Chapter 122: Just You Wait!

Cui Shao’s words were impeccable.

The court tasked the local government offices with conscripting soldiers, after which they would await orders from the military commissioner soon to be dispatched by the court. Cui Shao, as the local governor, was only responsible for recruitment. At most, if the troops he conscripted performed well, the military commissioner would mention him when claiming credit.

That was why he cared so much.

However, this was true for ordinary governors.

But who was Cui Shao? The scion of a thousand-year-old noble family, nephew to Chancellor Cui Yuan!

With such a background, no matter who the court sent down, he could always have a say. Allowing Li Yun to independently command a battalion would be no difficulty at all. It was a matter of seeing whether Cui Shao was willing to do so, whether he was willing to lend his influence to help Li Yun carry out his tasks.

Now, Li Yun held a bargaining chip: He Gang.

Though after several days of interrogation, He Gang did not wield significant power or status within the Qiu Dian Group, his identity was quite special.

Because the Qiu family’s fortunes were modest, there were not many relatives involved in rebellion, especially those who rebelled alongside him. Except for a few surnamed Qiu, He Gang was the closest kin to him.

With a man like this at hand, before the military commissioner arrived, Cui Shao could directly send him as a captive to the capital. Then his uncle, the chancellor, could say a few good words before the emperor, turning an otherwise insignificant achievement into a great merit in the blink of an eye!

Therefore, even a noble like Cui Shao was somewhat stirred. He stared intently at Li Yun and asked, “How did you capture him?”

“We were ordered to suppress bandits throughout Xuanzhou,” Li Yun replied smoothly. “Upon reaching Ningguo County, we discovered traces of the Tianmu Mountain bandits. Although Tianmu Mountain lies outside Ningguo’s borders, since they harassed Ningguo, we had to eliminate them. So I led the anti-bandit squad to Tianmu Mountain.”

“Upon arrival, we found the bandits wantonly slaughtering villagers nearby. At Xia’ao Village, nearly half the villagers had been killed. Our squad was filled with righteous fury and stormed Tianmu Mountain. After a fierce battle lasting a full day and night, we annihilated the bandits.”

“Only after wiping out the bandits did we discover that they were connected to the rebels in Yuezhou. The one communicating with them was none other than He Gang, brother-in-law to the rebel Qiu Dian. We devised a plan and finally captured He Gang alive, killing dozens of rebels in the process!”

Li Yun’s account mingled truth and falsehood. The events and outcomes were largely accurate, enough to withstand any investigation Cui Shao might order.

However, Li Yun concealed his true motives for going to Tianmu Mountain and omitted certain details unfavorable to himself—details Cui Shao could never uncover.

After a deep breath, Cui Shao slowly calmed down. After a while, he sat down and asked, “Is there any proof?”

Li Yun understood that Cui Shao was not asking for proof of slaying bandits but evidence of He Gang’s identity.

He was prepared. From his bosom, he produced a waist token and laid it before Cui Shao.

“Governor, please see this. It is the token of the so-called Prince of Yue’s mansion, belonging to the rebel Qiu Dian. Only with this token can one freely pass through the Prince’s mansion.”

“In addition, He Gang carried seals proving his identity, but in the haste, I forgot to bring them along.”

Cui Shao took the somewhat crude token and examined the ancient script character for ‘Yue’ several times. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh and shouted, “Excellent!”

He looked at Li Yun anxiously. “Where are the rebels now?”

“Still on Tianmu Mountain.”

Cui Shao inhaled deeply, forcing himself to regain composure.

“Why haven’t you brought them all back to Xuanzhou? Tianmu Mountain is too close to the rebel stronghold. That’s a great risk.”

Li Yun smiled. “Don’t worry, Governor. The rebels don’t seem very formidable. I will make sure to bring He Gang back whole and sound before you.”

Cui Shao nodded. “Good. Then, Captain Li, bring He Gang to Xuanzhou quickly. After I interrogate him, I will send him to the capital immediately for the court’s handling.”

Li Yun stood silently, smiling without responding.

Cui Shao was annoyed and muttered, “Why so indirect? I am your superior. Why must you be so evasive when I ask you to do something?”

