Free Web NovelChapter 556: Chapter 556: Rewards
The Desert Wind Army emerged five years ago between the Western Regions and Daqian as a rebellious force.
Initially, the Desert Wind Army was known as Desert Thieves, merely a band of marauders dwelling in the mountains, robbing and plundering.
However, in just a few short years, the power of the Desert Wind Army rapidly expanded and is now claimed to be sixteen divisions strong.
Each division represents a force under the Desert Wind Army!
These sixteen divisions roamed freely across the thousand miles of Daqian’s western borderlands, appearing and disappearing like ghosts, plundering trading caravans traveling between the Western Regions and Daqian, and harassing rural counties and tribes, their crimes mounting.
In the past three years, several caravans from the Tudah Tribe suffered massacres by the Desert Wind Army, with losses being extremely severe.
To this end, the Tudah Tribe launched a revenge campaign, heavily damaging one division of the Desert Wind Army.
However, the retaliation of the Desert Wind Army soon followed.
They gathered eight divisions and launched a surprise attack on the territory of the Tudah Tribe, killing many of the latter’s people.
They even once broke into the tribe’s core areas.
Thus, a deep-seated blood feud was formed between the two parties.
Jia Jide bore an intense hatred towards the Desert Wind Army.
Because both of his sons died at the hands of their enemies.
This is why the Tudah Tribe’s great merchant sought out Zhang Yuan, wanting to ally with the West Plain Dao Camp to deal with the Desert Wind Army.
To secure the safety of the trade routes.
Zhang Yuan was, of course, aware of the Desert Wind Army, as his predecessor had tragically fallen during a battle with one of their divisions, leaving the West Plain Dao Camp half-crippled.
In fact, without these events, Zhang Yuan might not have had the opportunity to come to the West Plain to assume the position of Dao General.
One could say he was somewhat entangled with the Desert Wind Army!
After listening to Jia Jide’s account, Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment and then said, "This is a serious matter, and the strength of the West Plain Dao Camp is quite limited, so allow me to consider it further."
Although the West Plain Dao Camp had received support from the Mo Family and had fully restored its organization,
and despite undergoing continuous battles to eliminate bandits, sharpening its capabilities,
the issue remained that the West Plain Dao Camp only had a structure of 300 Daoist Soldiers and 700 auxiliary soldiers, totaling a mere thousand troops. How could they compare to the sixteen divisions of the Desert Wind Army?
Most importantly, these marauders were like wild grass; even if one batch was cut down, they would quickly regrow.
They were extremely troublesome to deal with.
To completely eliminate the Desert Wind Army, it would require the deployment of elite troops from Daqian!
Zhang Yuan couldn’t possibly rush into a life-and-death struggle with the Desert Wind Army just because of a few words from Jia Jide.
"Then I shall await your decision, Sir."
Although Jia Jide was somewhat disappointed, he understood that it was unrealistic for Zhang Yuan to agree immediately.
However, the stack of gold notes that had been presented earlier was not taken back by him upon his departure.
After the great merchant of the Tudah Tribe left, Zhang Yuan thoughtfully rubbed his chin and asked Mo Yanchang, "Captain Mo, what do you think of this matter?"
Mo Yanchang thought for a moment and replied, "Sir, Jia Jide seems to be very sincere, but our strength is weak. It’s quite impressive if we can maintain peace within the West Plain County. To go against the Desert Wind Army may be beyond our capabilities."
He spoke tactfully, but his opposition was clear.
Zhang Yuan nodded and suddenly said, "Gather all the information about the Desert Wind Army for me; I want to take a look."
Mo Yanchang was stunned for a moment and cautiously asked, "Sir, what do you mean?"
Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures a hundred victories. Moreover, while our intentions may be harmless, the Desert Wind Army is threatening; who knows when they will disturb the West Plain again? We must be prepared!"
Mo Yanchang was resolute.
Two days later, Deputy General Mo Wei returned to the West Plain Dao Camp.
When he left, he took a small team with him; upon returning, he brought back ten fully loaded carts of goods.
Seven of these carts were filled with supplies Mo Wei had purchased from Lin Xian Manor.
Or rather, specialties.
Such as rice, wine, cloth, medicinal herbs, and so on.
These were all items needed for the daily operation of the Dao Camp.
Though available in West Plain City, the quality of goods produced by the sect was entirely different.
The remaining three carts contained the rewards bestowed upon Zhang Yuan by the Sect!
Including weapons, armor, Elixir, Talismans...
Worth at least several hundred thousand silver coins!
Mo Wei also brought back a letter from the Mo Family Ancestor to Zhang Yuan.
There were only three words in the letter—Well Done!
Undoubtedly, the Mo Family Ancestor highly appreciated Zhang Yuan’s actions since assuming the position of West Plain Dao General.
The generous rewards granted by the sect undoubtedly bore the mark of this Celestial Master’s influence!
Upon receiving these rewards, Zhang Yuan immediately instructed Mo Yanchang to distribute them to all Daoist Soldiers according to their merits.
He kept nothing for himself, nor was there any need to.
As for the 700 auxiliary soldiers who also contributed, Zhang Yuan took out a large sum of silver coins and distributed it to them.
Everyone got a share!
Thus, the entire West Plain Dao Camp erupted in cheers and jubilation, with morale reaching its peak.
All the Daoist Soldiers and auxiliary soldiers’ loyalty to Zhang Yuan was maxed out!
What surprised Zhang Yuan was that the Daoist Government Office, the very next day after Mo Wei returned to the camp, actually allocated the military funds that had been delayed for two months.
Yet, this was within Zhang Yuan’s expectations.
Fei Hongming, unless he didn’t want to continue in his role, couldn’t possibly withhold the military funds indefinitely.
In fact, his attempt to manipulate Zhang Yuan by this method not only failed to have any effect, but also handed Zhang Yuan a moderate handle against him.
In the stalemate between the two sides, Zhang Yuan could easily hold on for a year or even longer.
Fei Hongming couldn’t withstand it for more than three months.
Zhang Yuan thought the other party would drag on a bit longer to unsettle him.
Unexpectedly, he capitulated so quickly.
He merely chuckled coldly at this, and said, "Captain Mo, send someone to remind them about next month’s military funds."
Does Zhang Yuan really need these military funds?
Of course not.
It’s all about giving Fei Hongming a slap in the face!
Mo Yanchang understood immediately: "I will get on it right away, Sir."
Honestly, this captain felt that Zhang Yuan was somewhat young and impetuous, and there was no need to make things so ugly with Fei Hongming.
But on second thought, it was indeed Fei Hongming who started it all.
So what fault is there in Zhang Yuan’s counterattack?
In earnest, showing no reaction would only lead to being looked down upon!
As for the military funds that had just been allocated, Zhang Yuan also instructed Mo Yanchang to distribute them.
And announced a three-day holiday for the Dao Camp.
This delighted all the Daoist Soldiers and auxiliary soldiers. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Currently, their pockets were bulging, and their desire to spend was at an all-time high.
Those with families at home were somewhat better.
After all, they had to take care of their households.
Most of the bachelors couldn’t wait to leave the camp to indulge themselves and have a good time.
Over the past period, they constantly fought battles within a three-hundred-mile radius of the West Plain, both physically and mentally exhausted.
Zhang Yuan’s order was like rain after a long drought!
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan also took a short break for himself.
He declined the request for company from Mo Wei and others, changed into a simple outfit, and then left the camp alone.
