The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 223 Reckless Words
The next morning, the sky was overcast and a light drizzle began to fall.

"Ding ding ding..." The raindrops, as big as beans, came suddenly, hitting the green tiles on the roof and making a crisp, continuous sound. Soon, a curtain of water hung from the eaves.

Xu Sheng and his entourage, all dressed in raincoats, were already waiting in front of the mansion gate. As soon as Li Yi came out, someone immediately opened an oilcloth umbrella to shield him from the rain.

He glanced at the overcast sky, then, without further delay, mounted his horse. A group of a dozen or so riders trod on the damp rammed earth road, splashing up tiny droplets of water, braving the drizzling spring rain as they headed towards the imperial government offices.

Inside the Palace Guard's office, the atmosphere was more solemn than usual. A group of military officers, clad in armor and with swords at their waists, arrived one after another, their boots damp with water as they stepped into the hall.

Today is a crucial roll call before departure, and also the day for verifying military orders.

Li Yi sat upright in the main seat, his expression solemn. He first instructed the clerk beside him to record the name of every general present that day in detail. After confirming that no one was missing, he gave a brief speech under the solemn gaze of everyone.

The words were few, but each one was clear, emphasizing strict military discipline and the need for orders to be obeyed without question. Especially with a major battle imminent, all units must be conscientious in their duties and prepare for war; any negligence would be met with ruthless military law.

This is the routine yet crucial roll call in the military.

After roll call, there was another very important thing to do: Li Yi and the generals checked and confirmed the authenticity of the military orders they had received.

Ordinary military orders are one thing, but troop mobilization orders, especially at this critical juncture with the southern expedition imminent and frequent troop movements, cannot tolerate the slightest carelessness.

The instructions and documents from the Privy Council were laid out one by one, and each document had to be carefully checked by the general in charge of the department to verify the seal, stamp, handwriting, and unique secret marks.

The military officers were known for their efficiency and knew the importance of this matter, so none of them dared to be negligent.

One by one, they solemnly announced their unit numbers, took the documents, carefully examined them, and after confirming that they were correct, they affixed their seals to the record book. Their actions were swift and decisive, without any unnecessary formalities.

After confirming their identities, the generals clasped their hands in salute and hurriedly left the government office, each heading to the garrison of their troops.

With the day of departure fast approaching, all the lower-ranking soldiers in both the Imperial Guard and the Palace Guard who were required to participate in the battle had been strictly ordered to remain in their respective camps and await orders, and were not allowed to leave their camps without permission.

Li Yi's primary task was to ensure that these troops would not encounter any problems before they set off.

After a busy morning, having checked the last military order, Li Yi rubbed his slightly sore temples. The rain outside the window was still pouring down.

He was about to instruct his servants to prepare lunch, after which he would inspect the various military camps, both inside and outside the city.

However, before the meal was served, a minor official from the Privy Council, dressed in blue, rushed over in the rain to report: "Commander Li, Prime Minister Wei requests your immediate presence for a meeting."

……

A minor official from the Privy Council led the way, with Li Yi following closely behind, the rain pattering against his oil-paper umbrella.

Passing through the rows of government offices outside the palace, the Privy Council office soon came into view, with guards holding halberds standing tall like pine trees at the entrance.

After the announcement, Li Yi entered the official residence where the Privy Councilor handled confidential matters. A charcoal brazier burned inside, dispelling some of the chill brought by the rain.

Wei Renpu was writing furiously at his desk when he heard the sound. He looked up, his face showing signs of fatigue, but his eyes remained bright and sharp.

"Commander Li has arrived. Please sit." Wei Renpu put down his pen, pointed to the chair opposite him, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice, carrying the authority of someone who had long held a high position.

After Li Yi sat down as instructed, he looked at him intently and said bluntly, "I summoned you here in the rain because there is an important matter that I need to discuss with you beforehand."

Li Yi felt a chill run down his spine, but maintained a respectful demeanor: "Please give your instructions, Lord Wei."

Wei Renpu leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice: "His Majesty intends to appoint you as the commander of the Imperial Guards. If nothing unexpected happens, the imperial edict will be formally issued at tomorrow's court assembly."

Although he had already heard the news from Xiang Xun yesterday, Li Yi's heart still skipped a beat when he confirmed it with Wei Renpu, who was in charge of the Privy Council.

He immediately stood up, clasped his hands and bowed: "Your subordinate is terrified! This position is of great importance and responsibility, concerning His Majesty's safety and the coordination of the various divisions of the central army. I am young and inexperienced, and I am afraid that I am not up to the task and will fail His Majesty's grace!"

"There's no need to be alarmed." Wei Renpu raised his hand and gestured for him to sit down, his tone reassuring.

"A cautious heart is necessary, but the courage to take responsibility is even more indispensable. His Majesty has always been unconventional in his selection of people, valuing talent, loyalty, and potential. In your tenure at the Palace Guard, you have managed your subordinates effectively and trained your troops efficiently... His Majesty's judgment is never wrong."

