Li Qian adjusted his breathing, cupped his hands and said, "As the commander-in-chief of the army, I am deeply ashamed that I failed to contribute in this encirclement and suppression campaign."
"Firstly, I am ashamed of my master. I was paid by the imperial court, but I failed to do my best. Secondly, I am ashamed of my soldiers. I should have led them to achieve great achievements, but I missed the opportunity."
"The general heard that the empress is staying and will stay in the mountains for a while... The general recommended himself and begged the empress to give the general a chance to redeem himself and make meritorious deeds!"
Li Qian put away the fierce and arrogant military commander.
Because he found that this trick of "overwhelming people with momentum" didn't work at all in front of the empress.
On the contrary, it makes it difficult for him to get off the stage... It is better to correct his attitude and speak nicely.
Sure enough, the Queen's face looked much gentler.
"It's an exaggeration to say that you deserve meritorious service for your crimes," Wen Jin smiled, "What crime did General Li have?"
"But there are many opportunities for meritorious service. General Li can proactively recommend himself and can think of seeking opportunities for those who follow him, which shows that General Li is a leader."
Li Qian straightened his spine immediately.
No one likes to be criticized, even if he makes mistakes.
People prefer to be affirmed and appreciated by others, especially from people of high status.
"Please give me your orders! Li Qian Ding will lead all the brothers to do their best!" Li Qian clasped his fists and spoke in a loud voice.
Wen Jin said, "That's great. After the army returns to camp tomorrow, I will ask General Li to lead your troops to help manage the bandit prisoners for me."
"Aren't the prisoners taken back to the army? How will the empress control them?" Li Qian asked in surprise.
Wen Jin smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, General Li. Go settle down and rest first. You will know tomorrow."
Li Qian's mind was filled with questions and curiosity.
He returned to his army.
Several young generals and soldiers immediately surrounded him.
"The general went to see the queen? What did the queen say?"
"Will you assign us more important tasks?"
"Do we have soup for this rescue? Can we take credit?"
Several people surrounded him, their eyes glaring, showing both reverence and expectation.
This kind of gaze... although it makes people enjoy it, it also makes it stressful!
Li Qian didn't want to disappoint those who followed him.
"Your Majesty said that we will be entrusted with important tasks. The army will withdraw tomorrow, but we will stay. The specific course of action will be announced by the Empress herself tomorrow."
"What action?"
"Is it dangerous? Is it exciting?"
The young generals rolled up their sleeves and looked excited.
Danger comes with opportunities. Li Qian is not afraid of death, but is afraid of not having the chance to express himself.
The soldiers he personally brought out were also infected with his habits.
"The empress said... it's a secret! Keep your mouth shut!"
Li Gan said, "This is what I went to the empress to fight for for us. If the news leaks out and other battalions take it away, huh, just go ahead and cry!"
"That can't be done!"
"Absolutely tight-lipped!"
In Li Qian's army, the original anger and dissatisfaction was replaced by an inexplicable excitement.
The next day, the generals in other battalions led their troops and left.
The general patted Li Gan on the shoulder and said, "My Majesty, I asked you by name last night! It's rare for a noble person to appreciate you, so do your job well and do it well. Don't embarrass our Western Sixth Army." !”
Li Qian clasped his fists, his chest surging with excitement, "General, don't worry!"
After the army left, Li Qian was ordered to count the prisoners.
After confirming that the personnel were correct, Wen Jin was invited.
"Due to the special situation this time, you have all been deceived by traitors, and you are all our citizens in Daliang." Wen Jin used a Taoist-strengthened voice, majestic yet benevolent, standing on a higher ground, and spoke to those below. Everyone said, "So, trapping, killing and abusing prisoners will not happen."
"All generals will be punished with serious crimes, but you and other soldiers will be treated leniently and given a chance to reform."
"This village will be expanded into a 'resort resort'. You are the first batch of builders and the long-term workers of the resort."
After Wen Jin finished speaking, there was a buzz of discussion below.
"If we don't kill... can we survive? Not only can we survive, but we are also builders? Are we long-term workers?"
"Do you really want to give us a chance to change our ways?"
"Quickly, thank you quickly...Thank you for your generosity! Thank you for not killing me!"
Wen Jin said, "Those of you who are talented and virtuous will have the opportunity to be promoted in the future. This is the real reason why you are long-term workers, not slaves."
There was an uproar below.
Of course the captives were slaves, but the empress actually gave them the status of "long-term workers."
Once you become a slave, you will never be able to stand up again. You will remain a slave for the rest of your life!
Their children were also slaves.
But long-term workers are different!
Moreover, the empress said that as long as they are talented and virtuous, they can still be promoted!
The people below were excited, "The empress is a thousand years old! The empress is a thousand years old!"
Wen Jin looked at the impassioned people and the light of hope in their eyes, and she was very satisfied.
The purpose of the pep rally is to arouse everyone's enthusiasm.
Heart energy is potential! It’s inner drive!
When everyone works together, the effect of one plus one is greater than two.
Wen Jin felt that the situation was about the same, so he handed over the specific engineering tasks to Li Qian.
"From now on, we will rely on Li Jun to lead everyone to rebuild the stronghold and recreate the glory of our army in the hearts of the people." Wen Jin handed over the plan she made overnight to Li Qian.
Li Qian was a little confused. When it came to engineering, he thought it meant "conquering the city." Unexpectedly, it turned out to be "civil engineering"?
He is a general who is good at leading soldiers to "attack the city".
He is not a general who is good at the "project" of building villas!
Madam, have you misunderstood something?
But now that the matter has come to this... can he still give up his job?
I had to do the work I had volunteered for, even on my knees! You have to do a good job!
Li Qian summoned his generals and soldiers, and even mobilized all his soldiers to see who had talents in "civil engineering".
Those bandits who did not become slaves but became "long-term workers" immediately realized that this was a turning point in their lives!
As long as we can seize this opportunity, we will have many opportunities to turn around in the future!
"Please tell General Li, I used to be a mason! He can build houses!"
"General Li, I have built the ancestral hall in the village and the Town God's Temple in the county before! I have experience!"
"Although I can't read, I can draw sketches. I learned from a master before!"
General Li is worried about the first task assigned to him by his mother-in-law. He may not be able to successfully complete it...
Unexpectedly, there are such talents among the prisoners!
Naturally, he felt relaxed.
"General! There is hope!"
"If we can do this beautifully, then the 'credit book' on the mural should also be attributed to us!"
"Are you stupid? We are hosting it here! Let them draw more pictures of me on the mural!"
"How come we were in ambush for a whole day without eating or drinking, and were bitten by mountain mosquitoes and mountain ants, but we were all well-trained and disciplined! We didn't make any sound! This is the highest level of ambush!"
"Draw all these and let future generations admire them!"
Li Qian couldn't help but smile with relief as he listened to the enthusiastic discussion among his young generals.
It turns out that the empress didn’t lie to him...
