I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 510: War Bonus! Heading North?
Sometimes the simpler the words, the more profound the meaning.

The hands that take people are short, and the mouth that eats people is soft.

These sages of the Mohist school perfectly interpreted this sentence.

If it were in the past when they had just met Han Shao, they could still argue with Han Shao.

Although he was eventually convinced by Han Shao's "reasoning" using both soft and hard tactics, his attitude was very clear.

As time went by, they found it increasingly difficult to refuse Han Shao's requests or demands.

There's nothing I can do, he gave too much!
Forget about the pleasures of wealth and glory such as wealth, goods, and beauties; they are not interested in them.

But what Han Shao gave them was real hope for the revival of Mohism.

This is something that these old guys who have been longing for this all their lives really cannot refuse.

Looking at Han Shao's hurried back, several Mohist sages sighed.

At this moment they also reacted.

The reason why Han Shao was not in a hurry to build soldiers and armor might not be because he did not want to expand his strength quickly.

Just because he already has a better choice.

Glancing down at the pistol in his hand, the Mohist sage was amazed at the ingenious design of the formation runes on it, and was also impressed by the power of this little thing.

boom--

The moment the rune lit up, the high-quality steel plate that had just been formed in front was pierced through!
What's the point of making so many weapons and armors when we have this thing?
"I now understand why our Lord insisted on calling this thing a 'gun'..."

Although it is not in the shape of a spear, it is as sharp as a spear!

From the moment this thing appeared, it seemed destined to replace weapons such as spears.

Once they appear on the battlefield on a large scale in the future, they may even completely change the pattern of warfare.

Of course, these are not the issues they need to consider now.

Just like what Han Shao had just said to them... ahem, no, that's not right. It was what he had said to them when he was trying to comfort them.

"You don't have to worry too much."

"Some people use a sharp blade to cook, but some people use it to kill people."

"But the sin of murder should not be borne by the craftsman who made this sharp blade."

"I don't want to argue with you about how to bring peace to the world. I just want to tell you that even if one day in the future I need to use this thing..."

"All karma and guilt have nothing to do with you! They are all on me!"

Although the truth may not be as beautiful as it is said, someone has this strange magic that makes you believe it even if it confuses right and wrong and confuses cause and effect.

Thinking of Han Shao's expression and tone when he said this, several Mohist sages were deeply moved for a while.

But then he started to have a headache about Han Shao's explanation.

In fact, it would not be complicated if we simply copied the pistols in their hands.

All you need to do is disassemble and replicate the patterns on the gun.

However, Han Shao's requirement was to reduce the cost as much as possible and achieve the goal of large-scale deployment, and the complexity of this matter increased exponentially.

Because this requires simplifying these array patterns.

However, the pattern on the gun body is extremely ingeniously designed, with one ring inside another. How could it be easy to simplify it?

"Damn it! If this thing really came from the hands of a child, I will eat it!"

One of the Mohist sages became more and more troubled the more he looked at it, and he couldn't help but grab a handful of his already sparse hair.

And he expressed deep doubts about Han Shao's words.

……

In fact, not only the Mohist sage had doubts, even Han Shao had some concerns.

After all, even a genius has to be logical.

Without sufficient accumulation, it is difficult to transcend oneself and create things out of thin air.

"So... the little girl lied?"

Well, no!

It seemed as if the little girl never said from beginning to end that the pistol was made by her, she only said it was hers.

Instead, I have fallen into a certain thinking inertia and misunderstanding.

After carefully thinking about what the little girl Meng Zi said, Han Shao couldn't help but burst out laughing at the misunderstanding he had caused.

But these are just details and are not important.

After throwing the matter out, he no longer cared about it.

As Party A, you only need to ask Party B for the results in the future.

As for how much hair Party B has to pull out for this, that is not something he should care about.

After leaving several Mohist sages, Han Shao took Chen Shu and the other two to visit several large coal mines.

The people in charge of managing this place are not others but a group of Youzhou noble families headed by the Chen family of Zhuo County.

When it comes to raising dogs, a high-pressure situation can only be maintained temporarily and it cannot be a long-term solution.

If you want their loyalty, you must always give them some sweet treats.

The many mineral deposits on this grassland were the reward given to them by Han Shao.

Of course, we can only give them a portion of the benefits, not all of them.
Han Shao naturally took the biggest share, followed by Li Jing and other generals in the army, and then a portion had to be given to the clerks.

Silver for maintaining integrity.

Han Shao liked this name and was happy to do so.

Because since they have taken the money, if something goes wrong in the future, when it's time to take their heads off, the reason will be ready, and they don't even need to make it up.

As for these high-ranking students from Youzhou noble families, they are also afraid of poverty in this cold and barren place.

Faced with the mineral deposits that Han Shao had assigned to them to manage, they seemed to be somewhat dizzy.

