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Chapter 156: Meeting at the Huailiu Courtyard, Future Changes
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 07:56:02 +0000 UTCThe Military Shennong Reserve has always been the target of major military recruitment efforts.
When it comes to domestic battles, the role of Military Shennong isn't as crucial. After all, each province, district, and military region has its own logistics division responsible for food and supplies, with permanent storage depots established in various locations to provide for officials and the people.
But once they cross the border of the Great Zhou and engage in battles in foreign lands, the role of the Military Shennong becomes vastly more significant.
Soldiers can fight without the best weapons, they can fight barehanded or with subpar equipment, and still achieve victory. They can also endure poor living conditions, fight in the harshest environments, and still win. But there’s one thing they absolutely cannot do—fight on an empty stomach.
Being well-fed is the top priority; without that, everything else is impossible.
“In a standard local army, a single Military Shennong of equal rank must provide wartime supplies for five soldiers—this is the bare minimum.”
“In the Nine Garrison Troops within the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, although there are ranking differences, the training standard requires one Military Shennong to provide for thirty soldiers during wartime, in order to be considered qualified.”
“When it comes to logistics capability, Zhao Xing, Shi Yong, and Zhuang Zhiqing, these first-class talents, can each provide supplies for five hundred men.”
“For slightly weaker talents, they can still manage to support one hundred soldiers of the same rank.”
“However, this is only training. In real battlefields, obtaining supplies as a Military Shennong is far more complex.”
“Judging from this year’s training, Zhao Xing's performance in real combat scenarios is the most outstanding. He stands a tier above the other top talents.”
“If we can recruit him to the Hujiao Army, it would be worth any price.” A Shennong officer wearing cloud-patterned robes floated on a cloud, introducing Zhao Xing's potential to a companion beside him. “General Wei, Zhao Xing is definitely worth your personal visit.”
Beside him, standing on the cloud, was a man dressed in battle armor, holding a green staff with intricate symbols. The staff was thin at the bottom and thick at the top, where the head of a Hujiao was carved.
This was Wei Yuan, one of the ten captains of the Hujiao Army, the highest-ranking Military Shennong in the army under Marquis Mingwu. He was the foremost among the ten generals because of his unparalleled skills both in farming and combat. Wei Yuan often took the lead in battle, using his powers to alter weather conditions and create favorable environments for the Hujiao Army.
The combat strength of the Hujiao Army differed significantly depending on whether Wei Yuan was present or not.
There was a common saying: if there were ever a major war, Wei Yuan would have long been ennobled.
Wei Yuan, a tall and sturdy man with a simple, honest appearance, smiled as he listened to the introduction. “I’ve read through his records, and indeed, Zhao Xing is as impressive as you’ve described, which is why I’ve come.”
Wei Yuan had originally been stationed at the frontlines of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, but upon receiving word from the cave-heaven, he hurried back. Aside from his military duties, his most pressing task was to recruit talents, particularly from the Shenwei Army.
Zhao Xing’s individual techniques weren’t exactly eye-catching—at least not to someone like Wei Yuan. There were many others in the Nine Section Battlefield who could rival or surpass him in specific skills.
But when it came to large-scale battles, especially the more complex the situation became, Zhao Xing’s performance set him apart from other talents like Shi Yong and Zhuang Zhiqing. In fact, he could be seen as an entirely separate category of genius.
The Hujiao Army wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to recruit such talent.
Zhao Xing may have been recruited by the Shenwei Army, but what of it? The Hujiao Army far surpassed the Shenwei Army in power. The Ten Sun Cave-Heaven itself had been conquered, and the Hujiao Army had played a key role in that.
The Shenwei Army, along with the other military divisions, only benefited from the Hujiao Army’s success, merely riding on the coattails of their victories.
For this reason, Wei Yuan was confident in his ability to recruit Zhao Xing. The other armies couldn’t offer better terms than the Hujiao Army.
At the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing opened the door and invited the members of the Hujiao Army inside.
There was no way around it—he had to invite them in.
As a mere recruit, not yet formally inducted into the Shenwei Army, he had no authority to refuse these high-ranking officers.
If he dared to shut the door in their faces, he might as well not expect to stay here at all.
“Zhao Xing of the Shenwei Army greets General Wei! Please, take the seat of honor,” Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully to the rank-five Military Shennong.
He had no reservations about being respectful, dutifully escorting the high-ranking official to the main hall’s seat of honor, while he himself remained standing.
He knew very well why they had come. This was recognition, and even though he intended to refuse, he didn’t want to offend anyone.
“Zhao Xing, no need to be so formal. Please, have a seat,” Wei Yuan said, waving him off as he took his seat.
“Thank you, General.” Zhao Xing sat upright, awaiting further conversation.
“You don’t have to keep introducing yourself as ‘Zhao Xing of the Shenwei Army,’” Wei Yuan said with a smile. “You haven’t officially joined the Shenwei Army yet. Technically, you’re still a reserve Military Shennong under the supervision of the Yang City Military Department of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.”
“You are correct, General,” Zhao Xing replied without argument. From an institutional standpoint, this was true. The military department held the highest authority, and all reserve Shennong recruits fell under its jurisdiction for now, with no direct ties to the various armies.
Officially joining an army required a directive from the military department, which would issue the necessary orders. While recruits could be assigned to different armies, the decision ultimately rested with the military department.
