135: Setting up a game

【Opinion Collection Building, Newcomer Seeking Guidance from Handsome Men and Beautiful Women】

...After returning to the Military Camp, Lin Yue was responsible for guarding Wuluoli.

The news of Wuluoli's capture had already been reported by fast horse to Xianyang, awaiting The First Emperor's judgment. Two days for a round trip was sufficient, so news was expected to return today.

Within these two days, Touman Chanyu of the Xiongnu people had already sent people to negotiate, wanting to ransom Wuluoli, but because there was no clear imperial decree from The First Emperor, General Wang Li had not yet met him.

It was also possible that The First Emperor would directly decree Wuluoli's beheading as a sacrifice.

Therefore, Lin Yue gathered daily with the Generals of the White Horse Righteous Cavalry to guard Wuluoli.

Although it was called guarding, the conditions were not simple; on the contrary, it was a good room in the Encampment.

It was the only elegant small room in the entire Military Camp, with a bed and mattress inside. Although simple, it did not lose its elegant style. Furniture was all available, and several pots of flowers were placed on the windowsill. The environment and lighting were also very good, even better than Lin Yue's room. It could be said to be the best room in the entire Encampment!

This house was urgently built by Wang Li for Wuluoli, but there was not only Wuluoli in the room. Instead, everyone ate and lived together. Soldiers guarded outside the room, three layers deep inside and three layers deep outside, and Wuluoli was among them.

“Lieutenant Lin, General Wang Li has called for you,” a Soldier said, arriving at the main gate.

“I understand, thank you,” Lin Yue said, then turned to the others who were playing cards and said, “I'll be right back. Keep a close eye on him and don't interact with him.”

Wuluoli sat on the bed in a daze, shrugging his shoulders to indicate he wouldn't do anything after hearing Lin Yue's words. But Lin Yue was not at ease; who knew if Wuluoli would have the ability of the Earthwork Fortress God of War? Although the few people were in a state of absolute loyalty, it was still necessary to reduce unnecessary accidents.

Then Lin Yue tidied his clothes and walked towards Wang Li's great tent.

“This humble general Lin Yue pays respects to the Great General!” Lin Yue announced his name outside the tent before stepping into the great tent.

“Sit down,” Wang Li said, seeing the tent filled with people, led by none other than Wang Li himself!

Lin Yue found a seat and sat down. Wang Li, seeing that everyone had arrived, spoke:

“The First Emperor's decree has been issued, granting us great power, allowing us to dispose of him at our discretion.

We can kill him, torture him, or even use him as a sacrifice. But the Xiongnu people envoy is outside the Military Camp. We need to decide beforehand what to do and come up with a plan,” Wang Li said.

Although it was called a discussion, all the martial Generals in the great tent knew what to do. It was nothing more than exchanging the Xiongnu people prince for some benefits. As for sacrificing him, everyone directly ignored it. What was the point of killing someone? Killing a Xiongnu people prince and killing a Xiongnu people Soldier had no difference in their eyes. They would not do anything that brought no benefit.

“Of course, we want money!” a martial General directly said.

“Wang Da Tou, what do you know! The Xiongnu people are so poor they can't even afford pants, where would they get money! Asking for their lives is better than asking for money!” another martial General said.

“Then let's ask for lives, the lives of one hundred thousand Xiongnu people to exchange for Wuluoli's life!” Liu Da Yanjin said.

“Those are one hundred thousand human lives, not one hundred thousand dogs. Please use your brain!” Sun Da Zui Ba mocked.

“Alright, you Sun Da Zui Ba! If I ask for money, you say there's none. If I ask for lives, you say I have no brain. Then what do you say we ask for?” Liu Da Yanjin asked, stroking his beard and glaring!

“I think, why not ask for a few Xiongnu people women for the Brothers to have some fun!” Sun Da Zui Ba laughed.

As soon as these words were spoken, laughter echoed throughout the great tent, and the tent was filled with joy.

“I think it's better to ask for some warhorses. The Xiongnu people have many horses, and we can replenish our cavalry,” a martial General said.

The previous few were just joking to lighten the mood; ultimately, they had to return to the main topic!

“Wang Da Tou is right,” Wang Li said in a deep voice. “Besides warhorses, we can also ask for some cattle and sheep, especially cattle, which would be even better.”

Guangzhong lacked plowing cattle. If tens of thousands of plowing cattle could be obtained at once, it would be much more useful than killing tens of thousands of Xiongnu people!

Presenting the cattle to The First Emperor and then distributing them to the common people would be a great deed that benefits both the country and the people, and a great achievement!

Actually, if The First Emperor had given a specific plan for dealing with Wuluoli, it would have been easier for them. Now that it was entirely left to them, with no standard for good or bad performance, it was the most difficult situation!

But if they replenished horses, cattle, and sheep, The First Emperor would surely be greatly pleased!

Lin Yue nodded, hearing Wang Li's suggestion, and sighed inwardly, thinking, 'As expected of a family with three generations of three martial marquises, this move is brilliant.'

