Chapter 1947: Dragon God's Army Taboo

The Dragon God Army's intimidating influence across the continent largely depends on the speed of conquest by its main force and whether it remains undefeated. Though Yaoguo has fallen, its elite soldiers and fierce generals still outmatch those elsewhere in Blinggold. Furthermore, with divine interference, it will remain the toughest challenge of the second phase. He Lingchuan naturally reserved this challenge for himself.

Du Shan rose and bowed to the assembled generals. Only just over half of those present recognized him. "Please submit your lists of military merits as soon as possible," he said. "This is a crucial time for the Lord to utilize talent. Those who deserve promotion must be promoted, and those who deserve punishment must be punished." War is the quickest method for identifying military talent. Regardless of one's reputation or rank, true ability is revealed on the battlefield. Panlong City already had a well-developed military merit system, but He Lingchuan implemented a more advanced version in his army: the Jade Pivot City system, which was based on his own successful experiments.

The generals assented, showing considerable respect for Du Shan. Anyone promoted by the Lord to serve as a central strategist must possess astonishing talent. For Du Shan, this was also his most crucial opportunity to prove himself. He intended to declare to everyone through his actions that he was more than just a so-called "Poison Scholar."

Du Shan suddenly turned to Tao Ran and said, "Peng Youfu, a captain under your command, assaulted the local gentry member Mr. Tian in Nantai Town, breaking his leg. He also scattered three hundred *guan* of copper coins from Mr. Tian's counter to the townspeople. However, Mr. Tian was not on our purge list. Peng Youfu's actions constitute abuse of power, appropriation of property, and a violation of military discipline."

He Lingchuan's gaze immediately fixed on Tao Ran, who felt immense pressure. This man was accustomed to a life of peril, yet under the gaze of the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities, his back began to sweat. "Mr. Tian owns a business," Tao Ran explained quickly, without pause, "Internally, he tampered with labor contracts and withheld wages. Externally, he bribed officials to secure exclusive permits for several spices, which is clear collusion between officials and merchants. Moreover, his methods for forcing out competitors in several towns were far from honorable. Peng Youfu heard the complaints from Mr. Tian's clerks and, in a fit of pique, decided to punish him. I have already reprimanded him and given him fifteen heavy blows!"

He Lingchuan remained silent, like a statue. Du Shan had specifically raised this issue, so it wouldn't be dismissed so easily. As expected, Du Shan immediately pressed on: "He heard from clerks? How many clerks did Peng Youfu hear from?" "..." Tao Ran didn't know; he hadn't inquired about such details. "The clerk who complained to Peng Youfu is named Xu Da," Du Shan continued. "For the past three months, he had sought wages from Mr. Tian, who indeed withheld them. General Tao, do you know why?" Knowing that Du Shan had brought it up, the reason couldn't be a simple case of withheld wages. Tao Ran could only shake his head, admitting his ignorance.

"Xu Da is a compulsive gambler," Du Shan slowly explained. "He lost heavily at the gambling house and twice stole and resold merchandise to pay off his gambling debts. Mr. Tian, out of consideration for Xu Da's father who had worked at his firm for over a decade, did not turn him over to the authorities. He only withheld two months' wages. From then on, Mr. Tian paid Xu Da's wages directly to his father. Unable to get his hands on the money himself, Xu Da caused a scene at the firm and was nearly beaten to death by his father and uncles with sticks. This matter was widely known in the area; everyone knew about it. If Peng Youfu had simply asked a few more people, he wouldn't have been manipulated by a scoundrel."

Tao Ran began to speak but then stopped, sweat beading on his temples. So that's what happened; this is terrible! Du Shan did not raise his voice, yet every word was piercing: "Why does the Dragon God Army have a rule against military involvement in politics? Why should the army only focus on fighting, obey orders, and not meddle in other affairs? How many of these common soldiers we've recruited from all over possess the ability to distinguish right from wrong? If Peng Youfu, out of good intentions, can scatter money from someone else's account, what right do you have to stop other, less well-intentioned soldiers from taking or robbing?"

Tao Ran immediately turned to He Lingchuan, stating with a solemn expression, "I admit my guilt, my Lord; please mete out my punishment!" His use of "guilty" rather than "mistaken" indicated his understanding that he had allowed his subordinate to commit a grave taboo: the military must not meddle in financial and political matters. Whenever the Dragon God Army captured a new territory, who to kill, who to seize property from, and who to spare were all dictated by the Dragon God. The distribution of money, grain, and goods was handled by the Yangshan Merchant Guild, also in accordance with the Dragon God's will. This was an absolute red line the army could not cross.

He Lingchuan ignored him, simply telling Du Shan, "Continue." "Furthermore, during the Dragon God's war," Du Shan continued, "the Lord's principle regarding minor officials and gentry merchants was 'no great evil, no prosecution.' Under what regulation could Peng Youfu 'punish' someone? Do you know that after Mr. Tian's leg was broken, his family endured a month and a half of verbal abuse and having feces thrown at their home? People even climbed over their wall to steal on three separate occasions. The fact that a Black Armor soldier had taken action against him implied that he was guilty! Since he was perceived as guilty, people felt justified in kicking him while he was down. Few in this world offer help in times of need, but many are eager to make things worse for someone already suffering. Mr. Tian's business became completely unsustainable locally. He couldn't collect payments and accumulated a massive debt. After this incident, over a dozen other merchants in Nantai Town gradually relocated." Other merchants, feeling their own vulnerability, naturally left due to a lack of security. "Peng Youfu enjoyed a moment of fleeting satisfaction, but these are the consequences."

Hearing this, He Lingchuan finally spoke: "I have stated that the Black Armor Army must 'not harm even a single hair' of the common people." The moment he spoke, everyone present immediately straightened up. Tao Ran dared not reply, though his lips twitched slightly. He Lingchuan instantly saw through his thoughts, and his gaze grew even colder: "Are merchants and gentry not considered 'people'? Who gave you the authority to exclude them?" At his words, a jolt went through the other generals present.

Tao Ran immediately lowered his head: "I was wrong, my Lord; please mete out my punishment!" He Lingchuan ignored him, merely turning to Ding Zuodong: "Have the local branch of the Yangshan Merchant Guild immediately contact Mr. Tian. Send him the best physician and help him establish two new businesses. Others will then naturally understand Yangshan's stance and will no longer kick him while he's down." Ding Zuodong immediately assented.

Only then did He Lingchuan turn to Tao Ran: "After the Central Campaign concludes, send two people to escort Peng Youfu to Mr. Tian's home to apologize in person. Ensure his attitude is sincere and proper. You failed to manage your subordinates strictly and conveyed instructions unclearly. You are to be punished with thirty military floggings. This will be recorded and settled after the war!" "Yes, my Lord!" Tao Ran's face flushed red, and he assented even more loudly.

The other generals present were also sobered, knowing that Du Shan's public presentation of this case had profound implications. The Dragon God Army was composed of a highly mixed group. While the Black Armor Army was an elite force personally trained by He Lingchuan, Qiu Hu, and Wanqimeng, the majority consisted of surrendered soldiers from various regions and outlaws. Among these were many petty thieves and ruthless highwaymen, embodying a thousand different intentions for every ten thousand people. The best way to control them was to enforce strict discipline, keep them from meddling with money or power, and absolutely ensure they did not break the rules. However, Peng Youfu's well-intentioned but misguided act was, at its core, a minor incident. Why then was it brought up publicly? The only reason was that the Dragon God intended to use it to warn everyone: Strictly restrain your subordinates and do not let them overstep their bounds!