Huangming

Chapter 492 Framing Loyal Officials, the Southwest Wind Blows Strong

"Loyalty to the emperor and service to the country! Loyalty to the emperor and service to the country!"

Ma Xianglin stood with his hands behind his back in the main hall of the mansion. The white-armored soldiers embroidered on his black brocade robe rustled with his steps. His brows were furrowed with an unyielding resentment. He spoke in a deep voice to his wife, Zhang Fengyi, who was walking down the corridor:
"But do these officials in the imperial court ever care about us chieftains even a little bit?"

They treat us like barbarians from the frontier, summoning us when they need us, and discarding us like worn-out shoes after their usefulness is over!

Zhang Fengyi stepped forward gracefully, her moon-white dress accentuating her tall and straight figure. Her black hair was tied into a neat ponytail, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, further highlighting the heroic spirit in her eyes and brows.

She was extremely beautiful, yet she showed no signs of fragility. When she raised her hand, the calluses on her knuckles were faintly visible, a mark left by years of martial arts and spear training.

The pear blossom spear that had accompanied her in battle was now leaning against the corner of the hall, its tip gleaming coldly.

Listening to her husband's complaints, she sighed softly, walked to his side, and comforted him:
“How could I not know the bitterness in my husband’s heart? My father-in-law devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty, but in the end…”

Before he could finish speaking, Ma Xianglin suddenly turned around, his eyes surging with pain and resentment:
“Father! When he led the White-Spear Army to aid Korea against the Japanese invaders, he never retreated even half a step when he fought bloody battles on the battlefield.”
When Yang Yinglong rebelled in Bozhou, he and his mother led the charge, first defeating the rebel army. They pursued the fleeing soldiers deep into dangerous territory, capturing seven strongholds in succession. Later, together with the various tribes of Youyang, they stormed Sangmu Pass. In that battle, the rebels cried out in despair. His military exploits along the Nanchuan route were numerous; he was undoubtedly the number one!

His voice trembled, as if the past scenes were right before his eyes.

The image of his father, Ma Qiancheng, clad in armor and wielding a spear on horseback could instantly transform into that of a haggard figure lying ill in prison.

"But what was the result? He only contracted the summer plague, and because he was not flattering enough when receiving the supervising eunuch Qiu Chengyun, he was framed and thrown into prison by that eunuch!"

He couldn't even get a sip of medicine in prison, his body riddled with injuries and illnesses with no one to care for him; he was tortured to death!

At this point, Ma Xianglin clenched his fists and shouted resentfully:
"Is this the Ming Dynasty's reward for its loyal ministers?"

Now that my mother has succeeded my father as the General of Sichuan and is stationed in Chongqing, those Ming officials still look down on her and treat her with disdain. They talk to her in a sarcastic and sarcastic way all day long and spread rumors that our White-Spear Army is undisciplined and is harming the people.

That's utterly slanderous!
Every one of my White-Spear Soldiers is a hero who protects our country; how could we possibly do such despicable things as oppressing the people!

"Damn it!"

A vulgar word slipped out, and Ma Xianglin's chest heaved violently, clearly burning with rage.

Seeing this, Zhang Fengyi smiled, took two steps forward, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to him. Then she gently raised her hand and pressed it on his tense shoulder, kneading it with moderate force.

"Husband, calm down. Getting angry will only make you sick and give those petty people something to laugh at."

She said softly, "The loyalty to the emperor and the country that we talk about is never about personal gain or loss, or temporary honor or disgrace."

Moreover, His Majesty has already shown great kindness to our Ma family.

Although my father was wronged, His Majesty posthumously granted him an imperial title, and my mother's position as general was also granted by His Majesty despite the opposition. Over the years, official titles and rewards have never been interrupted, and the White Spear Army's provisions and pay have never been lacking.

Look at my two maternal uncles, Qin Bangping and Qin Minping. Didn't they rise through the ranks to the position of deputy general because of His Majesty's favor, allowing them to realize their ambitions?"

Ma Xianglin took the tea, sipped it, and the warm tea slid down his throat, calming him down a little.

He turned his head and looked at his wife's beautiful yet resolute face, and the resentment in his heart gradually dissipated.

