The Lord Returns to the Central Lands, Students Await with Eager Eyes

"Trouble? How could it be trouble?" Shi Jin frowned. "Even the Tulang Tribe is no match for us. Unless we encounter the Rouluo cavalry, I don't believe that anyone on this Grasslands can bring us disaster!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Qiu Yan and laughed, "Besides, with Xiuzhuan's strategic planning and brilliant calculations, even if the Rouluo come, we might not be unable to put up a fight!"

Fu Yong glanced at Qiu Yan as well, noticing that the other's expression remained unchanged. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke up, "This calamity doesn't originate from the Grasslands, but from the Central Plains."

"You mean your achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor's position?" Ran Lian came to his senses and remembered a phrase he had occasionally heard while drinking and listening to storytelling in the tavern.

Fu Yong shook his head and said, "Given Xiu Zhuan's current destiny, great achievements may not necessarily threaten the ruler, because Human Path Grand Confucian is a cornerstone rather than a threat to the dynasty. However, Grand Confucian who commands an army and People's Prestige the army is a different story."

Shi Jin scratched his head and frowned, saying, "That's a bit complicated. It means we can't follow along in the cultivation, or it might turn out to be a disaster?"

"That's right." Fu Yong and said no more, then turned to look at Qiu Yan.

"What kind of nonsense is this? There are so many ways to do things in the Central Plains. If we can't follow the cultivator, what's the point of going to the Central Plains? We only respect him. Besides, if it were anyone else, they would definitely ostracize us!" Shi Jin protested with a dissatisfied expression.

The "we" he referred to did not mean all the troops under Qiu Yan's command, but rather the Grasslands Faction to which he belonged.

After two months of development and continuous conquest of tribes, Qiu Yan's army became famous, even among the warriors of the Grasslands, who came to join them. Including the Hu people's slaves, in a short period of time, this faction had grown to more than three thousand people, mostly young and strong. With this as its base, it was not difficult to gather manpower and form its own tribe.

Listening to the conversation, Qiu Yan did not express his opinion at first. Instead, he slowly reflected on the losses of the entire team. During the more than two months of marching, thanks to the Military Momentum and many other factors, the number of casualties was not large. Most of the wounded were able to receive timely medical treatment.

However, this time Ding Chunzi suddenly took ruthless measures, exchanging the lives of all the able-bodied men of the Tulang Tribe for the opportunity to destroy Qiu Yan, directly shattering the Fortune Karma by the Slave Army. As a result, there were bound to be considerable casualties in the army.

"The number of casualties this time is equal to the total number of deaths in the previous two months." After obtaining the results, Qiu Yan shook his head slightly and Fu Yong, "Write down the names of the fallen soldiers and arrange their compensation. As for how you will handle yourselves after I return to the Central Plains, don't worry about that; arrangements have already been made."

Hearing Qiu Yan say this, Ran Lian, Shi Jin, and Fu Yong all breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of their attitudes toward the matter, they were ultimately concerned about finding a place to stay.

"A few days ago, I wrote a letter to Lord Shi of the Governor-General's Residence's Office, recommending ambitious people in the army to serve in the military, not as soldiers, but as sergeants," he said, glancing at Ran Lian and seeing a hint of joy in the strong man's eyes. "For those who don't want to go to the army, there are other arrangements. Officials are hard to come by, but a clerk is not a big problem. Besides, with the help of Clerk Meng, it's not difficult to arrange."

Hearing this, everyone present felt even more relieved.

After all, this is not the modern society of Qiu Yan's previous life. Here, people join the army and fight not for ideologies or beliefs. Perhaps when they start a war, there may be some emotional factors or desires for revenge, but after that, it is nothing more than money, fame, and official rank, regardless of whether it is the Grasslands or the Central Plains.

With results imminent, no one could remain indifferent. According to Qiu Yan, many of them would soon be on the road to success.

It should be understood that although the clerks of this era may seem ordinary, they wielded considerable power. In some places, they were even more prestigious than court officials. For those who did not pursue the path of the Imperial Examinations, becoming a clerk was a more desirable career choice than becoming an official.

As for those who join the army, their future is equally bright. Not to mention Qiu Yan's current extraordinary status among Military School, their achievements on the Grasslands alone are enough to qualify them as having considerable qualifications. After all, for ordinary people to join the army and get promoted, in addition to connections, popularity, and luck, military merit is a hard requirement. Some people are willing to kill innocent people to claim credit for promotion, which shows that there are no shortage of procedures involved.

The military achievements of the army led by Qiu Yan are all genuine.

Even if someone tried to fraudulently claim or rob it, they couldn't take it away. The reason lies with the clerk who accompanied the army, the clerk Meng that Qiu Yan mentioned.

This person was sent by the imperial court to make contact with each other. He was accompanied by a whole team, who were usually responsible for recording military achievements and reporting them to the imperial court in a timely manner.

After all, since the attack had not yielded many results, the most anxious people were the Military School and the emperor. At such a time, any victory was a shield to block political enemies' attacks and the only basis to maintain the offensive. Naturally, it would be highly valued. To seize such merits, one would have to be extremely powerful.

