Chapter Sixty: Duty Accomplished, Fortune Favored

“Commoner Ji Wu, pays his respects to Master Liu!”

Upon meeting Liu Qingfeng again, Ji Wu greeted him as usual.

“Rise, rise, what commoner? Your commendation should have arrived long ago, but alas… you’ve also brought the court some trouble.” Liu Qingfeng clicked his tongue in admiration, deliberately keeping Ji Wu in suspense.

“Please, Master Liu, enlighten me,” Ji Wu feigned a hint of apprehension on his face.

“It’s a pity you achieved merit so swiftly. The previous battle report’s rewards for you hadn’t been determined yet, and the next battle report has already arrived,” Liu Qingfeng continued.

“So, it seems I was too reckless?” Ji Wu asked, puzzled.

As soon as he spoke, the two burst into hearty laughter, the air filled with joy.

When one encounters happy events, spirits naturally soar. In the entire rebel-suppression camp of Xishan Prefecture, these two were undoubtedly the most cheerful.

One was the chief commander, whose share of any merit was guaranteed; the other, a young hero, repeatedly distinguished himself, so much so that the imperial rewards couldn’t keep up, held back to be bestowed together after this campaign. Their meetings were filled with laughter and camaraderie, almost like brothers, with no pretense of rank.

When fortune smiles, all are brothers, even the officialdom is much the same. At least, Liu Sanyuan found Ji Wu perfectly pleasing to the eye.

His strategies had always been sound; what he lacked was a decisive point to break the deadlock. Since Ji Wu displayed his prowess, Liu’s worries vanished. Even those who had constantly impeached him for inaction began praising his unparalleled strategic acumen, claiming that the rebels could only be beaten in the wilderness, leaving the people and their property unharmed.

The shift from criticism to praise amused him.

“In the past month, your achievements have been exceptional—one could say you single-handedly dealt a heavy blow to the criminal's champion. Many in the army are envious, some even wish to ‘bend the rules’ to let you serve directly in the military.”

After the laughter, Liu Qingfeng moved to the serious matters.

“Master, your words are not quite accurate,” Ji Wu shook his head and said, “It may seem that I led the militia to gain victories, but in truth, none of this could have happened without your support.

For instance, if you hadn’t fortified the perimeter, the rebels would have plundered our supplies and would not be as weakened as they are today.”

Likewise, with the imperial troops in full readiness, the criminal’s champion has been forced to remain on the defensive, unable to launch a counterattack for fear of provoking the imperial army.

By comparison, I am but a lucky youth who leveraged the situation you and the court created to accomplish some insignificant deeds. The ignorant may not see this, but I am well aware and truly undeserving of such praise from you.”

His words were not mere flattery; Ji Wu genuinely meant what he said.

Liu Sanyuan, famed for his triple success in imperial examinations, was indeed a man of true ability. Without his methods, the criminal’s champion would not have been forced into such dire straits, nor would he have so easily agreed to cooperate with Ji Wu.

“Don’t be too modest,” Liu Qingfeng replied, well pleased. “Everyone sees the situation, but not everyone can break the deadlock. I’ve sent imperial troops into the forests to hunt down rebels, but they achieved little—far less than you.”

“The forests are dense; a thousand men vanish like stones in a pond. The army must act cautiously, but smaller groups can be far more effective. Plus, I have Xiongba to aid me—a single bear in the woods is worth thousands of soldiers. So I often ventured alone, and even when encountering rebels, they could do little against me,” Ji Wu said, smiling.

His repeated achievements owed as much to the criminal’s champion’s cooperation as to Xiongba’s contributions.

For example, the first ‘chance encounter’ with the thousand-strong raiding party was a genuine attempt at plundering, mainly by those who did not heed the criminal’s champion and were thrown out as expendables.

But even as expendables, their strength was real; they would not simply stand there and wait to be cut down.

Since it was a chance encounter, Ji Wu could not prepare much in advance, lest he arouse suspicion.

Without Xiongba charging through, striking terror into the enemy and breaking their will to resist, even with the criminal’s champion’s cooperation, the credit at hand would have been impossible to claim!

With Xiongba, many suspicious points ceased to be problematic.

Otherwise, how could Ji Wu dare to venture deep into the forests, repeatedly find rebel trails, and win against superior numbers?

It was always ‘by discovery’—which could be attributed to Xiongba. The bear’s might in combat was his guarantee, resulting in the current situation.

Moreover, Xiongba could not speak, and obeyed only Ji Wu.

Thus, Ji Wu was the absolute authority.

A bear accomplishing what humans could not—it seemed perfectly reasonable.

He could say that, though he crafted the plan, Xiongba played a crucial role. Without the bear, none of this would have been possible without arousing suspicion—its contributions were immense.

“I’ve heard much about that bear. But since it only listens to you, the merit lies with you. Without your command, the bear’s strength would not be so effectively used,” replied Liu Qingfeng.

Liu Qingfeng understood the intricacies. Long ago, when Ji’s Security Escort Agency helped the court transport auspicious beasts, the court tried to forcibly take the bear from Ji’s care.

Yet the bear refused to obey them, and was more useful in Ji Wu’s hands. Better it serve than cause trouble for the court, so they abandoned their plans.

Who could have expected that, years later, the bear would prove invaluable, with many in the army coveting it.

“All right, let’s not flatter each other further,” Liu Qingfeng said, pouring Ji Wu a cup of tea and inviting him to sit. “Do you know why I summoned you today?”

“A man of your duties surely has more important matters than praise,” Ji Wu mused, though he did not voice his thoughts directly.

“Your merits deserve more than verbal praise,” Liu Qingfeng said seriously. “But I have here an even greater task, fraught with risk. If you’re willing to undertake it, I will personally recommend you to the court for the highest honor in this campaign, and owe you a favor besides. What do you say?”

“Oh?” Ji Wu’s expression turned solemn. “Please speak clearly, Master Liu.”

“The criminal’s champion has suffered heavy losses. Even deep in the forests, you find fewer and fewer enemies. This means he senses danger and is gathering his forces.

Though the outcome is nearly decided, if he escapes with his remaining men, he could reform his power, and the threat would linger—there’s always the chance of resurgence.

It might seem a great victory, but if the root of the evil remains, trouble will return. That is not what I desire.”

Liu Qingfeng paused, then continued, “And you, through repeated victories, have dealt him grievous blows. Now, he surely considers you his greatest enemy.

If you are willing to feign being surrounded, luring his men into an ambush, the imperial troops could then encircle them and bring the campaign to a decisive close.

However, the risks are immense. Whether you accept or not is up to you.”

If it were another matter, Ji Wu might have truly considered.

But to lure the criminal’s champion’s men?

He almost laughed aloud, barely managing to keep a straight face, appearing torn and hesitant.

After a long moment, as if wrestling with his conscience, he finally steeled himself, donned a look of heroic resolve, and said, “Since Master Liu entrusts me with this task to rid the country of a great evil, what is a little risk to myself?

I only hope I will not fail you, nor betray your earnest intentions!”