The Demon Lords-Chapter 649 - 118: The Bitter Peak_2

With their military achievements, historical legends, and inherited traditions, the hunger that once pervaded these two armies was no longer as intense.

Meanwhile, in Shengle, the Jin army formed the vast majority. As "second-class citizens," they eagerly hoped that war would elevate their status and secure them a place in the new game with its new rules and new players. Furthermore, although life in Shengle was somewhat "oppressive," for people of this era, it offered rare stability: affordable medical clinics and free private schools. These were issues that would cause immense headaches even in later ages, but in Shengle, General Zheng had solved them. The cost was high, but its effect in winning the people's hearts was extremely potent. This was how their loyalty and support were cultivated.

Therefore, when the military order arrived, announcing the crushing defeat of the Eldest Prince's troops at the Wang River front, the military camps outside Shengle practically boiled with fervor.

Many people, speaking in the Jin land dialect, expressed their immense relief and joy, saying:

"Direct Thief, you finally lost, haha!"

Then, smiles bloomed on everyone's faces as they began their final preparations. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Already sharp blades were honed further.

Already well-fed warhorses were groomed one last time.

Accompanying the clear war mobilization order was news of double salaries starting next month. An advance on the next month's salary would also be paid. If the war proved lengthy, subsequent salaries would naturally be settled only after the army's return.

Carts laden with boxes of silver rolled into the military camps. Clerks from each unit then began distributing the silver to every soldier.

The Shengle army had significantly more clerks than other armies. They were all "believers" handpicked by the Blind Man, typically possessing some education, literacy, and unwavering political integrity. Ordinarily, they were responsible for propaganda, conveying General Zheng's (the Blind Man's) spirit to the soldiers. They had another crucial task: managing the distribution of salaries and military supplies. These items passed through their hands, not the generals', to prevent embezzlement and the exploitation of soldiers to the greatest extent possible.

Of course, only the Shengle army, a system built entirely from its origins as "three hundred savage soldiers," could implement such reforms. In other armies, deeply entrenched relationships and vested interests made effective implementation too challenging.

After receiving their silver, married soldiers took it home to their wives. They were about to go to war, and swords showed no mercy. Heaven knew if they would return alive, so leaving more resources for their families was paramount.

As for the single soldiers, they headed in groups toward Shengle's official and exclusive "red tents." In the past, they could only afford wild female slaves. This time, however, they indulged, seeking a fresher taste. For a time, a crowd thronged outside the "red tents." Many had to queue, loudly urging their comrades ahead to hurry up and finish.

There was nothing shameful about it. It was understandable that soldiers about to enter the battlefield would want one last uninhibited pleasure before risking their lives.

Many other soldiers went to the Juyi Pavilion for feasts. The Juyi Pavilion was so packed that tables were specially set up out on the street. After all, the entirety of Shengle was the General's Manor's property, and the Juyi Pavilion was also state-run. If it wanted to occupy the street for business, there certainly wouldn't be any city management officials to intervene.

However, from a broader perspective, after this wave of salary distribution, a significant portion flowed right back into the General's Manor's accounts. The associated expenses were naturally substantial, but these could only be offset by external plunder.

Inside and outside the city, the war mobilization order made the atmosphere increasingly raucous. Soon, the General's Manor sent word of a new directive: the curfew would be lifted for the night.

Instantly, the city filled with the loud cheers of drunken soldiers:

"General Zheng is mighty!"

Some, having drunk too much "horse piss," even started shouting, "Long live General Zheng!" only to be promptly silenced with a punch to the mouth by their comrades.

***

"Little Yu, you work at the city gate. You'll be staying behind this time, won't you?" the old woman asked tentatively, her hands busy mending a shoe sole.

The boy, Liu Dahu, was practicing the large characters his teacher had taught him that day by candlelight.

When his mother-in-law posed the question, the sound of the spatula in the kitchen abruptly ceased. Clearly, the woman in there—his wife—was also waiting for his answer.

Yu Huaping shook his head and replied, "I have to go."

He was a Sword Saint of Jin State. Although Jin State was gone, its people remained. The wild people were coming; he had to unsheathe his sword and kill them. He had already lost so much; this conviction was all he had left. Most importantly, Yu Huaping didn't believe that fellow, Zheng Fan, would agree to let him stay and guard the city gate. Sometimes, based on what he had seen and heard in Shengle, Yu Huaping felt Zheng Fan was more a merchant than a general. A merchant would squeeze every last drop of value from everything around him—like his sword, for instance.

"Ni'er's monthly earnings aren't much, but they're not insignificant. Your salary from your post isn't low either. Together, we can live quite comfortably. So why must you go?"

"If the wild people aren't stopped out there, they'll reach us here. Then, these good days we're enjoying will all be gone."

The old woman was momentarily speechless. In that era, women like her, despite their age and adeptness at managing household affairs or engaging in everyday chatter and squabbles, truly found it difficult to comment on such critical matters.

Yu Huaping chuckled and said, "Besides, General Zheng is formidable in battle. This expedition is surely aimed at victory. When we return triumphant, I'll have earned some military merits and received rewards. Then, we can..."