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

"Li Jieshuai, you previously allowed me to exchange a thousand taels of gold for Li Rui. Now that I'm on the front lines and don't have that kind of money, how about we write an IOU?"

When Fu Yanqing came to visit, he sat down and got straight to the point without even taking a sip of tea.

Li Yin was slightly embarrassed.

Would you trade a thousand taels of gold for Li Rui?

Is this true?

How come I don't remember?

"Ahem, it was just a joke earlier, General Fu, why take it so seriously?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Yanqing's face stiffened. He never expected Li Yin to be so shameless!

Huangfu Yu was present when he tried to poach people.

Li Yin clearly admitted it, but now he's reneging on it!

It's simply because they couldn't bear to part with Li Rui after seeing him perform another extraordinary feat.

With such a capable general under his command, as his superior, he must be reaping countless credits.

Who would be willing to let them go?

Although Fu Yanqing was a cultured man, he was ultimately a military general.

Fu Yanqing was outraged by this blatant act of defaulting on a debt.

"General Li, isn't this going a bit too far? It was clearly stated back then, and General Huangfu was present. Why don't we have General Huangfu come over and testify?"

Seeing that Fu Yanqing was getting anxious, Li Yin simply spread his hands and said.

"They said they understood, but I didn't agree!"

Fu Yanqing's eyes widened.

"Why didn't you agree?!"

Li Yin immediately revealed a sly smile.

"General Fu, think carefully. You offered a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of silk to lure Li Rui away. What would be my response?"

Fu Yanqing was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly woke up with a start!

Yes!

Li Yin, that old fox!

They are extremely tactful in their speech and actions, always leaving room for maneuver!

His response at the time did not explicitly promise to release the person; instead, he said this:

"This matter needs to be asked of Li Rui himself."

It may seem like they've loosened their stance, but in reality, they've left room for maneuver.

Fu Yanqing suddenly looked up and stared at Li Yin.

Li Yin, on the other hand, beamed with joy, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

In terms of fighting, he is no match for Fu Yanqing.

But when it comes to being tactful, Lao Fu still has a lot to learn!

Fu Yanqing was furious when he saw Li Yin's fox-like face, and gritted his teeth.

"Then call Li Rui here! I want to question him face to face!"

Unexpectedly, Li Yin slowly shook his head.

"General Fu, I understand you value talent, but how much room for development can you give Li Rui?"

Fu Yanqing was about to speak.

But then Li Yin said...

"I'm planning to offer Li Rui the position of Right Wing Commander of the Right Wing Army. Can you give it to him?"

Fu Yanqing suddenly stood up, but then fell silent.

He really can't give me that position!

The Yiwu Army was a military governorship of Dingzhou, and it was constantly engaged in warfare, resulting in many vacancies in its personnel.

But Fu Yanqing's subordinates were all veterans in the army, so where would they find good official positions for Li Rui?

She could only watch helplessly as her beloved Li Rui drooled with longing, yet she could never have him.

Fu Yanqing was filled with frustration, but he could only cup his hands in greeting.

"Hmph, you win."

Li Yin, all smiles, saw Fu Yanqing off at the camp gate.

Fu Yanqing just left.

Li Rui then came looking for him.

Upon seeing his beloved protégé, Li Yin's smile widened even more.

"Is there something you need?"

Li Rui cupped his hands in greeting and said in a deep voice.

"General, I am willing to relinquish the credit, only asking to lead the troops alone and guard Boling County."

Li Rui knew he had performed a great service and that the imperial court would surely reward him handsomely.

But the imperial court's rewards were nothing more than a bunch of honorary titles, official positions, and money.

It's certainly good in times of peace.

But what use are these in times of great chaos?

Li Rui would rather forgo the rewards from the Later Jin court; he only wanted territory!

As long as they have land to cultivate and support their troops, that's enough!

Moreover, he possesses high-yield grain seeds and fertilizers, which he needs land to utilize.

Upon hearing this...

Li Yin stared at Li Rui's composed demeanor and sighed.

"Li Rui, you are too bold and too hasty in your actions."

Li Yin wasn't stupid; he could easily see what Li Rui's purpose was in wanting to lead an army alone.

It's nothing more than raising a private army and using that army to make themselves powerful!

Isn't the Restoration Army established in Mancheng just Li Rui's private army?

Although Niu Ben did not report these things, how could Li Yin not know anything about them?

Li Rui's ambition is not something he hides at all!

But the words came back again.

What does Li Rui's keeping of a private army and his ambition have to do with Li Yin?

To be honest, all those regional military governors in the world were essentially running their own private armies.

Li Rui voluntarily relinquished the credit, and Li Yin was indeed able to reap huge benefits.

In exchange, he gave Li Rui a territory where he could develop freely, which was entirely worthwhile.

Li Yin coughed lightly and pondered.

"I have been working behind the scenes throughout this battle, and my contributions have been limited. The imperial court's reward is nothing more than some money."

If you were to contribute some of your merits, you might be granted the title of Grand Tutor and transferred to a wealthy and prosperous town.

The title of Grand Tutor was merely an honorary one and had little practical use.

Relocating the town would bring tangible benefits.

He was transferred from his original military governorship to another, more prosperous one, and continued to serve as a military governor.

The Yiwu Army's military governorship was located in Dingzhou, which was adjacent to the front line. It was not only dilapidated but also very poor.

Li Yin served as a military governor for several years, but his efforts were thankless.

He had long wanted to establish a wealthy and prosperous military governorship in the rear.

With Li Rui's contribution, this time it might work out.

but……

Is that really the case?

Li Yin shook his head and smiled.

"I can petition His Majesty to secure for you the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Right Wing of the Righteous Army!"

Li Rui was stunned and quite surprised!

The entire army of a vassal state was divided into left and right wings.

The position of Right Wing Commander is equivalent to handing over half of the army to him!

Before arriving, Li Rui had expected to take on only a regular commander position.

Being able to lead one or two thousand soldiers and have your own territory to defend is already quite good.

And the point is.

Li Rui did not hold any official position before.

He was equivalent to five different official positions: Captain, Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief, and Army Commander-in-Chief!

He rose to prominence overnight and became a core commander of a regional military governorship!

Before the expedition, Li Yin promised that if Li Rui returned alive, he would be promoted three ranks.

Although Li Yin felt at the time that Li Rui had no chance of surviving, he only offered verbal encouragement.

Even if he were promoted three times, he could only become a commander-in-chief leading five hundred men.

But now, he actually wants to give Li Rui a high-ranking position as the Right Wing Commander!

If that's the case, then Li Yin's remaining merits would not be enough to justify transferring the town.

He essentially gave up his own wealth and status to allow Li Ruimou to develop his career.

Has the sun risen in the west?

Seeing Li Rui's surprise, Li Yin blushed slightly and coughed lightly.

"What? Do you think I'm a selfish and self-serving person?"

Li Rui hesitated slightly.

I don't know if he's selfish or self-serving, but judging from his previous behavior...

Greedy, self-protective, irresponsible, a sly old fox...

Li Yin did not miss any of these "good" habits of military men since the late Tang and Five Dynasties period.

However, in order to save face for her boss...

Li Rui shook his head again.

"No, it's just that I don't understand why the commander would do this."