Emperor Jingming’s shout of “Nonsense!” didn’t intimidate Jiang Zhan in the slightest.
The joke’s on him – having grown up under his father’s fists and feet, a mere rebuke was nothing but a drizzle.
Jiang Zhan’s expression grew even more determined as he cupped his hands and said, “I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!”
Emperor Jingming sat on the dragon throne, looking down at the young man below, and asked, “Jiang Er, do you know that swords and blades have no eyes?”
Jiang Zhan knelt upright and immediately nodded upon hearing this, “Of course, I know, Your Majesty. It is precisely because of this that men must be willing to sacrifice themselves to protect our Great Zhou’s territory.”
Emperor Jingming’s eyes lit up, and he slapped the armrest of his throne, “Well said, willing to sacrifice oneself! Since that’s the case, I shall appoint you as the Xuanwu General, and you’ll serve under General Feng in the south next spring.”
Jiang Zhan was overjoyed, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The court officials’ gazes towards Jiang Zhan became extremely complex.
They thought this kid was foolish for giving up the good life of silk and jade in the capital, insisting on going to the battlefield to court death. Yet they also felt that this kid had shown his face before the Emperor today. If nothing else, as long as he endured a few years on the southern border and returned with all limbs intact, his future would surely be limitless.
Tsk tsk, jumping from an ordinary Golden Tiger Guard to a fourth-rank Xuanwu General, this second young master of the Earl of Dongping’s household could be said to have ascended to heaven in a single step.
Jiang Zhan’s genuine joy infected Emperor Jingming, causing his expression to relax considerably. As if possessed, he asked, “Has General Jiang taken a wife?”
Jiang Zhan was inwardly delighted, a silly smile plastered on his face. It wasn’t until Emperor Jingming asked again that he realized the “General Jiang” in the Emperor’s mouth was referring to him.
General Jiang…
Jiang Zhan felt a bit dizzy.
He was being called a general, and by the Emperor no less!
Jiang Zhan’s foolish look amused Emperor Jingming, who coughed and said, “General Jiang?”
Jiang Zhan snapped back to his senses and honestly replied, “In response to Your Majesty, this humble official has not yet taken a wife.”
“Is that so.” Looking at the handsome young man, Emperor Jingming stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Jiang Zhan hurriedly said, “This humble official is about to go south, so I have no plans to marry for now. It wouldn’t be right to keep a young lady waiting.”
Emperor Jingming nodded slightly, “Hmm, that makes sense. In that case, it’s not too late to discuss marriage when you return from the South.”
Looking at the Emperor’s pleasant expression, then at the spirited young man, the court officials began to ponder: What did the Emperor mean by this? He seemed a bit too concerned…
After Jiang Zhan, who had received his reward, retreated to the side, Emperor Jingming asked the officials expressionlessly, “Do any of you have anything else to report?”
The officials immediately fell silent.
The Emperor had used the reward for the Earl of Dongping’s second son to make a point. Who would dare to stick their neck out now?
Emperor Jingming was very satisfied with the officials’ discretion and slowly rose, “If that’s all, then you may disperse.”
“Court dismissed—”
With the eunuch’s high-pitched announcement, the officials dispersed.
Zhen Shicheng, who had emerged unscathed from the impeachment, strolled over to Jiang Zhan’s side and patted him on the shoulder.
“Uncle Zhen,” Jiang Zhan turned his head to see Zhen Shicheng and flashed a bright smile.
Zhen Shicheng stroked his beard and asked with a smile, “Nephew, have you discussed your plans to go to the southern border with your father?”
Jiang Zhan’s smile froze.
Zhen Shicheng patted his shoulder forcefully again and said meaningfully, “Take care, nephew.”
If it were his son, he would have beaten him to death eight hundred times over by now.
Jiang Zhan’s high spirits suddenly plummeted. He returned to the Earl’s mansion with his tail between his legs and snuck back to his room.
