In the wilderness of Riverlands, the early morning sunshine fills the earth.
The spears of more than 6,000 infantrymen were as dense as a forest. On both wings of the army, the armor and horse gear of more than 600 knights gleamed.
Suleiman was riding a tall war horse without a helmet, letting the breeze blow his black hair. He looked at the army in front of him that far exceeded any other army under his command, and he felt a little emotional in his heart.
He looked at Rosso and Bryn and said, "Back then, there were only two people around me."
"Then it was three hundred, five hundred, one thousand... Now, there are more than 6,000 infantrymen and more than 600 knights here."
Rosso Brune, who was standing by the side, heard this. With his usual chic face, he complimented in his trademark relaxed tone. "With Master Suleiman's ability, it is no problem to command an army of 100,000 people!"
A faint chuckle appeared on Suleiman's face, but he did not answer. He turned to look at the advancing army. Although this army was a coalition of Lords, Lymond. Lychester did not let any noble lord of the same level as him accompany him in order to show his absolute support.
Although Lords people complained quite a lot, this just avoided the most troublesome battle for command and allowed him to act completely according to his own wishes.
Suleiman turned to the two men and ordered, "Rosso, Bryn."
"Calling all knights and civilian officers to my banner."
The low sound of the horn sounded, echoing in the wilderness.
Soon, knights in shining armor and Lords officers with civilian backgrounds emerged from the marching queue on horseback or on foot.
They gathered into a huge semicircle under the Black Lion flag.
There are more than 600 knights and hundreds of civilian officers. They come from different families, and many of them are not familiar with each other.
They looked at the young commander in front of them, their eyes full of curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of shock. After all, Suleiman was so young, and his experience was so legendary.
Suleiman glanced at everyone and got straight to the point. "Everyone, before the war begins, I want to announce a new rule regarding the distribution of spoils."
He paused to get everyone's attention.
"I'll call it Three-Horse Profit-Sharing Law."
The knights and civilian officers looked at each other. This unfamiliar vocabulary made them confused. Suleiman continued to explain.
"From this moment on, in the following battles, all seized property, gold and silver, or their weapons, ships, and even grain and cloth that Ironborn plundered from Riverlands must be turned over and registered in a book by a dedicated person."
He emphasized his tone.
"It is strictly forbidden for anyone to be distracted from their duties during the battle! Seize property! And no one is allowed to hide it privately!"
As soon as these words came out, there was an immediate commotion in the crowd. A trace of embarrassment flashed across the faces of the knights and officers when they first heard this. It was indeed their unspoken and unspoken rule to keep trophies privately.
But the embarrassment was quickly replaced by anger. In all wars, everything captured belonged to the lord personally. They could only hide some property during the battle. These hard-working people risked their lives to hide some property in the chaos, and the lords turned a blind eye afterwards.
This young adult has a huge appetite and wants to swallow everything.
Whispers began to appear in the crowd, and the atmosphere became tense.
Suleiman had a smile on his face, he knew exactly what these people were thinking.
He did not get angry, but instead raised his voice, his tone full of confidence. "I know what you sirs and sergeants are thinking."
"You are thinking whether I, Suleiman, want to take all the loot.
He looked around and smiled.
"But you can ask, ask those in the army who have fought for me so far, how have I, Suleiman, ever mistreated anyone who fought for me?"
This sentence had an unexpected effect. Some people in the crowd had indeed heard of Suleiman's generosity and the military merit system. Ordinary soldiers could obtain land and even Gold Dragon Silver Stag as long as they fought bravely. This was unique in the entire Westeros.
The atmosphere of suspicion subsided slightly and curiosity took over.
Suleiman stretched out three fingers, raised them high, and pointed to the sky. His voice was loud and clear, spreading throughout the entire assembly. "After a battle! All the loot captured! After counting the value, divide it into ten parts!"
"Me! Only take three of them!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen! You have four of them!"
"The remaining three copies! Give them to all the soldiers participating in the battle!"
"Everyone has a share!"
He paused, and every word struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
"This is a three-horse split!"
Suleiman's words fell, and the scene fell into a dead silence. Everyone was completely shocked by this distribution plan. The knights could not believe their ears. The sum of their knights' shares was even more than that of the lord himself!
What respect and generosity this is!
They usually could only hide part of it secretly during the battle, and the lord would give some rewards after the war, but now they were clearly included in the bulk of the allocation, even more than the lord.
This means that they can not only gain glory, but also gain real wealth that far exceeds expectations.
And the most incredible thing is that ordinary soldiers, those consumables that are nothing in the eyes of nobles, can actually get 30% of the loot!
This news was like a bolt of lightning, instantly hitting everyone's hearts.
Historically in wars, soldiers have only received scars, death and meager military pay. The trophies are things they dare not even think about and can only hide some privately during the battle.
After a brief silence, the crowd burst into thunderous cheers.
An elderly civilian officer was the first to pull out his sword in excitement, raised it high above his head, and roared with all his strength, "My sword! For Master Suleiman to use!"
His behavior was like a signal. In an instant, both knights and civilian officers all pulled out their long swords, the blades of which were like a forest.
"For Lord Suleiman to drive!!"
The roars formed an unstoppable torrent and rushed to the sky.
Suleiman calmly accepted the shouts of the knights and soldiers. All problems can be attributed to the distribution of interests. To buy people's hearts is to redistribute interests, nothing better than this.
The knights and officers dispersed and took the news back to their respective troops. When the soldiers learned that they too would get a share of the spoils, the whole army was excited.
They no longer fight for the illusory honor of the lords. As long as they win the war, they are fighting for their own wealth and their families!
"Long live Lord Suleiman!"
"Long live Lord Suleiman!"
"Long live Lord Suleiman!"
Cheers came and went, one wave after another, resounding through the sky.
This complex army, at this moment, was inspired by money and unprecedented respect, and the crowd was passionate.
Under Riverrun, the military camp of Ironborn is full of depression, anxiety and failure.
Ironborn could be seen doing nothing in the camp. They were either drinking around the campfire or quarreling with swords over trivial matters. Their morale was extremely low.
Victarion. Greyjoy is sitting in his command tent.
He was wearing a heavy sea monster armor, but his former fierceness had been replaced by deep worry.
On the table in front of him was a map of Riverlands, with more and more marks representing enemy forces on it, like a tightening net.
And he himself is the immobile prey in the center of the net.
Ever since the army heading south from Luanhe City was annihilated by the Riverlands people, Victarion. Greyjoy's reason has been frantically calling the police to him.
He knew that if they did not retreat, their lone and deeply trapped army would be completely submerged in this green land.
Escape was the only way to survive, but he couldn't escape.
Any form of retreat without orders from his brother, the King of Iron Islands Balon. Greyjoy, would be seen as cowardice and treason.