“Sir, your actions today… truly leave this subordinate prostrate with admiration!”
Inside the yamen, Yan Ming’s face brimmed with uncontainable excitement and reverence as he gave Chen Sheng a deep bow.
After this incident, he was thoroughly convinced by Chen Sheng’s thunderous momentum and methods. This young superior was ordinarily as calm as still water, yet once he acted, it was like a stone shattering the heavens—instantly suppressing the entire field and reversing the situation.
The two vice commanders who had previously seemed immovable were before Chen Sheng like mere clay chickens and earthen dogs—Gao Qiheng was slain on the spot, blood splashing within five paces; the other Vice Commander Cheng was frightened out of his wits, now obeying Chen Sheng’s every command with fearful subservience, not daring the slightest defiance.
This filled these old subordinates who had followed Chen Sheng with immense pride and a sense of shared glory.
Chen Sheng’s expression was calm as water, undisturbed by this flattery in the slightest. He looked at Yan Ming with serene eyes, his tone serious:
“I have already given you the opportunity. Whether you can grasp it and truly establish yourself in the Northern City Military Camp will depend on your future performance.”
“Rest assured, Sir!” Yan Ming puffed out his chest, his expression solemn, and guaranteed with absolute resolve. “This subordinate will give his all and will never betray the grace of your cultivation and promotion. If there is any fault, I am willing to accept military law!”
Chen Sheng nodded slightly and continued to instruct:
“The accumulated maladies of the Northern City Military Camp run deep. From today onward, begin rectification. All who are old, weak, slack, and unfit for service are to be dismissed according to regulations. Vacancies will not be filled for the time being. The brothers brought from the Shan Character Camp are to serve as the backbone and be quickly installed into key positions. I want this Northern City Military Camp, from top to bottom, to move as responsively as my own arm.”
Since he had already decided to act, he would not hesitate in the slightest. Gao Qiheng himself was of no consequence, but the Gao Family behind him, and the attitude of the powerful local clans of Changshan County that the Gao Family represented, were the true keys.
Chen Sheng was very clear about the machinations behind this:
The fundamental purpose of the Gao Family and the other local powers in stirring up trouble this time was to force Wu Kuang to show his stance—either cooperate or be suppressed—and Wu Kuang’s position made it impossible for him to submit easily.
His decisive slaying of Gao Qiheng today had been planned from the moment he stepped through the camp gates.
Deliberately provoking the other party was all to occupy the moral high ground of “a subordinate offending his superior, forcing retaliation,” leaving no room for criticism. Simultaneously, this act also served as throwing a stone to ask the way for Wu Kuang—using such an intense method to test the attitude and bottom line of the prefectural superiors on this matter.
And as for the internal situation of the Northern City Military Camp, if he dared to kill Gao Qiheng who had the backing of the Gao Family, who else would he not dare to touch?
Under such thunderous methods, people like Vice Commander Cheng immediately submitted upon seeing which way the wind blew. This was faster and more effective than any soft conciliation. He was newly arrived with shallow foundations; to quickly seize control of the situation, this was the most direct and effective method.
“This subordinate understands! I will definitely carry out your orders to the letter!” Yan Ming hurriedly bowed to receive the command.
Chen Sheng waved his hand, signaling for him to withdraw.
When only he remained in the yamen, he closed his eyes and slowly breathed in and out. The blood and qi throughout his body circulated accordingly, and he soon immersed himself in cultivation once more, as if that earth-shattering blade and the subsequent turmoil had never occurred.
Next, it would depend on Wu Kuang’s side, and how the prefectural city responded.
……
On the other side, at the Military Preparedness Main Camp.
Vice Commander Cheng did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent. Bringing Gao Qiheng’s already-prepared corpse, he rushed nonstop to request an audience with the Military Preparedness Camp’s Grand Commander Chu Yueshan, and reported the entire course of events exactly as they happened, not daring to add the slightest embellishment.
“This Commander Chen… is truly no ordinary figure.” Chu Yueshan lifted the white cloth and carefully examined Gao Qiheng’s miserable corpse, his eyes narrowing slightly and glinting with shrewdness.
Although his build was robust and imposing, he was not a reckless martial brute. Rather, his thoughts were meticulous and careful; otherwise, he would not have been able to hold the position of a proper eighth-rank Military Preparedness Grand Commander.
He was well aware of the small maneuvers behind Gao Qiheng and the hints from the Gao, Huang, and other families. Previously, he had simply gone with the flow, pretending not to know, content to sit and watch how things developed.
He had assumed Gao Qiheng held the advantage in strength and could at least make the newcomer Chen Sheng suffer a setback, dulling his edge. Never had he expected Commander Chen to be so decisive and ruthless, completely disregarding consequences, actually putting Gao Qiheng to death on the spot with his blade and establishing absolute authority over the Northern City Military Camp in one fell swoop.
