Chapter 140: Ulterior Motives

The pursuit of the routed rebel forces continued until dusk.

In the end, Wang Zuogua fled into the mountain ravines with five hundred remnant soldiers, while the other rebel leaders were either dead or had escaped.

The imperial troops killed over a thousand enemies, took three thousand prisoners, and captured a large number of the rebels' family members.

Although this battle failed to capture the rebel chieftain Wang Zuogua himself, it successfully achieved the objective of annihilating his faction, making it an overwhelming victory.

As night fell, the grand army made camp.

Li Yi led the Suijin Army into the encampment, reported his identity, and awaited Hong Chengchou's summons.

"Halt."

With a loud roar, a cavalry troop reeking of blood galloped past. The severed heads hanging from their saddles clanked against one another, splashing a trail of blood onto the ground.

"Commander Li, you've arrived late. You missed a fine opportunity to build your merit and establish your career."

He Renlong, leading the troop, pulled back his reins. His facial muscles twitched as he cast a mocking glare at Li Yi.

Li Yi offered a cold smile, completely ignoring him.

A raging fire burned within He Renlong's heart.

During the battle of Longmen Town, he had suffered a disastrous defeat and fled, while Li Yi achieved extraordinary merit, turning He Renlong into a laughingstock. He had grown to utterly detest Li Yi.

Seeing Li Yi's attitude now only fueled his fury further.

"Li Yi, do not get ahead of yourself. Do you know why I could defy military orders and still lead troops into battle? Let me tell you, personal bravery amounts to nothing; only by leaning against a giant tree can one soar to greatness. Acting as you do, you will sooner or later fall into my hands."

Squinting at the furious He Renlong, Li Yi said coldly, "This is the first time I've ever heard someone speak of acting like a dog with such refined and polished elegance."

"You motherfucker, you dare curse me as a dog!"

Roaring with rage, He Renlong lashed out with his horsewhip.

As a shadow of the whip flashed before him, Li Yi reached out, caught it, and gave it a violent yank.

He Renlong felt an immense force pull him; his body swayed, and he tumbled headfirst off his horse.

Several personal guards hurriedly dismounted and rushed to help him up.

He Renlong was usually arrogant and domineering. Seeing him take a hit, the surrounding soldiers could not help but snicker as they curiously sized up Li Yi.

The feat of Li Yi leading slightly over three hundred men to hold off thousands of rebels at Longmen Town had already spread throughout the army.

They were extremely curious about this martial officer who had earned the moniker of the "God of Killing."

At that moment, a personal guard from the central command walked up and said, "Commander Li, the Regional Inspector wishes to see you."

Li Yi nodded, ignoring He Renlong entirely, and headed straight for the central command tent.

He Renlong picked himself up in a disheveled state, staring at Li Yi's retreating back with venomous malice in his eyes.

Entering the central command tent, Li Yi stepped forward and saluted, "Greetings, Regional Inspector."

Hong Chengchou was writing an official memorial to the throne. Seeing Li Yi enter, he laid down his writing brush and smiled amiably.

"Li Yi, you have rendered great service this time. Had you not taken on the perilous assignment, held Longmen Town, and pinned down the rebels, this victory would not have come so easily."

Having been through so much, Li Yi had matured considerably.

He respectfully replied, "This victory was achieved entirely thanks to the Regional Inspector's sound military strategies and calm command. This subordinate dares not claim credit."

"Hahaha, since when did a brat like you learn to flatter?"

Hong Chengchou let out a hearty laugh, his eyes sweeping over Li Yi without a trace of emotion.

Pondering for a moment, he began, "You have rendered great service this time, and I will submit a report to the imperial court to request rewards for you. However, regarding your subsequent imperial appointment, I hold the right of recommendation, so I wish to hear your thoughts first."

Li Yi was not well-versed in the ways of officialdom.

He cautiously said, "This subordinate does not quite understand."

"It is very simple. Having achieved great merit this time, you will naturally be promoted. With a rise in official rank, your substantive post must also be elevated. I have several official positions in mind; you may choose the one you prefer, and upon my recommendation, you will get your heart's desire."

The official rank denoted administrative grade—such as Li Yi currently being a Captain, which represented his status in the official hierarchy.

The substantive post, however, referred to specific duties—such as Li Yi's current position as a Battalion Commander, which represented his actual power and responsibilities.