He paused, then continued, "His Majesty's appointment of you to this important task is naturally a sign of trust, but it also contains an element of testing. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, you are nominally in charge of the central army protecting the Emperor and directing the movement of troops along the route. The responsibility is as heavy as a mountain."

"However, when the emperor personally leads an expedition, it is no ordinary matter for a general to lead an army alone. Accompanying him this time are also important officials such as Prime Minister Fan and Prime Minister Wang. The location of His Majesty's camp is the central hub of the entire court."

"The transportation of grain and fodder, the conscription of laborers, the repair of equipment, the construction of camps, and even the dispatch of officials and the delivery of documents—all these myriad military and logistical tasks will be handled by the officials in charge. Your core responsibility as the commander accompanying the emperor lies solely in the two words 'military forces'."

At this point, Wei Ren emphasized his words, looking directly at Li Yi: "Commander Li, your primary responsibility is to command the elite cavalry and infantry units directly under His Majesty's command to ensure the Emperor's safety. You must also coordinate the marching order, encampment security, and pre-battle defenses of the various accompanying troops. As for those complex and complicated matters, Prime Minister Fan and Prime Minister Wang will handle them."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi bowed and said, "Your subordinate understands! I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

Wei Renpu nodded slightly, paused for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "For you, this is an excellent opportunity to gain experience. You don't have to be like a general who can handle everything on his own, overseeing every detail and exhausting himself. With His Majesty in charge, ministers sharing the burden, and veteran generals assisting you, the risks are manageable, making it a good opportunity to accumulate experience."

"You only need to focus on the military formation itself, carefully understand the essentials of mobilizing tens of thousands of troops, the coordination between various units, and the methods of handling contingencies. His Majesty's intention is to lay a solid foundation for you to take command of a region and lead a large army in a relatively stable environment in the future!"

These last few words are the key, like the sun breaking through the clouds, instantly revealing another layer of profound meaning behind the emperor's appointment.

Li Yi immediately reacted: "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Wei!"

"Hmm." Wei Renpu nodded with a satisfied look on his face. "At tomorrow's court assembly, all the imperial edicts will be issued, including the marching order of each unit, the departure date, the transport routes of supplies, and so on. Now that you have a clear understanding, you can go back now and start thinking about the specific arrangements for each unit of the central army, especially His Majesty's personal guard. You must select the most elite and reliable personnel."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Li Yi replied solemnly.

"Go, and prepare well. In three days, the army will march south!" Wei Renpu waved his hand and turned his gaze back to the documents on the table.

Li Yi bowed and took his leave, exiting the Privy Council office. A light rain brushed his face, bringing a touch of coolness and calming his chaotic thoughts.

He suddenly recalled a few words Xiang Xun had mentioned to him yesterday when he "tipped the barrage"—"Although Prime Minister Fan and several other experienced and prudent ministers worried that you were too young and inexperienced to shoulder such an important responsibility, His Majesty overruled their objections and decided to appoint you."

Looking at the eaves and brackets of the palace in the distance, Li Yi pondered for a moment and realized that Wei Renpu had not just asked him to talk on a whim, nor was he simply giving him a few pointers.

This is very likely... no, it must have been approved and authorized by the emperor!

Perhaps due to his position, the emperor was unable to speak plainly about certain things. So, he used Wei Renpu, a high-ranking official in the Privy Council, to convey this "divine heart" filled with expectation?
What Li Yi couldn't understand was why Emperor Shizong Chai Rong valued and cultivated him so much... Was it simply because he was a fierce warrior? Or because he performed his duties well? Or perhaps because of his kinship with the emperor?

Many things shouldn't be pondered too much; the more you think about them, the more confused you become. Li Yi felt this way now; he truly couldn't fathom the emperor's thoughts. But fortunately, he also understood that with greater power came greater responsibility, and closer proximity to the emperor's gaze.

The road ahead is not smooth. He must walk steadily and uprightly with every step he takes from now on, and he must never give anyone an opportunity to take advantage of him.

……

With only three days left before the Imperial Guards set off, Li Yi, aside from military affairs, planned to arrange everything properly before leaving the capital so that he would have no worries.

Otherwise, it might be the fourth year of the Xiande era before he returns to Tokyo.

The twilight is closing, and the lanterns are starting to turn on.

Li Yi summoned Zhao Pu, Luo Yanhuan, Chu Zhaofu, and Wang Renzhan to the yamen office.

Without further ado, he got straight to the point: "I intend to appoint Zhao Pu as my chief secretary, and Chu Zhaofu and Wang Renzhan as my clerks. What do you think?"

His gaze swept over the three of them, his tone questioning yet carrying an undeniable determination.

A glint flashed in Zhao Pu's eyes, while Chu Zhaofu and Wang Renzhan's faces lit up with joy. Without the slightest hesitation, the three immediately knelt down, saying, "We are deeply grateful for the General's trust and kindness, as if we were given a second life! We will surely follow you to the death, dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly, and be willing to die a thousand deaths to repay the General's great kindness!"

