"Eros, how much did I improve this time?" Søren asked.
Eros said, "Because you improved Strength and Dexterity this time, in terms of archer cultivation, you are already an intermediate six-star. In terms of swordsman cultivation, you are already an intermediate three-star swordsman. "
Søren was overjoyed. Although the breakthrough this time was far from the Dragonflame Ruins, it was already much stronger than he had imagined.
Moreover, he had Eros, which allowed him to use Dragon Force multiple times. Most importantly, he was an intermediate six-star Spirit Master, which was the most overpowered. Therefore, even if he faced a high-level warrior, he would still be able to put up a fight.
The improvement this time was entirely due to Suo Hanyi. Perhaps this would be the last contribution of his so-called adopted son.
Søren left the quiet room and walked to the small meeting room outside.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Suo Danchen and Suo Danyu knelt on one knee.
Previously, they did not have this kind of etiquette for Suo Hanyi. Basically, they only bowed and did not kneel, because Suo Hanyi was only their superior, not their Majesty.
Søren waved for them to rise, then found a chair and sat down.
Ye Jingyu came forward and served an exquisite breakfast.
Søren held fresh fruits and cheese in his hands and ate heartily, drinking goat milk and red wine as he ate.
He had hidden them well and ate indiscriminately. Not only did he eat cheese, but he also ate lamb chops. Not only did he drink cow and goat milk, but he also drank wine.
Suo Danchen got up, still bowing respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, Tianshui City has been completely taken. Four thousand rebels have been disarmed and escorted out of the city. They are currently locked up in the northern city guard camp. "
Søren swallowed the last mouthful of lamb chops and said, "Let's go take a look."
…
After walking out of the mayor's residence, Søren boarded a carriage and headed out of the city.
At this time, the entire Tianshui City fell into a strange silence.
Most people did not know that the weather had changed, but they could faintly feel a terrifying aura. Because last night, a large number of troops had been mobilized, and there had been sporadic battles.
Early this morning, the city guards had issued an announcement that all citizens were to stay at home and not go out.
The ones who were more uneasy were the city guards themselves. Although they did not receive any clear information, they had already heard some rumors.
However, they were the most professional soldiers. No matter how uneasy they were, they still had to obey orders.
Suo Danchen hesitated for a while, then came to Søren's side and said, "Your Majesty, the City Guards are a little uneasy. Would you like to talk to them?"
Søren shook his head and said, "No need."
"Yes." Although Suo Danchen did not understand, he could only obey the order. However, he felt that Søren was unfathomable. He was also worried that His Majesty had a deep prejudice against the city guards.
Does Søren have any prejudice against the city guards? No.
On the contrary, he felt that this was a very outstanding army. Although their individual combat strength might not be as good as the mercenaries that Yan Yan had brought, they still lacked actual combat experience. However, in terms of loyalty and obedience, they were far superior to mercenaries.
That day, Suo Hanyi pretended to be assassinated. Under a pincer attack from both inside and outside, Tianshui City fell. However, the city guards did not suffer a crushing defeat. Instead, they fought to the death to escort Suo Hanyi out of Tianshui City. Then, in less than half a month, the scattered soldiers returned to the team and gathered by Suo Hanyi's side.
Suo Hanyi and Yan Nu trained this army very well. This army's loyalty to the Suo Clan never changed. It was just that they chose to be loyal to Suo Hanyi's Suo Clan.
It was also because of this reason that Princess Zhi Ning let them stay in Tianshui City and did not transfer them to Tianlang Pass to fight against Søren's army.
Their current uneasiness was that they had temporarily lost their direction and were worried about their own fate.
This city guards were all born in Tianshui City. They were absolutely professional soldiers. Their families were allocated fields and houses, and they received a certain monthly salary. Within the territory of Tianshui City, they were relatively wealthy and had a relatively high status.
Once Søren removed them from the army, they would have nothing.
… …
A few miles out of the north gate, they arrived at the barracks of the Tianshui City Guards.
Normally, the city guards were mostly training in the barracks. Only a few were stationed in Tianshui City. However, with the approaching war, the entire city guards were stationed in the main city. The northern barracks were empty.
The entire barracks covered an area of tens of thousands of acres. There were specialized horse farms, archery ranges, etc.
Just the castle complex alone covered an area of a thousand acres, like a small town.
