Liu Tián Qǔ looked over to Jiang Tài Píng and said, "I want you to began looking for someone trustworthy and capable and immediately began training them as your Deputy Commander. It's better if you can find two people. However, if you can only find one, we will make do." Liu Tián Qǔ dreaded the day when the Commander would depart. However, Liu Tián Qǔknew that inevitably it would happen. Therefore she wanted the commander to begin training the person who would replace him as soon as possible.
"The time will come when you will soon have to take care of the Jiang Family matters. When that time comes, I will release you. The Deputy Commanders you train can then take over. It would be too much for you to have to Command the army and house guards of Liu Residence as well as take care of the Jiang Family affairs," Liu Tián Qǔ informed Commander Jiang.
"We won't be leaving Liu Residence." Jiang Mín Yuè shook her head quickly and said to Liu Tián Qǔ's complete surprise and astonishment. "This is the most relaxed and happiest we've been in so long. We love it here, so we've decided we will not be leaving."
For several heartbeats, Liu Tián Qǔ stared at the couple, giving them a deep penetrating look. Finally, she said, "If you wish to stay, then I welcome you with arms wide open, but first, let me ask you. How will you deal with the property, land, businesses, and legacy of the Jiang family?"
"I understand what you are worried about Young Master Liu. However, there is no need for you to worry. I dare not allow my family's legacy to end with me. I will still be utilizing my family's legacy. My family's legacy will be preserved well, then passed on to my sons." Commander Jiang said.
"I don't feel my family needs to live on the land of the Jiang family to preserve the legacy of the Jiang family. Not even I spent much time on our family's land growing up. I joined my older brothers at the Imperial Academy at the age of seven. We were only allowed to go home on holidays. After leaving the academy, I was then sent out into the Martial World. Also, I feel my sons will learn more growing up here in Liu Residence." The Commander told the Young Lord.
Liu Tián Qǔ occasionally nodded her understanding as she silently listened to the commander as he explained his choice and the reasons for his decision.
"As for the lands, property, and business of the Jiang family. After I've confirmed it is being run well. I will then allow the managers and auditors the Emperor assigned to continue to oversee them. I will also be assisting my wife in doing the same with the lands, property, and businesses of the Han Family," the Commander began to explain.
"The Majority of the lands, property, and business of the Han Family was taken over by the Chen Family. With the annihilation of the Chen family, the Emperor expropriated all that the Chen Family owned. I will be asking for the known property of the Han Family to be returned. We will find managers and auditors to oversee the Han Family's lands, property, and business following the pattern of the Emperor," the Commander informed Liu Tián Qǔ.
Liu Tián Qǔ was truly ecstatic to hear this come from her Commander. She didn't want to lose him. Although Liu Tián Qǔ read much about the ancient arts of war in her past life. Liu Tián Qǔ had no hands-on experience with overseeing warriors or an army.
Liu Tián Qǔ always believed in delegating tasks and jobs she didn't know or understand to the best possible person. Liu Tián Qǔ felt that Jiang Tài Píng was the best person for the job and the best person for her to learn how to manage her house guards and army from. Not only that, but she also liked the Commander and his wife.
"I know that you disregard the age difference between us and pay it no mind. However, you are also a noble. As a noble, you don't mind having to answer to me?" Liu Tián Qǔ wanted to make sure for the last time that the Commander was okay with working under her.
It was Jiang Tài Píng's responds to Liu Tián Qǔ's question that made her decide that she would accept him into her inner circle and become friends with the Commander and his wife.
Jiang Tài Píng had flushed red at Liu Tián Qǔ's question. Rubbing the back of his neck that had also turned red, the Commander shyly said, "Truthfully, I honestly don't feel as though I am your subordinate. You never really treated me as one either. I honestly see you more like a strange, unpredictable but very wise, eccentric younger brother."
Jiang Tài Píng's eyes grew a little glossy as he said, "As you know other than my wife, sons, and martial family. I have no family." Jiang Tài Píng met Liu Tián Qǔ gaze and said, "Do you know why I chased after you and insisted on coming to work for you?"
Jiang Mín Yuè reached over and took hold of her husband's hand and leaned on his arm, resting her head on him to comfort him.
"I thought it was because I helped you to save your wife," Liu Tián Qǔ answered.
Jiang Tài Píng smiled faintly and looked down, hiding suspiciously wet eyes. He twined his fingers, in-between his wife's fingers, and tightened his grip on her hand. He covered her hand using his other hand to sandwich his wife's hand in between his hands.
