Chapter 436: Military Expenses

Clearly, the three generals were calculating accounts; some sighed, and some were frowning.

Hearing the movement, the three looked up, saw Unlike Ning Zhuo return, and were all overjoyed.

"Military Advisor, the Military Advisor is here!" Liu Er immediately ran over, opening his arms to welcome Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Zhang Hei laughed loudly and pushed the account book to the center of the table: "Everything is up to the Military Advisor; my eyes are already dizzy!"

Guan Hong was even more straightforward, standing up directly: "I'm going to train the troops."

Liu Er enthusiastically dragged Unlike Ning Zhuo and pressed him into the main general's seat.

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly declined: "How can a kid sit in the main general's seat?"

Liu Er said: "These account books all depend on the Military Advisor. If the Military Advisor can finish them, it will definitely be a great achievement; what would it matter if you became the main general?"

Although Liu Er was just saying polite and formal words, he also revealed some of his true feelings.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sat in the chair, reluctantly bowed, and indicated that he would do his best.

Liu and Zhang then left Unlike Ning Zhuo in the main tent and followed Guan Hong.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was quite good at calculating accounts. In the ten-plus years in Fire Persimmon Xiancheng, he was not favored, and his cultivation resources needed to be calculated to the last cent.

Even when playing the role of the Young Guest and selling the Up-and-Down Wishful Rope to the outside world, he had a large income. He also spent a lot to purchase mechanism creations. It could be said that he earned a lot and spent a lot.

And he had been in charge of his own household since he was a child; only those who have managed a household know the cost of oil, salt, firewood, and rice.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was quite confident about this, but after truly burying his head in the account books of the Three Generals Camp, he also felt a headache.

He immediately understood the pain of the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, before.

On one hand, the various accounts were quite complicated; on the other hand, the expenses were too large, so large that Unlike Ning Zhuo felt his heart jump with fear.

The bulk of military expenses lay in salaries.

Currently, the camp had gathered more than three hundred cultivators, of which about fifty or sixty were Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the remaining two hundred-plus were all Qi Condensation cultivators.

For Qi Condensation cultivators, according to their specific cultivation and combat power, the monthly salary ranged from three thousand to eight thousand low-grade spirit stones.

For Foundation Establishment level cultivators, the monthly salary was between thirty thousand and eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones.

This meant that just the monthly salary for Qi Condensation cultivators had to be at least 1.3 million low-grade spirit stones.

Although there were fewer Foundation Establishment cultivators, their salaries reached more than 3 million low-grade spirit stones.

Just the monthly salary expenditure had to be at least 4.3 million low-grade spirit stones.

And this salary standard was considered low. The Three Generals Camp distributed the share of spoils to the maximum to attract these cultivators.

Among all the armies currently in Canglin Xiancheng, the Three Generals Camp's salary was ranked second to last; the first was the Red Flower Camp.

Next, they needed to purchase magic tools uniformly.

Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators generally used magic tools.

According to market prices, offensive magic tools cost about one thousand to one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones each. The price of defensive military magic tools was two hundred to four thousand low-grade spirit stones each.

Unlike Ning Zhuo carefully studied the market in Canglin Xiancheng, and according to the offensive and defensive magic tools selected by the three generals, the total procurement cost was about 6 million spirit stones.

Next, there were daily used talismans, elixirs (Grain-Grain Bigu Pills), etc.

Talismans included Swift Movement Talismans, Protection Talismans, Sharp Blade Talismans, and other common talismans. These could be purchased through the Liangzhu Kingdom's military channels, and the price was about one and a half to three low-grade spirit stones per sheet.

Unlike Ning Zhuo calculated according to the minimum plan; each cultivator consumed about twenty talismans per month, and the consumption of various elixirs was an average of one hundred to two hundred low-grade spirit stones per person per month.

In this way, this part of the expenditure was also 57,000 low-grade spirit stones.

"Distributing elixirs is not as good as purchasing a medicinal pool."