Suddenly, he pulled Zhang Fengyi into his arms, kissed her forehead, and smiled with a hint of helplessness:

"Enough, enough. If it weren't for His Majesty's great kindness, would I, Ma Xianglin, have to put up with this nonsense!"

You're right, it's not worth getting angry with those short-sighted officials.

He released his wife, straightened his robes, and a hint of cheerfulness returned to his face:
"With the New Year approaching, I'll go and buy some wine, meat, and cloth to reward the brothers and let everyone have a lively New Year!"

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the market in Chongqing was bustling with activity as the year-end approached, yet it was also shrouded in a bone-chilling cold.

Ma Xianglin and Zhang Fengyi rode on horseback, followed by a dozen mule carts.

The car was piled high with items, including fifty jars of Jiangjin Laobaigan liquor ordered from a distillery in the west of the city, fifty fat pigs slaughtered by a butcher in the south of the city, coarse cotton-padded jackets picked up from a silk shop, and even frostbite cream and sewing kits that Zhang Fengyi had specially instructed her to buy.

"Let's go to the East Market again. Li Laoshuan's blacksmith shop should have made some heaters. Bring a few dozen for the brothers at the outpost."

Zhang Fengyi reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping across a corner of the market. He saw several soldiers hunched over, rubbing their hands together, and turned to Ma Xianglin.

Many veterans in the barracks suffer from rheumatism. In the cold winter, when they are guarding the outposts, a heater is more effective than wine and meat.

Ma Xianglin smiled and nodded, urging his horse to catch up:
“You are so thoughtful. I’ve been running all over Chongqing these past few days. Although I’m exhausted and my back aches, it’s all worth it when I think about how my brothers can have a warm New Year.”

For the past three days, they have been busy from dawn to dusk, haggling with merchants and watching the loading and unloading of mule carts. They often eat a steamed bun on horseback.

Purchasing is not an easy task.

By the time the last batch of heaters were loaded onto the mule carts, the setting sun was already hanging obliquely on the eaves of the mountain town.

The couple rode their horses toward the general's mansion, thinking about how to distribute the New Year's rewards to the soldiers the next morning. Ma Xianglin couldn't help but hum a folk song from Shizhu. Even the unpleasantness of being harassed by Xu Keqiu earlier was diluted by the festive atmosphere.

But as soon as he turned the corner, the sight in front of the General's Mansion made him suddenly rein in his horse.

Hundreds of people gathered beside the stone lions outside the mansion gate. Some held up tattered clothes, while others held chipped porcelain bowls. They were shouting and cursing at the mansion gate, their spittle flying in the cold wind.

"Stone Pillar barbarians, get out of Chongqing!"

The man at the head of the group, dressed in tattered cotton-padded clothes, waved a stained cloth skirt in his hand, his voice hoarse.

“My daughter went grocery shopping yesterday and was dragged into an alley and harassed by your soldiers. This skirt is proof!”

"Qin Liangyu condones her subordinates' rape, plunder, and abduction! Our Chongqing Prefecture will not tolerate you wolves!"

"Get out! Give us some peace and quiet!"

The insults came crashing down like hailstones. Ma Xianglin's smile froze instantly, his blood rushed to his head, and his eyes turned bloodshot.

His White-Spear Soldiers guarded the city gates of Chongqing Prefecture and kept an eye on the movements in the direction of Yongning. They didn't even steal a single chicken from the common people, so how could they be accused of "rape and plunder"?
"Damn it!"

Ma Xianglin slapped his horse's back and cursed angrily:
"We risked our lives to defend Chongqing, and this is what we get in return? Do you really think I want to stay here and put up with this?"

Although Shizhu's hometown was not as prosperous as Chongqing, it was far from the capital, and the brothers could train freely without having to endure the disdain of officials or such slander.

Just as he was about to spur his horse forward, Zhang Fengyi quickly reached out and grabbed his reins, her voice extremely low:
"Husband, calm down! Something's not right! Why are people suddenly gathering here? Someone must have instigated this!"

Her gaze swept across the crowd, and she saw several men huddled at the back, their eyes darting around, occasionally stealing glances at their surroundings; they didn't look like ordinary people.

"calm?"

Ma Xianglin's voice trembled, filled with anger.

