After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 138

Chapter 138

If it were in the past, Su Li wouldn’t mind following the procedures step by step. After all, it was not often that one got to experience being a military commander. Treating it as a game could be a good experience if taken seriously. However, at this moment, Su Li wasn’t in the mood for games. With his child about to be born, wasting time playing war games outside seemed unthinkable. Su Li even entertained the thought of completing everything and returning to Changan, perhaps even in time for the birth of his child. After all, in this era, he was like a high-level boss rampaging through a newbie village.

“Commander, issuing an urgent marching order might cause some disturbance within the army,” Li Daozong carefully suggested to Su Li. Li Daozong was grateful to Su Li and was willing to accompany him, given his knowledge of Su Li’s capabilities. However, it was not solely up to the commander and deputy commander in the military to make all decisions.

A commander could order his subordinates to put their lives on the line during critical moments. Few would refuse in such circumstances. Their loyalty to the Emperor, their devotion to the Tang Dynasty, and the recognition of their contributions on the battlefield were sufficient motivation for the soldiers to fight fiercely. However, this was because they had no choice.

If a clever decision by the commander led the entire army into peril, how many would willingly sacrifice themselves for the commander? This wasn’t even something that needed consideration. The commander’s reputation was built up from victories one after another. A commander who wasn’t too smart might be ousted right after their first battle.

During the Tang Dynasty, they fought numerous battles. This time, the soldiers assigned to Su Li by Li Er were all experienced veterans who had seen their fair share of battlefield action. These soldiers were highly disciplined and possessed strong combat skills. However, due to their extensive experience on the battlefield, they also had their ways of evaluating commanders.

Su Li’s command, even if given to a group of highly seasoned veterans, would likely cause unrest within the army. The soldiers would naturally question such an unconventional order. Even considering the worst-case scenario, a camp rebellion wasn’t entirely impossible.

Li Daozong didn’t believe Su Li couldn’t see this potential issue. So why was he insisting on this approach? Su Li maintained a calm expression under Li Daozong’s gaze and chuckled, “Deputy commander, you’ll understand the purpose behind my orders tomorrow morning.”

The next day, dozens of officers were gathered in front of the command tent as the sun began to rise. Their expressions were grim – some were worried, others were furious, and a few simply sighed. These officers were the middle-ranking officers under Su Li. Convincing them was crucial for Su Li to control the army truly.

But looking at their current state, they were far from being convinced or submissive. It could even be said that since receiving Su Li’s military orders yesterday, none of them were truly supportive. They had been marching thousands of miles urgently to face a waiting force of 200,000 enemy troops. What general in their right mind would give such an order? Did Su Li intend to lead them to their deaths?

After receiving the orders last night, these officers couldn’t sleep. They had gathered early in the morning at the command tent, all with bloodshot eyes. Their frustration was palpable – Su Li was just a consort, yet the Emperor trusted him so much. How could he act recklessly in the army?

“Your Majesty truly believes in him, but he’s causing trouble in the army! After all, he’s just a consort.”

“Your Majesty may think highly of Consort Su for his poetry, even calling him a poetry sage. But is being a poet the same as being a military commander?”

These concerned officers were venting their frustrations while waiting for Su Li to arrive at the tent.

At this moment, an officer noticed the Right Martial Guards Lieutenant standing guard at the entrance of the Marshal’s Tent and walked over.

“Captain Qu, I heard that Su Consort has not been on duty in your Right Martial Guards for a year. Is this true or false?” The officer inquired.

The lieutenant cast a cold glance at the speaker without saying a word.

The rest of the officers felt uneasy, and their expressions turned somewhat awkward. The first person who spoke sneered, “Only the Right Martial Guards would pamper someone like this. His Majesty has truly entrusted the wrong person!”

“Not necessarily. I heard that Consort Su once competed with the Prince of Dai in a military strategy competition, and the result was a close tie!” another person hesitated and added.

However, as soon as those words were spoken, it caused an uproar among the officers.

“His Majesty is favoring him so much that he made him a general in the Right Martial Guards without even entering the barracks for a year. In his first campaign, he had Prince Jiangxia serve as his deputy. Who knew if there was some trick behind the Duke of Dai State’s defeat to him?”

“Even if they competed fairly, we have read military books for some time. How can we not know that theoretical knowledge and combat are different?”

“Ah, even if Consort Su is barely acceptable, we would still be willing to serve him. However, we cannot follow such a suicidal order!”

The officers’ complaints grew louder, reflecting their discontent. At this moment, the sound of wheels rolling over the stone road reached their ears.

Curious, they turned their gaze in the direction of the sound. They were currently in the barracks without any food or provisions, so why was there such a noise?

To their surprise, a unique ox cart appeared before them. Although it was called an ox cart, it was simply a wooden platform supported by two wheels. There were no guardrails, and it was clear that it wasn’t carrying anything. However, it was pulled by a total of nine strong oxen.

Each of these crooked-horned cattle was filled with muscles and exuded tremendous strength. The cart had four oxen at the front and five at the back.

“What is this supposed to be?”

All the officers looked puzzled.

Marshal Su Li must have ordered the ox cart’s presence here, but what could he possibly want with such an arrangement? Why did he bring nine oxen?

At this moment, Su Li emerged from the tent. Despite the officers criticizing him earlier, they still bowed and saluted respectfully upon seeing him.

“Are you all dissatisfied with the military order I issued yesterday?” Su Li scanned the crowd and directly asked.

An older staff officer bowed and said, “We shouldn’t question your decision, Marshal, as military orders are absolute. However… undertaking a march of over a thousand miles at a rapid pace is a significant mistake in military strategy. Moreover, our enemies outnumber us by four times…”

“Such a decision is unwise. I implore you, Marshal, to withdraw your order,” the officer concluded.

Others echoed the sentiment. “Please reconsider your decision, Marshal!”