Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 91 Lobbying
"White Tiger" An Renyi and "Suzaku" Mi Zhicheng were in front, one on the left and one on the right, leading Tian Jun and Lan Suting along the mountain road outside Yanzhou City.

Lan Suting restrained herself for a long time, but finally couldn't help but whisper in Tian Jun's ear, "Are those two generals telling the truth? The reason General Gao of Youzhou is so afraid of Sister Jun is because he was caught peeping at you bathing?"

Tian Jun raised a handsome eyebrow. "Yes, Gao Siji wanted to invite them together at the time, but they had only been peeking at their own sister bathing since they were little, so they didn't think it was anything interesting."

At this point, Tian Jun commented: "Two scumbags."

Lan Suting frowned slightly, thinking about the connection.

She suddenly realized that Tian Jun was half Western Hu, and An Renyi and Mi Zhicheng also had high noses and deep eyes.

It is not uncommon for Western Region Hu women to have good figures.

Lan Suting looked down at her chest, and suddenly felt a little depressed when she thought about her seventeenth birthday which she had just celebrated.

Tian Jun didn't notice Lan Suting's little emotion: "I gave that kid two choices at the time, either break his leg directly or accompany me three times a month."

Tian Jun was fifteen when she joined Kou Qianzhi and nineteen when she left the Taining Army. Gao Siji was one year younger than Tian Jun. This means that Gao Siji was severely beaten for four years, a total of one hundred and forty-four times, for a mistake he made when he was fourteen.

No wonder Gao Siji was like a mouse seeing a cat when he saw Tian Jun.

"You're right, Sister Jun. Those who have been peeping at their own sister bathing since childhood are more despicable." Lan Suting said thoughtfully, "But they have a really good relationship with Sister Jun. Otherwise, why would they tell you about the bad things they did when they were young?"

"No, after I beat Gao Siji, Gao Siji sold them out." Tian Jun raised the corner of his lips and said with some contempt.

Lan Suting suddenly realized that these people were typical bad friends.

The meeting place was a secluded col.

The valley is surrounded by rugged rocks and towering trees, like a natural barrier that isolates this place from the outside world.

In the center of the valley, an old pavilion stood quietly. Due to insufficient sunlight, even though it was a clear day, the pavilion still seemed shrouded in shadow.

Snow Marshal Qi Kerang was sitting in the pavilion, sipping tea from a fine blue and white porcelain cup. His demeanor was tranquil, as if blending seamlessly with the surrounding scenery.

Even with Tian Jun's outspoken nature, he dared not neglect Qi Kerang. He went up to him and bowed deeply: "Junior Tian Jun, greetings to General Qi."

"Get up, we've known each other for a long time." Qi Kerang said casually, waving his hand to signal Tian Jun to stand up.

He cast his eyes on Tian Jun: "Lian'er misses you very much."

"Lian'er" is the nickname of Qi Kerang's beloved daughter. The word "Lian" is obviously taken from the homonym of the word "Lian" in Qilian Mountain.

That was where her mother, Lady Axue, died in battle.

"Sister Lian'er...I miss her too." Tian Jun said seriously.

Lian'er was born a few days earlier than Tian Jun. Tian Jun and Qi Kerang didn't see each other very often, but Lian'er was her friend.

"I'm really not a good father." Qi Kerang suddenly sighed.

Even though Tian Jun was not smart, she knew what Qi Kerang meant based on her understanding of Lian'er.

Qi Kerang was busy with military and political affairs in the town, and Lian'er grew up playing with several children from the Kou family. In her life, Uncle Kou may have taken on more of the responsibilities of a father.

After Kou Qianzhi's death, Lian'er vowed to kill Zhu Wen with her own hands to avenge General Kou.

Thinking of this, Tian Jun suddenly felt a little ashamed.

But she still needs to make it clear what she needs to say since she is the one who pays her salary.

"General Kou must have left a letter saying that General Qi didn't need to avenge him."

Qi Kerang nodded. "Qianzhi is stronger than Zhu Wen. He lost because he lacked the will to kill. He has lived a very tiring life and is not afraid of death at all."

"He's a natural born knight-errant, totally unsuited to officialdom. He's a descendant of noble families, and doesn't enjoy extravagance. Even if he doesn't become an official, the little money the court gives him is enough to support him. I insisted on bringing him into officialdom, but it ended up harming him."

"But General Kou is also a natural knight. When he charges into battle, Tian Jun can learn from him the free spirit that a knight should have." Tian Jun spoke her heart out. Her admiration for Kou Qianzhi was by no means just admiration for his ascetic lifestyle.

