Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 763 - 763 0477 What a Great Honor_2

Chapter 763: Chapter 0477: What a Great Honor_2 Chapter 763: Chapter 0477: What a Great Honor_2 Qi Tian continued, “I know that among you generals, there are a few who are actually cultivators. Although your cultivation levels are not high, you are amongst the stronger ones compared to ordinary people. If you happen to be among those fifty positions in this Northern Expedition, you can send people for assessment at the Imperial Master Mansion. You can also personally exchange a cultivation opportunity with me or my friends and subordinates. I can’t promise anything else, but to level up your cultivation realm, that would not be a problem. Of course, it’s limited to the Foundation Establishment Stage or below, at most from the Peak of Qi Cultivation to Foundation Establishment Stage, nothing higher. No matter how great your merits are, they are only worth so much.”

Immediately, the eyes of the few cultivators hidden among the numerous commanders shone. They were all Qi Cultivation Period cultivators. Because their cultivation had been hopeless, they chose to join the army and fought their way through with their abilities. However, this did not mean that they did not hope for more substantial progress in their cultivation path. In the past, for various reasons, progress in this aspect was extremely slow. If they can have a chance now and upgrade a little in their cultivation realm, it would be a tremendous help to them.

Qi Tian glanced over at Bao Xiaoping and others, taking note of their discussions and expressions. He nodded in satisfaction. They could be persuaded to join the military.

Qi Tian then said to Bao Xiaoping, “General Bao, write down all that I’ve said and post it as a notice. Make sure every soldier hears about my promise to them.”

Bao Xiaoping quickly replied, “Yes, Master.”

Qi Tian walked towards the outside of the commander’s tent. As he reached the door, he turned back to Bao Xiaoping, “There is one more thing, in order to ensure fairness, pay strict attention as the commander in chief. You must be realistic in the entire process of the Northern Expedition. We cannot allow corruption or false claims of achievement. For every case discovered, impose severe punishment. We absolutely cannot tolerate any leniency.”

Bao Xiaoping hurriedly replied, “Rest assured, Master, I will personally oversee these matters and will definitely not fail your trust and instructions.”

Qi Tian then nodded, and together with Marquis Ma, left the Northern Expedition Army camp.

Bao Xiaoping and others had escorted Qi Tian out of the Camp Gate, then watched as he disappeared in the distance. A close confidant of Bao Xiaoping leaned in and whispered, “Commander, this is a great opportunity. Remember your son is eager to become a cultivator, isn’t he?”

Bao Xiaoping replied, “It is an opportunity, but we must obtain it in a fair and open manner. The success of our Northern Expedition Army is largely due to the Master’s support and promotion. We say it’s for Prince Zhao, but in reality, it’s for the Master. Knowing his methods, anyone who dares to deceive him is courting death. Make sure to warn everyone to be careful about the matters that the Master specifically instructed on. They must not violate the principles set by the Master, or else, once the Master blames them, no one can save them. I, Bao Xiaoping, will certainly not foolishly protect them.”

After leaving the Northern Expedition Army camp, Marquis Ma brought Qi Tian to the Rising Dragon Hall. This used to be the home of the wealthiest man in Wangdu County. After the Northern Expedition Army occupied Wangdu County, the rich man voluntarily donated his mansion to the Northern Expedition Army. Prince Zhao did not take the mansion in vain, he bestowed the rich man a minor official role of ninth grade.

The Rising Dragon Hall was where Prince Zhao resided on a daily basis. Any matters were discussed here in the hall, making it essentially Prince Zhao’s “palace”.

At present, Prince Zhao remained unconscious. When Qi Tian arrived at Rising Dragon Hall, he directly asked Marquis Ma to ring the bell summoning all the civil and military officials. In no time at all, all the civil and military officials, princes, and ministers gathered in Wangdu County city came over to the Rising Dragon Hall.

When they saw Qi Tian standing before the imperial desk, they were all stunned. Since the army stationed in Wangdu County, Qi Tian had never been to this place. They wondered what was happening, seeing that Qi Tian who rarely appeared, had actually visited now. Was the Northern Expedition Army about to change its course?

Everyone was communicating through eye contact, and none dared to speak, for fear that an accidental misstatement would upset Qi Tian, which would be a lot of trouble.

Unlike the military commanders, most of the civil and military officials that could stand in the Rising Dragon Hall were initially reluctant to join the Northern Expedition Army. Like Marquis Ma, when Gao Jinmei laid an ambush for Qi Tian at the Marquis Ma Mansion, Qi Tian had given Marquis Ma a hard time. Marquis Ma had no choice but to turn to Prince Zhao, which barely saved his life.

Similar situations were numerous. Most civil officials or nobles were fundamentally more supportive of the Crown Prince, but under the tyranny of Qi Tian, they had to join Prince Zhao’s camp. Even now, Prince Zhao’s reputation amongst these civil officials and nobles remained insufficient. Of course, these civil officials and nobles did not dare to do anything reckless, they were not afraid of Prince Zhao, but they were afraid of Qi Tian. They all knew that even the Crown Prince had no solution with Qi Tian, let alone them.

Qi Tian did not have a clear understanding of the thoughts of these civil and military officials and nobles, nor did he care to clarify. If it were not for the need to involve them in local affairs, if it were not for the Northern Expedition Army’s need for them to handle logistics, Qi Tian would not even want to use them. The real talents of Great Zhao’s civil officials were mostly concentrated in the capital City. Once Prince Zhao replaces the Crown Prince as the next crown prince, won’t all the civil and military officials of the Great Zhao Nation be at Prince Zhao’s beck and call?

However, Qi Tian knew that these civil officials and nobles were still needed at present, and necessary appeasement was essential. Therefore, Qi Tian repeated what he had said to Bao Xiaoping and others earlier, about distributing two months’ extra salary in advance, along with offering five positions as a reward to the civil and military officials and noble lords. He hoped they would work diligently, aspiring to be the final lucky ones.

The civil and military officials and nobles were originally worried that shocking news would come out of Qi Tian’s mouth, such as Prince Zhao did something that Qi Tian found unforgivable and decided to depose him. To their surprise, in the end, Qi Tian announced that the Northern Expedition was about to begin, and he was rewarding them. Suddenly, the oppressive atmosphere in the Rising Dragon Hall disappeared, and all the civil and military officials and noble lords sighed with relief.

Qi Tian continued, “During the Northern Expedition, all of you must work together to assist Prince Zhao in leading the Northern Expedition Army and successfully complete the Northern Expedition. I am here to thank you all in advance.”

The civil and military officials and noble lords were quite pleased, they did not expect Qi Tian to thank them. This was a great honor.

Qi Tian continued, “At present, Prince Zhao needs a few days of rest due to certain matters and will temporarily unable to preside over the Northern Expedition affairs. I have asked Marquis Ma to serve as the temporary chief supervisor and handle the Northern Expedition affairs on behalf of Prince Zhao. When Prince Zhao wakes up, that will be the time for us to officially launch the army northward. Gentlemen, I hope you will all work hard together.”

The civil and military officials and nobles all quickly responded. Qi Tian gave them face, and they had to reciprocate. They couldn’t show any signs of arrogance at this time, let alone do anything that Qi Tian regarded as disrespect. As the saying goes, “To accompany a monarch is like accompanying a tiger”. Although Qi Tian is not the emperor, his awe-inspiring presence for the civil and military officials and noblemen is no less than Emperor Rui. Otherwise, they would not abandon their positions in the Great Zhao Nation to support Prince Zhao.