"They're cursing my mother, they're cursing us White-Clad Soldiers! How can I stay calm!"

His roar startled the crowd, and the people turned to look.

The leading man narrowed his eyes and shouted:

"Who came from, you madman? How dare you act so presumptuously here!"

"You are the ones who are so presumptuous!"

Ma Xianglin reined in his horse and rode forward, his chest heaving violently.

"Grandpa, I am Ma Xianglin! I, a soldier of the White-Clad Army, guard Chongqing and protect you, yet you believe the rumors and cause trouble here!"

"So he's Qin Liangyu's son!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

"It's you barbarians who have brought disaster to Chongqing! Everyone, let's demand justice from you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the people rushed forward, some pulling on the horse's reins, others throwing rotten vegetable leaves onto the horse.

Ma Xianglin trembled with rage, his hand resting on the sword at his waist. He desperately wanted to draw his sword and drive away these indiscriminate people, but reason held him back.
Once the attack is made, the charge of "the Stone Pillar Soldiers committing murder" will be confirmed, and the situation that the mother has painstakingly built, as well as the reputation of the White-Spear Soldiers, will be ruined.

Just then, two men suddenly squeezed out from behind the crowd and, taking advantage of the chaos, quietly circled around to the back of the horse's rump.

One of them quickly pulled out a three-inch-long knife and plunged it into the horse's rump.

The blade sank into the flesh, leaving only the handle sticking out.

"hiss--!"

The warhorse, in pain, suddenly reared up on its front hooves and let out a shrill neigh.

Caught off guard, Ma Xianglin nearly fell off his horse and hurriedly gripped the reins tightly.

But the warhorse had completely lost control, and it galloped forward, crashing into the crowd of people who had surrounded it.

"boom!"

An old woman was thrown by the horse's shoulder and fell heavily to the ground, blood seeping from her forehead.

The children screamed in fright, tripped and fell while trying to dodge, their cries mingling together.

The crowd instantly descended into chaos; some fled to the side, while others were pushed forward by those behind them.

Meanwhile, the two men with knives seized the opportunity to blend into the crowd and secretly kick the fallen civilians, shouting:

"Get up! Don't let him get away!"

In a short while, seven or eight people were lying on the ground. Some had broken legs, and others had been trampled and were vomiting blood. Their cries echoed through the street.

Suddenly, a sharp voice pierced the chaos:

"Murder! The son of the Sichuan General has committed murder! The White-Spear Soldiers are running rampant on horseback, killing civilians!"

This shout was like oil poured on a fire; the people's panic instantly turned into anger, and some picked up stones from the ground and threw them at Ma Xianglin.
"Kill him! Avenge the dead!"

"Qin Liangyu is protecting her son! Let's go to the government office to file a complaint!"

Ma Xianglin gripped the reins tightly, trying to control the runaway warhorse, but the knife was still in the horse's rump, and the horse was in pain, jumping around and refusing to obey his commands.

He looked at the injured on the ground, and listened to the angry curses and cries around him; his heart felt like it was being squeezed by a hand.

His expression changed drastically; he had finally realized what was going on.

He had fallen into a carefully laid trap, and behind this trap, it must have been the She family who were up to something.

Zhang Fengyi followed closely behind on horseback, dodging flying stones as she shouted:

"Stop! Someone ambushed the warhorses! It wasn't intentional!"

But her voice was drowned out by the chaos, and no one could hear it.

Ma Xianglin gripped the reins, watching as his out-of-control warhorse was finally brought under control by his personal guards.

The dagger had been pulled from the horse's rump, and dark red blood seeped from the wound, smearing a patch of horsehair.

His chest was still heaving; his anger hadn't subsided, but it was now mixed with panic. He turned to Zhang Fengyi and said urgently:

"No, we need to call in troops to stabilize the situation. If this continues, who knows what kind of trouble will escalate!"

Zhang Fengyi nodded, immediately dismounted, and shouted to the personal guards following behind him:
"Quickly summon two hundred elite soldiers from the camp, bring them good weapons, and only allow them to block people, but not to lay a hand on them!"

The guards received the order, spurred their horses, and galloped away, the sound of hooves quickly fading into the alley.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, a squad of soldiers in silver armor rushed over, each carrying a long spear and a short musket at their waist. They stood in two rows in front of the general's mansion, instantly quelling the commotion among the people.

