Chapter 151: Master, Don't

Datong, Regional Commander's Official Residence.

Zhen Youcai said to Wang Pu, "General, the supplies plundered from the Jiannu camp have all been tallied."

"Oh?" Wang Pu asked with delight, "Let's hear it."

Zhen Youcai reported, "There are over ten thousand warhorses, more than five hundred camels, over eighteen thousand shi of grain, three thousand suits of armor, and over twelve thousand weapons of various kinds."

Wang Pu instructed, "Make sure Old Man Li steps up the medical care for those warhorses; we might need to put them to use very soon."

Zhen Youcai replied, "Old Man Li has already taken men to handle it."

Wang Pu let out a long sigh of relief and murmured sentimentally, "This battle was won after all."

"Indeed," Zhen Youcai echoed with emotion, "It was truly no easy feat. If not for the General, Datong would have long since been breached by the Jiannu."

"It is not solely my credit," Wang Pu waved his hand and said, "Speaking of which, Li Yan provided immense help. Had he not sent troops to transport that batch of saltpeter into the city, and dispatched cavalry to protect the flanks of the artillery corps, annihilating those thirty thousand Jiannu outside the city would not have been so easy."

Zhen Youcai noted, "Yet Li Yan also reaped substantial rewards from this battle. Aside from the twenty thousand shi of grain and over eight million catties of cured meat you gifted him, he seized eight thousand warhorses from the Jiannu, and traded us saltpeter for ten thousand suits of armor and twenty thousand weapons. In this pursuit of the Jiannu, the rebel forces gained a great deal as well."

Wang Pu smiled faintly and said, "That is what they deserve. Since we utilized their forces, we must naturally compensate them."

"That is true," Zhen Youcai agreed.

Wang Pu then said, "Now that the Jiannu have been defeated, Youcai, it is time for you to marry Xianglian."

"Ah, well, this..." Zhen Youcai's weathered face instantly flushed red. He rubbed his hands together and stammered incoherently, "That..."

"Enough with the 'this' and 'that'," Wang Pu laughed. "Everything has already been prepared for you. Just wait to become a groom."

"Hehe," Zhen Youcai chuckled softly, "Then this subordinate expresses his gratitude to the General."

"General! Lord Wei requests an audience."

Just as the two were speaking, Lü Liu suddenly entered the tent to report.

"Wei Daben?" Wang Pu said, "Let him enter."

Zhen Youcai asked, "General, should this subordinate withdraw?"

"There is no need," Wang Pu replied. "If I am not mistaken, Wei Daben has surely come to plead on behalf of the people of Datong. Since you are currently managing the treasury and grain reserves of Datong Garrison, stay so we can discuss this together."

Zhen Youcai nodded and sat back down.

Soon, Lü Liu led Wei Daben into the official residence.

Having not seen him for a few days, Wei Daben had lost a noticeable amount of weight. His eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was fraught with anxiety. Upon entering, he cupped his hands in a salute toward Wang Pu and Zhen Youcai, saying solemnly, "Lord Imperial Son-in-law, Mister Zhen, as long as the Jiannu had not retreated, there was nothing to be said. But now that the Jiannu have retreated, there are matters this official cannot afford to leave unmentioned."

Wang Pu gestured with his hand and said, "Lord Wei, take a seat and speak slowly."

Wei Daben sat down and began counting on his fingers: "Lord Imperial Son-in-law, this Jiannu invasion has brought a catastrophe upon the people of Datong. First, the border troops from various garrisons, posts, and fortresses plundered the populace, rendering over fifty thousand people homeless. Then the Jiannu dispatched troops to raid everywhere, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced, lacking food and clothing..."

"Lord Wei," Wang Pu raised a hand to halt him, speaking solemnly, "You need not elaborate on these matters. I witnessed this war firsthand and saw everything with my own eyes. Just tell me plainly: what is required of me? How much silver and how much grain are needed?"

Wei Daben replied, "This official has already calculated. There are as many as one hundred and fifty thousand refugees who are homeless, poorly clothed, and starving. There are still nearly two months before the wheat harvest. To allow these refugees to survive this period safely, we need at least twenty-five thousand shi of grain. Helping them rebuild their homes will also require no small expense; this official estimates it will take two hundred thousand taels of silver."

