Love Lock

Chapter 98 Going to Be a Centurion

Zhao Zun truly lived up to his reputation as a marshal who could lead troops into battle and strategize effectively. He masterfully employed the strategy of feigning an attack on one side while secretly advancing another.

After a series of back-and-forth Tai Chi moves between Zhao Zun and Sun Wenyuan, Zhao Zun ultimately prevailed by using minimal force to overcome greater strength. The hunting ground was eventually chosen to be located in Fufeng County, which was quite far from Huachang County.

Fufeng County is the largest of the six counties and two cities in Cangzhou. Although it covers a large area, it does not have much relatively fertile land; it is almost entirely mountains and wasteland.

That's why Sun Wenyuan was so generous in letting Zhao Zun build his hunting grounds as big as he wanted.

Although Fufeng County has poor land quality, it has one major advantage. Of the mineral deposits on the map that Han Lei gave Zhao Zun, three or four are located in Fufeng County—salt mines, coal mines, limestone mines, and iron mines.

Fufeng County doesn't produce much grain. But it's the perfect place to build the various factories Han Lei mentioned in her letter.

Therefore, Zhao Zun put in a lot of effort to outmaneuver Sun Wenyuan and eventually take over Fufeng County.

………My lazy dividing line………

Meanwhile, on the other side, in Yong'an City.

It is unknown whether Emperor Jing had already calculated the time when Zhao Zun would arrive in Cangzhou.

Over there, Zhao Zun was discussing the construction of the hunting grounds and the Prince's residence with Sun Wenyuan. Meanwhile, in Yong'an City, Cao Xiong, the newly appointed marshal of Beiguan, received an imperial edict from Emperor Jing.

Cao Xiong was driven to the brink of a mental breakdown by the constant harassment from small groups of Turkic cavalry. Unable to bear it any longer, he wrote a memorial to Emperor Jing, imploring the emperor to select a worthy successor to replace him as Marshal of the Northern Pass.

Unexpectedly, just a few days after the memorial was sent out, Emperor Jing's imperial edict arrived at Beiguan.

"It is destined to be blessed by heaven, the emperor decreed..."

The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed through the military camp. As soon as the imperial edict was read, Cao Xiong's chubby face relaxed instantly, his joy barely concealed.

He stood up impatiently, rummaged inside his clothes with his large hands, pulled out a large gold ingot, and stuffed it into the little eunuch's arms with a big smile.

"Your Excellency has traveled a long way to Beiguan to deliver the imperial decree. You must be tired. I hope you will accept this small token of my appreciation."

The young eunuch feigned surprise and said repeatedly, "This is too much, this is too much, Lord Cao is too kind."

Although the little eunuch's hands were waving in the air, his eyes gleamed with greed.

After several shoving motions, the gleaming silver ingots were passed back and forth between the two men. In the end, the young eunuch reluctantly stuffed the silver into his sleeve.

"Then, Lord Cao, I'll take my leave now."

The young eunuch smiled demurely, draped his whisk over his elbow, and bowed. Cao Xiong immediately ordered his personal guards to take the young eunuch away to rest.

After the eunuch had gone far away, Cao Xiong took the two imperial edicts in his hands, turned around, and walked into the central military tent with a loud laugh.

"Hahaha... Your Majesty is truly wise, Your Majesty is indeed wise."

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Cao Xiong felt his confidence surge once again.

Emperor Jing decreed that Zhao Zun had been enfeoffed as the King of Cangzhou and was to take up his post there. He further stated that in the event of a major battle, Cao Xiong could immediately appoint Zhao Zun as his vanguard.

The two imperial edicts in Cao Xiong's hand were one of the ones he was to give to Zhao Zun when he was selecting generals.

With Emperor Jing's imperial edict, Cao Xiong no longer needed to resign and could simply continue serving as his marshal without any worries.

At this moment, Lieutenant General Li Gang came up to flatter him, saying, "Marshal, with His Majesty's decree, you can finally get a good night's sleep. You've worked so hard these past few days."

