Rebirth: Living in Wilderness with My Superpower
Chapter 333 Discussing Merits and Rewards

Chapter 333: Chapter 333 Discussing Merits and Rewards

In Baiju Country, military merits were divided into 15 levels; ascending from an ordinary soldier to a First-Level Official would grant one qing of farmland, a residence, and a servant.

Being promoted to a Third-Level Doctor, in addition to the above rewards, also included one sheng of polished rice and half a sheng of soy sauce every month.

At the Sixth-Level Public Chariot, one could enjoy the use of an official chariot, and ascending to a Level Ten Junior Craftsman brought an official position, while a Fifteenth-Level Baron was the legendary rank of ennoblement and military commission, whose titles could even be inherited.

Based on the number of these eagles, if attributed to just one person, that person would immediately be ennobled and given a military commission.

However, everyone knew this was unrealistic, as the crime of falsely reporting military merits was taken very seriously.

Therefore, Lame Man Uncle allocated the military merits for the 24 Man-eating Eagles evenly among all members of the group. Ironically, he and his two sworn brothers did not take credit for themselves.

Clearly, Lame Man was the leader of the group; Liu Shang braced himself for Lame Man to claim the merits for at least three Man-eating Eagles. However, he did not do so. Surprisingly, his name was not on the list of heroic eagle hunters that were brought forward.

"Why do you not take credit?" Liu Shang voiced his confusion.

"To be frank, being old and also using a crutch, how could I possibly tussle with a Man-eating Eagle? I dare not and cannot deceive the Great General," Lame Man earnestly replied.

Liu Shang glanced at the seven hundred sick and disabled, and noticed that the names on Lame Man’s list were almost all able-bodied individuals. Clearly, he had given his chance to those more likely to benefit.

Liu Shang was no fool and naturally understood Lame Man’s intentions.

Never had he thought that among these ruddy men there would still be someone so magnanimous. After glancing at Lame Man’s empty trouser leg, Liu Shang felt a tinge of regret.

"You have resolved a great concern of mine. I can grant you all one wish," Liu Shang offered.

"If that is the case, I only ask that the General allow these impaired individuals to return home," Lame Man humbly requested.

As soon as Lame Man Uncle finished speaking, the surroundings fell into sudden silence.

Not just the craftsmen but even Meng Yi gasped in shock. Did this man realize what he was saying?

Although a truce was in place, it did not mean that hostilities had ceased and even though they had risen from ruddy men to soldiers, without an Armor Removal Order, all soldiers were not allowed to leave military service and return to their fields.

Liu Shang’s expression grew increasingly solemn.

Lame Man Uncle calmly stated, "It is not that I am afraid of death and seek to avoid it, but these weak and disabled are no longer fit for battle. Even if they stay in the army camp, they will only consume the supplies.

Rather than that, it would be better to allocate their rations to the sturdier soldiers. With improved physical health and the weak removed from the ranks, what remains is an Elite Troop. After further training, this force can be directed towards great feats in no time," he explained.

Everyone held their breath in anticipation, waiting for Liu Shang’s decision.

After a long while, Liu Shang, who had been brooding, suddenly burst into hearty laughter and, stroking his beard, said, "Your suggestion is indeed good, and I shall consider it for a few days. Go and collect your rewards for now, and I shall let Meng Yi inform you once I have made a decision."

Liu Shang did not immediately agree, which led to a slight disappointment for Lame Man Uncle. However, such matters should not be rushed, so he could only bow and thank him: "Thank you, Great General, for your understanding. I have one more rather presumptuous request."

"Speak," Liu Shang responded, his face still amiable and pleasant, though his murky eyes darkened slightly.

"The movements of the Man-eating Eagles in Death Valley are unpredictable. I request the General’s approval for us to stay here. Although Death Valley is a barren land, we must not leave it unoccupied, lest the eagles act up again and potentially affect the Eastern Army," he proposed.

As they had become soldiers and even ascended to the rank of officials, they naturally needed to be reassigned to new quarters. However, there was no immediate need to separate them, which led Lame Man Uncle to artfully request to stay under the guise of understanding the bigger picture.

This further request finally dispelled the gloom in Liu Shang’s eyes.