Li Yun’s expression remained calm. “You summoned me to the prefecture, and I came immediately. Now we are on Tianmu Mountain and may be watched by the rebels. If you insist on rushing He Gang back to Xuanzhou, and he gets ambushed en route, it would be regrettable.”

His words carried an implicit threat. Cui Shao could clearly hear it and nearly laughed out of frustration. He suddenly slammed the table.

“You’re negotiating a business deal with me!”

“Not at all,” Li Yun replied evenly. “If you want him now, I will bring him back immediately.”

Cui Shao grunted and bit his teeth. “You fool! The military commissioner will arrive this month or next. When he reaches near Yuezhou, to whom will the credit for capturing the rebels belong? You must give me the prisoner before the commissioner arrives, or else he will be useless to me.”

“When I send him to the capital, I will naturally report the merit to you. Even if I don’t speak with the commissioner, will the court deny you credit?”

Li Yun smiled.

Trusting these officials’ words was like believing in ghosts! He lowered his head slightly.

“Since you say so, I will bring the prisoner back now. If anything happens on the road, it won’t be my responsibility.”

Cui Shao’s face darkened.

He looked up at Li Yun and took a deep breath.

“Then let’s compromise. Bring the prisoner to Xuanzhou for my verification first. No need to rush to the capital. When the military commissioner arrives, he can make your work official, and then we can send him to the capital. Does that sound good?”

“Of course, I will follow your orders.”

This matter could not be stalled any longer. After all, He Gang was firmly in Li Yun’s hands with no other options.

If the court’s commissioner insisted on splitting Li Yun’s anti-bandit squad, Li Yun could simply fragment his forces and return to the mountains to regroup.

Since he had a plan, there was no need to push Cui Shao too hard.

After each yielding a bit, they finally settled the terms. Cui Shao looked at Li Yun and couldn’t help but applaud.

“When I was in the capital, I never imagined one day I’d be bargaining with a county captain like you. Li Zhao, you truly are a talent.”

“Not at all,” Li Yun smiled. “It’s just that you need me to do certain things, and I also have matters requiring your help. Mutual benefit.”

“In fact, whether in the capital or the provinces, it is always like this. You, with your noble background, just never realized it before.”

Most things in this world ultimately boiled down to exchanges of interests. Cui Shao had never noticed because his family or elders bore the costs when he gained benefits.

And some who gained through power had public authority absorbing the price.

Now, public power could hardly restrain Li Yun, so Cui Shao had no choice but to trade interests with him.

Upon hearing Li Yun’s words, Governor Cui seemed thoughtful. After a long moment, he applauded and sighed.

“Before leaving the capital, my uncle told me to pay more attention when serving in the provinces, as much could be learned. I didn’t take it seriously then, but Captain Li has taught me some truths.”

Cui Shao stood and faced Li Yun.

“Well, our business is settled.”

“Now, the unrest in Yuezhou may spread to neighboring prefectures. With your skills, Captain Li, you’ll have many opportunities to serve. We will cooperate often in the future.”

“Shall we have dinner together tonight?”

Li Yun bowed slightly.

“There are still many matters on Tianmu Mountain. I must escort the rebel He Gang back. Another time for dinner, Governor.”

“Very well.”

Cui Shao returned to his seat and said coldly, “Then after we succeed in Yuezhou, we’ll have a meal together.”

Li Yun clasped his fists and smiled.

“Certainly, certainly.”

With that, he turned and left.

Governor Cui watched Li Yun depart, his gaze slowly darkening with anger.

He pounded the table, suppressing his fury.

What a clumsy country bumpkin, so unwise!

He grunted to himself.

“We shall see!”

Elsewhere, after leaving the Xuanzhou office, Captain Li Yun looked back at the government building, his gaze chilling.

These court officials were so full of selfishness—each worse than the last, especially Cui Shao.

This was the true nature of a thousand-year-old noble family.

The world had decayed to such a degree that it was entrenched and near impossible to reverse.

Yet, now was not the time to settle scores with them.

With that thought, Li Yun turned, mounted his horse, and just before tightening the reins, glanced once more at the office’s signboard.

Only three words echoed in his heart: “We shall see!”

(End of chapter)