She changed the subject, her voice softening a little:
"I'm not a tyrant who knows only harsh laws and punishments. Those who render merit will be rewarded; titles will be granted according to achievement. This is the new empire's ironclad rule.
The Armory Department's craftsmen will also be included in the 'Artisan Nobility' system.
For every hundred suits of heavy armor that pass inspection, you will receive the title of 'Artisan Scholar.'
Five hundred suits will earn you the title of 'Artisan Official.'
A thousand suits will earn you the title of 'Artisan Chief.'"
She paused, her peach-blossom eyes sweeping across the crowd. "Artisan Scholars will receive fifty Gold Soul Coins a month.
Artisan Officials will receive two hundred Gold Soul Coins a month, be granted a one-courtyard residence, and have the right to send their children to the official academy.
Artisan Chiefs will receive five hundred Gold Soul Coins a month, be granted a two-courtyard residence, and receive a Bronze Medal. They will not have to bow before a county magistrate."
The craftsmen's leaders abruptly raised their heads, their eyes filled with disbelief.
A residence? Their children admitted to the official academy? No need to bow before a county magistrate?
In the past, only nobles and high-ranking officials had enjoyed such privileges.
Blacksmiths like them had been commoners for generations,
not even entitled to look a noble lord in the eye,
and sometimes they were tortured for offending one.
Now they could actually enjoy privileges reserved for nobles?
"Your Majesty... this..." An old craftsman with graying hair trembled, his eyes reddening. "We lowly folk... how could we possibly deserve..."
"You deserve it." Yan Lingji cut him off. "I judge by merit, not by birth.
A fine suit of armor you make is worth more than a hundred noble parasites who do nothing but draw pay for empty posts."
She looked at the old craftsman. "What is your name?"
"Your Majesty, this humble one's surname is Zhang. My name is Zhang Tiezhu."
"Zhang Tiezhu." Yan Lingji nodded. "If you are among the first to complete a hundred suits of heavy armor, I will personally grant you your title."
Zhang Tiezhu shuddered all over, then dropped to his knees with a heavy thud and knocked his forehead against the flagstones until blood seeped out.
"Your Majesty's great kindness! This humble one will serve you with all my heart, even unto death!"
The other craftsmen also bowed down, some with reddened eyes.
They weren't afraid of hardship or exhaustion. They were afraid of working without anyone acknowledging it, of giving their all without anyone caring.
Now the empress had put titles, homes, and their children's futures right before them.
How could this be mere work?
It was a path to the heavens for them and their descendants!
Yan Lingji looked at the craftsmen kneeling across the floor and nodded inwardly.
The stick made them afraid to err; the carrot made them work with all their might.
Spiritual restraints held the line, while military titles spurred them to reach their full potential.
"All right, get up. Return to your posts and attend to your duties. In half a month, I want to see the first batch of finished goods."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The craftsmen rose and left. Their steps were much lighter than when they had arrived, and the light burning in their eyes had replaced their fear.
Yan Lingji turned to the military ministers. "How many soldiers does the Heavenly Strategy Army have now?"
Zhao Tieyi knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, there were originally ten thousand imperial guards. With another ten thousand elite soldiers chosen from the nobles' private armies, we have twenty thousand in total."
"Starting today, the Heavenly Strategy Army will train according to the new system. Training must last at least four shichen each day. If the training is inadequate, the battalion commanders will be held responsible along with their men."
Yan Lingji held up three fingers. "Crossbowmen, spearmen, shield-bearers, and cavalry must coordinate and obey orders without question.
Someone will teach you the specific formations and tactics shortly.
The Armory Department is rushing to produce armor, powerful crossbows, and other weapons. Once they arrive, the Heavenly Strategy Army will receive them first."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the generals in the hall. "In addition, any soldiers in the Heavenly Strategy Army who have undergone Martial Soul Awakening will be placed in a separate battalion, led by Soul Master officers. They will train and fight separately from ordinary soldiers."
Zhao Tieyi froze. "Your Majesty means... Soul Masters and ordinary soldiers will be separated?"
"Correct. Ordinary soldiers will form ranks and use crossbows. Soul Master squads will weave through the lines and launch surprise attacks. Only by performing their own roles can they bring their combat strength to bear."
This hadn't actually been her idea; it was a concept Jiang Ce had instilled in her.
In modern warfare, special forces and conventional forces had distinct roles and worked together.
Soul Masters were the strongest special forces in this world. Letting them blend in with ordinary soldiers would only waste their abilities.