Wang Pu turned to Zhen Youcai: "Youcai."

Zhen Youcai stood up and answered, "This subordinate is here."

Wang Pu ordered, "Immediately disburse thirty thousand shi of grain and two hundred thousand taels of silver from the treasury and hand them over to Lord Wei."

Zhen Youcai acknowledged the order and said to Wei Daben, "Lord Wei, please come with this subordinate."

"Lord Imperial Son-in-law!" Lord Wei suddenly dropped to his knees before Wang Pu, his expression stirring with intense emotion as he said, "On behalf of the one hundred and fifty thousand people of Datong Prefecture, this official kowtows to you!"

Wei Daben's gratitude was entirely sincere. As a rough-hewn military man by background, this was the first time he had ever witnessed a commander like Wang Pu who showed such deep compassion for the common folk.

"Get up," Wang Pu hurried forward to help Wei Daben to his feet. "Lord Wei, please rise quickly. Helping the people of Datong weather this crisis is a responsibility this subordinate cannot shirk."

Wei Daben cupped his hands, his voice choking with emotion as he said, "Lord Imperial Son-in-law, this official will take his leave."

Wang Pu waved his hand, and Wei Daben turned and followed Zhen Youcai out.

No sooner had the two left than Zhao Liujin hurried in, breathless, and reported, "General, something has happened."

Wang Pu frowned and asked, "What has happened?"

Zhao Liujin replied, "Some rebel forces are plundering the common people outside the city."

"Is that so?" Wang Pu frowned. "Are you certain?"

Zhao Liujin answered, "Beyond a shadow of a doubt!"

"Strange," Wang Pu said, bewildered. "How can this be? Li Yan does not seem like the fickle sort."

Zhao Liujin suggested, "General, shall this subordinate lead troops to wipe out this band of rebels?"

"Do not act rashly," Wang Pu shook his head. "The rebel forces are numerous, and having recently upgraded their equipment from the Jiannu spoils, their morale and combat effectiveness have greatly improved. They are no longer the motley crew they once were; they must not be underestimated under any circumstances! Order all city gates to heighten vigilance."

"Understood."

Zhao Liujin accepted the command and departed.

The band of rebels robbing the people of Datong was not under Li Yan, but under Liu Zongmin, a top general of Li Zicheng. Liu Zongmin had been ordered to Shaanxi to replace Li Yan. He had led five thousand elite troops, burning, killing, and plundering all the way to Mizi in Shaanxi, only to encounter the more than one hundred thousand old and young dependents left behind by Li Yan.

Upon learning that Li Yan had led his troops to Datong, Liu Zongmin immediately marched his army straight toward Datong.

The old and young dependents left behind in Mizi told him that Li Yan had built up an elite force of nearly one hundred thousand men. While Liu Zongmin deeply admired Li Yan's competence, he was even more urgently driven to take command of this army from Li Yan's hands, which was why he had hurried to Datong without rest.

Liu Zongmin pillaged and plundered all the way, making inquiries until he finally reached Leigong Mountain.

By this time, Li Yan and Wang Pu had joined forces to deal with the Jiannu not two days prior, and the rebel army was preparing to return to Shaanxi. Li Yan had a gentleman's agreement with Wang Pu that he would not remain in Datong to make things difficult for him. Of course, even if Li Yan had wished to antagonize Wang Pu, he lacked the military strength to do so.

Leigong Mountain, drill ground.

Liu Zongmin unapologetically claimed Li Yan's seat, while Li Yan and Li Hu and others were left standing.

Back in Henan, Li Yan had been nothing more than a minor leader under King Chuang, whereas Liu Zongmin was King Chuang's sworn brother of life and death, and his foremost general. Naturally, there was no seat for Li Yan in Liu Zongmin's presence.

Looking at the neatly arrayed, murderous-looking rebel cavalry on the drill ground—especially since these cavalrymen were clad in sturdy chainmail, wore sturdy iron helmets on their heads, and wielded gleaming sabers in their hands—Liu Zongmin's eyes bulged. Bold as he was, he had never imagined that Li Yan could forge such a cavalry force!

Li Yan smiled and asked Liu Zongmin, "General, what do you think?"

