Chapter 104: The Legendary Vice General Wang Qian!

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Originally, Li Yuanjing thought that Zhang Zhiji valued his role somewhat, attempting to protect himself by using Li as a mere "white glove." But only upon witnessing the awe of the local gentry and powerful families did Li truly grasp Zhang Zhiji’s deeper intent! This young man was no less trying to exploit him as a “plaything” to tarnish his own image, thereby lowering the suspicions of these influential figures.

Meanwhile, the likes of the benevolent Xue and these gentry, while ostensibly marveling at Li’s poetry and calligraphy, were in fact feeling a great weight lift off their shoulders and relaxing their guard against Zhang Zhiji.

This realization stirred in Li Yuanjing an unprecedented desire—to leave this era altogether.

He had once believed that the backstabbing and scheming among rivals and colleagues in modern corporations were already complex enough. But now...

Li couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at his own naivety. As a time traveler, he had truly been ‘blind to the forest for the trees.’

At this moment, sensing the atmosphere was ripe, Zhang Zhiji smiled and said, “Mr. Li, would you say a few words to everyone?”

Li Yuanjing, his guard now at its peak, feigned awkwardness, as if unused to grand occasions, and stammered, “Young lord, I—this isn’t necessary, is it?”

“Oh?” came a voice. “Mr. Li, what are you saying? Even the young lord holds you in such esteem. We all wish to hear your teachings…”

Before Zhang could speak, someone from the crowd laughed sincerely.

Suddenly, the group grew lively, all eager to ‘listen’ to Li Yuanjing’s advice.

Zhang Zhiji shot Li an encouraging glance.

Li felt cold inside but feigned nervousness, swallowing hard as he said, “If that is so, then I shall be so bold as to say a few words. I hope next year brings favorable winds and timely rain to Fengcheng, so the people may have a bountiful harvest and live in peace. I also hope that Fengcheng’s scholars will excel in the upcoming provincial exams and produce more successful candidates.”

“Ha! Well spoken, Mr. Li!”

“May we borrow your auspicious words, sir…”

The crowd grew even louder.

Yet, in every gaze cast toward Li Yuanjing, there was a relaxed contempt. Zhang Zhiji seemed shrewd, but he had pushed forward a delicate yet useless pillow—an obvious bookish fool like Li. If he was going to endorse someone, shouldn’t it be a figure of some substance? Instead, he chose Li, a man seemingly befuddled by his readings.

But that suited them perfectly. The gentry would no longer need to walk on eggshells.

However, while the gentry remained uneasy, Liu Yun in the corner couldn’t suppress a cold smile. Anyone who dared regard Mr. Li as a fool—their entire family, even their ancestors for eighteen generations, would be the real fools!

...

After endorsing Li Yuanjing, Zhang Zhiji cunningly took his leave first, leaving Li and the Fengcheng gentry to their own devices.

This instantly made Li Yuanjing quite the “hot commodity.”

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After all, having been publicly endorsed by Zhang Zhiji, the gentry—at least out of respect—had to come and get acquainted with Li Yuanjing.

By now, Li’s mind was extraordinarily calm. He greeted the gentry with feigned composure, careful not to reveal any cracks.

Yet inwardly, he had come to understand much more.

Zhang Zhiji’s elaborate display and his claim of training troops were pure nonsense.

Perhaps calling it nonsense was harsh—Zhang did show some sincerity toward Li, maybe ten to twenty percent sincere.

Considering the circumstances and various cause-and-effect patterns, Li had formed his own judgment.

Zhang Zhiji’s intent to consolidate military power from across the region was likely true.

But his central objective was to plant roots in Fengcheng County, probably targeting the Wenscent Sect!

Otherwise, why not simply collect military command from Fengcheng’s garrison and be done with it? Why create such a fuss?

This thought made Li shiver.

Could it be that Zhang Zhiji—or rather, Emperor Longtai—had already uncovered that Fengcheng County was the main stronghold of the Wenscent Sect?

