Chapter 154 Total War: Recruitment

Qian Renxue and General Ge Long were walking in the corridor of the palace. They were about to go to the drawing room to meet Ning Fengzhi, the leader of Qibao Glazed Sect. The cloister is lined with tall stone pillars, carved with the history and glory of the empire. Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating their figures.

A bright beam of sunlight passed through the window pane and shone on Qian Renxue's body, as if it was an omen. Her shadow was stretched by the sunlight, like a black dragon, winding on the wall. His shadow covered the royal family's emblem, and the swan representing the Tiandou royal family was already shrouded in shadow.

Qian Renxue was full of doubts. The news of her ascension to the throne should have just spread out not long ago. Why did Ning Fengzhi arrive so quickly? What news did Ning Fengzhi bring? The Qibao Glazed Sect represented by Ning Fengzhi has a strong foundation and massive financial resources, which has an important impact on the stability and development of the empire.

She also knew that Ning Fengzhi was a shrewd and cautious person who would not reveal his intentions and stance easily. He couldn't help but feel nervous secretly, not knowing what the outcome of this meeting would be.

Ning Fengzhi had been waiting in the small pavilion in the garden for a long time. He looked up in the direction of the corridor from time to time, looking forward to the arrival of the new emperor.

Elegantly drinking black tea from a bone china cup. It is a precious variety imported from far away by Ning Fengzhi, and the aroma is overflowing.

Not long after, Ning Fengzhi saw Qian Renxue and the general walking into the garden. He stood up and stepped forward, made a big salute and sent his blessings for the new emperor's enthronement. His voice is gentle and powerful, and his words are respectful and reserved.

"Your Majesty, I would like to express my most sincere blessings to you. May you live forever and enjoy the world forever."

Qian Renxue immediately understood the teacher's attitude. He was here to express his position.

She responded immediately.

"Sect Master Ning, your arrival really brings me a surprise, and I am very grateful. You are not only the most loyal minister of the empire, but also my most respected friend. More importantly, you were once my teacher and taught me He has given me a lot of knowledge and skills in governing the country. Without your teachings, I would not be where I am today.”

"Your Majesty has commended you. You will be a great monarch and will lead us to a more prosperous and peaceful era. I just fulfilled my duty as a teacher and minister."

Qian Renxue returned the gift with a smile. He felt Ning Fengzhi's sincerity and also noticed Ning Fengzhi's caution.

At this time, Ning Fengzhi took the initiative to say the most critical part of the meeting.

"Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report to you. While I am waiting, I have learned that the empire is facing unprecedented difficulties. Foreign enemies are eyeing it, and internal unrest are rampant. I am worried about the empire, and I feel sympathy for you. Therefore, I have decided to provide the empire with all the necessary materials and manpower to help the empire prepare for war. This is my wish, please do not refuse it."

Qian Renxue felt Ning Fengzhi's attitude. He knew that Ning Fengzhi was an excellent ally, but he also knew that Mr. Attitude was a cautious person who would not reveal his intentions and stance easily.

It was impossible for him to put all the chips on the gambling table so early. Ning Fengzhi must have some needs or something to hide. However, the power of the Qibao Glazed Sect in the empire cannot be underestimated. He has strong power and wealth and has an important influence on the stability and development of the empire.

Qian Renxue decided to respond cautiously to the teacher's offer of help. He did not want to offend Ning Fengzhi, nor did he want Ning Fengzhi to feel that he was not firmly on the throne at this time. she said.

"Sect Master Ning, I am very grateful and admired for your generosity. You are the empire's most loyal minister and my most respected friend. The materials and manpower you provide to the empire will contribute to the empire's war preparations." It’s a huge help.”

"But I can't accept all your funding. The empire's affairs should be resolved by the empire. Actions like the Qibao Glazed Sect will also make other princes feel unbalanced. I can only accept part of your funding. For the specific content, you can contact Ge Long The general consults with the finance minister."

Ning Fengzhi had anticipated Qian Renxue's caution in advance. He knew that Qian Renxue would not easily accept all his funding, nor would she easily agree to any of his requests. So he decided to use a roundabout tactic.

"Your Majesty, the empire is currently facing unprecedented difficulties. Foreign enemies are eyeing you and internal unrest are rampant. I am worried for the empire and I sympathize with you. I would like to ask you to consider whether any special measures need to be taken to deal with this crisis. ”

Qian Renxue was intrigued by this proposal.

"Special measures? What do you mean?"

"For example, increase the quantity and quality of the army. Your Majesty, you know that at such an emergency moment, we need to have enough troops and weapons to fight our enemies, and we need to have enough confidence and courage to defeat them. You have With a powerful Royal Guard, you also need more loyal and reliable allies to support you."

"I would like to ask you to consider whether you can give each lord and legion some privileges and powers so that they can recruit more mercenaries and soul masters in their territory, so that we can provide you with more military support. In this way, we can consolidate our military strength and make future front advances more powerful."

