Top-tier Unruly Master-Chapter 1747 - 1784: Redeeming Merit with Deeds

At this moment, Ruo Zhong heard the words of the two strategists, and couldn’t help but feel some admiration for Gao Jian. Although Ruo Zhong didn’t have a very good impression of Gao Jian, he knew very well what kind of person Gao Jian was. Yet, Gao Jian was like a cigarette Ruo Zhong couldn’t quit or throw away; even though he knew keeping him around didn’t benefit his troops, such officers who indulged in corruption and bribery only harmed the army.

However, Ruo Zhong had to admit that Gao Jian sometimes came up with thoughtful ideas for him, even though Gao Jian’s motives were not necessarily in the army’s best interest, but were always in his own interest. This wasn’t true flattery, but Ruo Zhong found it useful.

After all, Ruo Zhong needed such a person, as even honest and clean officials had their own selfish sides.

Ruo Zhong knew that if it weren’t for Gao Jian’s poor troop deployment this time, caused by his corruption and bribery, he wouldn’t have carried out military punishment against him.

Previously, Ruo Zhong’s military punishment of Gao Jian was merely verbal dismissal from his post without any actual punishment, nor was he imprisoned, which clearly showed that Ruo Zhong didn’t harbor deep-seated hatred for Gao Jian, but still had some feelings.

Ruo Zhong actually only dealt with Gao Jian for the sake of the army, and at the time he was quite angry, so he dismissed Gao Jian in a fit of anger. Ruo Zhong felt a little regretful, as losing someone who always said things he liked to hear wasn’t particularly pleasing.

At this moment, though Ruo Zhong didn’t understand why the two strategists were speaking for Gao Jian, he knew they had some truth in their words. If a commander had to be chosen to lead the soldiers, Gao Jian was indeed the only suitable candidate, as the other two squad leaders had died on the battlefield before.

Ruo Zhong hesitated for a moment and directly called to the soldier guarding the tent:

"Bring Gao Jian over."

"Yes, sir!" the gate-guarding soldier immediately replied.

Soon, Gao Jian was brought into Ruo Zhong’s tent. Gao Jian looked at the people inside the tent, particularly the two strategists who spoke for him, feeling both smug and apprehensive, unsure if they had spoken for or against him.

Regardless, Gao Jian had already thought out various strategies. After discovering the bribery activities of the two strategists earlier, he directly threatened them to speak on his behalf, hoping to take on the task of leading the troops, which was Gao Jian’s carefully considered conclusion.

He knew that even though he was still a suspect, reporting the two strategists wouldn’t carry much weight. Not only was it uncertain if he could successfully report them, but he might also face their retaliation, and it wouldn’t benefit him at all.

Destructive and selfish indeed.

But Gao Jian, being sharp-minded, quickly realized that leading troops to suppress the bandits required a commander, and since the two other squad leaders had died, he was the only one left. Gao Jian immediately saw this as a chance to turn his fate around.

Thus, Gao Jian used the bribery leverage against the two strategists to have them speak on his behalf, leading to the current scenario.

At this moment, Gao Jian was extremely anxious and dared not speak recklessly. He knew it was better to remain silent until he understood the situation.

Ruo Zhong looked at Gao Jian and said with some helplessness:

"Do you know what the consequences are for violating military regulations?"

"Subordinate knows. It is thanks to the general’s benevolence that I am alive now. I am deeply grateful..."

Gao Jian replied, feeling apprehensive.

Ruo Zhong saw that Gao Jian’s attitude was good, and much of his previous resentment toward him faded. His expression softened, and he directly said to Gao Jian:

"Since you understand, I’ll give you a chance to atone. Are you willing?"

"Subordinate is very willing. I will cherish this opportunity and earn merit for the general and the army!"

Upon hearing this, the stone in Gao Jian’s heart was finally settled. He knew this was indeed an opportunity for him, and that the strategists hadn’t played any tricks, as they seemed to have spoken for him. Gao Jian couldn’t hide his joyful expression, glancing towards the strategists beside him.

The two strategists looked at Gao Jian with their usual calm expressions but felt very bitter inside. If it weren’t for Gao Jian holding their secrets, they would never have spoken for him, as he often acted high-handedly, using his status as a favorite of the general to make things difficult for them.

But for the strategists, they had no choice, as Gao Jian held their secrets.

Ruo Zhong, upon hearing Gao Jian’s words, then calmly said:

"Since that’s the case, I’ll leave the task of leading troops to suppress the bandits to you. You must heed that gentleman’s command and assist in successfully suppressing the bandits. You only have an hour, and once the time is up, return to the camp immediately with the soldiers. Understood?"

"Subordinate understands. Please rest assured, general, I will complete the task outstandingly!"

At this moment, Gao Jian was already overjoyed in his heart. To him, this was nothing short of a resurrection. He knew that without this opportunity, he risked losing his head at any moment. But with this chance, not only was his life spared, but even his rank was preserved!

