Identity Reversal

"That's right, he is Jiang Che."

Liu Zhi replied.

"Good, let's say he has extraordinary abilities. It makes sense that you taught him martial arts. But what do you say about him privately teaching the Body Tempering Method to others and accepting money?"

The situation had escalated to this point, and Gou Buren and Liu Zhi had completely fallen out. Gou Buren was determined to suppress Liu Zhi by any means necessary.

"Teaching a cultivation method and accepting money is quite an accusation you've leveled. Geng Dabiao, Wu Changfeng, and others performed excellently in our last sparring session. Jiang Che was seen by them while practicing the Body Tempering Method and they begged to learn.

Jiang Che reported this to me afterward, and I agreed. As for the money, it was simply their way of thanking Jiang Che. What's wrong with that?"

Liu Zhi took all the blame upon himself to win over their hearts.

As the Deputy Commander, doing these things wasn't a violation of discipline, but if Jiang Che had done them, it would have been a capital offense.

"Ridiculous." Gou Buren was about to say something when Liu Zhi interrupted him again, bowing slightly.

"My Lord, your subordinate has another urgent matter to report."

"Speak."

Zhu Sheng waved his hand.

In fact, teaching the cultivation method wasn't a serious crime at all. The Body Tempering Method was common knowledge, practically worthless, and not worth his attention. The reason he had summoned them was simple.

It was about their respective positions.

One was a Commander, and the other was a Deputy Commander he had high hopes for. A conflict had arisen between them, and it was naturally up to him to judge.

"This matter is of great importance. May I approach?"

"Come here."

Zhu Sheng nodded, seeing that Liu Zhi wasn't faking it.

Liu Zhi calmly walked closer to the desk and whispered a few words.

Zhu Sheng's initial indifference quickly turned into a sharp gaze. He scrutinized Jiang Che several times before speaking to Liu Zhi.

"Is this true?"

"Your subordinate is willing to stake his life on it."

Liu Zhi replied resolutely.

Although Gou Buren couldn't hear their conversation clearly, he had a vague, uneasy premonition.

When Liu Zhi returned to his side, Gou Buren quickly said, "My Lord, Liu Zhi's words are all biased towards Jiang Che. In reality, Jiang Che spread the cultivation method widely in the Auxiliary Barracks to collect money. Wu Changfeng was just one of them. I can find other witnesses."

Zhu Sheng did not respond. He narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment before turning to Jiang Che.

"You are the key to this matter. Do you have anything to say?"

"Yes."

Jiang Che finally got the chance to speak and quickly nodded.

"Speak."

Zhu Sheng's gaze towards him softened considerably.

"What I want to say is something else."

"Hmm?"

"I, Jiang Che, stake my life to accuse the Captain. Gou Buyi, the squad leader of the Kitchen Camp, is corrupt and breaks the law. He buys low and sells high, selling camp meat to others at inflated prices, accepting bribes, and exchanging camp provisions for personal gain!"

"Furthermore, he forms factions. Several people in the camp, led by Scarface Wu Chengdong, are beneficiaries of this!"

Jiang Che knelt on one knee, his words piercing like daggers.

Gou Buyi, upon hearing this, broke out in a cold sweat and pointed at Jiang Che, cursing, "Jiang Che, you're talking nonsense!"

"Do you have the right to speak?" Zhu Sheng snorted coldly.

"I..."

Gou Buyi wanted to argue, but seeing Gou Buren give him a look, he quickly lowered his head.

"Do you have any evidence for what you've said?"

Zhu Sheng asked indifferently, tapping his fingers on the table.

Jiang Che glanced at Liu Zhi, who nodded subtly. Jiang Che continued, "I am the evidence. My fellow villagers in the camp were craving meat and asked around. They recommended me to find Gou Buyi. I bought a few pounds of pork at a price 30% higher than the market rate.

Afterward, I discovered that the meat wasn't something Gou Buyi had bought while out on errands. It was deducted from the camp's provisions, specifically for profiteering.

I was terrified at the time and immediately went to Commander Liu. However, Commander Liu told me to wait and investigate slowly.

It is precisely because of this that Gou Buyi framed me. I implore you, my Lord, to see the truth!"

This... was the strategy he and Liu Zhi had discussed on the way here.

It was true that he had privately sold the cultivation method, but since Liu Zhi could take over the matter, Gou Buyi's withholding of rations and selling them to others at a high price was a serious crime. Since he had already offended them severely, it was best to send him on his way.

Jiang Che had already had this idea when Gou Buyi started targeting him.

"Gou Buyi, is this true?"

Zhu Sheng's gaze fell upon him. The invisible pressure caused his legs to tremble as he knelt, unable to speak. Denying it was useless, as it could be investigated.

He regretted it now.

He regretted targeting Jiang Che and escalating things to this point.

He regretted relying on Gou Buren and completely forgetting that Jiang Che also knew about these things.

"My subordinate's poor management, please, Captain, show mercy and spare Buyi's life."

Gou Buren also knelt, his head hitting the ground heavily.

Wu Changfeng, who was supposed to be a witness, was so scared he was dumbfounded. He had never expected things to escalate to this point.

Gou Buyi was finished!

What about him?

Having offended Jiang Che and Liu Zhi, how could he continue to mix in the Auxiliary Barracks?

Thinking of this, his legs also went weak with fear, and he collapsed onto the ground.

"Liu Zhi, how do you think... this matter should be handled?" Zhu Sheng changed the subject, looking at Liu Zhi as if to hear his opinion, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Military law is ruthless; he should be executed to serve as a warning!" Liu Zhi knew what Zhu Sheng wanted to hear. There would be changes in the camp soon, and both he and Gou Buren would be transferred.

Zhu Sheng's style of managing his subordinates was based on balance, making them oppose each other.

Zhu Sheng had already hinted at this to him long ago. That's why, when Jiang Che clashed with the Gou brothers, he had spoken up to protect Jiang Che, giving him a chance to prove himself.

Now that things had reached this point, it was partly due to him and Jiang Che, but also due to Zhu Sheng's maneuvering. He understood this very clearly, which was why he had spoken those words.

"My lord, have mercy, my lord, have mercy."

Gou Buyi pleaded tearfully.

Liu Zhi's gaze swept across the tent, and he suddenly looked at Wu Changfeng, asking sternly:

"Wu Changfeng, Gou Buren brought you here as a witness. I ask you, regarding Jiang Che teaching the cultivation method, am I right, or is Gou Buren right?"

"I, I..." Wu Changfeng trembled, lowering his head.

"Gou Buyi forced me to frame Jiang Che. It was... it was Commander Liu who was right. That money was my way of thanking Jiang Che, which I gave to him."

Jiang Che and Liu Zhi exchanged a smile.

Under pressure, Wu Changfeng had indeed changed his testimony. Only by doing so could he avoid death and, at the same time, leave a sliver of hope for himself in front of Liu Zhi and Jiang Che.

The tables had turned, and the matter was... resolved.

"Buren, you've been with me for seven years. Liu Zhi says military law is like a mountain, and he should be executed as a warning. What do you think?"

Zhu Sheng asked.

Gou Buren understood what Zhu Sheng meant. He turned to look at Gou Buyi and, gritting his teeth, kowtowed:

"Gou Buyi violated military law and should be executed. I... I have no objections!"