I'm letting you win over the female lead, not conquering cities and territories!

Half an hour later, at the South City Military Parade Ground.

The cold autumn wind blew like a knife, and more than 500 disarmed city defense soldiers squatted in the center of the drill ground, shivering.

They were surrounded by fully armed elite Crimson Flame Army soldiers, their eyes fixed on them like wolves.

The eyes of these city defense soldiers were filled with confusion, fear, and despair at the unknown.

Just then, a series of steady and powerful footsteps stepped onto the command platform.

Qin Hao, clad in brand-new heavy armor made from the secret chamber and with a battle sword at his waist, looked down at the soldiers below like an invincible war god.

"All of you, raise your heads!"

Qin Hao's voice, imbued with profound inner strength, resounded across the training ground like rolling thunder.

The five hundred city garrison soldiers trembled with fear and raised their heads timidly.

"I know what you're afraid of and what you're wondering about."

Qin Hao's eyes were sharp as he loudly introduced himself.

"I, Qin Hao, am the centurion of the Crimson Flame Army of the Great Qian Dynasty, and I will never change my name or surname!"

"Our Crimson Flame Army has guarded the northern border for twenty years and is a loyal and virtuous army of the Great Qian Kingdom!"

Now, a foolish emperor is in power, and treacherous officials in the court are deceiving the emperor and want to exterminate all 70,000 of us brothers!

We have no choice but to rise up in rebellion in order to find a way to survive in this chaotic world!

There is no need for you to worry. The name of my Crimson Flame Army is renowned throughout this realm and even the entire Northern Lands. I have no need to deceive you with this.

You only need to believe that we have taken this city only to seek a way to survive, not to leave you here permanently.

These words caused a stir among the city's garrison below. Although they were far away on the border, they had heard of the Crimson Flame Army's formidable reputation.

Although the commander of the Crimson Flame Army was blindly loyal, he treated his subordinates extremely well, and his reputation far surpassed that of other border troops and city defense troops!

That's why many soldiers breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the protagonist and his companions claim to be from the Crimson Flame Army.

But then, Qin Hao abruptly changed the subject and dropped a bombshell:

"Also, I have some news to tell you."

The garrison commander Zhao De, who cut your pay every day to please a woman and forced you to deliver lychees in the wind and snow, and his beloved wife, have been personally killed by me!

The body was lying in the courtyard of the general's mansion!

As soon as he finished speaking, the training ground fell into a deathly silence.

Two seconds later.

"Good riddance!!"

"The corrupt official is finally dead! Heaven has eyes!"

Someone shouted, and then, more than 500 city defense soldiers burst into a loud cheer in unison!

Many people were so moved that they shed tears.

It is evident how much resentment and cruelty the "affectionate" General Zhao actually harbored towards his soldiers.

Seeing the soldiers' impassioned emotions, Qin Hao smiled slightly and raised his hand to press them down.

"Bring it up!"

At Qin Hao's command, dozens of Crimson Flame Army soldiers pushed more than a dozen heavy wooden crates to the front of the command platform.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The wooden crate was kicked open roughly, and under the blinding torchlight, rows of gleaming silver ingots dazzled everyone's eyes!

"I have already confiscated all the ill-gotten gains that Zhao De embezzled!"

Qin Hao pointed at the mountain of silver and roared.

"I know that you have been following that corrupt official for half a year and have not received your full military pay!"

Today, I will avenge you! I will return to you all the military pay you owe, with interest, in full!

"Send the money immediately!"

This left the entire city defense force at the drill ground completely dumbfounded.

They looked at each other, pinched their thighs, and could hardly believe their ears.

In this chaotic world where life is as cheap as grass, how could an official who occupied a city not only refrain from massacring or plundering the city, but also pay the prisoners of war?!

Are there really military officers in this world who aren't greedy for money?!

When the gleaming silver was handed out to every city garrison soldier, the way they looked at Qin Hao completely changed.

What began as fear transformed into an indescribable gratitude and awe.

After distributing the silver, Qin Hao spoke again:

"You've received the money. But I will never force anyone to pay me!"

"Now, if someone wants to leave Qingmu Pass, go back to their hometown to farm, or go to other places to stay with relatives, they can do so."

I will absolutely not stop them! I'll even give each person an extra five taels of silver for travel expenses!

After these words were spoken, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Having learned from past mistakes, they were terrified that Qin Hao was setting a trap, and that they would be dragged out and beheaded if they raised their hands.

But after a while, a dozen or so older veterans gritted their teeth and raised their hands for the sake of their wives and children.

"Alright! Give them travel expenses! Open the city gates and let them pass!"

Qin Hao was a man of his word; he even personally ordered people to bring them a few inferior horses for transportation.

Qin Hao wasn't afraid at all that these people would run back to the government of Daqian to complain.

Firstly, the news of his capture of Qingmu Pass and the rebellion of the Chiyan Army would spread throughout the world within three days at most, and it would be impossible to hide it.

Secondly, letting these people go would actually help him project a reputation for "treating his soldiers well and maintaining strict military discipline," which would have an immeasurable effect on his future recruitment of talent.

With these dozen or so people leading the way, more than a hundred others followed.

In the end, only three hundred young and strong city defense soldiers remained on the vast training ground.

Qin Hao looked at the three hundred people who remained and nodded in satisfaction.

After this selection process, those who remain are all people who dare to fight and have no way out!

"Since you have chosen to stay, from this day forward, you are my soldiers, Qin Hao's soldiers!"

Qin Hao suddenly drew his battle sword and pointed it straight at the sky:

"Starting next month, everyone's pay will be doubled! We'll have meat at every meal!"

But there is only one rule here—military orders are absolute, and obedience is mandatory!

Anyone who disobeys orders or deserts in the face of battle will be executed without mercy!

"Tell me out loud, can you do it?!"

The remaining three hundred city garrison soldiers clutched the silver in their hands tightly, their hearts burning with righteous indignation.

What is the purpose of joining the army and fighting?

Isn't it all for a few taels of silver and a way to survive?

I used to follow that brainless general who only knew how to fawn over women, and I was treated like a dog all day long, which was extremely frustrating.

Now a true warrior has arrived, not only possessing superhuman martial prowess and fighting like a god, but more importantly, he does not withhold military pay and is fair in rewards and punishments!

Even a fool knows which option to choose!

"I swear to follow the general to the death!!!"

Three hundred city defense soldiers knelt down on one knee in unison with a thud, their deafening oaths echoing through the night sky above Qingmu Pass.

With the addition of the original elite Chiyan Army, Qin Hao's forces instantly expanded to over six hundred men.

Qin Hao stood on the command platform, looking down at the pairs of fervent and loyal eyes below, his smile as sharp as a blade.

The first cornerstone for conquering the world has been firmly laid!