Chapter 154
A few days later, the three army commanders sat together conversing at the governor’s residence in Song Zhou City, Su Li, Li Daozong, and Su Dingfang.
“Commander, are you certain His Majesty will provide funds to recruit soldiers?” Su Dingfang widened his eyes, appearing utterly surprised. He and Li Daozong had long been aware of Su Li’s plan. In the past, they might have considered Su Li’s plan insane. However, they had witnessed Su Li single-handedly defeating numerous enemies and achieving remarkable feats. After witnessing such grand displays of skill, Su Li’s plan seemed like a natural course of action. Having a commander-in-chief who could assemble an army on his own while they reaped the rewards felt like a dream come true. With such robust support, victory would come easily. What more could they ask for?
Although they found Su Li’s plan reasonable, they doubted he would receive substantial support from Li Er. The reason was straightforward, Li Er was the Emperor, and no matter how much trust he had in Su Li, he needed to maintain a balance. This was similar to how Li Jing was often given command of only one army during campaigns. While it appeared that Li Er placed great trust in him on the surface, this trust was limited to the military aspect. Even during military campaigns, Li Er didn’t always fulfill all of Li Jing’s requests.
Su Li, leading a separate army this time, already held a high status. After following Li Er’s orders to combat the Tubo, he sought additional opportunities to explore the plateau and the northwest. Strictly speaking, this behavior was audacious. Furthermore, both Su Dingfang and Li Daozong remembered the banquet in Lin Yuan Palace the last time. Li Er had personally admitted that if Su Li could decisively pacify the northwest in one battle, he would grant him a title from a different clan. Not only did Su Dingfang, but even Li Daozong, who understood Li Er very well, find this promise unreliable. So, from any angle, Li Er had no reason to demand that Su Li continue his offensive.
Su Dingfang and Li Daozong were concerned, while Su Li sat there with a smile, composed and calm. This was because Su Li believed that Li Er wouldn’t disappoint him. Su Li was prepared to give up if Li Er didn’t respond to such an opportunity.
Did being an outsider prince of the Tang Dynasty hold that much allure? Li Er’s only sensible choice was to allocate more manpower and resources. However, for Su Li, sending more manpower had one primary purpose, having more laborers to clean up the battlefield. It would add a certain ambiance if they could also send a few outspoken generals to stand on the side and chant slogans.
Three figures entered the hall. Li Daozong and Su Dingfang wore gloomy expressions. Li Daozong looked up and immediately froze. Leading the group was the imposing and confident Yu Chigong. Beside him was Cheng Yaojin, sporting a full beard. When Li Daozong saw the last person, he couldn’t help but frown.
“Why is Hou Junji here?” Li Daozong gave Su Li a somewhat worried glance. Hou Junji was the young commander Li Er had esteemed even before Su Li. A single term could sum up Hou Junji’s status in Li Er’s eyes — a former retainer of the Prince of Qin.
Li Er had even asked Li Jing to instruct Hou Junji in military strategy. Hou Junji lacked education, his language was crude, and he had poor emotional intelligence. Using modern terms, he was not very intelligent and had a penchant for boasting. Li Daozong had previously commented on him, saying, “He’s not smart but loves to brag. He’s a nuisance.” Li Daozong couldn’t understand why Li Er would bring this nuisance into Su Li’s army. Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin were straightforward individuals and relatively familiar with Su Li. As soon as they entered the room, they shouted and gestured as if they were about to bow to Su Li. After Su Li stopped them, they pretended to be amazed. In short, both Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin were extremely pleased and convinced by Su Li’s rise as a promising figure. They were seasoned veterans with extensive experience.
In Tang military circles, it was widely acknowledged that veterans like them were exceptional warriors. When these two entered the battlefield, they were fierce fighters, but no one would ever praise them for their tactical brilliance. This time, Su Li’s victory against the Tubo was achieved without any sophisticated strategies. He relied solely on his strength to turn the tide of battle. This was the pinnacle of a great warrior!
“When you joined the Right Military Guard, Lao Cheng recognized your exceptional abilities. Surprisingly, not even a year has passed, and Lao Cheng now serves under your command,” Cheng Yaojin said with emotion, a hint of seasoned wisdom etching itself on his rugged face.
Su Li, however, wasn’t one to engage in a ceremony with them. “Time is of the essence. Both generals take a brief break and then assist in reorganizing the captives. Remember, all that silver is at stake. Be firm but fair with them.”
Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin exchanged a knowing look and smiled. “That’s a simple task.”
In truth, Yu Chigong and Cheng Yaojin’s arrival wasn’t orchestrated by Li Er. They had volunteered to witness the prowess of the rumored best general of the current era. As for why they had come, it made little difference to these two. They had heard that in the last battle against the Tubo, the combined efforts of tens of thousands of Tang soldiers paled compared to Su Li’s achievements, which was quite astonishing. With such a powerhouse around, following him into battle wouldn’t likely lead to any significant military accomplishments.
At this point, Su Li shifted his gaze to behind Cheng Yaojin. “And who is this?”
Su Li deliberately acted like he had just noticed Hou Junji’s presence. He had no choice—ever since this individual had entered the room, he hadn’t stopped emanating an air of disdain. He looked down his nose at people, clearly not holding anyone in high regard. It remained a mystery why Li Er had placed such a character in his ranks, but Su Li knew who this person was without asking.
Hou Junji, Duke of Chen, was known for consistently wearing an air of superiority on his face. Currently, only Li Er could barely catch his attention. However, even Li Er might not wield much influence over him in a few years.
“Junior Officer Hou Junji, I greet the Grand Commander,” Hou Junji casually extended his hand in Su Li’s direction, not bothering to make eye contact. He emitted a disdainful snort through his nostrils, almost as if that was his version of showing respect. He emphasized the words “Junior Officer” and “Grand Commander.”
Unfazed by the attitude, Su Li responded, “General Hou, if you have no other tasks, you can assist in organizing and training the youth in the city.”
Hou Junji responded with a slight snort, essentially his way of agreeing.
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