49: Chapter 49 Please, Mr. Zhu, assume your post immediately!

Lei Lie stared blankly at Zhou Yun, his nose stinging again.

He didn't know what was wrong with him.

In the past, he always believed he was tough, afraid of nothing and capable of shouldering anything.

But ever since he met the City Lord, he felt like he had become soft and sentimental!

Thinking of the City Lord's words just now, he quickly widened his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.

He understood what the City Lord meant.

Literally, it meant: "I don't concern myself with matters of the Military Department; go find Lei Lie."

But what was the subtext?

The City Lord was clearly saying—the position of Minister of the Military Department has already been given away.

Even if your attainments in the Dao of military strategy are high, Strategist Zhu Ge, don't set your sights on this position!

This was him providing an endorsement!

In front of everyone, in front of Strategist Zhu Ge, he had clearly stated his support for him, Lei Lie!

Replaying the entire process in his mind, a wave of warmth couldn't help but surge in his heart.

At this moment, he finally understood.

No wonder... no wonder when Strategist Zhu Ge first entered the city, the City Lord was in such a rush to have him take over as Minister of the Military Department.

No wonder the City Lord disregarded his refusal and insisted on forcing that position onto him.

The City Lord might have foreseen today's situation long ago!

That was why he promoted him early, legitimized his position, and helped him stand firm!

This was... this was him deliberately grooming him!

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath, forcibly easing the stinging in his nose.

He used to be just a small captain of the City Guard, of humble origins and mediocre talent.

No one had ever looked up to him.

No one had ever been willing to give him a chance.

Yet the City Lord trusted him so much that even after seeing at a glance that Strategist Zhu Ge's military talent surpassed his own, he still insisted on making him the Minister of the Military Department!

How could he possibly repay such trust?

He let out a long breath, continuing to struggle to calm the turmoil in his heart.

Before, he had even thought that once a more suitable candidate appeared, he would give up the position of Minister.

But now, he had changed his mind!

He would not yield this position!

It wasn't because he was greedy for power, but because—since the City Lord chose him, trusted him, and groomed him, he had to live up to that trust!

Didn't know how? Then he would learn!

Couldn't learn? Then he would study until he died!

Even if it cost him his life, he would be a good Minister!

If he couldn't do it well, wouldn't he be letting down the City Lord's painstaking efforts?

He would rather die!

On the other side, Strategist Zhu Ge nodded slightly, shifting his gaze from Zhou Yun to Lei Lie.

He knew very well what the City Lord's words just now meant.

Matters of the Military Department had been fully entrusted to Lei Lie.

No matter how talented he, Strategist Zhu Ge, was, he should not bypass Lei Lie to directly ask the City Lord for a position.

Doing so would not only be disrespectful to Lei Lie, but it would also be a slap in the face to the City Lord.

Since the City Lord had chosen Lei Lie, he should express his stance to Lei Lie.

"Minister Lei," Strategist Zhu Ge bowed and saluted. "I am untalented, but I have dabbled a little in the Dao of military strategy."

"When it comes to leading troops in battle or deploying formations, I can only say I am slightly familiar with it."

Lei Lie frowned slightly as he heard this.

This Strategist Zhu Ge was being too modest, wasn't he?

Over twenty thousand refugees, having experienced six waves of beast tides along the way, were actually led by him and survived.

And he called this "dabbled a little"?

And he called this "slightly familiar"?

If it were him, Lei Lie, he would absolutely have no confidence in being able to do that.

Just as he was thinking this, Strategist Zhu Ge spoke again.

"But if Minister Lei trusts me, I would like to make a bold request for a position."

He looked straight at Lei Lie, his tone solemn. "Military Advisor Libationer."

Military Advisor Libationer?

Lei Lie was stunned.

He certainly knew of this position.

A Military Advisor Libationer, as the name implied, was a strategist or staff officer in the army.

The rank was very high, equivalent to a Deputy Minister.

But in reality, this position had no real power.

A Military Advisor Libationer did not directly command troops and generally did not participate in combat command; they were only responsible for offering advice and participating in military planning.

Put simply, it was a job where you "used your mouth but not your hands."

With Strategist Zhu Ge's ability, he could completely vie for a more important position.

For example, Deputy Minister, Chief of Staff, or...

Why did he insist on choosing such a nominal position?

Strategist Zhu Ge seemed to see through his confusion and smiled slightly.

"My legs are disabled, so I cannot charge into battle or gallop across the battlefield like a general."

"Although I consider myself to have some strategies, I can only sit in the rear and talk."

"Charging and killing enemies is something I cannot do."

"Leading thousands of troops is also beyond my ability."

He looked up, gazing at Lei Lie with a calm expression. "Therefore, Military Advisor Libationer is the best place for me."

"Please, Minister Lei, grant my request!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply.

Lei Lie looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had originally thought that Strategist Zhu Ge came to apply for a job because he was after power and status.

After all, with Strategist Zhu Ge's ability, it wouldn't be difficult to strive for a high position.

But now it seemed... Strategist Zhu Ge had no such intentions at all.

He just wanted to find a position where he could utilize his talents, nothing more.

What more could a person in a wheelchair hope for?

To be able to contribute was already enough to satisfy him.

A sense of respect surged in Lei Lie's heart.

"Mr. Zhu..."

He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Strategist Zhu Ge spoke again, "If Minister Lei is not confident in my current abilities, you may set a test."

"Whether it is deploying formations, simulating battle plans on a sand table, or analyzing enemy situations and formulating battle strategies..."

"I will accept them all without complaint."

"I only ask that Minister Lei give me a chance."

Lei Lie looked at his calm gaze and was silent for a moment.

Then, he threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahahaha!"

The hearty laughter echoed at the city gate.

Strategist Zhu Ge was slightly stunned, not knowing why he was laughing.

Lei Lie stopped laughing and looked at Strategist Zhu Ge with a serious expression.

"Mr. Zhu, you are too modest!" He stepped forward and grabbed Strategist Zhu Ge's hand.

"What test? This Minister is not blind!"

"When those twenty thousand-plus refugees entered the city yesterday, this Minister saw it with his own eyes!"

"The ranks were neat, the discipline was strict, the movements were orderly, and orders were carried out without hesitation!"

"This alone is enough to prove Mr. Zhu's ability!"

Strategist Zhu Ge was slightly taken aback: "Minister Lei, you overpraise me..."

"It's not overpraise, it's the truth!" Lei Lie clasped Strategist Zhu Ge's hand tightly with both hands.

"Although this Minister isn't very bright, at least my eyes are sharp enough to distinguish real talent from showmanship!"

"For Mr. Zhu to be able to train over twenty thousand refugees into that state in such a desperate situation..."

"This level of capability, this Minister must admit, is beyond me!"

He spoke sincerely, without any falsehood.

Strategist Zhu Ge was slightly moved.

Whether he was capable or not, he actually didn't care.

What he truly cared about was that Lei Lie, as a Minister, was able to admit that he was inferior to someone else!

In his view, this point was rare and commendable!

Perhaps this was one of the reasons why the City Lord had him serve as Minister of the Military Department?

He thought silently to himself.

"For Mr. Zhu to be willing to be the Military Advisor Libationer of my Military Department..." Lei Lie's voice was loud and filled with excitement, "This Minister is overjoyed, why would I need to set any tests?"

"Minister Lei..."

"Here is what we'll do!"

Lei Lie slapped his thigh, making a decision.

"Please, Mr. Zhu, accompany me to the Military Department!"

"I will draft the documents right now, and ask Mr. Zhu to take office immediately!"