Chapter 69

Those elders could not help but lean forward slightly, trying to hear more clearly. Their reactions were surprisingly consistent, all thinking they had heard wrong.

A First Rank Duke?

After all, given Jiang Feng's extraordinary talent and the strong control he had over the Jianghan territory, he had only managed to secure a Second Rank Duke position.

Among the 108 dukes nationwide, he ranked 14th, which was almost the limit for the Jiang family.

These elders had to admit that Jiang Feng's contributions were indispensable to the Jiang family's development to its current state. Saying he was the greatest contributor in the history of the Jiang family would not be an exaggeration.

For this Qianlong Examination, their highest expectation for Jiang Chen was merely to maintain his current position. Even if his ranking dropped a few places, as long as he did not lose the title of Second Rank Duke, it would still be acceptable.

However, based on Jiang Chen's consistent performance, they all knew that this was a luxury. Jiang Chen not only had no chance of securing a Second Rank Duke position, but whether the Jiang family could even retain its Duke status was a huge question.

After all, Jiang Chen's reputation had always been extremely poor.

But, the world is full of unpredictable events.

Just when they thought Jiang Chen was not up to the task and had already given up in their hearts, Jiang Chen suddenly announced that he was competing for a First Rank Duke position.

Moreover, he had already completed his second First Rank mission upon his return.

What did this mean?

It meant that Jiang Chen had already completed one First Rank mission!

A First Rank mission corresponds to a First Rank Duke.

Being able to complete a First Rank mission, even just one, was no small feat.

The Qianlong Examination was not a game; the rules were very harsh. Each rank's mission had strict criteria, and no one could cheat the system.

Jiang Chen had actually completed a First Rank mission!

There was no need for boasting or showing off. Jiang Chen simply raised his cup and spoke, making everything clear.

If they, these old men, did not have even this much insight, then it would not be a matter of whether they supported Jiang Chen, but whether Jiang Chen would even consider them!

"First Rank Duke, First Rank mission..." Jiang Tong kept muttering, and suddenly, a glint of surprise shot through his disordered eyes. "Dust, are you saying you are competing for a First Rank Duke position? And you have already completed the first mission?"

"Yes, the second mission requires some connections, and I will need the help and influence of the family elders."

Jiang Chen was neither proud nor agitated, and there was no hint of boasting in his tone. This matter was indeed not worth boasting about.

It was Jiang Zheng, while pouring wine, who could not help but say, "A scholar who has been away for three days should be viewed with new eyes. Our young Duke is now a prominent figure in the capital. Even the royal palace is a frequent haunt. And the great medicinal herb tycoons of the Alchemist Hall also seek to curry favor with our young Duke."

There were no outsiders here, so Jiang Zheng could not help but speak a bit more. He had been ignored for too long since following Jiang Chen, and now that he had a chance to show off, he could not help but do so within the family.

A frequent visitor to the royal palace?

The Alchemist Hall currying favor with the young Duke?

How could this be? Not only was Jiang Tong stunned, but the elders were also shocked, drawing in a sharp breath. They were so uneasy that they felt as if thorns were pricking their backs.

Jiang Chen, however, smiled faintly. "It's just a small matter, Jiang Zheng, don't keep mentioning it. Elders, tomorrow is the tribal gathering, and I need everyone's support."

Xiao, the eldest, who was the most experienced and quick to react, hurriedly smiled. "Our Jiang family has produced such a talented young Duke. If Jiang Zheng hadn't mentioned it, we old men might not have known. Ha, with the ancestors of the Jiang family watching over us, granting us such a talented young Duke, our family will surely rise to new heights. I, this old man, will do my best. I will definitely attend the tribal gathering tomorrow!"

"Go! Of course, you must go! Our Jiang family rules the Jianghan territory, and we must stand united. Otherwise, these tribes will think we are easy to bully."

"Yes, we cannot allow another thorn like Jingman to appear in our territory!"

The elders all expressed their support, each one more cooperative than the last. These people were all seasoned, and they could see that the changes in Jiang Chen were not fake.

Moreover, regarding the Qianlong Examination, Jiang Chen would not lie.

Even these elders could not help but think, "Could it be that Jiang Chen's frivolous behavior was just a facade to deceive the outside world? Could his ambition be to become a First Rank Duke?"

Almost all the elders had the same thought. Their gazes on Jiang Chen changed, losing the previous condescension and adding more respect and humility.

Thus, the banquet ended with everyone in high spirits and satisfaction.

After all, the elders were pleased to see Jiang Chen's strength. A powerful successor and a powerful force were needed to uphold a wealthy and powerful family.

...

