Chapter 1947

The extent to which the Dragon God Army intimidates the entire continent largely depends on how fast the main force under his command advances in conquest, and whether it is invincible in battle.

Although Yao State has fallen, its elite troops and fierce generals still surpass those elsewhere in Shanjin, and with heavenly intervention causing chaos, it will still be the toughest hard nut to crack in the second phase.

He Lingchuan naturally keeps this trouble for himself.

Du Shan stood up and bowed to the assembled officers. Of the officers seated here, only slightly more than half recognized him.

"Please submit your military merit lists as soon as possible. Now is precisely when the sovereign employs people—those who should be promoted must be promoted, and those who should be punished must also be punished."

War is the fastest way to select talent. Regardless of your reputation or title, whether you possess genuine ability—once on the battlefield, the truth becomes immediately clear.

The military merit system in Panlong City is already well-established, but what He Lingchuan implements in his own army is an advancement upon it—the Yuheng City system, which is also the experience he successfully tested in the past.

The officers all responded in agreement, showing Du Shan considerable respect.

Those promoted by the sovereign to serve as central strategists must possess astonishing talent.

For Du Shan, this is also his most important opportunity to prove himself. He intends to declare to everyone through concrete action:

He is not merely a so-called poisonous strategist.

Du Shan suddenly turned to Tao Ran and said: "Your subordinate team leader Peng Youfu, in Nantai Town, assaulted the local gentry Tian clan, breaking their leg bones, and scattered the Tian family shop's three hundred strings of copper coins among the townspeople. But the Tian clan is not on our purge list. Peng Youfu's conduct constitutes the abuse of private punishment, plundering property, and violating military discipline."

He Lingchuan's gaze instantly focused on Tao Ran, upon whom immense pressure descended.

This man is used to licking blood from the blade as routine, but being stared at by the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, he began to sweat on his back.

"The Tian clan itself operates a shop, tampering with labor contracts internally to withhold wages, and bribing officials externally to obtain operating permits for several spices—truly a case of official-business collusion. Moreover, their methods of squeezing out competitors in several towns are not particularly honorable. Peng Youfu also heard complaints from clerks at the Tian clan shop, lost his temper momentarily, and thus administered punishment to him."

Tao Ran blurted it all out without pause: "I have already rebuked him and administered fifteen heavy blows!"

He Lingchuan remained statue-silent. Du Shan deliberately raised this matter, so it would not end with a mere brush-off.

Indeed, Du Shan immediately followed up: "You heard it from the clerks? Peng Youfu heard it from several clerks?"

"……" Tao Ran did not know, and had not asked in such detail.

"The clerk who complained to Peng Youfu is named Xu Da, who sought wages from the Tian clan for nearly three months, and the Tian clan indeed gave him nothing. General Tao, do you know why?"

Being raised by Du Shan, the reason cannot simply be 'withholding wages'; Tao Ran could only shake his head to indicate ignorance.

"Xu Da is addicted to gambling, lost his eyes red at the gambling den, twice stole merchandise to resell and repay gambling debts." Du Shan spoke slowly, "The Tian clan considered that his father had worked in their shop for over ten years, so they did not hand him over to the authorities, only docked two months' wages. Thereafter, his wages were paid to Xu Da's father. Xu Da himself received nothing, went to the shop to cause a scene, and nearly got beaten to death by his father and uncles with sticks."

"This matter caused a great uproar locally, known to everyone. If Peng Youfu had inquired with a few more people, he would not have been used as a pawn by some scoundrel."

Tao Ran wanted to speak but stopped, sweat trickling from his forehead.

So this is what happened—disaster!

Du Shan did not raise his voice, but each word was piercing: "Why does the Dragon God Army have the rule that the military must not involve itself in politics? The army only needs to focus on fighting, only needs to obey orders, and not interfere in other affairs? Just look at these conscripts we've gathered from everywhere—how many among them can discern right from wrong? If Peng Youfu, out of good intentions, could go and scatter someone else's money on their account, then what right do other less well-intentioned soldiers have to stop him from taking or seizing your property?"

