CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117: STIRRING UP TROUBLE

Jiang Shaohua’s hearing was keen, and she was the first to turn her head, following the sound with her gaze.

Song Yuan reacted swiftly, immediately drawing his long knife, and the hundred trusted aides behind him followed suit, encircling the Commandery Princess and the others.

County Magistrate Chen remained calm, sharpening his ears to discern the commotion as he explained to the Commandery Princess, "The condemned prisoners sent here are mostly villains with blood on their hands. It’s common for them to fight every three days and cause trouble every five days when gathered together."

"As long as they don’t try to escape, they usually just go hungry for a day or two."

"Today, they probably learned that the Commandery Princess is visiting and wanted to make a scene to see you and plead for some grace. When their leaders stopped them, they started a ruckus."

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyebrows slightly, giving a command, "Commander Song, go see what’s happening and bring back the ringleaders."

Song Yuan took the order and left, returning after the time it takes to burn an incense stick, carrying two men with bruised and swollen faces, barely recognizable, in each hand. With a show of force, he threw them to the ground, eliciting continuous cries of pain.

Jiang Shaohua’s expression remained unchanged, and she did not speak. On the side, County Magistrate Chen sternly demanded, "Why did you two cause trouble today?"

One of the detainees, with a swollen forehead, struggled to speak, "I just wanted to see the Commandery Princess and beg her to allow us to marry a wife to accompany us in the mountains."

The other wiped the blood off his face with his hand and continued with difficulty, "We’re destined to die here, surrounded by men. I also wish to have a wife."

County Magistrate Chen sneered, "Who would want to marry you lot?"

The prisoner with a swollen forehead shamelessly pleaded, "We don’t dare think of good family girls. We just hope that next time prisoners are sent here, perhaps there might be women among them. It doesn’t matter if they’re old or young or even a bit ugly. I just want someone to keep me company at night after a long day."

"Pah!" County Magistrate Chen cursed angrily, "Ninety-nine percent of those condemned are men, and there are very few women. Even if there were, they wouldn’t be sent here for you to degrade."

"You’re still thinking about nights, it seems you aren’t digging enough silver during the day. Starting tomorrow, each of you has to mine thirty percent more ores."

The two prisoners looked utterly desperate and began to bawl.

Jiang Shaohua suddenly spoke, "This is absolutely impossible, so crying here won’t help you, but nonetheless, I, the Commandery Princess, can grant you a boon."

"Spread my words: starting today, the five who mine the most ores each day will be rewarded with one pound of meat."

The two prisoners immediately stopped crying and scrambled to kowtow to the Commandery Princess.

They were condemned prisoners, and the thought of marrying was just a fantasy. But a piece of real meat was a tangible benefit.

County Magistrate Chen couldn’t help but glance at the Commandery Princess. This move by the Commandery Princess was impressive, giving the condemned prisoners a sliver of hope. Henceforth, they wouldn’t need to be prodded with sticks to work hard.

Ah ah ah ah!

Chen Jinyu’s eyes widened, screaming silently in her heart.

Is this what it feels like to be by the Commandery Princess’ side? How exhilarating!

...

That night, everyone stayed in the mountains.

It was Chen Jinyu’s first time staying in a wooden house deep in the forest, and the sharp sounds occasionally reaching her ears made her extra excited, "Commandery Princess, listen, what is that sound?"

Jiang Shaohua listened intently for a moment, "It’s likely the night wind blowing through the forest, making sounds akin to a baby’s cry."

She then smiled and asked, "Are you scared listening to it?"

"My heart is racing more than usual, but I’m not scared at all, just thrilled." Chen Jinyu grinned again, "Without my mother nagging in my ear, my ears feel so clear."

"Every day my mother tells me ladies shouldn’t show their feet when walking or teeth when laughing. If she could, she’d engrave the three obediences and four virtues, never stepping outside twice, on my forehead."

"Today I walked the mountain path, laughing with reckless abandon, it was so freeing."

Jiang Shaohua broke into a quiet laugh.

"Sister Shaohua, have you ever felt like this?" Chen Jinyu eagerly asked, holding onto Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve, "That feeling of unrestrained freedom and joy, not bound by others?"

Jiang Shaohua looked innocent, "I’ve always felt that way!"

Chen Jinyu: "..."

Chen Jinyu pouted and stomped her foot, while Jiang Shaohua laughed heartily.

Outside the door, Yin Zhu and Tu Bai exchanged smiles, "The past few days, with Miss Chen by the Commandery Princess’ side, she’s been especially happy."

"Indeed she has. The Commandery Princess has finally shown some youthful liveliness."

In recent times, the Commandery Princess had been so composed and steady that it was unusual. These two saw it and felt both comforted and secretly heartbroken for her. Seeing her laugh so freely now, they shared in her joy.

...

Jiang Shaohua and Chen Jinyu chatted away.

Chen Jinyu, having held in her words for a year, had much to say. Listening to her childhood friend rant about her mother, Jiang Shaohua found amusement in it. Unintentionally, their chatter lasted until they fell asleep at midnight.

Jiang Shaohua had previously led troops to Li County to suppress bandits, staying in the military camp and hearing thunderous snores. On the other hand, Chen Jinyu stayed in the mountainous forest for the first time, hearing the whistling wind, and barely slept well through the night. By dawn, she couldn’t find the Commandery Princess.

Chen Jinyu hurriedly got up, dressed, washed, and went to find her.

The death row inmates at the silver mine had begun their labors an hour earlier.

Mining is heavy manual work. The iron mine settled wages every ten days, and the pay was generous, even drawing labor from neighboring counties. Each day, about seven to eight hundred people mined, all working vigorously.

The silver mine used death row inmates who, of course, did not have wages nor the possibility of leaving. Those who tried to escape the mountains met with a beating unto death if caught. If they refused to work without whip lashes, it was nothing uncommon.

However, after being beaten for causing trouble the previous day, the two prisoners spread the Commandery Princess’ message widely.

Today, over a hundred death row inmates changed their usual lazy demeanor, filled their bellies, grabbed large iron chisels, and began working. The relentless clinking sounds echoed loudly.

Especially those two with pig-like swollen faces, who worked tirelessly, swinging the iron hammer and chisel almost until sparks flew.

County Magistrate Chen couldn’t help but click his tongue, "Such a good method, yet I never thought of it before."

Jiang Shaohua cast a glance at County Magistrate Chen and solemnly remarked, "While this method is good, it has its drawbacks. We must increase patrols to ensure fairness, preventing any secret fighting over ores, as they are all desperate men who can’t be incited to riot."

"County Magistrate Chen, you must take great care."

County Magistrate Chen composed himself and agreed.

Three days later, after inspecting the silver mine, Jiang Shaohua led the group down the mountain.

Back at the Bo Wang County Government, before even finishing a cup of tea, Nanyang Army’s Yu Chong sent personal soldiers with a message.

"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the court dispatched an imperial envoy to deliver an edict. The Left General received it, was stripped of his position, and shamefully departed for the Capital City to face charges."

"The court issued another edict, appointing General Yu to the position of main general of the Nanyang Army."

"General Yu couldn’t personally come to kneel and thank the Commandery Princess, so he sent me to do so on his behalf, kowtowing to express gratitude."