CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: ACCOUNTABILITY (PART 1)

This personal soldier named Huang Xin is a close associate of Liu Hengchang and came to Nanyang County with Liu Hengchang from the Liu Family years ago. Over these years, he has watched his master being ostracized, harboring dissatisfaction in his heart for quite some time.

Liu Hengchang rebuked harshly, but Huang Xin was hardly intimidated, whispering, "I am considering the General’s best interests. We in the Third Camp have always been overshadowed by the First and Second Camp. Rarely do we get the chance to suppress bandits, and all the limelight goes to the First Camp. We, the Third Camp, clearly exerted considerable effort but merely served as support. When it comes to providing merits post-suppression, the First Camp eats the meat, and we can only drink the soup."

Liu Hengchang’s face completely darkened: "According to your logic, wouldn’t General Meng from the Second Camp be angrier? He hasn’t even had a sip of the soup."

Huang Xin was instantly rendered speechless.

Liu Hengchang stared at Huang Xin: "Listen and remember this well. We serve in the army and get paid, the Commandery Princess spends silver to support us, so we must follow the Princess’s orders. The Princess ordered us to stay and guard the military camp, and we must execute this duty thoroughly and meticulously, leaving no room for errors."

"The First, Second, and Third Camps are all Personal Guard Camps, all under the Princess, no difference whatsoever. If you dare provoke again, head back to the Liu Family."

Huang Xin was berated into being dejected, kneeling to plead guilty.

Liu Hengchang coldly said, "Kneel for two hours before standing."

Then, led the men to patrol the camp.

Huang Xin knelt there with a bitter face, suddenly slapped himself twice: "Why did you have to speak up!"

Liu Hengchang remained ostensibly calm and composed, though inwardly a bit irritated and aggrieved.

A man of great ambition, who wouldn’t want to lead troops to battle and make achievements. However, this time in suppressing bandits, it was clear that the Princess favored the First Camp. The Third Camp had only brought two hundred men; such a number was truly insufficient for the mountainous bandit suppression, helplessly watching Qin Zhan wield a long knife to chop bandits.

"General Liu, these corpses hanging outside the village reek. Shall we dig a pit to bury them?"

A nearby personal soldier, overwhelmed by the stench, asked.

Liu Hengchang returned to his senses: "Keep hanging them; the Princess has stated they should remain exposed for ten days, not a day less."

This was not because of the Princess’s cruelty, but rather to intimidate the bandits within Nanyang County and all those who dare stir unrest. Do not underestimate the Princess’s youth!

From the bottom of his heart, Liu Hengchang admired this move by the Princess. A ten-year-old girl personally leading soldiers in bandit suppression, exhibiting courage and gallantry, even in front of all personal soldiers, personally executing bandits.

Especially the shot that killed Zhu Yidao; it was as forceful as a breaking bamboo and as swift as lightning. The personal soldiers have spread the tale ever further, turning it increasingly into legend.

The Princess swiftly established prestige within the military camp.

This prestige stemmed neither from the legacy of Prince Nanyang nor from being indebted due to receiving military pay, but rather from the innate human admiration and awe towards the strong.

...

In the back hall of Li County’s county government, County Magistrate Cai stood timidly, no longer the previously charming and spirited self.

Chen Zhuo sat at the head, followed closely by Yang Zheng. This was the Commandery Princess’s arrangement; Yang Zheng, proficient in Da Liang law, was the Judicial Officer of the Prince Mansion, brought along to hold County Magistrate Cai accountable in Li County.

Yang Zheng was not fond of traveling for official business; apart from the arduous travel, the duties were to offend others. Yet, the responsibility dictated by the Commandery Princess’s order compelled him to come.

After three consecutive days of carriage travel, his waist and back were stiff. After a day’s and a night’s rest, he finally recovered.

"County Magistrate Cai, do you confess to your crime?" Chief Historian Chen’s gaze cold and voice stern and authoritative.

