CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: THE MEETING (PART 2)

"Reporting to Left General! The Commandery Princess has already entered the military camp!"

"General, the Commandery Princess has a noble status, it is inappropriate to be overly disrespectful. She has already entered the camp, you should go and greet her!" advised cautiously by the messenger who delivered the message to the Nanyang Prince Mansion that day. His surname is Shan, with the single name Wu.

Left General, sitting indifferently on a high chair, glanced disdainfully at his confidant, "A young girl with yellow hair. Even if she is dissatisfied, what can she do? This General will wait here today!"

Shan Wu had to keep silent, but he felt a vague sense of unease in his heart.

That day, he went to the Nanyang Prince Mansion and personally experienced the Commandery Princess’s might, feeling quite apprehensive, he repeatedly advised upon his return. However, his own master was stubborn and heedless of any advice.

In a matter of a few words, the sound of noisy footsteps had already reached the ears.

The entourage of the Commandery Princess had already arrived.

Yu Chong was the first to enter the main tent of the camp, quickly stepped forward, bowing to report, "Reporting to Left General, the Commandery Princess has arrived. Please, General, go to greet her!"

Left General remained firmly attached to his chair, showing no intention of moving, his tone lazy and dismissive, "Please let the Commandery Princess enter."

Yu Chong furrowed his brows, anger flashing in his heart.

This Nanyang Army was originally formed single-handedly by Prince Nanyang. Since Zuo Zhen arrived in recent years, he has promoted some, suppressed some, divided some, using various means. Indeed, he does have some skills and abilities.

More importantly, Zuo Zhen has the backing of the Zuo Family, and a great patron in the court; he, as a Guerrilla General, truly cannot afford to provoke him. Had to endure and keep a low profile.

Yet, Zuo Zhen’s actions today had gone too far, blatantly disregarding the Commandery Princess!

Yu Chong, feeling agitated, couldn’t hold back and spoke up, "Left General treats the Commandery Princess with such disregard, are you not afraid of the Commandery Princess’s wrath and punishment?"

Zuo Zhen scoffed, changing to an even more relaxed posture, "Yu Chong, usually you’re so timid you don’t dare to breathe loudly in front of me. Today, your courage seems to have grown. Could it be that with the Commandery Princess backing you, you’ve got some confidence now?"

The group of personal soldiers behind Zuo Zhen burst into laughter.

The lower-ranking and middle-ranking military generals, who mostly were promoted by Zuo Zhen over the years, also followed suit with laughter.

Yu Chong’s face turned red with anger.

Amidst the laughter, Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua stepped in.

Chen Zhuo and Song Yuan followed closely, one on the left and one on the right. Further behind were Chief Clerk Wen and Meng Dashan. Dozens of trusted aides accompanied them.

Upon Jiang Shaohua’s appearance, even if Zuo Zhen was overbearing, he couldn’t remain seated.

Seeing him unhurriedly rise, dusting off nonexistent dust on his garment, he then pretentiously cupped his hands, "The Commandery Princess has personally arrived, this humble general was unable to greet, please forgive me, Commandery Princess."

Song Yuan snorted coldly, his right hand reaching for the knife handle.

Chen Zhuo’s face darkened, "Zuo Zhen! What audacity you have! The Commandery Princess personally arrives, and you do not greet her. I, the Chief Historian, will submit a memorial to accuse you of irreverence and insubordination!"

Zuo Zhen, indeed haughty, burst into laughter, "Chief Historian Chen, feel free to write a memorial. Let’s see how the Prime Minister will decide the punishment!"

The Prime Minister Zuo Zhen referred to is Wang Rong, the head of all Da Liang officials, whose proteges fill the court. He was also the father-in-law of Jiang Shaohua in her past life.

The Zuo Family rose to the pinnacle of Da Liang’s military family due to Prime Minister Wang’s tireless "support." It can be said that the Zuo Family is the most loyal dog of the Wang family.

