Qi Chengming pondered for a moment but couldn’t figure it out, assuming Advisor Qin was worried about the current situation. He comforted him kindly: “Don’t worry, the Village Chief of Xia Shi Village has told me everything about you. I’ll deal with all these people properly before leaving.” No hidden dangers would remain.
Xiao Dezi timely reminded from the side: “This is His Highness the Second Prince.”
‘Of course.’
‘…How could he not recognize his new master?’
Qin Liusong’s expression shifted several times, somewhat bitter. The next moment, he lifted his robe and knelt on the ground with a thud, performing a grand salute with indescribable grace. Gritting his teeth, he came straight to the point:
“Your Highness, I have a topographic map of the bandit lair to present. I wish to follow you from now on and share your burdens!”
At this point, the sweet fruit he hadn’t fully ripened for presenting merit had been picked and eaten by his new master. Should he blame the new master for eating it at the wrong time?
The only merit Qin Liusong could use to recommend himself now was that bandit lair route map. If he didn’t present it now, it would likely become useless. This was his best opportunity for self-recommendation – present it, just present it.
So Advisor Qin decisively surrendered it.
The others were instead greatly startled by his sudden words.
Qi Chengming looked at Advisor Qin with surprise and uncertainty as he ground ink seamlessly. Taking the densely detailed route and defense layout maps, he lifted his eyes to carefully observe Advisor Qin, remaining silent for a long while: “…”
“Your Highness?” Advisor Qin looked somewhat anxious.
“This is truly a great gift, Master Qin.” Qi Chengming snapped back to reality, confirming in a gentle tone,
“After we clear out the officials here, new officials will be appointed. You don’t need to worry about not being able to continue working here after offending people. Instead, the fief I’m going to is in Liuzhou, where conditions are harsh. Have you really thought this through?”
The reason Qi Chengming had been dazed for so long was that he suddenly felt everything was proceeding too smoothly –
When he wanted evidence, Grandmaster Huang jumped out. When the thought of clearing the bandit nest before the court sent troops to exterminate them, to seize the opportunity to acquire some emergency funds for himself had just emerged, Advisor Qin jumped out to deliver the map.
He had even been worrying these past two days…
When a prince establishes a fiefdom, besides the eunuchs managing internal affairs, the prince’s entourage must include retainers and followers for the princely residence. But from the court’s perspective, the Hongren Emperor seemed to have completely forgotten about this matter, appointing no one. From the perspective of private influence, no one considered Qi Chengming worth investing in, so no one came to pledge allegiance.
This way, it would be utterly improper when arriving in Liuzhou.
Usually, Xiao Song Zongguan could handle various internal affairs for him, but there must be occasions requiring retainers and advisors to assist. What should he do then?
Now his wish was fulfilled!
—Advisor Qin was the first scholar to come pledge allegiance. In Qi Chengming’s entire princely residence operation system, he genuinely urgently lacked precisely such an external affairs retainer.
“I, Qin, have made up my mind and will never regret it!”
Here, Qin Liusong was still firmly repeating.
Fearing the Second Prince might still have doubts and refuse to accept him, he quickly fabricated an excuse: “Your Highness upholding justice for the people is truly immensely admirable. You are the wise master in my heart… Dare I ask, if not now, when should I pledge allegiance?”
These words left Xiao Song Zongguan, Xiao Dezi, and Xiao Chengzi in the room extremely satisfied. They nodded silently, their impression of this scholar becoming much more favorable.
—Excellent!
Those who admire Your Highness truly have good judgment!
“Very well.” Qi Chengming was even more delighted, his heart blooming with joy.
He made no attempt to conceal his emotions, grabbing Advisor Qin’s arm warmly and speaking with genuine enthusiasm, without a trace of arrogance: “Advisor Qin… you’ve truly resolved my urgent need! Other matters can wait, but right now there is a task at hand—I wonder if you’d be willing to take it on?”
“Since my lord commands, this humble servant dares not refuse.” Qin Liusong immediately changed his form of address, his expression solemn as he cupped his hands and accepted the order.