"Good, not bad!" Liu Zongmin clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Brother Li Yan, you've done a fine job. How many such cavalry do you have?"

Li Yan answered calmly, "Eight thousand."

"What?" Liu Zongmin was so startled he nearly bit his own tongue off. He stammered, "Eig... eight thousand cavalry?!"

Truth be told, even King Chuang Li Zicheng commanded a mere five thousand light cavalry, and their equipment could not possibly compare to this cavalry of Li Yan's. What baffled Liu Zongmin even more was that there were actually eight thousand such cavalrymen. How formidable of an army was this? With this force, Liu Zongmin could completely stand on equal footing with Li Zicheng.

Li Yan smiled faintly and asked, "General, I wonder what instructions you bring by coming to Datong this time?"

"Oh, almost forgot the main business." Liu Zongmin felt in his bosom and produced a confidential letter sealed with red wax, handing it to Li Yan as he said, "This is the Great King's personal letter to you. Read it yourself."

Li Yan received the confidential letter with both hands and unsealed it in front of everyone. Scanning it hurriedly, his expression changed drastically.

This was indeed a personal letter from Li Zicheng. That former post station courier, who knew only a few characters, wrote a single sentence in the letter, ordering Li Yan to hand over the army to Liu Zongmin and return to Henan to report.

"Brother Li Yan," Liu Zongmin patted Li Yan's shoulder and laughed, "If there's nothing else, take your delicate little bride and return to Henan to see the Great King. You can safely leave the Shaanxi-Shanxi army to this General! I don't mind telling you, the very first thing I'm going to do is capture Datong and hack the Prince of Dai into a thousand pieces."

"Ah?"

"The Grand Commander wants us to surrender the army?"

Jing Maocheng and Li Xuan, standing behind Li Yan, turned pale with shock. Li Hu's expression distorted violently, and he reached behind his back to draw his blade, only to be stopped by a look from Li Yan.

"General," Li Yan stopped Li Hu with a glance and said decisively, "This subordinate can hand the Shaanxi-Shanxi army over to you, but you must absolutely not attack Datong. Wang Pu defends Datong, and he commands a formidable artillery corps. We, the Shaanxi-Shanxi rebel army, are by no means their match."

"You needn't worry about that," Liu Zongmin said coldly. "Whether to attack Datong or not is my affair."

Datong, Regional Commander's Official Residence.

Wang Pu, stark naked, lay blissfully prone on a soft couch. Zhenniang, clad only in small unmentionables, knelt on his waist with her legs bent, supporting herself on Wang Pu's shoulders with both hands. Wiggling her pretty hips, she massaged his lower back. Wang Pu closed his eyes and groaned with pleasure, "Ooh... yes, right there, ah, you're massaging my tailbone until it feels all tingly, ooh..."

A trace of seductive charm flashed across Zhenniang's large eyes. Her upper body draped completely down onto Wang Pu's back, and she nibbled lightly on his earlobe, asking coquettishly, "General, does it feel good?"

"Good," Wang Pu groaned with his eyes closed, "Too good."

Zhenniang gracefully swayed her tight, upturned hips, kneading his back while saying coquettishly, "Master, if you like it, this humble maid will serve you for the rest of my life, massaging your back every day to relieve your fatigue. Would you like that?"

Wang Pu's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help turning his head to open his eyes.

Zhenniang's rosy little face was right before him, the corners of her lips curved upward in a radiant smile. Her outer eye corners turned slightly upward; even when not smiling, she seemed to be smiling, carrying an inherent allure. Wang Pu had to admit that this young girl was a natural siren, possessing the same innate charm from her bones as Chen Yuanyuan.

"You little vixen, flirting again, aren't you?"

Wang Pu reached out and gently pulled Zhenniang's lithe body off his back. Zhenniang let out a low whimper and obediently lay down beside him, the plump, upturned breasts on her chest pressing right into the palm of Wang Pu's hand. As Wang Pu lightly closed his five fingers, Zhenniang let out a delicate moan of distress.

"You really are a little vixen." Stirred into desire by the spring-like allure in the corners of Zhenniang's eyes, Wang Pu rolled over and pressed her beneath him, panting heavily as he said, "You really could hook a man's soul right out of him."

