: The King's Appointed Strategist

2025-01-05 Author: Gu Zhenren

Ning Zhuo took out twenty million low-grade spirit stones and handed them over to Liu Er on the spot.

"This is my clan's investment in the Three Generals Camp, to help the general achieve victory and gain glory!"

Liu Er couldn't help but take a deep breath, his eyes fixed eagerly on Ning Zhuo's storage pouch. He could see many more spirit stones inside!

He quickly composed himself, grasped Ning Zhuo's arm, and said gratefully, "It must be the strategist who persuaded your clan to provide such support. How can I, Liu Er, be worthy of such assistance from your clan and from you, strategist?"

Ning Zhuo, in turn, held Liu Er's arm and said, "General, we became friends from the moment we met, and the longer we spend together, the deeper our bond grows."

"You treat others with kindness, remain loyal to the sovereign and the nation, and fight bravely against the enemy—truly a man of responsibility!"

"I deeply admire you for that."

"In my humble opinion, I wanted to offer assistance without compensation. However, our clan elder doesn't know you well and insisted on taking three-tenths of the spoils of war."

Liu Er was taken aback. "Three-tenths?"

Ning Zhuo wore an expression of helplessness, as if to say, "Young people are moved by righteousness and strive for ideals, but the elders in the family are too worldly."

Liu Er patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder and said, "Even if it were six-tenths, so what?"

"Your clan's support is so generous; it's only right."

"But at the moment..."

"Ah, strategist, you know as well as I do that when the Three Generals Camp was first established, the distribution of spoils was already promised to others!"

"Where would the three-tenths of the spoils come from?"

"Hmm... perhaps we could deduct it from my share and that of my second and third brothers. But it might take some time before we can repay it."

Ning Zhuo smiled and extended his hand. "Regarding this matter, I’ve already given it careful thought on my way back."

"It’s time to reclaim the rights to the spoils of war. And now is the perfect opportunity."

Liu Er looked puzzled. "Oh? I’d like to hear the details."

Ning Zhuo explained, "After the ambush battle, our army has been stationed outside Canglin Immortal City again. Many cultivators are causing trouble, complaining that the rewards here are too low and threatening to leave the Three Generals Camp for other places."

Liu Er showed a look of shame. "This is my fault for lacking the ability and resources to reward those who have contributed. I am to blame!"

Ning Zhuo shook his head. "Giving the spoils of war to the soldiers is our greatest reward."

"However, in the ambush battle, there weren’t many spoils to collect, and we suffered heavy losses instead. Many soldiers’ magical tools were damaged to varying degrees, and they’re complaining that the repair subsidies we provide are too little."

"So, the soldiers feel that such a contract is too unfair."

"This is essentially a gamble. Once the bet is placed, it’s final—that’s the rule."

"If they had gained a lot from the ambush battle, there wouldn’t be so many disturbances."

"Moreover, the White Jade Camp has started recruiting again. Though they’ve toned it down, they’re still wealthy and influential. Many cultivators in the Three Generals Camp are tempted by the favorable conditions they offer. But to avoid the stigma of betrayal and the suspicion and exclusion they might face in other armies, they use these disturbances as an excuse to achieve their goals."

Liu Er nodded in agreement. "What the strategist says makes perfect sense!"

Ning Zhuo continued, "Since they feel the contract is unfavorable, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the situation and cancel this agreement."

"The reason we made such a promise in the first place was because we were short on military funds and had no choice but to attract cultivators to join the army this way."

"Now that we have sufficient funds, we can raise the military pay to the standard level, or even above average."

"Don’t forget, our Three Generals Camp was the most outstanding army in the ambush battle."

"Given our achievements, I believe many cultivators will come to join us."

Liu Er lowered his head, deep in thought.

After a while, he looked up and said, "This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided lightly. Strategist, allow me to think it over and discuss it with my second and third brothers."

Ning Zhuo nodded, full of approval. "The general’s foresight is a blessing to the army. This is exactly how it should be."

Atop a distant mountain peak, an elderly demon cultivator sat on a rock, surrounded by a pool of blood.

Blood streamed from the corners of his eyes and the large eye between his brows, a pitiful sight.

Almost every day, he secretly observed the changes in the fortunes of the Three Generals Camp, no matter the heavy cost.

"Hmm?!"

The demon cultivator’s expression suddenly changed.

