Finest Servant

Chapter 452 So, You Like Lin San

Li Tai nodded slightly, glanced at his generals, and chuckled, "Zhiqing's question can serve as a test for all of us. Any opinions? Let it be known that the appointment for the vanguard of the right-wing will be decided by collective judgment."

The people present were all seasoned war veterans. The performances of Lin San and Yu Zongcai had already made it clear who excelled. Setting aside other matters, Lin San's innovative training methods alone constituted a significant breakthrough. Thinking back on his military achievements in Shandong, the disdain that many initially held for him began to dissolve. At the very least, he was no fool.

"Commander," Zuo Qiu, who held Li Tai's utmost trust, began, stepping forward with a fist salute and a hearty laugh. "Both Yu Zongcai and Lin San have shown keen insights into the training issues raised by Adviser Xu. Yet Lin San went a step further, diagnosing the issue and offering a solution. I believe he deserves extra credit. With your permission, I'd like to adopt this expanded training method in my left-wing army. This would not only enhance trust and coordination among our soldiers but also consolidate our forces effectively in battle."

Zuo Qiu was the vanguard for the left wing and was one of the few influential figures in Li Tai's army. His words, therefore, reflected the majority's opinion. Yu Zongcai, a bit disappointed by the endorsement of Lin San, shifted his hopeful gaze to Xu Zhiqing.

Miss Xu nodded, "Brother Zuo is quite right. This new training method is groundbreaking and highly targeted. I think it would be beneficial to implement it throughout the army. Given this, it's only reasonable that Lin San should get the position. But Brother Yu, don't be discouraged. You're also incredibly insightful and capable, certainly worthy of great responsibilities."

Yu Zongcai's face initially displayed disappointment, but upon hearing Miss Xu's praise, he was overjoyed. Quickly, he thanked Xu Zhiqing, "I'm grateful for your guidance, Miss Xu. I'll strive to serve the Empire valiantly and live up to the high expectations you and the Marshal have set for me."

"Lin San, what are your thoughts on the suggestions made by Zhiqing and Zuo Qiu? Can this training method be implemented across the army?" Li Tai stroked his beard and smiled, pleased with the harmonious discussions among his subordinates. However, when his eyes met Lin San's, he noticed a furrowed brow as if something weighed on his mind.

"The expanded training method can indeed be implemented," Lin Wanrong nodded, his expression serious. "But both Brother Zuo and Miss Xu mustn't put the cart before the horse. The army should primarily focus on formations and tactics. This expanded training should only be a supplementary approach, incorporated within those primary tasks. It shouldn't take precedence."

This young man knows how to handle favor without becoming arrogant, Li Tai thought, nodding approvingly. The room's atmosphere was imbued with a newfound respect for him.

Lin Wanrong was generous with his knowledge, laying out the training methods he was familiar with. Many of its novel features left the room agog.

While training troops in Shandong, Lin Wanrong had always stood apart from the rest. He didn't put on airs but engaged with his men like brothers, joking and laughing with them. Yet when it came to battle, he never showed cowardice. He was also extremely protective of his subordinates. His famed outburst at the banks of Weishan Lake had already made him a legend among the troops. Soldiers respected him wholeheartedly and enjoyed being around him—willing even to lay down their lives for him.

Lin Wanrong was aware of his limitations. He had no expertise in conventional military strategies, so he entrusted those responsibilities to Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan, focusing only on general coordination and directional guidance.

His candid sharing of his experiences, even highlighting his shortcomings, won him nods of approval from the assembled generals. Zuo Qiu grinned, grabbing Lin Wanrong's arm, "I like your character, straightforward like mine. I'd trust you with my life on the battlefield."

Lin Wanrong was moved, "Brother Zuo, you really understand me. People see my deceptive exterior but not my sincere heart."

Xu Zhiqing chuckled quietly at Lin San's 'straightforwardness,' fully aware of his character. This was his strategic manipulation of emotions to compensate for his lack of initial prestige.

Li Tai patted him on the shoulder, "Understanding the bigger picture and using men wisely is more critical for a commander than knowing specific strategies. Your ability to choose competent officers like Hu Bugui, Du Xiuyuan, and others and make them willingly serve you is commendable. You shall command the right flank, as most of your troops are your old subordinates from Shandong. Lin San, your orders—"

Lin Wanrong quickly bowed, "I obey."

Li Tai's voice boomed, "Starting this moment, you will be the vanguard of our right flank against the Turkic troops. Prepare provisions and supervise the training. In six days, we move." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Six days? Lin Wanrong was startled. He was worried about how his news would affect Eldest Miss and others at home. Would they cry?

Xu Zhiqing nudged him abruptly. Realizing his lapse, Lin Wanrong quickly responded, "I obey."

The army's decisions were irreversible, and Lin Wanrong received congratulations from all, even the slightly resentful Yu Zongcai.

After the generals dispersed, Li Tai, scrutinizing Lin Wanrong from top to bottom, asked, "Now that you're my right flank's vanguard, have you sorted things out at home?"

Lin Wanrong hesitated, "I'll need a few more days." He was calculating how to break the news to his loved ones. Going to war was no joke, and he could only imagine the emotional toll it would take on them.

Li Tai showed no surprise, nodding, "By His Majesty's grace, you are permitted to remain outside the camp for a few days. There are matters he wishes for you to attend to. The troops on the right flank are mostly your old subordinates from Shandong. This saves us the trouble of introductions. Use the journey north to integrate well with them. For now, take care of the tasks assigned by His Majesty."

Serving His Majesty? How audacious of him to say so when he still has Eldest Miss in his custody! Lin Wanrong snorted, his face full of disdain.

