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Dugu Yan felt a pang of regret—why had she let go of Ye Lan's arm just now?
If only she had been a little bolder, and since Ye Lan hadn't rejected her, maybe tonight she could have claimed her idol for herself!
But now, with the crown prince present, Dugu Yan wasn't very familiar with Xue Qinghe.
She felt restrained, unable to casually grab Ye Lan's arm again.
Ye Lengleng, however, remained perfectly calm. No one could tell what she was thinking.
Qian Renxue spoke: "Brother Ye, I'd like to seek your advice."
"Brother Xue, there's no need to call it advice. I can only share my own thoughts," Ye Lan replied.
"How does one win people's loyalty? Or rather, how can I make someone willingly serve me?" Qian Renxue asked.
She had lived in the Heaven Dou Empire for over ten years now. Aside from the Snake Lance Douluo and the Porcupinefish Douluo her grandfather had sent, she trusted no one.
Nor did those people ever truly see her as Xue Qinghe's people.
That was why Qian Renxue had dismissed her guards just now—she didn't want them overhearing her conversation with Ye Lan.
"Captain Ye, besides martial soul theory, do you also know about governing a country?" Dugu Yan asked curiously.
"Brother Ye's understanding of the world is beyond what ordinary people can compare to," Qian Renxue said with pride.
"Brother Xue, you flatter me. As for winning people's loyalty or gaining their service, it mainly depends on what kind of people you want working for you," Ye Lan said.
"Oh? And what do you mean by that?"
"The simplest way is to hire them with money. This is also the most common method. It's easy, but also fragile. If someone serves you for profit, then naturally, they will leave you for profit too."
Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully. Many of the followers she had won with money and position had indeed been lured away by Xue Xing.
"And what about making people willing to die for me?" Qian Renxue pressed.
"To raise those who would gladly die for you—that is, deathsworn soldiers—you must take in orphans with no family within the Heaven Dou Empire. Raise them in a closed manor, providing for them until they grow up, and continuously instill in them the values of loyalty and devotion.
When they mature, gradually entrust them with industries, help them marry, and even provide wives—also orphans from the manor. This way, everything they have is given by you. When the time comes and you ask them to give their lives, of course they will do so.
As long as you take in enough orphans, you can cultivate batches of deathsworn over time. The advantage is their absolute loyalty, but the drawback is that they all grow from the same mold—rigid and somewhat lacking in individuality."
"There's no better way?" Qian Renxue asked. She understood exactly what Ye Lan meant by deathsworn, but that wasn't what she truly wanted.
"As long as you keep moving steadily toward a goal and treat the worthy with respect, naturally, like-minded people will gather to your side. They will not only be loyal, but their talents will far exceed your imagination.
To accomplish great things, the most important factor is shared ideals! If someone isn't of the same path, why force it?" Ye Lan explained.
Qian Renxue fell into thought. Perhaps she had been wrong all along.
Indeed, when recruiting people, her focus had always been on loyalty.
But no matter what means she used, she could never truly guarantee it. After all, she didn't possess mind-reading abilities.
Ye Lan's words about like-minded followers struck her like lightning.
Instead of only thinking about how to make others loyal to her, what if, in striving toward a common cause, everyone was willing to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly? Even if they weren't personally loyal to her, what would it matter?
As long as she kept walking the correct path, success was bound to follow.
"Brother Ye, thank you. Today, your words about 'shared ideals' have opened my eyes," Xue Qinghe said with a smile.
"No need for thanks—you are my Brother Xue," Ye Lan replied with a smile of his own.
Ye Lengleng silently watched Ye Lan and the crown prince chatting so warmly, her blue eyes rippling with hidden emotion.
"Captain Ye, you're incredible! Why are you only fifteen?! Even my grandfather doesn't have insights like yours!" Dugu Yan exclaimed, her eyes shining with starry admiration.
After the banquet, Xue Qinghe returned to the secret chamber of the East Palace in Heaven Dou.
Removing her disguise, Qian Renxue lay on the bed and grabbed a stuffed doll.
She began pounding the doll with her right fist.
"Damn Ye Lan!"
"Damn Ye Lan!"
"Just two days ago, you told me you had no female confidantes!"
"And now, only two days later, you're strolling through the streets with women you just met!"
"You liar!"
The veiled Ye Lengleng at his side hadn't worried her much—Qian Renxue didn't feel any immediate threat from her.
But her intuition told her that the distance between Ye Lan and Ye Lengleng wasn't as great as it appeared on the surface.
As for that seductive woman Dugu Yan, just thinking of her made Qian Renxue's heart burn with anger.
That vixen actually dared to cling to Ye Lan's arm!
Qian Renxue lowered her head, glancing at her chest, then used her hands to gesture the size for comparison.
After a long while, she flung the doll away and buried her face into her pillow.
Why am I inferior to Dugu Yan?! she thought bitterly.
After venting her frustrations, Qian Renxue shouted loudly: "Uncle Yu!"
Snake Lance Douluo stepped out from the shadows, struggling to contain his laughter.
Yu Long never expected his young mistress to start experiencing such feelings—but in truth, it was a good thing.
Compared to the cold, aloof "Xue Qinghe," this was far better. This was the real girl he had watched grow up.
"What orders do you have, young mistress?" he asked.
"Uncle Yu, leak Poison Douluo's location to Chrysanthemum Douluo."
Snake Lance Douluo only had to think briefly to understand her intent.
Poison Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo had long been at odds, the kind who fought often and grew more familiar through combat.
But Poison Douluo was no match for Chrysanthemum Douluo. Though neither would ever fight to the death, every clash ended with Poison Douluo suffering losses.
Clearly, the young mistress was displeased with that girl Dugu Yan, so she intended to vent her anger on the girl's grandfather.
At the thought, Snake Lance Douluo nearly burst into laughter, but he held it back and replied solemnly: "Yes, young mistress."
Just as he was about to step out and laugh in private, Qian Renxue suddenly asked: "Uncle Yu, why do you obey me?"
Snake Lance Douluo wasn't sure why she was asking, but he answered honestly:
"I am a Titled Douluo raised by Spirit Hall and once trained under the Grand Priest himself. Spirit Hall and the Grand Priest nurtured me, and I owe them a debt of gratitude.
As for you, young mistress—I watched you grow up. From the day you awakened innate level twenty soul power, even without the Grand Priest's order to protect you, I would still safeguard you until you're ready to lead Spirit Hall into the future."
Qian Renxue sank into thought, slowly grasping the meaning behind Ye Lan's words.
Uncle Yu followed her not out of blind loyalty, but because of Spirit Hall's future, and to repay the kindness of its nurture.
That was why he willingly chose to serve her.
"Uncle Yu, I will lead Spirit Hall onto the right path!" Qian Renxue declared firmly.
"Young mistress, I believe you will," Snake Lance Douluo replied with full confidence in her.
(End of Chapter)