“Your military post doesn’t come from Marquis Bo Ping; it comes from the court. There is a difference,” Wei Yuan continued.
“I understand. I will follow your guidance, General,” Zhao Xing responded, bowing once more.
Wei Yuan’s remark was a subtle way of hinting that Zhao Xing’s future wasn’t bound to any particular army, even if he had ties to the Shenwei Army. Essentially, he was being reminded that his loyalty lay with the empire itself, not any one individual or military leader.
“Relax, no need to be so uptight,” Wei Yuan said with a genial smile. He continued, “Your mentor, Tian Yan, and I go way back—over a century of friendship. In fact, there was a time when we drank the urine of wild bulls to survive together, hahahaha.”
Wei Yuan laughed heartily, reminiscing about his past. Zhao Xing responded with due admiration, “You are a true veteran, General. Your perseverance and sacrifice are an example for us all.”
It wasn’t just flattery. Zhao Xing knew the hardship veterans like Wei Yuan had endured—facing such dire conditions that even the Military Shennong had to resort to drinking bull urine to survive. Compared to his own experiences, where death simply meant waiting for revival, these men were the true heroes.
“These days, things are much better,” Wei Yuan said, still smiling. “The army is better equipped, and the state is prosperous. Seeing you younger generations growing up stronger than we were—that’s the greatest reward for our efforts.”
“You have our utmost respect, General,” Zhao Xing said, recognizing that this was more than just empty words.
Seeing that Zhao Xing wasn’t easy to sway with flattery, Wei Yuan shifted tactics. “You’re Tian Yan’s student, and both your mentor and I would love to see you reach even greater heights.”
“The Shenwei Army won’t help you reach your full potential. Come to the Hujiao Army. I will treat you like my own nephew. As soon as you pass the military assessment, I will personally promote you to a Nine Section Captain. If you have greater ambitions, the Hujiao Army is your best choice.”
Zhao Xing sighed inwardly. Wei Yuan had started with sentiment and now shifted to offering tangible benefits. Whether through manipulation or sincerity, he clearly wanted Zhao Xing to join.
Tian Yan had hinted at this as well, suggesting that Zhao Xing had better opportunities elsewhere. The Shenwei Army, after all, was the weakest of the Nine Garrison Troops. Compared to the wealthier and more powerful armies, its resources were lacking.
But Zhao Xing wasn’t about to leave. He knew that the Shenwei Army had a rising star in Chen Shijie, and while it might face challenges, Zhao Xing believed it had the potential to soar. Moreover, staying in a weaker army might even provide better opportunities for rapid advancement.
“General, I deeply appreciate your offer. However, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Chen Shijie of the Shenwei Army—he saved my life and guided me in my path. To abandon him now would go against my principles. I hope you can understand.”
In reality, Zhao Xing was simply passing the burden onto Chen Shijie, hoping that his superior could fend off Wei Yuan’s persistence.
Wei Yuan nodded, as though he had anticipated this response. He then asked, “If I were to settle this debt for you, would you reconsider?”
“If Lord Chen himself instructs me to leave, then I will follow your command, General,” Zhao Xing said, bowing again.
“Very well.” Wei Yuan chuckled, feeling that he had finally made some progress with this stubborn recruit.
“Then, wait here for my good news,” Wei Yuan said, rising from his seat.
Zhao Xing respectfully escorted the general to the door, watching as he departed.
For the next few days, there was a noticeable silence. No other military officials came knocking, likely due to Wei Yuan’s intervention.
Even Cheng Qingming and Ge Jinsong, who had been sent by the Xuanjia Army, were quietly recalled, unable to compete against the Hujiao Army’s influence.
This gave Zhao Xing a rare moment of peace to focus on his cultivation.
Status: Zhao Xing
Realm: Level Eight Pinnacle (No further advancement available)
Occupation: Military Shennong
Fortune: Derivation Three
Essence Gathering: 29th Tier (9999/10000)
Soul: Late Stage Eighth Rank
Extended Lifespan: 80 years
Abilities:
Self School:
Straw Puppet Techniques:
Flying (Perfection)
Explosive Detonation (Perfection)
Divine Strength (Nine Turns)
Sacred Shield (Nine Turns)
Invisible (Nine Turns)
Illusory Form (Nine Turns)
Guardian (Seven Turns)
Soul Binding (Three Turns)
Earth School:
Ground Element Techniques:
Earth Palace Foundation (Perfection)
Divine Travel Guard (Eleven Turns)
Five Elements Earth Splitting Technique (Perfection)
Boundless Earth Palace (Perfection)
Profound Water Concealment (High Grade, One Turn)
As the days passed, Zhao Xing couldn’t help but wonder if Chen Shijie and Long Xiao had truly succumbed to the pressure. It seemed too quiet.
Looking out from the courtyard, Zhao Xing muttered, “If Chen Shijie doesn’t show up soon, I might really have to join the Hujiao Army after all.”
Though loyal to the Shenwei Army, Zhao Xing wasn’t one to cling to a sinking ship. He was willing to leave if he had no other choice.
Just as he was about to return inside, a familiar voice called out.
“Zhao Xing.”
Chen Shijie and Long Xiao descended from the clouds, arriving just outside the courtyard.
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