Tianxing Port.
"Thrust!"
"Kill!"
On the newly established training grounds, fifteen thousand new soldiers clad in armor were training in perfect unison.
The instructors were all selected from the Heavenly Strategy Army and possessed rich training experience.
In less than a month, the new recruits' movements had become perfectly coordinated.
Ye Tian, who was observing the new recruit training, looked up at the dozen or so corpses hanging from stakes on the training ground and said to Zhou Long beside him:
"These corpses have served their purpose. Have someone bury them."
The corpses were all new recruits who had broken the rules.
To rapidly train the army, Ye Tian had issued extremely harsh military regulations.
Harsh military regulations alone were not enough to achieve training results.
So several unlucky new recruits were made examples of to intimidate the others.
Zhou Long nodded and found a mid-level officer to give the orders.
He then turned to Ye Tian and said: "For these troops to truly become effective through training, they still need to fight several real battles."
Ye Tian agreed completely: "Correct, but there's no rush for this matter."
It was necessary to lull the Star Luo Empire into complacency, and their true strength could not be exposed at this time.
As the two were talking, Thirteen, drenched in sweat, walked over.
"Thirteen, you've worked hard. Did you gather clear intelligence?"
Five days ago, Ye Tian had sent Thirteen to investigate news about the Star Luo armies in the heartland of Tianxing Province and the surrounding areas.
Thirteen wiped the sweat from his face and exhaled lightly, saying:
"Young Master, I've gathered clear intelligence. The governor of Tianxing Province fled a month ago."
"The nobles of Tianxing City have also mostly fled this past month."
"The nearby Star Luo armies, to protect themselves, have all retreated to Yenisei Fortress."
Ye Tian nodded slightly.
He had an impression of Yenisei Fortress—it belonged to Biluo Province and was the second largest town, a military stronghold.
Even during peacetime, Yenisei Fortress was garrisoned by five thousand elite troops.
Thirteen explained: "Due to our offensive against Tianxing Province, the number of troops at Yenisei Fortress has now reached over ten thousand."
"But they don't yet have the courage to come out and face us in decisive battle, though that should change soon."
"Oh?" Zhou Long laughed: "Can time really foster courage?"
"Not exactly." Thirteen smiled: "Our intelligence personnel intercepted an official document."
"The Star Luo Emperor takes us very seriously and has appointed a Governor-General of the Five Southern Provinces to supervise the military affairs of five provinces, with the goal of eliminating us within three months."
"What a pipe dream." Zhou Long scoffed: "This Star Luo Emperor is truly arrogant."
"With Young Master's strength, he could contend for dominion over the world."
"Using just the local forces of five provinces to eliminate us? They'll only make themselves a laughingstock."
"I share the same thoughts." Thirteen also joined in the mockery: "Forget five provinces—even if Star Luo staked their national fate, we wouldn't fear them."
"Don't underestimate the enemy." Ye Tian raised his hand.
"Star Luo has been established for a thousand years and has deep foundations. Though our Heavenly Strategy Army consists entirely of elites, we only have ten thousand men."
"Excluding some logistics personnel, our combat personnel number only seven thousand."
"If we were ambushed by Star Luo Empire's high-end combat power, we would be the ones at a disadvantage."
"Young Master's lesson is well taken." Zhou Long bowed respectfully, his face beaming with smiles, offering no rebuttal.
In reality, the Young Master was just being cautiously prudent.
Given Star Luo's current predicament, they could barely protect themselves.
Where would they find an elite force comparable to the Heavenly Strategy Army to conduct ambushes?
"Young Master, I believe this is an opportunity."
Zhou Long pulled Ye Tian aside and said in a low voice.
"If we defeat this five-province coalition army, we could easily occupy the southern regions of the Star Luo Empire."
"With the strength you've accumulated over these years, Young Master, if you could absorb the population and territory of these five provinces, training two hundred thousand elite troops wouldn't be a problem. Then the world would be within reach."
At this point, Zhou Long lowered his voice even further:
"Young Master, I must remind you that strength is best kept in your own hands."
"Although your relationship with Spirit Hall's Pope Bibi Dong runs deep, Spirit Hall is ultimately Spirit Hall."
"Spirit Hall's supporters are those soul master families."
"When Spirit Hall unifies the continent, only they will benefit, not you, Young Master."
"By that time, when you want to fight for your own interests, it will be difficult."
Hearing these words, Ye Tian smiled faintly: "The reasoning is sound, but have you considered that after the continent is unified, I might just retire?"
Being buried under masses of paperwork daily wasn't the life Ye Tian wanted.
This left Zhou Long stunned—Ye Tian's words described a path he had never envisioned.
He had thought that when Ye Tian led the Heavenly Strategy Army out of East Sea City, his aspirations had changed.
However, the Young Master's aspirations had never changed.
Zhou Long sighed softly: "Even if Young Master doesn't think of himself, shouldn't he consider the Heavenly Strategy Army and these refugee armies that have joined us?"
"They've followed Young Master through life and death, yet in the end all the benefits go to Spirit Hall. Though those of us who follow you have no complaints, what will the common soldiers think?"
These words made Ye Tian fall into contemplation.
Indeed, wherever there are people, factions will form.
Unknowingly, those who followed him had formed a solid interest group.
Yes.
If not for himself, he should at least secure a way forward for the Heavenly Strategy Army's officers and men.
When he eventually waves his sleeves and departs in freedom.
These Heavenly Strategy Army soldiers would still have lives to live.
Behind each soldier was a small family.
They all had wives and children.
Every mouth had needs to be met.
After thinking for a while, Ye Tian looked toward Thirteen and said thoughtfully:
"In addition to regular military pay, draft a military merit land grant policy."
"Anyone who distinguishes themselves in the upcoming battles will not only receive gold soul coins but also be granted land."
This left Thirteen stunned for a moment, then his expression became brilliant!
"Young Master, this is truly a genius strategy!"
"For commoners, land is a desire as precious as blood itself!"
"If this policy is announced, our shortage of five thousand troops could probably be filled in a single day!"
Thirteen had absolute confidence in his words.
The reason was simple—land was far too important to commoners.
How many commoners, lacking land, remained tenant farmers for generations, having to give sixty percent or even more of their harvest from each 0.6 acres to landlords!
Such commoner families had absolutely no ability to weather disasters.
Once they encountered disaster years, they could only abandon wives and children, beg everywhere, or even starve to death.
This was also why so many commoners rebelled.
"Young Master's wisdom truly ranks among the continent's finest."
"This strategy alone, if one learned even a fraction of it, would be sufficient to establish regional dominance!" Zhou Long was also extremely moved.
It must be said that Young Master Ye Tian was too formidable!
For such a person not to become emperor would be the Douluo Continent's loss!
(End of Chapter)