Chapter 110:
On that same afternoon, Su Li received a message from Li Er. The assigned position was quite favorable guarding the capital region as a member of the Right Martial Guards. Su Li was very pleased with this arrangement made by Li Er. However, someone was quite dissatisfied!
In the palace, Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin, who glared angrily and sternly and felt a bit of a headache.
Your Majesty, I have no objections to having Lord Su Li join the Right Martial Guards, but Su Li lacks military achievements. Appointing him directly as a general makes things difficult for me!
At this moment, Cheng Yaojins appearance reminded Su Li of the historical figure known for his wild demeanor.
Rambunctious and somewhat lawless.
However, those who knew him well understood that this individual was as cunning as they came a highly intelligent individual of the Tang Dynasty.
He originally served as a former general for Wugang and only surrendered to the Great Tang during the early years of the Wude period. This left him with some inherent disadvantages in terms of qualifications.
But, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Cheng Yaojin firmly aligned himself with Li Er. This crucial decision propelled his rise through the ranks. He had a unique way of handling people and situations.
There were very few individuals in the court who could be both a loyal subject and a friend to Li Er. Furthermore, as Cheng Yaojin aged, his eccentricity only grew, making him an unpredictable figure in the court. If he werent shrewd, there would hardly be any intelligent individuals in Great Tang. His purpose for visiting Li Er this time was clear he didnt want Su Li to join the Right Martial Guards.
Before this, Cheng Yaojin had certainly heard of Su Li. Whether it was the previous incident of the rushed wedding or Su Lis subsequent literary achievements, news of it had spread throughout Changan.
Not to mention, Su Li even presented sweet potatoes and potatoes, earning the privilege of having his portrait hung in the Overhead Smoke Pavilion. However, for Cheng Yaojin, this held no value!
But did these three things connect to leading troops in combat, let alone the first half of a copper plate on a chariot?
When they were in battle, the enemy didnt care about their literacy level or whether they contributed to the nation and its people. It was a place where only weapons like swords and fists held significance.
Did Su Li intend to rely on mere luck to engage in combat and defeat the enemy?
Not to mention, Li Er appointed Su Li as the top general and the deputy second general, essentially Cheng Yaojins right-hand man!
What did Deputy Second General mean?
It was a deputy commander position on the battlefield, responsible for leading troops into actual combat. Cheng didnt want his Right Martial Guard unit to be associated with someone only interested in wine and food. This was a complete disregard for the officers and soldiers of the Right Martial Guard, a pure joke!
To call Su Li a wine and food enthusiast, Lao Cheng had his reasons. Li Er already informed him that Su Li would be free to come and go in the army and wouldnt have to follow military rules.
How could Su Li be posted to the Right Martial Guard like this?
He was being given an important role! So, Lao Cheng was extremely displeased.
When he received the order, he rushed to the palace, using his influence to protest and demand Li Er to reconsider.
Li Er sighed and said, I understand Su Lis capabilities, and this decision has been carefully thought through
Before Li Er could finish, Cheng Yaojin stared and said, Your Majesty, you know me! The Right Martial Guard follows strict regulations and is the fairest place. If youre promoting favorites, theres nothing more to say! But we cant give him the position of Deputy Second General!
Li Er couldnt help but burst into laughter upon hearing Cheng Yaojins suggestion, asking, So, what position do you think Su Li would be suitable for?
Cheng Yaojin shook his head and continued, Ive heard that Su Li has a writing talent and seems to have a knack for calculations. Why not let him manage the supplies and distribute rations to the soldiers?
Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin in disbelief. He had put in so much effort to fool Su Li. You dont just take a legendary warrior and make him a quartermaster. Have you lost your mind?
Cheng Yaojin paid no mind to this and continued, Your Majesty, its not that I, old Cheng, dont know whats good for him. Its just that Ive never seen anything like this before. Su Lis poetry is good, but marching and fighting arent about reciting poems. Not letting him go to the battlefield is ultimately for his own good!
After all, on the battlefield, danger is everywhere. If something were to happen to Su Li, I, old Cheng, wouldnt be able to bear that responsibility!
Lao Cheng looked firmly at Li Er, almost saying outright, Your Majesty, you wouldnt want Changle to become a widow at such a young age, would you?
It must be said that the generals under Li Ers command were indeed impressive. In other dynasties, relying on generals before the regimes establishment was common.
After achieving peace throughout the land, most rulers hid their weapons and let their horses roam freely in the mountains. Drawing lessons from Liu Bangs past mistakes and Zhu Bas execution of accomplished heroes, Li Ers approach was remarkably different. He appreciated the merits of the generals who fought alongside him and entrusted them with significant responsibilities.
During the Zhenguan period, the group of generals in the Tang Dynasty held a position equal to that of civil officers. During court meetings, both sides would frequently argue whenever their interests were involved.
When the generals couldnt convince the civil officers with words, they often resumed displaying their martial prowess, overflowing with martial virtues. Cheng Yaojin, as a fearsome figure, was known among civil officers for being quite unconventional!
Even during the Tang Dynasty, civil officers like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were seen in a similar light in Cheng Yaojins eyes. Changan, renowned for its martial and literary prowess, was enough for such individuals. Why did Li Er throw Su Li into the military and burden him?
Li Er was becoming impatient with Cheng Yaojins arguments and asked directly, Would you like a powerful general who can stand against formidable enemies with unmatched strength?
Of course, I would, who wouldnt want that! Cheng Yaojin immediately became excited.
Then why dont you want Su Li? Li Er asked playfully.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojins eyes widened in disbelief. Could Su Li be the peerless warrior mentioned by the emperor? This seemed impossible!
Lao Cheng couldnt help but shudder and looked at Li Er with a mixture of belief and doubt. He had never known Li Er to lie.
Your Majesty, youre not trying to fool me, are you? In Cheng Yaojins mind, Li Er had never deceived him. However, this news was just too unbelievable.
Seeing Li Er wasnt paying attention to him, Cheng Yaojin chuckled, touched his head, and left him alone.
At this point, Cheng Yaojin had already made up his mind. He planned to see it for himself. If Su Li was indeed as formidable as Li Er claimed, then it was a treasure he had stumbled upon.
If Su Li turned out to be average, Lao Cheng could even accept that. He could simply assign Su Li to be a quartermaster, a decision he still had the authority to make.
But if Su Li was incapable of the role, even if he had to protest and create a fuss, Cheng Yaojin was determined to have Li Er revoke his decision.
With his three strategies firmly set in his mind, Cheng Yaojin had made up his mind and left happily.
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