When they heard that Yelü Zhenghuan had arrived, Wanyan Xuanzong, the current de facto commander of the Jin Dynasty's navy, came out with a smile.
"I was terribly bored staying at home, so I came specifically to find you for a drink today. I just wonder if you're willing to part with the fine wines in your mansion!"
Although Yelü Zhenghuan wanted to kill this scoundrel, he still put on a brilliant smile.
"Hahahaha, I wouldn't be willing to part with my wine for anyone else, but for General Yelü, wouldn't it be impolite not to? Servants, prepare a banquet!"
"This is a small token of my sincerity, please accept it, General!"
As Yelü Zhenghuan spoke, he took out a gift list from his sleeve and handed it directly to Wanyan Xuanzong.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony! Hahahaha, please!"
After glancing at the contents of the gift list, Wanyan Xuanzong nodded in satisfaction.
The Jurchens were originally fishermen and hunters. Although they were now in power, they were still far behind the Liao nobility in terms of enjoying life.
If it were the Liao nobility, they would not care about gold and silver. They preferred spices from overseas, as well as exquisite silks, brocades, and tea from the Great Song Dynasty.
But for someone like him, who came from humble beginnings, having gold and silver in hand felt more secure!
Although he had been entrusted with an important task, the navy had not been valued before, and there was no preferential treatment for it now.
Even though he had tried his best to collect, the money he had obtained in these past few months was only a few thousand taels of silver.
After all, if the navy had any real profit, it wouldn't be as poor as it was now!
"Please!"
Seeing that the scoundrel had accepted the gift, Yelü Zhenghuan immediately felt relieved.
As long as this fat pig was willing to accept gifts, he had a way to get the scoundrel to take him to sea. It was no big deal to give him all the military achievements.
Having reached his current position, Yelü Zhenghuan no longer wanted to climb any higher.
All he wanted now was to live a peaceful life, to help his subordinates get through this difficult period, and then he could retire from the army and return to his fields.
"General Yelü, did you come today for a specific reason?"
After they had had a few rounds of drinks, Wanyan Xuanzong changed the subject and got down to business.
"To be honest, I do have something else I'd like to discuss with you, General. I heard that the army is about to set off soon?"
"That's right, there is indeed such a matter. What is General Yelü's intention..."
Wanyan Xuanzong spoke as he looked at Yelü Zhenghuan with a half-smile.
"May I ask how confident you are in this battle, General?"
Since there were only the two of them in the room, Yelü Zhenghuan spoke without much reservation.
"This..."
"I know you must have reservations, General, so I came specifically to share your worries! As long as you trust me, I am willing to fight alongside you. Of course, you understand my situation. As an official, I've basically reached the end of my career. If this battle is won, I only ask His Majesty to grant me some rewards and land, and then let me retire from the army. I don't care about any military achievements!"
Yelü Zhenghuan understood that it was better to be straightforward with Wanyan Xuanzong than to engage in sly talk. He laid out all his demands and conditions.
"Is it that simple?"
Indeed, after he finished speaking, a look of struggle appeared on Wanyan Xuanzong's face.
Although he was ordered to sideline Yelü Zhenghuan, he knew his own capabilities.
The reason he became the commander of the navy was entirely because he had fished on the Yalu River with his father since childhood.
As for naval warfare, don't be ridiculous!
At most, he didn't get seasick. Fighting against people was not his concern.
When he received this military order, he was already troubled. Now that such a fool had appeared, he was naturally happy.
However, despite his happiness, he still had a slight concern.
Unlike other armies, once the navy reached the sea, it would be like a fierce tiger unleashed from its cage.
Even though he had desperately placed his own men in the navy during this period, his subordinates, who were skilled archers on horseback on land, were not so adept at fighting at sea!
Several months had passed, and the soldiers he brought were still suffering from seasickness.
In the final analysis, the main body of the navy still consisted of Liao people and the people of the northern regions. And these people were all Yelü Zhenghuan's old subordinates!
If this fellow turned against them at sea, they would be truly miserable!
"That's right, it's that simple. General, you must have heard that several of my concubines became pregnant at night recently. I've seen through many things lately. Instead of fighting on the battlefield, it's better to make a fortune, return home, and live a carefree life as a rich man!"
Seeing that he was beginning to waver, Yelü Zhenghuan quickly added another sentence.
"How about this? I need to report this matter to my superiors. Since we've met so rarely, let's not talk about these things today. What do you think?"
"You're right, General. Let the people above worry about these things! Let's drink!"
Seeing that the scoundrel had retreated at the critical moment, Yelü Zhenghuan was so annoyed that his teeth itched.
After getting drunk at Wanyan Xuanzong's mansion, Yelü Zhenghuan simply slept there.
"What's the situation in the West Garden?"
It wasn't until midnight that Wanyan Xuanzong looked at his old butler again.
"General, that scoundrel took all four maids in the courtyard to his bed and is still active..."
Hearing Wanyan Xuanzong's question, the butler quickly lowered his voice and replied.
"This fellow is truly a lecherous devil... However, if that's the case..."
Halfway through his sentence, Wanyan Xuanzong finally made up his mind.
As long as he kept this fellow by his side and assigned more people to watch him, no matter how capable he was, he would have to serve him obediently!