Jiang Ancheng arrived at the Listening Bamboo Residence wielding a stick.
“Jiang Zhan, get out here!”
There was no response for a moment.
Jiang Ancheng strode to the door, about to kick it open when it suddenly swung open.
“Father—” Jiang Zhan smiled ingratiatingly, quickly glancing at the teacup-thick stick in Jiang Ancheng’s hand.
Jiang Ancheng tapped the ground with the stick, “Tell me what you did today!”
“Son—” Meeting Jiang Ancheng’s murderous gaze, Jiang Zhan knew he couldn’t escape this, so he honestly confessed, “Son requested the Emperor to let me go to the southern battlefield…”
“You rascal, why didn’t you discuss such a big matter with me first!”
Jiang Zhan shuffled back a bit and laughed dryly, “Son didn’t know the Emperor would suddenly summon me to the hall today.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ancheng found it reasonable and calmed down a bit. But as he cooled off, he suddenly realized, “The Emperor suddenly summoning you is one thing, but for you to make such a request, you must have thought about it for a while!”
Jiang Zhan chuckled, essentially admitting it.
Jiang Ancheng raised the stick and swung it at his calf, “Then why didn’t you discuss it with the family first? Have your wings grown so strong?”
With one son and two daughters, he never expected them to achieve great things, only hoping they would live peaceful and healthy lives.
Jiang Zhan dodged the incoming stick and had a flash of inspiration, “Son discussed it with Fourth Sister—”
The flying stick suddenly stopped mid-air.
“You discussed it with your Fourth Sister?”
Jiang Zhan nodded vigorously, “Yes, remember when the son was inexplicably humiliated by the deposed Crown Prince? It even implicated Prince Yan, who was sent to the Clan Court. I felt so stifled then, thinking it would be better to go to the battlefield and kill enemies.”
Jiang Ancheng slapped him, “Getting stabbed is better?”
After scolding, he hesitated a bit.
“What did your Fourth Sister say?”
Jiang Zhan flashed a brilliant smile, “Of course, she agreed. If Fourth Sister hadn’t agreed, the son wouldn’t have mentioned it to the Emperor.”
Jiang Ancheng was left speechless.
Who else but his son would discuss such a big matter with his sister instead of his father?
But Si’er had always been reliable. If Si’er thought it was fine, then he could rest easy.
“Ahem, since you’ve discussed it with your Fourth Sister, let it be. But don’t let this happen again.”
Jiang Zhan nearly cried.
He knew discussing it with Fourth Sister first would provide more security.
Staring at his son’s young face, Jiang Ancheng couldn’t help but ask, “You rascal, are you not afraid of getting hurt and bleeding?”
Jiang Zhan met Jiang Ancheng’s gaze, his expression unusually solemn, “Father, to protect and realize certain things, someone will always have to bleed. Those young men who are injured or even sacrifice their lives on the battlefield are also someone else’s sons and brothers… If they can do it, why can’t I?”
He had seriously thought about his future.
Being humiliated by the deposed Crown Prince was only one aspect; deep down, he didn’t want to live a life of luxury and comfort.
Why shouldn’t a man carry a sword, to conquer fifty states beyond the frontier?
This was the life he wanted to pursue.
Jiang Ancheng gazed at his son’s vibrant face, patted his shoulder, and silently left with the stick.
Yu Jin hurried into the Yuhe Palace, bringing a gust of cold air with him.
He first took off his outer robe and handed it to a maid, wiped the mud from his feet, and then strode into the inner chamber.
“Asi, Father Emperor rewarded Uncle at court today, but Uncle’s requested reward was somewhat unexpected…”
“Could it be that Second Brother wants to go to the southern border?”
Yu Jin was slightly stunned, “You already knew?”
Jiang Si nodded, “Yes, Second Brother had mentioned it to me before.”
Yu Jin pressed his lips together.
It was indeed time to find Jiang Zhan a wife!