Because of his joy, Xiao drank quite a bit of wine and returned home with a three or four-tenths drunkenness.

"Grandpa, I want to go shopping with Xiaoqian tomorrow, so I won't attend the tribal gathering."

"Dad, I need to buy some medicinal herbs tomorrow, so I won't go to the gathering."

"Grandpa, I..."

Slap!

Xiao slammed his hand on the table, his long beard trembling with anger.

He had been in high spirits, but as soon as he sat down, so many people came to ask for leave, each one making excuses, clearly not taking the gathering seriously.

How could he not be angry!

"Who won't go? Who the hell won't go, I'll break their legs!" Xiao was really angry, pointing at a middle-aged man. "Jiang Xiong, you are my son. Try saying you won't go again! Buying medicinal herbs? Don't think I don't know you have a mistress in Qinghua Lane and spend your days there!"

"And Jiang He! You are my legitimate grandson. Do you have any ambition? At your young age, you spend your days chasing after a woman. Do you have any spirit?"

"And you, Li You, you are my grandson. If you have no loyalty to the Jiang family, what are you doing here?"

The old man scolded them fiercely, making them all feel ashamed and not knowing where to look.

"Dad!" Jiang Xiong, Xiao's son, felt his face burning.

"Don't give me any nonsense. You must all go tomorrow. And from tomorrow on, you must resolve all your petty affairs. As Jiang family members and relatives of the Duke, if you cannot help the family, what are you here for?"

Xiao spoke with a sense of righteousness.

This left everyone puzzled. They were usually so lax, and the old man had never objected before.

What was wrong with the old man today? After drinking, his tone had completely changed. Could it be that Jiang Chen had given him some kind of mind-altering drink?

Jiang Xiong timidly asked, "Dad, you know as well as I do that our Jiang family can't retain the Duke status. No matter what you say, you can't change the trend. Didn't you say you had already let it go?"

"Bullshit! When did I ever say that?" Xiao denied it outright. "Remember, not only will our Jiang family retain the Duke status, but we might even advance to a First Rank Duke!"

Xiao's tone was slightly agitated as he said this.

A First Rank Duke was completely different from other ranks.

A First Rank Duke had the power to grant fiefs. At that time, all the family members could be granted territories and expand the family!

The wealth at that time would be completely different from now.

"What? A First Rank Duke? Dad, are you drunk?" Jiang Xiong could not help but laugh.

Slap!

Xiao slapped him hard, standing up suddenly. "You ungrateful brat! I'm warning you for the last time. You must attend the gathering tomorrow. And you must show the utmost respect to the young Duke. If you offend the young Duke, I can't save you!"

"And all of you, what kind of behavior is this? Looking down on the young Duke? Thinking he is frivolous? Bullshit! He is a tiger in sheep's clothing, hiding his strength to deceive his opponents! The young Duke is challenging for a First Rank Duke position, and he has already completed his first First Rank mission, slaying the notorious rapist Lotus Picker from Tianhu territory!"

"What?" Jiang Xiong was stunned, covering his face, completely losing his temper.

Slaying the rapist Lotus Picker!

Although Tianhu territory was far away, news traveled between the territories. The infamy of the Lotus Picker was well-known even in Jianghan territory.

It was said that the Lotus Picker's cultivation was between the Eighth and Ninth Pulse, and he was skilled in using poison, had excellent lightness skills, and was very cunning, making him extremely difficult to deal with.

Such a notorious rapist was actually slain by the young Duke?

And from accepting the mission to completing it, it took less than a month?

"Go back and think about it! If you don't want to be part of this family, get out now. If you want to stay, shape up. Serve the young Duke well!" Xiao, fuming, said this and walked away.

Almost simultaneously, similar scenes were playing out in the homes of the other elders.

Without exception, those who were消极懈怠想偷懒 (negligent and lazy) were scolded severely by the elders, and some even received a severe beating like Jiang Xiong.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the entire Jiang family changed dramatically. A family that had been like loose sand was suddenly bound together by an invisible rope.

Those who had been lazy and sleeping, and those who had gone out early to fool around, surprisingly all appeared at the core of the Duke's residence, each one looking spirited and well-dressed.

Seeing Jiang Zheng come out, some of the more astute ones hurriedly stepped forward, smiling and greeting him. "Jiang Zheng, has the young Duke woken up?"

"Woken up? The young Duke gets up at the third watch every day to practice. Are you asking if he's woken up?"

"Oh, oh, a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue! My apologies, my apologies!"

At this moment, Jiang Chen came out from inside, smiling. "Everyone is here, and the tribal forces should be arriving soon, right?"

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