When he left Li Tai's tent, night had already fallen. The thought of heading north into the unknown territory, where life and death hang in the balance, weighed heavily on his mind. He looked up, his gaze settling on Thousand-Forsake Peak in the distance, enveloped by clouds and mist. What could the fairy be doing at this time? Did she know he was about to go to war?

He sighed silently, mounted his temporarily tethered horse, and galloped toward the city. After traveling a few miles, he came upon a carriage moving at a leisurely pace, its curtains drawn so that he couldn’t see inside.

Just as he was about to pass, he heard a loud "woof" emanate from the carriage. It sounded like no ordinary dog—certainly something on the scale of the Second Miss’ Mighty General.

‘What kind of times are these? Everyone has a large dog.’ Lin Wanrong, who had more than a few unclear tales involving dogs, felt the hairs on his body stand up at the sound. As he was about to spur his horse to flee, a soft female voice came from inside the carriage, "Lin San, don't bark."

‘I didn't bark,’ Lin Wanrong felt wronged and was about to retort when another bout of barking erupted from inside. The female voice spoke again, "If you bark again, I'll throw you off the carriage and make you walk."

Realizing who it was, Lin Wanrong reined his horse to a stop and turned to the carriage, smiling, "Is that Advisor Xu speaking?"

Silence filled the carriage, even the ferocious dog that had barked seemed to quiet down. Lin Wanrong chuckled darkly, "If you don't speak, I'll take it as a yes. Advisor Xu, you probably don't recognize me. I'm Lin San, a new recruit who just joined the camp today. Marshal Li has kindly appointed me as the vanguard of the right flank. I look forward to your guidance."

After waiting for a moment without a response, Lin Wanrong was about to leave when the curtain suddenly lifted. Xu Zhiqing's voice came out coldly, "So what if it's me? What do you intend to do by stopping my carriage at this dark hour?"

The evening had deepened, and Miss Xu looked icy, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She sat majestically inside the carriage, her gaze fixed on him, not uttering a word. Beside her crouched a menacing dog, its eyes glowing mysteriously, its red tongue sticking out.

Who stopped whose carriage? That's still up for debate. Lin Wanrong chuckled, "So it really was Advisor Xu speaking just now. No wonder it sounded so familiar. Ah, who is this beside you—"

"This is a fierce dog I'm raising," Xu Zhiqing spoke indifferently, "I'm currently teaching him to speak human language. It seems he disturbed General Lin just now."

"Teaching him to speak human language?" Lin Wanrong was taken aback, clasping his fists and bowing repeatedly. "Advisor Xu is indeed knowledgeable and creative, even capable of thinking of such an idea. Ah, this canine friend of yours is quite handsome—two eyes, a mouth, a nose, and four legs. No wonder Miss Xu is inseparable from him, even bringing him along in military campaigns."

Xu Zhiqing gave a cold laugh and patted the head of the dog beside her, whom she called "Lin San." "I keep him close to me to teach him the ways of humans, to know good from bad. So he doesn't end up like some—ungrateful and disloyal."

"Ah, well-trained," Lin Wanrong nodded solemnly. "You must be very fond of this dog to put in so much effort."

Xu Zhiqing’s face turned slightly red with irritation. She clenched her teeth and hummed, "So what if I like him? At least a dog can understand human speech and is loyal. Better than some people whose hearts are worse than a dog’s and have skin thicker than a wall!"

Clearly, the young lady harbored deep resentment. Lin Wanrong didn't mind her indirect insults and chuckled, "You have a point, Miss Xu. Your affection for this canine friend is justified. By the way, what's his name?"

Seeing Lin Wanrong’s sneaky grin and smug demeanor, Xu Zhiqing couldn’t help but become even more agitated. "His name is identical to yours, Lin San!"

"Lin San? What a good name!" Lin Wanrong gave a thumbs-up, a mysterious smile flitting across his eyes. He nodded as if realizing something significant, "I understand now, I finally understand."

"Understand what?" For some reason, his smile angered her even more. Especially when she thought about how he might be flirting with other women in the same manner.

"What I understand is a very important matter," Lin Wanrong chuckled, "that the one you like is Lin San."

"You, you, you shameless!" Xu Zhiqing was both shocked and embarrassed. Her eyes began to well up with tears. Her face turned red, then white. Abruptly, she lashed her whip on the horse's back. Startled, the horse pulled the carriage forward at a great speed, causing "Lin San" inside to burst into a series of woofing sounds that didn't cease for a while.

After a considerable distance, the speed of the carriage finally slowed down. Xu Zhiqing covered her burning cheeks, her heart in turmoil. Reflecting on their conversation, she realized that she had been outwitted by that scoundrel from the start, falling into his traps one after another—she was simply too emotionally flustered to see it.

"'The one you like is Lin San'—'The one you like is Lin San'—" The rascal's words kept echoing in her ears, making her both embarrassed and oddly expectant. She hesitated for a moment, finally gritting her teeth and reaching out to lift the curtain, sneaking a peek behind her.

The road was empty, not a trace of that rogue to be found—had he not bothered to catch up?

"I was wrong about you, you despicable creature!" Xu Zhiqing was overcome with both sorrow and indignation. She raised her hand and slapped it on the head of "Lin San," who was disoriented from the bumpy ride. "Lin San" let out a pitiful woof, looking utterly wronged.

Teasing the young lady felt so refreshing. Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, preparing to mount his horse and give chase. But just as he was about to swing his leg over the saddle, a sudden tension gripped his heart. His leg tensed up as if responding to some unseen signal.

The land near the forest was eerily quiet—no passersby, no signs of animals. Only the occasional snorts of his war horse broke the silence. A suffocating atmosphere filled the air, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Someone is trying to kill me!" Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as his heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest.

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