"General, aren't these things a bit inappropriate?"
A few people mustered up their courage and went out to ask, and the atmosphere in the entire army became strange. Tian Heng saw this and felt conflicted.
The monopoly model of aristocratic families is indeed a drawback. Even now, with the situation so critical, these direct descendants are still only thinking about their own family's interests.
The direct descendants of several prominent families were also forced to put on a brave face.
There's no way around it. If we accept this operation, a large number of illegitimate children will probably sign up. They're able to band together to exclude outsiders and monopolize the West Sea Army because of their numbers and unity. But if there aren't enough people, the Laoda's resources will definitely not be as completely biased towards them as before!
The others silently looked at their own commander. To be honest, Tian Heng was a very good old employer. Over the years, following Commander Tian, the direct descendants of the family had enjoyed the spoils, while they, the illegitimate sons and soldiers, had also gotten some scraps. But they felt somewhat unbalanced.
In the past, it was tolerable, since the bloodline was impure and the talent was inferior to that of the direct descendants. All aristocratic families were the same, so everyone tolerated it. But now that we've arrived in Jiangnan, things are different.
On the other side, the Fighter Army distributes Power of Faith entirely based on ability and battle merits. Many soldiers without even a bloodline have risen to the middle and high ranks. More than half of the thousand-strong commanders in the Fighter Army were once without a bloodline. Even now, commoner soldiers have a great chance within the Fighter Army.
The experience of a platform that treats everyone equally is completely different from that of a platform that is completely biased. Every time these West Sea Army go home to visit their families, they chat with their comrades from the Fighter Army. When the topic of each other's treatment comes up, none of them are not envious.
Both were soldiers from Jiangnan, but following General Tian was far less desirable than following Xu Hu.
The root cause is that the direct descendants of the powerful families and the Tian Household Army ate the lion's share!
Now that there's finally a chance to escape all this, few wouldn't be willing to risk everything? The treatment of being a ghost soldier is quite appealing; it's just a change of identity, isn't it?
At this time, the direct subordinates took the lead in opposing the plan, while those from other branches dared not refute it, because if their Laoda failed to make a decision, they would face being treated unfairly.
Now we can only hope that the Laoda can hold on a little longer.
"What's wrong with it?" Tian Heng's eyes turned cold as he looked at the people whose eyes were darting around. "What time is it now? If Jiangnan is gone, do you think you can continue living like this?"
"But," the middle-aged man who was leading the group, a member of a collateral branch of the Tian Household, said with a forced smile, "Shouldn't we reconsider sending our brothers to their deaths?"
"There are always deaths in war!" Tian Heng said coldly. "At least this is Jiangnan, with the Underworld system established by the adults. Even if you die in battle, you can go to the Underworld, which is equivalent to being reborn. In the past, when soldiers rushed to the front and died, only their families benefited. Your wife would take your 'treasury' and remarry, and you wouldn't know anything about it."
Everyone: "."
"I've already discussed this matter with several Underworld. There are plenty of positions for Underworld soldiers in Nanming Prefecture and Nanyang City reserved for you. Anyone who dies in battle will be promoted one rank and receive double the benefits. Such opportunities are rare. Underworld soldiers have a lifespan of three hundred years or more. Once a certain number are reached, we will stop recruiting from outside. You won't have this chance to join in the future. As your general, the backup plan I've found for you isn't bad, is it?"
The soldiers below gasped for breath. Nanming Prefecture and Nanyang City were both good places. Although not as good as Liuzhou, they were still major cities in Jiangnan. Being a soldier in the Underworld in such a place was practically a pleasant retirement life, and the rank would even be promoted. The future prospects were definitely better than following behind these direct descendants and drinking the soup.
They were absolutely willing.
As the saying goes, a generous reward will surely bring forth brave men. Before the direct descendants could continue to refute, someone took the initiative to stand up!
"General, I'm willing to give it a try!"
" Tian Liang, you..." The Tian Household who had just spoken immediately flew into a rage.
The man named Tian Liang was one of his capable subordinates. However, due to his poor birth, he was born to a concubine of low status in the collateral branch of the family and had always been suppressed. After coming to Jiangnan, he participated in many battles, including the Southeast Recapture Campaign. In that battle, Tian Liang beheaded over a hundred people and made significant contributions while clearing out the living corpses.
Even so, the lion's share of the faith reward went to him, while Tian Liang, who had risked his life for the cause, received less than one-tenth.
Tian Liang is skilled and daring, which is an important tool for me to earn military merits. I never expected that he would plan to break away from me today!
"Alright!" Tian Heng nodded. He had known Tian Liang for a long time. If it weren't for the fact that he was being pressured by his superiors, he would at least be a commander of a thousand households by now. It would indeed be a pity for him to continue wasting his time here.
Seeing Tian Heng's support and Tian Liang's leadership, the remaining soldiers immediately mustered their courage.
"I'm willing to give it a try!"
"I am willing to die for the West Sea Army!"
"Since the general has spoken, I am naturally willing to be at the forefront!"
Soon, the spark ignited a prairie fire, and thousands upon thousands of soldiers volunteered.
The high-ranking military officers from the various powerful families immediately turned extremely grim.
"General!" someone couldn't help but shout, "You need to think this through. If most of your brothers are lost, without General Tian's support, would you still be so highly regarded?"
Tian Heng took a deep breath and said sternly, "Brothers, you have followed me for so long, and it has not been easy for you to get to where you are today. Now the world is in chaos, and there is no safe place except Jiangnan. Most of you brothers have already settled down in Jiangnan, and I'm sure you don't want Jiangnan to fall into ruin. I, Tian Heng, naturally cannot ruin everyone's future for my own selfish reasons. Today, I, Tian Heng, declare here and now that any brother who is willing to accept the pills will still be my brother, Tian Heng's brother. You can come to my West Sea Army again if you need anything. Even if we go to different places, our friendship will remain the same!"
"General!"
Upon hearing this, most of the soldiers' eyes reddened, and they all knelt down to salute.
"From now on, whatever the general commands, we will never refuse!"
"Alright, we're all good brothers!" Tian Heng nodded. " Tian Liang, you're in charge of registration. All the brothers who want to receive the pills, register them carefully. This mission to destroy Buddhism can only succeed, not fail!"
"Yes!!!" Tian Liang exclaimed excitedly.
Finally, my hard-earned day has come.
Compared to the enthusiasm of others, the direct descendants of aristocratic families and the direct descendants of collateral branches of the Tian Household all had gloomy expressions.
Seeing that the situation was already under control, they no longer objected, but they all exchanged glances, seemingly still plotting something.
Standing on high ground, Tian Heng could see everything clearly, and his heart turned cold.
Human greed is on full display at this moment. These direct descendants of the Tian Household branches and affiliated aristocratic families of the Tian family have benefited immensely from following him all these years, but when it comes to paying the price, they all harbor ulterior motives and may even resort to underhanded tactics behind his back.
It's truly disheartening.
As Wang Ye said, powerful families are truly a cancer!
However, this was a huge gamble for him. A large number of the West Sea Army had taken elixirs, and the direct descendants of the collateral branches and affiliated families who had previously supported him had turned against him. If he failed this time, he feared he would have no foundation left to recover!