Money Was Not Money

"Thanks for the reminder. May I ask, if recruits are trained into special troop types, what should I watch out for?"

Jian Shang paid no heed to the officer's sneer and asked earnestly.

"Train them into special troop types? You know how to train them?"

The officer, who had been lounging with his eyes shut, suddenly lit up. He sat upright and stared at Jian Shang, pressing the question down. When he saw Jian Shang smile and nod, his expression turned solemn as he replied:

"No matter the troop type or legion, if soldiers improve, their rations and pay will rise accordingly. Naturally, training them into special troop types is the same—usually by fifty percent. However, morale is fairly high at present, so you can delay payment or replace it with rights to the spoils of war! Let me give you a reminder: since you intend to train special troop types, if conditions permit, try to recruit troops and officers with stronger abilities and higher realms. They develop faster, have a greater chance of being trained into special troop types in less time, and are more likely to advance into commanders instead of remaining common soldiers. They also stand a better chance of becoming retainers. That way, not only can you save a great deal of expense, but they can bring you even greater returns..."

The officer seemed exceptionally interested in special troop types. He spoke in a torrent for nearly half an incense stick's time. If military duties had not bound him, he probably would have wanted to recommend himself.

"Thank you! Take a look at the list. Ask for any weapon you want—sharpening the blade does not delay the chopping of firewood!"

After thanking him, Jian Shang handed the list to Jiang Yao and looked at the others as he spoke. Then he began silently calculating which troop types he could recruit and which military supplies he could purchase with his wealth.

The officer's explanation had made many hidden matters clear to Jian Shang. At the very least, people like Jiang Yao and Sun Ji not only required no settlement fees, rations, or pay from him, but often had to rely on them for food instead. This was the matter of intimacy and special relationships.

"Ah? They're all this expensive?"

Jiang Yao was briefly stunned as he took it. They did not necessarily have to buy anything, but there was no harm in taking a casual look. The others also stepped forward curiously. The moment they saw the beginning of the list, their expressions changed in unison, while Jiang Qing even covered her mouth and cried out in shock.

"Impressive!"

The officer glanced at Jiang Yao and the others, then gave Jian Shang a thumbs-up in praise. Clearly, he had seen what Jiang Yao and the others meant to Jian Shang.

Since they would save an Otherworlder money, and were female companions rather than retainers, they had to be partners. This was an absolutely money-saving, trouble-saving, effort-saving special relationship.

Jian Shang merely smiled and remained silent, continuing his calculations...

"Fifty Battle-Tested Archers Cavalry, fifty Battle-Tested Lancer Cavalry, fifty Battle-Tested Axemen Cavalry, fifty Elite Personal Guards, two veteran centurions, four veteran squad commanders, and one wrought-iron weapon for each. Equip the personal guards with bows, arrows, and wrought-iron sabres. Add three carts, five cooks, three young military craftsmen, one veteran craftsman, and one military physician. That will do for now. Sorry to trouble you! When can everything be ready?"

After roughly half an incense stick's time, Jian Shang looked at the officer and asked politely.

"Clatter, clatter..."

"Besides the settlement fees, you must prepay the first month's rations and pay. Fifty Battle-Tested Archers Cavalry... fifty Battle-Tested Lancer Cavalry and fifty Battle-Tested Axemen Cavalry each... fifty Elite Personal Guards, fifty times two... two veteran centurions at twenty gold each, four veteran squad commanders at fifteen gold each; one gold per wrought-iron weapon, one gold per cart, the cooks... A total of 1,483 gold—round it down to 1,480 gold!"

The officer perked up. He immediately pulled an ebony abacus from beneath the desk and began calculating with hands swift as the wind, muttering the figures as he went. In the blink of an eye, he had calculated the entire cost. At last, he looked at Jian Shang expectantly, clearly doubting whether Jian Shang could afford it.

Among all troop types, personal guards were the most expensive to recruit. Not only had they to be skilled with bow and horse, able to fight mounted and hold their own dismounted, but their backgrounds had to be clean, their character sound, and their qualities outstanding. They were the elite among all troops.

"Have you all decided? Don't stand on ceremony. I can afford it!"

Jian Shang ignored the officer and instead looked toward Jiang Yao, who was whispering with the others.

