Chapter 336: Why Pretend to Be Generous?
"The power of Heaven's Wrath on the battlefield far exceeds anything we could have imagined."
Unlike Li Yi, who was preoccupied with analyzing the subtleties of Qi Nation's diplomatic maneuvers, Her Highness the Princess had little interest in such matters. The Qi envoy who had sped through the countryside at breakneck speed to deliver his message had collapsed in exhaustion upon reaching Jingdu and had to be revived by the Imperial Physicians. Once he awoke, he provided a detailed account of the battle.
Qi Nation, with its robust military and shared border with Jing Nation, had been a constant source of friction for decades. The Qi soldiers, renowned for their ferocity and superior weaponry, often forced Jing soldiers to pay a heavy price on the battlefield—several lives for just one Qi soldier. The might of Qi Nation had long been etched deeply into the hearts of the people of Jing.
This overwhelming strength was also why Qi envoys, and indeed all Qi people, dared to act so arrogantly in Jingdu.
However, the tides had turned. Jing Nation, long burdened by weakness, had finally enjoyed a moment of glory.
Under Heaven's Wrath, no city could withstand its power. Within a radius of three zhang, no life remained. Warhorses panicked, Qi soldiers scattered, clutching their heads and begging the gods for mercy. General Xu Dingyuan not only crushed the Qi army but also took advantage of the momentum, breaking through two additional cities using the power of Heaven's Wrath. Only when the supplies ran low did he call for the troops to retreat, stationing a heavy garrison at the border. It would not be long before the army returned to Jingdu in triumph.
Until a way to counter Heaven's Wrath was discovered, Qi Nation would not dare act recklessly again.
"We mustn't become overly reliant on Heaven's Wrath. After all, it’s an external force. In the end, we still need the bravery of soldiers and the superior command of generals. If the enemy uncovers the secret of Heaven's Wrath, things could take a turn for the worse," Li Yi reminded.
Li Mingzhu nodded thoughtfully and then turned to him. "This victory was only possible because of your contributions. What reward would you like?"
"You overstate my role," Li Yi replied modestly. Then, with a casual grin, he added, "But if you insist on rewarding me, perhaps a noble title? A County Duke will suffice. As for the material rewards, nothing excessive—ten thousand taels of gold and a thousand qing of fertile land. Not too much to ask, right?"
He emphasized "ten thousand taels of gold" this time, hoping to avoid being brushed off with a paltry reward like a thousand copper coins again.
While Li Yi had often found the duties of an official burdensome—working harder than a dog, rising earlier than a rooster, and constantly outsmarting others—becoming a noble who only collected a stipend without having to lift a finger was an entirely different matter. A luxurious mansion, beautiful wives and concubines, and no need to strive for anything; the state would take care of it all. His days would be spent basking in the sun, teasing maids, and, when bored, visiting the goulan to enjoy a few songs and dances. Such a life could save him decades of effort.
Of course, if he brought Liu Ruyi over, the idea of concubines would be out of the question. She would never allow it. Even if she reluctantly agreed, Second Miss Liu certainly wouldn’t. He could already imagine waking up the morning after marrying a concubine, only to find her at the bottom of a well...
"Not too much?" Her Highness the Princess crossed her arms and fixed him with a skeptical look. "Since the founding of the nation, no noble title has been granted without military merit. Even earning the title of County Viscount is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Do you know how many County Dukes there are in the entire court? Ten thousand taels of gold—do you realize how much this campaign cost? If we rewarded you a few more times, the Imperial Treasury would be empty. And as for a thousand qing of fertile land, even a prince's hereditary estates only amount to ten thousand mu. Do you think you’re worth ten princes?"
Li Yi gave her a disdainful look. She was the one who asked what he wanted as a reward, yet now she couldn’t fulfill a single request. Why pretend to be generous?
"Forget it. Reward me however you like. I’m going to see Li Xuan fly his kite."
Li Xuan had become increasingly inventive. Somehow, he had recruited several master craftsmen to help with his glider project. In just a few days, the contraption had become so advanced that even Li Yi himself could no longer understand it.
"Becoming a County Duke is out of the question. You’re just a minor County Captain with no title. Leaping to the rank of a first-rank County Duke is impossible. Ten thousand taels of gold? Keep dreaming. Even if Father agrees, the ministers won’t. A thousand qing of fertile land? Where would we find that much to give you?"
Li Yi rolled his eyes at the princess, who had followed him. If she wasn’t going to give him anything, did she really need to rub it in?
"Still," she continued, "your contributions aren’t insignificant. Father is fair in his rewards and punishments. He won’t shortchange you. Stop fooling around and focus."
Li Mingzhu frowned at Li Yi’s distracted demeanor.
Li Xuan, overhearing, couldn’t help but interject. "Why do you call it fooling around? I’m helping His Majesty! Imagine if our contraptions could fly higher on the battlefield. They’d be the perfect scouts—revealing the enemy’s numbers, supply routes, troop divisions, terrain, and ambushes. Wouldn’t everything be laid bare before us?"
To back up Li Xuan, Li Yi added, "And think about it. If we could drop Heaven's Wrath from the air, what would happen then?"
In their lifetime, perhaps the very first primitive bombers would emerge from Li Xuan’s designs.
At the mention of anything beneficial to the nation, Her Highness the Princess grew serious. She turned her gaze to the guard who was now flying above the treetops, lost in thought.
...
"Your Majesty, the Qi envoy has rested at the Honglu Temple for several days. After presenting their formal letter, they are preparing to leave Jingdu."
Emperor Jing seemed not to hear Chang De’s report. He turned a clay jar without a fuse over in his hands and murmured, "It’s a shame I couldn’t witness the moment our Jing soldiers routed the Qi army."
"Minister Xu’s contributions were outstanding in this campaign," he continued. "Promote him to Assistant General Protecting the Nation. When the army returns, I shall personally welcome them and reward the troops."
A rare smile appeared on Chang De’s usually stony face. This victory was monumental for Jing Nation. It fulfilled Emperor Jing’s long-held dream of making the nation strong enough to resist foreign aggression. This was the first and most significant step.
This single battle had greatly enhanced the emperor’s authority, silencing many critics in the court.
"Minister Yan submitted a memorial today," Chang De reported, "noting that horseshoes have reduced our army’s equine costs by sixty percent. The Ministry of Justice also proposes implementing the interrogation methods of Anxi County across all prefectures, which could significantly reduce abuses by corrupt officials. The Imperial Medical Bureau has petitioned for recognition of County Captain Li Yi’s innovations—cardiopulmonary resuscitation and wound suturing—which have saved countless lives and hold immense potential on the battlefield. Without his Heaven's Wrath, we might not have won this war, let alone captured territory..."
Emperor Jing murmured to himself, listing Li Yi’s contributions over the past six months as if recounting treasures.
"I see it clearly now. He’s a wildcard. When it comes to governance, many in court surpass him. But in the things he can accomplish, no one can replace him."
Chang De’s smile deepened. "Today is the sixtieth birthday of Li Yi’s grandmother. That lazy boy would probably love nothing more than to run as far from court as possible. Be careful, or he might slip away."
Emperor Jing chuckled. "I’m grateful for that trip to Qing’an Prefecture. Without it, how could I have gained so much?"
"Father! Father!"
A clear, lively voice rang out from the palace gates. A cheerful figure ran into the hall, with two guards chasing after her, their faces pale with fear as they knelt to plead for forgiveness.
"Enough. Leave us," Emperor Jing said, waving them away. Then he turned to the young girl in palace attire. "Shouning, what brings you here today?"
"Just wanted to see you!" she replied with a giggle, skipping toward him.