“Second Brother, that’s not the point. Even if Jiu Niang has made contributions, she is still a lady.
“She doesn’t stay quietly in the inner quarters but goes out causing trouble. When something happens, she comes back crying to Father for support. Isn’t this inappropriate?”
“Regardless of right or wrong, what does a young lady need troops for?”
Chen Xian Sheng lowered his eyes and remained silent for a while before replying,
“This matter is indeed improper.”
Chen Xian Rong:
“Today, I came to discuss with Second Brother whether we can both persuade Father to reconsider.”
Chen Xian Sheng immediately shut up.
If the eldest brother were here, he might have agreed, but he didn’t want to get involved.
Li Shichimed in,
“The head of the family is acting improperly. Sending troops is such a big matter, yet he treats it like a child’s play.
“If today Jiu Niang asks for troops and he gives them, what if tomorrow she asks for the stars in the sky? Would he have to give them too?”
Chen Xian Rong agreed,
“Exactly. Father is truly too indulgent.”
Li Shi looked at Chen Xian Sheng,
“Your eldest brother isn’t in the mansion. Second Son, go and persuade him. It’s not that we women are meddling, but sending troops is truly absurd.”
Chen Xian Sheng hesitated but seeing Li Shi’s insistence, he had no choice but to give in.
Later, after Chen Xian Rong left, Chen Xian Sheng frowned and said to Li Shi,
“Mother, why did you get involved in this?”
Li Shi was dissatisfied and complained,
“Last time the Fifth Lady was beaten, your father indulged Jiu Niang. This time, he’s indulging her again. I can’t stand it anymore.”
Chen Xian Sheng said helplessly,
“Third Son probably came on Zheng Zhang’s suggestion. Wei County was his to begin with. Now that Jiu Niang was beaten upon entering Wei County, Father sending troops is also reasonable.”
“A group of bandits dares to disregard the government. Sending troops to intimidate them is no big deal. Mother, why make such a fuss?”
Li Shi:
“That’s not the way to look at it. You say Jiu Niang is a lady, yet she goes out to farm land, and not just any land, but an entire county’s worth. Is this reliable?”
Chen Xian Sheng remained silent.
Li Shi continued,
“Your father is also absurd. Not only did he agree, but when Jiu Niang was beaten outside, instead of persuading her to stay quietly in the inner quarters, he enabled her by sending troops, as if he’s afraid she won’t cause trouble. Is this proper?”
Chen Xian Sheng: “…”
Li Shi:
“Since Third Son came to ask you to persuade him together, Second Son, go with him tomorrow.”
Chen Xian Sheng rubbed his temples,
“Most likely, Father will scold us.”
Li Shi was displeased,
“Second Son, you’re too soft, lacking the decisiveness of your eldest brother.”
Chen Xian Sheng didn’t respond, thinking to himself that there were too many decisive people in this family, leading to constant scheming.
As expected, the next day when the brothers went to Bihua Hall to advise, they were indeed scolded by Chen En.
He shifted the blame to Zheng Zhang, saying bluntly,
“Wei County was your uncle’s to begin with. Yet, as soon as Jiu Niang entered Wei County, she encountered bandits.”
“Third Son, how come her luck is so bad, getting beaten up?”
Chen Xian Rong couldn’t answer.
Chen En scolded,
“What kind of brothers are you two?
“Your sister was bullied outside, and not only do you not stand up for her, but you also want me, your father, to endure it. What kind of behavior is that?!”
Faced with his questioning, the two hung their heads in silence.
Chen En pointed at them and scolded,
“A group of bandits bullies the Prince of Huai’an, and I’m unhappy about sending troops to intimidate them. What are you two yelling about? Do you have some connection with those bandits?”
This frightened the two, and they quickly waved their hands, saying,
“Father, please don’t misunderstand us! We wouldn’t dare!”
Chen En impatiently waved his hand,
“Get out of my sight!”
The two looked at each other and had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
Chen Xian Sheng had expected to be scolded and ran faster than anyone else, but Chen En suddenly called out,
“Second Son, come back.”
Chen Xian Sheng stopped in his tracks, wearing a look worse than crying.
Chen Xian Rong glanced at him and silently retreated.
Chen En beckoned, and Chen Xian Sheng approached miserably.
Suddenly, Chen En slapped him on the head, and he cried out,
“Father, please don’t hit me! Don’t hit me!”
Chen En said irritably,
“You little brat, have you eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard? How dare you meddle in my decision to send troops?”
Chen Xian Sheng honestly said,
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Chen En poked his forehead, cursing,
“Don’t you have a brain of your own? If the Third Son tells you to meddle, you just do it?”
Chen Xian Sheng quickly said,
“Father, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong.”
Chen En poked him but still felt unsatisfied, so he kicked him and said disdainfully,
“Stupid as a pig, being used as a tool without even realizing it.”
“I’m sending troops to Wei County to pacify the bandits for the peace of the region. What are you meddling for?”
“And what’s this about sending troops to a lady that might cause gossip? What’s wrong with me assigning a hundred troops to Jiu Niang?”
