The Red Mansion

Chapter 12: Lord Governor

The fighting outside the Jiang family compound soon subsided.

Xue Pan was captured, and most of the twenty or so slaves, servants, and assistants he brought with him were also captured. The others fled to the other end of the alley, but it did not affect the overall situation.

"Sir, I'm He Yun. The situation outside has calmed down. Please come out and see the Jiedushi."

He Yun stood outside the courtyard gate and shouted loudly.

"Jie...Jiedushi Sir?"

The captured Xue Pan heard He Yun's shout and looked towards Tang Jina in a hurry. When he saw the official uniform of the governor on Tang Jina, he became even more terrified.

Xue Pan didn't recognize Tang Jina at first, and was still wondering who the military officer leading the army was.

Now he knew that it was the Jiedushi of Jiangning.

The Jiangning Jiedushi was a first-rank military officer, stationed in Jiangning City with the Governor-General of Liangjiang.

According to the Daqing official system, although the Jiangning Jiedushi's power was not as high as that of the Liangjiang Governor-General, his status was higher than that of the Liangjiang Governor-General. When the Jiangning Jiedushi and the Liangjiang Governor-General jointly reported to the emperor, the Jiangning Jiedushi's signature was listed before the Liangjiang Governor-General's.

The Xue family is no longer as strong as before. Although they have the title of imperial merchants, they have neither official positions nor titles. Their biggest backer is Aunt Xue's brother Wang Ziteng.

Wang Ziteng was the governor of the Beijing camp.

"Oh my God, what on earth is going on? I just wanted to beat up that prisoner, but how did I alarm the governor? Could it be that the prisoner is acquainted with the governor?"

Xue Pan thought in fear, his mind in a mess.

At this time, accompanied by a muffled "click", the tightly closed gate of the Jiang family courtyard finally opened. It was not broken open by the "Xue family army", but opened from the inside by Dong Liang and Dong Feng, father and son.

Jiang Nian walked out of the courtyard calmly, his expression calm and his eyes calm. He came to Tang Jina, bowed, and said respectfully, "Greetings, Master Tang."

Tang Jina smiled on his dignified face and said in a gentle tone, "Brother Nian is frightened."

Jiang Nian said, "Thank goodness you arrived just in time. Please come in and discuss this in detail."

Tanguina nodded.

Jiang Nian turned his gaze and glanced at Xue Pan beside him. At this time, Xue Pan was secretly looking up at him.

The two looked at each other, their eyes meeting in the air. Xue Pan actually shrank back in fear, feeling a chill running up his spine, as if Jiang Nian's gaze was a sharp sword piercing him. He quickly lowered his head to avoid Jiang Nian's gaze.

The captured Jier also looked at Jiang Nian at this moment, with a look of panic and anxiety.

At the invitation of Jiang Nian and He Yun, Tang Jina walked into the courtyard, stopped inside, and said to Jiang Nian, "I won't go in. There are many people being held captive outside. I wonder what Nian wants to do with them?"

Jiang Nian said, "Sir Tang, please escort them to the Jiedushi's office. We can discuss the follow-up matters later."

Tang Jina nodded, understanding what he meant: "Okay."

Jiang Nian's tone was filled with apology: "I originally asked Steward He to ask Lord Tang to send some soldiers over, but I didn't expect you to come in person. I am truly ashamed."

Tang Jina waved his hand and said solemnly, "Butler He did tell me so, but I learned that the Xue family was planning to gather a crowd to harass you, and fearing that you might be in danger, I dared not neglect it, so I personally led the army here."

Jiang Nian bowed and said sincerely, "Thank you for your help, Lord Tang. I will always remember this."

Tang Jina smiled faintly, thinking to himself, "Today, I acted this way, not for the sake of your favor, but primarily for His Majesty and myself!"

Tang Jina already knew that Jiang Nian was the son of Emperor Taishun!
Tang Jina and Jiang Nian had a connection. Over a decade ago, when the then Fourth Prince traveled south of the Yangtze River on an important imperial mission, Tang Jina served as his personal bodyguard and trusted military officer.

Tang Jina witnessed almost the entire process from the Fourth Prince meeting Jiang Xuelian, falling in love, and having a child.

Tang Jina is a disciple who was strongly promoted by the Fourth Prince!

Six years ago, before Tang Jina took up his post as the Jiedushi of Jiangning, the Fourth Prince specifically asked him to protect Jiang Xuelian and her son Jiang Nian.

Now, Tang Jina has learned that the current Emperor Taishun has allowed Jiang Nian to come to the capital, and He Yun has become a fifth-rank Dragon Guard.

In Tang Jina's opinion, Emperor Taishun cares about his son Jiang Nian. Moreover, even if Emperor Taishun does not recognize Jiang Nian now, he will most likely recognize him in the future.

Tang Jina personally led his troops to aid Jiang Nian today, certainly out of consideration for Jiang Nian's debt, but that was secondary. Mainly, protecting Jiang Nian was a sign of his loyalty to Emperor Taishun, and if Jiang Nian made any mistakes today, Emperor Taishun might punish him.

……

……

Jiang Nian and He Yun escorted Tang Jina to the gate of the courtyard, and watched as Tang Jina led a hundred soldiers to escort Xue Pan and more than ten of the Xue family's slaves, servants, and waiters away. Three of the slaves were carried away, and some were seriously injured and even crippled.

Only after the team disappeared at the end of the alley did Jiang Nian retract his gaze, walked lightly into the courtyard, came to the yard, then looked up and cast his eyes on the boundless sky. The sky was still sunny, clear, blue and deep.

The storm is over!

Meng Xiong, Dong Liang and Dong Feng, the three slaves who were just bought a few days ago, looked at Jiang Nian with respect and admiration. Today's events gave them a new understanding of this young master.

"Master is truly extraordinary. He was able to persuade the governor to personally lead his troops to come and protect us during today's turmoil. No wonder Master Wang from the pawnshop is so respectful to Master and Steward He."

Meng Xiong sighed in his heart.

Jiang Nian instructed He Yun, "Meng Xiong defended bravely today and performed meritorious service; he shall be rewarded with forty taels of silver. Dong Liang and Dong Feng also performed well; they shall each be rewarded with twenty taels of silver as an encouragement."

Today's incident made Jiang Nian quite satisfied with Meng Xiong, Dong Liang and Dong Feng.

All three were willing to take risks in defense, especially Meng Xiong, who was brave and courageous.

Wang Dian and Wang Maoan did select a few good servants for Jiang Nian.

"Thank you for the reward, sir!"

Dong Liang hurriedly pulled Dong Feng forward, bowed respectfully, and was full of gratitude.

"Thank you for the reward, sir!"

Meng Xiong bowed his hands to thank for the reward, secretly feeling fortunate that he followed such a master who not only had an amazing backer but was also generous with rewards to his servants. Such a master was worthy of his loyalty.

Jiang Nian's eyes swept over the bows and arrows and long-handled broadswords quietly placed in the courtyard, and he thought to himself: "The bows and arrows and long-handled broadswords I prepared today have not been used."

If the "Xue Family Army" broke into the Jiang family today and threatened Jiang Nian's safety, Jiang Nian would not show mercy. He would use bows and arrows without hesitation, and at the same time let Meng Xiong use a long-handled broadsword to reap lives. If necessary, he would even take Xue Pan's life.

"I wonder what that Baojiejie is doing right now? Her brother caused such a scene with me, so is it okay for her to come and apologize to me?"

As Jiang Nian walked towards the inner house, his thoughts drifted to Xue Baochai. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, a playful smile playing on his face, and he looked forward to the next good show...

(End of this chapter)