"Hahaha, yes! Tomorrow I can go back to my Marshal's Mansion in Ling'an City and get a good night's sleep." Cao Xiong laughed, slamming the imperial edict on the desk and then handing one of the edicts to Li Gang.

"Keep this imperial edict. You can handle the usual raids on Yong'an City. If there is a major battle, take this edict directly to the Cangzhou Prince's Mansion and give orders to Zhao Zun."

"Yes! I will obey your orders!"

Lieutenant Li Gang respectfully accepted the imperial edict, his face showing genuine excitement.

With Zhao Zun as a backup in Cangzhou, Cao Xiong felt reassured even though he wasn't in Yong'an City.

But soon, a look of embarrassment appeared on Li Gang's face.

"Uh... Marshal. What if Zhao Zun refuses to lead the vanguard in battle?"

"He dares!" Cao Xiong's face instantly turned furious upon hearing this. "Even if Zhao Zun is made a king, he is still a subject of the Great Jing Dynasty. I doubt he would dare to disobey the imperial decree."

Li Gang was still somewhat worried: "Then... what if the soldiers knew that Zhao Zun, a prince, was serving as a vanguard under the marshal? Would they...?"

Cao Xiong waved his hand impatiently, his anger growing even stronger.

"You don't need to worry about that. Since ancient times, civil and military officials have not interfered with each other. Geographically speaking, Beiguan is under the jurisdiction of Cangzhou. However, the troops stationed at Beiguan only obey His Majesty. Even if Zhao Zun is the king of Cangzhou, he can't control the soldiers under my command."

Speaking of this, Cao Xiong was furious.

The joy of receiving the imperial edict vanished instantly.

Zhao Zun had been away from the military camp for two months, but the soldiers there still missed him dearly. This had completely undermined his authority as the official garrison marshal.

“The Marshal is right,” Li Gang agreed with Cao Xiong’s assessment. “Zhao Zun used to have extremely high prestige in Beiguan, but he is not what he used to be. Even if the soldiers have any objections, it will be His Majesty’s decree, not the Marshal’s. The Marshal is merely carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”

"Yes! It's good that you think that way."

Cao Xiong patted Li Gang approvingly on the shoulder, making a decision that Li Gang would regret for the rest of his life. "You truly deserve to be my deputy general, always thinking of my best interests. Ma Cheng is not on my side; he always sides with Zhao Zun."

Cao Xiong grew angrier the more he thought about it, and continued, "I hereby order you to be appointed as the garrison commander of Yong'an City. When I am not in Yong'an City, you shall guard it well for me."

Li Gang and Cao Xiong were about the same age, and Li Gang was straightforward and without much guile. They had served together in the Imperial Guard in the capital, and this time Li Gang had come to Beiguan as Cao Xiong's deputy general. The two had always had a good relationship, and Li Gang was considered one of Cao Xiong's most trusted people in Beiguan.

Upon hearing this, Li Gang was overjoyed. He immediately clasped his hands together and knelt on one knee.

"This humble general thanks the Marshal for his guidance! This humble general will do his best to defend Yong'an City and live up to the Marshal's expectations."

Li Gang's voice was strong and clear. Then, another question came to mind.

"Marshal, what about General Ma?" Li Gang asked hesitantly.

Ma Cheng was a fierce general under Zhao Zun, known for his bravery and skill in battle. He was slightly older than Zhao Zun and had been promoted from centurion to the garrison commander of Yong'an City by Zhao Zun himself. When Zhao Zun served as the marshal of the Northern Pass, he always held Ma Cheng in high regard and great respect.

After Cao Xiong arrived at Beiguan, Ma Cheng treated Cao Xiong in a similar way to other soldiers, neither warm nor cold, and Cao Xiong did not have much affection for him either.

Perhaps Emperor Jing's imperial edict had made Cao Xiong so overjoyed that he dismissed the issue of Li Gang, issuing the order with a wave of his hand—

"Ma Cheng, let that scoundrel become a centurion under your command!"

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(End of this chapter)