Qian Renxue agreed with this proposal, but there seemed to be something hidden behind it.

"Privileges and power? What do you mean? Do you want me to grant higher titles and more territories to those loyal legions and lords? This may be feasible in war, but now, this proposal does not feasibility."

Ning Fengzhi replied in a calm and slow tone.

"No, Your Majesty, you know that recruiting mercenaries and soul masters is a very difficult and complicated matter. It requires a lot of time and resources, and also requires a lot of rules and restrictions. With the current financial situation of the empire, even if the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect With the infusion of more financial resources, the recruitment for a war of this scale is already stretched thin, so we may need some old methods.”

Qian Renxue instantly thought of a right that only the emperor could exercise, and she also guessed why Ning Fengzhi came here this time.

"You mean, the recruitment order?"

As soon as the word recruitment order reached General Ge Long's ears, he was shaken all over. He immediately stood up and saluted Qian Renxue.

"Your Majesty, you must not do it! The conscription order is a very dangerous and unstable measure. The conscription order may be a good medicine in the initial stage of the empire, but now, if the conscription order starts to be issued, it will destroy the centralization of the empire."

Ge Long looked serious, with a sonorous military temperament in his tone.

"Once the recruitment order is issued to those lords, the power of those lords will expand crazily and continue to encroach on the sphere of influence of other small nobles. In the early stages of the war, you may be able to obtain a large number of troops without spending a single gold coin, but once the war is over, these messes will It will have a very negative impact on the stability of the empire.”

"Your Majesty, you have just ascended the throne. You need to consolidate your throne and authority. You cannot let those lords and legions take advantage of it!"

When Qian Renxue heard this, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart, why are there so many capable people in the Tiandou Empire? The previous finance minister was one, and this is another.

Although what he said was very reasonable, Qian Renxue's ultimate goal was to develop the power of Wuhun Palace, and the move Ning Fengzhi sent played into her mind.

"General Gelong, you are right. The conscription order is indeed a measure with risks and costs, and I will not use it lightly. But you must also know that the empire is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. We need to have We have enough troops and weapons to fight our enemies, and we need enough confidence and courage to defeat them."

"If we only rely on the Royal Custodes, we may not be able to cope with all battlefields and enemies. We need more loyal and reliable allies to support us."

Qian Renxue turned to Ning Fengzhi, nodded and said.

"Sect Master Ning is my most respected teacher and friend. He has provided a large amount of materials and manpower to the empire. He has also expressed his allegiance and trust to me. I want to give him some privileges and powers so that he can work in his Recruit more mercenaries and soul masters in the territory so that he can provide me with more military support. In this way, we can form a powerful alliance and make our enemies fearful."

Ning Fengzhi saw Qian Renxue's gaze and immediately understood what she meant, so he immediately added

"General Gelong's worries are not unreasonable. I promise that I will only recruit those free personnel who have not joined other forces, and I will compile them into my army registration book and hand it over to the new king to ensure that we can communicate with each other. The transparency of the forces ensures political mutual trust. I think if this policy is followed by other forces that have received conscription orders, it will ensure the stability of the empire after the war."

Ge Long is still arguing, trying to convince the emperor

"Sect Master Ning, what you say sounds nice, but can you guarantee that you can do it? Can you guarantee that other forces that have received the recruitment order can also do it? Do you know how tempting the recruitment order is? Do you know the recruitment order? How dangerous is it?”

"Once you have a conscription order, you have a private army that can be mobilized at will. You can put pressure or threats on other nobles or civilians, you can expand your territory or power, and you can challenge the royal family or Imperial authority."

"You said you would not do this, but can you guarantee that others will not do this? Can you guarantee that after the war is over, you and others will obediently hand over the call orders and private armies? Can you guarantee that after the war After it’s over, won’t you or anyone else have any dissatisfaction or ambition towards the royal family or the empire?”

Qian Renxue looked at Ning Fengzhi and Ge Long. They were both an integral part of her plan, and they were her most important allies and assistants. She didn't want to cause any conflicts or gaps between them, and she didn't want to hinder the implementation of the plan just because of this. She decided to make a compromise decision, she said.

"I decided to issue a call-up order, but there are several conditions:

Conscription orders could only be used during war and had to be handed over to the Crown after the war.

Recruitment orders can only be used to recruit free personnel who have not joined other forces, and they must be included in the military registration book and submitted to the royal family.

The conscription order cannot be used to infringe on the interests and rights of other nobles or civilians, nor can it be used to expand territory or power, nor can it be used to challenge the authority of the royal family or the empire.

Recruitment orders can only be issued by me personally, and can only be issued to people I think are worthy of trust and respect, such as Sect Master Ning.

The number and proportion of the call-up orders shall be determined by me based on the war situation and needs, without any objection or questioning. "

Ge Long had no choice but to stand up and acknowledge the emperor's decision.

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly when he saw this situation. Everything was going according to his plan. His inferences about the Spirit Hall and Qian Renxue were still accurate. The next step was to prepare for the war.