Chapter 160: The Navy Commander of Jiang City
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
When Junior Leopard exited the underground fire vein, he did not meet the person he was worried about. Without any obstacles, he left straight out of the entrance. The table he had seen before was gone and there were two new guards, but still under Li Yuan.
The two guards were ecstatic to see Junior Leopard. “Officer Zhou, you’re finally out!”
“Why? Is anyone looking for me?” Asked Junior Leopard, frowning at their enthusiasm.
“Admiral has given orders that you see him as soon as you come out,” one of the guards answered, approaching Junior Leopard cautiously. “Officer Zhou, you need to be careful. The Qi Ying you hurt last time isn’t a nobody. The mayor had argued with our general for this, but there’s no result until now. I heard the general is furious!”
“I know what I should do. Thank you!” Junior Leopard said, taking out two pieces of silver.
The guard grinned and accepted the silvers, sharing it with his partner. They thanked Junior Leopard and went back to guard the entrance.
Junior Leopard understood the life philosophy that money makes the world go round. Now that he did not lack any money, he would not be stingy when generosity was needed. After all, he was a frequent visitor to the underground fire vein. Though the guards never stopped him, he still had to give them some benefits. There was no disadvantage in expanding his network.
He dared not delay now that he knew Li Yuan wanted to see him. He went straight to Admiral Manor after leaving the underground fire vein. Upon seeing him, the guards did not bother announcing his arrival and led him directly to Li Yuan’s study.
“Your subordinate, Zhou Bao, is here to visit Your Excellency!” said Junior Leopard, half kneeling on the ground. Once he entered the study, he saw that Li Yuan was reading something.
Li Yuan raised his head and looked at the kneeling Junior Leopard. “There’s no need for courtesy. Get up.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
“You seem refreshed. Looks like you’ve got a huge harvest in the fire vein!” Li Yuan said.
“I won’t say I’ve got a huge harvest, just some benefits. I managed to stabilize my state!”
Li Yuan nodded, making a sound of approval. “Chief Wang used to say you’re a martial arts genius, but I didn’t believe him until now. According to your cultivation, you should probably be preparing for the Bone-Forging Realm?”
“Yes, I’m preparing for that.”
“Did you meet any difficulties?” asked Li Yuan. “It’s not an easy matter entering the Bone-Forging Realm. You not only have to depend on yourself but also rely on many medicinal herbs. Have you prepared for that?”
“I’m pretty much prepared!” Junior Leopard answered.
“Good! That’s good!” Something flickered in Li Yuan’s eyes, but he did not continue to ask. He nodded and said, “I heard you’ve got into a conflict with Qi Ying from the Guard County Manor and you even injured him!”
“Yes!” Junior Leopard nodded.
“You’ve got quite the guts! You should know that Qi Ying is Wan An’s trusted subordinate that he purposely relocated from the capital. It has only been several days but you’ve already injured him badly enough that he can’t leave his bed! Zhou Bao, you’re really making things difficult for me!”
“This problem stems from my actions. If I brought you trouble, I ask for my punishment.”
“It takes two hands to clap. I’ve already heard of what happened. It was Qi Ying who started it, so I won’t punish you. But you’ve injured him too severely. Though you didn’t disable him, you left him stuck on the bed and immobile. I need to give Guard County Manor an explanation for this.”
“Please give me your orders!”
“You have two choices. Option one: You’ll visit Guard County Manor and apologize for what you did, saving Qi Ying’s face. This will then pass without incident. How about it?”
“And the second?”
“I knew you wouldn’t choose the first option!” Li Yuan laughed. “Option two: Momentarily leave Zhonghe City. Head to Jiang City, where is currently infested with water bandits. I’ll name you Navy Commander and you help me suppress the water bandits. How about it?”
“Yes, sir!” Junior Leopard replied loudly.
“Good. You can leave. Get some rest; you’ll leave for Jiang City in three days and be Navy Commander there!”
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Jiang City was a small county of Zhonghe prefecture, far away from its center. It was about more than 80 kilometers away. Luo River, a branch of Cangyun River, the third longest river in Great Jin, was across the city. Thus it was named Jiang City.
Therefore, the city became an important water transport fortress despite its distance. There were more than ten named major docks alone, never mind the other nameless minor and illegal docks. Compared to other cities in Zhonghe prefecture, this place was far more prosperous.
Yet the city had also invited many troubles being a prosperous water fortress. Arguments and fights often broke out among the lowly gangs in their bid to take over the docks, throwing the city into chaos. On the river, it was water bandits who ruled. After Zhonghe City was attacked by The Sect of Flameand recaptured by Great Jin, those living on the river became heartless water bandits. They became fearless, to the point where they would even rob and plunder in daylight. At night, they were even worse. They were fearless enough to go up to the land, causing everyone in Zhonghe City to live in panic. When the sun went down each day, every family shut themselves in, not daring to leave their homes.
