The Savage Lady Wants to Kill Me! Reborn on the Path of Cultivation

Huang Guoan burst into tears and choked several times, saying: "The brothers who escaped from Yunzhong City told me that the city lord and his family were brutally murdered. The body of the city lord was even hung on the top of the city wall..."

Duan Tianyang sighed silently after hearing this. The fall of Yunzhong City made the neighboring Xiguan City like a clay Buddha crossing the river, unable to save itself.

Not only do they have to guard against the barbarians who may attack at any time, but they also have to be vigilant against sneak attacks by the rebels. They are attacked from both sides.

He patted Huang Guoan's shoulder gently and asked, "Master Huang, what are your plans next?"

Huang Guoan answered blankly: "I...I don't know what to do either."

The city lord was killed, the city guard chief died in battle, and as the battalion guard chief, what good strategy and solution could he have in the face of such a predicament? He could only take things one step at a time.

Duan Tianyang thought for a moment, then said solemnly: "In my opinion, Master Huang might as well take the brothers to garrison in Xiguan City first, and then we can make a long-term plan!"

"Thank you, Mr. Duan!" Huang Guoan responded gratefully.

The loss of Yunzhong City did put Xiguan City into an isolated and helpless situation, but it also unexpectedly brought Xiguan City an advantage - more than a thousand new troops.

Together with the less than a thousand soldiers in Xiguan City, it was just enough to gather two thousand people to form two battalions.

Duan Tianyang pointed to the city and invited, "Master Huang, let's go into the city!"

Huang Guoan and Duan Tianyang walked side by side into the city. Huang Guoan looked back as he walked and found many foreign women and children among the soldiers. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master Duan, who are these foreigners..."

Duan Tianyang said calmly, "Last night, we launched a war against the Xifan Kingdom and successfully annihilated the Qinba tribe that besieged Xiguan City last time. These captives are one of the results of last night's battle."

Huang Guohua's face flashed with astonishment. He asked in disbelief, "Master Duan, how many soldiers did you lead to the battle?"

"Five hundred people." Duan Tianyang answered concisely.

Huang Guohua could hardly believe his ears: "Master Duan, you...you only led 500 people to go to war?"

Duan Tianyang nodded and replied, "Yes, I only brought 500 people."

Huang Guohua's eyes widened. He quickly looked around and found that although some soldiers were injured, the overall number of people was still around four to five hundred and it did not seem that they had suffered too much loss.

He said in surprise: "As far as I know, the number of the Qinba tribe that attacked Xiguan City last time was nearly a thousand people."

Duan Tianyang smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with confidence: "Sir Huang, fighting a war is not just about the number of people. Strategy, courage and wisdom are equally important."

Huang Guohua remained silent after hearing this, and couldn't help but admire Duan Tianyang.

After entering the city, the team of soldiers became the focus of attention of the people in the city.

They gathered around the captured Chimba tribesmen, whispering and discussing among themselves.

Duan Tianyang acted promptly and ordered his men to temporarily detain these women and children in the prison cells in the city.

Afterwards, he instructed Jinbao and others to take silver from the captured spoils to reward the brave soldiers who had followed him into battle.

All soldiers who participated in the battle could receive a reward of five taels of silver, and the injured could receive ten taels.

As for those soldiers who unfortunately died in battle, their families will receive a pension of up to fifty taels.

In Xiguan City, such generous rewards are rare.

You know, the soldiers' monthly salary was only 500 copper coins, and it took ten months to barely scrape together five taels.

After this battle, the reward they received was equivalent to ten months' salary, which undoubtedly gave them great encouragement and motivation.

For the families of the fallen soldiers, fifty taels of pension is a huge sum of money, and in the eyes of ordinary people, it is almost an astronomical figure.

As the saying goes, there must be a brave man under a heavy reward!

Duan Tianyang knew very well that only generous rewards could eliminate the soldiers' cowardice and make them move forward bravely and fearlessly on the battlefield.

The reason why the future Hongxing Society's army can terrify the enemy and the soldiers are fearless like tigers descending from the mountains on the battlefield is not just because of their loyalty to Duan Tianyang, but more because of the generous reward system implemented by Duan Tianyang.

Under such encouragement, the soldiers disregarded life and death, and even regarded dying on the battlefield as the supreme honor.

Today, this strategy has begun to show results.

The triumphant soldiers, holding the generous reward in their hands, had unconcealable joy and pride on their faces.

Those soldiers who were unable to go to the war were extremely jealous and were eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to follow Duan Tianyang.

Huang Guoan was amazed when he saw the spoils brought into the City Guard House. The spoils of war, including gold, silver, jewelry, precious medicinal materials, mineral materials, and weapons, filled seven or eight boxes, and their value was inestimable.

Even if all of them were sold, they could still fetch an astronomical amount of wealth.

Who wouldn’t like money, a good thing?

Huang Guoan's eyes lingered on these trophies until Duan Tianyang walked into the lobby. He then woke up as if from a dream and hurried to greet him.

He sincerely said: "If Lord Duan has any war in the future, Guoan is willing to follow you, serve you at your side and do your best to serve you!"

Although Duan Tianyang held the same position as Guan Hu, that is, the battalion guard chief, but in the hall, Duan Tianyang sat firmly in the main seat while Guan Hu could only sit on the side.

Everyone present seemed accustomed to this, as if it were all natural.

At this moment, Huang Guoan finally understood why Jin Bao deliberately emphasized Duan Tianyang's position in the community rather than his military position when introducing him.

Although Guan Hu holds the title of city guard chief, the person who truly calls the shots in Xiguan City is Duan Tianyang.

However, there is still a mystery in Huang Guoan's mind: Why didn't Duan Tianyang personally serve as the city guard chief, but gave the position of city guard chief to Guan Hu?

As soon as Huang Guoan finished speaking, Guan Hu opened his mouth, revealing his full white teeth, and laughed loudly: "When Brother Tian leads the troops to the battle, not just anyone can go with him. It has to be our own brothers!"

Huang Guoan was stunned for a moment, then stood up nervously, and bowed to Duan Tianyang, saying: "After the fall of Yunzhong City, my brothers and I are now homeless. This time, I am grateful to Lord Duan for not abandoning me and my brothers. My brothers and I are willing to follow you until death!"

Duan Tianyang was delighted when he heard this. Xiguan City was in need of manpower, and the addition of Huang Guoan's thousand men would undoubtedly greatly enhance their strength.

He said with a smile: "Mr. Huang's joining is like timely help to our Xiguan City, and it is of great significance. I suggest that Mr. Huang continue to serve as the battalion guard chief in Xiguan City. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Lord Duan. No, thank you, Brother Tian!" Huang Guoan bowed again, his face full of gratitude.