For Gao Jian, this was an incredibly fortuitous event! How could he not be excited at such a time?

Upon hearing Gao Jian’s words, Ruo Zhong merely nodded indifferently, hoping that this fellow would not cause any more trouble in the future. If there were another serious violation of military regulations, he would no longer show mercy. At this moment, Ruo Zhong suddenly thought of something and couldn’t help but look towards Ding Fan and the others. Then, with a slightly polite expression, he asked Ding Fan:

"Young master, would you mind letting this criminal redeem himself by helping you with the bandit suppression?"

Gao Jian, hearing Ruo Zhong’s respectful inquiry directed at Ding Fan, was taken aback. He didn’t expect the general to actually consult them. For a moment, the heart he had just set at ease was once again on edge. Gao Jian knew he had previously received Spirit Stones from Ding Fan. If the other party held a grudge for this, his opportunity for a comeback might just evaporate.

But as Gao Jian thought back and forth, even though he had received Spirit Stones from them before, he had fulfilled his promise and indeed let them go. He just couldn’t understand why they returned, and he distinctly remembered that there were more than ten people with them before, but now there were only four. Where did the others go...

Gao Jian found his mind rather confused at the moment. He couldn’t quite grasp the intentions of these people, who even the general was notably respectful towards. Gao Jian had some doubts about the bandit suppression mentioned by them, but he couldn’t say anything more at this moment.

Gao Jian was acutely aware that this was his only chance. He knew if he missed this opportunity, even if the general showed leniency and spared his life, he would likely be expelled from the army or demoted to a highly ordinary soldier, and everything he had worked hard for over the years would plunge to rock bottom.

Thus, no matter what doubts Gao Jian had about Ding Fan and his group, he wouldn’t say anything. He knew that if they were truly exposed, his chance for meritorious service would vanish. Exposing them would also not benefit the general, nor would it earn Gao Jian any reward.

After all, if they were exposed, the countless Spirit Stones the general was concerned about would be gone.

In short, Gao Jian understood the current stakes clearly; it was best for him to play dumb.

However, at this moment, Gao Jian was somewhat worried that the young man might hold a grudge against him, which would not bode well if he disagreed with Gao Jian leading the troops.

Just then, Ding Fan heard Ruo Zhong’s words and smiled calmly. He bore no resentment or concern towards the squad leader who had accepted his Spirit Stones. Ding Fan was actually grateful to this squad leader; if not for his assigning two soldiers to follow, he wouldn’t have been able to immediately understand the situation within the unit.

Subsequently, Ding Fan said calmly:

"I have no issues. As long as this officer can exterminate the bandits, that’s all that matters."

"I have no issues either. I’ll give my all to assist the young master in eradicating the bandits!"

With Ding Fan’s affirmation, Gao Jian felt relieved, his heart settled, and he responded to Ding Fan with sincere gratitude.

Hearing that Ding Fan had no objections, Ruo Zhong also had none. He stood up directly, addressing Ding Fan and the others respectfully:

"In that case, young master can set out. The soldiers outside are already fully prepared and can depart at any time."

"Very well! Let’s go then."

Upon saying this, Ding Fan stood up and headed towards the tent’s exit. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back and said to Ruo Zhong with a calm smile:

"I’ll let the general hold onto those Spirit Stones for now. If we successfully eliminate the bandits, those countless Spirit Stones will be yours."

"This... seems inappropriate... How about the young master keeps those Spirit Stones? I am a person of integrity, as I believe the young master is, too. If they are with me, it might not be quite fit..."

Ruo Zhong said, somewhat awkwardly. He hadn’t expected the other party to let him hold onto those Spirit Stones first — knowing those were countless Spirit Stones, not a trivial amount. Even their nation might not be able to casually produce so many Spirit Stones. Though he said this, he was quite attentive to those Spirit Stones in his heart.

Given that the other party said this, at heart he was quite pleased, though he couldn’t express it directly for appearances’ sake. After all, taking the money before completing the task was indeed somewhat unseemly, so Ruo Zhong said as much.

"There’s no need. Since we became acquainted through conflict, compensation is needed for the soldiers we killed. Let the Spirit Stones stay with you as compensation for your soldiers."

Ding Fan said calmly. To him, the Spirit Stones were not much of a concern. Though they were plenty, Ding Fan believed that as long as they stayed, there wouldn’t be unexpected problems. Moreover, in Ding Fan’s heart, those Spirit Stones were merely placed there temporarily.

They would eventually still be his...

Upon hearing Ding Fan, Ruo Zhong, feeling a bit embarrassed but at ease and delighted, couldn’t help but say:

"Since the young master insists, we shall respectfully comply. Those Spirit Stones will be kept here until you return victorious, and then we’ll package them."