Li Jun was surprised. Ren Qian's intention to come and join him was clearly very firm, but Feng Jiutian's words seemed to contain some doubt about him.
“The commander is right to be surprised. I do have doubts about Ren Qian.” Feng Jiutian said solemnly, “I will not tell you the reasons for my doubts for now. I have written them down and sealed them in this envelope. It will not be too late to read them when the commander is sure that Ren Qian is truly loyal. For now, the commander should still trust Ren Qian sincerely. There is only one thing: the commander must be extremely cautious about the expedition against the Japanese.”
Li Jun paused for a moment. He was initially worried that Feng Jiutian was jealous of Ren Qian, but Feng Jiutian's later explanation made him have to seriously consider whether there was anything suspicious about Ren Qian's offer of advice.
"Commander, there's no need to overthink it. In short, I have a plan that will surely make Ren Qian willingly serve the Peace Army." Feng Jiutian paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "This plan will absolutely not harm anyone."
The next morning, Feng Jiutian and Wei Zhan went to visit Ren Qian.
"What are your thoughts on my proposal from yesterday, since you two are Commander Li's advisors?" Ren Qian asked after the three had chatted for a few minutes.
Wei Zhan nodded and said, "What Brother Ren said yesterday was indeed shocking. I pondered it all night, and it is indeed as Brother Ren said. The Japanese are a great enemy of our peace army."
Feng Jiutian interjected, "However, as Brother Ren said, with five threats on our side, it is impossible for the Peace Army to concentrate its forces to deal with the Japanese pirates. Moreover, the Japanese pirates are causing chaos, and the Peace Army is not the only one to suffer. If the Peace Army alone is used to fight against them, it will only benefit other forces."
Ren Qian gently tapped the armrest of his chair. What Feng Jiutian said was indeed human nature. The Japanese pirates might not have come specifically to harass the Peace Army. On the contrary, the Su Kingdom, which had been weak for a long time and had recently suffered a major defeat, was the best target for their attack. The Japanese pirates who harassed Canghai County a month ago initially planned to plunder the Su Kingdom, but the Peace Army took Canghai first, so they changed their target to the Peace Army.
"Gentlemen," Ren Qian said earnestly, "Although Commander Li has no interest in declaring himself king, assisting him in unifying the world and ascending to the throne is likely your dream. Commander Li now possesses the lands of Yuzhou and Qinggui, the advantage of terrain; you all wholeheartedly support him, and the people are also in his favor. The only thing lacking is the opportune moment." He leaned forward, "As the sage said, 'Heaven hears as the people hear, Heaven sees as the people see.' To gain the opportune moment, one must first win the hearts of the people. The Divine Continent and the Japanese pirates are irreconcilable enemies. Whenever the topic of the Japanese invasion arises, those with ambition are filled with righteous indignation and hatred. Commander Li, of humble origins, holds a high position; in the hearts of the people and scholars, he is suspected of usurping power, making it difficult to gain popular support for his new policies. If Commander Li can decisively defeat the Japanese pirates and rid the Divine Continent of this deep-seated pain, he will benefit the present and future generations—wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"
Wei Zhan and Feng Jiutian exchanged a glance, then smiled but remained silent. Ren Qian knew that if he couldn't persuade these two, he would be even less likely to persuade Li Jun, so he said again, "Gentlemen, are you silent because you think my suggestion is wrong?"
“Brother Ren, Commander Li is public-spirited and righteous, and has treated the people with kindness and generosity since he raised his army. As you said, he comes from humble origins and has a tragic past, but under Marshal Lu's influence, he always considers the well-being of the people as his own responsibility. Therefore, he never lags behind others in matters that benefit the people. He has told me more than once that the standard of benevolence and righteousness is neither the words in the scriptures of sages nor the comments of scholars, but should be whether it benefits the people.” Feng Jiutian said, “Therefore, Commander Li is indeed willing to fight against the Japanese pirates.”
Ren Qian was overjoyed and clapped his hands, laughing, "You two should have said so sooner!"
Wei Zhan interjected, "Brother Ren, don't worry. Although Commander Li intended to fight the Japanese pirates, he was dissuaded by Brother Feng."
Ren Qian's joy vanished instantly. He looked at Feng Jiutian, hesitant to speak. Feng Jiutian said, "Brother Ren, you said that conquering the Japanese pirates would achieve multiple goals in one fell swoop, which is true, but the premise is that the conquest of the Japanese pirates must be victorious. But I am foolish, and after thinking about it, I have found it difficult to win the conquest of the Japanese pirates, so I have to advise against it."
"Why did you say that, Mr. Feng?" Ren Qian asked.
