“How can civilians have fighting power?”
Ji Ning was, after all, fond of the people like his own children. He was unwilling to let ordinary folk join the battle.
However, Ling Xiao shook his head and said, “The people of the Shenhuang Empire are all martial artists. As the saying goes, the rise and fall of the realm concerns every man! We do not ask them to fight on the front lines now. As long as they serve as logistics troops, responsible for transporting supplies, that would solve a major problem.
Moreover, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. They should understand this principle. Once the city falls, their only outcome is death. There will be no second path to survival. Escape is impossible.
Wherever the Black Crow Empire’s armies pass, not even chickens or dogs are spared.”
“Alright, I will try to arrange it. It is a pity Sikong Zun and I are at odds. Otherwise, the more than eighty thousand he brought could be put to great use.”
Ji Ning sighed.
“Humph, if Sikong Zun is unwilling, then depose him. I am the supervisor. I have this authority. We just need to choose a good timing, or it might easily cause resentment in the expeditionary army.”
Ling Xiao snorted coldly.
Hearing this, Ji Ning was surprised inwardly.
Ling Xiao’s thinking was so meticulous. He had even considered this point. He surpassed his former master Ji Fuling.
“Good, when the time comes, I will follow your arrangements!”
To depose Sikong Zun, Ji Ning and Feng Qingyan would have to act. Otherwise, no one here could truly control Sikong Zun.
The two walked a circuit on the walls. Arrangements were in place everywhere, orderly. Though wounded filled the ranks, General Ji Ning was no pushover. He could still maintain Beimo City’s combat strength under these conditions.
“General, why do I not see Qin Huo and the others?”
Ling Xiao asked curiously.
“Want to see them? It is easy. I can have someone call them now.”
Ji Ning smiled, then ordered, “Go, summon Qin Huo, Meng Tong, and Xin. Say their great benefactor has arrived.”
“Yes, sir!”
Soon after the soldier left, Qin Huo and the three arrived at the city lord’s mansion.
Beimo City’s lord mansion was both Ji Ning’s residence and the command centre.
“Subordinate Qin Huo!”
“Subordinate Meng Tong!”
“Subordinate Xin!”
“Greetings, General. Greetings, young master!”
The three knelt on one knee simultaneously, cupping hands.
“Hahaha, all rise. Ling Xiao, you catch up here. I will arrange for civilians to join the defence.”
Ji Ning stood, smiling.
“General, take care!”
Ling Xiao called to Ji Ning, directly taking out a storage ring. “Here are twenty thousand Spring Return Pills and twenty thousand Heaven Restoration Spirit Pills. Good medicines for healing. Though not many, they can relieve the urgent need. The former treat injuries, the latter restore stamina and inner force.”
“Absolutely not!”
Though Ji Ning wanted them badly, he felt embarrassed.
“Take them, General. Count these as my military merits. That should be fine, right?”
Ling Xiao smiled.
“Good, since you say so, I accept. This is timely rain. On behalf of all soldiers, I thank you.”
Ji Ning left excitedly with the storage ring.
His soldiers needed these pills most now. Ling Xiao’s arrival was like timely rain, giving hope of victory.
“See the general off!”
Watching Ji Ning leave, Ling Xiao turned smiling to the three. “How is it? Settled in here? Any acclimatisation issues?”
“Rest assured, young master. Everything is fine. Moreover, General Ji Ning trusts us greatly.”
Qin Huo said emotionally, “This time when the Black Crow Empire attacked Beimo City, our Iron Face Army achieved great merits. So the general took the chance to appoint me as regiment leader of the Heavenly Wolf Knight Regiment. Meng Tong and Xin are my deputies. As for the three hundred iron guards, they basically became thousand-man commanders, hundred-man commanders, guard captains, and squad leaders.”
In the army, ranks were squad leader, guard captain, hundred-man commander, thousand-man commander, deputy leader, leader. A squad leader had ten soldiers.
A guard captain led ten squad leaders and their soldiers.
A hundred-man commander led ten guard captains and their soldiers, but numbers usually did not exceed one thousand.
A thousand-man commander led ten hundred-man commanders and their soldiers, generally not over ten thousand.
A deputy leader, also called ten-thousand-man commander, commanded ten thousand-man commanders and subordinates.
A leader was second only to commander, usually commanding at least three deputy leaders, sometimes ten, dozens.
Currently, Qin Huo was Heavenly Wolf Knight Regiment leader, equivalent to a leader.
Meng Tong and Xin were deputy leaders under Qin Huo.
But due to insufficient soldiers, Qin Huo had only about ten thousand, not enough for a full leader by regular sequence. Just a ten-thousand-man commander.
“Hey, doing well. I am just a hundred-man commander. No deaths, right?”
Ling Xiao asked.
Though casualties were normal on the battlefield, Ling Xiao truly hoped no one from the Iron Face Army died.
This wish might be too extravagant, but it was genuine.
“No deaths, but injuries unavoidable. Fortunately, our people have real battlefield experience. In that, we are no worse than the general’s troops.”
Qin Huo answered.
“Good. I want you to train and stay alive.”
Ling Xiao nodded satisfied.
The four talked for a long time.
Through them, Ling Xiao learned many army rules. Besides simple hierarchy, ways to obtain positions.
Basically two points: strength and military merits.
Without strength, merits were useless. Subordinates would not obey. This was a world where martial artists reigned. Strength was key.
Of course, strength without merits was troublesome too. Sikong Zun was a good example.
He had strength but no merits. His subordinates did not respect him. Without fear of the emperor’s decree, no one would heed Sikong Zun.
As mentioned, in Shenhuang Continent regular armies, the weakest soldiers were Mortal Realm martial artists.
To be squad leader, must be outstanding among soldiers, at least Mortal Realm ninth level.
Guard captain required at least half-step Heavenly Venerable.
Hundred-man commander at least Celestial Realm First Line Heaven martial artist.
Thousand-man commander at least Celestial Realm Five Elements Heaven cultivation.
Ten-thousand-man commander, or deputy leader, required at least Seven Stars Heaven cultivation.
As for leader, at least Ten Directions Heaven cultivation. Cave Heaven Realm best.
Currently, Meng Tong had reached early Eight Desolations Heaven cultivation, fully qualified as deputy leader.
Xin’s cultivation was slightly lower but early Seven Stars Heaven, just qualified.
Qin Huo was stronger, first Cave Heaven Realm expert. More than enough for leader.
Plus merits accumulated in prior battles, even without favouritism, the three were absolutely qualified for their positions.
