Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 589 - 76: Comments from the Three Kings, Dispositions and Transfer Orders (Final - of This Volume)_4

Chapter 589: Chapter 76: Comments from the Three Kings, Dispositions and Transfer Orders (Final Chapter of This Volume)_4

Because he is a dog of Ji Yuanqiu, but this man is a partner of Ji Yuanqiu.

After draining his cup in one gulp and seeing Yi Zhiwen do the same, he nodded and then sat down.

"Mr. Yi, was everything smooth on your way here?" Huang Chaoyang inquired cautiously.

"Don’t worry." Yi Zhiwen nodded, "I borrowed the quota of a slave soldier army, and when the next battle breaks out, that slave soldier army will be sacrificed."

The "slave soldier army" referred to the assimilated barbarian army.

Great Zhou, too, took prisoners during attacks. Initially, Zhao Xing accepted the surrender of Pang Guangyao under the name of Xia Jing at Fire Dragon Pass.

Pang Guangyao later became a formal military officer, but his treatment was an exception.

In fact, Great Zhou looked down upon the barbarian generals and barbarian army, adhering to the mainstream thought: "Those of different kinds must have different intentions."

The assimilation policy explicitly stipulated that the surrendered prisoners be listed in a secondary registry, not as formal Zhou people.

Those who later made achievements could be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for full citizenship.

However, for barbarian generals and soldiers, the criteria for merit were quite strict. If a Great Zhou soldier received 100 merit points for beheading an enemy, a barbarian general or soldier would only receive 50 merit points, or even less.

What about those who hadn’t distinguished themselves in battle and only surrendered?

It would take 200 years, over several generations, all fully assimilated into Great Zhou and identifying themselves as Great Zhou people, to be granted full citizenship.

In other words, they would be deemed eligible to sit for the civil service exam, hold official posts, and be considered a part of the Fortune Dynasty.

The actual situation was that the slave soldier army had it rough. They were never the ones sent into battle when it was easy. The Great Zhou’s own troops would divide the spoils among themselves, so why would they share with the defectors from another race?

In tough battles, they were the cannon fodder and had extremely high mortality rates.

Why did Yi Zhiwen assure Huang Chaoyang that he could rest easy?

Because he had used the quota of a slave soldier army. He had come and gone.

Then, next month, or soon after, the soldiers of the slave soldier army he had impersonated would inevitably perish.

The lowly slave soldiers had no chance of being transformed into Yin Gods and were difficult to trace.

Additionally, after Huang Chaoyang took over Yangjiang City, he kept delaying the construction of the divine temple on purpose.

With all crossing routes under the control of Prince Liang’s Party, no matter how one looked at it, Yi Zhiwen had free rein on the battlefield, even though he actually had no record of ever being on one.

For now, things were somewhat restrained, given that Prince Liang had not yet taken power. But later, they could act even more blatantly.

After the downfall of Prince Liang, Yi Zhiwen had lain low for a while and had spent quite a bit of money to extricate himself.

During the era of dual governance, Emperor Jing had no interest in politics and was devoted to bearing children.

In the early Wu Emperor period, his son Yi Zhijie became even more ruthless, selling not just goods but also the defected races among the slave soldier army.

Why did he dare to be so brash? Because according to tradition, a new emperor’s ascent normally involved continuing his father’s policies to stabilize public sentiment.

For instance, Emperor Wen’s first regnal year was "Cheng’en," meaning receiving Grand Ancestor’s grace.

Emperor Jing’s first regnal year was "Cheng’an," meaning peace across the land, ensured by Emperor Wen’s governance—there was profound meaning behind each regnal year.

The "Dingxin" and "Jingxin" era was the transitional period where a new Emperor could embark on new ventures.

It was assumed that Emperor Wu would continue the policies of his father without change.

Yet Emperor Wu’s first regnal year was "Yuanshou," completely unexpected and off the typical path.

As a result, Yi Zhijie and Mr. Zhao, who had been brazen for only a short period in the past life, were both executed by Lao Liu.

"That’s good, that’s good. Mr. Yi is thoughtful; there’s no need for my concerns. I should penalize myself." Huang Chaoyang, only daring to occupy half a seat, continuously flattered Yi Zhiwen.

He knew well how quickly he had been promoted and whom he couldn’t afford to offend.

After lavishing praise for a good while and seeing Yi Zhiwen’s impatience, he promptly spoke of official matters.

"Mr. Yi, the goods have been fully loaded onto the ship and are now hidden in a valley outside Yangjiang City."

"General Huang is highly trusted by Mr. Ji. Still, I must ask once more, has there been anything unusual during this time, any slip-ups?" Yi Wenjie inquired.

"Rest assured, the ships are scrapped vessels, and the personnel are from the slave soldier army," Huang Chaoyang whispered. "I personally oversee each operation and dare not slacken for a moment."

"That’s excellent." Yi Zhiwen showed a smile and then raised his cup again, "General Huang, you have worked hard; I toast to you."

"I dare not, it should be me toasting you." Huang Chaoyang quickly stood up, holding the cup with both hands.

...

The shabby-looking Red Rainbow Warship flew across the wilderness aloft.

Yi Zhiwen stood at the bow, constantly on alert.

His son, Yi Zhijie, excited by his first outing with his father, alternated between inspecting the spoils in the cabin and observing the slave soldiers on deck.

Eventually, he approached Yi Zhiwen: "Father, you are amazing. This Red Rainbow Warship is still almost brand new, and yet you’ve managed to bring it back."

Flying warships seldom appeared before the common people; mostly, it was the Flying Boats. Only major commercial firms and noble families could afford warships.

Great Zhou was vast, and crossing between provinces could only be accomplished by warships, as Flying Boats couldn’t travel that far.

Those who conducted cross-province business were mainly monopolistic nobility; average folk couldn’t afford it, and in reality, warships didn’t carry passengers, only goods.

Yi Zhiwen smiled at his son and didn’t scold his excitement at being out for the first time; "There’s nothing in this world that money can’t solve. If there is, then it must be that the money isn’t plentiful enough, or the connections aren’t well established."

"With money, even a ghost will grind the millstone for you. As long as you have enough wealth, even a Yin God can work for you."

Yi Zhijie was startled, "Father, can that really work? The Yin God system is the foundation of our dynasty, isn’t it?"

"Why not?" Yi Zhiwen laughed, "Didn’t the court think of reforming the Yin God system? How many old temples have fallen and how many new ones have been built? Isn’t there a chance to buy convenience during this transition of old and new?"