Tao Ran immediately turned to He Lingchuan, voice solemn and demeanor proper: "Tao Ran acknowledges guilt, please punish me, my lord!"

He said 'acknowledges guilt' rather than 'wrong', because he knows he tolerated his subordinates committing a great taboo:

The military must not involve itself in money and politics.

Whenever the Dragon God Army captures a place, who to kill, who to loot, who to spare—all are dictated by Dragon God decree; how grain, money, and goods are distributed is handled by the Yangshan Merchant Guild, and this too follows the Dragon God's will.

This is a red line the army must never cross.

He Lingchuan ignored him, only saying to Du Shan: "Continue."

"Furthermore, during the Dragon God's wars, the sovereign's principle toward minor officials and merchants is 'no major evil, no blame.' According to what regulation did Peng Youfu have the right to 'punish' others?" Du Shan indeed continued, "Do you know, after the Tian clan's leg was broken, within that one and a half months they were spat upon, had dung thrown at them, and someone climbed over the wall to steal—three times in total."

The black-armored warriors have already taken action—this shows the man is guilty!

Since he is guilty, don't blame people for kicking him when he's down. In this world, few are willing to give warmth in the snow, but many are willing to dump feces in the snow.

"The Tian clan's business can no longer operate locally. They cannot collect money and still owe a P-share debt; after this incident, other merchants in Nantai Town have successively moved away, over a dozen of them."

When the rabbit dies, the fox mourns—people lack a sense of safety, so naturally they leave.

"Peng Youfu acted on a momentary impulse, but this is the consequence."

Upon hearing this, He Lingchuan finally spoke: "I have said before, the Black Armored Army and the people—'no hair's breadth of harm'."

No mistake, no character, no stroke, no inner, no content, no existence, no one looking!

As soon as he spoke, everyone present immediately sat up straight. Tao Ran dared not respond, but his lips twitched slightly.

Is this about ordinary commoners?

He Lingchuan saw through his thought at a glance, his gaze growing even more chilling: "Do merchants and gentry not count as 'the people'? Who gave you the authority to exclude them?"

Upon these words, the other officers' hearts all gave a sudden jolt.

Tao Ran immediately lowered his head: "This subordinate was wrong, please punish me, sovereign!"

He Lingchuan did not respond to him, but turned to Ding Zuodong: "Have the Yangshan Merchant Guild's local branch immediately connect with the Tian clan, send the best physician to treat him, and help him establish two livelihoods; others will naturally know the Yangshan Merchant Guild's attitude and will not again kick him when he's down."

Ding Zuodong immediately agreed.

He Lingchuan then turned to Tao Ran: "After the central campaign ends, you will send two people to have Peng Youfu personally apologize to the Tian clan at their home, with a sincere and proper attitude."

"Yes!"

"You failed to enforce discipline strictly and communicate clearly—responsibility: thirty military strokes, first recorded in the account, to be settled after the war!"

Tao Ran's face flushed crimson, he should have spoken louder.

The other officers present also felt a chill, knowing Du Shan's public raising of this typical case carried deep intent.

The Dragon God Army's composition is extremely mixed; aside from the Black Armored Army, which He Lingchuan, Qiu Hu, and Wanqi Feng personally trained into elite forces, the majority are various local surrendered troops and greenwood heroes, among whom are not lacking chicken-crowing, dog-stealing types, road-blocking fierce bandits—among ten thousand people, there are a thousand kinds of thoughts.

The best way to manage them is to strictly observe discipline, avoid money and power, and firmly not break the rules.

But Peng Youfu meant well and erred—ultimately just a minor matter, what qualification does it have to be brought to the table? The sole reason is that the Dragon God wishes to use this to warn everyone:

Properly restrain your subordinates, do not let them overstep!