“If I can’t assign troops to her, does that mean I should assign them to you brats to rebel against me?”
This frightened Chen Xian Sheng, who quickly knelt down and said,
“Father, please calm your anger! I have no disloyal intentions!”
Chen En snorted, placing his hands on his hips,
“You brats are always eyeing the troops in my hands. What are you scheming? Don’t think I don’t know.”
“I, Chen En, am not old yet. I know what I’m doing. I don’t need you to teach me how to handle things.”
Chen Xian Sheng was full of grievances, sweating profusely as he said,
“I know I was wrong. Please punish me, Father.”
Chen En knew his temperament.
Scolding him was just for show, so he disdainfully said,
“Get lost!”
Chen Xian Sheng quickly got up and left.
Before he had gone far, Chen Xian Rong, who was still nearby, asked with concern,
“Second Brother…”
Chen Xian Sheng made a stopping gesture, his expression saying,
“Strangers, keep away.”
Chen Xian Rong had no choice but to shut up.
Chen Xian Sheng hurried away, running fast.
Chen Xian Rong watched his retreating back, feeling somewhat disdainful.
After all, he was a cowardly and timid person.
The matter of sending troops to Wei County proceeded as planned.
The more opposition there was, the more Chen En insisted on going against the tide.
His trusted confidant, Yu Fengzhen, knowing it was futile to dissuade him, privately inquired about his reasons.
Having followed Chen En for decades, since the days when Chen En was a horse trader, they had traveled far and wide together, sharing a life-and- death bond.
Now nearly sixty, Yu Fengzhen was short, lean, and wiry.
He served as a clerk in the prefecture, specializing in managing finances and provisions, and enjoyed Chen En’s deep trust.
Chen En didn’t hide his intentions from Yu Fengzhen’s probing, simply stating,
“I just want to see what tricks the Ninth Lady can pull off in Wei County.”
Yu Fengzhen frowned, seemingly incredulous,
“Is that all, my lord?”
Chen En nodded solemnly,
“She wants to cultivate the land of an entire county, and not harvest it at all. I’m genuinely curious how she plans to do it.”
Yu Fengzhen stroked his beard, speaking meaningfully,
“With so many influential gentry in Wei County, can the Ninth Lady really take control of the land?”
Chen En laughed,
“I just want to see what tricks she can play.”
He paused,
“Old Yu, you know my daughter is not like ordinary people; she’s full of clever ideas.”
“Even so, to outsiders, my lord appears too indulgent, which is bound to invite criticism.”
“Let them criticize. Among the common folk, her reputation is excellent. A little criticism won’t hurt.”
Seeing his resolve, Yu Fengzhen fell silent.
In truth, Chen En harbored another suspicion about the bandits in Wei County.
The Ninth Lady had just arrived when she was beaten and forced to return.
Was it mere coincidence, or deliberate?
Who could say?
Ultimately, Chen En overruled all objections and granted Chen Jiao a hundred soldiers to take to Wei County, and she set off once more.
This time, however, she was particularly spirited.
Midway, Xu Zhao suggested she bring along the chief scribe, Wu Yingzhong.
She then sought permission from the Prince of Huai’an, which was granted.
The group set off in grand style to open up a new front in Wei County.
The soldiers were under Xu Zhao’s command, and as he looked at the long procession on the road, he found it almost unbelievable.
Hu Yan grinned,
“Ninth Lady really has some skills.”
Xu Zhao smiled slightly, feeling quite pleased.
Meanwhile, Wu Yingzhong, mounted on his horse, was filled with grievances.
At over sixty years old, he had been doing just fine in his position, only to be sent off to Wei County to eat dust, which was truly disheartening.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Xu Zhao found it amusing and asked,
“Why the long face, Chief Scribe Wu?”
Wu Yingzhong grumbled,
“I’ve been pondering for a long time, but I can’t figure out when I offended Vice Magistrate Cui to warrant such ‘promotion.””
Xu Zhao chuckled,
“Magistrate Cui greatly admires your talents.”
Wu Yingzhong retorted,
“What good does sending me to Wei County do him?”
Xu Zhao shook his head,
“None at all.”
Wu Yingzhong glared,
“Then why does he have it in for me?”
Xu Zhao smiled without answering.
The carriage ahead moved slowly, and Chen Jiao strutted like a proud rooster, her tail practically reaching the sky.
Ma Chun was also delighted, smiling as she said,
“Young Lady, with your arrival, the officials in Wei County will surely be on edge.”
Chen Jiao raised an eyebrow,
“If they’ve done nothing wrong, they have nothing to fear from the knock of the ghost.”
Ma Chun whispered,
“In these times, which official isn’t corrupt?”
Chen Jiao pointed at her,
“Watch your words.”
Ma Chun quickly covered her mouth.
“Commander Xu.”
Hearing her call from behind, Xu Zhao urged his horse forward,
“What can I do for you, Ninth Lady?”
Chen Jiao said,
“I want to learn to ride a horse. Can you teach me?”
Xu Zhao didn’t waste words.
Traveling long distances, knowing how to ride would indeed make things easier.
Now, this young lady was his benefactor.