As the art of war says, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Know yourself but not your enemy, and victory or defeat is uncertain." The Japanese pirates are far away in the Eastern Sea; we know very little about their military, political, and human affairs—this is the first reason why we are not suitable to launch an expedition. Military strategy requires careful planning before action. The Peace Army has never considered the Japanese pirates a major enemy, and therefore has no strategy for their conquest. A hasty expedition would be detrimental to victory—this is the second reason why we are not suitable to launch an expedition. Naval warfare is not like land warfare; logistics and supplies are far more difficult than on land, and the sea is treacherous—this is the third reason why we are not suitable to launch an expedition. If we attack the Japanese pirates, victory will require us to garrison the Japanese islands; defeat will result in heavy losses. Regardless of the outcome, it will weaken the strength of our Peace Army—this is the fourth reason why we are not suitable to launch an expedition. Furthermore, to be honest, Brother Ren, we have long planned to advance into the Soviet Union to eliminate the corrupt ruler and treacherous officials. We are ready to launch a full-scale attack once we have rested and regrouped. The Soviet Union is rich and fertile, far superior to the barren lands of the Japanese islands—this is the fifth reason why we are not suitable to launch an expedition. “
Ren Qian suddenly stood up, covered his forehead with his hand, and said, "What? The Peace Army intends to continue its military campaign against the Great Su?"
Feng Jiutian smiled and said, "That's right. If it weren't for that old scoundrel Liu Guang holding us back, Commander Li would have wanted to march straight to Liujing and offer sacrifices to Marshal Lu's spirit at Xiliu Lake."
Ren Qian slowly sat down, his face filled with grief and indignation: "General Tang Peng strongly told me that Commander Li is a true hero of our time, and General Luo Yi also repeatedly urged me to come and see the Commander. Yesterday, during the banquet, I listened to Commander Li express his thoughts, and I thought he would indeed be concerned about what the world is concerned about. Now... now it seems that he is nothing more than that. Please tell Commander Li that I am not capable enough to serve Commander Li, so I will resign."
“Brother Ren, you are too hasty,” Feng Jiutian said. “It is I who do not agree with the campaign against the Japanese pirates, not Commander Li. If Brother Ren has a way to resolve my five unsuitable points, I will apologize to the Commander, how about that?”
Ren Qian was stunned by his words, and after a moment of silence, he said, "This...this..."
After Feng Jiutian and Wei Zhan took their leave, Ren Qian sat alone in the room, lost in thought. The rising sun peeked over the eaves of the parapet, casting its golden rays into the inn's room, making Ren Qian's expression even more somber.
Feng Jiutian was right when she told Li Jun that Ren Qian's arrival in Kuanglan City wasn't entirely out of loyalty. Although the Su Kingdom was in decline, since Lu Xiang's time, loyal and righteous officials had never ceased to exist. Even though Ren Qian knew the situation was hopeless, he still wanted to do his part for the Su Kingdom. After this major defeat, the Su Kingdom was beset by internal and external troubles, and could collapse with the slightest external force. Looking around, the only external forces that could provide such support were the Lan Kingdom, the Peace Army, and the Japanese pirates. The Lan Kingdom, with its treacherous minister Wu Shu, was not a significant threat. If the Peace Army and the Japanese pirates could be instigated to fight, the Su Kingdom could gain a precious respite. Therefore, Ren Qian had traveled from Hun County to Kuanglan City to offer his advice, but now it seemed that persuading Li Jun wouldn't be easy.
"At first, I wanted to get the Peace Army involved in the fight against the Japanese pirates, so they couldn't get away to advance north. But now it seems... now it seems there's only one way to get the Peace Army to fight." A morning passed just like that, and Ren Qian finally stood up. He had made up his mind.
Chapter Two: A Pleasant Night
Section 01
After the snowfall cleared, the fiery sun generously showered warmth and light upon the earth, and a blanket of white snow covered the grasslands under the azure sky. A few years ago, the Rong people on the grasslands would have been suffering from hunger and cold due to the snow disaster, perhaps even their entire families weeping with despair. But since Ji Su went to Yuzhou, and Hulei Khan and Li Jun established an alliance, every autumn when the grass withered, merchants from Yuzhou would bring large quantities of grain in exchange for the Rong people's furs and livestock. Therefore, for three consecutive winters, not a single animal on the Qionglu Grassland had frozen to death from hunger, nor had any family had to migrate in search of water and pasture during these snowy days.
The Rong people are known for their singing and dancing. The name of Hulei Khan and the alliance with the Peace Army have long been incorporated into the Rong people's pastoral songs. On sunny days like this, Rong lads wrestle and compete in the snow, while the girls sing newly composed songs, casting their fiery gazes at the strongest lads with smiles.
Mo Rong let out a long breath. What a wonderful world! Those stubborn old fogies in Yue Ren Ridge should come here and live with the Rong people for a while. They will be infected by the fiery passion of this nation and will no longer be so closed off.