As a high-ranking imperial official and the commander-in-chief of this campaign, Hong Chengchou indeed possessed the right of recommendation and could secure desired posts for his subordinates.

This was precisely why martial officers like He Renlong vied to pledge their allegiance to Hong Chengchou.

Indeed, it was good to shelter beneath a giant tree.

"I have three substantive posts available: the chiliarch of the Elite Forces Battalion under the Deputy Regional Commander of Yansui, and the garrison commander of Jiaohe Fortress in Yansui."

At this, Hong Chengchou paused briefly before continuing, "As for the last one, it is the chiliarch of my own direct headquarters battalion."

Clearly, Hong Chengchou's pretense of asking Li Yi to choose a post was actually an attempt to recruit him into his headquarters battalion to serve under his direct command.

This time, he no longer mentioned the condition of Li Yi acknowledging him as master and obeying him in all things.

Had it been before the battle of Suijin Town, Li Yi might well have latched onto Hong Chengchou's coattails. But now, Hong Chengchou was cooperating with the gentry and influential families of Yansui, while Li Yi had repeatedly received the protection of the Three Borders Viceroy Yang He, making him half a man of Shi Kefa and Yang He as well.

Changing masters was easy, but being branded a three-faced vassal was hardly worth it.

Li Yi had already made up his mind, but on the surface, he feigned hesitation and said heavily, "I must ask Your Excellency to grant this subordinate a few days to ponder this carefully."

A trace of displeasure flickered in Hong Chengchou's eyes, and his voice turned slightly chilly. "Since that is the case, go and think it over thoroughly."

With that, he picked up his brush and resumed writing his document.

Silence descended upon the tent, utterly devoid of the earlier cheerful and conversational atmosphere.

Li Yi knew this was Hong Chengchou's way of expressing dissatisfaction with him.

Yet, he had no desire to crawl through the mire of officialdom and waste his energy, so he naturally did not care.

"Since the Regional Inspector is busy with official duties, this subordinate will take his leave."

Li Yi cupped his fists and turned to leave directly.

Before he even stepped out of the tent, he heard Hong Chengchou say in an indifferent tone, "I received a letter from Mr. Feng, stating that you managed Longmen Town quite well, but the numbers for the funds and grain do not quite match up. Commander Li should go back and think carefully whether you forgot to account for something."

Emerging from the military tent, Li Yi wore a gloomy expression.

He Renlong, waiting outside, saw this and sneered triumphantly, "Commander Li, failing to recognize the times will only bring you suffering. One day, you will regret this."

With that, he cringed and bowed as he entered the central command tent, from whence humble and flattering sounds soon drifted out.

Returning to his camp, Li Yi felt deeply unsettled.

Compared to engaging in petty intrigues with officials like Hong Chengchou, he would much rather accomplish something tangible.

Yet the officialdom of the Great Ming was precisely this—fraught with petty corruption and vicious infighting, enough to drive a man to distraction.

As the night grew deeper, the imperial troops had all returned to their quarters.

Since there were no further battles ahead, Li Yi summoned Gao Jie, Gao Laoshi, and other squad leaders, bringing out wine so they could chat and drink together.

Gao Jie had been inquiring about the potential rewards for this battle.

He was thoroughly dissatisfied with his rank as a platoon commander and hoped to be promoted to a centurion, becoming a true martial officer.

Upon hearing Li Yi say that he would likely be promoted by one rank, Gao Jie grinned from ear to ear.

While they were chatting, faint sounds of weeping and wailing drifted in from the distance.

The sounds were intermittent, seeming to come from far away, sending a chill down one's spine in the deep of night.

"Did you hear something?" Li Yi asked.

Gao Jie and Gao Laoshi fell silent, listened closely for a moment, and then both shook their heads.

Li Yi set down his wine bowl, lifted the tent flap, and walked outside, closely followed by Gao Jie and Gao Laoshi.

The three of them crossed the encampment, walking several hundred paces before they saw imperial soldiers escorting prisoners out of the stockade.

These tattered, emaciated rebels were chained together by ropes, looking around with terror in their eyes.

Some knelt on the ground, begging for mercy, hoping the imperial soldiers would spare them, only to be met with beatings.

"Who goes there?" Two imperial soldiers approached with cold expressions.

Li Yi presented his waist plaque to show his identity and could not help asking, "What is going on here?"