Chapter 51

Returning to his territory went surprisingly smoothly. With the contributions to the Imperial Academy and the military department, the noble management department was very pleased.

If Duke Dingbei were to return the reclaimed territory, it would be seen as a challenge to the management department. Now, with his great contributions, it was natural for him to request it; they would think it was just Jiang Xingchen missing his hometown.

Holding the deed to the territory, Jiang Xingchen was very happy, not only because he had fulfilled his promise to the little girl but also because it would allow him to develop freely in his own territory, where he could make all the decisions.

However, he soon calmed down. The development of the territory was secondary; the most important thing now was the little girl's illness. The herbs were manageable; he could buy more and take them back, but what about the physician? If the little girl's condition worsened... He couldn't ask Zhao Danqing's father to come back with him.

"Where can I find a highly skilled physician... Should I not go back for now... No, the little girl has been looking forward to it for so long!" Jiang Xingchen couldn't help but worry.

After a long time, Jiang Xingchen made a decision: "Recruit people! Recruit people at a high price. The development of the territory can wait, but the little girl's health must be guaranteed!"

When he got home, Meier's face lit up with joy. She held the deed tightly and kept talking non-stop.

"Brother! Our territory is small, so we don't need to hire anyone to manage it. I can help you... Oh, we don't need a hundred private soldiers either, which can save a lot of money, and we don't have that much food... Also, we need to help the villagers repair their houses..."

"Huh?" Jiang Xingchen was surprised. "We can have private soldiers?"

"Yes! It's a privilege of the lord. Didn't you know... Oh! I forgot, our family wasn't rich before, and Uncle didn't even hire servants, let alone private soldiers! You were always practicing, so you didn't know about these things!" The little girl stuck out her tongue.

"Private soldiers are good, we must have them!" Jiang Xingchen thought to himself. Being in a different world, he had to be cautious. If Tang Chuxue and Duke Dingbei could think of it, how could he not?

The excited little girl was like a wound-up spring, talking to Jiang Xingchen until late at night, then bouncing around to cook, refusing to let her brother help.

As night fell, Jiang Xingchen finally called the army and the Imperial Academy people to take away the hundred drums. He didn't dare do this during the day; if people saw, he wouldn't have a moment's peace. Many were waiting for him to perform again.

The seven army group commanders left with their people after the physicians completed their training. They had been in Hongyuan City for a long time and couldn't stay away from their bases for too long, so only the logistics officers remained.

What disappointed Jiang Xingchen was that they didn't find the demonic beast. The depths of the vast mountains were too dangerous, and few mercenary groups dared to go. Even if they did kill a demonic beast, they usually sold it in the capital. The situation with the fanged rabbit was a rare exception.

Everything was settled, and he received three million yellow crystal coins from the Imperial Academy. Jiang Xingchen let out a long breath: "Finally, I can relax!" The fatigue of the past few days hit him, and he was about to fall asleep.

However, Meier was too excited to sleep. The waves of surprises over the past few days had overwhelmed her, and getting the deed to the territory today had brought her excitement to a peak. She just wanted to stick to her brother and talk.

Just as Jiang Xingchen was about to fall asleep, he felt a cold breeze in his ear, followed by the little girl's constant chatter!

Jiang Xingchen was too tired to pay attention to what Meier was saying, responding half-heartedly, and was about to fall asleep again. But the little girl wouldn't let him, blowing into his ear...

After several times, Jiang Xingchen's sleepiness was completely gone, and he inwardly lamented: "In the middle of the night, why are you acting up again~"

In a fit of anger, Jiang Xingchen got up, picked up Meier, and slapped her little bottom a few times.

This finally quieted her down. The little girl no longer dared to tease her brother, hiding under the covers with a burning face, but a shy smile on her lips...

The next day, Jiang Xingchen left home early, as he was about to return to his territory and needed to prepare many things. First, he found Mo Hongxian and Wan Rou, asking them to help spread the word to hire a famous physician at a high salary. Next, he went to the Zhao family to prepare as much medicine as possible for Meier. Finally, he went to Duke Dingbei's residence to ask for help in finding guards.

Both Mo Hongxian and Wan Rou hoped Jiang Xingchen would stay in Hongyuan City to introduce new dishes and performances. Especially Wan Rou, as they were going to the capital in March and needed more practice and coordination.

Jiang Xingchen smiled and said he would come back more often, but his determination to leave was firm. Mo Hongxian and Wan Rou tried to persuade him but gave up when it was futile.

In the following days, Jiang Xingchen began purchasing supplies. In the middle of winter, a remote village needed enough food, charcoal, and other essentials to survive. The family's things had long been sold.

While Jiang Xingchen and Meier were shopping, the impact of the drums began to spread in the capital.