On the drill ground of the castle, Søren saw the four thousand captured rebel soldiers. Every one of them was disarmed and even stripped of their clothes. They were only wearing unlined clothes as they squatted on the huge drill ground, shivering in the cold.
Although Tianshui City was located in the south and it was not cold, it was still winter at this time.
On the high walls surrounding the drill ground, there were thousands of crossbows aimed at them. The entire castle also had two thousand fully armed city guards guarding them. If this group of prisoners showed the slightest sign of rebellion, they would be shot and executed in the shortest time possible.
"What were the casualties of the city guards last night?" Søren asked.
Suo Danchen said: "Negligible. These rebels used to be the second-line militia of their respective territories. They were forcibly armed by Nurdan and the others. Such an army, the city guards can fight against several of them. Last night's battle lasted less than an hour, and these rebels only suffered less than two hundred casualties before they all knelt down and surrendered. "
Søren stood on the balcony of the castle, overlooking the four thousand rebel captives on the drill ground.
Soon, he would lead the city guards south to Tianlang Pass and attack Tianlang Pass from the front and back with Yan Yan's army. These four thousand rebel captives were left in the rear, unable to do anything but spoiling things. In case of chaos, it would also be a problem.
Therefore, the simplest way was to kill them all.
Søren did have this impulse, but his reason quickly suppressed it. After all, these were four thousand living people, and they were all his people. They were not even bad people, nor did they have the intention to rebel against the Suo clan. It was all for the money to eat.
Søren looked at these rebel captives and said lightly: "My name is Søren! The Earl of Tianshui, the Lord of Tianshui City, the monarch you want to rebel against. "
Suddenly, all the captives looked at Søren with unease, their eyes full of fear. They, who were tightly dressed in unlined clothes, were even more cold and shivering.
Not only the rebel captives, but also the city guards looked at him. They were also very worried about their fate.
"All rebels should be executed." Søren said bluntly.
The four thousand rebel captives suddenly trembled in fear and immediately knelt down to beg for mercy.
"Nurdan and the other high-ranking warrior lords, all must die. All the centurions and above in the rebel army must die. All the ten captains must be demoted to slaves. " "But as the lowest level of soldiers, you don't have to die because you're ignorant." Soran declared straightforwardly.
More than four thousand rebel captives suddenly felt that they had escaped from death and breathed a sigh of relief.
"How much a month's salary is for you to work for Nurdan and the others?" Søren suddenly asked.
These rebel captives looked at each other and didn't know how to answer for a while.
"One silver coin a month." A captive said cautiously: "When fighting, three silver coins."
One silver coin was equivalent to three hundred yuan on the earth. This salary was really low. No wonder Nurdan and the others went crazy and gathered thirty thousand rebels at most.
"The day after tomorrow at the latest, the other rebels of Nurdan will all be wiped out." Søren said in a very relaxed tone, and did not mention Zhi Ning at all.
Because, in the eyes of all the soldiers, this war from beginning to end was the war between Søren, Suo Hanyi, Nurdan and the others. They didn't even know who Princess Zhi Ning was.
"After the war is over, most of you will be able to return home. Those who need to farm, those who need to work, work." Søren said: "If you want to continue to be a soldier, you have to pass a strict screening. Only those with excellent physique and martial arts can continue to serve in the army and fill the ranks of the city guards. Because after the war, the city guards will be expanded to ten thousand! "
Søren's words were not only for the rebel captives to hear, but more importantly for the city guards to hear.
Sure enough, after hearing Søren's words, all the city guards present were completely overjoyed, and their worries disappeared.
Not only would the city guards not be reduced, but they would also be expanded, which meant that their jobs were saved, and their military status and grain fields would not be taken back.
"How much is the salary of the city guards now?" Søren turned around and asked.
"Three silver coins a month." Suo Danchen said: "Whether in war or in peace, it is always three silver coins, but part of it is paid in grain."
Søren said: "Increase, in the future, the lowest salary of the city guards will be increased to five silver coins a month."
As soon as these words came out, Suo Danchen and others' eyes suddenly brightened. All the city guards present were ecstatic, and their faces were full of disbelief.
His salary had increased from three silver coins to five silver coins. It was almost double the salary. And they didn't need to spend money at all in the barracks. They could save more than one gold coin a year, which was enough for their families to live a good life.
