Compared to the turmoil in the capital’s court, things were far from peaceful on the Yunzhong Commandery side either.

Zhong Changrong slammed several military reports onto the desk, causing the command tallies in the bamboo container to rattle chaotically.

“What madness has possessed Changping Pass?” he cursed. “Not fighting Xi Liang, hands getting itchy, is that it? Fighting among themselves instead!”

As he spoke, he grabbed the sword at his waist and headed outside.

“I’ll go there myself and let them fight to their heart’s content.”

The deputy generals at his side hurriedly blocked his way, trying to placate him: “General, calm your anger.” “We’ve already sent people to bring the situation under control.” “You cannot go—if you go, things will truly escalate beyond control.”

Zhong Changrong was persuaded to stop. He laughed coldly: “Have Ma Liang of Changping Pass relieved of duty. If he can’t even control his troops, how can he fight a war?”

Ma Liang was the commanding general of Changping Pass.

“Actually, it’s not really his fault,” one deputy general said. “It was triggered by his subordinate, the Military Commandant.”

“The court replaced Changping’s Military Commandant Wu Shiliu,” another deputy general said in a low voice. “Although Wu Shiliu is an unremarkable person without any significant achievements, as you know, General, Wu Shiliu was already stationed at Changping Pass before Ma Liang even arrived there. He’s spent half his lifetime in that one place without ever being transferred. Now suddenly replacing him—of course he feels aggrieved.”

Zhong Changrong’s expression darkened as he said, “What does he have to feel aggrieved about? Was he the only one replaced this time? Several generals were replaced at a moment’s notice.”

Ever since the merit assessment in the capital, the court had mobilized garrison troops from various regions to reinforce the border army, while simultaneously reassigning border army officers and generals, having them return to defend the interior.

The court’s newly arrived military supervisor said this was for the officers’ benefit—the war had already lasted over two years, and the officers were inevitably fatigued, so they were being rotated for rest and recovery.

“It’s one thing for those generals to be replaced—they can take their personal guards and deputy generals with them, and the number of troops they command at their new posts remains exactly the same. Although they might miss out on border campaign merits, even without such merits, their status won’t be affected,” one deputy general said. “But people like the Military Commandants are different—”

Most of them were like clerks in prefectures and counties, with their roots all in their garrison locations, where they had established farmlands and families, with branches flourishing like a great tree.

Being suddenly replaced and transferred was undoubtedly like being uprooted.

How could they not cause trouble?

“Fortunately, General, you had the foresight to warn Ma Liang in advance,” another deputy general said with a bitter smile. “Otherwise, who knows how big a disturbance this would have caused.”

“What is the court thinking anyway?” another deputy general complained. “We’re in the middle of a war—why change officers and generals now?”

As his words fell, a man’s deep voice sounded from outside.

“Precisely because the war is urgent, we cannot tolerate mediocre incompetents monopolizing power.”

The people inside were startled and turned to look. They saw a general in red robes walking into the courtyard—none other than the newly appointed military supervisor sent by the court, Imperial Guard Commander Fu Cheng.

Though he was said to be sent by the court, he was actually sent by Grand Tutor Deng Yi.

With Deng Yi supervising the state and controlling the imperial seal, military authority, and tiger tallies, he had dispatched trusted generals from the capital’s guards to serve as envoys and military supervisors.

Zhong Changrong’s eyes darkened. Looking at the guards on duty in the courtyard, he shouted, “When Supervisor Fu arrives, why didn’t you announce him? You’ve made us fail in our courtesy of reception!”

The guards on duty looked chagrined and helpless. Before they could speak, Supervisor Fu said calmly, “This supervisor came bearing the imperial edict and command. I told them not to disturb General Zhong, lest I fail in my duty of supervision.”

What supervision—more like spying! Zhong Changrong’s expression was dark as he said coldly, “Has Supervisor Fu come today because he has supervised something else?”

Supervisor Fu paid no mind to his attitude and walked in, setting down several military ledgers.

“Military Commandant Wu Shiliu of Changping Pass falsified military records and embezzled military funds,” he said. “I’m here to inform General Zhong that there’s no need to reassign him elsewhere—rather, he should be tried and sentenced for his crimes.”

Zhong Changrong picked up the military ledgers to examine them and cursed.

“Could it be that General Zhong thinks that with the war at hand, punishment would be inconvenient?” Supervisor Fu asked with a half-smile.

