NOVEL NEXT Ch. 13
Chapter 13: Black-Armored Army Mo-Blade Infantry-Cavalry Camp
On the sixth day after the summons was issued, the County Governor of Luntai and the Luntai Army General came to the prefectural city.
Under Yan Chen’s escort, the two were permitted to enter the prince’s mansion.
Inside the main hall.
After the County Governor of Luntai and the Luntai General entered the hall, they remained standing inside to await judgment.
At the head seat the new Prince of Anxi held a document in front of his face and had shown no expression.
“Guilty minister Chen Kuan begged the Prince’s punishment.”
The County Governor of Luntai, Chen Kuan, was the first to bow his head and admit guilt; the Luntai General Ma Fei immediately followed suit.
Only then did Jiang Zhaoming lower the document and look toward the two of them. “What crimes have you committed?”
The County Governor of Luntai Chen Kuan said, “When the Prince arrived at Anxi Prefecture, this minister failed to present himself to the prince in time.”
“Hm. That is one matter. Anything else?”
“Anything else? I do not know the Prince’s meaning.”
Jiang Zhaoming spoke directly, “A few years ago the Prefect requested that you dispatch troops to assist—why did you not respond, and why have the memorials decreased each year?”
“I know my guilt. It was not that I did not want to report; it’s just that in those years the prefecture’s internal situation was chaotic and there was no prince stationed here. I, to protect the people of Luntai—”
Chen Kuan bowed his head even lower as he presented his reasons.
Jiang Zhaoming shook his head; he had carefully read Luntai County’s records and documents.
Although Chen Kuan had not followed Fan Kang’s commands, he had indeed governed Luntai County in an orderly way.
At least in recent years there had been no rebel incursions in Luntai County, and the people’s livelihood had been acceptable.
At most, this County Governor Chen Kuan did not trust Fan Kang’s command, rather than harboring any intent to rebel.
So Jiang Zhaoming spoke, “Very well. In view of how you managed Luntai County, and since I have no other manpower at hand, I will not execute you today. Govern Luntai County well.”
Chen Kuan’s heart leapt; he immediately knelt and kowtowed in thanks. “Thank the Prince!”
Forgiven, Chen Kuan felt the pressure lift and swore inwardly that he would not disappoint Jiang Zhaoming’s expectations; he would govern Luntai County diligently.
‘Hm? Why did I feel this way? Today was only my first time meeting the new Prince.’
Puzzled, Chen Kuan looked up and saw Jiang Zhaoming’s true face.
In an instant he felt an inexplicable oppressive weight land upon his shoulders and involuntarily wanted to prostrate himself.
“Rise. Tomorrow I will have people send grain to Luntai. You shall depart now and prepare to receive the provisions.”
Chen Kuan kowtowed deeply and then left the main hall; only Ma Fei remained inside the mansion.
Seeing his comrade leave while he had to stay behind, Ma Fei felt an itching all over, like a schoolboy kept after class for a scolding.
At last he could not help but ask, “P-Prince—may I ask why Your Highness is keeping me here?”
Jiang Zhaoming did not answer directly but said, “Chen Kuan has meritorious governance of Luntai County; I spared him his office. And you?”
Jiang Zhaoming’s tone was calm, but it put enormous pressure on Ma Fei.
His face flushed and he could not speak for a long while.
After a few breaths, Jiang Zhaoming finally said, “You are to remain in the prefectural city for a time. There may be an opportunity for you to win merit; if you can at that time earn merit to cover this, then all will be forgiven.”
Ma Fei immediately kowtowed and thanked him; Jiang Zhaoming waved his hand and had Yan Chen take him to remain at the city garrison.
Thus the main hall was left with only Jiang Zhaoming and Qin Wei.
Qin Wei looked at Jiang Zhaoming deeply and said in a low voice, “A-Ming, are you planning that if the Governor of Kuqa does not come tomorrow, you will lead the Luntai Army to suppress them yourself?”
At these words Jiang Zhaoming relaxed the sternness from his face and smiled.
“You still understand me, elder brother-in-law.”
Qin Wei could not help feeling some worry.
He had looked over some materials as well: the Kuqa General had entered the Divine Power Realm many years ago and had a deeply rooted position in Kuqa County; he would not be easy to deal with.
If Jiang Zhaoming intended to take him down, he would likely need to deploy considerable forces—perhaps even several Divine Power-level practitioners.
Jiang Zhaoming, however, was entirely unfazed; his awareness sank into his mind.
