Despite being treated well by Li Jun, the Lianfa Sect Chief still responded to everything with a single "no." Whenever Li Jun asked him a question, he would either say "I don't know" or "It's none of your business." In his view, as long as he dealt with Li Jun with a completely uncooperative attitude, Li Jun's psychological tactics would completely lose their effect.
However, he didn't know that as long as he lived, Li Jun's goal would be achieved. After a hearty meal, Li Jun took him on a tour of the Peace Army camp. Everywhere they went, the troops were strong and well-equipped, and the soldiers were in high spirits. Li Jun even led the chief priest to the supply and grain storage area, pointing to the mountain of grain and saying, "How about it? With strong troops and abundant supplies, what can't we do?"
This time, the chief priest did not remain silent. Li Jun laughed triumphantly, but a chill ran through the chief priest's heart as his laughter echoed.
The group returned to their tents, where a lavish feast was laid out once more. Li Jun asked, "What is the honorable name of the Chief Minister?"
"Jiang Shidao." This time, the chief minister did not remain silent. It seemed that the imposing military bearing of the Peace Army made him feel that the force before him was one that his troops could not contend with.
"Chancellor Jiang is a smart man, and smart men know how to be pragmatic," Li Jun said, slightly drunk. "As long as you, Grand Chancellor, are willing to serve me, your future wealth and honor will far surpass what you have as a mere Chancellor now. What do you say?"
Jiang Shidao glanced at Li Jun and saw that Li Jun's eyes were somewhat red and his gaze was unfocused, not nearly as unfathomable as when they first met. Seeing that Jiang Shidao was looking at him, Li Jun pointed to the banquet and said, "As long as the Grand Master agrees, we will drink until we drop. If the Grand Master does not agree, guards!"
Two tall, armored soldiers appeared at the tent entrance in response. Li Jun sneered, "If Chief Minister Jiang still doesn't agree now, then he's an ignorant fool. What use are you? Chop him up and feed him to the dogs!"
Jiang Shidao hesitated for a moment, then laughed loudly, "So be it! What's there to be afraid of!" With that, he strode confidently toward the two armored soldiers. Li Jun, hearing this, was not angry but delighted. He quickly stopped him, bowed deeply, and said, "Mr. Jiang, please don't be offended. I was just testing your courage. Now I know you are indeed a hero of our time. I am young and impetuous; please do not hesitate to guide me!"
Jiang Shidao was taken aback for a moment, but then thought to himself, "If I can keep this kid calm for now and find another chance to escape, I can rush back to the Lotus Army and tell my master the truth about the situation in the army. Wouldn't that be a great merit?"
In a flash, he made up his mind and said with a smile, "Commander is too modest. Commander, you are a young hero leading tens of thousands of troops. Why would I need to say anything?"
Seeing that he had changed his mind, Li Jun quickly took his hand and pulled him to a seat, saying, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. Please feel free to give me any pointers. Although I am not a good drinker, meeting you today is the greatest pleasure of my life. I will drink myself into a stupor to keep you company!"
After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Shidao saw that Li Jun's face was red and his neck was thick. Ignoring the freezing weather, he took off his hat, and his head was steaming. He knew that Li Jun's alcohol tolerance was indeed not good. So he asked intentionally, "Commander Li, Ningwang City is a small city with few people and no goods. Why not attack Huai'en City immediately to supply the army?"
Li Jun stammered, "No...no..." Seeing Jiang Shidao staring at him intently, Li Jun revealed a sly smile and said, "Mr. Jiang...you won't leak our military secrets, will you?"
Jiang Shidao gave a slight shudder and said nonchalantly, "Since the commander does not trust me, then order the soldiers to take me out and execute me. Otherwise, I already have a clear understanding of the true state of the commander's army. Even if the commander says nothing, my escape will still be a meritorious act."
Li Jun laughed loudly and said, "Sir, you are too suspicious. I... I did not mean to doubt you..." Then, he did not continue, but repeatedly urged Jiang Shidao to drink.