"That played a major role, but that was not all that decided it for me. Although you are completely different from my oldest brother. Certain things you do and certain things about you remind me of my oldest brother. I felt as if I had found a piece of my brother in you. It made me feel not so lonely." Jiang Tài Píng explained.
"Ever since I followed you here, everything got so much better. You helped to preserve the life of one of my martial brothers and bought my martial brothers, my godson, and my youngest son back into my life. For some reason, I feel that if you weren't here, this would've never happened."
"Liu Tián Qǔ beamed at the couple. Then she and bowed and said, "Okay, it's decided then, since you see me as a younger brother, then I will accept you as a big brother."
The couple wasn't expecting that their eyes popped open astonishment. Jiang Tài Píng was deeply shocked in his heart. There was a secret hidden in his heart that he only told his wife. His wife knew, loved, and understood him very well. Jiang Tài Píng knew that she would understand his reasoning.
The day Jiang Tài Píng followed Liu Tián Qǔ back to Liu Residence was the day he accepted Liu Tián Qǔ as an older brother in his heart. Even though the young lord was so much younger than him. The Young Lord was wise, at times Jiang Tài Píng would forget Liu Tián Qǔ's age because the Young Lord didn't behave like a thirteen years old youth. It was clear to see that the Young Lord was experienced and knowledgeable well beyond his years.
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Jiang Tài Píng was afraid people would mock him or think him crazy if he confessed that he sees a thirteen years old youth an older brother. Jiang Tài Píng didn't try to conceal his happiness in his heart. He smiled so widely the corners of his lips almost touched his ears. However, all he did was return Liu Tián Qǔ's bow deeply causing Liu Tián Qǔ to laugh and bow even deeper. Jiang Tài Píng grinned at Liu Tián Qǔ with shining eyes and said. "I will then call you younger brother.
They continued to talk happily for a while before the conversation changed. With a slight hesitation, Liu Tián Qǔ looked over to her Commander and asked. "Big brother, if you don't mind me asking. What happened to all the Warriors of the Four Martial Families?"
"They were all compensated very well for their services and dismissed." The Commander answered.
"Do you think some of them will return when they hear of the return of the Martial Families?" Liu Tián Qǔ inquired.
"Undoubtedly, many will return," The Commander answered firmly with a nod before saying. "The day the names of the four families were cleared, I knew that our warriors would soon be returning."
"After I was able to calm the turmoil in my heart and mind following that announcement. I had decided to focus some of my attention on restoring the garrisons that sat abandoned for eight years. I have already hired craftsmen to began restoring the garrisons. Originally I was only going to restore the Jiang family garrison. But, for some reason, I decided to also restore the Wēi, Jūn, and Měng garrisons as well. I am glad I did."
"That is awesome big brother, excellent foresight," the Young Lord praised the Commander before saying, "Speaking of garrisons, the Emperor will be granting us the land for our garrison. So we won't have to pay for it. Make sure to find the biggest best piece of land that you can find." Liu Tián Qǔ said with a sly smile.
The big man looked at his Young Master, who was now also an acknowledged brother and chuckled in amusement as he shook his head and said, "I understand."
The Commander then said, "We are capable of meeting our quota of five hundred house guards by tomorrow afternoon. However, I will only be hiring four hundred house guards." Jiang Tài Píng informed Liu Tián Qǔ.
Liu Tián Qǔ waited for Jiang Tài Píng to explain why. She trusted the Commander, so if the commander was only going to hire four hundred house guards when he could ultimately hire everyone in one shot and get the hiring process over with. Then there much be a reason.
Jiang Tài Píng didn't keep her waiting, he quickly explained. "I have been in communication with my martial uncles, elders, and brothers of the martial world. I had to let them know my wife, and I was okay now. I was informed that one of my martial brother was already on the way. Since he already informed me that he was going to be staying wherever I was staying. I had asked my brother to bring a special team of one hundred of the men that I had already help to trained in the martial world." Jiang Tài Píng informed his new younger brother, who was attentively listening to his every word.
"My martial brother and I came up with a new martial discipline. Its training is a mixture of the martial arts training of the Guardian Warriors who guard the border between the Sunken Lands and the Outer Realms, the Elite Shadow Dragoon Warriors, and the discipline that my martial brother created. It surpasses the training of the Elite Shadow Dragoon Warriors. These warriors will be assigned to you and will only answer to you. I noticed that you have no one guarding your courtyard, you have no shadow warriors, and you are too easily accessible. That must be fixed as soon as possible. Then you can return the Imperial Family shadow warriors back to them."
