Lu Bu, the Thunder General, is my adoptive father in Genshin Impact.

"This is an old tradition of the shogunate. Small-scale operations like bandit suppression are far less dangerous than war. The magistrate of the shogunate sends promising young men to the army for training. The four young officers in this operation are all sons of nobles experiencing life, as are the twenty squad leaders..."

Xiao Yi suddenly understood.

No wonder they're all so young; they call it military training, but it's really just "gilding their resumes."

Saro continued helplessly, "Their strength is beyond doubt. They have all received higher education and professional training, and their frontline command record is commendable. But please do not expect them to fight to the death with the enemy. They will absolutely not be involved in dangerous operations."

No wonder!

Beasts driven to the brink of despair are the most ferocious, so they dare not pursue the fleeing, berserk soldiers.

Why not just perform a few feats to earn merit, then return to Inazuma City to inherit the family business? Wouldn't that be more enjoyable? Who would risk their life against peasants in the middle of nowhere?

Most noble officers thought so, hence the endless stream of hordes of ghosts and demons lurking in the sea.

Xiao Yi fell into deep thought.

He had to find a way to deal with this group of capable but unmotivated spoiled brats, to make them fight with all their might to wipe out the war fanatics, instead of letting them slack off and waste their days like this.

Otherwise, I'll suffer a week later.

Chapter 55 I will take care of your wife.

Xiao Yi felt that he had a good relationship with the nobles and there was no need to antagonize them. He planned to use a gentle approach to win their hearts and minds and see if it would work.

He ordered his men to build a wooden platform in the military camp.

Xiao Yi arrived at the center of the wooden platform. Kujo Sara stood silently to his side, slightly behind him, with more than four hundred soldiers lined up in neat rows below.

He first praised the victory in the battle, then changed the subject and criticized the soldiers for refusing to press their advantage, demanding that they fight bravely and wipe out the warmongers as soon as possible.

During this time, Xiao Yi appealed to their emotions and reason, starting with the families of the nobles and then talking about the eternal cause of Inazuma and General Raiden. By using small examples to illustrate larger themes, he gradually heightened the soldiers' emotions. Finally, he raised his clenched fist and ended the summary with excited words.

When the speech ended, the entire room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Many soldiers were moved by Naruko's passionate emotions, and some officers even shed tears silently.

Xiao Yi was very confident.

He believed that he had instilled his "spirit" into the hearts of all his subordinates, and that they would surely fight bravely and crush the defenseless war madmen within three days.

"Report—According to the scouts, hundreds of members of the War Frenzy have used the forest as cover to circle around to the rear of Tabusha, seemingly to launch a surprise attack on our camp."

This bombshell news thrilled Xiao Yi.

I had just finished my pre-battle mobilization and my morale was high when some reckless enemy soldiers came to my doom. It was like getting whatever I wanted – like getting ice from the sky or coconuts from the sea!

Xiao Yi immediately ordered the entire army to attack, with Kujo Saro overseeing the battle, while he guarded the camp alone.

The soldiers, their fighting spirit soaring, swarmed out to meet the more than six hundred war-crazed members. Before long, they returned in triumph without losing a single soldier.

Xiao Yi greeted the battle with great joy, but when he saw the results, he was completely distraught. His brows furrowed into a deep frown, and he wished he could dismiss himself!

Despite our army's resounding victory, we only managed to eliminate a little over thirty people...

The process was not much different from last time. We scattered the enemy formation, killed a few at will, and didn't chase those who fled. We harvested the dropped supplies like harvesting crops.

Moreover, among the thirty kills, more than a dozen were taken down by Takatsukasa Maru who charged into the enemy lines. He was the most headstrong of the four young generals, without any fancy tricks or slacking off. He wholeheartedly obeyed Naruto's call and fought hard to eliminate the battle-crazed bandits.

As a result, he now has two additional scars on his bald head.

After this speech, the subordinates didn't understand anything, but Xiao Yi suddenly realized something.

It was like a homeroom teacher holding a class meeting during school, patiently explaining a lot of principles, while the students listened attentively without saying a word, to the point that some students showed signs of sudden enlightenment, or were moved by the homeroom teacher's solemn mood, listening with serious expressions and nodding.

and after?

Those who need to study will continue to study, those who can't concentrate will continue to play, those in relationships will continue to play with the opposite sex, and single people will have a great time playing with the same sex.

That's the situation with my own troops right now.

Do they listen to reason? Yes.

Is it useful? No.

How can people like them be changed?!

Xiao Yi finally realized that he had to change the plan.

Those who won't shed tears until they see the coffin will only learn something when they actually see the coffin!

Xiao Yi secretly made up his mind that he would no longer be the kind and gentle Ming Shenzi, speaking politely to his subordinates, but instead transform into the Ming Shenzi, making these noble officers fear him.

He ordered his five hundred subordinates to remain stationary, doing nothing but training each day. At the same time, he asked Sara to take his handwritten letter to Narukami Island to meet the general and ask him for something that could help boost his morale.

A day later, Sara returned.

Xiao Yi convened another meeting, this time including scouts and sentries. Five hundred soldiers stood at attention in the open area in front of the military camp.

