Li Yuanhao reacted quickly, jumping onto a rock and telling the soldiers outside who were about to kneel in layers, "Don't kneel, stay quiet!"
Military orders are like mountains. With Li Yuanhao here, his words carried more weight than the Emperor's. Order was immediately restored outside, with everyone returning to their duties.
Li Yuanhao controlled the chaotic situation, then got off the rock and knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty, greetings! I arrived late to support you and was unable to enter the city in time. I hope Your Majesty will forgive my transgression!"
The King of Hell waved his hand. A sensible young soldier brought a square object, on which a tattered felt was placed. It was already good treatment in the wilderness; even Li Yuanhao had just sat cross-legged on the grass.
The King of Hell paused, then stood up with the help of the rock, seated himself on the felt, and regained his imposing demeanor. He looked up at Li Yuanhao and forced a smile, "Lord Li's loyal support is known to me. Lord Wu commanded the entire army, assigning Lord Li to provide support from the perimeter, thus preventing his entry into the city to save me. I am also aware of this, so Lord Li need not blame himself."
"Oh, so it's my fault, is it?"
Li Yuanhao glanced at me and nodded, "Thank you, Lord Wu, for explaining on my behalf."
I understood Li Yuanhao's meaning. He wasn't coming to support the throne for nothing; he had a request.
"Your Majesty," I said, kneeling on one knee like Li Yuanhao, "This battle was fought entirely with the cover provided by Lord Li's iron-clad cavalry. It was only with their help that I could charge into the city to rescue Your Majesty and successfully deliver those fifty cannons. If all goes well, the rebel siege can be broken within half an hour. Lord Li deserves great credit, and I implore Your Majesty to bestow rewards upon him."
The King of Hell looked at me doubtfully, as if asking, "Is this the time to ask for rewards?"
I winked at him: Just bestow the rewards as I suggest!
The King of Hell gave an awkward smile and could only say, "Very well, as Lord Chengfeng suggests, I shall enfeoff Lord Li as... Prefect of Liangzhou?"
The King of Hell glanced at me again, asking if it was too high or too low. But I had no idea how significant a Prefect was in the underworld, so how could I know if it was too high or too low?
However, I looked at Li Yuanhao. When the enfeoffment was announced, he hadn't bowed his head, merely lowered it and cupped his hands. He showed no expression upon hearing "Prefect," which indicated it was too low.
His ambition was to rule a region and become a king or overlord. A Prefect didn't seem to be enough to satisfy him. In truth, this matter was insignificant; a title was just a title, how could it be greater than the King of Hell himself?
"Your Majesty," I ventured, "With Lord Li's extraordinary talent, wouldn't enfeoffing him as a Prefect be a case of using a great talent for a minor task?"
His Majesty nodded, "Lord Wu speaks wisely. Then, I shall enfeoff him as... King of Liangzhou!"
"King of Liangzhou turtle." I suspected the King of Hell was cursing, but Li Yuanhao was very pleased. He immediately adopted a posture of flattered gratitude, bowing low to the ground, "Heaven's grace is boundless! Yuanhao shall pour out his heart and soul to repay Your Majesty's recognition! May my Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
"Lord Li, rise."
Seeing his reaction, was it too high again?
I wasn't entirely sure. Regardless of whether it was Prefect or King of Liangzhou turtle, it was still a higher position than my own as a minor official in the Underworld Emissary's office.
"Your Majesty," Li Yuanhao said, appearing very excited, "This humble subject shall now lead his troops down the mountain to fight the rebels to the death!"
"Your subject's loyalty to the country is commendable, but everything must be done under Lord Li's command," His Majesty pointed at me and said with a chiding smile, "Even I have to listen to him now... Earlier, in the city, I intended to fight the rebels, but this scoundrel actually tied me up and brought me out. How audacious..."
If it were any other underworld official, they might have knelt to beg for forgiveness. I didn't quite understand these customs, but it sounded like the King of Hell was praising me rather than scolding me, so I didn't pay it much mind. I took out a cigarette and lit one, "Does Your Majesty smoke?"
The King of Hell was startled for a moment, then waved his hand, "I cannot partake. You may enjoy it." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
I offered Li Yuanhao a cigarette. He clearly hadn't smoked before. Mimicking me, he took a puff and coughed, "Lord Wu, what is this... cough cough cough, what kind of miraculous elixir?"
The King of Hell seemed to have found a great joke and burst into laughter. The surrounding soldiers also chuckled softly in agreement. The forest was filled with a joyful atmosphere for a moment.
After laughing for a while, the King of Hell stood up and looked towards the battlefield, "I wonder how the situation in the city is."
I extinguished my cigarette butt and stood up, patting the grass off my leather drum, "Your Majesty, please rest here. I must return to continue directing operations."