Chapter 66

No matter what the other party's intentions were, these actions won Guo Jin's greatest favor. It also made Guo Jin's defenses gradually drop.

"I never thought that just a dozen years after Grand Tutor Guo Shun's passing, the Guo family would decline to such a state. Truly, fate is cruel, and the heavens are unjust."

Jiang Chen sighed lightly.

Upon hearing these words, Guo Jin's shoulders involuntarily trembled, and tears began to roll down his dark eyes.

"Sir..."

"Guo Jin, let's get straight to the point. I am Jiang Chen, the young lord of the Jianghan Marquisate."

"Jiang Chen? Are you the Jiang Chen who farted during the Heaven Worship Ceremony?" Guo Jin was genuinely surprised, then scratched his head awkwardly, "I should say, the Jiang Chen who cursed the nobles at the Longteng Marquisate?"

"Ha ha." Jiang Chen laughed heartily, "Good or bad, you've hit the nail on the head. Yes, I am that Jiang Chen."

Guo Jin felt a weight lift from his heart. Knowing the other party's identity, his defenses dropped even further. However, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing Jiang Chen burn incense and pay respects to his ancestors, Guo Jin stammered, "Young Lord Jiang, everyone in the capital says my father was a deserter, a disgrace to the kingdom. Why... why do you pay respects to him?"

"Rumors stop with the wise. Some things are either maliciously intended or the result of foolishness. Your father fought bravely and brought back important intelligence, making him a hero of the kingdom. I learned this from Princess Gouyu, and that's why I came to find you today."

Guo Jin had never heard such an evaluation from anyone else. Hearing Jiang Chen say this, he was initially stunned, then burst into tears, rushing to his father's memorial tablet.

"Father, did you hear that? Young Lord Jiang spoke up for you, saying you were a hero of the kingdom, acknowledging your contributions. Can you hear me from heaven?"

At this point, tears streamed down Guo Jin's face, and he choked with sobs.

Clearly, the labels of "deserter" and "disgrace to the kingdom" had burdened Guo Jin with too much that he should not have had to bear from a young age.

He worked hard to cultivate, but faced obstacles everywhere.

Wherever he went, once people learned of his background, they would say, "You're the son of the kingdom's disgrace?"

Bearing this stigma, Guo Jin endured his childhood and adolescence.

The world's criticism and contempt made him increasingly isolated and depressed. His life, except for his mother who he relied on, was almost reduced to the steel sword in his hand.

However—

The world's contempt did not make him despise himself. He refused to accept it and was determined to prove to the world that the Guo family was not a disgrace to the kingdom!

But even now, Guo Jin still couldn't find a chance to prove himself.

No noble family was willing to give him this opportunity!

Jiang Chen empathized with Guo Jin's frustration. Being wronged, being looked down upon, and being oppressed, it was indeed difficult to endure from a young age.

Gently patting Guo Jin's shoulder, he said, "Let's get to the point. My family is competing for the rank of First-Class Marquis, and I drew the task of recruiting attendants at the Qianlong Examination."

"Sir... you... you see potential in me?" Guo Jin's rugged body trembled slightly, and he looked up with an incredulous gaze.

For so many years, he had been treated with disdain and faced obstacles everywhere, with no place to offer his loyalty. He thought he would spend his life as a wandering swordsman, only with his steel sword for company.

But fate was indeed mysterious. At his lowest point, someone unexpectedly extended an olive branch!

"I see not only you but also the loyalty of the Guo family."

Hearing this, Guo Jin choked with emotion. Even if he knew Jiang Chen might be trying to win his loyalty, he was deeply moved.

As the saying goes, "A kind word can warm the coldest winter."

Jiang Chen's words about the "loyalty of the Guo family" struck at the most vulnerable and most in need of warmth in Guo Jin's heart.

"Young Lord, with just these words, I, Guo Jin, am willing to follow you to the death, never to abandon you!"

Guo Jin was not good at grandiose speeches, but a firm voice deep in his heart told him he must do this, he had to do this!

Jiang Chen was never stingy with his subordinates.

He immediately ordered that Guo Jin's mother be brought to the marquisate for the court physician to treat her personally. He also instructed Guo Jin to lock the front door of his house and inform the neighbors to pass the message to the Zhou family.

"If the Zhou family wants to cause trouble, let them come to the Jianghan Marquisate. If they think it's not enough, they can go to the royal palace and complain to Princess Gouyu!"

Before leaving, Jiang Chen left these words.

Since Princess Gouyu had recommended Guo Jin, Jiang Chen was not averse to helping her.

Originally, this was a debt owed by the royal family to the Guo family.

Guo Jin's father was originally a retainer of Princess Gouyu's elder brother, Dongfang Jun, who was the crown prince at the time.

During a battle with the enemy, Dongfang Jun wanted to achieve military glory but was ambushed. Only Guo Jin's father fought his way out and brought back important intelligence, dying from exhaustion afterward.

Due to the unexpected death of the crown prince, the current emperor, Dongfang Lu, was made the crown prince.

