" Mr. Shen Er is quite shrewd."
Faced with Tian Heng's words, Shen Er did not refute them, but laughed and said, "Fortune favors the bold, and my Shen Family has done such things before. Back then, relying on Chen Qing was a risky move, and we handed over all our resources and gave all the initiative to Chen Qing in order to achieve our current scale."
"Our lord has been more than generous to General Tian. The naval resources of the West Sea Dragon Palace were given to you instead of Xu Hu. You should feel the sincerity for that alone. Now, General Tian, do you only intend to maintain the status quo and dare not take a gamble?"
Upon hearing this, Tian Heng slowly closed his eyes. He had indeed reached a bottleneck. This was also why he had taken the initiative to go to Cloud Capital to rescue Chen Qing. He needed enough battle merits to reach a higher limit. The other two Battle God had already been chosen. If he didn't make changes, he wouldn't be able to surpass Xu Hu, and might even be overtaken by the other Battle God.
As Shen Er said, everyone who joins the army wants to make a future. The people of Jiangnan are living well. If they only pursue basic needs, they can do anything. Those who join the army are all looking to make a fortune in the future. The problem that the West Sea Army has been criticizing recently is the lack of opportunities for advancement.
If this problem is not resolved, the West Sea Army will forever remain a hereditary power, and over time, it may even become a source of suspicion for the ruler.
"What kind of treatment can Mr. Shen Er guarantee?" Tian Heng asked with a sigh after thinking it over.
"I knew General Tian was someone who could see the situation clearly," Shen Er laughed. "Based on the current military ranks, the higher the rank, the better the treatment after death. They can serve as ghost soldiers in the Underworld. With each rank increase, their military pay doubles. Don't worry about the Power of Faith; my Shen Family has enough resources. No matter how many come, we can guarantee sufficient Power of Faith, and the benefits will also be guaranteed. Everyone knows the advantages of becoming a ghost soldier, right?"
Tian Heng nodded slightly. Soldiers in the Underworld have a longer Underworld Lifespan, starting at three hundred years. Once they occupy this position, they can bring a lot of benefits to their families. They can earn underworld benefits for their families. Many families want to have a position in the Underworld, but they can't get one.
There should be a lot of people buying it.
"Will the Lord agree to allow your Shen Family to control so many Yin soldiers?"
"Your Majesty has a broad vision," Shen Er laughed. "In the future, we will definitely expand our territory. As the Divine Path Style expands its territory, the Underworld will also open up to the Yin-Yang Road. The ancient forces will not let this opportunity pass. Once the major Ghost Lords awaken, the Underworld's military will be under immense pressure. Now that we have a rare opportunity to advance our forces, how could Your Majesty disagree?"
"You guys know how to play the game." Tian Heng sneered.
The Shen Family already wields excessive power, controlling the Underworld in three major cities. If they were to also gain military control, it would be going too far. Like adding fuel to a fire, the Shen Family would suffer the consequences.
"What happens to the Shen Family is none of General Tian's concern. What are your thoughts, General Tian?"
"Alright," Tian Heng finally gritted his teeth and said, "Since Mr. Shen Er has already given me this much guidance, it would be too pathetic of me not to follow suit. However, I urge the Shen Family to provide full assistance in extinguishing the Buddhist temple this time!"
"Of course!" Shen Er said solemnly, "We all prosper together, and we all suffer together. Jiangnan is our root. No matter what, eradicating that dangerous Buddhist temple is our top priority!"
--
" Lord Wang, will General Tian Heng listen to you?"
Wang Ye and Wei Gongzhan did not leave the pass. They had to stay and observe the situation here, and also find out whether Wei Gongcheng was alive or dead. If he could still be saved, they would do everything they could to save him. There was a spot for Wei Gongcheng as a super life form!
"Of course not." Wang Ye shook his head. " Tian Heng's power is too rigid and too deeply tied to his family's army. The Shen Family will definitely persuade him to take this opportunity to reshuffle the deck. The Duke of Qi is an ambitious man, and he will most likely be swayed."
"Then..." Wei Gongzhan immediately became anxious. "Wouldn't that fulfill the princess's wish?"
"So what if we get our wish?" Wang Ye looked outside and said coldly, " Chen Qing foresaw all of this long ago. He doesn't even know if he can succeed. You might be mistaken. Although I tend to favor Chen Qing, it doesn't mean I'm completely on his side. As long as we can resist those ancient and extraterrestrial ghosts, whether it's the Xiao Household, the King of Qin, or Jiangnan, they're all the same in my eyes."
"Although these three people all have their own schemes, their stance towards the outside world is the same!"
Wei Gongzhan: "."
"But the Lord has entrusted you with the most important task."
Wang Ye glanced at him. "So what?"
"Then I will follow your advice, sir." Wei Gongzhan a deep breath and said, "His Majesty will not choose the wrong person, and His Majesty certainly knows your thoughts. Even if His Majesty fails in the end, His Majesty still believes in you. You just forgot to mention one person: not only the Eldest Princess and the King of Qin, but your stance on foreign affairs is also the same as His Majesty's."
Wang Ye paused for a moment, then laughed, looking at the serious-faced twenty-year-old, and patted him on the shoulder. " The Demon Mirror is indeed powerful; the people Chen Qing found are no ordinary individuals."
Demon Mirror?
Wei Gongzhan was puzzled, not understanding what the other party was saying.
Let's go.
Where to go?
"Go see the King of Qin!"
"Ah?"
--
"Brothers, that's roughly the situation." Tian Heng gathered the soldiers. He chose not to hide anything, because if it were exposed later, morale would completely collapse.
"This medicine has severe side effects. Once you take it, even if you don't die this time, you'll only live for two or three years at most. If you're willing to take the medicine voluntarily, the Underworld will provide you with ample benefits!"
Upon hearing this, many of the direct descendants of the affiliated families stiffened, exchanged glances, and became somewhat anxious.
They naturally wouldn't take the medicine. As his loyal followers, they enjoyed a wealth of resources under Tian Heng's command. They certainly weren't foolish enough to throw their lives away. What difference would a promotion in the Underworld make? Could it be better than their current treatment?
But he couldn't hide the enthusiasm of his subordinates.
Direct appointment in the Underworld, a promotion in rank, doubled benefits, and the ability to provide Underworld benefits to family members—such opportunities are rare.
Not everyone in the Tian Household Army can enjoy such high treatment. Since they are soldiers of the family, the inherent disadvantages brought by the family will exist. Children born out of wedlock will always be inferior to those born out of wedlock, and they will basically never be able to turn their lives around.
Now, if they could risk everything to go to the Underworld, it would be equivalent to completely breaking free from the family's control and entering a whole new world.
So what if it's the Underworld?
Ghost soldiers are allowed to reunite with their families and can even arrange posthumous benefits for their loved ones, something the current West Sea Army cannot provide.
The direct descendants of the family naturally understood this, which is why their expressions were grim.
Because once a large number of children born out of wedlock participate in the registration, their influence will be greatly reduced!
In the West Sea Army, families tend to stick together and are extremely exclusive towards outsiders. This is why the West Sea Army doesn't have a good reputation now, and the people of Jiangnan generally don't consider joining it. Even if they want to join the city defense army, they are unwilling to go to the West Sea Army.
Currently, the main force comes from the Southeast Commandery, but once the other side gets familiar with the situation there, it's estimated that very few people from the Southeast Commandery will defect to the West Sea Army.
Many people understand this issue, but when it comes to interests, no one cares about such things.
"General," the family members exchanged glances, then gritted their teeth and stepped forward, saying, "Isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"