A lowly soldier becomes king, I slaughter my way through the late Tang Dynasty!

Bai Zairong arrived at the city gate.

But then they saw a young man with a crown-like face and sharp, piercing eyes, standing there with a smile.

Without needing anyone to introduce him, Bai Zairong smiled and said.

"It must be Li Sikong in person?"

Li Rui bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Li Rui, the military commander of the Righteous Army, greets the Commander-in-Chief."

Bai Zairong laughed heartily, about to speak.

But then Li Rui waved his hand, and someone presented Bai Zairong with a golden ruyi scepter.

Bai Zairong said "Hi" and was about to refuse.

After all, he already has a gold ingot in his hand, why would he need another gold ruyi?

however.

When the Ruyi was placed in his arm, Bai Zairong almost couldn't hold it!

"hiss!"

He gasped, and golden light flashed before his eyes!

This Ruyi scepter wasn't just a decorative piece of wood coated with gold powder; it was made of pure gold!

Bai Zairong stared in disbelief and quickly looked at Li Rui.

"How...how can this be?"

Li Rui's expression was serious.

"How could this not be allowed? The entire Righteous Army belongs to the Commander-in-Chief, let alone a mere Ruyi scepter!"

Bai Zairong couldn't suppress the smile on his face!

After finally managing to suppress it, he said with restraint.

"Lord Li is very kind."

Li Rui laughed and took Bai Zairong's arm for support.

"General, this way please. The banquet is ready; let's drink until we're completely drunk!"

that's it.

With just a few words and a golden ruyi scepter, Li Rui lured Bai Zairong away.

Historical records describe Bai Zairong as greedy and fond of extravagance.

Therefore, Li Rui set up this trap.

Upon seeing his commander arrive in Boling County, Ji Cong immediately abandoned all his previous plans!

They stopped checking the accounts and stopped mentioning the military.

Li Rui coaxed her like a three-year-old!

Ji Cong was extremely anxious!

He struggled forward, trying to pull Bai Zairong back.

But how could Zhao Pu, who was in the crowd, possibly give him a chance?

The enthusiastic crowd immediately surged forward!

They separated Bai Zairong and Ji Cong, along with a thousand infantrymen, by their waists.

Ji Cong tried to push his way through the crowd, but couldn't get forward.

At this moment, he no longer cared about appearances and shouted directly.

"General! This is Li Rui's treacherous scheme!"

however.

Dong dong qiang! Dong dong qiang! ...

The sounds of gongs and drums were deafening, but Bai Zairong, standing at the front, couldn't hear anyone shouting.

Ji Cong immediately became furious and started cursing.

"Knock, knock, knock! You've been knocking all the way, for three miles! Aren't you tired?!"

His answer was still... *thump thump thump*!

Ji Cong was utterly helpless and could only stand on the periphery of the people, glaring at them helplessly.

At this time.

Zhou Fang shouted to the thousand imperial guards.

"Gentlemen, please proceed to the east side of the city. They have already prepared roasted lamb and slaughtered pigs, along with wine and food, to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey!"

Upon hearing that lambs and pigs would be cooked, Bai Zairong's soldiers immediately began to salivate.

After all, it had been almost a month since we started our journey north from Bianliang, and we had been eating only flatbread and drinking cold water every day.

Why not be happy when there's meat to eat?

Everyone turned to look at Ji Cong.

Seeing this, Ji Cong could only nod helplessly.

The commander-in-chief has gone to eat meat and drink wine, so what can the soldiers do while blocking the door?

Why not have a good meal with Li Rui first!

That's a way of venting some anger.

……

After a long while.

In the tavern, after several rounds of drinks and five dishes,

Bai Zairong's face was flushed from drinking, and he touched Jin Ruyi with one hand and the woman pouring the wine with the other.

Li Rui leaned back in his chair, as if he were dozing.

Bai Zairong hiccuped, looked at the dancing girls at the table, and couldn't help but sigh.

"I never imagined that life in this small town would be even more comfortable than in Bianliang!"

Li Rui smiled slightly.

"Of course! Everyone says Bianliang is prosperous, but living under the emperor's nose and in front of all the officials, you're always being watched, it's uncomfortable!"