Gold, silver, copper, iron, coal and other things are fine, but the precious minerals that are useful to monks are truly priceless.

Even if it is only a small part, and they have to share the profits with so many companies, it is enough for them to make a living.

What is this? This is the war dividend!
Under this premise, if Han Shao wanted to raise a large army one day, these local powerful families with deep roots in Youzhou would only give their full approval. How could they possibly hinder him secretly or even collude with outsiders?
Once inertia is formed, I am afraid that even if Han Shao wants to stop, they will not agree.

"Master Zhou, are you used to the wind on this grassland?"

Han Shao lowered his eyes to glance at the head of the Jiao County Zhou family who came up to him in an almost fawning manner, and teased with a smile.

Relying on his good relationship with the Chen family of Zhuo County and the fact that his family had a secretary named Zhou Xuan, the head of the Zhou family was not too restrained in front of Han Shao and responded with a smile.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed somewhat different from Youzhou."

"When I first came here, I was a little uncomfortable, but now I just feel happy!"

Han Shao let out a soft "oh" when he heard this.

"How is it?"

The Zhou family head bowed deeply and said with a sincere and solemn expression.

"Thanks to your Majesty, if it were in the past, even if I wanted to blow the wind of this grassland, I would only be cautious and would never dare to be so reckless."

"Now, every time I think about it, I can't wait to sing a song for you for your great achievements in riding your horse across the grassland and attacking Dragon City!"

It's really good to eat and talk.

In the past, these noble families had respect for Han Shao, but they would never flatter him so shamelessly.

Han Shao laughed.

"Master Zhou is a good talker. It would be a waste of his talent to just sit here on the grassland and do nothing. He should shoulder more responsibilities. How about this——"

Having said that, Han Shao paused for a moment and turned to Chen Shu, who looked a little embarrassed.

"You also need help in Longcheng. If Patriarch Zhou doesn't mind, I'll help you first."

Hearing Han Shao's arrangement, Chen Shu was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly.

"Master Zhou is the head of the Zhou family in Jiao County after all. Wouldn't it be a waste of his talent for him to help me?"

Half a year later, Han Shao, who had just arrived in Longcheng, was somewhat dissatisfied with his actions in the past six months. He could feel it.

Now that Zhou suddenly intervened, it undoubtedly increased Chen Shu's sense of crisis.

After all, if he was sent back in disgrace without having accomplished anything, even if he had Lu Yan as his son-in-law, he would never achieve anything in his life.

The head of the Zhou family seemed not to notice Chen Shu's reluctance and spoke hurriedly.

"No grievance! No grievance!"

"I have long wanted to serve you, Your Majesty, but I am afraid that my talent and ability are not good enough to impress you! If I rashly recommend myself, your Majesty will be displeased!"

"I am so happy to have the trust and respect of your Majesty that I cannot help but care about other things." As he said this, he did not give Chen Shu a chance to speak again, and bowed to Han Shao.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhou Yun, greet you!"

After the ceremony between the monarch and his subjects, everything is settled.

Even though Chen Shu was extremely reluctant, he could only force a smile and stepped forward to congratulate him, and took the opportunity to express his beautiful vision of the two of them working together to be loyal to the king in the future.

Han Shao looked at the harmonious blind date and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Then he simply skipped over what was only a minor episode for him at the moment, and walked around surrounded by a group of people.

During this time, Han Shao paused slightly as he looked at the busy figures of the barbarians with black and gray faces.

He called out to someone and asked in a calm tone.

"Are you afraid of being alone?"

The man who was asked shrank back, but he had no way to avoid Han Shao's pressure, and finally fell to the ground with a thud.

He responded in an awkward and stiff Yong dialect.

"Reply... Reply Your Excellency, I once... once had the honor of meeting Your Excellency from afar..."

On that day, on the top of Guanjun City, this nobleman of the Yong people took a step forward and was already high in the sky.

Then, the nine true immortals of Wuhuan fell like rain.

And then even... even the Khan...

The figure kneeling on the ground trembled and kept begging for mercy.

"The guilty slave knows his crime! He knows his crime! He begs... begs for life! Begs for life!"

Begging for life?

These two words brought Han Shao's thoughts back to the scene when hundreds of their remaining troops broke out in a panic, and a flash of hostility passed through his eyes.

But after a moment, it was replaced by a gentle smile.

He even ignored the dirt on the slave's body and personally went forward to help him up.

"Get up, I won't kill you."

Looking at the other party's doubtful and fearful eyes, Han Shao told him with a smile.

"The war is over. From now on, no one in our tribe will die."

"Work hard, and once you have atone for your sins, you can go home."

Come back home?

Can I still go home?
Upon hearing Han Shao's words, the former grassland warrior who had become a criminal slave first showed joy in his eyes, but then fell into deep confusion.

