Finest Servant

Chapter 285 Declining the Army

"No more, no more," Lin Wanrong chuckled, hopping out of the combat ring. He laughed and said, "Little General Li is indeed a martial arts prodigy. I'm not his match. I concede, I concede."

Li Wuling had a rich family tradition in martial arts; he was undoubtedly skilled. However, compared to Lin Wanrong, a semi-expert who had also seen the battlefield, he fell short. Lin Wanrong had sparred with him for a few rounds, not fighting back, merely allowing him to vent the frustrations within his heart.

Despite his youth, Li Wuling was extremely sharp. He understood the situation, quickly pulling back his attacks. A flash of gratitude flickered in his eyes, and he bowed, saying, "Thank you, General Lin!"

Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, Lin Wanrong said, "What are you thanking me for? Just remember to include me the next time you play the lantern game. I still want to meet more ladies of quality. Speaking of which, I was taken advantage of during a lantern riddle competition a few days ago. I didn't drop your name, which was indeed a loss."

Li Wuling replied, "Indeed! In this capital, just dropping my name, Li Wuling, earns anyone some respect. No one dares to bully the Li family yet."

Lin Wanrong roared with laughter. Coming from a long line of distinguished generals and having a great reputation in the Great Hua, the kid indeed had the right to be arrogant.

Their sparring session on the training field had attracted many onlookers. Xu Zhen, who saw them joking and laughing together, held a great admiration for Lin Wanrong. He seemed like a magnet, effortlessly drawing everyone near him into camaraderie.

Finally, when the little menace Li Wuling left, Lin Wanrong started to grimace in pain in private, muttering, "This little runt doesn't know how to hold back. I let you win out of goodwill, but you specifically aimed for my weak spots." Although young, Li Wuling was somewhat headstrong. Enduring his punches today to help cultivate a future warrior for Great Hua, Lin Wanrong comforted himself, was not a wasted effort.

Li Sheng, Du Xiuyuan, and Hu Bugui had received Xu Zhen's report earlier and were hiding at a distance, watching General Lin "educate" Li Wuling. Seeing his pained expression, they hurried over, struggling to contain their laughter.

Seeing the three men, Lin Wanrong greeted them cheerfully, "Brothers, long time no see. I wish you all a joyful and prosperous year ahead."

They all laughed heartily together, gripping each other's hands firmly. Hu Bugui said, "General Lin, we saw your intense duel with Li Wuling on the training field. It was quite a sight, a true battle of the titans."

Lin Wanrong laughed. He didn't feel any regret over intentionally losing to Li Wuling. These men, all battle-hardened generals, could naturally see through it. Their playful teasing showed their deep bond as brothers, something none of them would hold against each other.

"How have you been faring at the Jinghua Academy, brothers? Have you learned anything new and interesting?" Lin Wanrong asked with a smile.

Shaking his head, Hu Bugui sighed, "Since childhood, I've detested school. I've had countless tutors trying to teach me to read and write. I never imagined that at this age, I'd have to return to school. It's quite unexpected."

Du Xiuyuan replied, "That's true, the time you, old Hu, spent in the brothel far surpasses the time you spent in school. Naturally, school can't compete with the brothel." A chorus of laughter echoed, Hu Bugui's face reddened slightly, yet he surprisingly made no retort.

Li Sheng, chuckling, informed Lin Wanrong, "General Lin, you're not aware. After Brother Hu arrived in the capital, he got attached to a woman in a brothel. They're so entwined now that he's raising funds to buy her freedom."

Sweat, so old Hu actually enjoyed this, his preference seemed quite similar to that of Gao Qiu who favored mature women. Somewhat embarrassed, Hu Bugui looked at Lin Wanrong and said, "General Lin, are you also here to study in this academy? That's excellent. With your leadership, we brothers will be able to learn better. After a month, we'll head to the front line, giving those barbarians a sound beating."

Lin Wanrong replied with a smile, "Brother Hu, I came today to bring someone to the academy, not to study here myself."

The men seemed taken aback, and Du Xiuyuan asked, "General Lin, why so? Marshal Xu had already prepared the recommendation letter. As soon as you arrived, our Right Wing Army's tens of thousands of brothers would have been reunited. At that time, going to battle, killing the northern nomads, and establishing unparalleled merit would be just around the corner. How can General Lin give up?"

