Book 15: Chapter 92
Li Chengzhi hadn’t had a free moment in days. In just a few days’ time, he had befriended numerous outlaws and discussed big business with them. Needless to say, he was in great spirits. He never felt any fatigue despite repeating the same speech and convincing the outlaws to join his cause over twenty times each day. To the contrary, he felt himself edging closer to his old peak. He could never get bored of acting mystical at a banquet and ordering people around while they addressed him as “Your Highness“. Whenever they listened to his speeches, he felt his old self again.
All the officers involved in the base’s riot were executed. Though the upper echelon gave a strict order to not overdo it, over a dozen more soldiers were executed, as well, so while it wasn’t a major acute problem, it did bring about a harmful consequence.
Whether or not the turmoil in Jiangnan would’ve been settled in one battle or a prolonged catastrophe likely hinged on the might of the imperial court’s forces. The base outside the capital was meant to be part of the vanguard in the future war against the Seven Champion White Princes, and nobody expected one of the most important units to face a problem so soon. Putting aside the bad luck it suggested for a newly formed unit to be in trouble so soon, there was also the fact that their problems put a dent in the supporters’ confidence. Perhaps the best way to describe the impact of the riot was that it was a dark cloud that nobody knew when it’d leave.
Secretary Lie, who was in charge of troop training, made a wise decision to start from the barrack outside the capital. Notwithstanding his appearance, he was truly competent at managing soldiers. As a former soldier and part of the war for the throne, he had also participated in battles in Beijiang and the Western Regions. Not only was he adept at strategy, but he was also a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Even though battles were rare ever since Emperor Yuansheng ascended, he was part of every battle.
Among the survivors who fought alongside Secretary Lie – Lie Jingchan – back then, only two remained in service. One of them had disabled legs, so he continued serving the imperial court in the capacity of an intelligence handler. The other oversaw Jinyong, but his boy-toy appearance ruined his career prospects. Among the three of them, Secretary Lie was the stalwart in training soldiers.
Due to Secretary Lie’s accomplishments on the battlefield thirty years ago, he was granted an exception and promoted to vice-general. It was during his time in the post that he learnt how to train troops. After the fall of his leader and prior to Baima being stationed at Jinyong, it was Secretary Lie who defeated the enemies at the border. Before he entered the capital, he was hailed as the last star of the former monarch.
Everybody knew that the secretary post didn’t mesh with Lie Jingchan’s personality, so it wasn’t surprising that being granted the post was one of the most frustrating things in his life. He liked the empty view of nature, not the presence of shrewd men. He accepted the role, though, because he wanted to serve, so he accepted it in case it made His Majesty look bad.
It was suffocating to argue in court and only be able to clobber a few people whilst patrolling barracks, so being able to enter the capital’s barrack was a great beginning for Secretary Lie. Without His Majesty having to say a word, nobody in the barrack dared to mention the riot the moment Secretary Lie entered.
Usually, none of Lie Jingchan’s opponents in court welcomed him, yet not a soul in court celebrated when he didn’t show up. Instead, the atmosphere was even tenser than when he was present. The mere fact that he had returned to an army barrack was enough to raise stress levels.