The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 521 Qi Jiguang

By 1-3 PM, the outcome of the battle was decided.

Qi Jiguang's army withdrew from the battlefield.

Although the tactic of breaking through the enemy's formation and cutting across the entire battlefield was extremely effective, the losses involved were also real. Therefore, as soon as he established his advantage, Qi Jiguang turned around and charged towards the rear of the battlefield.

The Qi Family Army, a group of men covered in blood and wounds but still full of vigor, followed behind Qi Jiguang and fought their way out of the battlefield.

"Let each of us take care of ourselves."

After saying this, Qi Jiguang turned and left.

He still has a lot to do.

After casually killing a fleeing Japanese pirate, the magistrate finally met Wu Mingxiao.

With just one glance, Wu Mingxiao immediately burst into tears.

"My lord, I... I failed to protect your family..."

"me……"

He was filled with shame. The young man, who hadn't even flinched when he was slashed while fighting the Japanese pirates, was now sobbing uncontrollably.

Qi Jiguang quickly walked to his side and patted him on the shoulder.

"it's not your fault."

“I have already heard the story from the Pacification Commissioner Anzhen. As your subordinate, you have done your best. The lack of planning and failure to anticipate the enemy's moves is my responsibility as your superior. You do not need to blame yourself.”

Wu Mingxiao's shoulders relaxed.

During his more than 1,000-mile journey back from Jiangxi, his greatest worry was finally dispelled by Qi Jiguang's few words. He wasn't afraid of losing his life or being punished, but he simply couldn't bear to face the disappointed look in Qi Jiguang's eyes. Now, he could finally relax.

"My lord, I... I rescued your niece from the Japanese pirates."

Wu Mingxiao said, his voice choked with emotion.

Qi Jiguang's eyes suddenly widened.

His skin was rough and dark, with several knife scars on his face. He often squinted when facing an enemy, and the bloodstains all over his body made him look both fierce and mature. But now, with this glare, most of his imposing aura dissipated, revealing a playfulness that suited his age.

"where!"

He asked urgently.

Wu Mingxiao quickly replied.

"It's with Miss Zhao."

Qi Jiguang frowned.

Who is Miss Zhao?

He knew his subordinate's temperament all too well; to put it nicely, he was simple and kind; to put it bluntly, he was just a simpleton. Hearing that he had entrusted his niece to some random girl who had suddenly appeared, how could he not worry?
Wu Mingxiao suddenly pointed behind him.

"Uh, yes... oh, she's here!"

Zhao Ying carried the baby girl over. Seeing that the battle was over and Qi Jiguang had withdrawn from the battlefield, she went to retrieve the baby girl from the Dengzhou garrison soldiers, only to run into the two of them.

"Here."

Zhao Ying coldly handed the child over.

Qi Jiguang panicked and was at a loss. He first threw his sword on the ground and then wiped his hands haphazardly on his body. However, he had just come down from the battlefield and his body was covered in blood and flesh, so the more he wiped, the dirtier he became.

Helpless, he pulled Wu Mingxiao over, wiped his hands haphazardly on him, and then turned to pick up the child.

Zhao Ying, however, withdrew her hands.

"Are you going to carry the child? You're just wiping your hands, what's the point of wiping your chest? ... It's true what they say, like father, like son."

Qi Jiguang and Wu Mingxiao tilted their heads together.

The two were worlds apart in martial arts, cunning, and strategy, but they were close in age and both grew up in military camps. When it came to raising children and interacting with women, they were remarkably alike.

Seeing this, Zhao Ying shook her head and sighed.

“I originally planned to leave after this battle, but judging from your condition, this child probably won’t survive more than three days in the military camp… Never mind, I’ll stay a little longer.”

Qi Jiguang was peeking at his niece when he heard this, and then suddenly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Ying.

"Thank you, lady."

Zhao Ying shook her head. "The stench of blood is too strong here, and the child is hungry. I'll take her to Laizhou City to stay. Come find us after this is over."

After that, he turned and left.

The two rough men were left staring at each other in bewilderment. After a long while, Qi Jiguang slowly nodded and said...

"This Miss Zhao is a good person."

Then he turned to look at Wu Mingxiao.

"Where did you two meet? Where is Miss Zhao's husband?"

Wu Mingxiao quickly recounted the whole story: how he met Li Miao, how he rescued Zhao Ying in Fukang County, how he followed Li Miao back home, and how he ended up here today.

After listening, Qi Jiguang frowned deeply.

Wu Mingxiao's heart skipped a beat.

"My lord... is something amiss?"

Qi Jiguang shook his head.

"No, not really... Do you know who 'Brother Li' who accompanied you on your journey back is?"

Wu Mingxiao nodded.

"I know, a high-ranking official of the third rank, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Qi Jiguang shook his head again.

"He's not just a simple 'third-rank official'... The Grand Secretary is his adoptive father, and His Majesty the Emperor granted him the privilege of not having to call him by name when bowing, not having to bow when entering the court, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace. Two years ago, seven or eight out of ten officials in the capital were killed, and it's rumored that he was the one who did it."

"Not to mention the rumors circulating in the martial arts world... This kind of person has been missing for two years. Do you know how many people are looking for his whereabouts? How did you happen to run into him?"

Wu Mingxiao scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.

"Sir, I was just lucky."

Qi Jiguang paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

"Fine, go have fun."

"Hey."

Wu Mingxiao agreed and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and said with a simple smile.

"Sir, I think Brother Li is a good person."

Qi Jiguang paused for a moment, then waved his hand.

"Okay, go ahead. You'll be gone for half a year. Go catch up with your brothers."

"Hey!"

Wu Mingxiao turned and left.

Qi Jiguang stood there in silence for a long time.

Wu Mingxiao could say that, but he couldn't simply believe it. The smarter a person is, and the more burdens they carry, the harder it is for them to make choices entirely based on their own conscience, and Qi Jiguang was no exception.

Yes, Dengzhou Guard survived because of Li Miao, today's battle was won because of Li Miao, and even his survival until now is due to An Ziyang's intervention. He must be grateful for all of this.

But while he was grateful, he also had to consider the Dengzhou Guard and Qi Family Army.

After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh.

"I can't come up with a conclusion... The plans and considerations of such people are things I can't access, and no matter how much I think about it, I can't reach a conclusion... Besides, I have no right to refuse."

With that thought in mind, he finally took a step and walked towards the execution platform in the distance.

He had just seen Li Miao leave the battlefield and head in this direction. The shed built to the east of the execution platform was originally built by An Ziyang for overseeing the executions, but it was excessively luxurious, which had puzzled him from the start.

Looking back now, this shed must have been prepared by An Ziyang for Li Miao from the very beginning.

He handed the Japanese sword to a member of the Imperial Guard and stepped up the stairs.

After walking down a few steps, a very strange, sweet smell, mixed with the stench of blood and fish, wafted out from inside the shed and reached us.

(End of this chapter)