259: Finally became a general

Everyone walked out, preparing for the banquet.

During this time, some were happy, and some were sad.

It was regrettable this time; His Majesty only promoted the official ranks of some people and did not grant any peerages, so everyone's noble titles remained unchanged. Even Lin Yue, this humble viscount, did not receive a promotion.

As for official positions, She Jian was promoted to Deputy Commander of Wang Li's Legion, now one step closer to becoming a Titled General.

General Yang Xiong was also promoted to Deputy Commander of Yang Wengzi's Legion. He is only thirty-five years old this year and has already become another dazzling new star within the Great Wall Legion, following Zhao Ben and Zhao Tuo.

Several people under Dong Zhuo's command also received a one-rank promotion, but Zhao Ben's Legion remained completely unmoved, as steady as a rock. Although they had anticipated this, seeing others get promoted while they could only be spectators left a somewhat bitter taste in their mouths.

And Lin Yue was finally promoted to General!

He commanded an Army of 300,000 men, still under Wang Li's overall command.

This made Wang Li very happy, as anyone would be thrilled to have an additional few hundred thousand troops under his command. Wang Li now commanded seven Legions, totaling over two million troops, and had become the undisputed Deputy Commander of the Great Wall Legion!

Now, even Dong Zhuo's Flying Bear Army dared not contend with him.

However, although Lin Yue became a General, he was still under She Jian's deployment.

His 300,000-strong Army included the original 130,000 White Horse Righteous Cavalry and a supplement of 200,000 cavalry. Because he took these 130,000 White Horse Righteous Cavalry, She Jian's mobile forces were greatly reduced, so Wang Li, after consideration, gave She Jian an additional Legion's worth of strength.

And this Legion was Lin Yue's Army.

At the same time, Pan Feng and Xing Daorong were both promoted to Colonel, serving under Lin Yue.

As for the last Colonel, the candidate was still pending. Lin Yue didn't know who it was yet, as the imperial decree didn't specify, leaving Lin Yue utterly confused.

However, after Lin Yue was promoted to General, he was also assigned a Supervisor according to regulations. But like the Colonel, he hadn't met the person yet; they were all currently en route, riding on horseback.

Everyone was now on their way to the banquet. After all, military men rarely gathered in peacetime, but once they had the chance to meet, it was invariably for celebrations and drinking contests.

At this moment, Zhao Ben quietly approached Lin Yue.

"What is it, General?" Lin Yue asked.

"Nothing, just thank you. I saw the 40,000 Black Horse Righteous Cavalry; they are even stronger than the cavalry in my Army, very good," Zhao Ben said in a low voice, then patted Lin Yue's shoulder: "Thank you, Brother Lin. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word."

"There's no need for that, General. Only 40,000 remain of the 60,000 cavalry, nearly 20,000 lost in one battle. I just hope the General doesn't blame me," Lin Yue replied.

Half a month ago, Lv Sheng had led the Black Horse Righteous Cavalry back to their unit, rejoining Zhao Ben's Army. Lin Yue had been busy cultivating and acquiring happy fatty water during this time and had almost forgotten about it, not expecting Zhao Ben to still remember.

"When comrades-in-arms die, anyone who says they don't feel pain is lying. But in war, how can there be no deaths?

I also know the ferocity of that great battle, and it is precisely because of that battle that the Black Horse Righteous Cavalry can have their current combat strength.

So don't overthink it. I'm grateful to you, that's what I am!" Zhao Ben laughed heartily.

"It is also thanks to your 60,000 Black Horse Righteous Cavalry, General, that we have an extra chance of victory. It's a pity that Lv Sheng didn't receive any commendation this time," Lin Yue said with some regret.

Although Lv Sheng's strength wasn't high, he had been at the forefront that night, yet his official rank as a Commandant remained unchanged.

"Sigh, what's there to it? With his strength, managing 60,000 cavalry is already somewhat insufficient. He only managed to achieve merit under your command because he had someone to lead him. If he were under me, left to lead independently, who knows what trouble might arise."

