Chapter 236

Of course, Li Hualong knew that Ye Xiaotian was full of doubts. Even though Ye Xiaotian was now the commander of a region, and the famous Chieftain of Sichuan, because of his status as Governor Li, it was still strange for him to have such private contact with an important local official.

Commander Wan introduced Ye Xiaotian to him, then excused himself and returned to the front hall. Li Hualong sat behind the desk and glanced up. Seeing that Ye Xiaotian was still standing there, a trace of satisfaction flashed across his eyes. Ye Xiaotian had a close relationship with the Eagle Party. Just this alone made Li Hualong see him as half an accomplice. Seeing his respectful attitude, Li Hualong had a better impression of him.

Li Hualong raised his cup and took a sip of tea, then handed the teacup forward and gestured to Ye Xiaotian, "Take a seat!"

"Thank you for taking a seat!" Ye Xiaotian bowed deeply, lifted his robe and sat upright, looking straight at Li Hualong. Li Hualong smiled and said, "Commander Ye, you must be wondering why this Governor wants to meet you here, right?"

Ye Xiaotian bowed and pretended to listen attentively. At this moment, a green-clothed maidservant came to serve tea. Li Hualong said, "I've heard that Commander Ye is wise and resourceful, and has the title of Guizhou's Zhuge. This Governor has a problem recently, and would like to ask Commander Ye to solve it for me."

Ye Xiaotian thought to himself, Guizhou's Zhuge? When did I have such a nickname? This cheap hat was given to me. You gave Young Madam Ma a silver medal, but when it comes to me, you only gave me a nickname. You're as stingy as the Emperor.

Ye Xiaotian ridiculed in his heart, but on the surface, he said respectfully, "Governor, you flatter me. I wonder what Governor's difficulties are. If there's anything I can do to help, I will spare no effort! "

"Good!"

Li Hualong put down his teacup, straightened his posture and said, "In three days, this Governor will vow to go to war to suppress the traitor Yang Yinglong! But the arrow is nocked on the bowstring, and at this critical moment, we lack a general to lead the army! Today the troops from all provinces have gathered in Chongqing prefecture, there are about two hundred forty thousand soldiers and a hundred battle generals. To choose a suitable commander, it is … "

"Ah? Ah! No, no, no, no … "

Ye Xiaotian shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Governor-General, it's not that I'm being courteous with you, nor is it that I'm afraid of the enemy. If I'm afraid, I won't go against Yang Yinglong, nor will I personally lead the army to Chongqing. This lowly official knows his own limits. How can this lowly official's little cleverness be child's play when used on the battlefield? Absolutely, absolutely not … "

It was important to know oneself, and Ye Xiaotian had a clear understanding of himself. He knew what he was good at, what he wasn't good at, what he could do, and what he couldn't do. He had never become complacent just because his status had risen.

He knew what he was good at, what he wasn't good at, what he could do, and what he couldn't do. He'd never become complacent just because his status had risen. However, marching and dispatching troops was a very professional matter. Even someone who had studied the art of war for his entire life would not dare to pat his chest and say that he was a good general. While evading, Ye Xiaotian was also thinking anxiously. He suddenly thought of someone: Qin Liangyu!

But a famous general also needed to be tempered. Although Qin Liangyu knew how to lead troops, had she ever led an army of more than a thousand people? However, a famous general also needed to be tempered. Although Qin Liangyu knew her troops well and was good at fighting, had she ever led a troop of more than a thousand people? This was hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention fighting a war, to be able to deploy so many troops in such an orderly manner was not something that could be grasped just by reading a few military books. Moreover, the geography of the Sichuan-Guizhou region was special, and the composition of these two hundred thousand troops was too complicated.

Ye Xiaotian immediately dismissed the idea. If he pushed this heavy responsibility onto Qin Liangyu, he would be harming the young lady. But … Governor Li probably wouldn't let a woman take command. Moreover, she wasn't a general of the imperial court.

