The Demon Lords

Feng Guan finally managed to finish reading the Imperial Edict,

and let out a long sigh of relief.

After the word "by Imperial Command,"

followers of the Imperial envoy team pushed out the promised "wine and meat" and "silver rewards" as stated in the edict.

The wine jar was sealed with the word "Imperial," and the meat was tagged with seals.

The silver was packed in baskets, loaded onto several carts, also tagged with the "Imperial" seal on top.

The wine, meat, and silver were all borrowed by Feng Guan from the Earl’s Mansion, which was expected, but when Feng Guan and Zhang Yuanshan saw this scene, the two exchanged a glance immediately.

These items were prepared in advance, originally intended to reward the soldiers stationed at Snow Sea Pass after the military parade, but the parade hasn’t started yet, so why are they being brought into the parade ground like this?

This must be a mistake with the timing by those below, but even if there was a mistake, the knights patrolling outside should have intercepted them, there’s no reason to distribute rewards before the military exercises have even begun.

But since the "imperial gifts" have already been brought in, there’s of course no reason to withdraw them, as no rule is greater than the face of His Majesty.

So, Feng Guan turned around and gave Lord Zheng an awkward smile;

Lord Zheng returned with a gentle smile.

The attendants accompanying the Imperial envoy, who were pushing carts after carts of wine, meat, and silver, began to distribute the rewards.

However,

they soon noticed something was wrong,

The anticipated scenes of enthusiastic scrambling did not appear,

in fact,

the military formation was just as it was before.

Everyone stood upright, eyes looking forward.

Even when fresh pork, slaughtered just last night, was brought to the soldiers, they did not reach out to take it, as if they didn’t see it at all.

What was even more astonishing,

was that even when silver was brought to them, they did not take it, letting the silver fall to the ground and roll around.

No one moved,

No one looked,

No one accepted,

No one took.

From the beginning at Green Willow Fortress, the Snow Sea Army always emphasized military discipline, and the most important rule in the army is clear rewards and punishments.

During warfare,

All spoils must be handed over, then distributed according to military merit regulations by those higher up.

Those found hoarding will be executed without pardon, which is an iron rule.

In tandem with the extremely strict military discipline, there are equally excellent benefits, for those enlisted, entered into military households, their children receive free schooling, the sick receive free medicine from the medical center, monthly financial and food subsidies, and death benefits for those who die in battle.

Strict military discipline must be matched with excellent benefits, otherwise, the soldiers will lose their loyalty and morale.

Every drill, morning and evening, the military officials in charge of documents would loudly ask:

Whose food do you eat!

Whose pay do you take!

On top of that, if the incident during the edict proclamation was just soldiers acting on instinct, this time, everyone understood it in their hearts.

This is to send a message.

As a result, no one would touch these rewards.

Feng Guan’s face showed some embarrassment,

at this moment,

Lord Zheng spoke:

"Lord Feng, in my opinion, it would be better to conduct the military exercises first and then grant rewards, with the best performers being richly rewarded. What does Lord Feng think?"

Feng Guan immediately replied:

"Lord Zheng’s words are most wise. Let us do as Lord Zheng suggests."

After conveying the message, the attendants accompanying the Imperial envoy immediately took the rewards back.

Immediately,

Lord Zheng glanced at Liang Cheng,

Liang Cheng gripped his sword,

waved his hand signaling,

the flag bearer on the side immediately waved the flag,

the troops from various towns below quickly formed ranks, and the military exercises, namely the parade, officially began.

......

The night was cool, the wind clear.

A pot of sauerkraut fish, with three plates of cold dishes.

On the table was not wine, but warm tea.

Zhang Yuanshan and Feng Guan sat face to face, Zhang Yuanshan ate slowly, Feng Guan ate quickly.

The former, in a relaxed government office like the Ministry of Rites, knows to stretch a moment’s task into a day’s work;

the latter needs to finish early, in case his lord calls and he is not there, it would be a grave offense.

"What do you think?"

Feng Guan asked.

The question, of course, was about the parade during the day.

Zhang Yuanshan took a sip of tea and said:

"The armor was bright, the order was impeccable. Though I have never commanded troops, I can see that this Snow Sea Army truly has the air of the Jingnan Army of old."

Feng Guan smiled slightly, took a bite of fish, had some sauerkraut, looked up, sighed, picked up his teacup, raised it, but did not drink, instead spilled it beside the table.

In the span of a few inches, a pattern emerged, and beneath their feet rose waves of misty water.

This is merely an insignificant technique among Qi cultivators, its utility not much different from the street performers, but it’s like hanging a bell on a door; if someone pushes it open to overhear, the bell will ring.

Its unsuitability for formal occasions lies in the fact that it merely produces sound.

Being adopted by Wei Zhonghe, Feng Guan naturally had some means, and moreover, due to that esteemed figure, the eunuchs in the Yan State palace had always maintained a tradition of Qi refining cultivation.

Zhang Yuanshan shook his head and said:

"Today’s parade, firstly, was to boost the soldiers’ morale. After all, Lord Pingye returned from Chu not long ago and is about to enter the capital soon. If the morale is not lifted, chaos may ensue below;

secondly, it was for the two of us to see. Over the past six months, the court has gradually reclaimed local governance in Jin land through appointments and official selection, which has long caused dissatisfaction among local military leaders. Lord Pingye’s actions were meant to tell Ying Capital City, and even the court, through our eyes, that he would not relinquish control over the Snow Sea Pass region."