After all, in Central Plains dynasties, wise monarchs often valued the livelihood of the people more than foreign tribes. Even some monarchs who were good at warfare, or even pursued aggressive military policies, would immediately shift their focus to domestic livelihood after defeating foreign enemies. After all, the common people are the foundation of a dynasty!

As long as they could fill their stomachs, the common people would not oppose the monarch, nor would they revolt, and they wouldn't even care who the Emperor was!

The Central Plains people, especially, were good at enduring hardships and were also adorably simple-minded.

“General's insight!

This humble general is far inferior!” After Wang Li finished speaking, all the martial Generals in the great tent said in unison!

“Stop flattering me. If the task is done well, The First Emperor's happiness is true happiness.

Now, you tell me, what is an appropriate number to ask for?” Wang Li scolded with a smile.

The martial Generals in the tent all smiled awkwardly, then fell silent in thought. What should this number be?

If they asked for too little, the censors would surely impeach them in the future, and they might even be accused of colluding with foreign countries or being Xiongnu people spies!

But if they asked for too much and negotiations failed, wasting this opportunity, the censors in the court would also impeach them for being greedy and letting the country lose benefits that were within reach. They would have unspeakable bitterness, and even if Wuluoli was killed then, it would be useless!

So, the great tent fell into a deathly silence.

“What's wrong? You're usually so lively, but now that it's serious business, you've all turned into mutes?” Wang Li asked with a deep frown.

Everyone still remained silent. Wang Li looked at them one by one, and all the Generals turned their heads to avoid his gaze!

No matter how he tried to provoke them with words, they all acted like dead pigs unafraid of boiling water.

“What about the Brothers from other armies? Aren't you making them laugh at us?” Wang Li sighed, disappointed.

“Liu Da Yanjin! Sun Da Zui Ba! Zhao Da Bi Zi!” Then, disbelieving, he asked them one by one, but not a single person could offer a solution. Wang Li looked at them with disappointment in his eyes.

“I guarantee that what is said in this great tent today will not be spread outside. Can you speak now?

Sun Da Zui Ba, you first!” Wang Li finally said.

“General, you're asking a crude fellow like me to negotiate. Isn't that like asking scholars to fight wars and warriors to write essays?

Isn't that completely mismatched?” Sun Da Zui Ba said with a wronged expression.

“Liu Da Yanjin!”

“General, I, Liu Da Yanjin, count with my fingers. I can count up to 20 at most. I can't count tens of thousands of cattle and sheep!” Liu Da Yanjin said with an innocent face.

“Liu Da Yanjin, you're full of nonsense! Last time, when you faced the Xiongnu people, you returned with 21 heads. How did you manage to count that then!” Chen Da Er Duo said.

“I can count 21, but no more!” Liu Da Yanjin whispered.

“Enough!” Wang Li roared, and the entire great tent fell silent!

All the Generals instantly stood up and bowed to apologize, and the atmosphere became incredibly oppressive!

Wang Li's chest rose and fell continuously, clearly very angry.

“Liu Da Yanjin, Sun Da Zui Ba, Wang Da Tou, Zhao Da Bi Zi, Chen Da Er Duo.” Each time Wang Li mentioned a name, the head of the General called upon lowered a bit further.

“Oh, my Five Tiger Generals, what a bunch of disgraceful fellows!” Wang Li cursed in a cold voice!

“This humble general is guilty!” Everyone simultaneously bowed and pleaded guilty.

“Forget it,” Wang Li sighed, his eyes filled with disappointment, clearly quite disheartened. He remained silent for a long time before finally asking Lin Yue:

“Lin Yue, I've made a fool of myself. You tell me, what is an appropriate number of warhorses, cattle, and sheep to ask for?

Don't worry, what is said in this great tent will not be spread outside. You can speak freely.”

Lin Yue felt the atmosphere was incredibly oppressive. After hearing Wang Li's words, he pondered for a moment, then said, “General, This humble general believes that negotiation is negotiation. We can discuss it and don't need to be fixated on a single number. Before a final decision is made, we can change it at any time according to the situation.

Now that Wuluoli is in our hands, we are in the active position. This humble general believes that as long as we send a few eloquent people, this task can be completed.”

“Excellent! Well said!” Wang Li suddenly laughed loudly, then looked at the Five Tiger Generals with disgust in his eyes and said, “Get out! A group of you can't compare to Lin Yue alone, you disgraceful fellows!”

“This humble general obeys!” The Generals bowed their heads, enduring Wang Li's scolding, and then exited the great tent one by one.

Lin Yue watched the Generals leave one by one, leaving only himself standing there, and suddenly had a bad premonition!

Sure enough, Wang Li looked at Lin Yue with eyes full of appreciation, then softly asked:

“You've noticed it too. I don't have anyone like that under my command. After looking around, only you are the most suitable. It seems She Jian is truly blessed!”

Lin Yue hadn't yet figured out how to refuse when he heard Wang Li continue:

“Don't worry, it's nothing if you fail. Go on, the Xiongnu people envoy is still waiting for you outside!”

It's over, I've been trapped!