With a light smile, Lin Wanrong responded, "Brothers, given my status, does this matter of the military have anything to do with me?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. They had been appreciated and promoted by Lin Wanrong, experienced bloodshed, and swiftly rose from hundred-man commander to ten-thousand-man commander. Their respect and gratitude for General Lin came from their hearts, and they had never considered his status. However, General Lin was different from them. He had no military status, and he wasn't interested in joining the army, which was why he had declined Marshal Xu's well-meaning offers to plead for his merit. If he didn't want to go, no one could force him. They had witnessed General Lin's spiritedness, but they couldn't understand why he seemed so passive at this moment.

The men looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Lin Wanrong chuckled and said, "I'm a simple person with no great ambitions, and never dream of achieving merits or building up a career. It would be better if you all didn't hold high hopes for me."

They exchanged glances, having witnessed General Lin's unique personality. He usually mingled with people with a jovial attitude, but he was resolute when it mattered. To persuade him would require time and opportunity, perhaps even the intervention of Xu Wei.

Hu Bugui and the others were pursuing advanced studies here, and they invited Lin Wanrong to visit their academy. The academy was quite spacious, with a large sand table positioned in the middle. Lin Wanrong took one look at it and was dumbfounded.

On the sand table, roads, mountains, rivers, and fields were all proportionally created. Even the city walls were modeled after the actual ones, with exceptional precision in their height and length. Comparing to the military sand table Lin Wanrong had seen in his past life, this one was a bit crude, but in this age of cold weapons, such thinking and initiative, and putting them into practice, was indeed a remarkable achievement.

Seeing Lin Wanrong's astonished expression, Du Xiuyuan laughed and asked, "General Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Wanrong nodded and asked, "Brother Du, who built this sand table?"

Du Xiuyuan looked on with admiration, "General Lin," he said, "you might find this hard to believe, and it puts us men to shame, but this sand table was actually created by a female teacher at the academy. Not only is she proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, astrology, and calendrical calculations, she's also unparalleled in military strategy. It's even said that General Li Tai often seeks her advice. This sand table is her labor of love, and we were all amazed when we first saw it."

Li Sheng interjected, "Our Divine Machine Unit's repeating crossbow was also modified by this teacher, becoming smaller in structure but significantly more powerful. Despite being men, we are all in great admiration of her."

A female teacher! A sand table! A repeating crossbow! No need to say, he knew who it was. ‘That girl, she's capable of all this? Damn it, should I take back what I said earlier? It's too challenging!’

As they were talking, Li Wuling brought over an old man, his hair and beard white and demeanor imposing. Upon seeing the old man, Hu Bugui and the others straightened up, bowing their heads in respect, "We greet General Li!"

General Li? Could this be the legendary pillar of Great Hua, Li Tai? Lin Wanrong looked up and saw the old man, his white hair and beard, forehead and corners of his eyes filled with wrinkles, yet he had a rosy complexion and an energetic spirit. His walk was purposeful and vigorous, full of authority.

Li Wuling giggled, "Grandpa, this is Lin San I told you about. He said he's never heard of your name, you can ask him. I'm not lying."

Sweat, this kid was conscienceless. ‘I played with you for such a long time, yet you dragged your family here to retaliate against me.’ Lin Wanrong hurriedly bowed his hand and said, "Could this kindly-faced yet imposing figure be the legendary Li Tai, the general who makes the northern nomads tremble in fear?"

Li Tai eyed Lin Wanrong up and down before suddenly asking, "You are the Lin San that Xu Wei spoke of? You look ordinary to me, I can't see how you're capable of leading an army to defeat the White Lotus Sect."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "What General Li said is correct. Ability is not something that can be seen, and it has nothing to do with one's appearance. Pan An may have had a face that could ruin kingdoms, but it's useless compared to General Li's mighty physique and tiger-like strength."

Li Tai stroked his beard and smiled, "Comparing me with Pan An, you certainly have a knack for it. Let me ask you, what is the most important thing when it comes to leading an army?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "General Li, can I not answer this question? My knowledge is limited, even if I do answer, I'm afraid I might not satisfy you."

Li Tai's face hardened, "Answer if you are asked, where did all this unnecessary talk come from?"

This old man, really straightforward, Lin Wanrong thought, his attempts at evading the question punctured. He thickened his skin and laughed awkwardly, "In leading an army, moral integrity is the most important. Without it, one would lose the heart of the army. Only by caring for the soldiers, being kind to others while strict with oneself, can you win over the people's hearts, and have your military orders carried out smoothly."