In the Imperial Academy in the capital, several dozen middle-aged men were looking at the drums urgently transported from Hongyuan City.

"Is this the so-called drum? It looks like a broken wooden stump. How can such a shoddy thing cost a thousand yellow crystal coins each? Is the dean of Hongyuan City's head stuffed with pig brains? This is a waste of imperial resources, a crime!"

A middle-aged man with a haughty expression loudly scolded a judge from the Hongyuan City performance selection, as if he wouldn't let it go unless a satisfactory explanation was given.

"Exactly, I don't believe this thing can play any pleasant music! You gave it an unprecedented evaluation, which is absurd!" Another middle-aged man chimed in, his tone extremely dissatisfied.

"Not only that, but you also petitioned for the Purple荆 Thorn Dance Troupe... I don't know how the dean was swayed by your persuasion and agreed to it!"

"Men should focus on composing and performing. The idea is laughable..."

"Hmph! The instruments have arrived today. If they don't meet your description, the dean won't be able to explain to the noble management department..."

"You can't say that. We all know the level of the Hongyuan City branch. They wouldn't make things up!"

"Instruments don't have to look good; what matters is that people like them..."

The dozens of people began to debate, some dismissing it, others affirming it. Overall, the opposition was more numerous.

In the back, a middle-aged man with a refined demeanor quietly watched the debate, saying to a kind-looking old man beside him, "Dean, this thing doesn't look like a good instrument at all. Why did you agree to the petition from Hongyuan City? If it can't be promoted, it will affect you!"

The kind old man smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry. If I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't have believed the evaluation from Hongyuan City."

"Oh!" The refined middle-aged man's eyes lit up, surprised. "Dean, you mean..."

"Ha ha! The New Year performance selection is such an important event; how could I leave it entirely to others... I've already heard a report about the performance in Hongyuan City, delivered by a swift eagle messenger."

At this point, the old man's expression became somewhat excited, speaking softly, "I really want to see the scene described in the report!"

"Is it really as unprecedented as the judges from Hongyuan City said?" The refined middle-aged man also showed intense interest.

"Listen first!" The old man didn't answer directly but pointed forward, where a judge from Hongyuan City had already picked up the drumsticks and was about to play.

Seeing the various disdainful expressions below, the judge sneered inwardly, "You don't believe it, do you? Let the facts speak for themselves!"

He was also holding a grudge, not just because of the questioning and ridicule from so many people, but also because a good instrument wasn't valued!

Taking a deep breath, the judge raised his arms and the drumsticks fell.

"Boom boom boom boom... boom boom boom boom... boom boom boom boom..." He played the prelude of "Men Should Be Strong" by Jiang Xingchen. Although he couldn't remember the entire piece, his years of musical experience allowed him to grasp the rhythm accurately.

As the drum sounds echoed, the entire hall shook, and some students passing by outside the hall were startled, thinking it was an earthquake.

Immediately, the strong rhythm attracted everyone's attention, drawing them closer involuntarily.

In the hall, apart from the drum sounds, everyone was speechless, a thought simultaneously arising in their minds: "What a powerful rhythm, it makes the blood boil!"

The judge could only play from memory but didn't sing. His voice wasn't as penetrating as Jiang Xingchen's, and he feared it would detract from the drum's rhythm.

As the drumming continued, many people couldn't help but move their bodies, even those who had been opposed. The students outside even nodded their heads in rhythm.

However, the drumming didn't last long and suddenly stopped! Everyone was left breathless, unable to catch their breath for a long time.

"How was it?" The dean at the back asked with a smile.

"Cough cough..." The refined middle-aged man coughed several times, took a deep breath, and said with shock, "Unparalleled rhythm! This instrument is excellent!"

Before his words had even finished, the judge from Hongyuan City spoke, "Based on my memory, I can only perform to this extent! If we add Jiang Xingchen's singing and Xie Wanrou's stunning dance, this piece is truly unprecedented!"

All the doubting voices were silenced. The facts had proven that this was indeed a good instrument, and the piece... Instantly, everyone looked forward to the New Year performance.

"I really want to see the complete piece and experience its impact!" The refined middle-aged man murmured.

The dean laughed heartily and said loudly, "Immediately, based on the drum's rhythm, compose a dance and song that can be performed by men. Then promote this new instrument and method!"

With the dean's order, no one dared to disobey. The judge who had been looked down upon now felt vindicated, his body feeling as comfortable as if he had been massaged by a dozen beauties for three months.

Outside the hall, the news spread among the students.

"A new instrument, unprecedented, with a rhythm that makes the blood boil..." More and more people began to look forward to the New Year performance.

In the following days, the drums appeared in major performance venues in the capital. The powerful rhythm and heart-stirring sound quickly caught everyone's attention, and the drums were officially promoted!