He saw the ape-shaped aura symbolizing the Three Generals Camp suddenly swirling with gusts of wind around its hands and feet.

At the same time, the ape’s body trembled slightly and abruptly expanded, becoming several times larger and more majestic than before.

The powerful ape aura provoked reactions from the White Jade Camp and the Golden Halberd Army. The former’s white jade plaque rose higher, while the latter’s golden halberd light grew sharper.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the ape immediately shrank back to its original size. At first glance, it seemed unchanged, but upon closer inspection, the ape aura appeared more solid, vivid, and spirited.

"What’s going on?"

"Why has Little Liu’s fortune suddenly strengthened so much?"

The demon cultivator felt puzzled and worried. "The ape’s contraction shows that Little Liu’s mindset is not to confront Sun Gan of the Golden Halberd Army and Shuang Jing of the White Jade Camp head-on."

"This isn’t good; it doesn’t match his destiny."

The demon cultivator had traveled a long way to this place and taken action personally to uphold the king’s decree and eliminate any other variables.

Realizing the situation was amiss, he immediately sent a secret message flying into the Three Generals Camp.

At that moment, Liu Er was discussing with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei whether to take the opportunity to reclaim the rights to the spoils of war.

Zhang Hei spoke first. "The strategist is absolutely right! These cultivators just want to take advantage. This time, there were hardly any spoils, so they cause trouble. Why don’t they think about the future when there might be abundant spoils after a great victory?"

"Now that we have the funds, it’s the best time to reclaim this power. If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late!"

After speaking, Zhang Hei fixed his gaze on Liu Er.

Seeing Liu Er smile and nod repeatedly, Zhang Hei chuckled.

But Liu Er sighed inwardly. "Third Brother is impulsive and straightforward, lacking deeper thought. He hasn’t seen the two drawbacks in this matter. It’s best to keep him by my side in future battles."

Liu Er then turned to Guan Hong.

Guan Hong, while combing his thick beard that reached his feet, said, "After the ambush battle, I have more confidence in the upcoming battles."

"Reclaiming the rights to the spoils of war would naturally benefit us more."

"But we must not enforce it harshly."

"If we create more resentment, rumors will surely spread, tarnishing Big Brother’s and our reputation, saying we don’t keep our promises."

"Even if everyone accepts the change now, if we achieve a great victory in the future with abundant spoils, they will feel unsettled and resentful, possibly even turning against us."

"Besides, as honorable men, we must keep our promises. Otherwise, I would look down on myself!"

Liu Er’s smile widened.

Guan Hong had pointed out one of the two drawbacks, which pleased Liu Er.

"Second Brother is upright, values loyalty and trust, and thinks deeply. It’s remarkable that he considered this level!"

Hearing Guan Hong’s words, Zhang Hei said, "Why bother with these petty people! We should act as we see fit. Overthinking things is too troublesome. Those with talent and wisdom will recognize our integrity. If we worry too much, how can we accomplish anything?"

Liu Er sighed inwardly again.

Zhang Hei then looked at Liu Er. "Big Brother, whatever you decide, I’ll follow."

Just as Liu Er was about to speak, he sensed the secret message and changed his words. "Let me think it over alone. You two, go and train for now."

Shortly after Guan Hong and Zhang Hei left the main tent, Liu Er secretly slipped out and made his way to the mountains outside the camp, where he met the demon cultivator once again.

"Master, you haven’t left yet!" Liu Er bowed deeply, genuinely happy.

Then, with a concerned and puzzled expression, he asked, "Master, you don’t look well. Are you troubled by something? Your disciple will do everything in his power to help you."

The demon cultivator’s face was deathly pale, a result of his frequent observations of fortunes, which cost him not just ordinary blood but his vital essence and even his lifespan!

The demon cultivator shook his head slightly, not explaining the reason for his condition, and directly questioned Liu Er.

After a short while, the old man understood the reason for Liu Er’s surge in fortune—Ning Zhuo.

"So it’s because Ning Zhuo generously funded the Three Generals Camp with a large sum."

"This young man is indeed outstanding, no wonder Liu Er holds him in such high regard and pays so much attention to him."

"However, this young man is not part of Liu Er’s destiny."

"This proves that he won’t continue to play a significant role in Liu Er’s kingly fate."

"The strategist Liu Er will rely on most in his life is still farming in seclusion in Southern Bean Country."

(End of )