After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 553 Borrowing People Again

"You're too kind, sir. We serve in the same court and share the same salary from the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is simply my duty."

Jiang Xiaoqi did not become arrogant because doing so would have aroused the disdain of his colleagues and left a bad impression on Prefect Li.

Jiang Xiaoqi has always been very careful in building her persona, and has basically never made a mistake.

I believe that if you maintain a persona for a lifetime, it's no longer considered an act; if you maintain an image for a lifetime, that's your true self.

"Lord Jiang speaks well, well said! He is indeed young and promising, and devoted to the public good!"

With the translated clues in hand, Lord Li did not linger at the Hanlin Academy. He thanked Jiang Xiaoqi and exchanged pleasantries with everyone before bidding farewell to the Hanlin scholars of all ages.

Master Zhao followed closely behind Prefect Li, his good mood evident even from the back of his master's head.

Prefect Li only took out the folded paper to look at it after he got into the sedan chair.

After all, there was no one else inside the cramped sedan chair.

"Five days later, the ship will depart, carrying the first batch of 176 men aboard. Upon their return home, they will be..."

"Bah! What do these Japanese bastards take the people of my Great Zhou for! It's simply outrageous!"

A low growl came from inside the sedan chair. Zhao, the clerk, was puzzled. What was wrong with the lord who had been in such a good mood just moments before?

The sudden change from sunny to cloudy weather after Prefect Li got into his sedan chair left his advisor, Zhao Quan, completely baffled.

Forget it, let's not ask. If we ask while we're angry, what if the fire gets back on us?

Zhao the clerk wisely chose to keep quiet, pretending that he had been deaf for a moment and hadn't heard anything.

Once we return to the capital, the master will make arrangements.

Inside the sedan chair, Prefect Li nearly crumpled the piece of paper, but his last shred of reason allowed him to let it go.

It's still useful; don't tear it.

Ah, no wonder, no wonder Jiang Xiuzhuan didn't say it in front of so many people, it was really too embarrassing to say.

Lord Jiang is just a teenager, it's really a bit difficult for him. Damn Japanese, they've offended the eyes of my great Zhou Junjie!

Alas, it was fortunate that Jiang Xiuzhuan could understand it; otherwise, if the ship had left port five days later, those innocent people would have truly had no hope of returning home!

No, I have to go to the Kyoto garrison again. We have a lot of manpower, but it's still not safe to rescue over a hundred civilians.

Even if it costs me my reputation, I have to lend out the main force of the garrison. If they refuse, well, don't blame me for being shameless!

Along the way, Prefect Li had already devised plans A, B, C, and D in his small official sedan chair, confident that he could borrow people with absolute certainty.

"Master Zhao, let's not go back to the Prefect's residence yet, let's go to the Capital Garrison first!"

Prefect Li felt that it was better to hurry than to rush, as there was still plenty of time, and going back would only cause unnecessary anxiety.

There aren't enough people, and no matter how I arrange and allocate them, it's not working properly. The best approach is to get all the staff in place first.

Master Zhao responded and quickened his pace to make the arrangements, instructing his servant to deliver a message to the garrison first, so as not to seem abrupt.

Although it was a last-minute decision and already abrupt, there was nothing I could do; my family had an urgent matter to attend to.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they arrived at the Kyoto garrison. The garrison general looked troubled upon hearing the purpose of Prefect Li's visit.

"Lord Li, why are you here again? I already lent you men yesterday, don't tell me they were all wiped out!"

"What a joke! I haven't even started using your garrison's men yet, and I've already provided them with two meals for free. How could they all be wiped out? That's really rude of me!"

"Haha, my bad, my bad. Your sudden visit really startled me."

"Alright, you're turning your back on opportunities to earn merit. Are you really planning to stay in the garrison for the rest of your life?"

Prefect Li's words were quite blunt. Although both were fourth-rank officials, Prefect Li's fourth-rank civil official rank naturally had a higher value than that of a military official.

There's some stance behind saying this, but not much.

Fortunately, the garrison commander wasn't angry. "Haha, who wants to stay in one place forever? But it's quite surprising to hear you say that, Lord Li!"

It's really strange that someone who's never been interested in promotions or raises is now encouraging others to strive for better things.

"A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. Although we have only been apart for one day, how can I not suddenly realize this overnight?"

We can't just drift through life aimlessly, can we? While we're still able-bodied, we should do what we can, so we won't regret it when we can't anymore.

The garrison commander sat up straight and finally began to look the person in front of him in the eye.

This aura is clearly different from yesterday. Can a person really undergo such a dramatic change overnight?

Cough cough, could it be that he has been possessed?

"Hey, hey, stop thinking about all that nonsense. We don't have much time, let's get down to business!"

Not much time? It's not even noon yet, how can there be not much time?

"That's right. I've come today to ask you to lend the main force of the garrison to our Jingzhao Prefecture."

"What! The mobilization of the main force requires orders from above. I really dare not make the decision on my own!"

Besides, what do you need so many people for?! Just eating them would bankrupt your capital city!

Seeing that the other party was anxious, Prefect Li also blushed and said, "General, this concerns the lives of more than a hundred people of the Great Zhou!"

Think it over before you speak. My Jingzhao Prefecture is not wealthy, but it can still afford to feed several thousand soldiers.

Besides, I won't borrow these people for long. I only need them for five days, and I'll return them to you in perfect condition after five days!

"What exactly happened, Lord Li? Explain yourself clearly. How can I submit an application to the higher-ups if you don't explain clearly? You have to wait for me to report it!"

"It's the Japanese! The Japanese have kidnapped about two hundred young men from our Great Zhou, and they're going to take them away from the port in five days!"

"You want me to wait until the orders from above come down? By then, the people will have vanished!"

Prefect Li rarely showed such emotional outbursts; at this moment, his face was red and his neck thickened, as if he were about to start a fight at any moment.

"Oh, don't rush, don't rush. I've known you for so many years, and you've never lost your composure like this before. If you trust me, explain the whole story clearly, and I'll see if it's worth the risk."

Prefect Li pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his sleeve and threw it at the other person with annoyance.

The garrison commander read ten lines at a glance, cough cough, actually there were only three lines in total, so he read them very quickly.

"Beasts! These Japanese, no, these Japanese pirates, they're beasts!"

"Alright, considering your sincerity, I'll take the risk and lend you my main force!"

Prefect Li was overjoyed and quickly rose to give a deep bow. With the main force of the garrison battalion, the chances of rescuing the people were greatly increased.

"General, you are truly righteous! On behalf of the people, I thank you, General!"