truthfully to the court, you will be formally dismissed and investigated!"

Yi Zhongcheng’s legs gave way, collapsing onto the ground.

The people gleefully shouted in delight, hurling insults and curses.

Ji Wanrong continued to berate, "Sima Yan, as Commander of the City Defense Camp, you ought to protect the peace of Southern Capital City. But look at what you’ve done? Rogues causing chaos, setting fires, robbing, committing murder. Not only do you not apprehend them, gather evidence, protect the citizens, but instead you target law-abiding people, what kind of Commander of the City Defense Camp are you?"

"This subordinate is guilty, please forgive me, Princess!"

Sima Yan’s eyes darted wildly, considering for a moment whether to abandon his association with Yi Zhongcheng and curry favor with the Princess.

Ji Wanrong gave him no chance, ordering, "From today, like Yi Zhongcheng, all your duties are suspended, and Wang Xun, Princess Mansion’s Troop Leader, will temporarily take over your duties. Once I report to the court, you will be formally dismissed and investigated!"

Sima Yan’s face turned as pale as clay, surrounded only by the excited denunciations and shouts of the people, wishing they could tear him apart.

The other officials exchanged glances, secretly wiping beads of sweat.

However, Ji Wanrong did not make things difficult for them, merely ordered them, "In the future, all military and political power belongs to the Prefecture Princess Mansion, any matters you officials should report to the Prefecture Princess Mansion. If anyone dares to privately discuss the court, or discuss the Prefecture Princess Mansion, this Commandery Princess will punish you severely without exception."

"Your subordinates comply!"

"Your subordinates obey the command!"

"Your subordinates dare not!"

A group of opportunists readily shifted allegiance, first displaying goodwill before the Princess.

Yi Zhongcheng glared coldly at them, wishing to kick this group of buffoons right off the city walls.

Ji Wanrong resumed a kindly demeanor, gazing at the people below, reaching out her hand to say, "Dear elders and folks, please listen, I assure you within a month, there will be a perfect resolution for you. Now, with the rampant banditry and the officials and soldiers few in number, I have decided to establish a Collaborative Defense Army dedicated to tackling the water bandits of Yunmeng Marsh. Those interested in serving the nation and fighting off enemies are welcome to apply at the Princess Mansion. Once successfully hired, each person will receive ten taels of silver daily. Those who achieve significant merits will receive an additional reward of one hundred taels gold. Time is limited, so please seize this opportunity."

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers and cries.

Ten taels of silver?

And it’s per day?

The current Great Xia Army, being regular troops, their salary even among the highest in each branch, barely amounted to thirty taels monthly.

Daily, it equated to only one tael.

The Princess was indeed wealthy and bold, offering at least ten taels offhand, completely astonishing everyone present.

Suddenly, applicants were as booming as thunder, immediately there were cries to join the newly established Collaborative Defense Army.

Wang Xun stood up, directing everyone toward the Prefecture Princess Mansion, urging them to apply without hesitation.

The students from the Southern Capital Academy atop the city wall, without returning, directly went over, clasping fists and kneeling before Ji Wanrong, declaring on the spot their intention to join the Collaborative Defense Army to help the people defeat the water bandits.

Ji Wanrong nodded with a smile, extending her hand for them to stand, advising them all to go to the Prefecture Princess Mansion and apply following formal procedures.

Addressing the people inside and outside the city walls one last time, she declared, "Listen carefully; the Prefecture Princess Mansion will assess the damage you’ve suffered this time and offer you proper compensation. Regardless of being from Southern Capital City or Linjiang City, all affected citizens will be compensated. Thus, I hope everyone will return home for now and peacefully await further notice. Should I, the Princess, go back on my word, you may return to the Southern Capital City and freely reprimand me, I shall not retaliate!"

Below, people were moved to tears, unable to say more.

In their lifetime, they’d truly never met such a powerful yet approachable official and Princess.

People shouted, "Princess, we trust you!"

"Princess, we’ll listen to you!"

"Princess, count us in when fighting the water bandits; we will lend you our strength!"

"Princess, whoever dares to utter a word against you, I’ll fight them to the death!"

"Princess, my life is yours from now on!"

"..."

The crowd’s noise continued until the afternoon when they gradually dispersed.

The turmoil in Wuzhou that lasted for a week temporarily subsided.

Some were disappointed, some were delighted.

The governmental offices were in chaos, hearts filled with unease.

Various messages quickly reached Chang’an City.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion was shaken, the Yi Family was shaken, the entire Imperial Court focused their eyes on South Yangtze; nobody expected Ji Wanrong to create such a commotion, surprising everyone.