The Zhu Family Daughter

The next day, Jiang Che, along with Xu San'er and Geng Dabiao, moved out of the Auxiliary Barracks. Along the way, all the auxiliary soldiers looked at him with envy.

Leaving military service and regaining freedom.

It was the dream of all of them, yet none could achieve it.

Of course, many also knew that they didn't have Jiang Che's abilities or means, so most of their envy was actually directed at Xu San'er and Geng Dabiao.

Many regretted that if they had taken better care of Jiang Che and built a good relationship with him when he hadn't yet risen to prominence, they would be the ones leaving military service now.

Unfortunately, there are no "ifs" in life.

Among the crowd, Wu Changfeng hid timidly at the back. Looking at Jiang Che's departing back, he finally felt a bit of relief from his fear. When Gou Buyi and the others were executed, he had been so scared that he couldn't sleep at night.

He was afraid Jiang Che would retaliate against him, resulting in a dismembered corpse.

Fortunately, Jiang Che didn't pay him any mind at all.

However, his thoughts were mistaken. It wasn't that Jiang Che wouldn't retaliate, but rather that it wasn't convenient to act right now. He had just executed Gou Buyi and Scarface, and if he immediately found an excuse to kill Wu Changfeng, it would seem like he was making too much of a fuss.

Although Liu Zhi had been confirmed to be transferred, his connections remained. He had already spoken to the relevant parties. To be safe, Wu Changfeng would violate military law before the camp was moved and be executed.

Jiang Che took the two men to a new tent. After Liu Zhi came in and offered a few words of comfort, he informed Jiang Che that Zhu Sheng had summoned him, seemingly needing him for something.

Zhu Sheng was now the superior of his direct superior, so Jiang Che dared not disobey. After handing the bedding to Xu San'er, he followed his memory towards the main tent.

"Come, sit down first."

Seeing Jiang Che arrive, Zhu Sheng's originally stern face also showed a smile.

"Yes."

"The document transferring you from the Auxiliary Barracks has been approved. You've already moved, haven't you?" Zhu Sheng asked with a smile.

"We just finished packing."

Jiang Che answered every question.

"I recall your registered domicile is Yanggu County, correct?"

"Yes, I am indeed from Yanggu County."

"As this Captain is about to take office as the County Lieutenant of Yanggu County, I believe Liu Zhi has already informed you?"

Zhu Sheng was always smiling.

Jiang Che hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"I've arranged for Liu Zhi to be the Deputy Commander of the West City in Yanggu County. Yesterday, he recommended you to be the Deputy Commander. Do you think you can handle it?" Zhu Sheng pondered, his smile gradually fading.

It was impossible to discern his emotions.

But Jiang Che could not back down now. He raised his head and looked calmly at Zhu Sheng:

"I have the confidence."

"Having confidence is a good thing, truly a young man. You indeed have spirit. Very well, this Captain approves. From this moment on, you are the Deputy Commander of the West City in Yanggu County.

Do a good job from now on, and this Captain will not treat you unfairly."

After a period of encouragement, the favor of Liu Zhi's promotion was considered a grace bestowed by Zhu Sheng.

"Yes, I will remember."

Jiang Che bowed respectfully.

"You still call yourself 'I'?"

Zhu Sheng looked at him with a smile.

"Your subordinate remembers!"

Jiang Che's back bent even deeper.

"Hahaha." Zhu Sheng raised his hands in a gesture, signaling Jiang Che to rise, his hearty laughter echoing throughout the tent.

"There's nothing for you to do here in the camp, so I'll give you a task."

"Please instruct me, County Lieutenant."

Jiang Che said in a low voice.

"My family doesn't know about my transfer yet. However, I plan to have them accompany me to my new post. But I have important matters to attend to these past few days and can't spare the time. These times are unstable, with bandits rampant everywhere. I'll have you lead people to escort them to Yanggu County town."

"Your subordinate will ensure the safe escort of the Madam and her party to the city."

"Heh, speaking of which, this Captain also has a daughter about your age. She's just a bit spoiled and hasn't married yet. Please be patient with her during the escort."

As Zhu Sheng spoke, he handed Jiang Che an iron token engraved with the character 'Zhu' and a letter, telling him they were credentials.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Jiang Che said solemnly.

"Go."

Upon returning to the barracks, Jiang Che informed Liu Zhi of Zhu Sheng's arrangements. The latter allocated him twenty regular soldiers, all mounted, to accompany him on the escort mission.

Although Geng Dabiao and Xu San'er had not yet been settled, they were included in this group.

A short while later, with all arrangements made, Jiang Che and the other two changed into the camp's cloth armor and galloped out of the Wind Camp's stockade.

Looking back, the stockade grew smaller and gradually blurred.

He, on the other hand, was completely free from military service. His status had also made a triple leap; he had transformed and was now the Deputy Commander of the West Gate of Yanggu County!

The Tai'an Prefecture's Wind Camp was not stationed near the Tai'an Prefecture city, but at the junction of Yanggu County, Qingjiang County, and the prefecture city. Its purpose was to deal with bandits and refugees.

Zhu Sheng's family was also not in the prefecture city but in a manor. It was actually not too far from where the Wind Camp was stationed; it was only about half a day's journey by horse.

The manor was named Zhu Family Fort, and as the name suggested, it was Zhu Sheng's hometown.

And it was named because of him.

Before Zhu Sheng rose to prominence, this place was just a farm. Later, Zhu Sheng purchased land and bought more properties around it, making this his base.

Jiang Che and the others rushed on their journey. By the time they arrived, it was already dark. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he immediately ordered everyone to rest outside Zhu Family Fort, planning to enter the manor with only two or three people.

"Hiss."

Hearing the order to rest, Xu San'er quickly jumped off his horse, continuously rubbing the base of his thighs. He had not trained in martial arts, and this kind of forced march was simply torture.

Even with Geng Dabiao helping him, the base of his thighs still ached.

"Are you alright?"

"I-it's nothing serious. A short rest will do." Xu San'er shook his head repeatedly. Jiang Che valued him enough to bring him on this mission, so how could he complain?

Jiang Che saw his predicament and then looked at Geng Dabiao:

"Dabiao, you come into the manor with me."

"Yes."

After instructing everyone to be cautious and vigilant, Jiang Che remounted his horse and headed towards Zhu Family Fort. He hadn't systematically practiced horseback riding either, but his strength was astonishing. He only needed to pay attention to a few key points, and with the help of the saddle, he could quickly get the hang of it.

From a distance, Zhu Family Fort was brightly lit under the night sky, and at the very center was the Zhu family's main residence.

"All this land belongs to the Zhu family. No wonder it's so hard for ordinary people to survive these days." On the way, Geng Dabiao, who had always been taciturn, couldn't help but remark as he looked at the excellent farmland around them.

"Isn't the Geng family the same? That's reality."

Jiang Che, however, felt nothing about it.

"I just feel that these officials are sometimes too much. With Captain Zhu's salary, he couldn't afford so much land in a lifetime. At least they should leave a way out for ordinary people."

"Follow me, and you'll have your day of promotion and wealth. I hope you'll still think this way then." Jiang Che smiled.

Geng Dabiao looked at the farmland, then at the indifferent Jiang Che, and fell silent.