Chapter 32: The Arch-Traitor Ji Gang

Seeing Li Jinglong retreat, Chen Kan quickly changed into his uniform. He was determined not to give anyone a chance to catch him off guard. According to the ranks of the Jinyiwei, the official uniform Chen Kan wore was known as the "Bull-Fighting Robe." Its design featured alternating colors of black, red, and white, making it second only to the red and yellow python robes worn by the Commander and the Magistrate of the Jinyiwei. From this day forward, this uniform would define his status.

After changing, Chen Kan glanced at the bronze mirror. The youth reflected back had bright eyes and white teeth, possessing an extraordinary handsomeness, while his straight posture looked even more imposing in the Bull-Fighting Robe. "Is there truly such a handsome person in this world?" he mused. "Oh, wait, it’s me. Never mind then!" After a moment of self-appreciation, he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the mirror.

Stepping out of the room, he was greeted by Li Jinglong, who clicked his tongue and said, "Tsk, clothes really do make the man. Come on, I’ll show you to your office." Unsure if Li was paying him a compliment or a backhanded insult, Chen Kan remained silent. Following Li through a maze of corridors, they arrived at a room. Li pointed to the furnishings and said, "This is where you will handle your official duties. Furthermore, as a high-ranking official of the Jinyiwei, you have a thousand-man battalion under your command. If anything comes up, just instruct them to handle it."

"A thousand-man battalion at my disposal?" Chen Kan was delighted. Was life really this good? He had barely arrived and was already in charge of a thousand men? "Where are they, then?"

Li replied, "They are all out on business. Later today, your centurions and battalion commander will return to the office to report. You can get to know them then. I have other matters to attend to, so I’m off." With that, Li turned and hurried out of the office.

Chen Kan instinctively cupped his hands and said, "Farewell, Duke." He then paused, stunned. *Is he really just leaving? You didn't even tell me what my job is!* He wanted to call him back, but in the blink of an eye, Li Jinglong’s back had already disappeared. "Is he in a rush to be reincarnated?" he muttered, before stepping out of the room himself.

Since his direct superior hadn't assigned him any specific work, Chen Kan felt perfectly comfortable slacking off. The first step in a new job, he reasoned, was to understand the environment—especially the locations of the latrines and the kitchen; one must never mix those up. He grabbed a passing Jinyiwei guard and asked, "What is your name?"

The guard, noticing the ivory identification plaque at Chen Kan’s waist, quickly cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to you, my lord, I am Huang Gou’er. How may I serve you?" Chen Kan put his hands behind his back, trying to look as stern as possible.

He cleared his throat. "Ahem. Today is my first day on the job. Take me around and show me the ropes of the Jinyiwei."

"Yes, my lord. Please, follow me." With a guide in tow, Chen Kan began to tour the office grounds with Huang Gou’er.

"My lord, this is where the Commander works, this is the office of the Vice Commander, over there is the Magistrate, and here is the Assistant Magistrate. This, meanwhile, is the office for the other two Guard Magistrates. However, at this hour, most of the lords are on duty at the imperial palace and won't return until the afternoon to handle business." As Huang Gou’er spoke, a look of confusion crossed his face. *There are two Guard Magistrates in the palace, and the one beside me is also a Guard Magistrate. It seems... there is an extra one.*

Seeing Huang’s expression, Chen Kan understood his thoughts and casually explained, "I am a Guard Magistrate specially appointed by His Majesty."

"So that’s it!" Huang Gou’er suddenly realized. Usually, when the imperial court established a temporary official post, it was to handle some very important matter. Since this official had come to the Jinyiwei, did that mean something major was about to happen? Thinking this, Huang felt a chill and dared not dwell on it further, though his attitude toward Chen Kan became even more respectful.

Huang gestured toward a large open area. "My lord, this is the Jinyiwei’s training ground." Looking at the field, which was nearly as large as the plaza in front of the Fengtian Hall, Chen Kan asked with curiosity, "Do we really need to train troops here in the Jinyiwei?"

Huang replied, "Reporting to you, my lord, we are the Emperor’s personal guard. We must protect the palace and manage the honor guard for His Majesty’s processions, so we must train. Besides, there are many of us, and the Commander needs a place to hold roll calls. This field makes it more convenient for the Commander to issue orders."

"Oh," Chen Kan nodded. In plain terms, the training ground was just a venue for Ji Gang to hold meetings.

After touring the entire Jinyiwei office, Chen Kan dismissed Huang Gou’er and headed to the kitchen on his own. Since the morning imperial court session was not yet over and the guards were still at the palace, the kitchen hadn't started serving meals yet. However, as a high-ranking official among the thousands in the Jinyiwei, it was easy enough to get the cook to prepare a private meal. Once he flashed his ivory plaque, the cook complied immediately, not only cooking him a meal with meat and vegetables but also including a bottle of wine. Chen Kan was quite satisfied with the cook’s compliance.

He packed up the food and headed back to his office. *It seems working for the Jinyiwei isn't so bad.* Slacking off all morning, and more slacking to be done in the afternoon—not only was he getting a salary, but he was also getting fed!

Chen Kan pushed open his door and set the food on the table. Just as he was about to dig in, he caught a glimpse of someone sitting behind his desk.

"Who’s there!" Chen Kan tensed instantly, his waist sword drawn in a flash.

"So, you are Chen Kan?" The man stood up, his eyes scanning Chen Kan with a look of appraisal.

Chen Kan noted that the man was in civilian clothes and wore no tokens of identification. He frowned. To be dressed so casually and yet appear in the Jinyiwei office with such impunity—the man’s identity was obvious. He was the notorious villain of the early Ming Dynasty: Ji Gang.

Chen Kan immediately sheathed his sword, knelt on one knee, and cupped his hands. "Subordinate Chen Kan pays respects to the Commander!"

The man raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? You recognize me?"

Chen Kan nodded. "The Jinyiwei has strict regulations. Everyone from the Commander down must wear their official robes and swords. Since you are not, your identity was not difficult to guess."

Ji Gang was a man from Shandong in his early thirties, nearly six feet tall, with a burly build. Upon hearing this, he paced over to Chen Kan. "You’re quite sharp. No wonder His Majesty sent you to me. Get up."

Chen Kan stood slowly and stepped aside. Ji Gang walked over to the desk, sat down, and said nonchalantly, "I wouldn't have guessed you were so particular about your food." With that, he picked up the chopsticks and began to eat.

Chen Kan: "..."

To be honest, facing this famous historical villain, Chen Kan still felt a bit of trepidation.