Li Hualong didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Ye Xiaotian's eagerness to clear his name. He coughed and said, "Commander Ye, you're just a commoner, yet you've achieved what you have today. However, I have someone else in mind for this crusade against Yang, and it's not Commander Ye. "

Hearing this, Ye Xiaotian was immediately relieved. Li Hualong said, "I'm sure Commander Ye has heard of this person. He is the General Commander of Guangzhou, the son of General Liu Xian. In the third year of Wanli, the champion of martial arts, the most valiant general of the current dynasty, Liu Shengwu."

Li Hualong said Liu Ting's courtesy name. Even if he said his name, Ye Xiaotian wouldn't be able to recall it. Not to mention that Li Hualong said Liu Ting's courtesy name, even if he said Liu Ting's name, he might not be able to remember it. Li Hualong saw the confusion on his face and said, "Liu Dadao!"

Ye Xiaotian suddenly realized, "Oh, it's him! I've heard a lot about you! General Liu is mighty. If he's in command, my confidence will increase. "

Li Hualong laughed dryly and said, "Yes, Liu Dadao defeated the Burmese, Yunxiong, Wokou, and the Mong. He fought hundreds of battles, big and small, and his name is known throughout the country. He has a steel saber in his hand that weighs 120 catties. He's the best candidate for the position. But he has a good relationship with Yang Yinglong … "

Ye Xiaotian interrupted, "Governor, Yang Yinglong made a lot of friends before he rebelled. I don't know how many court officials were in contact with him. When Yang Yinglong rebelled, didn't these officials immediately draw a clear line with him? As the saying goes, don't use a man you suspect. I think that if Liu Dadao is loyal, there's no need to mind his relationship with Yang Yinglong. "

Li Hualong sighed, "I don't mind, but Liu Ting does. Liu Ting doesn't want to be enemies with Yang Yinglong. He's trying to make things difficult for me by making all sorts of excuses and conditions. I … am really in a difficult position! "

Ye Xiaotian frowned and said, "When loyalty and filial piety can't be fulfilled at the same time, loyalty and righteousness are chosen, not to mention a friendship. General Liu, this is too … too … "

Li Hualong said angrily, "Can't tell right from wrong, good from evil!"

He frowned and evaluated with some helplessness, "What can I do? It's easy to get an army of a thousand, but hard to find a good general. If I don't use him, I really don't have anyone I like. If I use him, I'm afraid he'll go easy on Yang Yinglong. It's better not to use him. "

Ye Xiaotian heard this and finally understood. He asked tentatively, "Could it be that Governor wants me to help persuade General Liu?"

Li Hualong said, "That's right! I've already tried to persuade Liu Ting, but this old ruffian is stubborn. Commander Wan recommended you to this supervisor, but I wonder if Commander Ye can help me convince that stubborn bull to serve the imperial court loyally and wholeheartedly? "

Ye Xiaotian rubbed his chin and thought. He and Liu Dadao didn't know each other, so how could he understand Liu Dadao's temperament? He could only guess how Li Hualong would convince Liu Ting from his short interaction with him. Although Governor Li was a scholar, he didn't have the pedantic air of a normal scholar. But that was all.

With his background and status, he could only talk to Liu Ting about being loyal to the emperor and loving his country, and paying attention to one's position in the big picture. It wouldn't be easy to convince a general like Liu Ting with these words. Even if he were to pour his heart out, he had to use a method that the other party could understand and accept.

Ye Xiaotian thought, If I appear, it should be easier to communicate with Liu Ting than Li Hualong. I can't guarantee if I can convince Liu Ting, but there's no loss in trying. If I don't agree, I'll offend Governor Li. Once I convince Liu Ting, I'll be able to form a relationship with him. If Liu Ting is the commander, it'll be of great help to my plan …

Thinking of this, Ye Xiaotian suddenly stood up and said to Li Hualong in a powerful voice, "Governor, I'm willing to be a lobbyist to persuade General Liu to change his mind and serve the imperial court wholeheartedly!"