“Good. I have here a batch of clues and testimonies regarding local officials colluding with bandits. Advisor Qin, I want you to interrogate them, then gather solid evidence. Make sure everything is substantiated.”
With a glance from Qi Chengming, the Imperial Guards dragged out County Magistrate Tang, whose face had turned ashen, leaving only a pleading, desperate voice fading into the distance: “Your Highness! Your Highness, this official is wronged! Your Highness—”
“Yes, I will not disappoint Your Highness!” Advisor Qin’s voice rose with determination, his eyes brimming with hot tears as he made his firm promise.
His voice choked with emotion, and he struggled to maintain composure, forcing himself not to let his tone waver when responding.
How could Qin Liusong not be excited?
Having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time he had spoken one-on-one with his sovereign at such close range, and Your Highness’s attitude was so kind and valued… Ah! The obsession he had carried for a lifetime had finally been realized!
If not for fear of breaching etiquette before the imperial presence, Qin Liusong wouldn’t have merely struggled to hold back tears—he would have wept openly, crying out in relief.
…From now on, he would dedicate his life to fulfilling his duties, absolutely determined not to disappoint the emperor’s grace!
Qin Liusong left with great ambition, rubbing his hands in anticipation as he went to handle the matter, striving to prove his capabilities.
At this point, he still didn’t realize the value of his status as the “first to pledge allegiance.” When he later inquired and understood, he would truly be overjoyed.
“Let us also gather our men and prepare to head up the mountain.” Qi Chengming frowned slightly but relaxed upon seeing the map.
Today, upon arriving in Yiyang County, he had acted swiftly and decisively in only two matters—
First, he had ordered Mao Dalingtong to dispatch a group to secretly pursue the subordinates of that Baihu, who had gone after Advisor Qin’s pageboys. If not controlled immediately, their presence would become an unstable factor in Yiyang County going forward.
Second, he had gone straight to the county office to rescue Advisor Qin, then ordered the Imperial Guards to arrest people house by house based on the clues provided by Grandmaster Huang, “inviting” all the officials on the list for interrogation. Now that this matter had been handed over to Advisor Qin, who was familiar with the local situation, he would surely know how to strike where it hurt most.
Now, as Qi Chengming intended to take the opportunity to raid the bandit stronghold, he couldn’t help but worry that manpower might be insufficient… but after examining the map’s level of detail, he felt reassured.
Most of the bandits were currently imprisoned, and if they couldn’t defeat the few elderly, weak, and infirm left guarding the mountain with such a detailed map, it would be truly laughable.
“Your Highness, please leave such dangerous and rough work to us.” Steward Song quickly interjected, tactfully advising against it.
“That’s right.” Xiao Dezi also caught on and brought up a matter, “With so many people in the convoy, we still don’t know how to arrange them, and there are so many bandits, Your Highness… what do you think?”
“Forget it.” Seeing them all trying to persuade him, Qi Chengming had no intention of deliberately seeking hardship or putting himself in danger. He might as well wait here for Mao Dalingtong to return from ransacking the bandit den.
“I’m sure County Magistrate Tang won’t mind us temporarily staying at his residence, right? Bring the bandits along too, keep a close watch on them—if anyone acts up, just eliminate them. After all, we only need a few leaders as evidence of their crimes, which is perfectly justifiable.”
As Qi Chengming spoke with a stern expression, the young boy’s face took on a fierce, murderous aura.
From the preliminary search during the rescue earlier, they discovered that County Magistrate Tang alone owned three lavish private residences! Extravagant and opulent, all adorned with gold and silver, it was unclear how many wealthy merchants passing through he had plundered in collaboration with the bandits over the years.
Just thinking about the cost of lodging the entire convoy at an inn made Qi Chengming’s heart ache as if bleeding. They still needed to rest in Yiyang County for several days, sorting out this mess before setting off again, which would also give everyone exhausted from the journey a proper break.