Li Tai chuckled, "You certainly know how to generalize, but how to win people's hearts is a significant issue. Let's hear your thoughts."

"That's simple," Lin Wanrong boldly declared, "Eat, live, and travel with them, treat them like brothers. Lead the charge, enjoy the rewards last, cherish the lives of your brothers, and learn to run away!"

Upon hearing the latter part of Lin Wanrong's statement, Hu Bugui and the others couldn't help but laugh, recalling the general's stunning remarks during the time he commanded the troops in Chuzhou. Li Tai questioned, puzzled, "Learning to run away? What does that mean?"

"Preserve the strength of the living, make no senseless sacrifices, learn to pull back the fist before striking again," Lin Wanrong replied with a smile. "Sometimes, fleeing is the only correct choice."

Li Tai stared at him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and declared, "If you were under my command and dared to utter such words, I would deal with you first."

Li Tai, a veteran of many battles, stared with such intensity that Hu Bugui and the others fell silent. Even the usually mischievous Li Wuling became quiet. But Lin Wanrong showed no fear. He smiled and said, "Even if General Li punished me, I would still act the same. General Li is responsible to Great Hua, while I am responsible to my brothers under my command. Our starting points are different, so naturally, our methods will also differ."

Seeing Lin San argue with the old General Li, everyone was quietly anxious. Hu Bugui subtly tugged at his clothes, to which Lin Wanrong subtly shook his head. Suddenly, Li Tai laughed, "You are quite young, but you do have some ideas, interesting indeed! Xu Wei has repeatedly recommended you in front of me. Today, after meeting you, I am somewhat surprised. Come to my camp, I will appoint you as a deputy commander. Show what you've got. If you manage the troops well, I'll promote you to the supreme commander. If you perform poorly, you can pack your things and leave directly!"

Hu Bugui and the others were elated. It turned out that Li Tai's stern questioning was because he valued General Lin. Being in General Li Tai's camp was the dream of countless Great Hua soldiers, implying great military exploits and endless glory. Li Tai's direct invitation for Lin San to serve as a deputy commander in his camp indicated his high regard for him. Although Xu Wei's recommendation was not to be ignored, Lin San's performance also played a significant role.

Seeing Lin Wanrong in a daze, Du Xiuyuan urgently pulled him, saying, "General Lin, General Lin--"

"Oh?" Lin Wanrong snapped back to reality, seeing Li Tai looking at him, he gave a wry smile, "Thank you, General Li, for your kindness. However, I am inexperienced and have no plans to serve in the military again. I'm afraid I might disappoint you."

"What?" Li Tai grunted, "You don't want to come? So, after becoming the Commander of Xu Wei's right wing, you don't want to serve as a Deputy Commander under me? I tell you, fighting the northern nomads and annihilating the White Lotus are two different things. The northern nomads are ten times more formidable than the White Lotus. They are not mere common thieves."

Seeing Li Tai's bristling eyebrows and commanding presence, even Li Wuling hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, "Lin San, it's a rare opportunity that grandfather values you so highly. You should accept his offer. You're the one I recommended!"

Lin Wanrong was at a loss, when had he become so sought after? Even the pillar of Great Hua wanted him to serve in the military. If he refused, this old man would be extremely upset.

Lin Wanrong said seriously, "General Li, I have never been interested in military affairs, nor do I have the desire to join the military. This time I came to the capital because I have other matters to attend to. I hope the old general understands!"

"Nonsense! The rise and fall of a nation are everyone's responsibility. As a grown man, you should be out in the field, making achievements. How can you be tied down by trivial matters? What could be more important than the security of our Great Hua?" Li Tai thundered in anger.

How could Lin Wanrong say that he couldn't join the army because he was searching for a wife? He knew his own circumstances; being drafted by Xu Wei to quash the White Lotus rebellion and accidentally winning battles. Facing the northern nomads on the front line this time around wasn't like ten against one, as was the case with the White Lotus; this was a life-or-death blood battle, devoid of any chance to play tricks. If he alone died in battle, it wouldn't be a big deal. There would just be a few more widows in the world. However, if he caused his brothers to get hurt, he could never atone for his crime, even in death.

The crowd couldn't understand his feelings. Watching Lin Wanrong's firm shake of the head, Li Tai was greatly disappointed and sighed, "Xu Wei's judgment is usually impeccable, but it seems he has missed the mark this time. What a pity, such a pity!"

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