Chapter Eleven: Shi Jueyi (Part 1)

Another unified shout rang out.
Liu Yu turned around to see Jiang Ningxue standing there, holding high the banner of the Liu Army with heroic grace. As soon as she saw him turn, she instinctively took his hand and handed him the banner.
What Liu Yu saw was Jiang Ningxue’s smile, eight rows of troops in perfect formation, and victory!
He felt the urge to say something, but the first two rows of troops cheered in unison:
“Long live the leader!”
Liu Yu was surprised for a moment, then waved the banner and planted a kiss on Jiang Ningxue’s cheek before holding her hand. “Hello, my wife!”
Then he vigorously waved the Liu Army banner. “Hello, brothers!”
The response was a thunderous roar as the entire troop unit cheered, “Long live the leader!”
Liu Yu realized he had brought down the goddess of victory—what did that mean? It meant the entire Liu Army was now on his side!
The first two rows spoke again in unison:
“The leader has worked hard!”
“We’ll fight for the brothers!”
Once again, the whole group repeated, “The leader has worked hard!”
“We’ll fight for the brothers!”
The cheers were deafening.
Tears welled in Jiang Ningxue’s eyes as she softly said, “Hello, my husband!”
Shi Jueyi also heard these cheers from inside the high-stilted bamboo building.
Liu Haohao, who was beside him, didn’t understand what was going on and became uneasy, ready to get up. “Sir, I’ll go outside…”
Shi Jueyi spat. “Just a few shouts, and you’re already scared? You need to stay right here!”
Hearing about Feng Zicai and General Li, Liu Haohao immediately felt much more at ease. Both of them were key officials of the Qing Dynasty, having led troops many times into Vietnam to suppress rebellions and earned countless heroic deeds. If they spoke up, even the king of Vietnam would tremble.
Shi Jueyi continued to reassure Liu Haohao, “When the 400,000 Taiping rebels attacked Zhenjiang back then, I fought alongside Feng and Li. Over these twenty years in the military, I’ve endured countless battles and hardships. How could I fail now?”
“I’ll guarantee your position as battalion officer!”
Although Liu Haohao was impulsive, after hearing the continuous cheers outside, he knew he could only place his hopes on Shi Jueyi.
This Shi Jueyi was a genuine Qing military officer, a third-rank high-ranking official.
Although the rank of “Jueyi” was lower than that of governors, generals, deputy generals, and colonels in the Green Standard Army, it was still a third-rank position, and this Jueyi was by no means an impostor.
A few years ago, when Feng Zicai led troops into Vietnam, Liu Haohao had interacted with them and knew he was indeed a Qing Jueyi, and also an old subordinate of Feng Zicai during the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion and the defense of Zhenjiang.
Now, Shi Jueyi’s voice carried a hint of murderous intent. “Let’s see what tricks this little brat can pull.”
“What? Is it so rare for a Jueyi to interfere in the affairs of my Liu Army?”
The troops of the Liu Army, led by Liu Yu, walked in. At the forefront were Ji Xinghui and the others who had recently defected. As soon as they saw Liu Haohao, they pointed at him and cursed, “It’s this ambitious scoundrel, with ulterior motives, trying to assassinate the leader and seize your position!”

Liu Haohao never expected that in just a short while, these people would all turn against him. If not for their shouting and urging, how would he have rushed forward to seize control? At the thought of this, he cursed, “Bastards!” and charged at Ji Xinghui and the others to fight. Eager to prove himself, Ji Xinghui threw fierce punches, turning the scene into chaos. Shi Yujie paid them no attention; his sharp eyes fixed on Liu Yu: “Are you the kid from Liu’s Camp?” “Liu Yu!” As a time traveler, Liu Yu had a significant advantage here—he handled his speech with great composure: “Family matters—strangers should not interfere!” Yet Shi Yujie glared at Liu Yu and the others viciously: “You should know that you’re beating a camp officer, a fifth-rank military commander. Are you trying to rebel?” Saying this, he proudly displayed the appointment letter in his hand. Liu Yu raised his hand, giving a signal, and only then did Ji Xinghui and the others step back. Liu Haohao, unable to withstand such a heavy assault, was already beaten up: “I’m a fifth-rank military commander under General Li. You’re completely lawless!” Ever since Shi Yujie obtained the appointment letter, even his insults carried an official tone. Shi Yujie kept staring intently at Liu Yu: “The camp officer of Liu’s Camp should be Liu Haohao. You—” He raised his index finger and rudely pointed at Liu Yu’s head: “Hand over the position to the military commander obediently, or you’ll lose your life. Otherwise…” “If you and Liu’s Camp offend General Li of Feng’s Army, you’ll all be destroyed!” Filled with anger at such rudeness, Liu Yu wanted to curse back immediately. Meanwhile, Liu Haohao, crying in pain, said, “Sir, no wonder we can’t negotiate. If Liu’s Camp is lost, I’d rather not be this military commander!” Though he was being used as a pawn, his nature was not bad. But Shi Yujie showed no mercy: “General Li values you, not this kid!” He spoke bluntly: “Our Qing military system always has the commander-in-chief selecting sub-commanders, who then choose camp officers. Whoever General Li picks must stay in place—no one else can replace them! This kid certainly can’t. I say Liu’s Camp must be led by you!” “Can’t I refuse?” Liu Haohao became furious. Now trapped between two sides, he felt trapped: “I won’t fight anymore!” Liu Yu immediately interjected, “Good!” Hearing this, Shi Yujie was furious: “You brat, do you not respect this official? Do you not respect General Li of Feng’s Army? Do you want to die?” “Leave Liu’s Camp alone. Old man, go wherever you want to retire!” “I’m a high-ranking third-rank Yujie!” “I am the leader of Liu’s Camp!” The two clashed fiercely, like needles against thorns. Seeing his usual tactics fail, Shi Yujie intensified his tone: “Do you really want Liu’s Camp to be completely destroyed?” Liu Yu was also enraged: “Get out of Liu’s Camp!” Now that he had twenty foreign guns and full control over Liu’s Camp, he feared no one—not even this strange Yujie!

Hearing this, Shi Yujie instead calmed down: “You’re seeking death! I’m giving you one last chance—give up your positions!”
“Otherwise, I’ll send people to wipe you out! In just half an hour, you’ll be dead beyond death!”
Liu Yu was also extremely angry: “I’ll fight to the end!”
Shi Yujie continued, “Do you know what a foreign rifle is? I can get ten Minie-style foreign rifles and have ten skilled marksmen wipe you out in fifteen minutes!”