Chapter 338: Digging a Pit

Words : 1441 Updated : Dec 11th, 2025

Chapter 338 of "After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband" begins with suspenseful moments: The conflict between Marquis Dongxiang and Duke Chong is intense, one might say it’s a... Don’t miss it!

The conflict between Marquis Dongxiang and Duke Chong is intense, one might say it’s a fight to the death.Anything spearheaded by Duke Chong is definitely no good, obviously a trap. Marquis Dongxiang naturally had to refuse. But when the entire court unanimously recommends someone, not even the Emperor can oppose. Listening to diverse opinions is enlightening, while trusting only one is blinding. An Emperor should heed the advice of his ministers; if he doesn’t listen when all ministers speak with one voice, he’s a tyrannical ruler. Marquis Dongxiang stood there listening, quietly observing Duke Chong pressuring the Emperor. The more he was pressured, the more it could provoke the Emperor’s anger, which was all to his advantage. Prince NanAn stepped forward and said, "Perhaps I should lead the troops to suppress the bandits?" The Emperor was about to take the hint from Prince NanAn’s suggestion when Duke Chong took the lead away. "Your Majesty, I still believe that this task can only be entrusted to Marquis Dongxiang." "Marquis Dongxiang has always aspired to be a General; this is a good opportunity for him to gain experience and to let the newly risen rabble see the gap between them and Marquis Dongxiang." "Though they are all bandits, Marquis Dongxiang could crush them like ants, and after accepting amnesty, he has become a loyal minister of our Daqi Dynasty, a sword in Your Majesty’s hand to protect the peace of the people. Let those bandits see that no matter how formidable they become, the ultimate outcome is submission to the court and loyalty to the Emperor." The argument was powerful. So powerful that even Prince NanAn didn’t know how to refute it. He turned to look at Marquis Dongxiang, only to see Marquis Dongxiang wearing an expression of "I am convinced". Prince NanAn: "...." "I also request that Your Majesty assign Marquis Dongxiang to suppress the bandits," Duke Chong led the call. Half of the ministers echoed him. The Emperor’s brows knit into a tight knot. He looked at Marquis Dongxiang. Marquis Dongxiang looked back at him and said, "Your Majesty, since Duke Chong values me so highly, I accept this duty." "However, I have no soldiers under my command; I wonder how many troops the court plans to allocate for me to suppress the bandits?" Marquis Dongxiang asked. The Emperor asked Duke Chong, "How many troops does Duke Chong think would be sufficient?" "A mere rabble, eight hundred soldiers will suffice," Duke Chong said. Marquis Dongxiang glanced at Duke Chong, "I recall that the court used to describe our Qingyun Mountain brothers as a mere rabble; over the years, I’ve just robbed some court grain and silver, not taken a single soldier’s life, just non-lethal external injuries. If we really fought, would the ones sent even return alive?" "Such underestimation of the enemy explains the constant defeats." Duke Chong turned green with anger. However, no matter how angry he was, it was useless. It was a fact that they couldn’t eradicate Feihu Village. This indestructible bandit group had now become his greatest enemy. Marquis Dongxiang looked at the Emperor and said, "Rather than sending me with eight hundred soldiers to Yu State to suppress the bandits, why not have the Emperor order Duke Zhen to take a detour on his return to eradicate the bandits?" Duke Chong said coldly, "Duke Zhen has rendered great service to the court and has the important task of escorting the King of Beimo back to the capital; you want him to detour to suppress bandits?!" "The eradication of mountain bandits is urgent, with so many ministers on the court waiting for Duke Zhen’s Mansion to detour. How should the people of Yu State view the court, view the Emperor?!" "Is there no one else in the court besides Duke Zhen who can be used?!" Duke Chong’s words were powerful and resounding. In the Political Discussion Hall, no one spoke for a long time. Until Marquis Dongxiang spoke, "Duke Chong makes a valid point." The Emperor: "...." The ministers: "...." Marquis Dongxiang actually agreed with Duke Chong?! Did they hear wrong? Seeing the astonished looks from the ministers, Marquis Dongxiang said, "While Duke Chong and I may not see eye to eye, I agree when he is right." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel•fire.net "Since all officials agree that I should suppress the bandits to enhance the court’s prestige, I, Marquis Dongxiang, naturally cannot refuse, but I do have a condition," Marquis Dongxiang said. "How dare you have a condition when serving the court?!" Duke Chong said coldly. Marquis Dongxiang looked at Duke Chong and said, "The court has sent troops to Qingyun Mountain multiple times to suppress bandits; Duke Chong should know better than I, didn’t they always return in defeat?" "Since you’re letting me take eight hundred soldiers to Yu State to suppress bandits, I have the right to choose what kind of soldiers to take. If there’s a general on the court who doesn’t mind, I might as well let him take this task." He did not object to suppressing bandits, but he wanted to select his troops himself. Duke Chong did not agree. But the Emperor agreed. "I allow you to select eight hundred soldiers from the military camps to suppress bandits in Yu State," the Emperor said. "Your Majesty!" Duke Chong exclaimed. "You have no idea how Marquis Dongxiang plans to select the eight hundred soldiers. If he holds a martial contest for selection, it wastes time and might displease the generals; this precedent cannot be set." Marquis Dongxiang smiled slightly, "Rest assured, I’ll only choose soldiers that catch my eye." "This matter is settled then," the Emperor decided with finality. "I give Marquis Dongxiang one day to choose eight hundred soldiers from the camps and set off immediately to Yu State to suppress bandits." "I accept the order." Duke Chong’s face turned faintly blue. What infuriated him more came afterward; the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was silenced, but General Ningyuan confessed to ordering the murder of Prefect of Wangzhou as instructed by him, and the evidence was conclusive. Marquis Dongxiang asked the Emperor to issue an order to confiscate the properties of the Vice Minister Mansion and Ningyuan General Mansion. Duke Chong defended the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but the Emperor agreed with Marquis Dongxiang’s proposal and assigned the task of confiscating the Vice Minister Mansion to him. Marquis Dongxiang confiscated both mansions and then returned to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. As soon as he stepped through the door, Young Master Su ran up and asked, "Father, are you really going to Yu State to suppress the bandits?" Young Master Su’s eyes were full of excitement. Heaven was so, so kind to him. He was worried about finding the opportunity to sneak away, and now Father was leaving the capital. With Father gone, others are much easier to deal with. Marquis Dongxiang looked at him and said, "Do you want to go with me to suppress bandits?" Young Master Su: "...." "No, I just can’t bear to be without Father," Young Master Su said. Marquis Dongxiang’s face was lined in disbelief. He had never seen anyone lie so brazenly with his eyes wide open. So excited that he almost packed his bags and sent him out the door, and this was "can’t bear to be without"? From a young age, he had trained them to be independent, not to depend on others, but he had trained them too well, and now it was breaking his heart. Young Master Su sensed this topic was not going well and quickly changed it, "Father, are you really going to suppress bandits? They are our kind." "Don’t we share the same root, why must we rush to vex each other?" Marquis Dongxiang, "...." "Your father is now Marquis Dongxiang," Marquis Dongxiang knocked on Young Master Su’s head. "But one must not forget their roots," "...." Marquis Dongxiang was speechless. Mrs. Tang walked over, stifling a laugh, "Your father is being sent to Yu State to let others deal with the bandits." Young Master Su was a bit confused. "Then why is Father going?" Young Master Su asked. "How can one catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s lair?" Marquis Dongxiang said with a smile. "It’s not scary when others dig a pit for you; the important thing is to know how to discern it, avoid it, and lure others to fall into their own pit," Marquis Dongxiang educated his son opportunistically. "Come, let’s visit the military camps," Young Master Su, "...." His intuition told him. Going to the military camp was a pit.

Chapter 338: Digging a Pit

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