From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"It was entirely thanks to Your Excellency's strategic planning that I was able to kill the bandit leader by sheer luck."

Below the main hall, Chen Shi briefly recounted how he killed Yang Youzhi.

Of course, it was all a lie he made up.

How dare he say that he directly released five thousand rebel soldiers?

They only said they would guard the area for a day and a night, but suddenly they saw a small group of rebels heading towards Knife Ridge Valley. They immediately led their men to intercept them, but to their surprise, they were all experts.

Shocked, they realized that the other party was probably someone of great importance, and they were even more determined not to let them pass.

Finally, after a bloody battle, with almost all of his men killed or wounded, only a dozen or so of the hundred heavily armored soldiers remained, they finally managed to kill those experts.

The enemy was left with only one frail middle-aged man. After comparing his appearance, they realized that he was the bandit leader Yang Youzhi!

"I originally intended to capture him alive, but I did not expect that Yang Youzhi would be so principled as to refuse to surrender even at the cost of his life. I had no choice but to kill him."

Finally, Chen Shi added one more sentence.

"Yes, well done."

Gu Tingshu nodded with a smile.

As long as it's Yang Youzhi, it doesn't matter if he lives or dies.

Looking at Chen Shi standing there, he couldn't help but nod.

He killed the bandit leader but did not seek credit or show any sign of ambition. Chen Shi was indeed measured in his actions and lived up to his reputation as the chief steward of the Marquis's mansion.

"So that's how it is..."

After hearing this, the others in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment, and then their faces were filled with frustration.

If they had known this would happen, they would have gone to guard Knife Ridge Valley!

But there's no going back. Everyone thought Blade Ridge Valley was a terrible job, and it certainly was. Who would have thought that Chen Shi would end up getting such a great deal for nothing!

When everyone looked at Chen Shi again, they couldn't help but feel envious. He had likely made the greatest contribution in suppressing the rebellion by killing the bandit leader.

Although he holds no official position and the imperial court will not promote or reward him, the Marquis's mansion will certainly be generous with its rewards.

But whether you envy or are jealous, it's too late for regrets now.

After a period of commotion, Gu Tingshu ordered his men to carry Yang Youzhi's body out and keep it under careful guard so that it could be reported to the imperial court later.

That concludes our summary of the results of this campaign to quell the rebellion.

Gu Tingshu put the book in front of him aside, said a few more words, and then, with nothing else to say, gestured for everyone to leave.

Feng Lin and Gu Tingshu exchanged a few more words before Feng Lin and his men returned.

Just as Feng Lin left, Chen Shi walked in again.

"Um?"

Gu Tingshu, who was about to go to the back to rest, saw Chen Shi return and couldn't help but sit down again, smiling as he asked a question.

"Is there anything else?"

"Indeed, something has happened, and I dare not conceal it from you, my lord."

Chen Shi hesitated slightly, feigning fear, and then recited another set of lies he had prepared.

"A thousand rebels? You let them go..."

After hearing Chen Shi's words, Gu Tingshu was slightly taken aback and looked Chen Shi over again.

"My lord, please forgive me, I had no other choice."

Chen Shi looked increasingly frightened and quickly apologized, saying with a helpless expression.

"Upon hearing that the rebels were approaching, almost all of my men fled, leaving only a dozen or so. How could they possibly hold out? I had no choice but to lure and entice the thousand rebels away with food and money. That's how I was able to kill Yang Youzhi after he lost his army."

"Haha, you do have some cleverness."

Gu Tingshu looked at Chen Shi, then suddenly laughed twice, waving his hand without any sign of blaming him.

"You have rendered a great service by killing Yang Youzhi. As for the thousand rebel soldiers you let go, they are nothing."

"Your Excellency, do you mean you won't blame me?"

"Since you have confessed this to me, it shows your loyalty, so how could I blame you? Rest assured, I am aware of this matter, and no one will mention it again. Just pretend it never happened."

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Chen Shi's eyes widened, his face filled with joy and excitement, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.

He bowed his head, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.

That should solve the problem.

Although he killed Yang Youzhi, letting five thousand rebel soldiers go was no small matter. If someone with ulterior motives found out, such as Feng Ji, and pressed the matter, he would surely be punished, and might even lose his life.

In fact, Chen Shi's previous "last resort" was a desperate measure.

If he hadn't done that, he wouldn't have been able to defend Blade Ridge Valley at all.

Unexpectedly, Yang Youzhi actually made a great contribution to this rebel army.

Even more unexpectedly, the others exaggerated their battle achievements, leaving only a vacancy of one thousand rebel soldiers.

Compared to five thousand, one thousand seems insignificant.

Of course, this is still a potential problem.

After some thought, Chen Shi decided to take the initiative to "confess".

Now that he has made things clear to Gu Tingshu, even if someone deliberately brings it up in the future, it will not be because he concealed it. With the Marquis of Jing'an backing him up, he will not be punished!

"Go down."

Gu Tingshu waved his hand and said something, then smiled again.

Although he is intelligent and capable, he is still young, can't keep things in his heart, and is timid.

"Yes."

Chen Shi bowed in response and turned to leave.

Once outside the lobby, he straightened his clothes, stood tall and proud, and his gaze suddenly became sharp, a stark contrast to his previous timid demeanor.

enough.

On the way back, he briefly calculated in his mind that killing Yang Youzhi would earn him 5,000 military merits, and Gu Tingshu had previously promised that as long as he defended Daoji Valley, he would receive 2,000 military merits, so that would amount to 7,000.

Before this, he had already accumulated more than 4,000 military merits, which added up to more than 11,000!

According to the military register, 10,000 military merits would grant one the opportunity to enter the Treasure Pavilion.

He has more than enough to live on now.

The Treasure Pavilion—that's where the Jing'an Marquis's mansion keeps its treasures!

"Hopefully we can find it."

Overwhelmed with excitement, Chen Shi took a deep breath and silently recited a phrase.

Compared to the treasures, the array diagram of the Chilong Cave is more important.

Even if there is no array diagram, we hope to find clues to it.

It's already March, and there are only nine months left until the deadline for the Chilong.

Time is getting tighter and tighter.

The suppression of the rebellion is over. Once all units have reorganized, they can return to base.

Chen Shi was already small in number, and now there are only a dozen or so left, so there's really not much to organize.

He decided to stay in the military camp and continue his training.

The Elephant King Stance has reached its final stage, but to break through, it still requires all-out effort.

Chen Shi released five thousand rebel soldiers, and Ruru praised him for his immeasurable merit and was willing to do her best to assist him!

Of course, helping Chen Shi comprehend martial arts was too mentally taxing, and he needed to rest and recover during that time. Chen Bi filled in the gaps.

Previously, Shen Bi was somewhat shy and reluctant, but now he is very cooperative. With a gentle pat from Chen Shi, he knows what to do and even takes the initiative.

In addition, Xiao Fengxiao's caravan has entered Suibin City and Gushu City, selling grain at high prices and hiding the people in the cities, completely squeezing out the last bit of wealth that was not taken by the rebels.

Chen Shi said he was powerless to do anything about it.

Besides, even though the money is gone, the food will at least allow them to survive.

Compared to life, money is merely an external thing.

Two days later, the army had finished its reorganization and returned to Yongqiu City!