"Huh?" Liu Tián Qǔ asked as she looked blankly at the Commander. "What are you talking about big brother?"
Jiang Tài Píng clicked his tongue against his teeth as he gave Liu Tián Qǔ a raised eyebrow look. "You're telling me that you are unaware that you have a team of shadow warriors guarding you?"
"A team of warriors, huh?" Liu Tián Qǔ's blank look melded into a smile. "Big brother Fèn Yǒng must have been worried about me." Liu Tián Qǔ felt her heart complete turn into mush. She grinned at the commander, "Let's use them for now. When the special warriors arrive, we will return then.
Liu Tián Qǔ controlled her expression. She didn't want to make her emotions and feelings for Wang Fèn Yǒng obvious to others.
Liu Tián Qǔ quickly changed the subject, "What do you mean by Outer Realms. I was told that the Guardian Warriors guard the border between the Sunken Lands and the barren lands."
Jiang Mín Yuè gave the Young Lord a meaningful side look and said, "If the Barren Lands were really barren, would there be a need to guard its borders using some of the most elite warriors of the Northern Lands?"
"Ah, I see," Liu Tián Qǔ said. It looks like there was more at play regarding the Barren Lands.
'Well, I've got my own fish to fry. I have no time to worry about the political conspiracies regarding another country.' Liu Tián Qǔ inwardly thought.
"I understand, however, for now, I wish to bring out attention back to the situation with the house guards." Liu Tián Qǔ said, brushing off the situation regarding the Barren Lands.
"After you fill the four hundred house guard positions, what are your plans for all the other qualified warriors who are coming in from the martial world looking for a position?"
"Why? Do you have a plan for them?" Jiang Tài Píng asked.
Liu Tián Qǔ said, "Do not send any of the qualified warriors away. As they continue to come, we can also begin recruiting for our Army. For now, we can put the extra warriors in charge of reviving the garrisons of the four families. They can also stay in the Jiang family garrison if it's alright with you until Liu Residence garrison is completed.
"That is a good idea. With the amount of warrior we saw. We are easily going to be able to fill up the positions of the four hundred house guards by tomorrow afternoon. I was worried about what to do with the remaining warriors that will constantly be flooding into the Imperial City looking for a position. We haven't even found the land for the garrison much less began constructing the garrison. This will work excellently. That way, I can begin the training and structuring of the Liu Residence Army while the garrison is being planned and built." Commander Jiang said in excitement.
"Although you are going to stay, I still want you to find two trustworthy Deputy Commanders and immediately began training them. The workload on you is going to be very heavy. I don't want you to get sick from exhaustion or to burn yourself out. You will need a lot of help. However, these two men must be someone you absolutely trust." Liu Tián Qǔ reminded the big man.
Liu Tián Qǔ happened to glance at Jiang Mín Yuè. Liu Tián Qǔ saw the look of gratefulness in Jiang Mín Yuè eyes. Liu Tián Qǔ gave her a small smile of understanding.
"I will see to this task properly, Young Master Liu." Jiang Tài Píng promised.
Then in a hesitant manner, Jiang Tài Píng said, "I didn't tell you before, but I think this is something you should know. My martial uncles and the martial elders that raised me will be sending a lot of people to watch over me." Jiang Tài Píng said eyeing Liu Tián Qǔ nervously. "Those men will insist on being here in Liu Residence, where I am so they could watch over me. They will be a detached unit from your warriors." The Commander informed Liu Tián Qǔ.
"I intended to disguise them as Liu Residence House Guards. Now I am having second thoughts." Jiang Tài Píng's eyes dropped. He looked down and said, "The problem is they won't be loyal to you nor answer to you. They will only answer to my wife or me."
Liu Tián Qǔ understood why Jiang Tài Píng became nervous. Essentially he will be allowing loose cannons in her Residence. These cannons were not going to be under her command or control. He was going to give those men spots as Liu Residence house guards. This also would have decreased the amount of real Liu Residence guards she had in her residence.
However, Liu Tián Qǔ decided to act like she didn't understand Jiang Tài Píng's nervousness and concern. Honestly, she didn't see it as a problem with the warriors being in her residence as long as it was done right. If done right, this would benefit her greatly. She would get to have more than the allowed five hundred guards stationed in her residence.