“Demon Star, how much did I advance this time?” Suo Lun asked.
The Demon Star said, “Because this time you advanced strength and agility, speaking solely of archer cultivation, you are now a mid-rank six-star. And speaking of swordsman cultivation, you are now a mid-rank three-star swordsman.”
Suo Lun was overjoyed. Although this breakthrough was far inferior to the Dragon Flame Ruins, it was already much stronger than he had imagined.
Moreover, he still possessed the Demon Star, capable of performing N Dragon Force critical strikes. Most crucially, he was still a mid-rank six-star spirit master. This was the most heaven-defying aspect. So even when facing a high-ranking warrior, he had the power to fight.
This advancement came entirely from Suo Hanyi. Perhaps this was the so-called final contribution of the Suo Clan foster son.
Suo Lun left the meditation chamber and walked to the small meeting room outside.
“Greetings, my lord.” Suo Danchen and Suo Danyu knelt neatly on one knee.
Previously, they had not shown this etiquette towards Suo Hanyi. Basically, they only bowed at the waist without kneeling, because Suo Hanyi was merely their superior, not their lord.
Suo Lun waved his hand for them to rise, then found a chair and sat down.
Ye Jingyu stepped forward and served an exquisite breakfast.
Suo Lun used his hands to pick up fresh fruit and cheese, eating with great relish, while drinking goat’s milk and red wine.
His breakfasts were very refined, yet also very haphazard. He ate not only cheese, but also lamb chops. He drank not only cow and goat milk, but also wine.
Suo Danchen rose, still bowing respectfully, and said, “Reporting to my lord, Tianshui City has been completely taken. The four thousand rebel troops have been disarmed and escorted out of the city. They are currently confined within the northern city guard military camp.”
Suo Lun swallowed the last bite of lamb chop and said, “Come, let us take a look.”
…
Walking out of the city lord’s manor, Suo Lun boarded a carriage and headed outside the city.
At this time, the entire Tianshui Main City had fallen into a strange silence.
The vast majority of common folk did not know that power had changed hands, but they faintly sensed a terrible atmosphere. Because last night, large-scale troop movements had occurred, and there had even been sporadic fighting.
Early this morning, the city guard issued a public notice that all common folk were to remain in their homes and not go outside.
And even more uneasy were the city guard themselves. Although they had not received very clear information, they had faintly heard rumours.
However, they were the most professional soldiers. Even if uneasy in their hearts, they still had to obey orders.
Suo Danchen hesitated for a moment, then came to Suo Lun’s side and said, “My lord, the city guard brothers are somewhat uneasy in their hearts. Would you like to speak with them?”
Suo Lun shook his head. “No need.”
“Yes.” Although Suo Danchen did not understand, he could only obey orders. He only felt increasingly that Suo Lun was unfathomable, and he worried in his heart whether his lord’s prejudice against the city guard was already very deep.
Did Suo Lun have any prejudice against the city guard? No.
On the contrary, he felt this was an exceptionally fine army. Although their individual combat strength might not match the mercenaries Yan Yan had brought, after all, they lacked actual combat experience. But in terms of loyalty and obedience, they far surpassed the mercenaries.
The day Suo Hanyi faked being assassinated, Tianshui Main City fell to a pincer attack from within and without. But the city guard did not collapse in complete defeat. Instead, they organised themselves to desperately escort Suo Hanyi out of Tianshui City. And within less than half a month, those scattered soldiers voluntarily rejoined and regrouped around Suo Hanyi.
Suo Hanyi and Yan Nu had trained this army very well. This army’s loyalty to the Suo Clan had never changed. It was just that they had chosen to be loyal to Suo Hanyi’s Suo Clan.
It was precisely for this reason that Princess Zhi Ning had them garrison Tianshui Main City instead of transferring them to Tianlang Pass to fight Suo Lun’s great army.
Their current unease stemmed from two things. First, they had temporarily lost direction. Second, they worried about their own fate.
This city guard all originated from Tianshui City. They were absolute professional soldiers. Their families were allotted farmland and houses, and they received a certain salary every month. Within the Tianshui City territory, they belonged to the relatively wealthy with comparatively high status.
Once Suo Lun dismissed them from military service, they would lose everything.
…
Exiting through the north gate and travelling a few li, they arrived at the Tianshui City Guard military camp.
Normally, most of the city guard trained in the camp, with only a small number garrisoned within Tianshui Main City. But with the great battle approaching, the entire city guard had been garrisoned in the main city, leaving the northern camp empty.
The entire camp covered over ten thousand mu. It had dedicated horse grounds, archery ranges, and so on.
The castle complex alone covered over a thousand mu, resembling a small town.