Bai Zairong felt a deep resonance upon hearing this!

Despite his high rank in the Imperial Guard and his seemingly powerful and wealthy lifestyle, he was not as impressive as he appeared.

In reality, they were essentially living under the emperor's thumb. Once they displeased the emperor, they were like a rag used to wipe his bottom—used and then discarded.

And his own backside was being pushed by his own military commander!

Subordinates embezzle military rations and receive salaries without working.

As the leader, he had to cover for his subordinates while also stabilizing the morale of the lower-ranking soldiers.

Making money isn't easy!

Even with the little bit of money he embezzled, plus his own salary, it wasn't enough to live a life of debauchery in Bianliang!

Even after so many years of corruption.

The wealth he had accumulated was not even as valuable as the gold ruyi that Li Rui gave him as soon as they met!

Thinking about this...

Bai Zairong expressed his heartfelt emotions.

Now I understand why those old brothers in the Imperial Guard all wanted to find a post in a remote garrison in the end.

Being a local tyrant outside is just so awesome!

"Zang Feng, you put your heart into it today."

Li Rui sighed.

"As long as the commander is happy, that's all that matters. After today, I won't be able to host a banquet like this for the commander again."

Bai Zairong was taken aback and asked, puzzled.

"Why? Are these drinks expensive?"

Li Rui smiled wryly.

"General, I only have a county under my control, where would I get so much wealth?"

The money used to entertain the commander-in-chief today was all spoils of war won by my troops in battle, and it's all gone now.

Upon hearing this, Bai Zairong was deeply shocked and even felt somewhat guilty.

"Oh dear! Zang Feng, why are you doing this? Raising soldiers is already difficult enough, why do this..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Li Rui let out another long sigh.

"Alas, there is no need to maintain an army anymore. I have disbanded the more than three thousand members of the Restoration Army."

Upon hearing this...

Bai Zairong was horrified!

"What!? Why is this happening?"

Li Rui looked up at him, his face full of helplessness.

"General, I have already guessed what His Majesty has instructed you to do since you came from Bianliang."

The Restoration Army was indeed a private army I recruited. They won several battles, but this aroused His Majesty's suspicion.

"As a subject, if I want to save my life, isn't the only option to disband the Restoration Army and apologize to His Majesty?"

Bai Zairong stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

"This... the Restoration Army is your life's work, how can you bear to part with it?"

Li Rui closed his eyes, covered his face with his hands, and seemed to shed tears of emotion.

"I can't bear to part with it, but to save my life, and to get His Majesty to spare me, I have no choice but to do this."

Bai Zairong looked troubled and didn't know how to comfort Li Rui for a moment.

The thought that the glorious Restoration Army, with its outstanding achievements, was destroyed by the emperor's own fear was unbearable.

Bai Zairong immediately sighed with regret!

"Ugh!"

At this time.

Li Rui grabbed Bai Zairong's arm and said sincerely.

"General, I, Li Rui, fight on the battlefield not for wealth or honor, but only to serve my country with a loyal heart!"

Unexpectedly, this has now aroused His Majesty's suspicion, so we have no choice but to disband the army to prove our loyalty!

Bai Zairong sighed repeatedly and grasped Li Rui's hand.

"Don't worry, Zang Feng. His Majesty just doesn't know you very well, not that he's wary or suspicious of you."

"I was sent here only to assume the post of Military Governor of the Yiwu Army, not to harm you!"

Li Rui nodded emphatically.

"With the commander's words, I feel relieved."

However, won't the commander-in-chief's report to His Majesty in this way cause him trouble?

Bai Zairong was deeply moved upon hearing this!

Who said Li Rui is a wolf in sheep's clothing?!

Such a sincere and loyal person, devoted to the emperor and loving the country!

I almost got hurt by the rumors!

"Cang Feng is overthinking it. I will be perfectly fine."

Li Rui was very pleased.

"That's good, that's good. Otherwise, how could I have a clear conscience if I dragged the Commander down because of me?"

Bai Zairong sighed deeply.

"Zang Feng, you're still an honest and kind person!"