Chapter 700: Someone Tries to Corrupt General Sun

Jingnan, Jiangling.

After the Battle of Liyang, Murong Yanzhao once again led seven thousand infantry and cavalry southward. As the commander-in-chief of the southern campaign, responsible for coordinating the overall operations, he could hardly remain in the rear forever. And after Murong Yanzhao went south, the defense of Jiangling was not relaxed—it was actually strengthened.

As the general left behind to hold the city, Sun Li was deeply displeased. Though the garrison duty was heavy, given his temperament, if he couldn't take cities and seize strongholds, then what was the point of coming on this southern campaign? But he dared not defy military orders, and so these past few days, Sun Li's temper had been explosive.

Of course, it wasn't that Murong Yanzhao was deliberately targeting Sun Li. Rather, though there were many officers in the southern expedition, once he himself left, the only one remaining with the qualifications to guard Jiangling was Sun Li.

Add another layer of consideration—Sun Li himself did have some problems. In terms of sheer ability alone, for the imperial army as it stood today, Sun Li was not qualified to serve as Chief General of an army, let alone a major force like the Xiaodi Army of the Palace Command.

Yet he had been kept in such a critical military post all along, relying solely on his relationship with Liu Chengyou and that breastful of loyalty and valor. After all, Sun Li had fought alongside Liu Chengyou blade for blade from the Battle of Luancheng onward, and every soldier who participated in that great battle, so long as he still lived—whether still in service or retired—had enjoyed good prospects.

And Sun Li, with his unruly temperament, basically obeyed only Liu Chengyou. On the several campaigns he had joined, Liu Chengyou had always been personally leading the army. This time, joining the Jinghu campaign, his old habits had resurfaced. To avoid affecting the war effort, Murong Yanzhao had no mind to wrangle with him further and simply placed him in Jiangling to hold the city.

Still, as the highest-ranking military commander currently guarding Jiangling, it wasn't as if he was suffering terribly—he was merely somewhat depressed at heart.

Dingshi Pavilion, one of the most luxurious restaurants in Jiangling. On the third floor, several tables of wine and feasting, cups and chopsticks crossing in merriment, the atmosphere boisterous, crude voices clamoring. Occupying this most elegant chamber was a pack of soldiers.

Sun Li sat at the head table, below him several of his subordinate commanders and surrendered Jingnan generals. This time, several surrendered generals were jointly hosting a banquet for Sun Li to build rapport, and they had even brought along several beautiful dancing girls to keep them company. They had nearly turned the restaurant into a brothel, utterly ruining the elegance—but how could this warrior care?

"I have long heard that the Chief General is the Son of Heaven's trusted great general, regarded as a right hand, following His Majesty in campaigns east and west, repeatedly earning merit. That year at the Battle of Luancheng, you smashed several hundred thousand Khitan troops and took the Khitan lord's head—truly heaven-shaking and earth-shattering..." Red-faced, a mustachioed Jing general held up his wine cup with both hands, lightly bent low to clink it against Sun Li's cup, and praised loudly.

The Battle of Luancheng was indeed a glorious entry in Sun Li's military career—it was the beginning of his rise from an ordinary junior officer to a senior commander, and he had always taken considerable pride in it.

The Jing general's flattery had clearly scratched where he itched. Sun Li wore a very pleased expression, waved his hand, and grinned: "The present Son of Heaven is wise and martial, his grand strategy unmatched in the world. I am merely a vanguard soldier, leading my men in desperate battle."

"The Chief General is too modest. A battle of that magnitude is enough to leave one's name in history—truly a once-in-a-century event. Our knowledge is shallow, and we have long admired you. Might the Chief General tell us something of the battle situation at the time..." Another general chimed in, stoking the atmosphere.

"Fine! Since we're all in good spirits today, I'll tell you all about it!" Sun Li was clearly in high spirits, releasing the beauty in his arms: "At that time, the Khitan army was withdrawing north. Their numbers were a solid two hundred thousand. We had only a mere eight thousand men, and by the time we crept to the outskirts of Luancheng, quite a few had fallen behind.

"At that time, His Majesty resolved to launch a surprise attack on the Khitan army. All the generals were terrified and hesitant—I was the same. To be honest with you all, I was then merely the commander of a thousand men. I thought His Majesty's idea was simply mad. We had been lurking and tailing them, and now he wanted to pull off something this big. I even thought it was pure suicide.