"Calculating the cost, if the army is maintained for more than three months, purchasing a medicinal pool is more cost-effective."

"Similarly, it is best to purchase a magic power pool."

These two heavy military weapons, purchased according to the minimum specifications, each required 4 million low-grade spirit stones, totaling 8 million low-grade spirit stones.

Then, there were magic tool maintenance, accidental damage, camp construction, sudden accidents, etc.; this part had to reserve a budget.

According to the standard of 10% of the total expenditure, it was nearly 500,000 low-grade spirit stones.

"But these are not enough."

"We still need to configure battle flags, and it is best to have mounts."

Battle flags were very important.

Battle flags were often the carrier of military qi condensation and the eye of the battle formation, which had a qualitative improvement for the entire army's combat.

This aspect must be purchased, but it cannot be rushed for the time being—it depends on what kind of battle formation Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei can practice in training.

Through the battle formation, purchasing battle flags is the most appropriate.

Mounts do not look like necessities, but in fact, that is not the case.

Qi Condensation cultivators cannot fly with swords, and although Foundation Establishment cultivators can fly with swords, they can only do so for short distances and cannot do so for long distances or long periods.

Placed on the battlefield, an army must consider the whole.

This means that an army without mounts has very weak mobility and will often be led around by the enemy, putting them in an extremely passive and disadvantageous situation.

Many past war cases have warned future generations that the mobility of an army is extremely important.

Sometimes, whichever army arrives at the battlefield first, occupies favorable terrain, and sets up the battle formation in advance, that army often possesses a huge advantage.

Precisely because of this, in the art of war, the spell of "speed is precious in war" is always prioritized.

This is recognized by many masters of the art of war.

"The monthly salary is more than 4.3 million."

"The total cost of equipping the entire army with offensive and defensive magic tools is about 6 million."

"The consumption of talismans and elixirs is 57,000. This is the minimum standard, but in reality, once training begins, it often exceeds a lot."

"Purchasing medicinal pools and magic pools requires an investment of 8 million."

"Magic tool maintenance, accidental damage, etc., need to reserve 500,000."

Calculating it, the military expenditure will reach 18.9 million low-grade spirit stones.

"And that's not counting the future purchase of battle flags and mounts."

Calculating to this point, Unlike Ning Zhuo could be said to have a dry mouth and tongue, and his heart was very uneasy.

Truly calculating the accounts, the military expenditure was higher than he expected. But these were still purchased according to the minimum standard, upholding the principle of saving where possible.

"If it were a great battle in the ancient era, how good would that be."

Unlike Ning Zhuo could not help but miss the past of history.

At that time, the hundred arts of cultivation were not developed and were far from blooming. When there was a great battle in the cultivation world, they were all organized and conducted in the form of employment.

Every cultivator was self-sufficient, received military tasks, and received rewards after completion, whether material or military merit.

Such battles emphasized the individual cultivation and combat power of the cultivator.

But with the depth of formation methods, the formulation of unified magic tools, the spiritual energy becoming more and more rich, the vigorous development of the military path and official arts, the use of luck and national power became more and more subtle.

The form of mercenary armies in the past became more and more backward and was gradually swept into the corner of history.

Not to mention now, in the late period of the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, the war form of cultivator armies had already stepped onto the stage of history.

After the subsequent two dynasties, multiple imperial dynasties, and countless kingdoms, the war concerning cultivators became very professional, emphasizing every aspect.

There must be unified offensive and defensive magic tools to exert the advantage of numbers!

There must be an art of war to better integrate power and create the practical effect of fighting across levels!

If it is truly an elite army, every cultivator in the army must practice the same cultivation technique! For example, the Golden Halberd Army was searched from the whole country by the Liangzhu Kingdom and cultivated from the beginning of cultivation. The weapons, armor, mounts, etc., equipped were unified and excellent.

