Chapter 556: Chapter 144: King’s Order Military Strategist
Ning Zhuo took out twenty million low-grade spirit stones and handed them over to Liu Er immediately.
“This is my clan’s investment in the Three Generals Camp, to help the general achieve victory and glory!”
Liu Er couldn’t help but take a deep breath, looking eagerly at Ning Zhuo’s storage bag. He saw that there were still many spirit stones in the bag!
He immediately averted his gaze, grabbed Ning Zhuo’s arm, and gratefully said, “It must be the adviser who has fully persuaded your noble clan to provide such support. What have I, Liu Er, done to deserve such support from your clan, from you, the adviser?”
Ning Zhuo, in turn, grabbed Liu Er’s arm: “General, it was an instant connection between us, and the longer we are together, the deeper our relationship grows.”
“The General is kindly and loyal to the king, bravely fighting the enemies, truly a responsible and good man!”
“I deeply admire that.”
“In my humble opinion, I intended to help without asking for anything in return. But my ancestors don’t know the General well, and suggested taking thirty percent of the spoils of war.”
Liu Er was startled: “Thirty percent?”
Ning Zhuo had a helpless expression that screamed ‘a young man moved by righteous actions, struggling for ideals, but the elders are too worldly’.
Liu Er patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder: “Don’t mention thirty percent, even if it is sixty percent, so what?”
“Your clan is providing such a degree of support, it’s only fitting.”
“Only now…”
“Alas, you know, adviser, that I promised the spoils to others when the Three Generals Camp was first established!”
“Where can thirty percent of the spoils come from?”
“Umm… maybe it can be deducted from me, my second and third brothers. It might just be a delay before we can repay it.”
Ning Zhuo stretched out his hand and said with a smile: “Regarding this matter, I already considered it thoroughly on my way back.”
“It is time to take back the right to the spoils. Now is the best opportunity.”
Liu Er showed confusion: “Oh? I would like to hear the details.”
Ning Zhuo then explained: “After the ambush, our army resettled outside Canglin Immortal City. Many cultivators are causing trouble, complaining that the treatment here is too low, wanting to leave the Three Generals Camp for other places.”
Liu Er showed a shameful look: “This is because of my limited abilities and empty pockets, so I couldn’t reward the meritorious servants. This is my fault!”
Ning Zhuo shook his head: “Assigning the right of spoils to soldiers is the best treatment we can offer.”
“However, there were not many spoils to collect during the ambush; instead, we suffered many losses. Many soldiers’ magic artifacts and so forth were damaged to varying degrees, and they complained that the maintenance subsidies we provided were too little.”
“The soldiers think such a contract is too disadvantageous.”
“This is actually a gamble. A done deal that follows the rules.”
“If the ambush had been rich in gains, they would not have caused trouble so frequently.”
“Moreover, the White Jade Camp has started to recruit aggressively again. Although restrained, it still flaunts its wealth. Many cultivators from the Three Generals Camp are attracted by their favorable conditions. But due to face concerns, fearing being branded as traitors and facing doubt and exclusion from other armies, they use causing trouble as an excuse to achieve their goals.”
Liu Er nodded, fully agreeing: “The adviser’s words are very meaningful!”
Ning Zhuo said: “Since they feel this contract is extremely unfavorable, now is the right time to ride the tide and abolish this agreement.”
“The initial promise was, ultimately, because our military funds were tight, and it was necessary to attract cultivators to join the army.”
“Now that we have more ample funds, we can elevate the military salary to standard levels, or even higher.”
“Don’t forget, our Three Generals Camp was the most impressive in the ambush.”
“With our achievements, I imagine many cultivators will come and join the army.”
Liu Er looked down, deep in thought.
After a while, he raised his head: “This matter is crucial and shouldn’t be hastened. Adviser, let me think about it and discuss it further with my second and third brothers.”
Ning Zhuo nodded, fully agreeing: “The general’s careful strategy is a fortune for our troops, indeed it should be so.”
On the mountain summit.
An old demon cultivator sat cross-legged on a rock, under him a pool of blood.
Blood gushed from the sides of his eye sockets and from the giant eyeball in his forehead, a miserable sight.
Almost every day, he secretly observed the Qi Fortunes of the Three Generals Camp, even at a great cost.
“Hmm?!”
The expression of the demon cultivator elder abruptly changed.
The Monkey Qi Fortune symbolizing the Three Generals Camp suddenly generated whirlwinds with both hands and feet.