Within the River of Fortune.
Jiang Zhaoming reappeared there and then looked at his remaining fortune.
【Remaining Fortune: Green*19, White*11】
【Your recognition in Anxi Prefecture’s prefectural city reached Level 4, you received Green Fortune*3】
【Your recognition in Yili County reached Level 1, you received White Fortune*8】
【Your recognition in Yili County reached Level 2, you received Green Fortune*2】
【Your recognition in Yili County reached Level 3, you received Green Fortune*5】
Thanks to the Black-Armored Army’s defection, their major victories in the prefectural city and Duwen County, and the stir caused by the Black Soil Hills,
the reputation of Jiang Zhaoming, the new Prince of Anxi, had gradually spread throughout Yili County.
Especially because this Prince of Anxi had generously distributed grain to the county’s people, he won a large wave of popular support.
From the day he began distributing grain a few days ago, his recognition in the county had rapidly risen from Level 1 to Level 3.
And these things were the confidence he needed to challenge the Kuqa Army.
“First, upgrade this fortune.” Jiang Zhaoming thought.
His fortune then transformed into:
【Remaining Fortune: Blue*2, White*1】
Feeling reassured, Jiang Zhaoming began to wait for the arrival of the Kuqa County Governor.
Unfortunately, seven days passed and neither the Kuqa County Governor nor the Kuqa General had come; there had not even been a single reply.
So Jiang Zhaoming no longer hesitated and entered the River of Fortune to fish.
Soon he found another fragment of a Black-Armored Army camp and, without hesitation, pulled it up.
Gaining another 3,000 Tempering-Bones Realm Sixth Layer Black-Armored Iron Cavalry and a Brave Cavalry Captain (Xiaoqi Colonel) with his deputy, Jiang Zhaoming was very pleased.
He continued to fish, hoping to find an artifact that could help quell the rebellion.
Not long after, he found another fragment of a Black-Armored Army camp and successfully hauled it up.
【Detected that you already possessed 4 Black-Armored Army camp fragments; they can be combined into the Black-Armored Army Mo-Blade Infantry-Cavalry Camp】
Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes brightened—he had not expected such a change.
He did not hesitate and chose to synthesize them.
The next instant, information about a new camp appeared before him.
【Divine Artifact · Black-Armored Army Mo-Blade Infantry-Cavalry Camp Garrison】: A barracks summoning object from the Saint Tang Plane. When placed it could summon 4,000 Tempering-Bones Realm Third Layer Mo-Blade Soldiers, 2,000 Tempering-Bones Realm Fourth Layer Black-Armored Arbalests, 10,000 Tempering-Bones Realm Sixth Layer Black-Armored Iron Cavalry, fifty Blood-Refining Realm Third Layer deputy generals, one Blood-Refining Realm Sixth Layer Mo-Blade Captain, three Blood-Refining Realm Seventh Layer Brave Cavalry Colonels, and one early-stage Divine Power Realm Black-Armored General.
“What? Divine Power Realm!”
Jiang Zhaoming stared at this camp summoning object; his eyes shone.
Not only had the fusion of four camps greatly increased his forces, but a Divine Power-level Black-Armored General had appeared out of nowhere.
Unable to contain his joy, Jiang Zhaoming immediately placed the camp.
The sudden surge in forces gave Jiang Zhaoming great confidence that he could successfully subdue the rebel traitors.
That night the darkness was like ink and the main hall of the prince’s mansion burned bright with lamps.
Yan Chen, Fan Kang, and Ma Fei stood solemnly in the hall.
Jiang Zhaoming raised his hand to signal everyone to sit; his fingertips tapped twice on the desk.
“I have some regrettable news to tell you: the Kuqa Army and the Kuqa County Governor have already betrayed Great Zhou.”
The air instantly froze.
Realizing this was his chance to win merit, Ma Fei leaped up and clasped his fists. “Your subordinate requests permission to lead the Luntai Army to suppress the rebellion!”
“Hahaha—good! See how loyal General Ma is!”
Jiang Zhaoming suddenly clapped and laughed, but the laughter stopped abruptly at its peak.
He rose slowly; the candlelight cast moving shadows across his eyes.
“But Great Zhou raised so many generals; they were not all as loyal as General Ma.”
Jiang Zhaoming swept his gaze over everyone; his voice was like a drawn sword. “Tomorrow we will march on Kuqa. I will personally annihilate the rebel army!”