Just like last time, Commander Xiao Yi arrived at the center of the platform, with Vice Commander Kujo Sara standing behind him. However, there were also some exquisitely crafted items on the platform.

The container, about the height of a person and resembling a large cauldron, was placed next to Xiao Yi. Its opening was sealed with an iron lid, and it was unknown what it contained, but its luxurious appearance was obvious to everyone.

Such an exquisite cauldron must have been moved from the castle tower; the contents inside must be of very high quality.

The soldiers waited for Xiao Yi to give them a speech, or to explain what valuable items were inside the cauldron.

However, Xiao Yi did not speak, but remained silent for a long time. The soldiers and officers could only keep him silent, silently enduring the scorching sun overhead.

From dawn to noon, the 502 people stood there without eating or drinking anything, and the only sounds they could hear were those of nature.

As the sun reached its zenith, Xiao Yi's voice shook the entire area, startling nearby wild birds into flight.

"From this day forward, I will lead the charge!"

The sudden words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving the soldiers puzzled and waiting for Xiao Yi to continue.

Xiao Yi had no other choice but to take this option. He didn't personally go into battle largely because he was concerned about the strange man who used the red blade and needed to conserve his strength to deal with this troublesome fellow.

After several days, he still hadn't seen a trace of the elusive figure, and his subordinates were fond of slacking off. If the fighting continued, it would drag on forever. Therefore, he decided to take a desperate gamble and lead the vanguard.

"When I charge, I will unleash three bolts of lightning..."

"The first thunderclap signaled engagement."

"The second thunderclap breaks the formation."

"A third clap of thunder, give chase."

At this point, the soldiers didn't think much of it; it was just an ordinary plan. What amazed them more was that Narutoko disregarded his own health and rushed to the front lines to personally fight the enemy.

But Xiao Yi's next words shocked all the soldiers, including Shaluo.

"Kujou Sara was in charge of the battle. Anyone who saw someone retreating or hesitating was to be shot on the spot!"

Before anyone could react, something even bigger came.

"The second thunderclap has ceased, but the formation has not been broken. All captains will be beheaded afterward!"

Some of the soldiers were already breaking down. Although the captains were not the offspring of great nobles, their families had been rooted in Inazuma for hundreds of years, and Narukamiko was actually threatening to kill them.

"The third clap of thunder has ceased, but the formation has not yet been broken. All junior officers will be beheaded afterward!"

The elite troops, who had stood silently all morning, finally began to murmur amongst themselves, clearly deeply affected by the words of Thor's adopted son.

But the real show was yet to come.

"If the enemy force is less than a thousand men, and you suffer a defeat or even retreat, all officers except Kujo Sara will be beheaded. I will return to Inazuma Castle to confess my guilt to the General and replace him with a group of capable and responsible veteran generals to continue assisting me in the battle against the enemy!"

Rumble!!!

After a clap of thunder, the soldiers fell silent, realizing that their adopted son was serious.

Narukami-ko has become Hades-ko!

Saro had not heard of Xiao Yi's plan beforehand, and was equally shocked by his majesty and imposing presence.

She stared in surprise, but didn't intend to say anything more.

The soldiers were surprised to find that Naruko, who had been so fierce, suddenly had tears in her eyes.

"I urge you all to fight bravely. If you continue to slack off and are accidentally beheaded by me, I will take care of your wives and children, so you need not worry about your families."

The soldiers couldn't hold back any longer: How could you say such a thing with tears in your eyes!

Xiao Yi's expression returned to its indifferent state.

The whipping is over, time to give out candy.

He looked at the magnificent cauldron and gently tapped it, making a clattering sound.

"Soldiers, you should have heard that a few days ago, the general personally cooked a dish."

The news had already spread far and wide. Rumors circulated that eating food cooked by the gods might grant one immortality and ascension to heaven. Others said that the food prepared by the Thunder God was so delicious that it was only found in heaven and rarely tasted on earth.

The soldiers looked at the cauldron and involuntarily swallowed.

Lord Narukami deliberately sealed the metal cauldron, probably to protect us and prevent mortals from being tainted by the unparalleled aroma of the food and becoming hopelessly addicted.

Xiao Yi said loudly:

"Three days. If you soldiers defeat the war freaks within three days, I will not take a single piece of this food bestowed by my godfather. I will distribute it to the brave warriors, and everyone will get a share!"

The generous rewards made the soldiers overjoyed.

In the eyes of the young general and the captain, returning home safely was nothing more than being able to taste the delicious food cooked by the Great Lord himself... Alas, they had no regrets in this life!

Xiao Yi understood that morale had reached its peak, and seized the opportunity to say:

"On his way back from Narukami Island, Kujo Sara accidentally discovered the traces of the War Maniacs' base. After lunch, the soldiers followed me on the expedition, bravely fighting the enemy and making meritorious contributions!"

Xiao Yi gave the order, and all the generals responded.

"Fight bravely against the enemy!"

"For Lord Oogami, for Lord Narukami!"

"Punish the wicked and eliminate evil!"

"For the General's delicious food!"

"I swear to follow Lord Narukami to the death!"

"For my wife!"

……