Chapter 13: Sent as an Envoy to Nanjing (9th Watch)

  Qishan looked at Li Zhen and asked in a gentle voice: "Li Zhen, what makes you say that?"

  He Ming saw Qi's gentle tone and thought it was ominous.

  Especially since He Ming had lost face in front of Li Zhen, he knew that Li Zhen was extremely cunning. Now that Qi Shan had brought it up, Li Zhen must have been absolutely sure of himself. He Ming's eyes rolled around, and he gritted his teeth, saying reluctantly: "Sir, Commander Li is right, please ask Commander Li to explain how to deal with the captured bandits."

  He Ming retreated decisively, and Li Zhen also lost his chance to deal with He Ming, so he temporarily gave up.

  Qishan asked again: "Li Zhen, what do you think should be done?"

  Li Zhenlang said loudly: "Sir, last time we killed Yang Zhengqing and captured more than 1,600 bandits. This time there are more than 8,300 bandits, nearly 10,000 people. If we kill 10,000 bandits, the Jiangbei camp can be proud for a while, and the emperor will also reward you. However, 'a tall tree is easily swayed by the wind', sir, you have performed too well, which will put all the pressure on your body."

  Qishan nodded and waved his hand: "Continue!"

  Li Zhen continued: "Once Yang Xiuqing gets angry, the Taiping Army will unite to deal with you, and the army will attack the Jiangbei camp. It must be a disaster that puts you in danger. I think we can let Yang Xiuqing prepare 100,000 taels of silver to redeem the 10,000 bandits in the camp. If Yang Xiuqing does not agree, then kill all the bandits."

  Qishan's eyes lit up, and a delighted expression appeared on his face.

  One hundred thousand taels of silver is no small sum!

  Nowadays, national affairs are difficult and the treasury is short of silver. The court needs silver everywhere.

  The national treasury is short of money, leading to reduced military expenses, and the reduced military expenses have resulted in insufficient strength. The Jiangbei Grand Camp has also tightened its belt. If we can get 100,000 taels of silver out of thin air, it will be extremely beneficial for the development of the Jiangbei Grand Camp. At that time, Qi Shan can mediate again and modify the matter of selling the bandits to Yang Xiuqing, turning it into a loyal and patriotic act.

  Qishan thought for a moment and said worriedly: "The method is good, but will Yang Xiuqing agree?"

  Li Zhen said confidently and calmly: "Sir, Yang Xiuqing cannot but agree to this matter. If Yang Xiuqing disregards the lives of 10,000 bandits, his reputation will plummet, and no one will be willing to serve him."

  Qishan nodded and said, "That makes sense, but who should we send?"

  Li Zhen looked at He Ming with a cold gaze and said, "Sir, I think General He's trip to Nanjing is the most suitable. General He is an old general in the army, rich in experience, brave and loyal, he will certainly argue reasonably and fight for more benefits for you. Who knows, maybe General He's efforts will turn 100,000 taels of silver into 150,000 or even 200,000."

  "Ah!!"

  He Ming let out a loud cry and his legs went limp, directly falling onto the ground.

  Sweat dripped from his forehead as he secretly cursed Li Zhen's wickedness.

  Being sent to Nanjing is going to be a death sentence!

  If he really met Yang Xiuqing, and provoked Yang Xiuqing's anger, being killed by Yang Xiuqing would be a futile death. He Ming couldn't care about his own dignity, and hastily came to Qi Shan's side, saying: "Sir, although I am willing to go on an envoy to Nanjing for you, but my mouth is not clever, rough and rude, I'm afraid I will ruin your good affairs."

  "He Ming pointed at Li Zhen and said loudly, 'Sir, among all the generals in the army, only Li Zhen is the most suitable. He has twice defeated the bandits, he is brave and wise, with a strong will, he is the best candidate!'"

  Qishan looked at He Ming's disheveled appearance and frowned, very unhappy.

  Looking at Li Zhen, he saw that Li Zhen was neither arrogant nor humble, with an endless confidence in his eyes, and indeed a talented person. He had even more appreciation for Li Zhen, who was the talent he had discovered.