Once such an army goes to war, it will erupt with very terrifying power. A grass-roots army like the Three Generals Camp simply cannot withstand a single round and will inevitably collapse at the slightest touch!

"Burning money, building an army is constantly burning money!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo calculated everything, and there was already a thin layer of sweat on his back.

Currently, the spirit stones on the account of the Three Generals Camp can maintain at most three months.

Unlike Ning Zhuo wished he could set off for the front line now. With more than three hundred people, the daily consumption made people breathe with difficulty.

But he was very clear in his heart: they must practice diligently, and the training of troops must reach a certain standard before they can enter the battlefield.

Otherwise, they are cannon fodder!

And to be diligent in training troops, the daily expenditure will increase again.

"If it really doesn't work, I can only fill in some." Unlike Ning Zhuo left the main tent and watched the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, training troops from afar.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's knowledge was limited; after all, he only came out of the mountains to travel this year, but his knowledge was solid, at least the basic things were quite comprehensive.

He watched for a while and identified that this was a triangular arrow formation.

If viewed from high altitude, this formation was an equilateral triangle.

The three Golden Core-level generals were distributed at the three corners. At the very front was Liu Er, on the left was Guan Hong, and on the right was Zhang Hei.

This triangular arrow formation was the most classic assault formation; the three corners were the strongest cultivators of the entire army, the middle was filled with a large number of Qi Condensation cultivators, and the two side lines facing the front were distributed with Foundation Establishment level cultivators.

Formation methods are divided into moving formations and static formations.

The history of static formations is far longer than that of moving formations; the most classic static formation is the Spirit Gathering Formation, which allows cultivators to condense the surrounding spiritual energy for their own cultivation and increase the efficiency of cultivators absorbing spiritual energy.

The history of moving formations is likely less than half of that of static formations, but once developed, it is extremely vigorous, especially used a lot on the battlefield, and the speed of improvement is extremely fast.

The triangular arrow formation is a typical moving formation.

Unlike Ning Zhuo watched for a while and could not help but worry secretly: "Moving formations are difficult to practice; how long will it take to reach the minimum standard for forming a formation? Every day is burning money!"

The practice of every moving formation requires a lot of time, material resources, and manpower.

Unlike Ning Zhuo felt more and more that building an army was like a big gamble.

The three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, had already bet their entire family fortune!

And Unlike Ning Zhuo wanted to plot the mother's relics in the hands of the Six Caves Sect, such as the mechanism carriage, etc., borrowing the power of the Liangzhu Kingdom, and borrowing the Three Generals of Liu, Guan, and Zhang was undoubtedly the most labor-saving approach.

"If the expenses are not enough, I am afraid I have to help out."

Unlike Ning Zhuo must seize the time and must follow closely behind.

When the great battle breaks out, his mother's mechanism carriage and other items are likely to vanish in the war. He needs to participate personally, be on the scene, and adapt to circumstances to have a chance to capture the target items.

Missing this great battle, it would be countless times more difficult for him to find these things again.

Unlike Ning Zhuo returned to the Mechanism Wandering Dragon and counted his assets.

He had many spirit stones.

Last time in Mount Wuyin, the Mountain God gave him 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones, which converted to low-grade spirit stones was 1 million.

He also had many treasures.

Such as Mist Show Orchid, Heavy Thunder Beetle, Heavenly Dew, Floating Clouds, Walnut Mountain Essence, Mist Haze Stone, and Ghost Shadow Bamboo, etc.

If these were sold, there would also be a not-so-small sum of spirit stones.

Among the treasures, the most valuable was undoubtedly the Nascent Soul-level treasure produced by the Old Monster in the Stone.

But these treasures all had hidden dangers.

Unlike Ning Zhuo had taken out many pieces before, and now if he wanted to use principles to cultivate, these treasures could not be sold at will.

It is worth mentioning that every time the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon shuttles through the void, the starting price is 500,000 low-grade spirit stones.

These assets were more than enough to satisfy the cultivation of Sun Lingtong and Unlike Ning Zhuo.