Zhong Changrong said in a heavy voice, “Supervisor Fu overthinks things. Rewards and punishments in the military are clear and distinct.”

Supervisor Fu nodded: “Then this supervisor can rest assured.” He smiled and said, “General Zhong is deeply trusted by the Empress—don’t disappoint the Empress’s expectations.”

Was this a threat? A threat to use border commandery affairs to damage the Empress’s reputation? Zhong Changrong said coldly, “Even though Supervisor Fu acts on the Grand Tutor’s orders, don’t forget the vastness of imperial grace.”

Was he saying that no matter how powerful the Grand Tutor was, he was still only a minister? Supervisor Fu’s smile faded as he said, “Many thanks to General Zhong for the reminder.”

With that, he flicked his sleeves and departed.

The deputy generals spat at his retreating back: “A dog relying on his master’s power.” They looked at Zhong Changrong again: “General, this fellow is throwing his weight around in the army, relying on the Grand Tutor.”

Zhong Changrong kept a dark expression as he violently threw the military ledgers in his hands onto the table: “Well, he was given the handle to do so! This damned Wu Shiliu really did a fine job with these accounts—he actually embezzled this much in military funds!”

The deputy generals also picked up the ledgers to look.

“He really embezzled so much?” “We don’t understand these account books either.” “The supervisors inspect them every year—how did they not discover this?” “That bunch of incompetents.”

While Zhong Changrong’s side cursed in anger and frustration, Supervisor Fu returned to his military supervisor’s residence with a somewhat pleased expression.

Someone was waiting in the residence and bowed: “The supervisor has returned.”

Supervisor Fu raised his hand in a gesture: “Chief Clerk Liang, no need for such formality.”

Liang Ji, Second Master Liang, straightened up as instructed. Seeing Supervisor Fu’s expression, he smiled: “It seems the supervisor is in good spirits after this trip.”

Supervisor Fu was still not accustomed to being here, feeling constrained at every turn, especially by that Zhong Changrong who, relying on Chu Ling’s residual authority and the Empress as his backing, was impervious to persuasion. However, seeing Zhong Changrong suffer a setback today truly lifted his spirits.

Supervisor Fu laughed heartily: “This is all thanks to Chief Clerk Liang!” He patted Liang Ji’s arm affectionately and sighed, “Second Master Liang truly lives up to being a scholar—impressive, truly impressive. That Wu Shiliu created such hidden accounts through his network of connections above and below. The experts I brought from the capital couldn’t detect anything, yet you uncovered the problems in just three days.”

Liang Ji said, “This subordinate can only manage these clerical tasks.”

“Don’t be so modest,” Supervisor Fu said. “Second Master Liang commands troops like a deity and possesses brilliant strategic calculations. I’ve long admired your great reputation in the capital. I’ve had military reports about you circulated and studied in the army as a model.”

Liang Ji said, “This subordinate is ashamed.”

This was sincere.

However, this sincerity only increased Supervisor Fu’s satisfaction.

“Indeed, the more capable a person is, the more modest they are,” he sighed.

Unlike that Zhong Changrong, so arrogant and insolent.

“Second Master Liang,” Supervisor Fu continued, “you’ve helped this supervisor so greatly. Whatever you need, just ask.”

At this point, he smiled again.

“When the Grand Tutor came, he praised both you and your son as valiant generals worthy of important appointments.”

The implication was that they were all the Grand Tutor’s people. Liang Ji naturally understood—he knew this was because of Liang Qiang.

The matter of Liang Qiang being personally selected by the Grand Tutor as Guerrilla General had also spread throughout the border army.

“Many thanks for the Grand Tutor’s recognition,” he said. Then looking at Supervisor Fu, “Since that’s the case, I won’t be polite. I do indeed have a request.”

Supervisor Fu wasn’t afraid of others having requests—what he feared was when people had nothing to request.

“Good,” he said, stroking his beard with a smile. “Please speak.”

Liang Ji said, “I wish to enter the commander’s central army as Chief Clerk.”

Supervisor Fu’s fingers paused, pulling out several short whiskers, and he sucked in a slight breath.

To serve as Chief Clerk in the commander’s army would make one the commander’s right-hand man, with authority to strategize and make decisions affecting the course of battles.

He didn’t believe Second Master Liang wanted to become Zhong Changrong’s right-hand man.

This was about dividing power and competing for merit!