On this point, Qi Kerang and Tian Jun undoubtedly have a consensus.

A person's courage, insight, and strategic planning can be better displayed as a soldier than as a ranger.

"So you think Qianzhi's death is nothing to be mourned, nor is there any need to avenge him?" Qi Kerang said calmly. "Of course I don't mean that!" Tian Jun said anxiously. "Regardless of one's own wishes, revenge for one's relatives and friends is a matter of course. For example, if Sister Lian'er had fairly taken off Zhu Wen's head, I would have considered her generosity and loyalty, a level of righteousness that I, Tian Jun, could never match."

"But if Marshal Xue sends his troops now..." Tian Jun lowered his head slightly and said hesitantly, "It doesn't seem fair."

Qi Kerang placed the teacup on the stone table and fell into deep thought.

He was known throughout the world as a benevolent general, and of course he cared greatly about his reputation.

Huang Chao had every right to avenge Wang Xianzhi.

If he and General Yan joined forces to attack Huang Chao, it would undoubtedly be an unfair victory.

"Besides, the court has not asked Marshal Xue to send troops. If he were to mobilize the Taining Army on his own, he would have to impose additional taxes on the people."

There was finally a subtle change in Qi Ke's calm expression.

Faced with the locust and drought disasters that swept across Kanto, Taining Town was the only vassal town where no incidents of cannibalism occurred.

In order to provide relief to the people, Qi Kerang reduced the size of the military forces and reduced government expenses. The deputy governor Kou Qianzhi even took the lead among the Taining bureaucrats in eating wheat rice with his family, setting an example and urging the civil and military officials of Taining Town to be frugal and love the people.

This is the reputation of a gentleman that Taining Town has accumulated over the years with unity of all its people.

Qi Kerang said, "Even if these words weren't all your own, they do make sense. And you said them sincerely."

"But Huang Jutian has already taken the lead. His chances of winning have increased from less than 10% to over 40%."

"Tian Jun, you have to know that Zhen Shuai is my senior sister. We grew up together."

At this point, Qi Kerang suddenly waved his sleeves without mercy and said to An Renyi and Mi Zhicheng, "Show them away!"

The two bad friends dragged Tian Jun away swiftly.

Tian Jun's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted, "Qi Shuai, I haven't finished yet..."

Lan Suting tugged at her sleeve and said, "No need to say more."

Tian Jun lowered his voice and said, "But this is the task assigned by Zhu Wen..."

"The mission has been accomplished." Lan Suting whispered into Tian Jun's ear.

Tian Jun was stunned.

As the two of them rode back, Lan Suting leaned against Tian Jun's chest and said softly, "When I came up with this plan, I thought I had to persuade General Qi, but they will tell me right away. As long as General Qi hears these words and drives a nail into his heart, then my persuasion will be considered a success."

"Everyone will say that Marshal Yan and Marshal Xue are two opposite types of people. One is like fire, violent and proud, and the other is like water, kind and gentle. Marshal Zhen massacred 30,000 righteous soldiers on the banks of the Qizhou River. It is impossible for Marshal Qi not to have objections."

"In terms of their approach, General Zhen was too hasty, while General Qi was too slow. Between the two, the Cao army had the opportunity to exploit the situation and take advantage of the situation. Therefore, whether General Qi sent out his troops or not is not important."

Tian Jun thought for a long time before he suddenly realized.

"Zhizhen, how did you improve so quickly?"

"When I read books on military strategy and tactics at night, I often read to the general, and he would offer his own insights. With such a good teacher and helpful friend, you can always learn something."

Since Zhu Wen was not very fond of reading, this learning process was beneficial to both parties.

"Should I ask him to teach me a few moves?" Tian Jun said with some distress, "But that little pervert might take advantage of me again."

"No way, they will all be very harsh on Mr. Zhizhen." Lan Suting said softly.

"He disregards the distinction between men and women and forces you to live in the same tent with him, and even hugs you from time to time. How can he be called a gentleman?" Tian Jun retorted.

"Where is the gentleman who peeked at girls bathing?" Lan Suting said, "Besides, isn't Sister Jun really close to those three?"

Tian Jun felt she had nothing to say, so she suddenly held Lan Suting's face and pressed her little face tightly against her plump chest, making Lan Suting almost unable to breathe.

"Sister Jun, stop it. I'm almost suffocating..." Lan Suting said with a low breath.

"Who told you to protect him like your own lover and not tolerate anything bad being said about him?" Tian Jun said angrily.

(End of this chapter)