Chapter 70

The large square of Bojiang City is spacious enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

The entire Jianghan territory consists of ten major tribes, and each major tribe has many smaller tribes under it.

These large and small tribes are all controlled by a family.

For example, the Zijing Tribe is controlled by the Jing family.

For example, the Yinglan Tribe is controlled by the Lan family, the maternal family of Jiangchen's mother.

Of course, in addition to the core family in each tribe, there are inevitably many subordinate families that together form the ruling power.

Therefore, today, in the large square of Bojiang City, there are at least several hundred families gathered. Each family has at least twenty to thirty people present, making it a grand occasion.

Jiangfeng is not in the Jianghan territory, so Jiangtong is the nominal acting marquis. However, today, he naturally would not steal the limelight from his nephew. Jiangtong also clearly knows that his nephew Jiangchen is the main character today.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this time, I have summoned you with the marquis order to announce a great piece of good news to all the tribes!"

Jiangtong smiled, his eyes scanning the crowd, passing over the faces of each tribal chief.

"Hehe, Third Young Master, if you have gone to the trouble of using the marquis order to summon us, this good news must be very important, right?"

"Yes, Third Young Master, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us, so we can all share in the joy!"

Jiangtong smiled. "Alright, I won't keep you in suspense. Everyone knows that the marquis and his son went to the capital to participate in the Qianlong Examination. This time, the young marquis has returned suddenly, not for any other reason, but to recruit personal guards and form the core force to control the Jianghan Marquisate in the future!"

Recruiting personal guards for the young marquis?

It sounds good, but among the tribal families present, few were interested. They all lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with Jiangtong, fearing they would be chosen.

If it were another young marquis recruiting personal guards, their subordinates would certainly sign up enthusiastically. However, this young marquis has always been known for his dissolute behavior. Following him could lead to a miserable future.

The current Jianghan territory is in a state of unease, with eight or nine out of ten people believing that Jiangchen cannot hold onto the marquis order.

Therefore, how could they be happy about the young marquis recruiting personal guards? They would avoid it at all costs!

These reactions seemed to be within Jiangtong's expectations.

"The requirements for these personal guards are very high. Not just anyone can sign up. First, one must have reached the Sixth Pulse True Qi level; second, one must not be over twenty years old, and preferably be intelligent..."

Jiangtong listed a series of requirements, and the people below all secretly laughed. For the young marquis of the Jiang family to recruit personal guards, anyone who signs up should be grateful, yet he still has so many requirements?

For a moment, no one responded, and the scene was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard.

"These are the requirements. Is anyone willing to sign up?" Jiangtong asked loudly.

After this question, wherever Jiangtong's gaze fell, everyone lowered their heads or looked away, avoiding eye contact with him, fearing they would be called out.

The atmosphere on the scene became incredibly awkward.

The members of the Jiang family all had serious expressions, wanting to laugh but not daring to. They knew this was intentional on Jiangtong's part, to test the tribal forces.

Jiangtong's gaze scanned the crowd three times, but still no one responded.

Jiangtong sighed, about to say something, when suddenly a voice from outside the venue said, "I want to sign up!"

Then another voice: "I also want to sign up."

Two robust young men, one carrying a broad axe and the other a bronze staff, strode toward Jiangchen.

"Little Marquis! I am Qiaoshan, and this is my brother Qiaochuan. The Third Master of the Medicine Hall, Qiao San, is my uncle. He introduced us here."

Qiaoshan and Qiaochuan, the twin brothers, had arrived!

Jiangchen chuckled. "You have arrived. This is Guo Jin, the direct grandson of Grand Tutor Guo Shun, with Sixth Pulse True Qi cultivation. You will be colleagues in the future, so get to know each other."

The son of the Third Master of the Medicine Hall, the direct grandson of Grand Tutor Guo Shun.

These identities immediately became sensitive information in the ears of the tribal chiefs.

"Hmm? That's not right. The Medicine Hall is a prestigious institution, and its master is awe-inspiring. Why would his nephew mix with the children of a marquis? The direct grandson of a grand tutor in the capital, who can even connect with the royal family, why would he mix with Jiangchen?"

Some sensitive tribal chiefs vaguely sensed something.

Guo Jin was somewhat annoyed. After exchanging pleasantries with Qiaoshan and Qiaochuan, he stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the crowd, and said coldly, "I am from the capital, born and raised there. I have seen many children of marquises. But here in the Jianghan territory, I find it strange. The attendants of other marquises are always fawning and respectful to their masters. But your attitudes are as if getting close to your master is a disgrace?"