County Magistrate Cai had been boisterous in private, yet before Chen Zhuo, was mute, bowing his head to plead guilty: "May Chief Historian calm his anger; I realize my mistake. On the day Wu Changsui was killed by bandits, I should have personally gone to the Prince Mansion to apologize."

"At that time, I considered it was spring tilling season, and leaving the county government without people was negligent and foolish; thus, I only sent a letter of apology. Neglecting the Princess was not deliberate. Please, Chief Historian, on account of my diligent service over the years, plead for me."

Nanyang County governs fourteen counties, Li County with six thousand population, merely a Lower County. However, Li County taxes are paid adequately, consistently rating excellent each year. County Magistrate Cai’s words have their confidence.

Chen Zhuo scanned him up and down, then unexpectedly scoffed: "County Magistrate Cai, Li County indeed is managed well, but, whose merit it is, you know clearly, and this Chief Historian also knows."

County Magistrate Cai’s expression froze.

He usually enjoyed drinking tea, reading books, and raising birds, living comfortably. The miscellaneous affairs in the county government were entirely entrusted to Steward Cai Ye.

Steward Cai is his distant clan’s younger brother, diligent and capable. Managing the county government’s internal affairs with precision. How did Chief Historian Chen know?

Chen Zhuo’s keen gaze seemingly saw through County Magistrate Cai’s bewilderment, calmly said: "When the Prince was alive, there were people placed in each county government. Not to mention your county government hall, even the concubines in the backyard can’t escape the Prince’s eyes."

"County Magistrate Cai, before you were relatively respectful, now you’re exploiting the Princess’s youth, deliberately neglecting. Even if the Princess tolerates you, this Chief Historian can never allow."

The last statement abruptly raised in volume, speaking with urgency and intensity.

County Magistrate Cai’s complexion turned pale, his legs weak, and he knelt.

Yang Zheng at this moment also tightened his expression, voice profound: "County Magistrate Cai committed a severe disrespect offense, minor punishment can be docking pay, severe one can be removal from office."

County Magistrate Cai was on the verge of tears, ignoring composure, tearfully admitting guilt pleading.

After exhausting efforts to pass the scholar exam, spending heavily to secure a real post from the Ministry of Personnel. If the position is lost, shame aside, the critical problem is reputation tarnished; future attempts to fill an official vacancy would be challenging.

"Chief Historian Chen, the Princess has arrived."

Chen Zhuo held back his reprimand, stood to welcome the Princess. Since Qiu Yuanshang was expelled, Yang Zheng became quite obedient, immediately also rose to follow.

County Magistrate Cai wasn’t completely muddled, promptly used his sleeve to wipe away tears, keeping his head lowered, followed quickly to the county government entrance.

"Minister pays respects to the Princess." Everyone bowed and clasped hands together.

The Princess’s voice sounded: "Rise, be at ease."

The slightly immature girl’s voice reached the ears.

County Magistrate Cai stealthily raised his head, seeing an extremely beautiful little girl. This certainly was the Princess. The Princess appeared noble and quite heroic, yet being young, not tall, eyebrows and eyes carrying amiability.

County Magistrate Cai’s troubled anxious heart slightly calmed.

The Little Princess surely is easier to deceive than Chief Historian Chen.

He decided to throw away his dignity for today, at least get through this hurdle.

County Magistrate Cai calculated cunningly, bending low, welcoming the Princess into the back hall.

As soon as the Princess was seated, County Magistrate Cai knelt, wiped his eyes, tears instantly flowed: "Princess, in a moment of confusion, negligence in actions, I failed to apologize at Nanyang Prince Mansion, disrespecting the Princess. I implore the Princess to forgive this one time."

"Never again will I dare. From now on, I will regard the Princess as the heavens, whenever the Princess commands, I shall comply."

Crying for mercy while inching forward on his knees, until reaching the Princess’s feet, pressing his face against the Princess’s skirt.

Everyone: "..."

Ugh!

Despicable beast!

Shameless scoundrel!