For a moment, the uneasiness in the hearts of all the city guards disappeared completely, and was replaced by ecstasy and excitement.
As for the change from loyalty to Suo Hanyi to loyalty to Søren, it was much easier for ordinary soldiers.
Because Suo Hanyi didn't have much direct contact with the soldiers, but more with the officers, so the feelings and loyalty of the officers above the centurion level to Suo Hanyi were particularly deep.
These soldiers were loyal to the Suo enterprise, and the most important thing was their own rice bowls and future.
Suo Danchen next to him admired Søren in his heart. Søren didn't say a word to the city guards, but every word was said to them. A few simple words made the city guards uneasy, and it didn't seem to buy people's hearts at all.
And the 4,000 rebel captives below were also very excited. Not only could they survive, but they could also become the superior city guards, and they could get a salary of three silver coins a month. In a short time, the old masters, such as Nurdan, were forgotten.
Suo Danchen immediately gave them a look.
Suddenly, one of the captives shouted: "Long live King Søren, long live King Søren!"
Then all the captives shouted long live Søren.
Not only that, more than 4,000 captives knelt down to show their loyalty.
On the contrary, the soldiers of the city guards were proud. Although they were excited, they wouldn't show it so superficially.
Søren turned his head and whispered to Suo Danchen: "Give each captive a coat, but still don't wear warm clothes. Make the porridge thicker every day, but don't let them eat too much."
Suo Danchen was very excited, because this was the first time that Søren slightly turned his face to talk to him, and his attitude was a little closer.
At this time, he deeply felt the difference between Suo Hanyi and Søren.
Although Suo Hanyi was strict, he confided in the officers, and there was a vague sense of equality.
Lord Sauron, on the other hand, had always been high and mighty. You couldn't see or understand him clearly, but the occasional closeness between them would make you extremely excited and overwhelmed by the favor.
Therefore, Suo Hanyi could only be a general, and Søren was the real king.
In fact, Suo Hanyi could only promote you to a military position at most, but Søren could give you land and manors, confer titles, and bring honor and status to your family.
"Yes, King," Suo Danchen said excitedly.
Søren said: "Leave 2,000 men to guard Tianshui City, and the remaining 4,000 soldiers follow me south to eliminate the rebels in Sirius Pass."
"Yes." Suo Danchen knelt down on one knee.
…
In the evening.
Outside Tianshui City, the 4,000 city guards were all assembled. 2,000 cavalry and 2,000 infantry.
Søren rode the Lion Tiger back and forth to inspect the army. Every soldier who was stared at by him felt great pressure.
And their warhorses also trembled slightly under the gaze of the Lion Tiger.
"There are 19,000 enemy troops in Sirius Pass." Søren said: "Among them, 4,000 are the Black Uniform Army, 10,000 are the rebels of Nurdan, and 5,000 are the Linhai Army of Guiqin Canal."
All the soldiers present gradually got used to Søren's style of speech. It was not sensational or heroic.
"And we also have 19,000 people," Søren said: "4,000 city guards, 15,000 Lord Yan Yan's Silver Wolf Army."
Everyone present had heard of Silver Wolf Yan Yan's name. Because Yan Yan also came from Tianshui City, he was the famous King of Mercenaries in the whole kingdom.
"19,000 against 19,000." Søren did not hide the harshness on his face: "But in my eyes, the enemy's 19,000 are completely useless. The more troops there are, the better. Even if there are a million idiots, it is useless. "
Hearing the word "idiots", the soldiers present were slightly stunned. This King really had a distinct personality.
"Trash army, you saw it last night, 4,000 rebels were all taken down by you in less than two hours." Søren said with a smile: "The day before yesterday, I spent gold coins to hire an army of more than 10,000 ruffians, but they were so scared by your Lord Suohanyi's roar that they wet their pants and ran away."
As soon as these words came out, the city guards present could no longer hold back their laughter.
"There are at least thousands of such trash in Sirius Pass." Søren said disdainfully: "A mere 19,000 troops, divided into three factions, this is the enemy we will face."
The city guards originally did not have much fear, and at this time, after hearing Søren's words, they were even less afraid of the battle of Sirius Pass.
