Chapter Seven, an incident occurred in the Imperial Guard Camp

Lin Chong asked in a low voice, "What will happen on the way to the exile?"

The position of the commander of the imperial guards has long been vacant. Lu Qian is indeed a person of action, but unfortunately, his treacherous father has never allowed him to take command, preventing him from mobilizing others. Furthermore, Gao Qiu, his father, is a sycophant whose thoughts are solely focused on maintaining appearances, leaving him with no time to attend to the training of the imperial guards in the residence

Fu Ansong let out a sigh of relief, grimacing as he took out a large piece of official silver and handed it to Gao Fangping

These personal guards, aside from their impressive stature and remarkable appearance, are almost entirely lacking in other qualities

Gao Fangping said: "If you hold a grudge, I do not blame you. However, I will treat you as an enemy and eliminate you, it is quite simple. I do not wish to have a top-notch expert who harbors resentment against me alive"

Gao Fangping said: "Then it is simple. Since reconciliation is possible, killing is not a glorious act. I truly do not enjoy harming others everywhere, as it is quite exhausting. There is no need to explain past mistakes, nor can they be undone. However, I will do my best to minimize harm in the future. The Kaifeng Prefecture has already sentenced you to exile in Cangzhou, and this is not something that my command can change. Unless I have the courage to bind myself and go to the Kaifeng Prefecture to clarify, but my father would first flay me alive. Therefore, your exile is unavoidable, but I will inform you of some dangers and treacherous individuals along the way. Additionally, I can guarantee the safety and dignity of Zhang Zhenniang and her family."

Upon exiting, Fu An appeared as a loyal henchman, guarding around Gao Fangping and said: "Sir, we are leaving; this place is ominous"

During the military affairs meeting in the main hall of the General's residence, a trusted commanding officer reported this matter, proudly believing that the General would, as in the past, angrily scold with words such as "nonsense" and "ungrateful son"

Lin Chong said: "It is somewhat like ... a good person, but I cannot quite explain it."

Indeed. Just as I believed you when you said you do not hold grudges. You must also trust me, for without trust, it will be difficult for you to accomplish anything

Gao Fangping instructed, "Go to the Zhang family and find Zhang Zhenniang, and have her bring me the house deed and the land deed."

The command of the Imperial Guard Battalion has remained vacant. Lu Qian has been effective in his duties, and it was originally believed that he would be appointed to the position. However, the position was privately promised to Xu Ning, the instructor of the Spear Class, by the officials.

Gao Fangping said: "There are many reasons for that, and I am not someone who enjoys explaining. Things happen as they happen. Do not look back, but look forward. I would like to know, what do you think my actions at the Zhang family today resemble?"

Gao Qiu nodded and said: "That is good. Lu Qian is meticulous in his work, almost leaving no room for error, but he is too scheming and ruthless, with an overly aggressive nature and a strong sense of utilitarianism. For this reason, I have never entrusted the position of commander to him. Now that this is my son's first arrangement, let it be for the time being, to observe the results later."

This is a rank of a ninth-grade military official. Although it is ultimately decided by Gao Qiu, it still needs to go through the proper procedures, including being sent to the Ministry of Personnel for endorsement and the Ministry of War for record-keeping. As for the dispatch of the commanding officer, it does not require anyone's approval; it is sufficient for General Gao to make the decision.

Walking through the bustling marketplace, Gao Fangping maliciously remarked, "Hmph, thirty guan for the escort officers, fifty guan for the engraver, totaling eighty guan. I am quite curious, will these three fellows actually receive thirty guan in hand?"

Xu Ning's face turned pale with anger, and she felt like throwing down the whip and leaving, wanting to give up this job.

A flash of anger crossed Lin Chong's eyes, but he soon spoke with a sense of desolation: "What difference does it make if it happened? What difference does it make if it didn't happen?"

Everyone keeps their heads down and does not dare to speak; is this not a tautology? Regardless of the dynasty or era, regardless of the context, soldiers must obey orders and discipline, and they must participate in training

"Be cautious of Lu Qian. Do not leave any future troubles. Otherwise, your wife will always be unable to find peace in the shadows." Gao Fangping stood up and walked out, "After resolving the matter with Lu Qian, do not make things difficult for the officials escorting you from Kaifeng. Go to Cangzhou obediently and let them complete their duties. I will send someone to handle it, set a fire over there, and find a death row inmate to be burned in your place. From then on, Lin Chong will no longer exist. At that time, you can return to Bianjing, and I will grant you a military registration in the Imperial Guard, allowing you to live a good life with your wife."

Lin Chong asked excitedly, "Is it true?"

Although he is merely a superficial figure with a ridiculous appearance, Xu Ning couldn't help but be taken aback. Setting aside the boy's exterior, at this moment, there is indeed a hint of demeanor.

I, a humble servant

A relatively familiar officer of Xu Ning said: "Reporting to the commander, Xu Ning has always been low-key, with a relatively gentle and meticulous personality, and exceptional martial skills. Aside from a few individuals like Lin Chong, his 2-meter-long hooked spear is hard to find an opponent for. Upon closer examination, this person has no significant flaws and is indeed an excellent candidate for the position of personal guard commander"

If one were to command the imperial guards elsewhere, it would be much better, and one could dare to take decisive action to teach them a lesson. Unfortunately, the little military leader is not wrong; these esteemed guards, while unaware of their own muddling, have already become trusted subordinates serving the Gao family, inevitably developing a sense of seniority and a degree of arrogance.

Ah! Little Jun had a blood mark on his face, and in pain, he covered his face and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Honor, please spare my life. I do not know what wrong I have committed."

