Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Choices

A long, heavy silence.

Shen Hao stood with his head lowered in the Public Office, not daring to make a sound or to look up at Jiang Cheng’s expression. He could guess that Jiang Cheng must be extremely conflicted right now.

Although they hadn’t interacted for long, Shen Hao had come to understand Jiang Cheng’s temperament quite well—he knew this was a man who valued his emotions deeply, especially when it came to his past experiences.

Could someone who even drank like a soldier ever feel nothing special for the place where he once risked life and death? Impossible.

Though his stance had changed, his heart had not, and now it was up to Jiang Cheng to make the choice.

Suppress it, or lift the lid?

"You may leave for now. I need to consider this matter carefully. As for the rest, you know what to do, yes?"

"Understood, sir. Before your order is given, I will ensure this matter is tightly covered and no word escapes to others. All further action by our people will also be suspended. Please rest assured."

"Mm. Good." Jiang Cheng nodded, waving Shen Hao away.

After the sound of the door closing, the gatekeeper came in to ask whether the others waiting should be allowed in for the meeting, but Jiang Cheng drove him out and hung a "Closed Door" sign, dismissing all those who had business that day.

When one’s mind is adrift, how could one be in the mood for official tasks?

Shen Hao had in fact guessed Jiang Cheng’s hesitation and inner conflict, but he could not truly put himself in his place.

It was precisely because Jiang Cheng had risen through military ranks, even devoting the first half of his life to the military, that outsiders could never truly understand his feelings. Moreover, Jiang Cheng’s clarity about military systems and ways meant that, upon seeing the case files Shen Hao brought today, he was deeply shaken.

The Jingxi Army’s position in the Dynasty needed no elaboration; one of the Four Major Armies, it was the sword that kept the Jingjiu Dynasty’s rule unassailable—a pillar of the nation.

And now, that very pillar was implicated in such a sordid affair as "colluding with the Southern Barbarians"?

This was not even the first time. Before, in the Wen Family case which Shen Hao had likewise investigated, one thread tugged brought up a tangle—the ones implicated then were the Jingbei Army, suspected of smuggling military equipment abroad. However, at the time, the investigation did not go further, and it was unknown whether "abroad" also meant the Barbarian Race, or if it was all orchestrated.

Once is happenstance, twice is something more.

The first time could still be called coincidence; two such cases together could not. Moreover, now the matter implicated not only the Jingxi Army, but even higher up in the chain—the Ministry of War.

In fact, Shen Hao had already concluded in the files: the Ministry of War had participated in large-scale smuggling of supplies to the Barbarian Race and was very likely the chief planner of the whole affair. Furthermore, there were ties to those reviled Evil Cultivators.

Combining these two events, it was clear what a terrifying impact it would have on the Four Major Armies. The Civil Servant Group would seize upon it to create major waves. Perhaps this would even herald the full division and control of the military by the Civil Servant Group.

Go even deeper: the Ministry of War, the Jingxi Army, the Jingbei Army. The files further implied that the Southern Border Army might be involved... Did this mean the entire military was compromised?

A grand cleanup indeed!

If this led to open mutiny...

Just thinking of it made Jiang Cheng’s heart quiver with dread.

For the first time, he strongly wished to give Shen Hao a good beating. If Shen Hao weren’t so capable, perhaps these things would never have been unearthed to haunt his conscience.

Now Jiang Cheng had to make his choice.

Should he suppress the matter in private, giving the military some face and room to maneuver? Or should he rip the lid off and see it through to the end?

He wrestled with it from morning until nearly noon. At last, Jiang Cheng slammed the armrest of his chair, the warring emotions long etched on his brow vanishing in an instant.

"Prepare my horse. I’m going to the Commander’s Office."

Outside, the gatekeeper hurried to make ready. Half an hour later, Jiang Cheng saw Commander Pang Ban, where he knelt on one knee in silence, waiting for Pang Ban’s judgment.

"You came from the military, and have always claimed that identity. So why did you not suppress this case file, but instead bring it to me? Are you not aware of what’s at stake?"

Pang Ban’s voice was as gentle as ever, but Jiang Cheng felt no warmth at all. Instead, it felt as though cold blades pierced his body, sweat instantly soaking his back.

"Though I was born to the military and have many ties with it, first and foremost I am a Xuanqing Guard Governor. It is only right that I present the case to you for your decision, not conceal it for my own ends."

The moment these words left his mouth, Jiang Cheng felt instantly lighter, as though a heavy stone left his chest and the icy pain left his body.

Pang Ban spoke again: "Be it military or civilian, everyone loves to talk about factions, even using them to divide friend from foe. For example, the Military Series and the Noble System or the Cultivation Race within the Civil Servant Group are like water and fire. In reality, many military leaders are also titled nobles. What faction do they belong to?

Whichever side brings more benefits, is that their side? Then what of me, Pang Ban—which faction am I?"

You have done well. You didn’t let so-called factions blind you. You know the job you hold isn’t for the Military Series, but as Xuanqing Guard Jingxi Governor."

Jiang Cheng dared not respond, lowering his head even more. He could hear the anger still in Pang Ban’s tone. Of course, that anger was not directed at him.

"Previously, the Jingbei Army smuggled arms. The Ministry of War struck with lightning speed, heads rolled, rivers of blood appeased the court’s rage, and many mouths were silenced. Our Xuanqing Guard was also implicated, losing nearly a hundred men. Now another case of ’colluding with the Barbarians’ has come. If you were to cover this up, and it broke later, the Xuanqing Guard would be dragged down as well, worse than last time.

This must be investigated, but not recklessly or with alarm. The Ministry of War is particularly impenetrable; they’ll detect even the slightest dust. Luckily, your Shen Hao was cautious; had he acted rashly against the Ministry, disaster would have struck. Even a gatekeeper there wouldn’t fall for a simple trick.

From the bottom up is the best path."

Jiang Cheng felt an invisible hand lift him up. Looking up, he saw Pang Ban smiling and gesturing for him to sit and speak.

"Sir, but the military is not like the provinces—its inner workings are strict. Many matters are beyond our Xuanqing Guard’s reach. Moreover, the scope of this case is so vast that my power as Jingxi Governor is far too limited for a thorough investigation. So I ask for your guidance."

To be honest, Jiang Cheng had no desire to keep this case in his hands—it was too risky, too conspicuous, and too easy to become a scapegoat. He had intended to lift the lid and throw it to Pang Ban, but Pang Ban had tossed it back to him.

"Didn’t your capable deputy just submit a ’pilot plan’? Go ahead and approve it. I’ll add a note myself; when you give it to him, he’ll understand where to start the investigation."