You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 125: Inspecting the Troops on the Battlefield
The Duke's Mansion.

The Ministry of War sent someone to request an audience early in the morning.

Firstly, the 10,000 taels of silver donated by Liang Jiang to the Ministry of War have been fully distributed to the families of the fallen soldiers.

Secondly, he invited her to visit the battlefield two days later to witness the troop review and experience the inspiring and exhilarating scene.

Liang Jiang was a little confused, so she gave the messenger some silver to get rid of him. Liang Wendong happened to be returning from a banquet outside, drunk and reeking of alcohol.

Upon seeing Liang Jiang, he staggered over, hiccuping and speaking incoherently.

"I heard that someone from the Ministry of War just sent an invitation to my elder sister? Congratulations, elder sister!"

Liang Jiang took a step back and said calmly, "What's there to congratulate me on?"

Liang Wendong smiled sarcastically: "Of course, congratulations, elder sister, on becoming a role model to be commended by the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War will call on all merchants to learn from you and take you as their example."

Liang Jiang was taken aback: "What do you mean by that?"

Liang Wendong opened his folding fan and waved it twice, and a smell of fermented alcohol immediately wafted towards Liang Jiang.

He covered half his face with a folding fan and said mysteriously, "Because this military training is a trap. It's not just you who's invited, but all the prominent wealthy families in the capital, as well as merchants who have long-term business dealings with the Ministry of War."

Why did the Ministry of War hire so many people?
Liang Jiang hesitated for a moment, then suddenly raised her face: "Does the Ministry of War intend to raise funds?"

Liang Wendong clapped his hands with his folding fan: "Big sister is indeed the eldest sister, she's so smart, she understands everything so quickly."

Did you know that the Ministry of War has long been troubled by the national treasury's tight budget, insufficient funding, the need to comfort the families of fallen soldiers, and the shortage of daily expenses for the soldiers?

Your donation has opened up a new avenue for the Ministry of War officials to raise funds for grain.

Just as a tower is formed by accumulating sand and a stream by accumulating water, if more people could be as generous as the eldest sister, the problem of insufficient military funds would be easily solved.

Therefore, the Ministry of War and General Tong joined forces to organize this troop review on the battlefield, their real intention being to get these wealthy merchants to generously donate silver.

Liang Jiang suddenly realized what Liang Wendong meant.

No one wants to waste money from their own pocket, but if they don't bleed, the Minister of War won't be able to curry favor with the emperor, and their business will suffer, and they might even be replaced.

So no one wanted to go, but they had no choice but to go, and they all had to pay more or less money.

The fact that he donated 10,000 taels of silver was the trigger for this incident. Inevitably, he became the target of everyone's criticism and was ostracized.

If I want to establish myself in the business world of Beijing in the future, I will indeed have to go through some trouble.

Liang Jiang suddenly remembered what the manager of Zuixianglou had said to her a few days ago.

She narrowed her eyes slightly: "Is this something my second uncle suggested to the Minister of War?"

Liang Wendong was quite surprised. His smile froze for a moment, then he grinned broadly and gave her a thumbs up.

"Eldest sister is truly a brilliant strategist; we have to admire her. If this succeeds, my father might even get a promotion. Our whole family will have to thank her properly then."

Sure enough, Liang Jiang's heart sank.

Since this matter was orchestrated by my second uncle, who secretly joined forces with Tong Shouliang, the conspiracy behind it might be more than just getting him to hand over his money.

Liang Jiang gave a dry laugh: "Second Uncle is really good at scheming. It seems I have no choice but to go to this military inspection. At the very least, everyone will know who the mastermind behind this is, so that no one will be blamed."

Liang Wendong didn't care at all: "My father is an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, who holds real power and is in charge of the carriages and horses. So many people are eager to curry favor with him, who would dare to criticize him?"

On the contrary, you, eldest sister, a woman, don't take good care of your husband and children, but insist on showing off by doing business.

"You're not satisfied with just being the concubine of the Marquis of Huaiyuan's heir? Do you also want to enter the palace to accompany the king? Or perhaps you're coveting the position of Princess Consort of Pingxi? Forget about it. The Emperor just issued an edict today, bestowing upon Jian Shuyan the title of Princess Consort of Pingxi."

Liang Jiang was taken aback: "The imperial edict has been issued?" Liang Wendong became even more smug when he saw Liang Jiang's expression change slightly.

"Don't you know? The Emperor has bestowed upon Jian Shuyan the title of Princess Consort of Pingxi, and has chosen a date for the investiture ceremony to be held for the two of them in the capital, after which they will return together to their fiefdom in Weixi. Aren't you disappointed?"

Galangal was quite unexpected.

After all, just two days ago, Gu Xizhi was still telling himself with absolute certainty that he would never marry Jian Shuyan.

Who would dare disobey the emperor's orders? Even if Xie Wan'er had admired Gu Xizhi for many years, she was probably helpless this time.

She was stunned and speechless for a moment.

Liang Wendong opened his folding fan with a "whoosh" and glanced at her sideways: "Now that the young master Xie has missed his chance with the young lady of the Jian family, he must be heartbroken. You and he are both in the same boat, so perhaps you still have a chance to take advantage of the situation."

It's better than you spending your days showing your face in public, struggling and being harassed by everyone, all for a few taels of silver, isn't it?

He swaggered away, fanning himself.

For no apparent reason, Liang Jiang felt somewhat irritable and disappointed.

Should we go to the Feast at Hongmen two days later, or not?

She hesitated for a moment, but it seemed she had no choice.

If I go, there might still be a chance for things to turn around; if I don't go, Tong Shouliang and my second uncle have been plotting for a long time, and I don't know what tricks they will play.

At that time, I will be in an even more passive position.

Moreover, many of the generals participating in the training were my father's old subordinates. Some of them remained loyal to my father, and even when he was wronged and suffered, they, like Vice General He, never wavered in their trust in him.

I can't be a coward and let them look down on me.

On the third day, Liang Jiang got up early, changed out of her elaborate silk skirt and embroidered shoes, removed her hairpins and hair ornaments, and put on a neat bright red short outfit. She wore sheepskin boots and let half of her waist-length hair down, while the other half was tied up on top of her head with a fiery red crystal crown. She looked heroic and spirited, fierce but not scorching.

Yu Shu had already prepared two snow-white horses. The two of them mounted their horses and headed straight for the military camp.

The military camp was heavily guarded, and the invited merchants were not allowed to enter. Upon arrival, they were led by special soldiers to the reviewing stand.

A sunshade has been set up on one side of the parade ground, with herbal tea and chairs provided.

People gathered in twos and threes, discussing the events of the day.

These people had more or less dealings with the Ministry of War, made their fortunes from the war over the years, and secretly bribed many officials in the Ministry of War.

Today, the Ministry of War is once again using the guise of fundraising to brazenly ask for money. They are full of complaints, but no one dares to speak out.

Liang Jiang arrived at the training ground under the guidance of the soldiers.

Before she even got close, suddenly, a teacup, accompanied by a gust of wind, flew towards her face in a spinning motion.

Liang Jiang was caught off guard. Seeing the teacup coming at him with such force, he feared that if he were hit, he would be bleeding from a head wound.

She neither dodged nor avoided, but casually waved her hand, and a surge of internal energy burst forth, condensing into a sharp blade that clashed head-on with the teacup in mid-air.

With a loud "bang," the water glass shattered into pieces, and the cold tea splashed everywhere.

The soldier leading the way got his face splattered with tea.

The ginger was completely dry.

She coldly raised her eyes and looked around: "Who's causing trouble here? Step forward!"

(End of this chapter)