CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89: MILITARY PAY

Chief Clerk Wen promptly accepted the order and led a dozen trusted aides to the military camp’s warehouse.

Guarding the warehouse were Left General Zuo Zhen’s confidants, but for today’s troop review, only one person was left to watch over it. Seeing the trusted aides approach menacingly, the warehouse guard tried to stop them, only to be punched in the face by Qin Hu, resulting in a bloody nose, and promptly handed over the keys.

Chief Clerk Wen, known for being a nice person, quickly reassured the bloody-nosed, unfortunate warehouse clerk: "Don’t worry, we’re here by Commandery Princess’s orders and will only take the soldiers’ pay without touching anything else."

The warehouse clerk was so upset he could cry, yet dared not utter a word, watching as Chief Clerk Wen calculated the soldiers’ three-month pay on an abacus and counted the number of copper coins.

Five large bamboo baskets full of heavy copper coins required two people to lift each one, and they were soon carried to the Martial Arts Training Ground.

The anxious soldiers, witnessing the scene, were practically glowing with excitement.

Why do they become soldiers? Isn’t it just for the military pay? For those with wives, children, and aging parents to support, every time they took leave from the military camp, they felt ashamed to go home.

Commandery Princess and Left General Zuo’s struggle was of no concern to them. What mattered to them was the pay that was about to be handed over.

"General Yu Chong, as they say, a task should not be managed by two leaders. Let’s leave the distribution of military pay to you," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile.

Yu Chong felt invigorated and accepted the order with cupped hands.

This task that wins over the soldiers’ loyalty was handed to him by Commandery Princess, highlighting her appreciation for him. Perhaps when Zuo Zhen falls, the role of main general might be passed on to him...

Jiang Shaohua didn’t hurry to leave, watching from the side as Yu Chong distributed the pay.

String after string of heavy copper coins were clutched tightly, with the soldiers hardly feeling tired, delighting in their excitement.

Distributing military pay was a time-consuming task, taking nearly half a day. By the time everything was distributed, it was already evening. After working hard for half a day, Yu Chong, not feeling fatigued, shouted loudly: "Aren’t you grateful to Commandery Princess for her kindness?"

All the soldiers shouted in response, some faster, some slower, not quite in unison.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t mind: "These are your overdue military pay, which should have been given to you earlier. Also, the owed military uniforms will be provided in a few days."

"Tonight, the mess hall will have pork slaughtered and roasted meat for everyone to have a full meal."

The soldiers were delighted, expressing their gratitude again.

This time, their voices were much more coordinated.

...

That night, Jiang Shaohua settled in the military camp. After dinner, she waited in the military tent and was soon joined by Chen Zhuo.

"I have drafted the memorial. Please, Commandery Princess, review and seal it."

Jiang Shaohua slightly nodded and accepted the memorial, carefully reading through it.

This memorial listed ten major crimes committed by Zuo Zhen; embezzling military pay, drinking soldiers’ blood, withholding soldiers’ uniforms and food, neglecting duties, being lax in drills, forming cliques within the military and excluding others, displaying disrespectful behavior towards superiors, etc.

The most damning was the final point — declaring himself in public as Prime Minister Wang’s faithful follower, unafraid of Commandery Princess or the Emperor due to Prime Minister Wang’s backing.

How would Emperor Taikang, seated on the Dragon Throne, react to this memorial?

How would the all-powerful Prime Minister Wang respond?

Jiang Shaohua smiled contentedly: "Chief Historian Chen crafted the memorial excellently!" She deftly took out the Commandery Princess Seal and stamped it: "Send the memorial to the Capital City immediately."

Chen Zhuo agreed with a nod, called a long-term follower over, and issued instructions.

After completing the official matters, Chen Zhuo did not leave.

Jiang Shaohua understood, instructing Yin Zhutu Bai to withdraw. Only she and Chen Zhuo remained in the tent.

"Commandery Princess, I just chatted with Li Tie briefly and persuaded him. Li Tie is indeed wavering, but he remains more fearful of Prime Minister Wang’s influence. He doesn’t dare sign the memorial and even pleaded with me not to mention him before Left General."

At this, Chen Zhuo paused, looking at Jiang Shaohua: "For such a vacillating opportunist, isn’t Commandery Princess giving him too much credit?"

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow with a smile: "By persuading him, we might win over a group of military generals. Even if it fails, it’ll still annoy Zuo Zhen."

"If Li Tie offers allegiance to Commandery Princess, are you truly inclined to use him?" Chen Zhuo asked further.

"Well, for now, with a shortage of manpower, we can temporarily employ him. Once the military camp stabilizes, we can find an opportunity to dismiss him."

Chen Zhuo: "..."

Seeing Chen Zhuo’s subtly nuanced expression, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but chuckle: "Uncle Chen, do you think I’m cold-hearted, quick to turn against others?"

The change in address instantly added a touch of closeness and casualness.

Chen Zhuo skipped the polite argument and replied directly: "Commandery Princess wants to control the Nanyang Army, which is good. I shouldn’t obstruct this. However, Commandery Princess should think carefully before acting."

"Zuo Zhen, without virtue or talent, is insignificant. However, he has the backing of the Zuo Family and more importantly, Prime Minister Wang. Commandery Princess’s harsh actions might result in Zuo Zhen filing a memorial to impeach the Commandery Princess and will certainly complain to Prime Minister Wang."

"Commandery Princess, being young, possibly doesn’t understand Prime Minister Wang’s formidable nature. Allow me to speak frankly, even the Prince didn’t wish to directly offend Prime Minister Wang."

Clearly, Chen Zhuo did not approve of Jiang Shaohua’s nearly reckless actions.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "This is something the grandfather couldn’t do, but I have no issues doing it."

Chen Zhuo paused in surprise.

Under the bright candlelight, Jiang Shaohua smiled leisurely: "If Uncle Chen were Prime Minister Wang, would you bully a ten-year-old Commandery Princess? Would you fear a little girl who lost her grandfather’s protection?"

Chen Zhuo’s expression shifted: "Is Commandery Princess planning to leverage her youth and innocence?"

Jiang Shaohua nodded matter-of-factly: "It’s my advantage, so I’ll use it when needed."

Chen Zhuo: "..."

Initially, this seemed absurdly amusing, but upon reflection, it made a lot of sense.

A Commandery Princess of only ten years, still immature, can afford some capriciousness.

Moreover, Zuo Zhen’s shady dealings in the military camp are indisputable, akin to filth in the debt, and Commandery Princess holds the reasonable stand.

Commandery Princess’s voice sounded: "I will write a personal letter to the Lady Empress Dowager in the palace."

Chen Zhuo steadied himself: "How does Commandery Princess plan to craft this letter?"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes twinkled with mischief: "Lady Empress Dowager is my legitimate paternal grandaunt. When aggrieved and frustrated, I naturally seek a senior for support."

Chen Zhuo quietly suggested: "Since Lady Empress Dowager is concerned with court politics and bears some resentment towards Prime Minister Wang, Commandery Princess might emphasize this in the letter."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded.

In her past life in the palace for six years, raised by Empress Dowager Zheng to adulthood, Jiang Shaohua understood Empress Dowager Zheng’s temperament well. Provoking her intervention would not be difficult.

After Chen Zhuo departed, Jiang Shaohua took up the pen and wrote a lengthy letter, totaling five pages, which was sent to the Capital City together with the memorial overnight.

Zuo Zhen’s personal soldiers swiftly rode out of the military camp, only to encounter a group of Black-clothed Bandits thirty miles ahead.