Guo Jin coldly laughed. "However, as far as I know, in our Eastern Kingdom, the young generation that can match our young marquis is as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn. In the capital, even the descendants of the Longteng Marquis are wary of our young marquis. I wonder what kind of powerful existence could win your reverence?"

Guo Jin, coming from the capital, his words naturally carried a certain persuasiveness.

"My grandfather is the grand tutor in the capital. The current king and princess have both received martial arts training from my grandfather. These four brothers from the Shengzi Camp are elites of the Tiandu Army, personally selected by the princess as personal guards for the young marquis. I am curious, if even the strong of the Tiandu Army are willing to serve the young marquis, why do you think he is not qualified to earn your loyalty?"

Guo Jin's voice was loud and resonant, shaking the hearts of the tribal families.

In such a setting, no one dared to doubt that Guo Jin was lying.

Moreover, the aura of the four brothers from the Shengzi Camp was there, a presence that even Marquis Jiangfeng might not be able to control!

But now, these four were obediently standing by Jiangchen's side, bowing their heads and following orders, without any sign of defiance or arrogance.

"What? So, we two brothers have come at the right time? It's hilarious, even my uncle, who is such a powerful figure, is devoted to our young marquis. Do you think you are more powerful than the master of the Medicine Hall?"

"Ha ha..." At this moment, Jiangtong smiled and stepped forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for not making myself clear. In fact, the young marquis is competing for a First-Rank Marquis seat in the Qianlong Examination. He has returned to carry out the second First-Rank task, which is to recruit eight personal guards."

First-Rank Marquis, First-Rank task, and it's the second one!

This information caused a stir on the scene. Who among those present was not a seasoned veteran? Such sensitive information, how could they not understand?

"It's over, I made a mistake. I missed the best opportunity to show loyalty."

"Damn Jiangtong, why didn't he say these things earlier? This is deliberately making people uncomfortable!"

Privately, the tribal chiefs were all secretly frustrated. They did not blame themselves for their cautious attitude, but blamed Jiangtong for not being clear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the young marquis is recruiting eight personal guards. Three positions have already been filled. There are five positions left. If you meet the requirements, please submit an application form." Jiangtong announced loudly.

For a moment, discussions began among the tribes.

If it were the direct descendants of the tribal chiefs, even for a First-Rank Marquis, they might not be willing to serve as personal guards.

So, these positions, if given to non-direct descendants, would still be quite good.

Soon, more than twenty applications were submitted.

It must be said that in a territory, there are still many young talents. There were actually so many young people under twenty with Sixth Pulse True Qi.

This does not include the direct descendants of the tribal chiefs.

"Uncle, please review the names on the list. Talent is important, but character is even more important. Our Jiang family does not need cowards who retreat in the face of danger to serve us."

Recruiting eight personal guards, in the end, is just a side story for Jiangchen. His ambitions go beyond this.

Carrying out this task is just going with the flow, just following the trend, not wanting to lose to anyone in the Qianlong Examination!

With the help of the Jiang family elders, Jiangtong quickly selected three candidates.

These three were considered the most reliable by everyone, both in terms of their background and reputation, and were staunch supporters of the Jiang family. Moreover, these three were not core figures in their respective families, giving them the motivation to strive for advancement.

"Chen, this application form has a name scratched out, which is a bit suspicious." Jiangtong frowned. "From the marks, this application form should be from your cousin, the son of your aunt, Xue Tong?"

Xue Tong?

In Jiangchen's memories from his previous life, there were few recollections of this person, just a vague, thin, and blurry image. He seemed to be a marginal figure, neither loved by his grandmother nor his uncle.

"Is there no one from my mother's family who has applied?" Jiangchen asked curiously.

"There is, the son of your eldest uncle, Lan Yizhou. However, his cultivation is only at the Fifth Pulse True Qi level, which does not meet the requirements. It's like a joke, so we didn't include him in the assessment."

"What about Xue Tong?" Jiangchen asked.

"Xue Tong has Sixth Pulse True Qi, but he is not well-liked in your mother's family. It seems his application form has been tampered with."

"What are their reputations?"

"Lan Yizhou is the second son of the chief of the Yinglan Tribe, with a somewhat arrogant personality. Xue Tong, on the other hand, has always been a marginal figure, bullied by Lan Yizhou since childhood. He is the type who is silent but has a strong sense of pride."

"Then let's choose Xue Tong." Jiangchen decided on the seventh position.

A person with an arrogant personality like Lan Yizhou, if recruited, would be a troublemaker in the team. Jiangchen did not want to make himself unhappy.

Fifth Pulse True Qi is not a problem; Jiangchen has ways to help him improve.

However, a problematic personality is absolutely unacceptable. One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

"Excuse me, I am late. Can I still