Home? Will a defeated warrior still have a home?

he does not know.

He only knew that the Yong nobleman in front of him would not kill him, because after saying this, he turned and left.

This undoubtedly proves the truthfulness of what the other party just said.

So...will there really be no more deaths in the future?
Perhaps he had once been excited about going south to plunder, but after he witnessed the horror of the southerners and saw with his own eyes the mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the city walls along the way, he just wanted to live.

Kowtow, kowtow continuously.

I can’t tell if it’s because I survived a disaster or if I’m… moved?
The former grassland warrior, whose memory of the Yong nobleman was even more profound, crawled on the ground and whimpered in an ambiguous manner.

"Become his steward later."

Han Shao, who was leading everyone around, gave an order to Zhou Yun.

Although Zhou Yun was puzzled, he did not dare to be negligent and quickly responded.

Han Shao knew that he didn't understand his intention, so he sighed inwardly and could only take the opportunity to teach him a lesson.

However, due to the presence of Temujin Aguda and Abaoji, these words could only be conveyed through telepathy.

As Zhou Yun's eyes gradually widened and a look of sudden enlightenment appeared on his face, Han Shao ended this short lesson.

"Do your job well. Your Jiao County Zhou family has its own unique qualities to produce talents like Zhou Xuan."

"This opportunity is only given to you. How far you can go is up to you."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

A illegitimate child from a side branch has the opportunity to go to the capital to serve as an official.

Zhou Xuan's own talent and ability are certainly part of it, but what Han Shao saw was that this seemingly inconspicuous Jiao County Zhou family was indeed somewhat different from the vast majority of aristocratic families in this world.

As the head of the Zhou family in Jiao County, Zhou Yun must have something special.

……

It is different from the mining area where those Mohist sages and disciples are located.

These mines, which are managed by noble families, are mostly inhabited by former armored men from the grasslands.

As for these former armored men, Han Shao would only tighten their leashes. How could he be so foolish as to give them the same treatment?
Not only did they ban their cultivation, but they also used all means without mercy as long as they did not provoke resistance from them.

kindness?

Han Shao didn't even have the interest to give a "hehe" to those who had such thoughts.

There is nothing in this world that doesn't come at a cost.

If you do something wrong but don't get the punishment you deserve, that is condoning evil.

Or maybe... people who have such thoughts are already on the side of evil, so they criticize the counterattack of the truly good side?
After just a simple walk through, Han Shao saw that these former so-called warriors were still relatively obedient, so he thought for a moment and said.

"They are still useful, but there is no need to push them too hard."

If they all die, who will work for him?

Seeing Zhou Yun nod in agreement, Han Shao looked down at the vast, almost boundless grassland in front of him and sighed with a headache.

"We are short of people!"

If you want to gather strength and become powerful, talent is the foundation of everything.

But Youzhou, where his roots are located, has been a sparsely populated area since ancient times.

It is unrealistic to rely on Youzhou to fill the gap in the grassland and completely connect Youzhou and the grassland, at least in the short term.

We can't rely entirely on these few people on the grassland, can we?

Not to mention that these barbarians are inferior to the Yong people in every aspect, and after being attacked by Shi Bi and Han, the few remaining people can't do much.

Even if there were enough people here, Han Shao didn't dare to use more.

Otherwise, when things are done in the future, who will get the credit?
If it falls into the eyes of some people, it can easily become a handle and a stain.

Just as Han Shao was expressing his feelings, Zhou Yun, who had just officially boarded Han Shao's ship, quickly agreed.

"Yeah, I didn't feel that way in the past."

"Now that I am truly following the Lord to do things, I understand how precious the people are."

The common people are nothing but ants and grass in the eyes of many noble families.

Taking human life lightly, is that a big deal?
Not convinced?

Most of the county seat of a prefecture is ruled by a true immortal of the seventh realm.

The ruler of a county also has three central realms.

Being too close to these "immortals" is the greatest sorrow of ordinary people in this world.

In the past, Zhou Yun, as a member of a noble family, would not have felt too deeply about this.

But now it's different.

After saying this, he suddenly changed the subject and sighed with emotion.

"Well, speaking of which, we are short of people everywhere here, but in other places in the world, people are dying one after another."

"Once the eight southern states are in chaos, not to mention the common people, even the weaker families will be in danger."

"Zhou heard...ah, that's so miserable!"

After hearing Zhou Yun's words, the others around him didn't think anything of it, but Han Shao's eyes suddenly lit up.

Wonderful!

Bah! That's not right!

The common people are living in dire straits. How can I, a loyal and upright man like Han, just sit back and watch?
It is imperative to save the people from danger and distress!
"Send people! Send people south immediately!"

"Go and pick up someone for Gu Nan!"

……

(End of this chapter)