At the same time, the monkey’s body gently shook and suddenly swelled up, becoming several times more robust and majestic than before.
The powerful monkey stimulated the Qi Fortune of the White Jade Camp and Golden Halberd Army; the former’s White Jade Gate rose higher, and the latter’s Golden Spear Light became sharper.
Seeing the unfavorable situation, the monkey immediately shrank back to its original size. At first glance, there seemed to be no change, but upon closer examination, one could see that the monkey’s Qi Fortune had become more solid, lifelike, and vibrant.
“What’s happening?”
“Why did Xiao Liu’s Qi Fortune suddenly increase so much?”
The Demon Cultivator elder felt strange and worry appeared on his face: “The monkey’s shrinking represents Xiao Liu’s mindset, not wanting to flaunt or directly confront Sun Gan of the Golden Halberd Army and Shuangjing of the White Jade Camp.”
“This is not good, it doesn’t match his King’s Order.”
The Demon Cultivator elder came from afar to personally take action in order to maintain the King’s Order and minimize other variables.
Noticing that something was amiss, he immediately sent a secret message into the Three Generals Camp.
Liu Er was discussing with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei whether to take the opportunity to reclaim the rights to the spoils of war.
Zhang Hei spoke first: “The adviser is absolutely right! These cultivators are just trying to take advantage. There are hardly any spoils this time, yet they cause trouble. Why don’t they think about the massive victories and rich spoils to come?”
“Now that we have money, it’s the best time to take back this power. If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late!”
After Zhang Hei finished speaking, he stared intently at Liu Er.
Seeing Liu Er smile and nod repeatedly to him, Zhang Hei chuckled.
But Liu Er was sighing inside: “My third brother is impulsive and straightforward, lacks contemplation, and failed to see the two drawbacks in this situation. In future battles, it’s best to keep him by my side.”
Liu Er then looked towards Guan Hong.
While combing his thick beard that reached the ground, Guan Hong said: “After the ambush battle, I feel more confident about the upcoming major battles.”
“Reclaiming the rights to the spoils of war naturally benefits us.”
“But we should not enforce it aggressively.”
“If it generates more resentment, there will certainly be rumors defaming our brotherhood and integrity, claiming that we don’t uphold our promises.”
“Even if these people accept the change now, in a future major victory with rich spoils, they will still be unsettled and harbor resentment, possibly becoming alienated from us.”
“And as upright gentlemen, once a promise is made, it’s difficult to retract. Otherwise, I’d think less of myself!”
A smile broadened on Liu Er’s face.
Guan Hong mentioned one of the two drawbacks, which pleased Liu Er.
“My second brother is upright and values integrity, thinks deeply, and it’s commendable that he thought of this.”
Hearing Guan Hong’s words, Zhang Hei said: “Why bother with these petty people! We handle our affairs considering various aspects, but overthinking makes things troublesome. People of talent can recognize genuine integrity at a glance. Why worry too much about details?”
Liu Er sighed inwardly.
Zhang Hei then looked at Liu Er: “Big brother, you decide then, I’ll listen to you.”
Just as Liu Er was about to speak, he sensed the secret message and altered his response: “Let me consider this matter alone; both of you go cultivate.”
Shortly after Guan and Zhang left the main tent, Liu Er also secretly sneaked out to the woods outside the army camp, where he met the Demon Cultivator elder again.
“Teacher, I didn’t realize you hadn’t left!” Liu Er bowed deeply, genuinely pleased.
Immediately afterward, with a look of concern, he asked: “Teacher, you seem troubled. Have you encountered something vexing? As your disciple, I’ll do my utmost to solve your troubles.”
The Demon Cultivator elder’s face was pale, a result of constantly observing Qi Fortune, losing too much blood.
The blood loss referred to here isn’t just ordinary blood, but his life’s Essence Blood and even his lifespan!
The Demon Cultivator elder shook his head slightly, not explaining the reason for his injury, but directly asked Liu Er instead.
After a moment, the elder understood the reason behind Liu Er’s surge in Qi Fortune—it was Ning Zhuo.
“So, it was Ning Zhuo’s substantial backing of the Three Generals Camp that caused it.”
“This young man really is a promising youth; no wonder Liu Er is so preoccupied and shows extra concern for him.”
“However, this young man is not mentioned in Liu Er’s King’s Order.”
“This means he will not continue to play a significant role in Liu Er’s fate.”
“At this moment, Liu Er’s most relied upon adviser is still tending to his plot in Southern Bean Country.”