However, Qiu Yan already possessed the Qi Manifestation of Grandmaster, and some of his deeds spread throughout the Central Plains. He had gained many admirers among the common people and was gradually gaining influence among the Scholar Forest. This was a sign that he was about to control public opinion, and even those with power might not be able to seize it.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Qiu Yan paused for a moment, then said, "Those who do not wish to be bound by the government can also receive a share of money and live a prosperous life. I have submitted a memorial to the Emperor, proposing that half of the money and grain seized after conquering the tribes be distributed among you. However, let me make it clear beforehand: if you want military or official positions, you will have to take less money and grain."

"Of course! To want fame and fortune is insatiable." Zhang Fei and the others, who were illiterate, had their eyes gleaming with greed upon hearing this. They had originally farmed on the frontier, but were captured and enslaved, thinking their lives were hopeless. Unexpectedly, because of Qiu Yan, their fortunes had turned around. How could they not be satisfied?

At that moment, some people recalled the group that had parted ways at the foot of the hill and felt somewhat fortunate.

"If I had given up this opportunity like those people back then, I probably would have just farmed for the rest of my life after returning to the Central Plains. How could I be like I am now?"

Little did they know that the greatest gain from this experience was not wealth or fame, but the insights they gained from the raindrops.

Of course, there were quite a few people with similar thoughts, and they couldn't help but discuss it. The news spread quickly, changing the somewhat somber atmosphere.

At this moment, Shi Jin stepped forward, his expression somewhat unnatural. While Qiu Yan was speaking, he whispered to the people around him. These people were all from the Yuan faction, and what they were talking about was related to their future.

"Commissioner," Shi Jin imitated others, cupping his hands in greeting, though his movements were somewhat stiff, clearly a recent repetition, "We've all heard your words. You truly have our best interests at heart. After all, riding horses and fighting for a living, isn't it? However, we're used to the Grasslands. If we were to enter the Central Plains and become officers or clerks, we might feel somewhat out of place. Moreover, many of my brothers don't speak the official language of the Central Plains, so we might suffer from culture shock."

His words were filled with worry, a stark contrast to his usual carefree nature, suggesting that in the past two months, this mixed-race child had not only grown taller but also undergone mental changes.

Qiu Yan naturally understood that Shi Jin's words had a deeper meaning. On the surface, it meant that the Grasslands people were not used to life in the Central Plains. The deeper meaning was that he was afraid that after going there, he would be far away from his Grasslands roots and would be helpless. If he was rejected and suppressed, he would really be left with no one to turn to.

Anyone would have doubts about this. Ran Lian, Zhang Fei, and others were originally from the Central Plains. They would be eager to go back and make money. But Shi Jin and the others grew up and roamed the Grasslands, so they would have concerns. People are reluctant to leave their homeland, let alone go to other people's territory to make a living. In addition, the Central Plains and the Grasslands are currently at war, making their identities even more complicated.

"Stone Lord, you don't need to worry about this. Lord Qiu has already made arrangements."

Suddenly, a voice came from not far away, and a young man in his early twenties, dressed in the official robes of the Central Plains, with several pieces of armor strapped to his vital parts, strode over.

"Recorder Meng..." People along the way bowed to him upon seeing him.

This person was Meng Qingluo, who was sent by the imperial court to be responsible for liaison and record-keeping.

He approached, first bowing to Qiu Yan, then smiling at Shi Jin, "I have discussed this matter with the compiler several times, and we have decided that Your Excellency should lead the people of the Grasslands to submit to the Central Plains, instead of migrating to the interior, but establishing a camp on the frontier as a vassal state of the Central Plains."

"Establish a tent?" Shi Jin's eyelids twitched. Although some of his fellow members had suggested that the Central Plains might make them vassals, this act of establishing a tent still surprised him. Was he being asked to create a tribe?

Seeing the other party's reaction, Meng Qingluo smiled and said, "Of course, this is just a suggestion. We need to wait for the court's response. Please be patient, Stone Commander, and also inform the others in advance."

As he spoke, he carefully observed Shi Jin's expression and actions, while pondering Qiu Yan's words. This so-called "setting up of tents" was actually part of the whole plan.

"This is indeed no small matter; it needs to be discussed in detail." Shi Jin's eyes revealed a look of longing, but he forcibly suppressed his thoughts to avoid appearing eager. However, the surging thoughts in his heart still radiated around him with the fluctuations of his emotions, which could be detected by anyone with a little cultivation.

After a while, at Qiu An's command, the leader came forward to gather the troops, take stock of the losses, and then prepared to move on. They had been delayed here for too long, and it was time to leave.

Meng Qingluo then approached Qiu Yan and respectfully said, "Now that this matter is settled, we would be honored if you, the Registrar, could enter the pass from Three Jin. Our Meng Clan will certainly welcome you with open arms. In addition, there are many students who admire your talent and learning, gathered there eagerly awaiting your instruction. We hope that you can lecture for a few days."

"Don't rush to talk about these things. There's one more thing to do before we set off." Qiu Yan waved his hand and turned his gaze to the distance, to the remaining settlements of the Tu Lang people.

ps:

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