In the camp’s parade ground, Suo Lun saw the captured four thousand rebel troops. Each of them had been disarmed, and even their clothes had been stripped away, leaving them in only single garments. They squatted on the massive parade ground, shivering from the cold.
Although Tianshui City was located in the south and not frozen over, it was winter after all.
On the high walls surrounding the entire parade ground, over a thousand crossbows were aimed at them. The entire castle also had a full two thousand city guard watching over them in full armour. If this group of captives showed even the slightest sign of mutiny, they could be shot and executed in the shortest possible time.
“What were the city guard casualties last night?” Suo Lun asked.
Suo Danchen said, “Negligible. These rebel troops were previously second-line militia from various territories, forcibly armed by Nu Erdan and others. Against such troops, the city guard could fight several at once. Last night’s battle lasted less than an hour. These rebels suffered less than two hundred casualties before all kneeling to surrender.”
Suo Lun stood on the castle balcony, looking down at these four thousand rebel captives on the parade ground.
Very soon he would lead the city guard south to Tianlang Pass to join Yan Yan’s great army in a pincer attack on Tianlang Pass. Leaving these four thousand rebel captives in the rear would accomplish nothing useful and could cause trouble. If they caused chaos, it would be a headache.
So the simplest method was to kill them all clean.
Suo Lun did indeed faintly have this impulse, but reason quickly suppressed it. These were after all four thousand living people, and all his own subjects. They were not even bad people, nor did they intentionally wish to rebel against the Suo Clan. They had simply fought for money to eat.
Suo Lun looked at these rebel captives and said indifferently, “I am called Suo Lun. Count of Tianshui, City Lord of Tianshui, that is, the lord you were rebelling against.”
Instantly, all the captives looked at Suo Lun with unease, their gazes filled with terror. Clad only in thin garments, they shivered even more from the cold.
And it was not merely the rebel captives. The city guard soldiers also looked towards him, for they too worried greatly about their own fate.
“All rebels deserve execution,” Suo Lun said bluntly.
The four thousand rebel captives trembled in fright and immediately prepared to kneel and beg for mercy.
“The high-ranking warrior lords like Nu Erdan must all die. Rebel officers of centurion rank and above must all die. Squad leaders must all be demoted to slaves,” Suo Lun pronounced bluntly. “But as the lowest-ranking soldiers, you are ignorant and unaware, so you need not die.”
The over four thousand rebel captives below felt they had escaped death and breathed a great sigh of relief.
“How much salary did you receive each month fighting for Nu Erdan and the others?” Suo Lun suddenly asked.
These rebel captives looked at one another, not knowing how to answer for a moment.
“One silver coin per month,” one captive said carefully. “Three silver coins during wartime.”
One silver coin was equivalent to three hundred yuan in Earth terms. This salary was indeed very low. No wonder Nu Erdan and the others had gone mad, gathering up to thirty thousand rebel troops at most.
“By the day after tomorrow at the latest, Nu Erdan’s other rebel troops will be completely annihilated,” Suo Lun said in a very relaxed tone, not mentioning Zhi Ning at all.
Because in the eyes of all the soldiers, this war from beginning to end was a war between Suo Lun and Suo Hanyi, Nu Erdan, and the others. Who Princess Zhi Ning was, they did not even know.
“After the great battle ends, most of you can return home. Those who should farm will farm, those who should work will work,” Suo Lun said. “Those who wish to continue as soldiers must pass strict selection. Only those with outstanding physique and martial arts may continue in military service, filling vacancies in the city guard. Because after the war, the city guard will be expanded to ten thousand!”
Suo Lun’s words were spoken not merely for the rebel captives to hear, but more importantly for the city guard to hear.
Indeed, upon hearing Suo Lun’s words, all the city guard present were overjoyed, their worries completely dispelled.
The city guard would not be reduced, but rather expanded. This meant their livelihoods were secure. Their military status and farmland would not be revoked.
“What is the current city guard salary?” Suo Lun turned and asked.
“Three silver coins per month,” Suo Danchen said. “Regardless of wartime or peacetime, it is three silver coins, though part of it is paid in grain.”
Suo Lun said, “Increase it. From now on, the minimum city guard salary will be raised to five silver coins per month.”
The moment these words were spoken, Suo Danchen and the others’ eyes lit up sharply. All the city guard soldiers present were wild with joy, their faces full of disbelief.
The salary increase from three silver coins to five silver coins was nearly double. Moreover, they did not need to spend money while in the military camp. In a year they could save over one gold coin, enough to let their whole family live well.
In an instant, all unease in the city guard soldiers’ hearts vanished completely, replaced by wild joy and excitement.