  Qishan asked: "Li Zhen, are you willing to go to Nanjing?"

  Li Zhen furrowed his brow and said, "Your Excellency has ordered me to go, I will not decline, I am willing to share your worries. However, there are still many things in the army that have not been taken care of..."

  He Ming interrupted Li Zhen's words before he could finish speaking.

  He Ming, regardless of his own dignity, blurted out: "Li Zhen, you keep saying that you are loyal to the master and willing to share his worries. Then go to Nanjing to meet Yang Xiuqing, this is the most important thing." He Ming thought that Li Zhen would die at the hands of Yang Xiuqing, and Wu Qigong had no arms, so he was secretly excited.

  Li Zhenlang sneered: "General He, I am not a three-year-old child, no need to use the method of urging the general."

  Qishan said: "If you are unwilling, this official will let someone else go."

  Li Zhen was his beloved and loyal, but not as arrogant as Huang Shi-hai, so Qi Shan valued Li Zhen very much and did not want him to get into trouble.

  "Your Excellency, I am willing to go, and I will definitely bring back 100,000 taels of white silver for you."

  Qishan was moved by Li Zhen's bravery in going deep into the tiger's lair for him.

  He Ming became excited and secretly delighted.

  The matter of the captives having been settled, Qi Shan again consulted with the other generals on other matters, and only then did they each return to their camps. After Li Zhen returned to his camp, he called for Huang Shi-hai and Huang Hu, and told them about going to Nanjing.

  The two men looked worried and thought Li Zhen was foolish. Huang Hu said firmly, "Sir, going to Nanjing is like jumping into a tiger's den. If Yang Xiuqing doesn't want to exchange the one million rounds of ammunition, it will be dangerous for you. You can't go."

  "Huang Shi Hai said: 'Sir, you can't be arrogant.'"

  Li Zhen said with a calm and composed tone, "You are all wrong. I am not showing off, but have made up my mind to do this. When meeting Qi Shan, I deliberately pulled He Ming along, just to let him push me out and take the opportunity to go to Nanjing."

  "Sir, are you out of your mind?"

  "Huang Shi Hai asked: 'Sir, why are you doing this?'"

  Li Zhen took a deep breath and said, "This time we captured 10,000 bandits. According to the nature of military leaders, they will definitely kill all 10,000 people. Once the news spreads, Yang Xiuqing, Hong Xiuquan, Wei Changhui and others may unite together. If the Taiping Army launches a large-scale attack on Jiangbei Camp, it won't be just Qi Shan who is in danger, but also us."

  Li Zhen paused for a moment and said with relish: "As long as we return the 10,000 guns to Yang Xiuqing, we can temporarily exchange for a stable situation. As long as the overall situation is stable, we will continue to fight against the bandits on a small scale, constantly making achievements, in order to gain more benefits and obtain greater power."

  Huang Shi Hai was shocked in his heart, he didn't expect Li Zhen's consideration to be so thorough.

  Li Zhen was no longer considering the future of Jiangbei Dazhan, but rather his own prospects. Huang Shi Hai had a subtle excitement in his heart, because he had followed the right person, and Li Zhen's words were treating him as a confidant.

  "What about it? Have you agreed?"

  In fact, Li Zhen had another reason that he didn't mention. If Yang Xiuqing were to put the main force of the Taiping Army in the Jiangbei camp, it would reduce the strength of the northern expedition, and history would change at this point. This was not what Li Zhen wanted to see, he wanted to maintain the status quo as much as possible, so that he could predict the future trend, make strategies more easily, and increase his own strength.

  Huang Shi-hai said: "Sir, it's very dangerous for you to go to Nanjing to meet Yang Xiuqing. I'll accompany you there."

  "Huang Hu said: 'Sir, I'll follow you too.'"

  Li Zhen shook his head and said, "There's no need for too many people to go to Nanjing, just let Shi Hai follow. Huang Hu will stay in the camp and keep a close eye on He Ming to prevent him from making any small moves."

  "Rest assured, sir, I won't let He Ming cause any trouble."