133: Chapter 133 Su Bai, Luan Shi Gang

Li Han didn't even look at Chang Feng's face.

In his eyes, Chang Feng was already a useless pawn.

A piece of trash who had lost a battle and tarnished the reputation of the Yunzhou Army wasn't worth a second glance.

In comparison, Su Bai seemed quite rare and valuable.

Not only did he cause little trouble, but he also always managed to help when least expected.

"General Su, that band of outlaws at Piled Rocks Ridge is different from those at Black Tiger Cliff and Fierce Tiger Mountain."

Li Han stopped smiling, and his expression became solemn.

He picked up a dossier from the desk and handed it to Su Bai, saying:

"This is information about Piled Rocks Ridge that I had someone compile overnight. Please take a look, General."

Su Bai took the dossier and opened it; his brow couldn't help but furrow slightly.

This intelligence was much more detailed than he had imagined.

Piled Rocks Ridge is located one hundred and twenty li southwest of Yunzhou City.

It lived up to its name.

It was a treacherous place filled with jagged rocks.

The Bandits there weren't many, numbering around two hundred, but every one of them was a desperate outlaw.

Most importantly, their equipment truly surprised Su Bai.

The report clearly stated: Every bandit at Piled Rocks Ridge had a suit of iron armor, their weapons were forged from refined steel, and about a third of them were equipped with military-grade repeating crossbows.

What did this mean?

This equipment was practically better than that of Yunzhou City's regular army!

In the Yunzhou Army, only those at the rank of Squad Leader or higher could wear iron armor.

As for refined steel sabers and military-grade repeating crossbows, those were weapons only the elite of the elite could be equipped with.

Where did a group of Bandits get so many good things?

Su Bai felt something was wrong; did these Bandits live so well out there?

Piled Rocks Ridge was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"According to that idiot Chang Feng..."

When Li Han mentioned Chang Feng, he immediately showed some disdain:

"He even saw arrows with formations at Piled Rocks Ridge. Although it was only the most rudimentary Sharp Gold Formation, it's enough to show that the background of this group of Bandits is not simple."

"I suspect they have a cultivation Sect behind them, or at the very least, a major Family supporting them in the shadows."

Su Bai nodded.

This guess coincided with his own.

A group of Bandits could never obtain so much high-quality equipment on their own.

Not to mention engraving formations on arrows.

That requires a professional to accomplish.

It's not something just any Cultivator can do.

And such talent is a highly sought-after prize for any major power, no matter where they are.

Why would they condescend to become a bandit?

The only explanation was that Piled Rocks Ridge was just a front.

Thinking of this, Su Bai's heart slowly sank.

"Therefore, I hope that General Su's mission will completely uproot this thorn in our side!"

Li Han looked at Su Bai and said solemnly, "Of course, this battle is dangerous, and I won't ask the General to take risks for nothing."

He paused, then continued:

"After this battle, regardless of the outcome, I will personally petition General Qin Bei to reward the General for his service!"

"With the General's achievements, being granted the official post of 'loyal and courageous commandant' shouldn't be a problem!"

loyal and courageous commandant.

Su Bai's heart skipped a beat.

This was a legitimate official appointed by the imperial court.

It was a military official rank of the Lower Seventh Grade!

Although the rank wasn't high, its significance was extraordinary.

His current position as General of the Chariots was, to put it bluntly, just an internal post within the Yunzhou Army given by General Qin Bei.

General Qin Bei could give it to him today and take it back tomorrow.

But the loyal and courageous commandant was different.

That was a military officer officially recognized by the Great Zhou.

It was registered on the rolls, with an official certificate and a salary.

As long as he didn't commit a major crime like rebellion, no one could easily strip him of this position.

With this identity.

He would truly enter the officialdom of the Great Zhou.

Li Han had really gone to great lengths to get him to tackle this tough nut of Piled Rocks Ridge.

Su Bai took a deep breath, forcing down the excitement in his heart.

He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

The greater the benefits Li Han offered, the more difficult the bone of Piled Rocks Ridge would be to chew.

It might even break all his teeth.

But did he have a choice?

No.

Right now, if he wanted to climb higher and obtain more resources, he had to seize every opportunity to earn merit.

To make a name for himself!

Since he had already taken down Fierce Tiger Mountain, one more Piled Rocks Ridge wouldn't hurt.

"Rest assured, My Lord."

Su Bai slammed the dossier shut.

A burst of Battle Intent erupted in his eyes as he said to Li Han:

"They are but a mere band of Bandits!"

"Within three days, I, Su Bai, will bring their leader's head to see you, My Lord!"

"Good! Such spirit!"

Seeing Su Bai agree so readily, Li Han was overjoyed.

He had been afraid that Su Bai would be hesitant or make excuses.

It seemed this young man was indeed ambitious.

Such people were easy to use.

And worth his investment.

"Guards!"

Li Han waved his sleeve and shouted orders to the guards outside the door.

"Pass on my command!"

"From this moment forth, General Su Bai shall be in charge of all bandit suppression matters in Yunzhou City!"

"All garrison troops in the city, including the five hundred personal guards under Chang Feng, shall be under General Su's unified command."

"The armory and granary are at the General's disposal. There must be no mistakes!"

He glanced at Chang Feng, whose face was already ashen, and snorted coldly:

"Chang Feng, from today on, you will stay by General Su's side as a personal guard."

"Atone for your crimes through merit. If you perform well, I might consider reinstating you."

"But if you... dare to cause trouble for me again..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the threat in his words was self-evident.

Chang Feng's body trembled violently.

He looked up at Li Han in disbelief.

He was being sent to be a personal guard for that brat Su Bai?!

This... this was practically worse than death.

What an utter humiliation.

He, Chang Feng, was at least a Vice General of the Yunzhou Army.

Now, he was being reduced to slaving away for a green youth?!

A surge of immense humiliation instantly overwhelmed his reason.

A flash of blood-red appeared in his eyes.

Li Han!

Su Bai!

You've gone too far.

Just you wait.

One day, I, Chang Feng, will make you pay a bloody price for everything you've done today.

...

Coming out of the Prefect's residence.

Su Bai's figure walked in front.

Chang Feng followed behind him like a walking corpse, his soul seemingly lost.

There was a distance of three to five steps between them.

Neither of them spoke.

But the air was filled with a stifling atmosphere.

Su Bai's mind was as clear as a mirror.

He knew that Li Han making Chang Feng follow him seemed like a humiliation, but it was actually to keep him in check.

Most likely, he was afraid Su Bai would get arrogant, so he kept Chang Feng by his side to remind him not to forget that Li Han was still above him.

That old fox still didn't trust him in the end.