But placed on the battlefield, to maintain an army, it immediately became much thinner.

Unlike Ning Zhuo came to the cultivation cabin and knocked on the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat.

Sun Lingtong, who was cultivating inside, opened his eyes and walked out of the Spirit Boat: "Little Zhuo, what's the matter?"

Without anything, Unlike Ning Zhuo would not interrupt his cultivation.

Unlike Ning Zhuo then told Sun Lingtong the details: "I plan to open source and reduce expenditure."

"On one hand, contact the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect and purchase a large batch of basic elixirs like Grain-Grain Bigu Pills from them. According to my friendship with them, I can get a low price."

"On the other hand, I can order the Ning family branch to refine more Jade-Moistened Profound Steel. Boss, do you still remember the battle beside Mount Wuyin?"

"At that time, Meng Zizhong's soldiers wore Jade Steel Heavy Armor and were quite effective against those demon cultivators and demon beasts."

"If I could sell these armors to the Three Generals Camp, perhaps I could open up a new market for the family."

"Sigh... the time is still too short."

"I really hope that the Poison Flame Chrysanthemum can be harvested right now."

"I don't know if the Old Ancestor has returned to Fire Persimmon Mountain now."

Sun Lingtong pondered for a while: "Even if these can be done, distant water cannot quench near thirst, and the degree of quenching thirst is also quite limited."

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded: "So I am thinking about that Old Monster in the Stone. If we steal him back, it will be an overnight fortune, and the current gap in assets is not worth mentioning at all!"

Speaking of this, Sun Lingtong's eyes immediately shone: "Yes, yes, yes, Little Zhuo, your idea is too good."

"To tell you the truth, these days when I calmed down, I was pondering this matter!"

"We can treat Dao injuries now, so that stone ball is a treasure through and through."

"This matter must be done as soon as possible."

"Once discovered by others that the Old Monster in the Stone is already dead, then it's all over."

Unlike Ning Zhuo pondered: "To enter the Thousand Peaks Forest again, we must first repair the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon, solve the blood shadow on the dragon body, and at the same time have more fire essence reserves."

Because they had been there before, there were precise waypoints in the Mechanism Wandering Dragon, and it was completely possible to shuttle once and reach the destination directly.

Very convenient.

Sun Lingtong's brows wrinkled, feeling difficult: "Blood Shadow Cave Master is at the Nascent Soul level; the means he planted are very difficult for us to clear."

"If only we had 'Goodness is like water', we could wash these away."

"Relying on ourselves alone, it is difficult to reach this step; we must rely on external help."

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "How about Zhang Zhongyi?"

Sun Lingtong thought for a moment and said: "His medical skills are very strong; he can even treat Dao injuries. After all, he was once a Nascent Soul-level cultivator, and the Blood Shadow spell probably won't stump him."

"However, in this way, we will expose the existence of the Ten Thousand Mile Wandering Dragon."

"Is this appropriate?"

"In other words, is Zhang Zhongyi trustworthy?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo thought for a while: "Zhang Zhongyi upholds the righteous path, and like me, has a heart for the righteous path."

"Whether it is that he was once convicted or this time joining the army to help General Mu Lan, it can be seen that he has a life philosophy of repaying kindness."

"We also owe him for taking action this time to treat the illness. Without him, it wouldn't have been possible."

"I still trust him relatively."

"Sigh..." Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed deeply when he said this, "I originally didn't want to treat a good person like this, but for our safety, I decided to use the Life-Thread and the Buddha Heart Demon Seal on him!"

Sun Lingtong patted Unlike Ning Zhuo's forearm: "Little Zhuo, I know you are kind-hearted, but don't have any burden."

"We are not going to harm him."

"It's just that one must have a heart to guard against others."

"Let's go talk to him properly!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo said "um," not knowing at this time that Zhang Zhongyi also wanted to talk to him. ===== CHAPTER 437 =====