Zhao Tieyi bowed deeply. "I understand, Your Majesty."
"And one more thing—" Yan Lingji's voice turned cold.
"Those who render merit will be rewarded, and those who commit offenses will be punished.
Anyone who retreats in the face of the enemy will be executed. Anyone who disobeys military orders will be executed.
Rewards and punishments will be clear, and the new military merit system will be enforced."
"We understand, Your Majesty!"
"Dismissed.
Within three days, submit the organizational rosters for every battalion.
I want to see the Heavenly Strategy Army transformed from the inside out."
The military ministers left the hall. Yan Lingji leaned back on her throne, her nine tails swaying gently, her peach-blossom eyes lowered.
"Master, at this rate, it won't be long before we can equip an army unlike any the world has ever seen."
Jiang Ce's tentacle gently patted her on the head. "Not just an army. Earth-Breaking Seven can be used by the Net, and Three-Zhang Bat Wings can let ordinary soldiers take to the skies. The way war is fought in this world needs to change."
"And a military structure and titles aren't enough. We also need honor."
"Honor?"
"Military flags, insignias, and medals. Soldiers don't just need food and titles; they need a sense of belonging and pride."
Jiang Ce paused. "Think about it. Why are those nobles willing to serve a particular family for generations?
Because of the family crest, the genealogy, and the ancestral home.
These things give them a sense of identity.
So design a flag and a medal for the Heavenly Strategy Army.
Those with outstanding military achievements will receive medals and flags to hang in their ancestral halls for generations.
That is the highest way to win their hearts."
Yan Lingji's lips curled into a smile. "You're right, Master."
After taking care of everything, Yan Lingji returned to the rear courtyard.
"Your Majesty, we've nearly finished arranging things at the palace. It's time for the sisters to improve their strength."
Jiang Ce pondered for a moment. "Xiaomeng, Snow Maiden, and Tide Enchantress don't have a single Soul Ring. Na'er hasn't even absorbed her First Soul Ring."
"That's right." Yan Lingji sighed. "Equipment alone isn't enough. A Soul Master's own strength is what matters."
"So I'll take them to Sunset Forest and capture some Soul Beasts to serve as mounts while we're there," Jiang Ce said. "You stay here to oversee the palace."
Yan Lingji blinked. "Master, you're taking them but not me?"
"If you leave, who'll manage Heaven Dou City?" Jiang Ce's tentacle swatted her pert bottom.
"Those nobles may be under your control, but there's no guarantee someone won't make trouble while you're away."
Yan Lingji thought it over and nodded.
Jiang Ce shared the Celestial Fox Nine Thoughts skill with the women.
It consumed half their Soul Power to create a corporeal clone with its own consciousness.
The clone shared perceptions with the original and could carry out tasks independently.
"You can all use this skill now." Jiang Ce's voice rang in their minds.
"Leave a clone behind to handle affairs, and come with me to Sunset Forest in person."
Xiaomeng channeled her Soul Power, and a clone in ink-wash robes appeared beside her, Qiuli Sword at her waist. The clone spoke coolly:
"I'll establish the Bad People."
Xiaomeng nodded slightly.
Snow Maiden had no task and didn't need to leave a clone behind. She stood to one side, holding the Jasper Flute.
Na'er likewise waited obediently.
Tide Enchantress was currently selecting people at the Net's camp, and wasn't in the rear courtyard.
Through their mental link, Jiang Ce directly transmitted the skill's memories to her, then sent her a telepathic message:
"Leave a clone behind to handle the Net's affairs. Head to the eastern side of Sunset Forest in person and meet up with us."
In the distance, a purple light flashed in Tide Enchantress's eyes, and her lips curled into a smile.
She raised her hand and gathered Soul Power. A clone in a purple dress stepped out beside her, and the two exchanged smiles.
Tide Enchantress's original body leapt into the air. Venom tissue formed jet-black wings on her back, and she swept toward Sunset Forest.
"Let's go," Jiang Ce's voice rang out.
In the rear courtyard of the imperial palace, Yan Lingji sat on her throne, her nine fox tails spread behind her, her peach-blossom eyes lowered.
Eight clones sat beside her, cultivating and deducing the martial arts techniques Jiang Ce had sent her.
With eight clones, her progress in deducing them had increased eightfold.
Outside the hall, Xiaomeng's clone had already headed for the Bad People's camp, while Tide Enchantress's clone was organizing the Net.
News that the Heaven Dou Emperor had abdicated in favor of Empress Yan Lingji spread rapidly.
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