Chapter 168: |
Following this, Li Er noticed the confidential letter placed at the bottom. It was sent by Li Daozong, who had been with Su Li since the beginning of his campaign.
Li Er opened the letter and read a few lines, his eyes narrowing slightly.
What?
After achieving a great victory against the Western Region coalition, Su Li had decided to step down from his position as Grand General and return to Changan. Reading this news, Li Er couldn’t help but exhale a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of burden lifted.
For him, this was truly no less than the successful pacification of the Western Regions. Li Daozong’s description of the battle in the letter was even more detailed. The Nine Tribes of the Tiele had turned on the Western Region coalition, causing a sharp drop in their morale at the start of the battle. The betrayal of the Nine Tribes led to mutual suspicion among the Western Region nations, rendering them fragmented once the fighting began. Su Li led his troops in charges that seemed as effortless as cutting through vegetables. The battle raged from dawn until the sun began to set. Not only Su Li but also the three generals—Cheng Yaojin, Weichi Gong, and Su Dingfang—who had charged alongside him had their battle-worn robes soaked with blood. This illustrated how intense the battle had been.
Under the ruthless onslaught of the Tang forces, the Western Region coalition eventually collapsed entirely. After the battle, the Western Region coalition forces scattered in flight. This battle had thoroughly wiped out the fighting strength of the Western Region nations. What remained was merely a mop-up operation, a task that required more meticulous efforts. There wouldn’t be any major battles in the Western Regions in the future, and there would be no need for Su Li anymore.
Su Li’s decision to leave was firm, and he didn’t listen to any persuasion. He asked Li Er how to handle this matter. Upon reading this, Li Er couldn’t help but be shocked. Why would he persuade him? Why would anyone try to dissuade him? Su Li’s three victorious campaigns in the northwest were military achievements that countless generals could only dream of. If he took credit for all the aftermath as well, how could Li Er reward him? The conquest of new territories and the obliteration of many nations—Li Er couldn’t help but sense that the current Su Li was becoming somewhat overwhelming. Should he perhaps bestow upon Su Li the title of Western Region King?
Afterward, Li Er looked through the confidential letters from Cheng Yaojin and the others, finally relieved. Su Li seemed genuinely not attached to recognition and had decided to return. Finally, he found the memorial from Su Li, requesting to return. Li Er swiftly agreed by putting in his signature.
At the Kunlun Mountains, in the commander’s tent of the Tang army, Li Daozong looked at Su Li, sitting at the head and enjoying the conversation with a complex expression. This expedition had lasted less than two months, but everything he had witnessed along the way had left him profoundly astonished.
He could accumulate an impressive track record if he remained in the Western Regions and slowly conquered those small nations. Such achievements would be unprecedented in history and unlikely to be surpassed. What military commander could maintain composure in the face of such accomplishments? Yet, Su Li was precisely capable of doing so. Just as his poem “Song of the Gallant Heroes” stated, “When deeds are done, the fame and the rewards, deep-buried, wait for one to go.”
Through all the battles, Li Daozong had long deeply respected this young commander. However, the line “Ten steps to kill one man, a thousand miles without leaving a trace” seemed too modestly put. Ten steps to kill one man? From what Li Daozong had personally witnessed, Su Li’s solo charges could even be summarized as “One step to kill ten men,” and that would still be an understatement. At this moment, they were all gathered to celebrate Su Li’s decision. The intense battle was behind them, and the commanders felt indescribable relief. Raising cups and exchanging toasts, they celebrated in a joyful atmosphere.
Amidst the lively feast, a few of them revisited old topics. “Commander, I, Lao Cheng, have never acknowledged anyone in my life except for you! There’s an old saying, ‘The last ten miles of a journey are half the distance.’ When it comes time to recognize your achievements and rewards after you return, it might be too unfair…” Cheng Yaojin raised his cup, his expression complex.
In the battle at the Kunlun Mountains, Lao Cheng had fought alongside Su Li amid a million-strong army, charging in and out seven times. After a lifetime of warfare, he had never experienced such exhilarating combat. Fighting alongside Su Li could be summed up in one word—satisfying.
Cheng Yaojin had always considered himself a fierce general, but only when following Su Li did he truly grasp what it meant to be an utmost fierce general. Amidst many enemies, it felt like entering a realm of no opposition. In this battle, everyone present had gained substantial achievements. Yet, the conversation took a turn. The immense credit for single-handedly breaking a million-strong army was undeniable when recognizing achievements and distributing rewards. However, it still didn’t sound as appealing as the credit for eradicating a nation!
Now, the Western Region nations had essentially been reduced to mere shells. With a slight push, they could all be wiped out. No matter what, the credit for eradicating more than twenty nations was just as significant as the major battles. Who could have imagined that Su Li would choose to leave at such a moment? Cheng Yaojin’s words resonated with the others.
Although the sky-high achievements were within reach, they were acutely aware of who had laid the foundation. Su Li’s departure at this juncture felt like a tremendous loss to them.
Su Li smiled and waved his hand, not continuing the conversation. He understood the point Cheng Yaojin was making, but in his view, it held no meaning. War was about destroying the enemy’s fighting strength, and Su Li couldn’t afford to linger here and handle the aftermath. The live forces in the northwest had been completely shattered, leaving only stragglers and defeated remnants behind. Su Li couldn’t possibly individually deal with each one. The northwest was vast, and even if he rode on a white dragon searching for over a dozen years, he wouldn’t be able to find them all. The enemy could hide in the snowy mountains and deserts, and the aftermath would require substantial manpower and resources. Now that the enemy had been defeated, if the Great Tang couldn’t secure the northwest, it would be Li Er’s concern.
Besides, what use did Su Li have for so-called military merit? His intention for this expedition was merely to fulfill his desire to showcase his unrivaled prowess on the battlefield. Additionally, it was to resolve a lingering issue related to Changle. Now that everything was accomplished and the time had come for him to return, he saw no reason to stay any longer.
Moreover, despite Su Li’s feats of killing on the battlefield, he had taken away countless lives with a mere wave of his hand. The intense and heart-wrenching reality of this could only be felt by those who had experienced it firsthand. Although he was killing enemies, Su Li didn’t carry any burden when he took lives.
Su Li wasn’t inherently a slaughter-mad killer. After experiencing the thrill once, Su Li lost all interest in the battlefield. In other words, he had entered the phase of a sage, and it seemed that this phase might last quite a while.
What was even more important was that in no more than half a month, Changle would be giving birth. He absolutely couldn’t be absent from her side. Being a person in two lifetimes, this was still his first child. He had to be by her side, witnessing the birth of his child for the first time. Thinking about Changle, Su Li’s expression softened considerably.