Chapter 1308: Year-End Assembly (Part 5)

Before everyone had time to express their opinions, Baifeng announced an order to everyone, and it was directed at the Ministry of War.

"Xiong, starting from next year, prepare to establish a military camp in Lema City, responsible for recruitment and training in Lema City.

The population of Lema City has already seen a huge increase, and according to the reports Yu has given me previously, they have a very high enthusiasm for becoming soldiers, but our Huaxia City has consistently had a low number of recruits from Lema City, which cannot satisfy their demand; this certainly will not do.

Expanding the number of recruits is something we must do now for the development and self-protection of Huaxia, and it is also to give those young people who want to build merit and establish a career a chance.

However, the mobilization of soldiers in Lema City still requires orders issued from Huaxia City; Lema City can only mobilize a small number of soldiers for operations, not large-scale ones.

Lema City only has the power to recruit, train, and maintain soldiers, not the power to mobilize or deploy them; the Ministry of War needs to station a command post in Lema City. Xiong, you go down and start handling this matter; Yu is already prepared on that end."

Xiong turned his head to look at Yu, and Yu was calm and unruffled, so everyone knew that this was something Yu had already discussed with Baifeng, and Baifeng had already agreed to it; it was just being brought up now at this opportunity.

For Xiong, this was also a good thing; the Ministry of War could manage a greater number of Soldiers, he would have more soldiers under his command, his power would naturally be greater, his status in Huaxia would be even more stable, and the places he could manage would also extend to Lema City.

He was the Minister of War of Huaxia and the Commander-in-Chief of Military Horses, not just for Huaxia City alone; according to normal circumstances, as long as Huaxia opened a new military camp, it would require him to mobilize it and be responsible for it.

And Xiong also took this opportunity, in front of everyone, to put forward his own thoughts: "King, because I now realize that my abilities are insufficient, I am old, and my body is failing, the battlefield of the Shennong Clan is indeed a bit difficult for me to handle.

So I request that next year, regardless of whether we participate in the war with the Shennong Clan, I will no longer be this commander; I will stay in Huaxia City and be responsible for the expansion and training of troops, and let more capable young people go and command."

"I will have to step down sooner or later, and it is better to give young people more opportunities."

This had already been mentioned when Xiong first returned and was in private with Baifeng, though the level at which he spoke then was not the same as this.

He was roasting by the fire, sighing as he spoke slowly: "King, my legs now cannot stand the wind on the wilderness; they ache severely, and applying medicine has no effect."

"Compared to Xuanyuan and the others, my ability is insufficient; if I continue to be responsible for this war, it is easy for the Xuanyuan Tribe to think that our Huaxia's war capability is lacking and look down on us."

"Shaoyin's ability is even stronger than mine; I only have a bit more experience than him. As long as he trains a little more, he will do better than I do."

"Of course, this is not me stubbornly praising Shaoyin; Shaoyin is also someone you watched grow up. Even if I didn't help him, could you really let him live an ordinary life?"

"I truly cannot fight anymore. This year, I also discovered some promising seeds with ability; next year, I can add some burdens to them. Anyway, there won't be any major battles, they are all small battles, and it will be no problem for them to command."

"Let them train more, and they will eventually grow to the point where they can command major battles."

"Lu is currently in his prime, and he should also be given more opportunities; next year, letting him replace me is also possible."

"King, I feel that I am just like this now. If you agree, I will bring it up myself at the general assembly. As long as you agree, it will just happen to make up for my mistakes this year; with such large losses, you must give me some punishment so that everyone can quiet down, and if you replace me, I can also be at ease."

As a conversation in a secret chamber, Baifeng would certainly not say much, and he also knew that Xiong's body was indeed no longer suitable for traveling outside throughout the four seasons. At the very least, Baifeng had to ensure that these old subordinates of his, the founding heroes, all received a good ending.

His power was now held so firmly that he did not even need to speak of the divine right of kings or the mandate of Heaven; there was no need to engage in those empty things. All the people of Huaxia recognized his ability and position, and such a situation would certainly continue for many, many years.

He naturally would not worry that someone holding military power would subvert his rule; I am afraid the Soldiers recognized Baifeng's family more than the Tiger Tally in the hands of the generals, because those Tiger Tallies were all cast by Baifeng, who had personally carved the characters on them.

The Arrow shot by Zheng Zhuang Gong at the King of Zhou could be considered the beginning of later generations of powerful ministers seizing imperial power, because everyone discovered that doing this actually had no serious consequences; if one succeeded, then history would be written by oneself.

Baifeng would certainly satisfy Xiong's request. Xiong was old, and Huaxia must have suitable and capable successors. Shaoyin's strength was certainly no problem; in the future, as a general, he would be absolutely sufficient. Whether it was battle reports or the intelligence Baifeng himself received, it was confirmed that Shaoyin was a capable person.

Of course, there were other young people, but because of Shaoyin's special status, everyone's attention would also be a bit higher. Even if everyone was at the same starting line and had the same ability and achievements, Shaoyin could still go a bit further.

Your generation cannot have such good resources and cannot go that high, but at least you can let your children walk more easily, so everyone was working hard.

War was the standard for testing combat effectiveness. Through this battle, Baifeng selected some talents, and next year he would naturally entrust them with important tasks and give them more training.

Xiong wanted to request to retreat to the second line, or even gradually hand over his military power, and Baifeng had no problem with that. Having agreed in the secret chamber, he naturally did not refuse at the general assembly.

"Good, you have worked hard and struggled for Huaxia for so many years, so now take a good rest. You focus on being responsible for recruitment and training next year. As for the war with the Shennong Clan, I will make a decision after I discuss it with Xuanyuan again."

"If we still participate in the war next year, then I will select suitable Leaders to go. However, even if we do not participate, our recruitment and expansion cannot stop."

When Baifeng said this in front of everyone, Xiong immediately revealed an expression of relief; his pressure was completely unloaded. Such a heavy burden on his body was indeed very painful.