With his salary withheld by the Prince of Huai’an, he relied entirely on her generosity.
As long as he kept her happy, all would be well.
Thus, Chen Jiao began learning to ride on the way to Wei County, switching to the carriage when she grew tired.
Xu Zhao was an excellent teacher, patient and thorough, and with her quick learning, she soon got the hang of it.
The soldiers, who had never seen a delicate young lady disregarding propriety by showing her face, were all curious and couldn’t help stealing glances.
The girl on horseback was like a ray of sunshine, her bright attire a blaze of color among the rough men, her spirit soaring.
That vibrant hue became a striking sight for the men, always drawing their eyes.
Even if some harbored wild thoughts, they dared not act on them.
She was the treasure cradled in the Prince of Huai’an’s hands, the little ancestor Xu Zhao served, and the lives of many depended on her.
They dared not be the least bit careless.
Along the way, common folk seeing the soldiers all kept their distance.
After all, this was an era where bandits combed the land like a fine-toothed comb, and soldiers like a coarse one.
As the grand procession passed, curious onlookers asked if war was brewing.
Passersby, unaware of the truth, were filled with panic.
With soldiers escorting them, the group arrived safely within Wei County’s borders, and the bandits dared not show their faces.
Zheng Zhiyun, the magistrate of Wei County, received news of Chen Jiao’s second arrival as if facing a formidable enemy.
On the day they entered the county town, Magistrate Zheng personally came to greet them.
Seeing the soldiers led by Xu Zhao, he inwardly felt a sense of foreboding.
Wei County was far less prosperous than Fanyang, with low, ramshackle houses, messy streets, and a pervasive dustiness.
Magistrate Zheng and County Assistant Liu waited respectfully for the distinguished guest’s arrival.
The carriage stopped, the coachman set down the step, and Ma Chun lifted the curtain, helping Chen Jiao alight.
As the commander, Xu Zhao received Magistrate Zheng’s obsequious greetings, with everyone exchanging formalities.
Magistrate Zheng was a cheerful man in his fifties, short and stout, with a smile reminiscent of the Maitreya Buddha.
County Assistant Liu, on the other hand, had a long face, was tall and thin, with downturned eyebrows, giving him a somewhat bitter appearance.
The contrast between the two left a deep impression on Chen Jiao.
Magistrate Zheng fawned,
“Ninth Lady, you must be weary from the journey. I’ve prepared the official residence for your stay, and have arranged maids to attend to you. Should you need anything, simply give the order.”
Chen Jiao nodded,
“Thank you for your consideration, Magistrate Zheng.”
Magistrate Zheng waved his hands, “It’s no trouble at all, I dare not claim credit.”
With that, he gestured for them to proceed, and Chen Jiao, surrounded by the entourage, made her way to the official residence.
Along the way, she inquired about the local epidemic situation, to which Magistrate Zheng responded in detail, praising her,
“The people of Huizhou are blessed by the Ninth Lady. If not for your discovery that Chen mustard brine could cure lung abscesses, many more in our county would have perished.”
Chen Jiao tilted her head, asking,
“Regarding the epidemic, does the county have a clear count of the deaths?”
Magistrate Zheng replied,
“We reported to the prefecture a while back. Our county lost about nine hundred people.”
This number was shocking, as Wei County’s total population was only around eight thousand.
Chen Jiao continued to inquire in detail about the county’s situation, and Magistrate Zheng answered each question.
The common folk in the town, seeing the procession, whispered among themselves.
Some well-informed individuals, knowing a bit about the situation, engaged in lively gossip in the streets.
A woman leading a child, hearing her neighbor’s account, skeptically said,
“Second Brother Zhou, don’t talk nonsense. What would a noble from the palace come to our little place for?”
The man named Second Brother Zhou excitedly replied,
“Aunt Ying, don’t doubt it. That young lady is truly the Ninth Lady from the Prince of Huai’an’s household, the very one who discovered the Chen mustard brine, the bodhisattva who’s come to our place!”
The woman was astounded.
The people around them began chattering, speculating about the bodhisattva’s purpose.
Some guessed she was here for leisure, others thought she was here to suppress bandits, with various theories emerging.
Second Brother Zhou had his own view, saying,
“Regardless of why Ninth Lady is here, since she’s a bodhisattva, she’s surely here to bring us blessings.”
This statement was met with collective derision.
“Second Brother Zhou, stop flattering. Those in power all aim to squeeze the people dry. How could they bring us any good?”
“Exactly, officials are all the same!”
“What bodhisattva? She might as well be a demoness!”
This last comment came from an old man, originally a jest, but little did he know, it would prove prophetic.
She was the bodhisattva, and also the demoness.
She stirred Wei County into chaos, unleashing all sorts of monsters and demons.
The entire town’s populace gathered to watch the spectacle, collectively boiling over, collectively ascending to the heavens!
Had the Prince of Huai’an known the trouble Chen Jiao was about to cause, he would have never sent troops.
This was no mere land cultivation; it was planting the local gentry into the ground, staging a shocking black-on-black drama.
When it came to stirring up trouble, her experience was truly vast!