Why not take advantage of the disgraced official’s property? He wasn’t going to pretend to be wealthy when he wasn’t.
“Yes!” Qi Chengming’s trusted subordinates bowed in agreement and withdrew to carry out their tasks.
Half an hour later, the convoy was settled in.
After a few more moments, with Grandmaster Huang’s assistance, Advisor Qin’s investigation of the evidence progressed swiftly and was completed.
Bi Shu served Qi Chengming a cup of strong, hot tea, making his tedious wait a little more comfortable. The fragrant, emerald-green tea was the premium “Enshi Yulu,” originally County Magistrate Tang’s prized possession, which Qi Chengming unceremoniously accepted.
He waited for several more hours, with Bi Shu coming in multiple times to trim the ivory lamp’s wick, before commotion erupted outside: “Your Highness!”
Sounds of doors opening one after another, the clatter of weapons and armor, and hurried footsteps followed.
Qi Chengming sprang to his feet and saw Xiao Song Zongguan, beaming with excitement, following behind Mao Dalingtong. Both wore expressions of joyous celebration, as if it were the New Year. The moment they stepped inside, they dropped to their knees in a grand, ceremonial bow, congratulating him in unison: “Your Highness—we’ve struck it rich!” “We’ve made a huge fortune!”
Qi Chengming’s heart pounded wildly, beating rapidly: “…We have money?!”
He asked dreamily.
Just how much money had they plundered?
Author’s Note:
The next chapter will be the VIP release, and tomorrow there will be a hefty 10,000-word chapter. To thank everyone for the nutrient solutions and thunder gifts, I’ll add extra updates later!
Thank you all for your enthusiastic support during this time! Truly, it has given me great motivation to write!
Tomorrow, I’ll also launch a lottery, and in the coming days, I’ll randomly distribute red envelopes in the comments section. Don’t forget to come by!
For other friends who only plan to go this far, perhaps we’ll meet again someday.
.
Recommending my own column’s upcoming work—
“Being a Good Elder Brother with a System (Time Travel to Qing Dynasty)”
Synopsis:
Juan Gu fell asleep after reading a novel about the reborn Qing Crown Prince and woke up transmigrated as the story’s Eldest Prince.
What a bolt from the blue!
Had he become that Eldest Prince Yin Ti, who, as the eldest son, was forced to become the Crown Prince’s whetstone, engaging in a love-hate relationship for over thirty years where both sides suffered and neither ended well?
That prince who was reborn and learned his lesson, now starts tormenting the miserable cannon-fodder eldest brother who ended up worse than his previous life?!
The future looks bleak indeed.
Fortunately, he awakened a system just in time—a marketplace selling everything: Butterfly Pills, Antitoxin Pills, Strength Pills, Contraceptive Incense, Boy or Girl Pills…
The system: “Are you worried about your future circumstances? Does the struggle for the throne pain you? This system is your best helper for self-preservation!”
The despairing Juan Gu quickly perked up: “Good, good! Make my imperial father abandon the thought—stop using me as the crown prince’s whetstone. My life depends on you now!”
.
The reborn Crown Prince Yin Reng was equally shocked.
Everything in this life had become completely unrecognizable:
Most of his brothers had mysteriously vanished?! The imperial father now had only a handful of sons:
The martial-arts skilled eldest brother, himself as crown prince, the literature-loving third brother, the pragmatic fourth brother, the easygoing fifth brother, the early-deceased sixth brother, and the disabled seventh brother.
The scarce number of heirs made the imperial father cherish every child dearly.
The struggle for the throne among nine princes? Gone.
The conflict between legitimate and eldest sons? Also gone—this eldest brother was completely different! Yin Reng could swear he wasn’t the reckless and impulsive eldest brother from his previous life! Who exactly was he?
But… watching the gentle, magnanimous eldest brother before him, who embodied the ideal elder brother and was waiting to accompany him to the Imperial Study, Yin Reng felt it didn’t matter who he was anymore.
What mattered was that he’d better never change back!
This eldest brother… was actually quite good.