"What about our 19,000 troops?" Søren said: "This woman beside me, Yan Nai 'er, is Lord Yan Yan's daughter. Just two months ago, she led 1,000 people in the western desert and defeated 50,000 Amano City coalition forces. You did not hear wrong, 1,000 people defeated 50,000 troops. This is the Silver Wolf Legion, there are no less than 15,000 people in Sirius Pass. "
"In addition to the Silver Wolf Legion, there are also 4,000 city guards in front of us." Søren said: "I don't know your fighting strength, but you know it yourself. But if you want me to know, then show me in the next battle. Don't lose the face of my Suo Clan's Guard Army. "
Søren's tone was very calm, but it also made the blood of the city guards present boil.
Fighting side by side with them was a legendary army, an army that could defeat 10,000 troops. This army gave them a sense of security, but also brought them great pressure. You are so strong, we are not vegetarians, let us compete.
"Finally!" Søren raised his finger and said: "One head of the enemy can be exchanged for one gold coin, no delay."
As soon as these words came out, all the city guards present almost went crazy.
One head for one gold coin, this, this was a completely sky-high price, almost equal to their previous two years of salary, no less than three to four times the price of hunting barbarian heads in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
If they killed three or four enemy troops, they would directly become rich.
All the officers and soldiers present felt their blood was really boiling, they could not wait to fly to Sirius Pass and harvest their heads for gold coins.
"Let's go, kill the enemy, earn your gold coins." Søren roared loudly.
"Kill, kill, kill …"
The morale of the 4,000 city guards was high, their murderous aura soaring to the sky, majestically swept south, advancing towards Sirius Pass.
"Long live the Lord!"
"Flatten Sirius Pass!"
… …
In Sirius Pass, Zhi Ning was a little uneasy, but she could not find the reason.
Every day, the messenger hawks from Tianshui City were still normal, and the latest news were all good news.
For example, the latest news, Søren used gold coins to hire more than 10,000 local ruffians to attack Tianshui City, but they were scared witless by Suo Hanyi's shout.
Then, Suo Hanyi led 2,000 cavalrymen and chased for hundreds of miles, Søren was dead for sure.
Zhi Ning also despised Søren. Although he was smart, he did not understand military affairs at all, which was why he was in such a difficult situation.
She believed that by now, Søren had either become a ghost under Suo Hanyi's sword, or a prisoner, suffering all kinds of humiliation.
Outside Sirius Pass, Yan Yan's army was still building fortifications.
The two armies were still staring at each other from a few miles away, but they did not start fighting.
It had been eight or nine days since the start of the war, and the provisions brought by Søren's army should be almost used up.
At most, in a few days, when the enemy's provisions were all used up, they would fall into chaos without a fight.
Yan Yan would not wait until the day they ran out of food and ammunition. At that time, he would definitely be forced to attack Sirius Pass.
At that time, Zhi Ning would lead an army of 19,000, relying on the fortification of the city, and could easily annihilate Yan Yan's army.
She was not wrong at all, Yan Yan's mercenaries were good at fighting in the field, not at sieging cities. If it really happened as Zhi Ning predicted, Yan Yan's army would definitely lose, and there would be countless casualties.
Therefore, Zhi Ning made full use of her strengths and avoided her weaknesses, without the slightest mistake.
Her only mistake was that the battlefield was ever-changing. Once she lost the initiative on the battlefield, it meant defeat.
And now, Zhi Ning had long lost the initiative.
When she did not attack Yan Yan's army at the first moment, she had already lost the initiative.
After Søren killed Suo Hanyi, she had lost the initiative on the entire battlefield.
… …
Thus, time passed day by day, Zhi Ning was still waiting for Yan Yan's army to run out of provisions.
For some reason, the feeling of unease in her heart was getting heavier and heavier, but she could not find the reason.
After another two and a half days, a messenger rushed into Sirius Pass, shouting hoarsely, "Suo Hanyi has died in battle, Søren has seized Tianshui City, and is leading his army south, less than two hundred miles away from Sirius Pass."
As soon as the messenger finished speaking, his body directly fell from the back of the horse, falling to the ground dead, with an arrow stuck in his back.
This news was like a bolt from the blue, Zhi Ning only felt her vision go black, dizzy, and then there was a surge of pain in her chest.
"Pfft …" She suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Princess Zhi Ning directly fainted on the ground, unconscious.
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