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

Chapter 128 Request to Go to War
Liang Jiang looked down at them, glanced around, and said solemnly, "All of you here today are my seniors. I am new to this world and dare not presume to presume."

My willingness to provide disaster relief and grain in Fucheng and donate silver to the military camp is not because I, Liang Jiang, am rich and foolish, but because I follow my parents' teachings: when poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when rich, one should help others. I want to do my best to repay the people of Fucheng and my brothers in the military camp.

As for what this soldier said, it's utter nonsense. This silver was earned through my hard work, Liang Jiang; how could I be so generous with other people's money?

The man said with great disdain, "You speak so righteously, but you're just trying to gain fame and pay off your sins."

In the Battle of the Great Rift Valley, the Duke of Liang betrayed his country and colluded with the enemy, causing so many soldiers to perish far from home, leaving their parents, wives, and children destitute and helpless. A mere ten thousand taels of silver is but a drop in the ocean, and cannot buy back the lives of those soldiers.

When someone maliciously incites others, there will naturally be others who echo their sentiments.

As more people echoed his sentiments, their voices rose in unison, resounding through the heavens.

They weren't begging me to spend my money; they were acting like bandits, trying to bankrupt me.
No amount of money could fill this hole today.

Moreover, Tong Shouliang brought up the old matter again, stirring up public anger by mentioning his father's wrongful conviction. If I had known about Huyan Chao of Xiliang, I probably would have blurted it out under such circumstances.

Was he trying to test me?

Looking down at the soldiers below the reviewing stand, those who had once fought alongside her father through thick and thin, now deceived and incited by Tong Shouliang, harboring malice towards her, gathered together to make things difficult for her, Liang Jiang felt a surge of grievances, as if being cut by a knife.

With great difficulty, the chorus of condemnation and insults from the crowd gradually subsided.

Liang Jiang suppressed her anger with all her might, gathered her breath in her dantian, and questioned loudly:

"My father joined the army when he was a teenager. He fought countless battles throughout his life, escaped death many times, annihilated countless enemies, and made many outstanding military achievements."

The Western Liang people hated my father to the core and once offered a reward of ten thousand taels of silver for his head. How could my father possibly betray the enemy and sell out his country?

In terms of power, he was already a distinguished duke, commanding a large army; in terms of wealth, my father encouraged me to be generous and charitable, to help those in need, and I was not a greedy person. What more could he ask for?

A single question left the man speechless.

"Regardless of his motives, the fact remains that he colluded with the enemy and betrayed his country, causing the deaths of so many brothers!"

"Yes, in the Battle of the Great Rift Valley, my father used himself as bait to lure the enemy into the Great Rift Valley, which led to the annihilation of the vanguard army."

Therefore, no one knows exactly how brutal the battle in the Great Rift Valley was, or what happened.

All I know is that after my father died in battle, he was shot thirty-six times and his body was covered in wounds. This shows how much the people of Xiliang hated my father!
"Didn't you ever suspect that the person who used Huyan Chao's letter to expose my father was the real spy from Xiliang?"

"What a joke! If Zhou Xie hadn't exposed them back then, who knows how many brothers would have gone to their deaths. Anyway, Zhou Xie is dead, so you're convinced he's dead and can't testify, right?"

Countless people echoed and condemned the actions, making Liang Jiang's defense seem pale and powerless.

Amidst the rising tide of condemnation, a resolute and impassioned voice suddenly rang out: "I believe in the Duke!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

It was Zhao Wei, the general who had just been captured alive by Tong Zhao'er.

He glanced at Liang Jiang and said in a deep voice, "I have followed Duke Liang through thick and thin for more than ten years, killing countless enemies. I believe that Duke Liang would never betray his country and surrender to the enemy!"

His words immediately drew a chorus of sneers: "Everything should be based on evidence, not on emotions."

"Yes, you are loyal to the Duke of Liang, but what benefits has the Duke of Liang given you?"

Zhao Wei gritted his teeth and vowed, "Duke Liang only taught us the skills to defend our country and kill enemies, as well as the determination to be loyal to the country and sacrifice ourselves for righteousness!"

"Heh, a defeated general, what's there to talk about in terms of bravery? Miss Tong led troops for the first time and utterly defeated you. How dare you stand here and give such a righteous and impassioned speech?"

