Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1104: Chapter 382: Fate and Timing, Stationing Troops at Bashang, Fame Spreads Through Nine Towns, Astonishment and Dismay (Part 3)

On the night of May 1st, the Deputy Army Chief of Jinshan Town, Shangguan Ning, led his troops to attack Yumen Camp. Yuwen Dao, who had pre-arranged an ambush with the Dragon Martial Army, struck like lightning, decisively defeating the 5,000 strong Defensive Army of Jinshan. He himself slew several of Jinshan’s experts in battle and captured Shangguan Ning alive. At that moment, this young talent, both intelligent and brave, who could strategize in command and fight on the battlefield, quietly made his way into Murong Yan’s heart. Her admiration for him quickly began to transform into love.

Until the day before yesterday during the great battle at Fushan, Qin Yuan Yi, knowing he couldn’t match the Dragon Martial Army, feigned surrender and then suddenly tried to capture her to force the Dragon Martial Army to retreat. At the critical moment, Yuwen Dao shielded her from a sword strike with his own body. It was in that moment that Murong Yan completely fell for him.

Just the act of shielding her from Qin Yuan Yi’s sword was enough for Murong Yan to firmly believe that Yuwen Dao had feelings for her.

Murong Yan had been pampered since she was young; not just her grandfather, but her father’s older relatives and her cousins all catered to her whims. In all of Muyin City, she could do as she pleased. Yet, the moment she bravely expressed her love, she was rejected by Yuwen Dao. Naturally, this sparked a rebellious spirit within her. Even if she was rejected, she was determined to get a clear answer today.

"Brother Yuwen, speak up!"

Murong Yan stared directly at Yuwen Dao, without any of the earlier shyness when she had brought him gifts. Her eyes were filled with both grievance and defiance.

"Miss Murong, I have other matters to attend to. You’d best go back first!"

However, what responded to her was only Yuwen Dao’s increasingly firm words.

"I know what you’re worried about. I’ll go and explain everything to Grandfather!"

Seeing Yuwen Dao’s stern expression, Murong Yan clenched her fists. She seemed to have thought of something, bit her lip, left a final remark, and abruptly turned away.

Yuwen Dao was left alone in the hall. After a long silence, he looked down and sighed softly.

"You’re worried that Murong Chui isn’t willing for her to marry into Great Xia, aren’t you?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice echoed in the hall. Yuwen Dao quickly turned his head at the sound and saw a dark figure standing behind him. His expression immediately became excited as he quickly bowed and greeted, "Yuwen Dao pays respects to the Lord!"

The visitor was none other than Xia Hong.

It had been two months since Yuwen Dao had returned to Xia City since he arrived in Muyin Town via the East Ridge Secret Passage at the beginning of March. Unexpectedly seeing Xia Hong here, his emotions inevitably stirred.

Of course, Xia Hong’s personal presence in Muyin City proved that all matters regarding the north bank of Xing River, Hongguan, and Bashang had basically been concluded.

"Both Jinshan and Wuchuan Towns have signed agreements with Murong Chui, ensuring that no military hostilities will occur for ten years. As a condition, all prisoners captured by the Dragon Martial Army in the Yumen and Fushan battles, including Shangguan Ning and Qin Yuan Yi, are to be released, but both towns are to exchange them for silver."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Dao hurriedly asked, "What’s the price?"

"5,000 taels of silver for ordinary soldiers, 50,000 taels for Cold Resistance Level, 100,000 taels for military commanders, 200,000 taels for commanders, with the two deputy town chiefs each costing 500,000 taels."

Hearing this valuation, Yuwen Dao’s eyes instantly lit up.

In the two battles at Yumen and Fushan, the Dragon Martial Army captured a total of 2,794 prisoners. Based on Xia Hong’s prices, they could be converted into approximately 16 million taels of silver.

According to Great Xia’s regulations, any soldier’s haul could be preserved in half, meaning at least 8 million taels of silver could be distributed among the Dragon Martial Army from these two battles. Even if distributed evenly, each person could receive 8,000 taels.

8,000 taels of silver is no small amount for an individual.

Last year, after Xia Hong successively discovered four silver mines in Long Mountain, Great Xia’s silver reserves swelled significantly, leading the Camp Supply Department to adjust the silver price from the earlier 120 points per pound to 80 points per pound.

Submitting 8,000 taels to the Camp Supply Department could be converted into a staggering 64,000 contribution points.

An income of 64,000 contribution points, this expedition to Muyin by the Dragon Martial Army was worth it, and the brothers would definitely be thrilled upon hearing this news.

Yuwen Dao was beyond excited and couldn’t wait to gather the Dragon Martial Army soldiers downstairs to announce the news.

Seeing Yuwen Dao so excited, Xia Hong chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Don’t get so worked up. The Dragon Martial Army has performed excellently this time. What’s a bit of silver? Record all the combat performances and individual achievements of every soldier. When you return to Xia City later, don’t forget that the Military Department will recognize their military honors."

Military merit awards too?

Yuwen Dao was stunned upon hearing this, immediately lifted his head to look at Xia Hong, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Do you think the Dragon Martial Army fought these two battles just to help Muyin?"

Seeing Yuwen Dao’s expression, Xia Hong immediately realized what he was thinking, asked rhetorically with a strange look, and then shook his head and continued, "I’m not that kindhearted. Every battle fought by the Great Xia Army must and can only be for Great Xia. Dispatching troops to assist Muyin is to stabilize the current situation of the Eight Towns. To put it bluntly, it’s paving the way for Great Xia’s future expansion. You should be able to see that, right?"

Yuwen Dao immediately nodded, as he already understood this clearly.

The issue is, just because he understands doesn’t mean all soldiers do. The wiser soldiers can infer Xia Hong’s deeper intentions from a single clue, but they’re ultimately a minority. The vast majority of soldiers will likely believe that this deployment was to foster good relations with Muyin Town, ensuring that the Great Xia Camp wouldn’t be isolated when operating on the southern slope of Moao Mountain.

Xia Hong quickly realized this as well, frowning slightly and saying, "From now on, there’s no need to keep these things secret. The origins and reasons for every major battle can be directly announced to the entire army. Let every soldier know clearly why they’re fighting. Don’t let them blindly walk onto the battlefield, thinking they’re bleeding and battling for someone else. If a soldier doesn’t put in effort, it’s no big deal, but if they lose their life for no reason, that would be an injustice. As the Director of the Military Department, you should understand how important this issue is, right?"