This issue not only affected the stability of Jiang City, but its water transport as well. Water transport was crucial to the entire Zhonghe prefecture. Discounting everything else, 60 percent of food in Zhonghe City had to go through Jiang City. If the water transport encountered any problems, it was not too much to say half of Zhonghe City would be paralyzed.
Both Mayor Wan An or Admiral Li Yuan attached great importance to Jiang City. But the water bandits had been mushrooming all over and became difficult to suppress. The situation in the city as a whole was complicated with many different power players with their own plans. The officials had tried to suppress the bandits several times, but not only did they not eliminate them, it even resulted in the bandits growing larger than ever before.
The former Navy Commander, Gao Gong, even died at the hands of the bandits. He was killed by arrows in a battle against the bandits a month ago. Without their leader, the navy was defeated and forced to retreat. If Li Yuan had not sent help in time, the whole city would have fallen under the bandits. If that happened, it would end up being the biggest joke in the world.
Junior Leopard was Li Yuan’s personal guard and accompanied him always. He was neither interested in nor cared about politics and military affairs. Since he had just returned recently, he was unfamiliar with the situation in Jiang City. He had accepted easily when Li Yuan offered him a post in the navy to suppress the bandits. He thought they were just a handful of water bandits with a nest next to a small river. He expected that he alone would be enough to exterminate them without the need for an army. How many experts could there be among those bandits? If they were a couple that was in Level Three, that would already be far better than he had expected. But once he found out what was going on, he felt a serious headache.
…
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“It’s not about the few water bandits in Jiang City alone; it involves a string of complicated issues. I’ve been there several times and I’ve traveled across the river and met some of the bandits. They’re not ordinary bandits. They have leaders and operate under strict discipline. Though they’re bandits, they appear more like an army. I even suspect if these bandits are members of the navy under disguise. Looks like it’ll be a troublesome visit to Jiang City for you this time.”
Wang Tianlei frowned when he heard Junior Leopard was to head to Jiang City and suppress bandits as Navy Commander. “Besides, it’s so strange for Admiral Li to send you there. Just think about it. Though you’re skilled, you’re still a teen and you don’t have any experience leading an army. Jiang City is located in a fortress, where the defense is critical. Isn’t he treating this like a joke sending you there?”
“Yes!” Junior Leopard found it strange as well after hearing what Wang Tianlei said. No matter how good his martial arts was, no matter how much potential he had, he was still a teen without any experience in leading an army. If he was to use his strength to suppress a gang of ordinary bandits, that would still make some sense. But Li Yuan, as Admiral, ought to know the situation in Jiang City. The city needed an expert, or better yet, a talented commander-in-chief. At the very least, the city needed a talented field commander. As for him, he was a vanguard if he put things nicely, but a mere pawn if he put it in a bad way. It was too illogical to send him to Jiang City.
“Brother-in-law, what do you think Admiral’s intention is by doing this?”
“We won’t be able to guess Admiral’s intention, but there’s no reason for you to turn this down now that you’ve accepted it. I think Admiral has no intention of harming you. Based on your current cultivation, you can still protect yourself even if you can’t suppress the bandits. What do you think?”
“I hope so!” Junior Leopard smiled bitterly.
“I was planning on starting a grain store in Jiang City, but I was worried it’s too far away and things may go wrong due to the many conflicts there. But since you’re going there to be Navy Commander, then it’s killing two birds with one stone!”
“You really know how to take advantage of the situation!” Junior Leopard said. “But you’ll have to wait until I’m familiar with the situation there. Who knows if I’ll be forced to come home after a few days? Your grain store will be left without protection then!”
“How could that be! Others may not know you, but how will I not? With your ability, you’ll still be able to plant a firm foothold there even if you fail to suppress the bandits!” Wang Tianlei said. “But don’t elaborate too much about the situation in Jiang City to your sister. She’ll get worried. You’re going there to be Navy Commander; you can be considered as being given a promotion. You can just say you’re promoted and make her happy!”
“That’s right. But there’s one good thing about going to Jiang City. I won’t have to her nagging anymore!”
“You can’t be too sure. Who knows your sister will have already decided on your marriage by the time you return?” Wang Tianlei laughed. “But don’t worry. I’ll definitely help you choose. If the girl is too ugly, I’ll be the first to help you turn it down!”
“I’ll thank you first, brother-in-law!” Junior Leopard saluted with folded hands. “Please keep an eye for me lest I marry an ugly wife!”
“No problem! No problem!” Wang Tianlei said repeatedly. They went out, rubbing each other’s shoulders and making fun of each other.