Rewards

After arranging everything, Fang Ming finally had some free time. He returned to his chambers, sat on a chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, contemplating several matters.

The incident in Qingxi Township was definitely a warning from the Ancestral Spirit Zhang Qingyun, alerting the mortal world. However, matters of the mortal world were for its believers to handle. Li Dazhuang had done quite well this time; he could go and commend him later.

Thinking of Li Dazhuang reminded him of the Divine Strike Technique. Each time the technique was cast, one had to chant the name of a Deity, such as "I invite [Deity Name] to possess me." Fang Ming had casually imagined Li Dazhuang, a burly man, shouting, "I invite the Earth God to possess me..." It sent shivers down his spine. The image was too much; he couldn't bear to think about it! If it were a young female Temple Keeper, it might have been more fitting. Cough, cough, wrong thoughts...

So, he revised the activation incantation to "I invite Earth God Power to possess me." It could still be used, as it was just an activation spell. The key was whether Fang Ming responded.

Zhang Qingyun must have suffered a great loss of spiritual power by communicating between the Yin and Yang realms. He was surely not doing well. Whether he should take advantage of his misfortune was another question.

Also, his subordinates had only been given food to sustain them, without any other reward for their service. It was like a company in his past life that didn't pay wages but only provided food and lodging, expecting employees to work day and night. Compared to that, he seemed even more ruthless than some capitalists! This didn't seem right. Although he controlled their fates, a system of incentives was needed to make them more diligent and efficient. He was already implementing some measures, like promotions, but those required fortune and divine power, which couldn't be abused.

Moreover, his current subordinates were only at the level of minor officials. To advance further, they would need ranks, and ranks required divine positions. Fang Ming had not yet resolved this issue.

He pondered further, perhaps directly converting divine power into currency and distributing it as rewards might be a solution.

However, this would mean his divine power would be somewhat insufficient. With the upcoming rewards and promotions, it would be another drain.

Ultimately, it all came down to faith. Fang Ming currently only had four villages under his command. Supporting so many people and improving himself was becoming increasingly difficult. Expanding his territory and increasing incense and fire was the only way.

Just then, a voice came from outside: "Lord, He Dong requests an audience!"

"Come in!" Fang Ming said, slightly puzzled. He usually worked in the main hall, and He Dong would report any matters there. He rarely came to his chambers.

He Dong entered, followed by a small figure tiptoeing cautiously behind him.

Upon entering, the figure knelt and kowtowed: "Greetings, Master!" The voice was clear and pleasant; it was a woman. Upon closer inspection, the young girl was quite pretty, around fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed as a maid. Her figure hadn't fully developed yet, and her face still had some baby fat. Her small, cherry-like lips curved into a slight smile, making her look endearing.

However, Fang Ming's expression darkened. "He Dong, what is the meaning of this?"

He Dong quickly knelt and bowed. "Reporting to my Lord, I have already settled the old and weak wandering souls in the Law Domain of Qingshan Village. Each person has a room, and I've selected a clerk to assist with affairs... However, I noticed you are still alone and have no one to care for you. I dared to select a maid to attend to your daily needs!"

Fang Ming inwardly gave a wry smile. He Dong's flattery was truly pervasive. In this world, young masters of wealthy families always had several maids serving them. Fang Ming had encountered female wandering souls before, and Wang Liulang had mentioned that some wanted to join Fang Ming's ranks for protection, perhaps as maids. But his divine power was precious; how could he use it for such things? Naturally, he hadn't agreed. Now, He Dong had seized an opportunity.

He wasn't one to torture himself. Since he had taken in those old and weak souls, he had been thinking of finding something for them to do. After all, even if they stayed in the Law Domain all day, they still consumed half a wisp of Fang Ming's divine power daily! Now that there was a maid, and she was quite pleasant to look at, it wouldn't hurt to accept her. However, he couldn't set a precedent, making his subordinates think he was a lecherous ghost who would accept beautiful women offered to him. That would be truly laughable.

So, his expression darkened. "He Dong, what kind of person do you think this venerable one is? Not focusing on important matters, but indulging in such crooked ways. You are truly failing in your duties!" He was a Deity; his power was inherent. As he grew angry, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop.

He Dong broke out in a cold sweat and kowtowed repeatedly. "This subordinate dares not. This subordinate knows his crime..." The maid beside him also looked on the verge of tears, but she gritted her teeth and bowed in apology.

Fang Ming snorted. "Considering it's your first offense, I will not pursue it for now. You may go!"

He Dong kowtowed again, about to leave with the maid. Fang Ming then said, "Wait. Since you've already brought her here, it wouldn't be good to send her back just like that. Otherwise, people might misunderstand. Although we do not fear such things, it would be unfair to this maid. She will stay here for now and be responsible for cleaning the main hall!"

He Dong nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes... Lord is merciful!" He was secretly delighted but also a little annoyed, feeling he might have been too hasty. However, what his Lord said made sense. Among ghosts, things were similar to the human world. If a maid from a wealthy family were suddenly driven out, the gossip could almost drive her to death.

Fang Ming waved his hand. He Dong bowed respectfully with the maid to express their gratitude and backed out.

A while later, Zheng Kuan came to report that the Yin Soldiers had been settled and their merits recorded. He had come to report his success. Fang Ming nodded and ordered the three of them to wait in the main hall.

After a while, Fang Ming arrived in the main hall. Wang Liulang, Xie Jin, and Zheng Kuan bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Lord!"

Fang Ming raised his hand. "You are dismissed!" He picked up the documents on the table, read them, and then said, "Zheng Kuan, tell me the situation!"

