"Well said, 'Though of humble station, I dare not forget the nation's woes!'"
Upon hearing these words, Yue Longgang couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "Yin'er, I never imagined you possessed such noble sentiments. You are truly a woman who surpasses men, far stronger than many of these fellows."
Recently, there had been constant border skirmishes, and war could ignite at any moment. To cope with the grim situation, the Ministry of War began recruiting soldiers, yet very few people signed up.
Now, Man Yin, a mere woman, had even donated her accumulated private savings. This truly made Yue Longgang look at her with newfound respect.
If every citizen of the Great Qin Dynasty possessed such awareness, held the nation in their hearts, and united as one, there would be no need to fear foreign invasions.
"Foster Father, Yin'er wishes to enlist and defend our home and country," Man Yin requested.
"Ah?"
Yue Longgang was stunned.
What blow had Man Yin suffered? Not only had she donated all her savings, but she had also developed the idea of joining the army. Something was very wrong.
"Yin'er, enlisting is no trifling matter. The border situation is severe, and war could break out at any time. Once on the battlefield, even I might not be able to protect you completely."
Yue Longgang flatly refused.
War was not child's play. Although Man Yin possessed the cultivation of the Spirit King realm, she had only ever known scholarly pursuits, dancing, and playing music. Sending her to the battlefield would be no different from sending her to her death.
"Yin'er is not afraid of death. At worst, I'll return home wrapped in a horse's hide!"
Man Yin's expression was one of utter defiance.
She just wanted to know if, one day, when she died on the battlefield, that scoundrel would still consider her a mere opportunist who only knew how to swindle customers.
Although Yue Longgang admired Man Yin's attitude, he absolutely could not allow her to enlist. The Great Qin had not degenerated to the point where it needed a singing girl to fight for the nation.
Moreover, given Man Yin's beauty and fame, her presence in the army would cause chaos among the soldiers.
"Yin'er, I will accept these funds on behalf of the soldiers. With this money, the entire army's equipment can be upgraded by a notch. There are many ways to serve the country, not just enlisting."
Yue Longgang spoke, accepting a gift for the first time in his life.
He then used the excuse of having military affairs to attend to, sending away the stubborn Man Yin who insisted on joining the army.
Yue Longgang felt very gratified. His adopted daughter possessed such patriotic fervor, and he felt honored.
He then fell into thought, believing that Man Yin's actions must have a reason.
"Yin'er, since your foster father has accepted your gift, I naturally must do something for you. Who has provoked you? I will seek justice for you."
Yue Longgang, outwardly rough but inwardly meticulous, had already made some guesses based on Man Yin's behavior and words.
He summoned his subordinates and ordered them to find out exactly what had happened to Man Yin.
The Ministry of War, with its complete intelligence network, quickly ascertained the entire course of events.
"Heh heh, interesting. Someone actually dared to cause trouble at Tianxiang Pavilion, saying that Yin'er only knew how to swindle customers and not worry about the nation. No wonder this girl is like this."
"To surpass Yin'er in musical artistry requires some skill, but how can outsiders bully the family of Yue Longgang?"
"Oh, so it's Ying Tianbao's man. How audacious, to scheme against me."
Initially, Yue Longgang had felt a slight interest in Ji Mo. After all, his greatest hobby was listening to music. He was rather eager to meet someone whose musical artistry surpassed Man Yin's.
However, the intelligence indicated that Ji Mo was likely Ying Tianbao's strategist, which immediately angered him.
Recently, Ying Tianbao had been causing the most stir, talking about snatching the Crown Princess and vying for the throne, creating a city-wide uproar.
Yue Longgang knew Ying Tianbao well and understood that he would never say such things. Someone must have been instigating him from behind.
That person, he surmised, was Ji Mo.
Now, this Ji fellow had caused trouble at Tianxiang Pavilion, displaying astonishing musical artistry. He must have intended to attract Yue Longgang's attention and win him over.
Hmph, how could he possibly appreciate such a devious schemer?
"It's been a while since I killed anyone. You, Ji, dared to scheme against me, you can only blame yourself for being blind."
Yue Longgang sneered, his killing intent palpable, and then issued his orders.
Before long, three thousand soldiers were assembled.
Under his command, they marched in a mighty procession towards Ying Tianbao's mansion.
Such a grand display immediately shocked the entire Wangjing.
Marshal Yue leading thousands of troops? Was he preparing to raid the home of some corrupt official?
Yue Longgang had done such things many times.
The number of corrupt officials whose families he had purged in Wangjing was no less than twenty. The current clean atmosphere in the Great Qin Dynasty's officialdom was all thanks to Yue Longgang.
Some officials with unclean hands heard the news and trembled. After all, in the ways of the world, who hadn't accepted a few favors?
Upon hearing the commotion, some officials were so frightened that they immediately went to surrender themselves. After all, being judged by the state law wasn't a severe crime. If they fell into Yue Longgang's hands, they would be stripped bare even if they survived.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Marshal Yue has led a large force into our mansion."
Steward Fu reported to Ying Tianbao in a panic.
Because Yue Longgang was radiating killing intent and leading his troops, the entire mansion had been surrounded.
"What's going on? I haven't engaged in any corruption. Why is this fellow coming to cause trouble for me? Steward Fu, do we have any servants who are acting arrogantly and bullying others outside, committing evil deeds?"
Ying Tianbao, upon hearing the news, was flustered.
He was upright and had nothing to fear, but he was afraid of his servants causing trouble and implicating him.
"There shouldn't be. I have always strictly instructed the servants not to cause trouble outside, lest the Crown Prince's mansion seize an opportunity to deal with us."
Steward Fu pondered for a moment before replying.
He had always been cautious and walked on thin ice, exercising extreme strictness over his subordinates.
"Since we haven't committed any wrongdoing, why is Marshal Yue here? Steward Fu, to prevent any accidents, quickly invite my Brother Ji."
Ying Tianbao's first thought was of Ji Mo.
As long as Ji Mo was present, he would have the confidence to face anything.
"That... Young Master Ji has gone out. And what can a mere mortal like him do?"
Steward Fu was confused, not understanding why Ying Tianbao relied so much on Ji Mo.
"My Brother Ji is out? Steward Fu, what are you doing? Why didn't you inform me promptly? If Brother Ji is out, I should be by his side to serve him."
Ying Tianbao chided.
Steward Fu's face immediately fell. This was the first time Ying Tianbao had spoken to him with such a stern tone, and it was for a man.
"It seems I need to find a way to get rid of this Ji Mo. Otherwise, His Highness will eventually be swayed."
Steward Fu secretly made up his mind.
With Ji Mo absent, Ying Tianbao had no choice but to brace himself and go to meet Yue Longgang.
Recalling the first tactic of a prodigal prince facing danger taught by Ji Mo: preemptive strike.
Ying Tianbao immediately shouted, "Marshal Yue, are you sending troops to surround my mansion because you intend to rebel?"
After saying this, he froze.
Because the accusation of rebellion was effective against anyone, but it didn't work well when used against Yue Longgang.
Steward Fu covered his forehead, thinking his Highness was truly foolish.
"Oh, the Ninth Prince is indeed wise. You've seen through me. I was indeed planning to raise an army in rebellion. Since you've discovered it, I suppose I must silence you and cut you up as a sacrifice to the flag."
Yue Longgang was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ying Tianbao and said sinisterly.