Just as Ma Xianglin was about to step forward and call out, the mansion gate creaked open.

Qin Liangyu, dressed in military attire with a black cloak draped over her shoulders and a brass flintlock pistol in her hand, strode out.

Her face was calm, her eyes sharp as knives, sweeping over the chaotic crowd. Without saying a word, she raised her hand and pointed the musket at the sky.

"boom!"

The sound of gunfire made the air tremble, and the snow in the alley fell down in a soft rustling.

The crowd, which had been shouting, fell silent instantly. Some shrank back in fright, while others dropped the stones in their hands with a thud.

"Everyone, please be quiet!"

Qin Liangyu's voice was not loud, but it carried an air of authority and pierced through the noise outside the mansion.

"Gathering a crowd to besiege the General's Mansion is, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, a suspected act of 'treason'!"
Who was it that caused trouble in the crowd just now, stabbing the horse with a knife, causing the warhorse to lose control and injure people?

Do you really think we can't see this?

As she spoke, she raised her hand to signal, and two guards immediately took the injured warhorse and turned its rump towards the people.

Although the dagger had been pulled out, the deep wound, revealing bone, was still bleeding. Dark red blood dripped from the horse's mane onto the ground, freezing into tiny beads on the thin ice. The people's gazes fell on the wound, and their expressions immediately changed.

Some people frowned, clearly doubting the previous "accusations."

Some people quietly backed away, as if they remembered the hands that had been pushing and shoving in the crowd; and the men who had been leading the angry shouting were pale-faced and their eyes were darting around.

"The villagers who were just injured."

Qin Liangyu changed the subject, her tone softening somewhat.

"The town has already prepared stretchers and medicine for the wounds. We will take him to the mansion for treatment. All medical expenses and lost wages will be borne by the General's Mansion. If the injury is too serious to work, he can come to the mansion to collect three months' worth of rations after the spring."

As soon as he finished speaking, several soldiers carrying medicine boxes and simple stretchers came out and carefully helped the injured man up from the ground.

An old man with a broken leg, who was still groaning, looked much calmer when the soldiers handed him ginger soup to warm his hands and he heard that they would pay for his medical expenses.

The old woman whose forehead had been bruised took the medicine from her granddaughter, and secretly glanced at Qin Liangyu. Her eyes no longer held the resentment they had before, but instead showed a hint of guilt.

"But let's be clear from the start."

Qin Liangyu's tone turned cold again, and her gaze swept across the crowd.

"The town will not pursue the matter of today."

If anyone dares to gather a crowd to cause trouble, or is instigated by others to attempt to slander the White-Clad Soldiers,

Don't blame us for using military law in this town!

A commotion broke out in the crowd, and no one dared to make a sound anymore.

The men who had been leading the cursing exchanged glances, quietly retreated, and slipped away into the crowd.

The remaining people whispered among themselves, "So someone really was up to something," and then dispersed in twos and threes.

In a short while, only the White-Spear Soldiers, the wounded, and Ma Xianglin and his wife remained in front of the General's Mansion.

Qin Liangyu breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the people disperse, then turned to look at Ma Xianglin with a reproachful look in her eyes.

Ma Xianglin's heart tightened. Like a child who had done something wrong, he immediately lowered his head, clutching the hem of his clothes, not daring to even breathe.

Zhang Fengyi wanted to say something on his behalf, but Qin Liangyu stopped her with a look.

"Go home."

Qin Liangyu turned around, her cloak sweeping across the snow on the ground, leaving a shallow mark.

Ma Xianglin quickly followed, his steps extremely light, even deliberately minimizing the sound of his boots on the stone steps, following behind Qin Liangyu like a schoolboy being punished by his teacher.

Upon entering the main hall, Ma Xianglin immediately said, "Mother, I was wrong."

Qin Liangyu sat in the main seat, picked up the hot tea offered by a maid, but didn't drink it. Instead, she looked at Ma Xianglin and slowly spoke:
You made a mistake.

Ma Xianglin knelt down on the ground with a "plop".

"Mother, it was my impulsiveness that caused you trouble."

"She's twenty-five or twenty-six years old, her child can already run and call her 'Grandma,' yet she's still so immature."

