Great Qin Profound Edict

Central State City, Northern Military Camp, Military Administration Office.

"Brother, do you know whether this city is personally guarded by Marquis Bai?"

When Jian Shang decided to head to the military camp first to settle various matters, the centurion was not surprised. He ordered a soldier to lead the way to the northern military camp, and Jian Shang asked expectantly along the way.

A giant-city-level base was indeed far beyond a town-level base like Shizhuang. Though Jian Shang and the others traveled along a military-only route, they still saw pavilions and halls stretching without end. Any random street extended beyond the eye's reach. The streets and alleys were packed with surging crowds and boiling voices, a scene of flourishing prosperity. There was not the slightest trace of the solemn, oppressive tension of barbarian invasion with a great enemy at the gates.

"Reporting to you, sir! Central State City is guarded by Divine General Sun, one of the Eight Divine Generals. Marquis Bai oversees the imperial capital, Handan, while Divine General Zhao is stationed in the royal capital, Jijing. Together, they form a triangular balance against the barbarians and lay down the grand strategic situation. Furthermore, various battle generals and marquises are stationed in giant cities such as Xindu, Jinyang, Puyang, and Yunzhong. They are as impregnable as a fortress of gold. However..."

The soldier had clearly taken Jian Shang for his future superior. He immediately reported respectfully, then paused at the end. After furtively glancing around, he lowered his voice and continued.

"It is said that Marquis Bai often travels incognito throughout the lands. If your luck is good, you may perhaps be fortunate enough to witness the divine might of the Marquis!"

As he spoke, his eyes burned with fervor and longing. He clearly held Marquis Bai Qi in the utmost reverence.

"What is that place?"

Jian Shang neither confirmed nor denied it. The moment he entered the military camp, he saw at least a thousand people crowding before a building in the broad open space to the left. Most of them appeared to be players, and he could not help asking in puzzlement.

In truth, Jian Shang was also quite perplexed. With the Great Qin Empire's mighty troops and horses, with famous generals as numerous as clouds, how could Northern Di have fought their way here? Many Great Qin generals had been Warring States-era renowned commanders whose departed souls were summoned back and "revived" by Loose Immortals and the like. Any one of them should have been able to beat Northern Di until they pissed themselves. Yet with so many Warring States generals gathered together, Northern Di was still allowed to run rampant everywhere. It was truly hard to understand.

Of course, if the Great Qin Empire was so powerful and the Four Directional Tribes still dared invade, they naturally could not be treated as ordinary foes. Perhaps the enemy's force was simply too massive; at the very least, their numbers had to be terrifying.

"Reporting to you, sir! That is the Recruitment Office, where newly enlisted soldiers register. However, you are valiant and mighty, sir, so naturally you need not queue. You can go directly to the Military Administration Office to register and enlist, then immediately serve as a general!"

The soldier called him "sir" with every other breath, sounding cheerful and intimate, and he nearly praised Jian Shang all the way to the heavens.

Jian Shang smiled and said nothing more. The soldier's words were somewhat exaggerated, but they were not entirely without basis. Jian Shang did not think he was qualified to become a general directly, but becoming a minor officer would not be a problem. That was the difference between joining the army with a force and enlisting alone.

At that thought, Jian Shang could not help remembering Sun Ji. Sun Ji had said exactly this back then: if one brought troops to enlist, one's starting point would be higher and one would receive more attention. He had truly hit the mark.

Such talent, and he had simply left. What a pity!

After entering the Military Administration Office and heading straight for the discussion hall, the Black Wolf Cavalry and Northern Plains Biao waited in the open space before it. Jian Shang, meanwhile, entered with the soldier, bringing Jiang Sheng, Ma Qiang, Luo Sheng, and the other officers, as well as Gao Gong, Gao Hong, Yang Ning, and the rest.

Along the way, Jian Shang felt quite fortunate. It was a good thing he had chosen to come to the military camp and register first. Otherwise, if he had come on his own, he would probably have gone straight to the Recruitment Office. Besides, the military camp stretched as far as the eye could see, and who knew how vast it truly was? Finding the right place would not have been easy.

"Reporting to you, sir! This righteous warrior has led two hundred battle-hardened elite soldiers and more than five hundred Northern Plains Biao here to enlist. Therefore, this lowly one brought him directly before you. I ask you to decide!"

After entering the discussion hall, the soldier reported to an officer inside who was bent over his desk, "busy." Various files piled several feet high upon the desk, clearly showing that his duties were numerous.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing the soldier's report, the officer who was "busy" at his desk raised his head. Yet his eyes were bleary with sleep, making Jian Shang break out in cold sweat. The officer swept his gaze over everyone present before it finally landed on Jian Shang at the front. Then he looked at the Game Dragon Ring on Jian Shang's hand and continued with a half-smile.

"So he is an Otherworlder. An Otherworlder who comes alone while leading troops is truly rare."

