Chapter 458 - 456: An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (Second Update)

Chapter 458: Chapter 456: An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth (Second Update)

When mentioning a certain man, Xu Jing softened the corners of her mouth and said, "You can call him whatever you like. I don’t even know where he’ll be reassigned to this time when he returns.

However, he probably won’t stay in the military. Even if you call him General Xiao, it won’t be for long."

After learning about the tragic past of Xiao Yi’s maternal family, she finally understood why this man didn’t want to stay in the military.

Yet, precisely because of his maternal family’s issues, every time the nation faced difficulties, he would stand up without hesitation to protect the homeland.

"Is that so?"

Cheng Qingqing blinked. She wasn’t quite clear about Xiao Yi’s family matters, but it didn’t prevent her from admiring Xiao Yi. "Just based on General Xiao’s achievements on the battlefield, even if he doesn’t stay in the military, his rewards will surely be abundant!

I’ve heard people outside say that after his return this time, he might be transferred back to the Secretariat. Perhaps our Great Chu will welcome its youngest Prime Minister!"

As Cheng Qingqing said, Xiao Yi achieved unparalleled military merits this time.

After Prince Ling was safely brought back to the Western Capital, the Jiang Family lost the last chance to take Prince Ling away.

This was undoubtedly a huge blow to the Jiang Family. Initially, they wanted to hide this news, but later, as their soldiers couldn’t see Prince Ling for a long time and rumors spread among the people that Prince Ling had arrived in the Western Capital, this matter could no longer be concealed.

After that, the morale of the soldiers under the Jiang Family greatly decreased. During that time, Duke Liang and others almost broke through their city gates, but it was Jiang Shaoyan who personally went to the frontline to guard it.

In this way, both sides were in a stalemate for more than two months. However, no one expected that during this period, Xiao Yi secretly sent a team of elite soldiers beyond the Great Wall to negotiate with the Dadan Tribe.

At that time, Jiang Shaoyan had already returned to Yizhou. Their attention was focused on the large court army outside; little did they know that Xiao Yi retaliated in kind. If they could cooperate with foreign tribes, why couldn’t he? Moreover, what they offered as terms far exceeded their opponents’.

In the end, Xiao Yi proposed to reinstate free trade between Great Chu and beyond the Great Wall and granted the Dadan Tribe significant benefits in commerce. After analyzing the possibility of victory between them and the Jiang Family, the Dadan Tribe leader finally leaned towards them, agreed to cooperate, and provided them cover to directly attack the current base of the Jiang Family in Yizhou.

By the time Jiang Shaoyan realized that his backyard was on fire, the elite troops sent by Xiao Yi had already broken into the residence where he was located, and the elite soldiers around Jiang Shaoyan hastily protected him to escape.

Upon learning of this situation, the frontline soldiers were greatly impacted. Coupled with the exhaustion from months of defensive battles, they quickly crumbled. The court army advanced rapidly, capturing Beiting Jiedu Envoy Jiang Chaoda and Pinglu Jiedu Envoy Zhou Guangsheng, as well as most of the Jiang Family members.

Xu Jing had received the court army’s victory message half a month ago, and within a few short days, this news, along with Xiao Yi’s name, spread throughout Great Chu.

Recently, the faces of the people have been renewed, and the sounds of laughter and talking on the streets have increased.

Even the refugees outside the city sang and danced through the night in celebration. Nothing is more inspiring than the news of peace.

Cheng Qingqing, speaking suddenly, said, "Even though the war is over, why is there still no news of the court army’s return? Sister Jing, did General Xiao mention in his recent family letter when he’ll return?"

Xu Jing couldn’t help but laugh, "Do you think the victory in the war means everything ends? The post-war affairs—dealing with enemy troops, settling captives, appeasing the people, recovering and rebuilding lost territories—all require time and effort no less than fighting the war.

Moreover..."

Moreover, the most troublesome thing is that although they captured most of the Jiang Family members, the most important ones—Jiang Shaoyan and his sons—are still missing.

Among the missing is Jiang Yu.

Although in the current situation, they can’t stir up much trouble, if the roots aren’t eliminated, it will eventually lead to future troubles.

This was also why the Princess Consort Ling was determined to send Prince Ling away at any cost.

As long as a single remnant of the Jiang family remains outside, Prince Ling will be strictly monitored and never regain freedom until death.

However, this matter is now considered confidential in the military. Xu Jing didn’t elaborate to Cheng Qingqing and smiled lightly, "Forget it, they’ll eventually return someday. We’ll just patiently wait.

For now, the court temporarily isn’t letting us produce medicine. Let’s quickly settle the accounts for this period. In a few days, I’ll take Chang Xiao back to the Western Capital."

Upon hearing that Xu Jing was going back to the Western Capital, Cheng Qingqing couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, pouting, "With Sister Jing gone, Chen Hu and the others would probably cry. Over the past half year, thanks to Sister Jing, the speed at which Anping County solves cases has been unprecedented, even people from nearby counties come here to learn from us, making them quite proud."

Xu Jing gave her a sidelong glance.

The one who probably wants to cry the most is this girl.

She lightly flicked Qingqing’s forehead, returning her attention to the ledger in her hand, and said, "Alright, it’s not like I’m not coming back once I leave. If you miss me and Chang Xiao, focus on training those little apprentices of mine. Then you can come to the Western Capital or stay in Anping County as you wish, enjoying complete freedom."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Qingqing couldn’t help but look forward to it.

A completely unrestrained, free future without any worries about money.

She couldn’t wait for it.

Seven days later, Xu Jing packed her things, took Xiao Huai’an, and amidst the reluctance of the Cheng Brothers and Sisters and the county government staff, left Anping County, heading back to the Western Capital.

The last time she returned to the Capital City was over a month ago, and Xiao Huai’an was quite excited, persistently asking Xu Jing if they would see his father this time when they returned.

Exhausted from asking, he leaned against Shen’s embrace and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen lovingly wiped the sweat from Xiao Huai’an’s forehead, which came from playing, and said, "Lord left when the April grass was long and the warblers flew. Now the leaves have turned yellow. A few days ago, this old servant saw the young lord secretly drawing Lord’s portrait. When this old servant saw it, he was embarrassed and said he was afraid of forgetting his father’s appearance and wanted to draw it down. But he’s not good at drawing yet, drew his father ugly, and begged the old servant to keep it secret, not to tell Madam and Lord.

This old servant’s heart ached instantly."

Such a well-behaved child, who wouldn’t feel affection?

Xu Jing couldn’t help but gently gaze at Xiao Huai’an, her lips slightly curving upwards, "Soon, the father he misses dearly will be back."

"But Madam..."

Chunyang suddenly felt worried, "Lord used to send a family letter every half month. Now, it’s been over half a month since Madam last received a letter from him."

Xu Jing’s eyebrows immediately knit slightly.

Previously, when the war was tense, Xiao Yi wrote her a letter once a month.

Later, when the war slightly eased, he sent one every half month.

Logically, now that the war is over, he should have more time for other things.

Xu Jingjing paused for a moment and said, "Maybe Lord has other matters to attend to, don’t overthink it."

After a day and night of traveling, their carriage finally reached outside the Western Capital city.

However, just as they were heading towards the city gate of the Western Capital, the carriage suddenly stopped abruptly, simultaneously accompanied by a series of panicked screams outside.

It was the voices of other travelers on the road!