At this moment, Xu Ning gathered everyone for training in the school grounds. Having come from a background as an instructor and possessing exceptional martial skills himself, he could not tolerate these ineffectual individuals. While conducting the drills, he shouted and scolded, even resorting to the use of a whip.

Gao Fangping walked a few steps in the center of the schoolyard with his hands behind his back

In the yamen... could it be too harsh? Didn't we say that we should learn to be good people? Fu An felt a wave of frustration; with Lin Chong's fierce martial skills, wouldn't he be doomed upon his return?

Hmph, who do you think you are? You are merely a newcomer. Don't think that just because the young master sent you here, you can have the final say; it still depends on what General Gao has to say. A military leader approached with a sneer and said, "Instructor Xu! Think carefully before you come to command my subordinates. When we serve the Gao family as the elite troops, you, Xu Ning, won't even know where to cool off!"

Lin Chong was left in a daze, watching helplessly as this scoundrel departed

The officials within the yamen are wise and formidable. Fu An appears quite uneducated

Gao's residence can barely be considered a military household, as it is garrisoned with several hundred loyal troops, and thus there is also a large training ground available for everyone to conduct their drills

Xiao Jun's leader truly dares not speak recklessly anymore, for the extent of this waste's decline is beyond doubt, and his capriciousness is well acknowledged

Stopping at the prison gate, Gao Fangping thought for a moment and said: "Tomorrow you will have a gold seal tattooed on your face, but Fu'an said that if you pay fifty guan, they will not tattoo it, just paint it on for show. After the great fire in Cangzhou, you can wash off the gold seal. By the way, you must endure the intimidation from Cangzhou; I do not have enough money to smooth things over for you everywhere. Also, when you set fire to the granary, remember to move the grain first; it is not easy for farmers to plant and for the government to store. Do not act recklessly. Your house and fields will be temporarily mortgaged to me. This is because I still need to give thirty guan to the officials escorting you; otherwise, it is hard to say they won't scald your feet with boiling water on the way, hehe. These are all expenses; when you return and repay the money, I will return the fields and the house to you.

Stop in your tracks, Gao Fangping said loudly: "Soldiers, who do not obey discipline, do not train, and do not heed the summons of their superiors. Do you think this is acceptable?"

Xiao Jun, feeling triumphant, stepped forward with the intention of reporting to the high official, but before he could utter a word, he saw a whip coming at him with a crack.

The remaining several hundred troops, although not participating in direct confrontation, are contentedly watching the spectacle from the sidelines

The insults from the little leader drew cheers from the subordinates

Fu An's eyes rolled around, and then he began to cry loudly: "Your Excellency is wise, please spare my life. In fact, it is not just the three of them; the others also need to be managed. The actual expenses will amount to around fifty guan. I deserve to die, I am truly wicked. Please, Your Excellency, forgive me this time."

However, Gao Qiu merely uttered an "oh," raised his hand to stroke his beard, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "My son has truly become enlightened; he has invested his thoughts on understanding people and discerning their intentions, which is excellent."

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Chong said softly: "What if Lin Chong could let it go?"

"What do you think you did wrong?" Gao Fangping said with a smile

Following closely was that frivolous and disheveled young master, who walked with a swaggering demeanor.

Having said this, he instructed the advisor to bring a blank document for the official notice, filled in the name of Captain Ren Yong on the spot, and handed it to his subordinate, saying: "Send it to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War for signature."

After a pause, Gao Qiu asked: "What do you all say about Xu Ning's character?"

"Alright, as long as you have that feeling. " Gao Fangping nodded and said: "Now I ask you, is it possible to treat past events as if they never happened?"

Seeing that he had no excuses left, Gao Fangping said: "Get up!"

However, having just arrived, he was merely sent by the official, which resulted in many of the personal guards not being very obedient to his authority, and even led to arguments and resistance occurring within the training grounds

@ # .

Gao Fangping stroked his chin and said, "Tell me, what do you think? I believe the matter at the Zhang family today cannot be hidden from your ears. This Kaifeng Prefecture prison appears solid, yet it is actually full of leaks. You are a good man, and among the constables, prison guards, and friends in the Jianghu, you must have many connections, so you surely know what is happening at home."

Lin Chong felt that he was very shameless, but upon careful consideration, he truly believed that this person was not at fault. This is human instinct, and the events that occurred previously cannot be undone.

Gao Fangping accepted it with a smile, after all, it was money that Fu An had embezzled from the accounts. Cheating the accounts was equivalent to deceiving the treacherous father, so it was fine to keep it as private funds.

"Kill him, you black bastard, thirty guan, do you know how many years a poor family can survive on that? Compensate me with twenty guan, otherwise I will tattoo your face and make you replace Lin Chong in Cangzhou, hurry up!" Gao Fangping fiercely slapped him on the back of the head.

In the past, I misjudged him; the official is quite clever. Lin Chong said, "What kind of person is Lu Qian? I have come to see through him. It is rather strange that such a clever person in the officialdom would previously commit so many foolish acts, being led around by the nose by the petty man Lu Qian.

Thank you, Young Master Xie. Little Jun stood up and moved to the side

What do you understand? She originally planned to sell her property to support her husband. In addition, Lin Chong was exiled, and her father, Master Zhang, also had someone to be exiled. There are so many local ruffians in the capital; as a woman, if the local thugs do not take her in, there will be others who are even more ruthless to seize her land and property. Do you understand that we are safeguarding it for her? If other ruffians come to the General's Mansion to ask for it, do you think our eighty thousand elite troops will not beat them up like a lion rolling a ball of embroidery?