Most crucially, Chen Sheng’s actions stood on the side of “principle.” Gao Qiheng had actively provoked, offended a superior as a subordinate, and even struck first—each line trampling upon the red line of military law.
Though Chen Sheng’s counterattack was brutal, it occupied the moral high ground of “legitimate self-defense and cleaning house.” Furthermore, with the tacit support of his immediate superior, County Captain Wu, others could not find fault on the surface.
Of course, even if fault could be found, Chu Yueshan did not dare to rashly pick at it at this moment.
His previous indulgence of Gao Qiheng had been an opportunistic act of fence-sitting to remain aloof. The fundamental reason was his apprehension toward Wu Kuang, this newly appointed county captain. Before Wu Kuang and the local powerful clans determined a victor, he absolutely dared not easily enter the fray and draw fire to himself.
“Sir, regarding Vice Commander Gao’s… aftermath, and the crimes he committed, how should they be adjudicated?” Vice Commander Cheng carefully observed Chu Yueshan’s expression and asked in a low voice.
Chu Yueshan let out a cold snort, his tone indifferent. “Offending a superior as a subordinate, assaulting a superior officer—the evidence is conclusive. Moreover, this was a self-inflicted disaster; his death is not to be pitied. Clean up the corpse and have it sent back to the Gao Family. As for the rest, there is no need to say more.”
“Yes, this subordinate understands.” Vice Commander Cheng understood in his heart that this Grand Commander intended to continue preserving his own safety and did not plan to stick his neck out for this matter.
“What do you think of this Commander Chen’s character?” Chu Yueshan suddenly shifted the topic, his gaze seemingly casually falling upon Vice Commander Cheng.
Vice Commander Cheng’s heart chilled, and he answered cautiously, “Commander Chen… his methods are thunderous and unstoppable, his strength unfathomable. This subordinate… this subordinate has only just made his acquaintance and truly does not dare to judge rashly.”
“Mm,” Chu Yueshan responded noncommittally and waved his hand. “Go. Remember, from now on in the Northern City Military Camp, put away all schemes and obediently follow Commander Chen’s orders in handling affairs. Otherwise, Gao Qiheng’s fate will serve as a warning.”
“This subordinate shall firmly remember your teachings!” Cold sweat broke out on Vice Commander Cheng’s back, and he hurriedly bowed and withdrew.
……
Almost simultaneously, in the rear hall of the county yamen.
After Wu Kuang learned of everything that had happened in the Northern City Military Camp, his reaction could be described as mixed surprise and joy.
He had long since thoroughly investigated Gao Qiheng’s background and the forces behind him. Previously, he had even privately summoned Chen Sheng, indicating that if necessary, he could personally step in to apply pressure and stabilize the situation for him.
He had not expected to be tactfully refused by Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng had bluntly stated at the time that Gao Qiheng was merely a stone thrown to test the waters by the Gao Family. If the County Captain personally stepped in to suppress him, it would instead cause the other side to underestimate their hidden cards, appearing cowardly.
Dealing with such a character, he himself was more than sufficient.
Although Wu Kuang had agreed to Chen Sheng’s plan based on trust, he had actually been somewhat worried in his heart, especially when he saw Chen Sheng delaying in taking up his post, which made him even more uneasy.
Never had he imagined that Chen Sheng, if he did not act then fine, but once he acted, it would shatter the heavens—directly resolving the trouble in the most brutal yet most effective manner, giving him an enormous surprise!
He immediately spread out paper and brush, writing with flying strokes. He artfully polished the “achievements” since taking office (primarily Chen Sheng’s)—namely, the vigorous rectification of military discipline and the severe punishment of rebels against their superiors—crafting them into a detailed report, and ordered a trusted confidant to deliver it to the prefectural city via express horse.
Both he and Chen Sheng needed to use this to clearly see the true attitude of the prefectural city.
If the prefectural city’s attitude was ambiguous, or even reprimanded him for excessive methods, then it would mean that the superiors did not wish to completely fall out with the local powerful clans at this time, and they would need to temporarily lie low, even consider compromising with the powerful clans;
If the prefectural city clearly supported, and even commended this action… then it would mean they could act freely and truly make real moves within Changshan County!
And just as Wu Kuang anxiously awaited the prefectural city’s response, Gao Qiheng’s corpse was delivered to the Gao residence. For a time, the Gao Family was enraged.
The turmoil in the Northern City Military Camp also swiftly spread through various channels to the ears of all factions in Changshan County. Chen Sheng’s name, by virtue of this bloody and resolute blade, in the truest sense, astonished the world with a single cry, shaking all of Changshan!
————