Zhao Ben smiled dismissively. He was very clear about Lv Sheng's strength; he was merely a High-level Military General, whose advantage lay in his mastery of cavalry and his youth, which was why Zhao Ben gave him this opportunity.

Then Zhao Ben laughed loudly: "Now with these 40,000 Black Horse Righteous Cavalry, I can completely use them as a framework to expand into a 100,000-strong cavalry Army!

This 100,000-strong cavalry Army, if it has six-tenths of the Black Horse Righteous Cavalry's original strength, can hold its own against the enemy in formation; if it has eight-tenths of their original strength, I can confidently let them go on raids and engage the enemy in the field; if it has nine-tenths of their original strength, then achieving great deeds will be just around the corner!"

"Then This humble general congratulates you in advance, General, on your future achievements!" Lin Yue said with a playful bow and a smile.

"What 'This humble general' and 'General'? Just call me Brother Zhao," Zhao Ben feigned anger.

"Alright, Brother Zhao." Lin Yue thought for a moment and asked: "When will my 200,000 cavalry arrive? This younger brother is anxious and sleepless!"

Zhao Ben burst out laughing after hearing this: "Brother, you already have cavalry."

"Where? Could it be that the first batch of soldiers from the rear are all mine? Can I take them today?" Lin Yue asked, surprised.

Zhao Ben heard this and chuckled wryly:

"Don't be silly, brother.

All Legions currently have varying degrees of damage. That batch of soldiers is only 200,000; how could it be our turn?"

"Then how long do I have to wait?" Lin Yue asked curiously. He knew there would be a major battle around autumn, and the sooner he could train them, the greater his chances of victory.

"Those surrendered Xiongnu people are your cavalry!" Zhao Ben patted his shoulder and laughed loudly.

"Surrendered Xiongnu people?" Lin Yue murmured to himself, "That's not right, there are only less than 80,000 of those surrendered troops, aren't there?

And wasn't it said that they wouldn't be conscripted?"

"That was just a few people. Do you know how many captives there are this time?

There are no less than a million skilled archers!

Who would let go of so many people?

If you make them all do hard labor, wouldn't that be a waste?

Furthermore, using Xiongnu people to kill Xiongnu people, doesn't that solve two hidden dangers at once?" Zhao Ben patiently explained the reasoning to Lin Yue.

Lin Yue finally understood, but he felt somewhat uneasy and asked: "Then doesn't that mean my Army will be somewhat dangerous?"

"It will be somewhat, but it's fine, just be careful," Zhao Ben said.

"Goddamn 'be careful'!" Lin Yue thought to himself.

You are a First-rate Military General; as long as you want to run, with the Army covering your retreat, no one can catch you. I'm just a High-level Military General, how can I run?

This isn't a world where fighting energy turns into horses. No matter how much higher your realm is than mine, as long as my horse is fast, you can't catch me. In this game, a First-rate Military General's instantaneous speed is much faster than a warhorse, though their stamina isn't as much as a warhorse.

Lin Yue felt like he had taken on a hot potato—not only was it hot, but it could also explode! Because if what Zhao Ben said was true, then the surrendered Xiongnu people in their Army would make up two-thirds of the personnel, meaning they were destined for trouble!

Hard battles and fierce battles would definitely be theirs to face first!

However, for protecting his home and country, Lin Yue didn't dwell on it too much. After all, on the battlefield, those who fear death the most die the fastest.

"What is this?" As the Generals arrived at the lunch venue, someone suddenly pointed at the table and asked.

She Jian stepped forward at this moment and laughed:

"This is happy fatty water, one bottle for each person. Everyone, please take your seats quickly."

She Jian, who had just been promoted to Deputy Commander under Wang Li, thoughtfully introduced it to everyone.

He even handed General Meng Tian and Fusu a can of "heart-cooling" each.

This scene almost made Lin Yue mistakenly think he was back in reality, attending a feast.