After Dongfang Lu became the crown prince, there were even rumors that the death of the previous crown prince, Dongfang Jun, might have been due to someone colluding with the enemy. Dongfang Lu, newly appointed as crown prince, was cautious and did not want to be suspected of foul play, so he did not pay attention to the Guo family, who had risked their lives to bring back the important intelligence, and did not reveal the truth.

Over time, the label of "deserter" was attached to Guo Jin's father.

Princess Gouyu, remembering the kindness of her martial arts teacher, Grand Tutor Guo Shun, had repeatedly advised Dongfang Lu to clear Guo Jin's father's name.

Dongfang Lu, however, remained unmoved.

At his level, it was better to do nothing. For a declining family like the Guo family, Dongfang Lu was unwilling to stir up old grievances.

Unfortunately, this left Guo Jin in a difficult position.

Princess Gouyu felt guilty but, constrained by Dongfang Lu, could not openly help the Guo family. She could only secretly watch over Guo Jin. In recent years, as she often went out to train, she had become less attentive.

As a result, Guo Jin's living space became increasingly narrow, leading to his current situation.

Princess Gouyu, feeling guilty, could not appear in person, so she entrusted Jiang Chen to recommend Guo Jin, hoping to make amends.

However, Guo Jin was unaware of these intricate details.

It must be said that Guo Jin was indeed a prodigy in cultivation. Although he had inherited martial arts techniques, his talent was astonishing.

Given the Guo family's current economic situation, Guo Jin's cultivation had no support from any spiritual medicines or elixirs.

Yet, through sheer determination, he managed to cultivate to the Sixth Pulse True Qi.

It's worth noting that even many noble children, who were pampered, had not reached the Sixth Pulse True Qi!

"Though harsh, it must be admitted that sometimes, one's birth can truly determine one's fate..." Jiang Chen felt this harsh reality even more deeply in Guo Jin.

Talent and determination are great, but without a prominent background or a way to stand out, they will remain like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water.

Of the eight attendant positions, the first was given to Guo Jin. Adding the two nephews recommended by Qiao Baishi, three positions were now filled.

The remaining five would likely require a trip back to the Jianghan territory.

With the task's time constraints, Jiang Chen was not one to procrastinate. After recruiting Guo Jin and explaining the situation, he set out for the southern border with his subordinates that afternoon.

With the experience of being ambushed by the Longteng Marquisate last time, both the royal family and the Jianghan Marquisate were extremely cautious, sending various scouts to investigate the route.

Under such arrangements, the Longteng Marquisate had no opportunity to cause trouble. Unless they wanted to openly confront the Dongfang clan, they had to back off.

Riding hard, Jiang Chen and his group smoothly entered the southern border three days later.

The southern border region was distinctly different from the capital, exuding a strong southern border atmosphere, both in customs and landscape.

Jiang Chen's predecessor had many memories of the southern border.

At least, he understood the relationships within the Jiang family.

Outside the Bojiang City, the welcoming party for Jiang Chen was sparse, with few people present.

"Indeed, the treatment of a young lord returning is quite different from that of a true marquis returning," Jiang Chen's lips curled into a playful smile.

Jiang Chen knew this was not the fault of others. His predecessor, while in the Jianghan territory, had been reckless and extravagant, and his misdeeds in the capital had also spread back home.

His recent rise to prominence had not yet reached the area.

Thus, his return was met with a cold reception, which was quite normal.

"Uncle Three, Xiaoyu." Jiang Chen dismounted and greeted the two people at the front warmly.

These were probably the few in the entire Jiang family who could tolerate the predecessor's reckless behavior.

Jiang Tong, a middle-aged man, was Jiang Chen's third uncle, known for his kind and reserved nature, and was the most trusted brother of Marquis Jianghan, Jiang Feng.

The frail young man beside him was Jiang Tong's son, Jiang Yu.

"Chen'er, you've grown taller after a few years in the capital," Jiang Tong patted Jiang Chen's shoulder, his eyes filled with joy.

"Brother, you're back!" Jiang Yu, a year or two younger than Jiang Chen, had always been close to him, calling him "brother" despite being cousins.

Jiang Chen smiled, "I have a task this time. Let's talk about it when we get back."

Although few people came to welcome him, it was clear that the family had deliberately snubbed him. However, Jiang Chen did not get angry.

Jiang Tong, hearing Jiang Chen's words, was slightly surprised, thinking that after a few years in the capital, Chen'er had indeed matured.

The previous Jiang Chen would have likely burst into curses if the family had dared to snub him.

Jiang Zheng, Jiang Chen's steward, however, looked grim and was on the verge of losing his temper but ultimately restrained himself.

Bojiang City, the largest and most prosperous city in the Jianghan territory, was also the core of the Jianghan Marquisate. The entire Jiang family centered around Bojiang City, controlling the entire Jianghan territory.

Compared to the capital, Bojiang City was slightly less prosperous, but as the largest city in the southern border, it had its unique charm.

Riding his horse, Jiang Chen slowly made his way, enjoying the scenery and chatting with Jiang Tong and his son, but not mentioning the task.

Before long, they returned to the Jianghan Marquisate.

Unexpectedly, the entrance to the Jianghan Marquisate was bustling with activity.