Chapter Fifteen Night Talks

  "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

  Dingzhou Governor Fang Wenshan, Dingzhou Military Commander Xiao Yuanshan led the civil and military officials of Dingzhou to kneel down in a full courtyard, bowing their heads to listen to the imperial envoy. Shouning Hou Li Tuiyi read out the imperial edict with a serious expression, but in fact, the content of the imperial edict had already been clearly understood by those present through various channels, and now it was just going through the motions.

  Li Qing, as a Eagle-yang school lieutenant, originally did not have the qualifications to come here and listen to the imperial edict. However, this imperial edict had a special decree for him, so he was allowed to come forward and kneel at the very back. At this time, he didn't hear anything clearly in his ears, but just bowed his head and thought about his own thoughts. Li Tui, Shou Ning Hou, his nominal second uncle, how should he face him with what attitude?

  Finally heard the sound of "long live, long live, long long live" thanking, everyone in the scene simultaneously let out a big breath, and the defeat of Dingzhou Army was considered over. The people present were all right, still doing what they used to do, except for one person who had a pie fall from the sky - Li Qing, the original Youxiong Camp Yunwei School Lieutenant, was promoted three ranks in a row, skipping Zhenwu School Lieutenant, and became the main officer of Changsheng Camp, General. From now on, he can be called a general! A 20-year-old general! Everyone looked at Li Qing with envy, it's the Li family after all, no wonder, this noble son has no merit but still gets promoted, let alone Li Qing had real military merit in this great defeat.

  Li Qing accepted the congratulations from everyone in a wooden manner, drank the wine to entertain the imperial envoy with everyone in a wooden manner, and then returned to Changsheng Camp in a wooden manner.

  Wang Qinyan and others who had already received the order raised the brand new flag of Changshengying on the top of the camp, and the only 1,000 people in the whole camp lined up neatly to welcome their General back to the camp.

  "Welcome, General Li!" The thunderous shout of over a thousand people startled Li Qing, who finally came back to his senses. Seeing the eager gazes of Wang Qinyan and his men, he weakly waved his hand, "Enough, you all go back first, I want to rest for a bit!" He dismissed his men and walked alone into his tent, wanting to quietly think things over. He knew that next, Li Tui, the Duke of Shouning, would definitely come looking for him.

  Behind him, Wang Qinyan and others had already captured Tang Hu and Yang Yidao, and were interrogating them about everything that happened in the state government.

  The imperial envoy, Li Tui, looked up and down at the Li Qing in front of him. His robust physique was a head taller than himself and his third brother. His face had a faint shadow of his third brother's youthful appearance, but his eyes sparkled with a wisdom that didn't match his age, a knowingness that came from experiencing many storms and seeing through the world's red dust, as well as a hint of arrogance and unruliness.

  "General Li Qing of the Invincible Garrison requests an audience with Your Excellency!" Li Qing hesitated for a moment, then went down to pay his respects.

  "Hey! Li Tui Zhi sneered, just as Father had expected. It turned out that Li Qing had been harboring resentment, no wonder Father had arranged for him to come over personally."

  "What's wrong, you don't even want to call out 'Second Uncle'?" Li Tui said coldly without going to help Li Qing.

  Li Qingwei lay on the ground, neither getting up nor responding. Stubbornly pressing his head to the ground, he didn't say a word. The two were locked in a stalemate for a while, until Li Tui let out a sigh and said, "Forget it, you're indeed a stubborn one, get up!"

  Li Qing got up and stood aside with his hands tied behind him, looking down at his toes. "Sit!" Li Tui ordered gruffly.

  "Your matter, Third Brother has been keeping it a secret all along. Father and I only found out this time." Li Tui said slowly, but in fact he was lying. An Guo Gong Li Huaiyuan had indeed just found out, but he had already known for some time. "Do you resent your father in your heart?"

  "I don't dare!" Li Qing spat out two words from his throat.

  "You say you don't dare, but in fact you're resentful, aren't you?" Li Tui's words were slow and deliberate as he took a sip of tea, saying: "Actually, I wouldn't blame you either. If this matter had been placed on me, I would have resented it too."

  "From your reluctance to call me uncle, I know you have a great deal of resentment, but you haven't changed your surname or name, which means that in your heart, you still acknowledge yourself as a member of the Li clan." Li Tui's stroked his beard and nodded, "This is good, this point has made Father very pleased. If you had changed your surname, this commander position would not have fallen into your hands."

  Li Qing raised his head and gazed at Li Tui with piercing eyes.

  "Do you know why I came to Dingzhou in person this time?"

  "Didn't you come to proclaim an edict?" Li Qing asked back.

  "Hmph, Li Tuiyi sneered: 'Does the imperial decree need me to personally deliver it? This time, it was Father who personally ordered me to come. Delivering the imperial decree is just a detour, and I'm mainly here for you.'"

  "I don't understand!" Li Qing said vaguely.

  Li Tui-zhi nodded in satisfaction, this young man did not refer to himself as a subordinate official, which had already opened up a gap psychologically. This was not strange at all, for in this era, clan ideology was far stronger than national ideology.

  "This time I came, it is to untie your knot in the heart, let you return to the Li family. You haven't been listed on the family tree yet, this time Father has already put your name on the family tree. When you have time to return to the capital, we will formally let you recognize your ancestors and return to your roots. You are the eldest son of Weiyuan Houfu, this is no longer in doubt."