Seeing that Li Jun had no intention of revealing anything, Jiang Shidao pondered how to get information out of him. So the two chatted for a while about all sorts of things, from local products to strange tales. Li Jun even boasted about how he had eliminated the dragon spirit that day. Jiang Shidao then tried to steer the conversation back to the current battle: "Although the commander has sufficient provisions, it is not a good strategy to linger here. The Lianfa army is now approaching Luoyang, and its vanguard is only three hundred li from the capital. If the commander does not advance quickly, I fear the war will be lost."
“Uh…” Li Jun burped, then said, “It wouldn’t hurt to tell you, sir, I’m just… about to march on…”
"Is the commander planning to attack Huai'en? This place has a large stockpile of food and supplies. Once the commander takes it, there will be no shortage of food supplies."
"No...no!" Li Jun picked up a piece of food and laughed loudly, "I have enough provisions...I don't need any more...Moreover, Huai'en, Yuanding, and Baoshan...are mutually supportive, and my forces...are insufficient to attack these three cities simultaneously. If I only...only attack one route, I will be attacked from both sides..."
Jiang Shidao was aware of Li Jun's assessment. The reason he had divided his troops among the three adjacent cities was precisely to support each other and avoid fighting alone. Jiang Shidao was simply wondering how Li Jun would break through the defenses of these three cities.
"What should the commander do?" Jiang Shidao asked with a worried expression.
“It’s alright…it’s alright…” Li Jun laughed again. “Although my forces are not enough to attack…three cities, they are enough to divide into two routes. I will use a large force to attack one of the cities, Yuanding and Baoshan, and use a smaller force to block the reinforcements from the other city.”
"What should we do with Huai'en's reinforcements?"
"I will naturally use a feint to make the rebels think... I'm going to attack Huai'en, a key grain-storing city... The rebels, fearing defeat, will surely cower and... not come out!" Li Jun said haltingly, then added, "By the time they realize my true intentions... the original plan and Baoshan will already be in my hands... At this moment, Huai'en, an isolated city, will be within my grasp..."
Jiang Shidao had to admit that the plan was indeed effective, and he became even more eager to know Li Jun's specific arrangements.
"Commander Li's plan is indeed brilliant; his wisdom is truly profound," he praised. "I just wonder which city, Baoshan or Yuanding, Commander Li intends to choose as the main target?"
Just then, Meng Yuan, who was accompanying them at the table, suddenly coughed violently. Li Jun looked at him and saw him glare at him fiercely. This glare seemed to sober Li Jun up a bit, and he smiled and said, "The weather is so warm... Meng Yuan... Brother Meng Yuan, why have you caught a cold?"
Meng Yuan's cough was merely a deliberate attempt to stop Li Jun from continuing. Seeing that Li Jun had asked, he seized the opportunity to say, "This humble general is not a good drinker. I couldn't help coughing as I drank. Commander, you have had enough wine. If you drink any more, Mr. Jiang will get drunk."
Jiang Shidao said awkwardly, "I am also not a good drinker, Commander, please let me go and rest."
Reminded by Meng Yuan, Li Jun seemed to have sobered up a bit and laughed, "If that's the case, then... someone come here!"
Two guards entered this time. Li Jun said, "Arrange...accommodation for Mr. Jiang!"
Jiang Shidao followed the two men out of the camp. He had only walked out of the gate when he heard Meng Yuan complaining that Li Jun shouldn't have drunk so much. Jiang Shidao's heart skipped a beat. He pretended to be drunk and slipped to the side of the tent. He heard Li Jun say, "It's alright. I'll have someone keep an eye on him. If..." He couldn't hear the rest clearly.
Jiang Shidao sneered inwardly. Since he knew Li Jun's plan, how could he fall for it? As long as he gained Li Jun's trust, he could leave at any time. In any case, it seemed that there were still a few days before Li Jun's attack.