Zuo Zhen was able to come to the Nanyang Army on the orders of Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang had been the position for more than twenty years, during the reign of the late Emperor, a masterful leader. When the Emperor Taikang succeeded him, he struggled to restrain this eminently powerful Prime Minister Wang.

There are private rumors that all memorials in court first go through Prime Minister Wang’s hands before reaching the Emperor Taikang.

With such an unshakeable backer in the court, Zuo Zhen hardly regards even the Prince Nanyang. Not to mention, Prince Nanyang has been dead for a year now, and the current Nanyang County Princess is just a ten-year-old girl.

Zuo Zhen spoke arrogantly, almost rolling his eyes to the sky, still not bothering to look directly at the Commandery Princess.

If the master is humiliated, the follower must die. In a rare show of initiative, Chen Zhuo, in his fury, spoke to Song Yuan, "Commander Song, go and have a lesson with Left General."

Teach him a good lesson!

Song Yuan had long been unable to restrain himself. With a clang, he drew out his long knife. Behind him, dozens of trusted aides followed suit, drawing their knives.

The personal soldiers behind Zuo Zhen sneered, one after another drawing their knives in response. The atmosphere suddenly became tense!

Yu Chong and others were shocked by this turn of events. Looking at each other with the other military generals in the camp, for a moment, they weren’t sure how to react.

Whether siding with the Commandery Princess or standing on Zuo Zhen’s side, they were all just regular military generals. It didn’t matter which side they took, but to let it escalate to a point of drawing swords was too much.

"You all step aside for now." The Commandery Princess, who had not spoken, finally opened her mouth. Her somewhat immature girlish voice clearly reached the ears of the generals.

Yu Chong was the first to comply with a bow, and the other generals, unwilling or unable to meddle, retreated to the corners one by one, leaving an empty space in the middle.

Zuo Zhen finally lowered his head slightly, looking directly, "Is the Commandery Princess here to blame me as well?"

"The Nanyang Army has the responsibility to defend Nanyang. For matters such as dispatching troops to suppress bandits, why did the Commandery Princess bypass the Nanyang Army and order the personal guard camp instead? This is against military regulations and court policy."

"This subordinate has already written a memorial and sent it to the Capital City. The pros and cons, the Prime Minister will judge. Chief Historian Chen, if you have the leisure, consider how to respond to the court’s inquiries first!"

Truly, someone who could control the Nanyang Army in just a few years could not possibly be an utterly incompetent fool. There was substance to Zuo Zhen’s words.

However, what followed was harsh and unpleasant:

"I advise the Commandery Princess, slashing and killing is not suitable for women. It would be much better for the Commandery Princess to stay in the Prince Mansion, enjoying wealth and glory..."

Jiang Shaohua suddenly smiled, interrupting Zuo Zhen’s incessant speech, "I’ve long heard that the Zuo Family is the loyal dog under Prime Minister Wang’s command. Today, indeed, it’s true. Left General constantly mentions Prime Minister Wang, afraid that this Commandery Princess doesn’t know who the Zuo Family’s master is!"

Zuo Zhen: "..."

The words ’loyal dog’ were like sharp spikes, causing Zuo Zhen’s face to change abruptly, his right hand moved to the knife handle.

The entire Zuo Family prided themselves on their allegiance to Prime Minister Wang, but no one dared to call them obedient dogs in front of them.

"What? Does Left General intend to draw his sword?"

Jiang Shaohua maintained her smile, but her voice suddenly turned cold, "A mere garrison commander dares to be insubordinate and disrespectful, dares to draw his sword on this Commandery Princess. Who gave you this courage? Was it Prime Minister Wang?"

"Left General, don’t forget, this is the Jiang Family’s world, not Prime Minister Wang’s Da Liang. The Emperor on the Dragon Throne is this Commandery Princess’s own paternal cousin. I, the Commandery Princess, was conferred by the late Emperor, and I am the master of Nanyang County."

"Even if your master, Prime Minister Wang, personally comes to Nanyang County, he must bow to this Commandery Princess and respectfully address me as Commandery Princess."

"And you, Zuo Zhen, what are you, really!"