“Mr. Li, allow me to introduce a friend…”

As the crowd dispersed—some conversing privately, others retreating to the garden to mingle with beautiful dancers—Li Yuanjing was about to take a breather when Liu Yun approached briskly, bringing with him a man in a military uniform who appeared somewhat disheveled but bore a composed gaze, likely in his early forties.

“Oh?”

Li maintained a calm exterior but was alert inside; he hadn’t expected Liu Yun to introduce someone at this moment, especially a military man.

He quickly smiled, “Lord Liu, you are too kind.”

Liu Yun returned the smile, clasping his hands, “Mr. Li, you flatter me. This is Deputy Commander Wang Hongliang of our Fengcheng Eastern Garrison.”

Wang Hongliang bowed deeply and humbly to Li Yuanjing, “Your humble servant Wang Hongliang, greetings, Mr. Li!”

Li’s face betrayed no emotion, but inside he felt ready to explode.

Indeed, this Wang Hongliang was the very protagonist mentioned in the letter found in the parcel belonging to Hou Wu, which Xiugu had uncovered!

“Heh, Deputy Commander Wang, you are too courteous. Please, let us share a drink. I must thank you and your brave men for protecting Fengcheng’s safety.”

Li lifted his cup with a forced smile, struggling to keep his composure.

In this dynasty, literature governed martial affairs.

Though Wang was only a deputy commander, his status clearly couldn’t match Li’s in such a gathering of elites.

Li’s attitude left Wang feeling honored. He lowered his cup far below Li’s, barely touching the bottom of Li’s glass with his own rim, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Wang was well acquainted with Liu Yun and therefore understood Li’s true background better than most.

After a few drinks, with no one left nearby, Liu Yun covered his mouth with one hand and whispered softly:

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“Mr. Li, Deputy Commander Wang is a straightforward man who speaks no empty words. He has served at Fengcheng Eastern Garrison for nearly ten years. Please, Mr. Li, consider supporting him.”

At the same time, Liu Yun discreetly handed Li a stack of silver notes, likely amounting to no less than a thousand taels.

Wang Hongliang bowed once more, bending his waist at more than ninety degrees.

“Well…”

Li hesitated briefly but accepted the silver, slipping it into his sleeve, momentarily at a loss for words.

He had imagined countless meetings with Deputy Commander Wang, but never dreamed it would happen through Liu Yun’s introduction.

More importantly...

Liu Yun and Wang seemed to want to follow Li’s path.

Judging by Wang’s attire and bearing, that thousand-plus taels almost certainly did not come from Wang himself, but very likely from Liu Yun.

There was much to unravel here...

Yet Li already knew some crucial details about Wang Hongliang.

Hence, Wang was quite valuable as an ally.

At the very least, Li could not afford to make him an enemy.

This was the core reason Li took the money without much hesitation.

After a moment’s thought, Li replied quietly, “Lord Liu, you are too kind. I will do my utmost!”

Hearing Li’s precise answer, both Liu Yun and Wang Hongliang rejoiced, quickly bowing again before hastening away.

Watching them leave, Li squinted slightly, then the corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

He had no intention of getting too entangled in this quagmire—he only wished to mind his own small patch of land and live a quiet life.

But Zhang Zhiji, despite his seeming openness, was truly petty and calculating.

Though that was somewhat advantageous—Zhang was unlikely to lose easily—the price Li had to pay was disproportionate.

Especially in the current environment, could Li possibly remain indifferent and detached?

If not...

Then why hesitate?

If everyone wants to play the game, then let them.

One must test the mule to see if it pulls the cart.

Just as Li rose to stroll into the garden and perhaps chat with a beautiful dancer for diversion—

One of Zhang Zhiji’s trusted guards approached swiftly, handing Li a slip of paper.

Li unfolded it at once, his eyes narrowing fiercely, cold sweat breaking out down his spine!