Qin Liangyu sighed, put down her teacup, got up and walked to his side, reaching out to help him up.

"But you can't be entirely blamed for this. Someone set it up behind the scenes; it's a conspiracy."

"conspiracy?"

Ma Xianglin suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Mother means...it was done by the She family?"

"good."

Qin Liangyu nodded.

"His Majesty had already sent a secret letter reminding us."

Qin Liangyu walked to the bookshelf, took out a series of sealed letters, and handed them to Ma Xianglin.

"His Majesty said that the She family of Yongning has been entrenched in the southwest for decades and has long harbored rebellious intentions, but has only been patient and restrained."

A few days ago, when She Yin came to Chongqing Prefecture, I knew they were about to make their move. Today's 'people's siege' is just their first step."

Ma Xianglin took the secret letter, stroked the dragon pattern on the wax seal, and felt a sinking feeling in his heart:
"So what should we do? Just watch them cause trouble?"

"How to do?"

Qin Liangyu walked to the window, gazing at the gradually darkening sky outside, her eyes flickering.

"drag!"

She turned around, her tone firm.

"We don't have any concrete evidence right now, so we can't take the initiative to make a move. If we alert them, they'll have something to use against us."

"Let's stall for time and await His Majesty's instructions. Since His Majesty was already aware of this, he will surely make arrangements."

Ma Xianglin was still worried, his brows furrowed tightly:
“But I injured someone today, and She Yin and the others will definitely not let this go. If Xu Keqiu uses this incident to impeach me and wants to put me in jail…”

His father died in prison, and he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps.

"rest assured."

Qin Liangyu patted his shoulder, her tone softening.
Fortunately, no one was killed; it was just minor injuries, nothing serious.

You should stay in the manor for the next few days, don't go out and cause trouble, and don't see any outsiders.

"Mother will have someone keep an eye on Xu Keqiu and the She family's movements. She'll inform you immediately if there's any news."

Looking into his mother's calm eyes, Ma Xianglin's unease gradually dissipated.

My mother has weathered many storms and is far more resourceful than I am.

Ma Xianglin nodded and said, "I understand. I will behave myself these next few days and not cause you any trouble."

After chatting about everyday matters for a while, Ma Xianglin got up to take his leave.

Soon, he returned to the west wing.

Zhang Fengyi had been quietly following behind him, and seeing his straight back, she slowed down.

She knew her husband was holding back his anger, not only at the people who had been instigated, but also at himself for falling into the trap, and even more so at the fear of causing trouble for his mother.

As soon as Ma Xianglin pushed open the door to the side room and entered, Zhang Fengyi was about to speak when he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Ma Xianglin rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice still carrying fatigue, and a hint of self-mockery:

"These annoying things are really irritating."

Zhang Fengyi naturally wrapped her arms around his waist, gently patting his back as if soothing a ruffled animal:

"Didn't your mother say it's not your fault? Someone set this up."

"But in the end, I acted impulsively."

Ma Xianglin released her, looked into his wife's clear eyes, and suddenly smiled self-deprecatingly.

"My mother told me not to go out for a month, which is good, so as to avoid causing her any more trouble."

I've made up my mind. For the next thirty days, I'll stay in my room and not go anywhere else.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fengyi's eyes lit up with a smile, and she reached out to brush the snowflakes off his shoulder:
“That’s perfect. I still have a copy of Sun Tzu’s Art of War with annotations left by my father in my study. We can read it together.”

The training ground in the courtyard is also empty; when the weather is clear, you can practice a few moves.

You said last time that my pear blossom spear technique was a beat too slow, so this is a good opportunity to teach me.

She came from a military family; her father, Zhang Quan, was a famous general who fought against the Jurchens in Liaodong, and her mother, Lady Huo, was also skilled in martial arts. Growing up surrounded by martial arts, she not only became well-versed in military strategy but also excelled in spear fighting.

Looking at her spirited yet gentle appearance, Ma Xianglin's pent-up anger gradually dissipated. Suddenly, he reached out and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her towards the bed, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
“Reading books and practicing martial arts is so boring. I think we should have another little rascal this month.”

When he grows up, he'll defend Chongqing for us White-Clad Soldiers, saving us from all this suffering.