  Looking at Li Tui's garrulous, unquestionable and irrefutable words, a spark of ideas flashed through Li Qing's mind. Having been in this world for long enough, he understood more than enough. The Great Chu was no longer an era where imperial power reigned supreme; the imperial court's power was basically manipulated by several large aristocratic families. To put it bluntly, if these few large families joined forces, changing emperors would be a trivial matter. However, since they were currently mutually restrained, this allowed the Great Chu to barely survive. Once this balance was broken, the collapse of the Great Chu would occur in an instant. The Li family happened to be one of the influential aristocratic families among them. By relying on this great tree, he would live a better life; after all, his body originally belonged to the Li clan as well.

  "Thank you, Grandfather and Second Uncle." Li Qing said in a low voice.

  When he heard this, Li Tui's face revealed a smile. The reason why the Duke of An wanted to send him was that he was worried that Li Qing would be arrogant and untrained, harboring resentment towards the Li family and refusing to acknowledge his ancestors. Now Li Qing's reaction is obviously better than expected, which seems to Li Tui as a matter of course.

  "Alright, very well, since that's the case, we can speak freely now." Li Tui nodded, "Nephew, you left home at a young age and have been wandering outside for a long time. What are your thoughts on the current situation?"

  Is this going to test myself? Li Qing thought to himself.

  "The imperial power is declining, and the aristocratic families are in control of the government. To put it seriously, the current situation is like a precarious balance, and the Great Chu is already in a state of turmoil. Once the winds blow and the rains pour down, it will inevitably collapse." Li Qing said in a deep voice.

  Li Tui's hands clasped together, "The situation is already so dire, what do you think the Li family should do? Should we continue to support the Great Chu or retreat and protect ourselves?"

  Li Qing's eyes flashed, "For now, the aristocratic families are still in balance, and the Great Chu can barely maintain its dignity. My Li family should support the Great Chu to preserve our reputation and secretly accumulate strength. Once the situation changes, we can either seize power in the Central Plains or retreat to protect our family's honor."

  "How can I accumulate strength? Do you know the current situation of our Li family?" Li Tui asked back.

  Li Qing stood up, walked to Li Tui's front, dipped his hand in tea water, and drew a few strokes on the tea table. "Uncle, please take a look. Although my Li family is strong, the land of Wing State is actually a place of four battles, with no danger to rely on. Moreover, it is rich in products. Once the world is in chaos, my Wing State can still protect itself, but if I want to go further, it will be even more difficult. If the chaotic times last, my Wing State will inevitably be explored by others. At that time, it will be the day of decline for my Li family. Therefore, going out of Wing State is already a key part of my Li family's plan."

  Li Tui looked at Li Qing deeply and asked, "If it were you, what would you do?"

  Li Qing smiled slightly, "Grandfather is far-sighted and has already set things in motion, isn't he?"

  Li Tui burst out laughing, "Ah, Jia'er is indeed a blessing to our Li family. Third brother, third brother, I really don't know what you were thinking, letting such a wonderful child drift away to who-knows-where?"

  "Uncle's excessive praise, I'm just a frog in the well, speaking wildly about the situation. Second Uncle, please don't be offended." Li Qing said with a bow.

  "No, you're absolutely right. Father indeed has this intention. Previously when Father discussed the situation with you, it was surprisingly in agreement. However, Qing Er, as a small general in Dingzhou, what kind of plan can you have? You should know that later on you will belong to the Dingzhou army, and the Li family cannot occupy the Dingzhou army." Li Tui asked.

  Li Qing said proudly: "Once I encounter the wind and clouds, I will turn into a dragon. Uncle, it's not Li Qing boasting, as long as I have a foothold, within three years, I will make Dingzhou my own territory. When the chaotic era arrives, Dingzhou and Yizhou will attack in two directions, take down Fuzhou, and the three states will be connected as one piece, and the world can be asked about it."

  "Good!" Li Tui's laughter was loud and clear, "With such ambition, you are worthy of being a member of the Li family. Qing Er, I promise you here today that if you can take down Dingzhou within three years, then the successor to the Li family's three houses will be you, not your father's eldest son Li Feng."

  Li Tui-zhi excitedly circled the room several times, originally he was sent by An Guo Gong to comfort Li Qing and casually lay down a chess piece, but unexpectedly Li Qing's words were astonishing, his view of the world situation was extremely clear, with obvious goals, clearly well thought out and planned in advance, couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had come this time.

  "Qing'er, this time I've brought 100,000 taels of silver for you. I think that since the Constant Victory Camp is newly established, there are many places where money is needed. You must firmly grasp this army in your hands. Father knows that you currently don't have many people at hand, so on my way here, I also brought a few attendants. Use them first, and if they're suitable, keep them afterwards. In the future, just let us know what you need - people or money - and we'll provide it."

  Li Qing thought to herself, "Of course I want the money, but what about the people? If your men come in large numbers, will Changsheng Camp still be mine?" But she only thanked him repeatedly.

  "Remember this, Qing'er, as long as there is a clan, you are Li Qing. Without the clan, you are nothing." Li Tuiyi looked at Li Qing with a serious face, "For the glory of the Li family."

  Li Qing fell to his knees with a thud, clutching at his chest: "For the Li clan!"