Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 762 - 762 0477 What a Great Honor

Chapter 762: Chapter 0477: What a Great Honor Chapter 762: Chapter 0477: What a Great Honor Chapter 0477: What a Great Honor

Qi Tian had Marquis Ma lead the way to the Northern Expedition Army’s Grand Camp for inspection.

The Northern Expedition Army totaled around 350,000 men, primarily from three sources. The first source was a part of the Great Zhao Nation’s border defense force, which was also the nation’s most elite army, battle-hardened and valiant. The second source was local troops, mainly local garrison forces stationed in various counties and local private armies bred by local magnates. Most of them were average in combat and lacked the experience of warring, but they had decent military literacy. The third source was the new recruits summoned after the establishment of the Northern Expedition Army, composed mainly of peasants and townsfolk, fresh faces on the battleground.

Of these three parts, the third comprises the largest number, approximately 60% of the entire Northern Expedition Army, totaling about 210,000 people. The second part of local troops makes up around 30% of the population, totaling more than 100,000 men. The third part, the original elite force, has the smallest number, with only about 30,000 men.

The first part, which is the main body of the Northern Expedition Army, seriously hindered the combined combat efficiency of the troops. For the sake of the smooth execution of the Northern Expedition, intensive training was conducted for over half a year in Wangdu County. During this period, many things happened, including an insurrection when over 300,000 soldiers, under instigation, planned to leave Wangdu County to join the Crown Prince’s side in the name of demanding payment. If Qi Tian hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences would have been disastrous.

Though Marquis Ma did not lead the army, one of his primary responsibilities was to raise the military funds for the Northern Expedition Army. To pacify the Northern Expedition Army of 350,000 men, Marquis Mouse used up almost everything he had. His family property was depleted by more than half. Currently, besides the Marquis Manor that still stood empty, the property originally belonging to the Manor was basically sold off, even the decades-long savings of the Manor was taken.

Those officials and ministers who gathered around Prince Zhao due to various reasons had contributed some of their wealth. However, only Marquis Ma had given up as much as he did.

Because of this, Marquis Ma still had considerable prestige in the Northern Expedition Army. When the officers of the Northern Expedition Army learned that Marquis Ma was there to conduct supervision with Qi Tian, they all came to welcome them. The Commander in chief of the Northern Expedition Army was called Bao Xiaoping. His name might not sound influential, but he had once served as the Minister of the Ministry of War of the Great Zhao Nation. Later, due to an offense against the Crown Prince, he was demoted to a lowly gatekeeper position. After learning that Qi Tian supported Prince Zhao to establish the Northern Expedition Army, he joined in to support them and was entrusted with the position of commander in chief of the Northern Expedition Army.

Of course, to prevent Bao Xiaoping’s betrayal, Prince Zhao used some controlling measures, such as sending his only grandson to the Imperial Master Mansion to be Prince Zhao’s son’s playmate. However, without any particularly harsh measures in place, and with Qi Tian’s support behind Prince Zhao, unless Bao Xiaoping wanted his whole clan murdered, he would not dare to betray them easily.

Bao Xiaoping, along with several other generals, saluted Qi Tian and Marquis Ma, filled with awe for Qi Tian and gratitude for Marquis Ma.

After ushering Qi Tian into the command tent, Bao Xiaoping invited him to sit on the command chair. Qi Tian gestured with his hand as walking over to the command table and turned to face Bao Xiaoping and others, saying, “Over this half a year, more than 300,000 soldiers have gathered in Wangdu County, and it’s thanks to the generals’ discipline and training that these rabble have been honed into a decent fighting force. I don’t need to see the army; I don’t understand military affairs, but I understand people. Before long, the Northern Expedition Army will set forth. Before departure, I’ll arrange to grant the entire Northern Expedition Army an extra month’s military pay as a departure bonus. I hope that the Northern Expedition Army can unite as one, fulfilling the mission of supporting Prince Zhao while dispersing corrupt officials. After the mission is accomplished, I won’t interfere with how Prince Zhao rewards you, but I believe he will not treat you poorly. Aside from Prince Zhao’s rewards, I can offer extra commendations. By then, I will distribute an additional month’s reward to the army. Also, for those officers and soldiers who perform exceptionally during the entire Northern Expedition, I will grant them as well as their families an opportunity to participate in the examination at the Imperial Master Mansion. There will be a total of 50 of these opportunities. With one, you can enter the Imperial Master Mansion to participate in the examination. If you possess talent for cultivation, you can enter the Imperial Master Mansion to cultivate. Even if you don’t have talent for that, it’s okay too. This opportunity can be used by three generations. If one generation does not have anyone, leave it to the next generation. If the second generation still has no one, leave it to the third generation, until this opportunity is used up. If the third generation still does not have anyone, then the opportunity is revoked, and the holder of the opportunity can request a chance to gain wealth from the Imperial Master Mansion or perhaps other fortuitous opportunities, perhaps elixir pills, or talismans, and so forth.”

Before Qi Tian could finish, Bao Xiaoping and dozens of other generals excitedly began talking amongst themselves. Qi Tian had promised to distribute two months’ military pay, a lavish reward already. But compared to the opportunity to enter the Imperial Master Mansion for examination, the pay seemed almost insignificant. And what Qi Tian promised was not a simple examination opportunity, it was practically a guarantee they would enter the Imperial Master Mansion to cultivate and become enviable cultivators. Such an opportunity is hard to come by and for some, it was priceless.