CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: ROLL CALL

The soldiers summoned by the war drums were a bit bewildered.

They had heard about the Commandery Princess entering the military camp. However, to ordinary soldiers, the high and mighty Commandery Princess had nothing to do with them. Presumably, she would stroll around the military camp to flaunt her power and then leave.

Who would have thought that the Commandery Princess actually had the war drums sounded.

The muster platform was six feet high, and the Commandery Princess leaped onto it lightly, her movements swift, clean, and graceful. The soldiers silently applauded her in their hearts!

However, that was about it. They watched the noble and beautiful little girl either blankly, listlessly, or indifferently, waiting for the Commandery Princess to speak.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the faces of the soldiers, and without saying much, she simply instructed, "General Yu, please read the military register. Those whose names are called, step forward. If there is a name but no one, make a note on the register. General Li, also come over to check the register, to avoid any omissions by General Yu."

Li Tie felt a pang of anxiety in his heart, secretly thinking that things were not looking good, and reluctantly stepped forward.

Jiang Shaohua then said to Chen Zhuo, "After today’s muster, I’ll trouble Chief Historian Chen to write a memorial and send it to the court."

The fact that Zuo Zhen embezzles and drains the soldiers’ pay is an undeniable fact. Once this impeachment memorial is presented, even Prime Minister Wang, with all his influence, cannot disregard the court’s laws and blindly shield Zuo Zhen.

Chen Zhuo cupped his hands in acceptance, silently pondering how to phrase the memorial. Also, he needed to write a few letters to some "old friends" in the Capital City, to have some support during the court meeting...

Yu Chong started reading the names from the military register aloud, drawing a circle after the names of the soldiers that were not called. Very quickly, the number of black circles increased.

Li Tie’s forehead began to bead with sweat.

He had long pledged allegiance to Zuo Zhen, becoming a trusted confidant under his command. Naturally, he had a part in the embezzlement and soldier pay drainage.

He only resented that the Commandery Princess came suddenly and acted swiftly, they were caught off guard and had no defense. Now, with thousands of eyes watching, it was blatantly obvious that there were names without people...

"General Li, why is your forehead all sweaty?" Jiang Shaohua asked with a smile and concern, "Could it be that the weather is too hot?"

Li Tie wiped his forehead with his sleeve, his tone lacking previous firmness, revealing some guilt, "Yes, yes, it is rather hot and unbearable."

Jiang Shaohua leisurely smiled and said, "Half of the register has been called already, wait for another half an hour and the muster will be complete. General Li, please hold on a bit longer."

Li Tie’s expression turned slightly stiff as he nodded.

The Commandery Princess seemed to be talking to herself, "Embezzling isn’t really a big deal. It’s commonplace in the military camp; which main general doesn’t bleed the soldiers a little? However, when embezzlement exceeds thirty percent, and even the soldiers’ clothing and food are deducted multiple times, it is truly greedy beyond measure. In such cases, even if Prime Minister Wang intends to shield him, can the Ministry of War tolerate it? Would the Emperor not be furious?"

"This Da Liang belongs to the Jiang Family, not to Prime Minister Wang."

Every word was spoken for him to hear.

Li Tie felt his heart tighten, his expression becoming even stiffer.

The Commandery Princess’s voice drifted into his ears again, "In my opinion, the Left General’s ship won’t last long. A wise person should get ashore before it sinks, to avoid sinking to the bottom together."

"General Li, don’t you think so?"

Li Tie’s throat felt a bit dry, he coughed and replied, "The Commandery Princess is right. But there are so many people on this ship, and the shore is so far away, how could everyone have the chance to jump ashore?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "The people on the ship were originally on the shore. It’s just that their minds wavered for a moment, and they boarded a ship they shouldn’t have. As long as they have the heart to return to the shore, there will always be a way."

Li Tie was speechless.

While reading the military register, Yu Chong also listened with half an ear, his peripheral vision catching Li Tie’s guilty and indecisive demeanor, and Yu Chong sneered inwardly.

This Li Tie had also received great favors from Prince Nanyang. But once the court sent Zuo Zhen to the military camp, he was the first to turn to Zuo Zhen. Along with Li Tie, more than ten others did the same.

Such people lack firm will. They pledged allegiance to Zuo Zhen for momentary power and benefits, perhaps today they might turn against him to jump off the "sinking ship."

...

After the entire military register was called, Yu Chong’s voice was hoarse.

Numerous circles were drawn on the military register; turning page after page was glaringly obvious.

Jiang Shaohua flipped through it, her gaze cold, her voice sinking, "Chief Historian Chen, take this military register; please calculate how many soldiers are actually missing."

Chief Historian Chen accepted the task with cupped hands, taking the register.

Wait, this doesn’t comply with military regulations. Li Tie instinctively wanted to intervene, but as soon as his lips moved, the Commandery Princess looked over: "General Li, accompany Chief Historian Chen."

Chen Zhuo, being seasoned, had already discerned the Commandery Princess’s intention and responded smoothly, "Indeed, matters in the military camp should be inquired from General Li. General Li, please accompany me to the military tent now."

Li Tie wanted to refuse, but after exchanging a glance with Chief Historian Chen, for some reason, most of his courage vanished. He stood there for a moment before finally following Chen Zhuo.

Yu Chong couldn’t help but whisper, "Commandery Princess, Li Tie is a fickle person, an absolute scoundrel. Why not take this opportunity to get rid of him?"

Who’s talking about going ashore; wouldn’t it be better to sink with the ship?

Jiang Shaohua gave Yu Chong a cold glance, "You are all veterans of the Nanyang Army. For the sake of my grandfather’s reputation, I must at least give you a chance to reform. Even if one day, General Yu does something he shouldn’t have, I will forgive you once."

Yu Chong was embarrassed but quickly declared his loyalty, "I am loyal to the Prince and equally loyal to the Commandery Princess. I will never do what I shouldn’t do."

Jiang Shaohua softened her voice, "This past year, you must have suffered."

Yu Chong, a six-foot-tall man, almost shed tears on the spot.

When Prince Nanyang was alive, Zuo Zhen was somewhat restrained, his arrogance had a limit. During the year after Prince Nanyang’s death, Zuo Zhen was excessively arrogant in the military camp, making life particularly hard for him.

"Fortunately, the Commandery Princess came," Yu Chong lowered his voice, "If the Commandery Princess hadn’t come, I’m afraid I couldn’t have held on much longer."

Jiang Shaohua sighed inwardly.

In her past life, she abandoned more than just Nanyang, but also this group of soldiers loyal to her grandfather.

Now that she has come back, she intends to reclaim everything that belongs to her.

"The hardships and grievances that all of you soldiers have suffered, I am aware of," Jiang Shaohua straightened her back, and without raising her voice deliberately, it still reached every spectator’s ears, "Rest assured, I will make sure justice is served for you."

"The postponed military pay will be in your hands before dark."

No matter how much was said, nothing was as exciting as this statement.

The soldiers who had stood for nearly half the day suddenly became restless; those in the back row couldn’t help but stand on tiptoe to look.

Jiang Shaohua turned and instructed, "Chief Clerk Wen, take a few people to the barracks warehouse and bring a few boxes of copper coins. Today, I will make sure the military pay is fully distributed."