The Double-Chapter 594 - 173 Gentle_3

"If you don’t mind waiting in vain, then just wait in vain. At least the Duke Residence can still offer you a cup of tea," said Old General Jih. He continued, "Go to my study. It’s hot outside, and I’ll have the servants bring you a pot of tea." Without waiting for Jiang Li’s agreement or objection, he headed towards his study.

Jiang Li watched his back and sighed inwardly. Old General Jih seemed more domineering than Jih Heng.

The old general’s study was entirely different from Jih Heng’s. Jih Heng’s study was a proper study, albeit a stern one. In contrast, Old General Jih’s study had nothing but a few military texts on the desk, and not even writing brushes or inkstones. The walls were adorned with all kinds of weapons—swords, axes, spears—and in front of the desk stood a set of armor, gleaming and imposing.

Seeing Jiang Li staring at the armor, Old General Jih laughed and boasted, "Nice, isn’t it? I wore this when I went into battle." His tone was full of pride and triumph, but soon it became tinged with loss. "Sadly, I can’t wear it anymore."

Jiang Li understood how he felt.

"The old general’s collection is quite impressive," she remarked.

"Of course it is," replied Old General Jih, "It’s just a pity the boy Ah Heng won’t use any of these fine weapons. All he knows is those fancy, frivolous things, like using a fan!"

Jiang Li thought to herself that Old General Jih probably hadn’t seen Jih Heng using a fan to kill. It was no less sharp than these swords and blades.

Remembering that Jih Heng’s father was also a general, she asked Old General Jih, "Why doesn’t the Duke serve as a general? The Late Emperor had great trust in generals and kept military power in their hands. Although we live in peaceful times now, I haven’t seen the general training troops."

Old General Jih replied, "The Commander’s Seal is lost." freёwebnoѵel.com

"What?" This time, Jiang Li was genuinely astonished.

Old General Jih said to Jiang Li, "You must have heard about Minghan. When he disappeared, he took the Tiger Talisman with him, and it has been missing all these years. The Late Emperor searched for it during his reign, and so has the current emperor, but to no avail. This matter must not become public knowledge; others think that the Duke Residence still holds military power, as Ah Heng’s behavior is unregulated."

"Northern Yan hasn’t seen military action for many years, so even if there are suspicions, they can’t be confirmed. But when warfare arises, if people inquire about the Jinwu Army, the truth will eventually come out. Although everyone says that the Jinwu Army has declined, in reality..."

Old General Jih smiled at Jiang Li, "Girl, you know quite a bit. I don’t mind telling you, the Jinwu Army was handed over to Ah Heng a long time ago. Without the Commander’s Seal, he can’t command the Jinwu Army, and those soldiers listen to Minghan’s orders. It’s true what people say about the Jinwu Army’s decline, so if there’s a conflict, the Jinwu Army won’t take the field—one reason is the lack of the Tiger Talisman for orders, and the other is their fallen state unfit for battle. Our Duke Residence only holds the title of Duke now."

Listening to Old General Jih speak, his expression did not seem to be feigned, but Jiang Li had a gut feeling that it wasn’t the complete truth. Jih Heng was dreaded by everyone in the imperial audience hall, and even Prince Cheng would not dare to openly oppose him—he certainly had some leverage. Even if it was not the Jinwu Army, there must be something else. Moreover, with such a military force at hand, how could Jih Heng waste it? Perhaps Old General Jih was deceived by Jih Heng, who might have his own considerations.

Suddenly, she remembered the last time she saw Jih Heng, he had mentioned Zhaode General Yin Zhan along with the Prince of Xia County, both as renowned as the Jinwu Army. Jiang Li asked, "Old General, do you know of any recent news concerning Zhaode General Yin Zhan?"

At this question, Old General Jih’s expression changed, and he fell silent for a while. After some time, he said, "Girl, there are many things you don’t understand, so you shouldn’t inquire about them. Asking too much is not good for you. If Jiang Yuanbai knew you were digging into these matters, he would advise you to stop as well. No matter what Ah Heng has told you or what you know, do not get involved. Stay out of it, and you’ll be safe."

Jiang Li had never seen him speak with such a grave expression since the time she began meeting with Old General Jih. She paused to think, then responded, "Understood, old general. I won’t ask any further."

Only then did Old General Jih nod in satisfaction, "Clever girl."

Although Jiang Li outwardly agreed not to inquire further, she knew in her heart that there must be something significant about Zhaode General Yin Zhan. Otherwise, Old General Jih wouldn’t have warned her so sternly, nor would Jih Heng have looked so unusual that day. Jiang Li had always wondered why Jih Heng allowed Prince Cheng, Emperor Hongxiao, and the Jiang Family to form three stable forces, and how he used this balance of power to become the trusted confidant of Emperor Hongxiao.