Zhang Fengyi blushed, reached out and punched his chest, but didn't really struggle.

Ma Xianglin smiled and placed her on the bed covered with brocade. The firelight from the stove shone on their faces, temporarily keeping the court intrigues and the hustle and bustle of the city outside the room.

With the curtains hanging low, the remaining soft whispers were all hidden in the warm night.

. . .

In stark contrast to the warmth of the General's Mansion, the candlelight flickered in the signing room of the Chongqing Prefectural Governor's Office, casting half of Xu Keqiu's face in light and half in shadow.

He held a bluish-white jade thumb ring in his hand, rubbing it repeatedly with his fingertips. After hearing She Yin's words, his eyes suddenly lit up, and even his breathing quickened.
"Good, good! This Ma Xianglin is indeed a hothead! He explodes at the slightest provocation!"

"I was just worried about not having a reason to force Qin Liangyu to leave, and now that's perfect. He injured someone on horseback. Whether he was set up or not, we've given him a handle to use against him!"
Tomorrow I will send someone to deliver a report detailing his crimes of "lax military discipline and condoning his relatives' violent acts," to put further pressure on Qin Liangyu!

Xu Keqiu paused, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes:
"If she's sensible, she'll lead the White-Spear Soldiers back to Shizhu as soon as possible, and then we'll let this matter drop."

If they don't know what's good for them...

He sneered and said:

"Then arrest Ma Xianglin! Didn't her husband, Ma Qiancheng, die in prison back then? Does she want her son to suffer the same fate?"

She Yin stood before the desk, his lowered eyelids concealing the glint in his eyes, but he quickly echoed her words:
"Your Excellency is wise! However... in my opinion, Qin Liangyu is stubborn and may not easily give in."

Her three thousand White-Spear Soldiers are all elite warriors, skilled in battle. If pushed to the limit, they might resort to desperate measures.

"I dare to request permission to transfer three thousand men from Yongning to Chongqing Prefecture. This is not an open troop transfer, but rather to have them disguise themselves as traveling merchants and live in manors outside the city."

In case Qin Liangyu really dares to cause trouble, these people can help the governor stabilize the situation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Keqiu frowned immediately.

"To send troops into the prefectural city without cause is a grave offense against the imperial court! If I am impeached by the censors, I cannot bear the consequences."

"Your Excellency, rest assured, there are only three thousand people, and they are all in plain clothes, so they will not attract attention."

She Yin quickly stepped forward, lowering his voice even further.

"Furthermore, didn't we agree before that we would go to Jiangnan to quell the rebellion?"

The troops transferred from Yongning to Chongqing served two purposes: firstly, to guard against Qin Liangyu, and secondly, to assemble forces in advance.

Once things are settled here, we can head directly from Chongqing to Jiangnan, saving the trouble of transferring troops from Yongning. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

These words struck a chord with Xu Keqiu.

He was both afraid that Qin Liangyu would refuse to leave and eager for troops to be dispatched to Jiangnan as soon as possible so as to protect the property in his hometown of Quzhou.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally nodded and tapped his finger on the table:
"Okay! We'll do it your way! But remember, be careful and don't make any mistakes!"

"Thank you, Governor!"

She Yin bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground, but a triumphant smile crept onto his lips from an angle unseen by anyone.

When he straightened up, his face had regained its respectful expression:
"I will make the arrangements immediately and will certainly live up to the governor's trust."

Watching She Yin's departing figure, Xu Keqiu picked up the cool tea on the table and took a sip, feeling refreshed all over.

Once he forces Qin Liangyu to leave and seizes military power under the guise of suppressing the rebellion, the entire situation in Sichuan will be under his control.

But he didn't see that after leaving the yamen, She Yin immediately turned into a quiet alley and whispered to his trusted confidant who was waiting there:
"Pass down the order to have the brothers in Yongning set off in batches, disguised as salt merchants and cloth merchants, and to assemble outside Chongqing within half a month."

His trusted confidant took his orders and left. She Yin gazed in the direction of the governor's office, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
"Qin Liangyu, Xu Keqiu... you are all just stepping stones for my She family's great cause."

"Once my men enter Chongqing, the landscape of the southwest will change!"

(End of this chapter)