"Yes!" Zheng Kuan accepted the order and said, "In this bandit suppression, our army lost eight men. We eliminated the bandit leader Peng Chun and his 103 fierce ghost subordinates. It can be called a great victory. Calculating the merits, Xie Jin killed Peng Chun, earning the first merit. Other Yin Soldiers also achieved several kills. Wang Liulang had the most kills, with eight. The remaining captures have also been recorded..."

After speaking, he handed over the roster. Seeing Fang Ming nod, he continued, "Additionally, Lord has taken in eleven wandering souls as Yin Soldiers. Our current force consists of thirty-three Yin Soldiers, plus two Fire Chiefs, for a total of thirty-five."

Fang Ming nodded. "Hmm, Xie Jin has merit. I will reward you by letting you establish another fire, making you the commander of two fires. The newly recruited Yin Soldiers will first replenish our losses. There are three remaining. You will recruit seven more to form a fire."

Xie Jin kowtowed to express his gratitude. Fang Ming pondered for a moment and added, "For the eight who died in battle, if they have any ghost relatives or friends, please invite them to Qingshan Village to be supported as well."

The subordinates knelt together and cheered, "Lord is merciful!" Seeing this, Fang Ming realized he had indeed lacked consideration in this area before. Even for subordinates without relatives or friends, he had to consider the future. His actions would win people's hearts, although it was another expense.

He continued, "Zheng Kuan, you have handled this matter well. I promote you to Clerk." Zheng Kuan bowed to express his gratitude.

Then, looking at everyone, he said, "Everyone, come with me outside the village to distribute the rewards!"

Outside the village.

Thirty-three Yin Soldiers lined up. He Dong shouted, "Those who beheaded one person, step forward!"

Twenty-two original Yin Soldiers stepped forward. Fang Ming nodded and said, "Reward: five large coins!"

Guo Sheng and Zheng Kuan stepped forward and distributed the reward coins. The soldiers took them and saw they were five white large coins, similar in style to those in the mortal world, but without any text, only shimmering with a white light, looking somewhat mysterious. Yin Soldiers didn't need money, and although they were somewhat indifferent, they respectfully accepted the reward bestowed by their Lord.

He Dong shouted again, "Those who beheaded two people, step forward!" From the original twenty-two, eighteen more came forward. This time, they were rewarded with another five large coins.

Next, only ten people stepped forward for beheading three people, receiving another five large coins.

Finally, for beheading four people, three came forward, receiving the same five large coins.

Lastly, for beheading five people, only one person stepped forward. This time, the reward was ten large coins.

He Dong nodded and bowed to Fang Ming. "Reporting to my Lord, all rewards have been distributed!"

Fang Ming nodded, knowing that some fierce ghosts were trampled to death by the mob or dismembered by swords, making them impossible to count. He had no choice but to let it go.

Fang Ming waved his hand, and the crowd immediately quieted down. They heard their Lord's clear voice say, "These large coins are transformed from this venerable one's divine power. They can sustain an ordinary wandering soul for one day and also repair soul damage. You all receive daily sustenance to maintain your consumption, but you can also absorb these coins to increase your spiritual power and strengthen your physique."

Upon hearing this, a commotion erupted below. The Yin Soldiers, who had initially been indifferent, immediately lost that mindset. After all, they had to plan for their future families. Even those who were content with being full themselves could use these coins to strengthen themselves, making them very important. They tightened their grip on the coins in their hands. The newly recruited Yin Soldiers were so envious that their eyes turned red.

Fang Ming smiled slightly at the scene. These large coins were naturally transformed from a wisp of his white divine power. In the Great Gan dynasty, a small coin was one wen. Ten small coins made one large coin, and one hundred large coins made one string, worth one tael of silver. This was the monthly salary of a ninth-rank official. Of course, officials didn't live on their monthly salaries; they received various forms of "gifts."

Fang Ming had initially wanted to make them into one wen coins. Then he thought, if a soldier beheaded one person, he would give them five wen. In the mortal world, it would sound like, "You kill someone for me, and I'll reward you with five coarse grain cakes." It sounded so wrong! It was better to make them large coins. As for making them into silver, it seemed good, but it might cause problems later. He recalled the inflation in the Underworld in his past life, where one yuan could buy millions of burned offerings, and some unscrupulous individuals even had 100 million yuan notes. Fang Ming shuddered. Although the two were not the same, it was worth being vigilant. Otherwise, what would he use to reward his subordinates in the future?

He then asked, "Who beheaded five people?"

A man from among the Yin Soldiers, exceptionally tall and strong, stepped out and knelt. "This humble one is Xie Chun, greetings, Lord!"

"You killed five men, a feat worthy of a hero. I'll promote you to Squad Leader!" "Thank you, my Lord!"

Fang Ming then commanded, "Wang Liulang, where are you?"

Wang Liulang stepped forward and bowed, "Your subordinate is here!"

"You led the Yin Soldiers in battle and personally killed eight men. For your merit, I shall reward you with half a string of large coins!" That's fifty large coins strung together.

Wang Liulang bowed in thanks, "Thank you for your reward, my Lord!"

Fang Ming looked at the envious civil officials and comforted them, "You clerks, if you remain loyal and diligent in your duties, I will also have rewards for you!"

He Dong led the way in thanking him.

Looking at his subordinate Yin Soldiers, he waved his hand. A flash of white light passed, and this time, their armor and forms were uniformly repaired.

Once everything was settled, he gave his orders: "Xie Jin, after you replenish your two fire units, go to the Earth God Law Domain of Yuanhe Village to be stationed. Train diligently during peacetime and drive away the fierce ghosts. Wang Liulang, send a squad to Qingshan Village to protect the old and weak. Do not harass them. For this great victory, I will reward you all with three days of wine and meat. Go back and enjoy yourselves!"

The civil and military officials all bowed, "Your subordinates obey!"