Looking at Xue Shisan kneeling naked on the ground, and then at his beautiful wife standing behind him, Yuchi Jingde immediately covered his eyes in shame.
"Oh dear!"
"I've come at the wrong time. I'll come another day!"
Hearing this, Meng Sanniang was so ashamed and indignant that she wanted to disappear into the ground. She threw her clothes on her husband and ran shyly back into the house.
Xue Shisan hurriedly put on his clothes and then respectfully greeted Yuchi Jingde again.
If General Yuchi hadn't personally knelt before His Majesty and begged for mercy back then, I would have lost my life long ago.
"This humble servant greets the General and expresses gratitude for the life-saving grace you bestowed upon me years ago!"
Yuchi Jingde sat casually on a stool in the courtyard and accepted Xue Shisan's thanks with ease.
Yuchi Jingde rarely asked for favors in his life, so it was only natural that he would make an exception for this kid and ask His Majesty to plead for him.
It's just that this kid committed a really big crime back then, and he just happened to run into the line of fire.
His Majesty had just assured the Turkic leaders that he would forgive and forget, and this guy turned around and slaughtered dozens of prisoners.
If I hadn't begged and pleaded, pretending that he was my godson, his head would have been chopped off a dozen times over!
Even so, Xue Shisan remains a permanent source of pain for Yuchi Jingde.
He originally intended to train him as his personal disciple, so that he could inherit his mantle and continue to make contributions to the Tang Dynasty.
Unfortunately, even with the prestige of the Duke of E, he could only barely save his life. Keeping him in the army would be extremely difficult.
His Majesty has now reorganized the Zhechong Prefecture, and his eldest grandson has personally assumed the position of Zhechong Commandant.
As soon as this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself, Yuchi Jingde immediately thought of this little brat whom he both loved and hated.
Of course, the "little brat" he was talking about is actually not young anymore; he's in his thirties and a father of several children.
"I heard you've made quite a bit of money these past few years, you little rascal!"
"Reporting to the General, thanks to my comrades in the army, I managed to earn a little money..."
"What are you planning to do now? Continue doing that shameless business?"
People in the Tang Dynasty did not value money; they valued reputation and status more.
However, for the young men of Guanzhong, the quickest way to gain fame and status was to join the army, and specifically, to become a regular soldier in the Tang Dynasty's army.
Because only soldiers of the Fubing (府兵) could achieve nine promotions in military merit, and their military merit could be directly converted into official positions, thus bringing glory to their ancestors and benefiting their descendants.
Therefore, all the young men from Guanzhong considered it an honor to serve as soldiers in the prefecture.
As for other livelihoods, they considered them all shameful and disgraceful.
"I would like to continue serving in the army, but I have no way of doing so..."
"How about you have some mercy and help me get a new official position, hehehe..."
When Yuchi Jingde saw Xue Shisan's shamelessness, he immediately kicked him in a fit of anger.
"roll!"
"I'm already being kind enough to spare your life, and you still dare to expect me to give you a proper birth?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan said with a wronged expression.
"You're the only high-ranking official I know. If you don't help me, I'll only continue to embarrass you..."
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde rolled his eyes in anger. He realized that there wasn't a single good person in the army.
"All right!"
"I'm afraid of you now. But there's an opportunity. His Majesty wants to build a new military command, and I have some openings. I wonder if you'd be willing to start as a lowly soldier!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan nodded with unwavering joy without the slightest hesitation.
"I'm willing!"
"Thank you for your care, General!"
"Once I enter the General's headquarters, I will certainly fight bravely and kill enemies to repay the General's kindness in nurturing me!"
When Yuchi Jingde heard Xue Shisan say this, a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Have you thought this through, kid? The garrison troops have strict rules and don't even get paid."
"If you enter the Zhechong Prefecture, it will be difficult for you to make a lot of money in the future!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan chuckled.
"General, I am not boasting, but I have earned enough money over the years to last several lifetimes."
"Besides, is it difficult for us Tang Dynasty soldiers to make money?"
"Just conquer a few countries, and you'll have all the gold, silver, and jewels you could want! Hehehe!"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde immediately laughed and scolded.
"You little rascal, you're really clever. You know that robbery is a good business, hahaha!"
"Okay!"
"This is the official document we prepared for you. Spend a few days with your wife and then hurry up and come over here to report for duty!"
"Remember this: when you arrive at Zhechong Prefecture, don't say you know me, and don't call me General. Just call me Lao Yu!"
"Old Yu?"
"Um!"
"Our commander of the Zhechong Prefecture has quite a powerful background, the kind that can directly reach the highest levels. We can't reveal our identities yet, so you all have to cover for me!"
"Okay!"
"Then I'll call you Old Yu, hahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde grabbed Xue Shisan and gave him a good beating.
"You brat, trying to take advantage of me, huh?!"
"I told you to call me 'Yay' after you get to the Zhechong Prefecture. Now you have to shout 'Yay!' when you see me!"
"Please, have mercy!"
"Hmph!"
"Considering you're a relatively well-behaved little rascal, I'll let you off the hook for now. But once you report to the Zhechong Prefecture and are officially registered in the roster, you'll be subject to military law from now on!"
"Understood!"
Having said all he needed to say, Yuchi Jingde immediately turned and left; he still had to find the other troublemakers.
"This humble servant escorts the General!"
"roll!"
I get annoyed just looking at you!
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
