Compared to the turmoil in the imperial court in the capital, things were not peaceful in Yunzhong Commandery either.

Zhong Changrong slammed several official reports onto the table, causing the command tokens in the bamboo tube to rattle.

“What madness is happening at Changping Pass?” he cursed. “If they’re not fighting the Western Liang, are their hands itching? Fighting among themselves!”

As he spoke, he grabbed his sword and headed for the door.

“I’ll go there myself and give them the fight they’re looking for.”

The deputy generals hurriedly blocked him, trying to pacify him: “General, please calm down.” “We’ve already sent people to control the situation.” “You can’t go. If you go, things will truly escalate.”

Zhong Changrong was persuaded to stay. He sneered, “Have Ma Liang of Changping Pass removed from his post. He can’t even control his troops, how can he fight in battle?”

Ma Liang was the commander of Changping Pass.

“It has nothing to do with him,” one deputy general said. “It was caused by his subordinate military official.”

“The court has replaced Military Official Wu Shiliu of Changping,” another deputy general said in a low voice. “This Wu Shiliu, though unremarkable and without much achievement, but General, as you know, he was already at Changping Pass before Ma Liang arrived. He hasn’t been moved for half his life, and now, being suddenly replaced, he’s naturally discontented.”

Zhong Changrong’s face darkened. “What does he have to be discontented about? Is he the only one being replaced this time? Several generals were replaced without question.”

Since the court audience in the capital, the court had mobilized local garrison troops to reinforce the border army, while reassigning border army officers, sending them back to defend inland territories.

The newly arrived court supervisor said this was for the officers’ benefit, as the war had been going on for more than two years, and the officers inevitably needed rest, so they were being rotated.

“It’s not a problem for several generals to be replaced; they can take their guards and deputies with them. At their new posts, the number of troops under their command remains unchanged. Although they might miss out on military achievements at the border, even without these achievements, their status won’t be affected,” one deputy general said. “But it’s different for military officials—”

Most of them were like clerks in the state, prefecture, and county administrations, with roots in their garrison locations, cultivating land and multiplying, with extensive family networks.

Being suddenly replaced and transferred away was like being uprooted.

How could they not cause trouble?

“It’s good that you were prepared, General, and warned Ma Liang,” another deputy general said with a bitter smile. “Otherwise, who knows how big the trouble would have been?”

“The court doesn’t know what time it is,” another deputy general complained. “We’re in the middle of a war, why replace officers now?”

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

“It’s precisely because the war is critical that we can’t allow mediocre people to abuse power.”

The people in the room turned in surprise to see a general in red robes entering the courtyard—it was the newly appointed supervisor from the court, Capital Guard General Fu Cheng.

Though said to be appointed by the court, he was sent by Imperial Tutor Deng Yi.

Deng Yi was governing in the Emperor’s absence, controlling the imperial seal and military tallies, and had sent his close Capital Army general as supervisor.

Zhong Changrong’s eyes darkened as he looked at the guards in the courtyard and shouted, “How could you not announce General Fu’s arrival, making us appear discourteous by not going out to welcome him!”

The guards looked remorseful yet helpless. Before they could speak, Supervisor Fu said calmly, “This supervisor comes by imperial edict and command. I told them not to disturb General Zhong, to avoid failing in my supervisory duty.”

What supervision? More like spying! Zhong Changrong’s face darkened as he said coldly, “Has General Fu discovered something in his supervision today?”

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

“Military Official Wu Shiliu of Changping Pass has falsified military registers and embezzled military funds,” he said. “I’ve come to tell General Zhong that there’s no need to reassign him elsewhere; instead, he should be charged and punished.”

Zhong Changrong picked up the registers and looked through them, cursing.

“General Zhong wouldn’t be thinking that punishment should be avoided due to the ongoing war, would he?” Supervisor Fu asked with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

Zhong Changrong said in a deep voice, “Supervisor Fu is overthinking. The military is clear about rewards and punishments.”

Supervisor Fu nodded: “Then this supervisor can rest assured.” He smiled, “General Zhong is entrusted by the Empress; you mustn’t disappoint her expectations.”

Was that a threat? A threat to use border affairs to tarnish the Empress’s reputation? Zhong Changrong said coldly, “Even if Supervisor Fu is acting on the Imperial Tutor’s orders, don’t forget the Emperor’s vast grace.”

This meant that no matter how powerful the Imperial Tutor was, he was still just a subject. Supervisor Fu’s smile faded. “Thank you for the reminder, General Zhong.”

With that, he left.

The deputies spat at his back, “Acting high and mighty because of his backing.” Looking at Zhong Changrong, they said, “General, this dog is throwing his weight around in the army, relying on the Imperial Tutor.”

Zhong Changrong slammed the military register on the table with a dark expression: “He can do that because we gave him the opportunity. This damned Wu Shiliu, what a fine account he’s made! Embezzling so much military pay!”

The deputy generals also picked up the registers to look at.

“Did he embezzle so much?” “We don’t understand these accounts.” “Why didn’t the military inspector find this during annual inspections?” “Bunch of useless people.”

While Zhong Changrong and his men were cursing angrily, Supervisor Fu returned to his office with a hint of satisfaction.

Someone was waiting in the office and bowed: “The Supervisor has returned.”

Supervisor Fu made a gesture to raise him: “No need for formalities, Director Liang.”

Liang Ji, the Second Master Liang, rose as told and, observing Supervisor Fu’s expression, smiled, “It seems the Supervisor is in a good mood after this trip.”

Supervisor Fu felt constrained since arriving here, especially with Zhong Changrong, who relied on Chu Ping’s lingering influence and the Empress as his backing, and was unyielding. But seeing Zhong Changrong’s discomfort today had indeed improved his mood.

Supervisor Fu laughed: “This is all thanks to Director Liang.” He patted Liang Ji’s arm, sighing, “Second Master Liang is indeed a scholar, impressive! Wu Shiliu created such a secretive account through collusion with others; experts I brought from the capital couldn’t detect it, but you found the problem in just three days.”

Liang Ji said, “This official is only capable of these clerical tasks.”

“Don’t be so modest,” Supervisor Fu said. “Second Master Liang moves troops like a god, with divine calculation. I’ve long admired your reputation in the capital. I had all reports about you circulated and studied in the military as a model.”

Liang Ji said, “This official feels ashamed.”

These were sincere words.

But these sincere words only pleased Supervisor Fu more.

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

Unlike Zhong Changrong, so arrogant and disrespectful.

“Second Master Liang,” Supervisor Fu continued, “you’ve helped this supervisor so much; if you need anything, just ask.”

Then he smiled again.

“When the Imperial Tutor came, he praised Second Master Liang and his son as brave generals worthy of important positions.”

The implication was that they were all the Imperial Tutor’s men, and Liang Ji naturally understood this was because of Liang Qiang.

The news that Liang Qiang had been personally appointed as a guerrilla general by the Imperial Tutor had spread throughout the border army.

“Thank you for the Imperial Tutor’s appreciation,” he said, then looked at Supervisor Fu. “Since that’s the case, I won’t stand on ceremony. I do have a request.”

Supervisor Fu wasn’t afraid of people asking for favors; rather, he feared those who asked for nothing.

“Good,” he smiled, stroking his beard. “Please speak.”

Liang Ji said, “I wish to join the Commander-in-Chief’s central army as Director.”

Supervisor Fu’s fingers paused, pulling out a few short beard hairs, and he drew in a slight breath.

Being the Director in the Commander-in-Chief’s army meant being the right-hand man to the Commander, with the authority to plan and decide battles.

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

This was about dividing power and competing for achievements.