Why is my sister sighing?
Lu Tian, carrying a large snowball, ran over nimbly. Yu Sheng, being observant, knew that the circumstances didn't allow Li Jun to travel to Yue Ren Ridge to marry Mo Rong, and the Yue people's secluded nature meant that most of this skillful race wouldn't easily move out. Therefore, compared to Ji Su, fewer people from Mo Rong's "family" would attend her wedding. To avoid upsetting Mo Rong, he sent a large number of Mo Rong's friends from Kuanglan City to the Qionglu Grassland while planning the wedding. Combined with the hundreds of Yue people who had followed Mo Rong to Kuanglan City, Mo Rong didn't feel lonely even on the Qionglu Grassland.
"It's okay, I just think the sky is so high..." Mo Rong smiled and patted Lü Tian's rosy cheeks. Lü Tian screamed and threw the snowball in her hand. In an instant, Mo Rong was covered in snowflakes like jade dust.
The two chased each other joyfully in the snow, their laughter and silvery songs echoing across the entire grassland.
Although Li Jun was still two days away from home, he seemed to sense the joyful atmosphere. Looking around at the world, his heart was filled with joy, and he couldn't help but laugh and say, "It's a pity I don't know the rules of tonal patterns and rhyme schemes, otherwise I would definitely compose a poem upon seeing this scene."
Accompanying him, besides Meng Yuanfeng and Jiutian, was Sima Hui, a member of a prominent family in Yuzhou. Hearing his words, Sima Hui laughed and said, "What does it matter if you don't understand tonal patterns and rhyme schemes? When has the commander ever paid any attention to these ancient rules?"
“Indeed, Brother Li is probably just like me at heart, but he’s become timid and hesitant now. I suppose it’s because his wedding is just around the corner.” Su Bai was going to take up his post in the three prefectures of southern Jiangsu, so he came with Li Jun. He laughed loudly and said, “Brother Li, you’re fearless, but you mustn’t be afraid of your two wives after the wedding.”
Everyone smiled. In the entire army, the only one who dared to joke with Li Jun like this was the eccentric Su Bai. Li Jun also laughed heartily: "There is no greater joy in life than this. Brother Su's talent is renowned throughout the world, and countless infatuated women have been longing for him by the railing at night. Of course, he has nothing to fear from the lady."
He raised his eyebrows, spurred his horse forward, and galloped a few steps. His heart surged with emotion, and he couldn't help but let out a long neigh against the wind, a neigh that pierced the sky like a dragon's roar. The soldiers who had come with him stared at his back as if they were staring at the majestic green mountains.
"Whoosh—" The Frost-Riding Moon beneath him seemed to be infected by his heroic spirit, letting out a howl in response, and the two of them rode forward. A glint flashed in Feng Jiutian's eyes. Su Bai seemed to notice the change in his expression and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It must be a major life event, and the commander is getting a little too excited." Feng Jiutian smiled slightly. "Zeng Liang, go after them."
Before he could speak, Zeng Liang, the captain of Li Jun's personal guard, had already spurred his horse and chased after him, with more than a hundred personal guards following closely behind.
When Li Jun reined in his horse, the figure behind him had become a small black dot. He looked up at the sky and suddenly felt a strange sensation welling up inside him.
"Commander Lu, if you are watching from heaven, can you see? I'm getting married. Commander Xiao, and all my deceased friends, can you see? I'm getting married!"
※※※
Unlike the still frozen and snow-covered Qionglu Grassland, the Yuhu region in northern Chen State is already bathed in the gentle spring breeze, with willows swaying in the breeze.
The warm air from the western sea makes the western part of Chen Kingdom warm and humid. Compared with Yuzhou, which is geographically and at a similar altitude, it enters spring half a month earlier. If it weren't for the war that lasted for two or three months, it would be full of vitality at this time.
Standing atop the city wall, Ma Jiyou gazed eastward into the distance. The land stretched out before him like a chessboard. Vast fields of paddy fields dotted with scattered villages, the boundless天地 (heaven and earth) inspiring him to let out a long sigh: "What a magnificent land!"
"General, an imperial edict has arrived."
As the most distinguished general in Hong Kingdom's history of over a century, Ma Jiyou, though not as renowned as Lu Xiang or Liu Guang across the continent, enjoyed unprecedented treatment within Hong Kingdom. The current King of Hong Kingdom, Qian Sheye, was a compulsive gambler. He set up the world's greatest life-or-death gambling game in the capital, Haiping, indulging in a life of debauchery. However, he did not earn the criticism of being a "tyrant," partly because he possessed genuine talent in handling state affairs, and partly because of his effective use of Ma Jiyou.