As for the shift from loyalty to Suo Hanyi to loyalty to Suo Lun, this transformation was much easier for ordinary soldiers.
Because Suo Hanyi did not have much direct contact with the soldiers, but rather with the officers. So the officers of centurion rank and above felt especially deep affection and loyalty towards Suo Hanyi.
These soldiers were loyal to the Suo Clan, and what they valued most of all was their own livelihood and future.
Suo Danchen beside him was filled with admiration. Suo Lun had not spoken a single word directly to the city guard, yet every sentence was spoken for them to hear. With a few simple sentences, he had completely dispelled the city guard’s unease, and it did not appear the slightest bit like he was buying their favour.
And the over four thousand rebel captives below were also incredibly excited. Not only could they live, but they might also become exalted city guard soldiers, receiving a salary of three silver coins per month. In an instant, they cast their former masters like Nu Erdan to the back of their minds.
Suo Danchen immediately gave a meaningful look.
Instantly, one person among the captives shouted loudly, “Long live Lord Suo Lun, long live Lord Suo Lun!”
Immediately after, all the captives shouted long live Suo Lun.
Not only that, the over four thousand captives knelt down together to show their allegiance.
On the contrary, the city guard soldiers were proud in their hearts. Although excited, they would not display it so superficially.
Suo Lun turned and said softly to Suo Danchen, “Give each captive an extra garment, but still do not let them get warm. Make the daily porridge somewhat thicker, but do not let them eat their fill.”
Suo Danchen was inwardly thrilled, because this was the first time Suo Lun had slightly turned his face to speak with him, his attitude showing a trace of closeness.
At this moment, he deeply felt the difference between Suo Hanyi and Suo Lun.
Although Suo Hanyi was strict, he was open-hearted with the officers, faintly conveying a sense of equality.
But Lord Suo Lun was always high above, letting you neither see clearly nor fathom him. Yet occasional closeness would also make you excited beyond measure, overwhelmed by favour.
Therefore, Suo Hanyi could only be a general. Suo Lun was the true lord.
Indeed, this was the case. Suo Hanyi could at most promote your military rank, but Suo Lun could grant you manors and estates, bestow titles upon you, and bring honour and status to your family.
“Yes, my lord.” Suo Danchen said excitedly.
Suo Lun said, “Leave two thousand men to garrison Tianshui Main City. The remaining four thousand troops will follow me south to destroy the rebel troops at Tianlang Pass.”
“Understood.” Suo Danchen directly knelt on one knee.
…
By evening.
Outside Tianshui Main City, four thousand city guard troops were fully assembled. Two thousand cavalry, two thousand infantry.
Suo Lun rode his lion-tiger beast, inspecting this army back and forth. Every soldier he looked upon felt immense pressure.
And their warhorses also trembled slightly under the gaze of the lion-tiger beast.
“Within Tianlang Pass, there are nineteen thousand enemy troops,” Suo Lun said. “Among them, four thousand Black-Clad troops, ten thousand of Nu Erdan’s rebel troops, and five thousand of Gui Qinqu’s Coastal Army.”
All the soldiers present were gradually becoming accustomed to Suo Lun’s speaking style. No sentimentality, no grand rhetoric.
“And we also number nineteen thousand,” Suo Lun said. “Four thousand city guard, and Lord Yan Yan’s Silver Wolf Legion, fifteen thousand.”
The great name of Silver Wolf Yan Yan was known to everyone present. Because Yan Yan had also come from the Tianshui City territory, and was the king of mercenaries renowned throughout the entire kingdom.
“Nineteen thousand against nineteen thousand.” Suo Lun did not conceal the harshness on his face in the slightest, and said, “But in my eyes, the enemy’s nineteen thousand are completely like chickens and dogs. An army is not better the more numerous it is. An idiot with a million men is still utterly useless.”
Hearing the word idiot, the soldiers present were slightly startled. This lord truly had a distinctive personality.
“You saw the useless army last night. Four thousand rebels were completely taken down by you in less than an hour,” Suo Lun said with a smile. “The day before yesterday, I spent gold coins to hire over ten thousand riffraff. Your Lord Suo Hanyi let out a fierce shout and they pissed their pants in fright, fleeing completely clean.”
At these words, the city guard soldiers present could no longer hold back their laughter.
“Like this kind of useless trash, there are at least several thousand more inside Tianlang Pass,” Suo Lun said disdainfully. “A mere nineteen thousand troops, and they still have to be divided into three factions. This is the enemy we face.”
The city guard originally had little fear. Now, with Suo Lun speaking like this, they had not the slightest dread of the battle at Tianlang Pass.