"Well..."

Jiang Yao, normally the boldest and most generous of them all, suddenly hesitated.

"Since Jian Shang has said so, why be polite? I want a Wrought-Iron Treasure Sword!"

Sun Ji gave Jian Shang a meaningful glance and was the first to speak, utterly composed.

"Add one Wrought-Iron Treasure Sword!"

Jian Shang smiled and nodded, instructing the officer.

"I want a Willow-Leaf Saber!"

Since Sun Ji had spoken, Jiang Qing, who already possessed a Bronze Saber, could no longer hold herself back and shouted eagerly.

In the end, Jiang Yao chose a Long-Handled Wrought-Iron Spring-Autumn Broadsword weighing over eighty jin; Jiang Qing chose two Wrought-Iron Willow-Leaf Sabers; Sun Ji chose a Wrought-Iron Treasure Sword; Gao Gong chose a long-handled giant axe made entirely of wrought iron, weighing roughly one hundred and fifty jin, a startling sight; Gao Hong chose a Three-Foot Green Edge; Yang Ning chose nothing; Shi Jin and Sun Ji each chose a Wrought-Iron Treasure Sword, though it was mainly for show; while Shi Ji chose two eight-inch ram's-horn daggers.

"1,586 gold in total. I believe I should remind you that since they are cavalry, warhorses are their second lives. Cavalry without horses may not even be as useful as infantry!"

After everyone reported their chosen weapons, Jian Shang also requested a Wrought-Iron Bow and a Wrought-Iron Sabre. The officer silently calculated again, swiftly announced the total, and offered a kind reminder.

"Thank you for the reminder! Warhorses are too expensive. If we don't have any, we can seize them—why buy them?"

Jian Shang smiled and replied without concern. After a pause, seeing the officer's slightly stunned expression, he quickly continued, "The barbarians are running rampant outside now, and the Northern Di are a people born on horseback. Nearly all of them have warhorses. Aren't they the best targets? A Northern Plains Biao is worth eight gold per horse—far more precious than a human life!"

"Ambitious! Please wait a moment. All registered soldiers remain in the camp training unless they have urgent business, lest their combat strength decline, so it will not take long!"

The officer froze for a moment, then praised him with even greater delight. After thinking it over, he added:

"Oh, right! Since you intend to train special troop types, would you like to rent a training ground? A low-grade one costs fifty silver per day and provides a few weapons for practice; an intermediate one costs one gold per day and lets you borrow all eighteen kinds of weapons; a high-grade one costs ten gold per day. Whether warhorses, armor, or the eighteen kinds of weapons, as long as it is on the list, you may borrow it for practice. Food and lodging are also provided free of charge! No matter what kind of grounds you rent, payment is settled at the end of the day. No advance payment is needed!"

"Since we're already here, staying a while longer won't hurt. We can also use the grounds to familiarize ourselves with the weapons!"

Jian Shang's eyes lit up. Yet considering Jiang Yao and the others, he still turned to Jiang Yao for approval. Jiang Yao nodded without a care.

"Then we'll rent the high-grade grounds! Here are fifteen Diamond Coins and eighty-six gold!"

Jian Shang quickly pulled out his money pouch and settled the bill. Unfortunately, he had only 218 merit points. Otherwise, he truly would have wanted to raise a thousand elite cavalry and experience the thrill of being Grand Commandant, answering with a single call and receiving a hundred responses.

"Wise! Generous! Sharpening the blade does not delay the chopping of firewood! You may head to the high-grade grounds first to rest, saving on inn costs. We can also deliver the soldiers and military supplies directly there. Since you have made such a grand purchase, there will be no charge for the high-grade grounds today. All your needs will be provided free of charge!" The officer's gaze toward Jian Shang became even more fervent as he made this rare generous suggestion.

"Thank you!"

Jian Shang thanked him, then looked at Jiang Yao and the others. "Then let's first take the warhorses to the grounds, then go out for a stroll and have a good meal. How does that sound?"

Though Jian Shang now had only a hundred gold left, he had already spent more than fifteen hundred gold. Why would he care about spending a few more gold to enjoy himself?

"Sure!"

Jiang Yao grinned broadly and agreed readily.