"I am Jian Shang. Greetings, Senior—"

Seeing the officer look over, Jian Shang was about to pay his respects. Before he could finish, however, the officer ignored him completely and directly pulled out a bronze mirror, waving it at him. A faint, barely visible beam of light landed upon his Game Dragon Ring, forcing Jian Shang to swallow the words already at his lips.

"Taking the highest value among all abilities, he is suited to be a military general. Martial force: 47, sufficient to serve as a Deputy General. Merit: 685, insufficient to serve as a Deputy General. Taking the lowest applicable value, he shall serve as a Junior Commandant!"

Immediately afterward, the officer suddenly spoke words that left Jian Shang utterly astonished. He seemed to be a player.

"Here is your Profound Edict. Since you Otherworlders are rather special, your military tally and official seal are combined into one. It is a special item that can be placed in the Dragon Ring to prevent loss. It will automatically record merit and promote you!"

Without waiting for Jian Shang to speak, the officer casually flung an item toward him.

"Ding! Congratulations, player Jian Shang, on shedding your status as an unranked commoner and advancing to the Subordinate Eighth Rank of Junior Commandant. You are specially awarded 300 Prestige (100+200). May you continue your efforts and strive onward!"

At that moment, the system's loud and pleasant notification suddenly rang through Jian Shang's mind. There was no tangible reward, only Prestige.

When he caught the item, it felt cool and smooth in his hand, like mutton-fat jade. It was a jet-black object shaped like an official seal. On top stood a sculpture resembling a Dark Bird, while beneath it was a rectangular base. Ancient seal script was engraved on the underside, seemingly reading "Great Qin Edict" in four large characters and "Junior Commandant" in three smaller ones.

Great Qin Profound Edict: A special exclusive item representing a player's Fruition Rank. Automatically records merit and automatically advances in rank. Disappears upon losing Fruition Rank.

Fruition Rank: Subordinate Eighth Rank. Comprehensive ability increase: 15%.

Merit: Junior Commandant, 685/1000. All attributes +2.

By this edict, may collect 10 gold per month from any military camp. Current subordinates: 194/500 (may exceed this number, but may not fall below it).

If requirements are not met for three consecutive months, rank automatically drops by one level. If unranked, the edict disappears and must be collected again.

Exclusive to Jian Shang.

"How can you recognize the Game... Dragon Ring? You can see my attributes? How do you recognize us?"

After examining the useful Great Qin Profound Edict, Jian Shang looked at the officer in surprise and blurted out. At the same time, he thought to himself:

No wonder so many players enlist. Setting everything else aside, this Great Qin Profound Edict alone makes it worthwhile. With it, players need not worry about their merit being reduced, concealed, or fraudulently claimed by others!

"You were summoned through spells cast by Attendants of our Great Qin Empire. Naturally, Great Qin officials recognize you... It is merely a simple minor spell. All relevant officials know it. Is it strange that we can recognize you? If there is nothing else, get out."

The officer replied irritably with a wave of his hand. At first, he had wanted to put on an air of profundity, but he finally revealed the truth: it was mainly because of the minor spell he cultivated.

"What about them? They are righteous warriors who have come to enlist as well!"

Jian Shang suddenly understood. It was probably a spell similar to Appraisal. Seeing the officer so readily dismiss them, he pointed at the officers and brothers behind him.

"They are your subordinates, so naturally you arrange them yourself. As long as it does not exceed your rank and there are corresponding vacant positions, you may appoint them, and their appointments will likewise be valid. Of course, they may also register here, but then we will arrange their postings. In the end, they may not necessarily fall under your command. Are you sure you want them to register?"

The officer yawned and explained casually, looking extremely impatient. He resembled a charlatan more than an official.

"That is all? Then where is our military camp? If we want to claim weapons and equipment, recruit troops and buy horses, and so on, where do we go?"

Jian Shang frowned and pressed on with a string of questions.

"Claim weapons and equipment... Do you take the military camp for a charity hall? You Otherworlders already receive such high salaries, and you still want to claim things? Weapons, equipment, rations, military horses, and even food for your subordinates must all be handled by yourselves. Go to the Military Affairs Office to recruit troops and buy horses; head right after leaving. As for your military camp..."

The officer answered casually. Halfway through, a strange smile as if he were enjoying a good show appeared on his face. He deliberately paused before shouting loudly.

"Someone! Take them to their military camp!"

"No way? We have to support the army ourselves? Is this a Great Qin army or private troops?"

Jian Shang was extremely depressed and blurted out speechlessly.

When he had just examined the Great Qin Profound Edict's information, Jian Shang had been delighted by the high salary and Great Qin's excellent treatment. Who would have known that it included the expenses of the entire company, not merely those of one Junior Commandant? Then it was not nearly enough. After all, even if all five hundred people ate only coarse grain, it would still cost five gold a month.

The Great Qin Empire truly was formidable. With a single Great Qin Profound Edict, it had bought the lives of countless players. With one simple decree, it eliminated those who intended to fish in muddy waters or occupy positions while consuming their pay for nothing.

"This way, please!"

Unfortunately, the officer ignored Jian Shang from then on. One of the soldiers attending nearby quickly stepped forward and invited them out.