“Then what of our nineteen thousand troops?” Suo Lun said, “The woman beside me, Yan Naier, is Lord Yan Yan’s daughter. Just two months ago, she led one thousand men in the western desert and defeated fifty thousand Tianye City allied troops. You heard correctly. One thousand men defeated fifty thousand troops. This is the Silver Wolf Legion, with a full fifteen thousand men below Tianlang Pass.”
“Apart from the Silver Wolf Legion, there are you four thousand city guard before my eyes,” Suo Lun said. “Regarding your combat strength, I am not clear. But you yourselves know. If you wish me to know, then in the coming battle, show me with your performance. Do not disgrace the face of my Suo Clan Guard.”
Suo Lun’s tone was very flat, yet it also made the city guard soldiers present boil with hot blood.
Fighting shoulder to shoulder with them was a legendary army, a force that had defeated ten thousand with one thousand. This army brought them a sense of security while also bringing tremendous pressure. You are so strong, we are no pushovers either. Let us compete.
“Finally!” Suo Lun raised a finger and said, “One enemy head can be exchanged for one gold coin. Not a single coin will be owed.”
The moment these words were spoken, all the city guard present nearly went mad.
One head for one gold coin. This, this was completely an astronomical price, almost equivalent to their previous two years’ salary, three or four times the price of hunting barbarian heads in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
If they killed three or four enemies, they would directly become rich.
All the soldiers present felt the blood in their bodies truly about to boil. They wished they could fly to Tianlang Pass to harvest their heads for gold coins.
“Set out. Go kill the enemy, go earn your gold coins,” Suo Lun roared loudly.
“Kill, kill, kill…”
The four thousand city guard were in high spirits, their killing intent soaring to the heavens. They swept south in mighty force, marching towards Tianlang Pass.
“Long live my lord!”
“Trample Tianlang Pass flat!”
…
Inside Tianlang Pass, Zhi Ning was somewhat uneasy, but could not find the reason.
Every day, the falcon messages from Tianshui City remained normal, and the latest news was all good.
For example, the most recent news was that Suo Lun had spent gold coins to hire over ten thousand riffraff to attack Tianshui City, but was scared pissless by a single loud shout from Suo Hanyi.
Then, Suo Hanyi led two thousand cavalry in pursuit for several hundred li. Suo Lun was already certain to die.
Zhi Ning had also scorned him. Suo Lun was clever, yes, but he completely understood nothing of military affairs. That was why he was in such a sorry state.
She believed that by now, Suo Lun had either become a ghost beneath Suo Hanyi’s sword or had been reduced to a prisoner, suffering every humiliation.
Outside Tianlang Pass, Yan Yan’s great army was still constructing defensive fortifications.
The two great armies were still staring at each other from several li apart, simply not fighting.
Since the battle began, eight or nine days had passed. The grain and fodder Suo Lun’s army had brought should be nearly exhausted.
At most a few more days, and once the enemy’s grain was completely used up, they would fall into chaos without fighting.
Yan Yan would not wait until the day his ammunition and food ran out. By then, he would certainly be forced to attack Tianlang Pass.
At that time, the nineteen thousand troops led by Zhi Ning, relying on the strong city, could easily annihilate Yan Yan’s great army completely.
She had not been wrong in the slightest in her thinking. Yan Yan’s mercenaries excelled at field battles, not siege warfare. If things truly went as Zhi Ning predicted, Yan Yan’s great army would certainly lose, with countless casualties.
Therefore, she, Zhi Ning, was completely playing to her strengths and avoiding her weaknesses. There was not the slightest fault.
The only place she was wrong was that the battlefield was ever-changing. Once one lost the initiative on the battlefield, it meant defeat.
And the current Zhi Ning had long since lost the initiative.
When she did not attack Yan Yan’s great army at the first opportunity, she had already lost the first step of initiative.
After Suo Lun killed Suo Hanyi, she had lost the initiative over the entire battlefield.
…
Thus, the days passed one by one. Zhi Ning was still waiting for Yan Yan’s great army to exhaust their grain and fodder.
For some reason, the feeling of unease in her heart grew heavier and heavier, yet she could find no cause at all.
After another two and a half days, a messenger charged into Tianlang Pass, shouting hoarsely, “Suo Hanyi has died in battle. Suo Lun has seized Tianshui Main City and is leading a great army south, less than two hundred li from Tianlang Pass.”
The moment the messenger finished speaking, his body directly fell from his horse, collapsing dead on the ground, an arrow still lodged in his back.
This news was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Zhi Ning only felt her vision go black, her head spin, and then a churning in her chest, an intense pain.
“Pugh…” A mouthful of blood sprayed out violently.
Princess Zhi Ning directly collapsed in a faint, unconscious to the world.