"This humble maid doesn't want to hook anyone else's soul," Zhenniang opened her jade arms to tightly wrap them around Wang Pu's neck, giggling softly. "This humble maid only wants to hook Master." As she spoke, Zhenniang spread her long, straight legs to wrap them around Wang Pu's waist. One of Wang Pu's large hands slid up Zhenniang's snow-white legs, slipping into her pink undergarments to find a warm, slippery wetness. True to form, this little vixen was already flooded with desire.

"You little minx," Wang Pu withdrew his hand, held up two fingers stained with bodily fluid before Zhenniang, and chuckled softly, "Look at you, you're already soaked."

"Master."

Zhenniang closed her pretty eyes in sweet shyness, her lithe body twisting like a snake as she ground her most alluring parts against Wang Pu's burning, rigid manhood. Wang Pu sucked in a cold breath through his teeth, reached out and slapped Zhenniang's bare, rounded hips. Zhenniang whimpered, pressed her legs together, and hoisted her pretty hips higher. Wang Pu reached out and effortlessly stripped away the undergarments from Zhenniang's body.

[Several characters omitted here]

The storm had passed.

Zhenniang curled up like a small kitten in the crook of Wang Pu's arm. When she looked up, she saw Wang Pu's gaze deep and contemplative as he leaned against the cushions, lost in thought. She couldn't help asking, "Master, what are you thinking about?"

Wang Pu instinctively stroked Zhenniang's soft, smooth hips and said leisurely, "Master is thinking of many things."

"Madam said that if you keep worries bottled up inside for too long, it'll make you sick just like going without that matter for a long time," Zhenniang blinked her seductive eyes and said. "Can you tell this humble maid?"

Wang Pu replied, "Master is wondering when we can expand our single artillery corps into ten or eight artillery corps, and ideally have two artillery battalions equipped with dozens of Red-Barbarian cannons."

"Ten or eight artillery corps?" Zhenniang asked in astonishment. "Wouldn't that take forty to fifty thousand men? Won't you need forty or fifty thousand muskets? How many years would the weapon workshops have to forge for that? How much fine iron would we need to buy, and how much silver would it cost?"

"Indeed," Wang Pu sighed, speaking with a hint of helplessness. "Forging a single musket requires at least twenty catties of fine iron. Fifty thousand muskets mean one million catties of fine iron. Ordinary iron bars can be bought for forty or fifty catties per tael of silver, but fine iron only yields four or five catties for that price. That item alone requires two to three hundred thousand taels of silver."

Zhenniang gasped in dismay, "It costs that much silver?"

"You call that much? That's merely a fraction," Wang Pu smiled bitterly. "Recruiting, training, feeding, and clothing forty to fifty thousand troops, paying their monthly stipends, plus cooks, servants, pack mules, and warhorses—they all need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. A force of fifty thousand men, even without fighting, consumes at least one million taels of silver a year. Should war break out, we must pay compensation to the families of fallen soldiers, recruit new troops, and replenish weapons and ammunition. The silver required is even greater!"

"Good heavens," Zhenniang widened her eyes and stammered, "The annual tax revenue of Datong Prefecture isn't even that much."

"Datong Prefecture? If the annual tax revenue of Datong Prefecture reaches fifty thousand taels of silver, we should count ourselves lucky," Wang Pu laughed heartily. "Unless we throw that fat pig Zhu Chuanqi into a frying pan, how could we ever squeeze that much grease out of him?"

Zhenniang asked, "Then where are we going to get so much silver?"

"Silver is not urgent; ten or eight artillery corps cannot be built in a day or two," Wang Pu shifted his tone and smiled gently. "Zhenniang, continue massaging Master's back."

Zhenniang said coquettishly, "This humble maid's arms are too tired."

Wang Pu chuckled wickedly, "Then Master will massage yours."

Zhenniang giggled teasingly, "Master, no."

With that, Wang Pu flipped Zhenniang's lithe body over. His large hands pressed down upon her pretty hips, gently kneading them. Though Zhenniang's lips cried out in protest, her pretty hips were already swaying gracefully in rhythm with Wang Pu's strength, emitting seductive moans as she moved...