"You should know, of those less than eight thousand, besides half being the Longqi Army, the rest were newly recruited surrendered soldiers and stragglers. Yet even so, His Majesty showed not a trace of fear.

"However, His Majesty is a sage ruler blessed by heaven. His thoughts are not something common men like us can fathom. The Khitan had grown too arrogant in the Central Plains and had little in the way of precautions.

"His Majesty roused the troops, arranged everything meticulously, struck decisively, launched the surprise attack, and set fires, throwing their camp into chaos. At that moment, a great wind suddenly rose, and the wind fed the flames, sweeping them in all directions.

"That battle, I still see it vividly to this day—the killing cries still ring in my ears. I only knew to charge and kill according to His Majesty's plan—kill anyone in the way, slaughter until rivers of blood flowed.

"Half of all the scars on my body were earned in that battle. After it ended, I nearly lost my life. If not for this hard-to-kill constitution of mine, and if not for His Majesty ordering every effort to save me, there would be no Sun Li today..."

Sun Li enthusiastically gave a rough account of his experiences. But though he had poured down plenty of wine, his mind was still clear. Regarding the Battle of Luancheng, the court's official narrative was a complete, polished version that differed considerably from the facts, and what Sun Li told, though from his own perspective, stayed within bounds.

The assembled officers diligently flattered him: "The General's bravery and heroism truly inspire admiration! How we regret not being able to participate in such a great battle—it is simply our misfortune!"

"That was eight or nine years ago—hardly worth mentioning!" A smug smile curling at the corners of his mouth, Sun Li feigned modesty.

Reaching out to embrace the women on both sides, Sun Li bit the wine cup the beauty held to his lips and drained it in one go. His rough right hand squeezed hard a few times at the round, soft, plump rear in his arms, drawing two coquettish yelps from the pretty lady.

Sun Li said somewhat wantonly: "Jiangling has its good points too! Good wine, soft women—compared to the Eastern Capital, it has its own flavor! This Dingshi Pavilion, even in Kaifeng, would be a rarity!"

A Jing general caught the note of wistfulness in Sun Li's words. His eyes rolled, and he leaned in, lowering his voice slightly: "Chief General, this Dingshi Pavilion is the property of Gao Baoyin, the Grand Minister of Works and Commissioner of the Governor's Headquarters."

"No wonder—someone from the Gao family! Grand Minister of Works, Military Commissioner, whatever..." Sun Li, deep in his cups, said dismissively.

"The Chief General speaks truly!" The officer echoed, then revealed the rest: "The court intends to relocate the entire Gao clan to the Central Plains. Gao Baoyin is selling off his properties, and this restaurant is among them. If the Chief General is interested, a little maneuvering could be arranged..."

His brow arched, Sun Li stared at this officer, his gaze somewhat cold: "What do you mean by that?"

"This Dingshi Pavilion is one of the finest restaurants in Jiangling!" The officer smiled ingratiatingly: "Since the Chief General likes it, and Gao Baoyin wants to sell anyway, why not put up the funds and take the place? It would be convenient for future visits!"

"After the southern campaign ends, I'm returning to Kaifeng. What would it look like for me to keep a restaurant in Jiangling..." Sun Li curled his lip slightly: "Besides, given the scale of this establishment, how much would I have to spend? Not worth it!"

Hearing this, the Jing general grew even more eager, lowering his voice further: "Rest assured, Chief General. Gao Baoyin is anxious to unload it. I can find a way to help you take it over at a suitable price."

Sun Li laughed, his drunkenness instantly fading. A shrewd glint appeared on his rough features as he looked at the man with amusement: "You rascal, being this attentive—what scheme are you harboring? What, trying to bribe me?"

Facing Sun Li's interrogation, the officer hastily explained: "I simply admire the Chief General..."

"Don't bring that kind of nonsense before me!" Sun Li cut him off immediately, his stare making the man flustered: "I may be a rough man, but I'm not stupid. When someone humbles himself before another, he must want something—that principle I understand. And besides, you're just a minor deputy general. What makes you think you can negotiate with Gao Baoyin, and at a 'suitable price'? Are you trying to use my name to pressure him?"

There was an awkward sense of having his scheme exposed. Sun Li looked half-angered, half-not, and the officer panicked, quickly saying: "How would I dare?"

"Speak! What is your purpose?" Sun Li demanded.

"We merely wish to pledge ourselves to the Chief General, hoping to serve you with all our strength!"