The main framework of the Military Merit Land Grant policy was completed by Thirteen.
To Ye Tian's surprise, the policy caused an enormous stir the moment it was announced.
Not only were the missing troops recruited almost overnight, but an additional five thousand people joined as well.
And that wasn't the end of it; commoners kept arriving in a continuous stream to pledge their allegiance.
"Young Master Ye Tian, perhaps we should just take Tianxing City. The military camp near the port can hardly hold all the commoners coming to join us," Purple Pearl said, rubbing her temples in frustration.
Given her past experience ruling Pearl Island, Ye Tian had appointed Purple Pearl as quartermaster, responsible for military logistics and camp arrangements.
"Very well. Have Zhou Long send the new army over. It'll be good practice for them," Ye Tian said after a moment of thoughtful silence, finally nodding.
Expanding the current camp on the spot was clearly not cost-effective. It made more sense to capture the capital of Tianxing Province, which would provide both office space and training grounds.
Purple Pearl's eyes lit up, delighted at the prospect of a fight. After years as a pirate, she was accustomed to a life lived on the edge. Being assigned to logistics felt uncomfortable. The chance to follow Zhou Long and get some real combat experience was what she desired most. At the same time, it would allow her subordinates to earn some extra income. Ye Tian was always generous with rewards for combat, offering additional bonuses for every battle. Truth be told, her pirate crew wasn't moved by grand ideals; they were more like mercenaries, fascinated by wealth.
Not long after Purple Pearl left the office, Thirteen strode in briskly and bowed. "Young Master, Liu Wenxuan, a renowned scholar from Tianxing, wishes to see you."
Thirteen went on to explain the man's background. "Liu Wenxuan comes from a humble family. He awakened a mutated martial soul at six and was exceptionally admitted to the Star Luo Royal Academy. Twenty years ago, he even represented the Star Luo Empire in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament. He later joined the Star Luo Empire's officialdom and rose to the rank of Vice-Governor of a province."
"Oh, reaching Vice-Governor means he was quite a figure," Ye Tian remarked, looking up with interest.
"However, due to disagreements with the chief administrator, Liu Wenxuan resigned in anger and returned home to teach," Thirteen continued.
Hearing this, Ye Tian sensed that Liu Wenxuan had a certain integrity. "Let him in."
"Yes," Thirteen replied, bowing before withdrawing.
Shortly after, Liu Wenxuan, dressed in white scholarly robes, entered. "A humble man from the countryside pays his respects to the Guardian General," he said with a slight bow, a calm smile on his face, neither subservient nor arrogant.
The title "Guardian General" was one Ye Tian had adopted for himself. Dai Ya, meanwhile, called herself the Thorn Princess—a declaration of her intent for revenge.
"If someone like you is considered humble, then there are no talents left in all of Tianxing Province," Ye Tian said. He was never stingy with praise for renowned individuals, especially since compliments cost nothing.
"You flatter me, General," Liu Wenxuan said with another slight bow before raising his head. "Might I ask who conceived the Military Merit Land Grant policy?"
"It was our General himself," Thirteen answered, chest puffed out with pride.
Liu Wenxuan glanced at Ye Tian in surprise. Ye Tian chuckled lightly. "It's really nothing special. Don't the nobles of Star Luo and Heaven Dou earn their titles and land through military achievements? I'm merely following their example."
Liu Wenxuan smiled faintly. "The strategy of granting land for military merit is indeed not a new concept, but throughout the world, only two families have ever successfully implemented it: the royal families of Star Luo and Heaven Dou. That is why they established two great empires. However, as early as several hundred years ago, they lost control over the land within their domains, leading to the gradual decline of both empires. Now that you, General, have achieved this, your path to hegemony is assured!"
Ye Tian felt Liu Wenxuan was flattering him, yet the words held truth. With a meaningful tone, Ye Tian said, "You didn't come here just to praise me, did you, Mr. Liu?"
"Certainly not," Liu Wenxuan replied, stepping forward calmly and gazing out the window. "Though I am untalented, I am well-versed in the affairs of the five southern provinces of Star Luo. In recent years, to expand the military and prepare for war, Star Luo has nearly drained the finances of these five provinces. The nobles, glutted with undeserved privileges, forcibly increased taxes, driving countless commoners to sell their children. The people have long lost faith in the current royal family. The elite forces under your command, General, will sweep through like a flood, crushing all decay and establishing your rule over the land!"
"So, you've come to pledge your allegiance?" Ye Tian laughed. This Liu Wenxuan certainly knew how to flatter. Yet Ye Tian was also puzzled. How could someone so skilled at flattery have resigned in anger and returned home to teach?
"You could say that," Liu Wenxuan admitted earnestly, without denial. "Might I ask when you plan to fully conquer Tianxing Province, General?" he asked, lifting his eyes.
Before Ye Tian could answer, Liu Wenxuan bowed again, this time deeply. "Though I am untalented, I have cultivated diligently over the years and have reached the Spirit Emperor level. I am willing to serve as your vanguard to pacify Tianxing Province!"
As he straightened, he added, "However, the commoners of Tianxing Province have suffered a great disaster and are on the verge of resorting to unthinkable measures to survive. If they are subjected to the ravages of war, they will likely flee their homes, and Tianxing Province may become a barren wasteland!"
Hearing this, Ye Tian understood Liu Wenxuan's true purpose. He had indeed come to pledge allegiance—but for the sake of Tianxing Province's commoners, not for personal fame or glory. This comforted Ye Tian greatly. Soul masters with such insight were rare.
He waved his hand lightly. "There's no need to worry about the disaster. I have already ordered the fleet to continuously purchase grain from other regions and transport it to the port day and night. The commoners in Tianxing and the surrounding affected provinces may go hungry for a few days, but they will not starve."
Liu Wenxuan was taken aback, his expression turning solemn. "Your concern for the people's welfare is truly a blessing for Tianxing Province!"
At the same time, a hidden worry surfaced in Liu Wenxuan's mind, and he couldn't help but voice it. "Might I ask if you have any connection to Spirit Hall?"
As someone raised in the Star Luo Empire, Liu Wenxuan held no hatred for Spirit Hall, but he felt no fondness for it either. Especially recently, with Spirit Hall's sneak attacks on Star Luo, its ambition to unify the continent was plain to see.
Ye Tian knew admitting his ties to Spirit Hall might affect Liu Wenxuan's decision to join him, but he saw no reason to hide it. Nor did he care to. The allegiance of a single Soul Emperor was insignificant to him. Of course, basic courtesy still mattered.
"That's right. Spirit Hall and I are allies," Ye Tian stated plainly.
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxuan's expression grew complex. He had suspected as much, but he hadn't expected Ye Tian to be so forthright, without the slightest attempt to conceal the truth. Could it be that a Spirit Emperor like him was of no consequence in Ye Tian's ranks?
Liu Wenxuan's face turned grave. Indeed, when he entered, he had taken in the training grounds. To drill twenty thousand new recruits into a disciplined force in such a short time was no ordinary feat.
(End of Chapter)