"Good!" Li Yi nodded slightly, quite satisfied with their reaction.

“In that case, I will submit the guarantee to the Privy Council’s Office of Imperial Decree tomorrow. Most of the staff and assistants below the rank of Jiedushi’s judge are recruited by the commander-in-chief himself. Besides, I only hold a nominal title and do not interfere in local civil affairs, so it does not affect the laws of the court. I think the officials of the court will not reject such a trivial matter.”

After the three of them stepped aside, Li Yi turned his gaze to Luo Yanhuan, who was standing solemnly.

"General Luo."

His tone carried a hint of approval, "You have made contributions to the construction of Longjin Market, but since you belong to the Military Patrol Bureau under Kaifeng Prefecture, it is not convenient for me to directly request commendation for you..."

Luo Yanhuan's heart tightened, but then Li Yi continued, "However, I have already asked the Vice Privy Councilor Wang Gong to report this for you. The commendation document should be issued within the next two days, so just wait patiently."

Luo Yanhuan's blood surged instantly, his expression filled with undisguised excitement. He bowed deeply and said, "I am deeply grateful for Governor Li's kindness in helping me and giving me a second chance. I could never repay even a fraction of that kindness, even if I were to be shattered to pieces!"

Li Yi raised his hand in a gesture of support: "There's no need for that. Merit should be rewarded and mistakes should be punished. You've done your job diligently, and your credit is rightfully yours; no one can erase it."

These words were spoken with great force, not only to Luo Yanhuan, but also to everyone present.

Luo Yanhuan stood up, his eyes slightly red, and said with utmost sincerity, "If it weren't for the Commander's protection and assistance that day, I would probably have died under the rod long ago. How could I have achieved such a small feat today? I will never forget the Commander's kindness!"

He knew perfectly well that if it weren't for Li Yi's appreciation, which pulled him back from the brink of death and entrusted him with the important task of managing Longjin Street, how could Luo Yanhuan be where he was today?

Clinging to Li Yi, this strong and promising "thigh," is the wisest choice he can make right now!

Li Yi smiled calmly and said nothing more.

He then encouraged everyone with a few more words, urging them to make thorough and meticulous preparations before setting off. He then got up to pack up the documents on his desk and prepared to return home.

As dusk settled, Li Yi led his entourage to the gate of the mansion.

Li Yi dismounted, but did not go straight to the inner quarters as usual.

He walked to the porch, slowed his pace slightly, and after a brief pause, turned towards the side courtyard ahead.

……

The easternmost secluded courtyard was a quiet place, and it became Zuo Congqin's retreat after he came to Tokyo.

The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent except for a lantern under the eaves that swayed gently in the cold wind, casting a dim yellow glow on the ground, flickering like shattered gold.

Li Yi walked alone along the bluestone path to the front of the main house without any attendants.

The door was tightly shut, but a faint sliver of candlelight seeped through the crack, tearing a warm line through the darkness.

He didn't knock, but simply pushed the door open.

squeak-

The sound of the door hinges turning was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The room was simply furnished with a table, a chair, and a simple bed. At this moment, Zuo Congqin, dressed in a plain Taoist robe, sat upright in the chair next to the table.

"Taoist Master, you haven't gone to sleep yet?"

Li Yi gently closed the door behind him, completely shutting out the noise. The only sound inside was the soft crackling of the candlelight.

Zuo Congqin nodded slightly, without getting up, but pointed to the chair opposite him: "I've been having trouble calming down these past two days because of my senior brother's upcoming arrival."

Li Yi paused for a moment, then chuckled: "I thought you had long since cultivated a mind as still as water, but I didn't expect you to have something so urgent?"

"If I were truly free from worldly desires, why would I have followed the general to this turbulent place, Tokyo?"

Zuo Congqin responded calmly, but a hint of emotion flickered in his eyes.

He sighed softly, his beard and hair trembling in the candlelight. "General, you are busy with many matters. You have finally found some free time and have come directly to see me. You must have something to tell me."

Li Yi gently rubbed his temples and shook his head half-jokingly: "Daoist Master, you're being too formal! Let's take advantage of this rare free time and have a chat, father-in-law and son-in-law, shall we?"

"Speaking of which, I'd like to ask if that Daoist Chen Tuan is truly as miraculous as the rumors suggest? His Majesty kept him in the palace for over a month... Could it be that there really is a secret to immortality?"

At this point, Li Yi's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Only then did he realize that Chai Rong's summoning of Chen Tuan from Huazhou, a thousand miles away, to Tokyo might not have been solely out of curiosity about this old Taoist priest.
That's probably not entirely true... Li Yi couldn't help but think of the sudden death of Chai Rong in history.

Before he could think any further, Zuo Congqin's voice rang out, interrupting his thoughts: "It is true that Senior Brother knows some methods of cultivating one's inner strength and body. As for immortality techniques... would someone like General really believe in such baseless nonsense?"

(End of this chapter)