Zhao Wei glanced at Tong Shouliang, then at Gu Xizhi, his face showing shame, yet he hesitated to speak. Gu Xizhi said calmly, "Success and failure are unpredictable in war; a comeback is always possible. What does one defeat matter?"

Tong Shouliang also spoke up, saying, "Your Highness is absolutely right. Vice General Zhao has fought in the north and south, and he is incredibly brave. My daughter's victory today is only due to Vice General Zhao's leniency and she was just lucky."

The people below the stage protested, "It is true that Miss Tong is a novice, but she is indeed a born general. Her surprise attack on the city just now made us all feel inferior."

Deputy General Zhao should accept defeat and admit his inferior skills; the Liang Family Army is merely a name without substance. Otherwise, he will be ridiculed for his lack of magnanimity.

This man's words immediately drew rebuttals from others: "We all witnessed the siege just now. Miss Tong's command was indeed skillful, but the three thousand soldiers led by Deputy General Zhao were clearly slightly inferior in combat strength, or rather, they were intentionally holding back."

The two sides immediately got into a dispute, which escalated to a point where they were locked in a fierce argument.

Liang Jiang had long heard from Deputy General He that although Tong Shouliang now held considerable power, his authority was insufficient to control the soldiers in the camp. In particular, the soldiers whom her father had personally led back then had many complaints about him.

When I saw it today, it turned out to be true.

Tong Shouliang's face was gloomy, but he couldn't lash out in front of Gu Xizhi.

Seeing that the two sides were arguing fiercely, Tong Zhao'er said angrily, "I, Tong Zhao'er, won today by virtue of my true abilities. If Vice General Zhao is not convinced, feel free to lead your Liang Family Army over here. We will have a rematch and you will be convinced."

Zhao Wei remained silent.

Some people spoke up for her, saying, "The soldiers Miss Tong led today were all elite troops selected from various battalions. The difference in combat strength between the two sides is huge, so she is naturally confident of victory."

Tong Jiajun immediately countered: "The battlefield is ever-changing, and there is never a war where the two sides are evenly matched. You cannot surrender and stop fighting just because the other side is strong. Instead, you should find ways to improve your own combat effectiveness."

Tong Zhao'er was also confident: "Since you say it's unfair, then I will give Vice General Zhao a chance. You can select another three thousand men from the soldiers who participated in the training today to help you, and our two armies will fight again."

She paused, then raised her hand and pointed at Liang Jiang, a smirk playing on her lips: "Including her too—Princess Heya."

Tong Shouliang advised, "Princess Heya is a disciple of Yuhua Mountain, and has received guidance from a famous master. Her martial arts are superb. Zhao'er, you are overestimating yourself."

Tong Zhao'er scoffed, "What's the use of being good at martial arts? A good general not only needs to kill the enemy on the spot, but also needs to be good at deploying troops. That's the most important thing."

Of course, if Princess Heya is afraid, she doesn't have to participate. After all, this isn't just theoretical discussion, but real combat training; weapons have no eyes.

Liang Jiang stepped forward, her expression calm, and slowly straightened her sleeves: "When it comes to fighting on the battlefield, have the men of my family ever been afraid?"

General Tong feigned a troubled expression: "This..."

Gu Xizhi's eyes couldn't hide her amazement and admiration, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve slightly.

"The military is full of talented people; we shall wait and see."

Upon hearing Gu Xizhi's statement, Zhao Wei's hesitation vanished. He raised his head, straightened his back, and bowed to Liang Jiang, saying, "It is my greatest honor to fight alongside the princess."

Liang Jiang stepped forward, her heart pounding with fervor: "I am willing to use my blood to wash away the injustice my father suffered."

Tong Zhao'er also looked spirited: "Don't say I'm bullying you, let's choose the people."

Zhao Wei stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Among my brothers, is there anyone willing to fight alongside Princess Heya and help my Liang Family Army avenge our humiliation?"

As soon as the words were spoken, dozens of firm voices echoed in agreement: "We are willing!"

Immediately afterwards, countless others volunteered: "We also request to go into battle!"

The sounds rose and fell, powerful and resonant, like a surging tide.

(End of this chapter)