Liu Mi nodded, “It was quite serious. If it weren’t for his strong constitution, he wouldn’t have lasted that long.”
She then sighed with emotion, “I only found out recently that Lady Wei and Guard Meng grew up together as childhood sweethearts.”
“What a pity that the emperor’s decree changed everything, and Lady Wei was summoned into the palace.”
“Guard Meng trained in martial arts from a young age, always aspiring to become a military general. But in the end… he became a guard in the palace, just for the chance to occasionally see Lady Wei.”
Liu Mi shook her head with a wry smile, “But he was so capable that within a few years, he rose to the position of Captain of the Guard.”
She lowered her head, gazing at the food before her, and said softly, “Feelings born in youth are the most passionate and pure. Such a shame.”
Jiang Jin looked at her; clearly, Lady Wei wasn’t the only one with a story.
“If you have the will, it’s not too late even now,” she said.
Liu Mi looked up at her, then after a moment, her brows curved into a smile. “Yes, not too late.”
The next day, at the first light of dawn, a company of riders escorted Tian Daguang and others out of Gefeng City.
By the time Jiang Jin arrived at the county office, Xu Chuan was already waiting there.
Upon seeing Jiang Jin, he quickly bowed in greeting.
Jiang Jin waved her hand, “No need for formalities. Have a seat.”
“Are you settling in well in Gefeng?” she asked, as if making casual conversation.
Xu Chuan, uncertain why Jiang Jin had summoned him, felt nervous and replied cautiously, “Gefeng is very good.”
His words carried no pretense; he genuinely believed life in Gefeng was good.
There was no inexplicable oppression here, no bizarre taxes to pay—everything was clearly regulated.
Following the rules, ordinary people like him could live in peace.
He could also see that Gefeng’s systems were gradually improving. Take business, for example:
In the beginning, taxation was uniform, regardless of the trade.
Now, taxes varied by category, and some small businesses were even exempt as a form of support.
Marriage and divorce had also changed: instead of men casting wives aside, there was only mutual separation.
The steady implementation of these new systems showed him that this rising power was undergoing sweeping reforms.
Yes, reforms.
Jiang Jin was enacting comprehensive change across her domain, abolishing many old institutions and establishing a new order.
Even in the academy’s curriculum, alongside simplified characters, there was now a course called “Civic Ethics.”
During the recent Battle of Shanguan Pass, the bodies of fallen soldiers were buried with grandeur in the Martyrs’ Cemetery.
All the academy’s students stood in formation to attend this solemn funeral, and he too had been privileged to join.
Dean Chen Zi delivered a speech, his voice so powerful that it stirred even a hardened man like Xu Chuan, deepening his reverence for the Jinyang Army.
He felt immense respect and gratitude for the brave soldiers who gave their lives, and a burning hatred for the atrocities committed by the Manyi tribes.
This hatred drove out the deep-seated fear of the Manyi that had lingered in Han people’s blood, replacing it with an unwavering determination to drive them from Han lands.
He saw the eyes of everyone present—especially the young students—glowing with a different light.
That light shone with love for Gefeng and Jiang Jin, with a steadfast determination to defend them, and a resolute vow not to stop until the Manyi were expelled.
At that moment, he seemed to sense an invisible force, one he believed would one day shake the world.
Jiang Jin acted as if she hadn’t noticed his unease. “I heard you once served as a county official in Chongzhou. What are your views on governance?”
Xu Chuan’s heart tightened. He had an inkling of why Jiang Jin had summoned him today. Suppressing his excitement, he paused to think, then spoke solemnly.
“One should inspire trust without words, keep promises, remain impartial and fair, not act on personal feelings, stay honest and incorruptible, work diligently and pragmatically, and be humble and prudent.”
Jiang Jin glanced at him. That was a textbook answer—neither good nor bad.
Shaking her head, she added, “There’s one more thing: keep learning and stay in step with policies.”
The nation she intended to build was unlike anything here; an official who didn’t carry out her ideas was no good official.
Xu Chuan was taken aback, then immediately understood her meaning. With a look of shame, he stood and bowed again. “I have been taught well.”
Jiang Jin gestured for him to sit and made a formal invitation: “My Chunrong County still needs a magistrate. Would you be willing to take the post?”
Overjoyed, Xu Chuan performed a ruler-subject bow. “Your subject is willing. I will not fail your trust.”
Ever since his days as a fugitive, he had given up on the idea of holding office, only hoping to live peacefully in turbulent times.
But during his time in Gefeng, he had gradually absorbed many new ideas.
He realized that if the opportunity arose, he still wanted to fulfill his ambitions, to contribute to Gefeng, and to help more people survive.
Jiang Jin nodded. “Good. Go to Chunrong County later today. Spend the next couple of days with Mr. Qiu for the handover. The county’s deputies, constables, and clerks are all in place.”
Jiang Jin felt somewhat resigned—she lacked enough ready-made civil officials.
After their discussion, she concluded that Xu Chuan was indeed a good choice: he could accept new ideas, was steady, had experience as a county official, and managing a small county like Chunrong wouldn’t be a problem.
After settling this, Jiang Jin had Dongzhi summon Village Head Su.
As she recalled, Village Head Su and his group were from Xianglu County in Donghu Commandery, so he could tell her about Sunfeng Island.
Village Head Su arrived quickly, his emotions a mix of excitement and anxiety. Upon seeing Jiang Jin, he knelt and bowed. “Greetings, my lord.”
Jiang Jin smiled warmly. “Rise, quickly.”
After a few pleasantries, she got to the point. “I remember you’re from Xianglu County. What do you know about the naval forces there and Sunfeng Island?”
It took Village Head Su a moment to collect himself. Having lived in Gefeng so long, he had almost forgotten he came from Xianglu County. “My lord, are you asking about the naval garrison?”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Yes, were they completely wiped out?”
Village Head Su actually knew the answer. “Not entirely. Quite a few fled to Sizhou.”
Jiang Jin was curious. “How do you know?”
Village Head Su sighed. “My village wasn’t far from the naval garrison. During recruitment, a few villagers joined as naval soldiers, so we heard some news.”
“Before Qu Zhaoren’s men reached Xianglu County, the naval general had already planned to flee to Sizhou.”
He knew this because those villagers had hurried back once, saying they had begged the general for permission to take their families along, and he had agreed.
Jiang Jin didn’t know what to say. They had fled with hardly a fight. Still, on the bright side, the navy had remained relatively intact.
Recalling something, she asked, “Did they take all the warships to Sizhou?”
Village Head Su shook his head. “One general stayed and fought to the death against Qu Zhao’s men. I don’t know how many ships were captured by Qu Zhao.”
Jiang Jin felt a mix of emotions. Those with integrity had perished in battle; those left behind were all cowards.
