Chapter 208: First Volume, Chapter 208: Spent Big

First Volume, Chapter 208: Spent Big

Li Zhan sighed and remarked, "At first, this old servant also had such concerns, but after sending people to investigate carefully, I found that even in their worst state, these guards could never mutiny."

"Qin Feng spent big! Each guard receives ten taels of silver per month! That's one hundred and twenty taels annually. Such high pay has never been seen since the founding of Shedynasty. And the food is equally generous—each guard's daily ration costs a full hundred copper coins."

"Is this really true?"

The Liang Emperor was deeply shocked by Qin Feng's "prodigal" behavior.

Just the salaries and rations alone would drain so much silver; later, adding weapons, equipment, and various losses, each soldier trained would cost hundreds or even thousands of taels.

Such reckless training methods—let alone spreading them—would bankrupt the Liang National Treasury even if only one garrison army were trained!

The Liang Emperor keenly realized Qin Feng's troop-training method could not be replicated, yet he couldn't help but wonder: just how "elite" could the soldiers coming from Qin Feng's hands become?

Could they possibly fight one against a hundred?

Thinking of this, the Liang Emperor grew even more eager!

Qin Feng handed full control of the Book Bureau over to Shen Qingci and Lin Quqi; after leaving Qingya Pavilion, he didn't rush back to camp but first returned to Qin Residence, ordering Qin Xiaofu and Xiao Xiangxiang to pack their belongings and move directly into the camp for this period, to avoid the inconvenience of traveling back and forth.

Then he went to Fourth Sister Jing Qianying's Xiaoyuan.

Almost the moment Qin Feng stepped inside, Jing Qianying's Sword flew at him, grazing his scalp before embedding itself in the doorframe above his head.

The force was so great the blade kept trembling, emitting a continuous whirring, chilling sound.

Damn it!

Just barely missed!

Qin Feng's hair stood on end; he screamed loudly, "Assassin! Fourth Sister, Shu Feng, where are you? Come save me!"

As Qin Feng howled, Jing Qianying's cold voice rang out: "Shout again and I'll rip out your tongue! Who gave you permission to enter my courtyard?!"

Although Jing Qianying had always strongly disliked unauthorized entry into her Xiaoyuan, she had never been this fiery—had someone wronged her, and was she holding back a storm of rage?

Almost as soon as the thought arose, Qin Feng shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea.

This was Jing Qianying—one of the Four Great Experts of the Jingdu!

Add to that her extremely aloof nature—who would be foolish enough to provoke her?

Unable to figure it out, Qin Feng stopped wasting brain cells.

He pulled Jing Qianying's Sword from the gate with all his strength, scurried over to Jing Qianying, placed the sword in both hands, and beamed with flattery: "Fourth Sister, did someone provoke you? Just tell me—I'll make sure they pay!"

Watching Qin Feng's earnest expression, Jing Qianying snorted coldly: "You? Save your breath!"

Qin Feng didn't show the slightest self-awareness; instead, he puffed out his chest, grinning proudly: "In the past, maybe, but now I command over a thousand men—even if each spat once, they'd drown that scoundrel. Sister, tell me—who's the scoundrel who provoked you?!"

Seeing Qin Feng's "sincerity," Jing Qianying replied impatiently: "Far away in the heavens, right before your eyes."

At these words, Qin Feng immediately scanned the surroundings.

This Xiaoyuan housed only Jing Qianying and Shu Feng, mistress and servant.

In recent days, under Qin Feng's coaxing and wheedling, Shu Feng had gone to the camp to help, mainly teaching new recruits basic martial arts.

Now, looking at the empty Xiaoyuan, Qin Feng widened his eyes, feigning alarm and lowering his voice: "Far away in the heavens, right before your eyes?! This courtyard has only you and me. Could it be… Fourth Sister, is your Xiaoyuan haunted?"

Qin Feng put on a "terrified" face and tried to lean against Jing Qianying.

Jing Qianying slapped him away with one palm; though Qin Feng winced in pain, she didn't harm him at all.

Looking at this fool, Jing Qianying was furious: "Stop pretending ignorance—the scoundrel is you!"

Qin Feng clutched his nearly broken arm, his face full of bewilderment and innocence: "Sister, don't frame me—I haven't been back for days. Even if I wanted to provoke you, I didn't have the chance!"

Seeing Qin Feng pouting as if he'd suffered great injustice, Jing Qianying wanted to scold him—but the words died on her lips. Though her tone remained cold, her anger had already eased somewhat.

"This back courtyard has always been quiet; I secluded myself here for cultivation, relying entirely on the servants' chatter to learn about the outside world. Now you've taken away all my servants—my ears are filled with silence every day. You still say you didn't provoke me?"

So that's what it was.

Jing Qianying's martial skill was formidable; her hearing was naturally far beyond ordinary people.

Any servant or maid passing by the Xiaoyuan—even whispering—could not escape her ears.

Now, with the entire back courtyard eerily silent, Jing Qianying felt profoundly bored.

Qin Feng was startled—he never imagined the cold, aloof Fourth Sister could also fear loneliness.

Compared to Elder Sister and Second Sister, Qin Feng knew very little about Jing Qianying's past or her origins.

Only Old Qin knew the truth—but whenever Qin Feng asked, he was either scolded away or given evasive answers.

Yet from Jing Qianying's habit of keeping everyone at arm's length, and now this vulnerability to loneliness, it was clear: she had once suffered deep emotional wounds, hiding her fragile heart beneath the coldest exterior.

See it, but don't mention it.

Fortunately, Qin Feng had come today precisely to ease Jing Qianying's "loneliness"—he beamed excitedly: "Fourth Sister, I want to hire you!"

Hearing this, Jing Qianying raised an eyebrow, her cold voice betraying a hint of barely perceptible surprise: "Hire me? For what?"

Qin Feng rubbed his hands eagerly: "I'm building a New Army, right? As chief trainer, I know my own limits. For physical conditioning, I can handle it myself; martial arts are handled by Shu Feng. But I'm missing a weapons instructor—I hope you'll come out of seclusion."

Physical conditioning and martial arts are merely basics.

On the battlefield, the true decisive skill lies in weapon mastery.

As one of the Four Great Experts of the Jingdu, Jing Qianying excels in swordsmanship.

Moreover, weapons like blades, axes, and hammers—all close-combat arms—she handles effortlessly.

With Jing Qianying in charge, the New Army's combat effectiveness will rise dramatically.

Jing Qianying had no interest in teaching martial arts—but the word "hire" caught her attention.

Compared to Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan, Jing Qianying was the most short on silver.

Yet knowing Qin Feng's merchant nature—he never acted without profit—she didn't hold much hope.

She snorted coldly: "Hire me? Can you even afford it?!"