Chapter 546: Chapter 546: Balancing Authority with Kindness
Half an hour later, six people were caught and brought to the Martial Arts Arena of the Dao Camp.
They were all tied up, kneeling on the ground and shivering, with cloth stuffed in their mouths, they could only desperately make "mm-mm" sounds, each looking extremely pitiful.
Feng Hui, who was responsible for capturing them, knelt on one knee before Zhang Yuan, and shamefully said: "My Lord, we couldn’t find one Daoist Soldier. I’ve ordered a search in the city, but I failed to complete the task. Please punish me!"
As they say, better a fellow cultivator’s death than mine. Having survived in West Plain this long, Feng Hui knew how to assess the situation.
He realized that Zhang Yuan, being new in his position, intended to establish his authority by punishing those who defied military orders, so he executed the order without hesitation.
Even if among those kneeling in the arena were Feng Hui’s own relatives.
To this Deputy General, people so dull and ignorant were just burdens, better used by Zhang Yuan as a lesson to others.
That’s why he sealed their mouths!
Seeing through Feng Hui’s little schemes at a glance, Zhang Yuan didn’t care in the slightest, waving his hand and said: "You did well, meritorious without fault. You can handle the execution of these people."
Zhang Yuan spoke lightly, but Feng Hui was inwardly filled with respect.
He didn’t expect Zhang Yuan to let him carry out the execution?
Did Zhang Yuan know that among the six were his family members?
Feng Hui dared not think further.
The more he thought, the more terrified he became!
"What?"
The next moment, he heard Zhang Yuan’s indifferent voice: "Is there a problem?"
Feng Hui suddenly woke up, hurriedly and loudly replied: "Understood!"
He jumped to his feet, gritting his teeth as he drew his sword and strode towards the six.
The six knew their end was near; some collapsed in place, some were in tears, and others struggled desperately.
One young Martial Artist looked at Feng Hui with pleading eyes.
This one had close ties with Feng Hui, being of the latter’s younger generation, frequently gaining Feng Hui’s favor.
Becoming a Daoist Soldier was a result of Feng Hui’s nurturing.
Little did he know this favor would become a blade for his life!
Feng Hui forced himself not to look into his eyes, silently thinking: "Zi Ming, don’t blame Uncle San for being ruthless; blame no one but yourself for courting death, farewell!"
Crack!
With a swing, he beheaded the Daoist Soldier.
Having executed the most difficult target, Feng Hui showed no mercy to the others, his longsword swung and another five heads fell.
Bodies collapsed to the ground, and the sight of the bright red blood was shocking.
The hundreds of Daoist Soldiers and auxiliary soldiers present, witnessing this scene, felt nothing but awe and respect.
They no longer held Zhang Yuan in any contempt!
After Feng Hui completed the execution, Zhang Yuan, standing on the commanding platform, shouted deeply: "Brothers, you have worked hard defending West Plain, and you deserve rewards. Hence, starting next month, the Daoist Soldiers’ monthly pay increases by ten taels, and auxiliary soldiers by five taels!"
His words dropped, and the Martial Arts Arena fell silent.
The soldiers exchanged glances.
Feng Hui reacted first, immediately bowing and saluting: "Thank you, My Lord, for your generous gift. My Lord is mighty!"
Under his lead, others quickly followed suit.
Everyone knelt to give their grand salute: "Thank you, My Lord, for your generous gift. My Lord is mighty!"
In an instant, cries of mightiness echoed throughout the Dao Camp, even reaching further, with even the Daoist Government Office hearing it.
Whether Daoist Soldiers or auxiliary soldiers, they were all delighted.
Though their pay wasn’t low, living expenses in West Plain City were high. They had to both support their families and maintain their martial skills, making it not easy to bear.
For Zhang Yuan to raise their pay so generously upon taking office, who could not be grateful?
The initial tension and fear dissipated by more than half.
Everyone’s faces lit up with joy.
Only Feng Hui was worried, and after Zhang Yuan announced the gathering’s end, he immediately stepped forward to quietly say: "My Lord, pay distribution is in seven days, should we discuss the pay raise with Lord Fei?"
The Deputy General was worried about Zhang Yuan’s anger, so he carefully observed his expressions and actions, lowering his stance.
The Dao City’s expenses, including soldier salaries, didn’t come from the Sect’s funds.
This money was provided by the Daoist Government Office!
The Daoist Government Office controls the Dao City’s tax revenue, with the Daoist Official holding financial authority, thus having a grip over the Dao Camp.
Now with Zhang Yuan suddenly announcing a pay raise, it made sense to discuss this with Fei Hongming first.
But Feng Hui didn’t believe Zhang Yuan had discussed this with Fei Hongming.
In response, Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "No need, I’ll cover the silver myself."
What?
Feng Hui nearly lost his composure on the spot.
He found it hard to believe his ears, suspecting a hallucination.
Was Zhang Yuan really going to subsidize the soldiers from his own pocket?
Feng Hui had never encountered such a situation!
In the past, Dao Generals were considered virtuous if they didn’t withhold soldiers’ salaries, as their cultivation required significant resources, and the Sect’s provisions only covered part of the need.
Zhang Yuan’s actions left Feng Hui baffled, unable to resist reminding: "My Lord, this isn’t a small amount!"
With Daoist Soldiers receiving an additional ten taels, at full strength of three hundred men, it would cost an additional three thousand taels monthly.
With seven hundred auxiliary soldiers receiving five more taels, that’s another three thousand five hundred taels.
Overall, six thousand five hundred taels a month, with an annual expenditure exceeding seventy thousand!
Zhang Yuan sneered: "What’s this bit of silver?"
He had salvaged a vast amount of gold and silver treasures in the Great Dream Marsh, and gained numerous spoils from slaying enemies, currently storing at least a million silver taels in the Storage Space.
Even spending one hundred thousand annually, over three years, it’s merely three hundred thousand!
He didn’t lack money; only that the natural treasures he needed were hard to buy with gold and silver.
Furthermore, the money Zhang Yuan spent wouldn’t go unrewarded.
As long as he wished, he had numerous ways to retrieve it tenfold!
Feng Hui was left speechless.
Zhang Yuan’s tone and expression were genuine; he truly didn’t mind the silver, displaying immense wealth.
It must be said, such a method of distributing money really worked.
Just after assuming his position, this mix of reward and threat won over the Dao Camp’s hearts.
Even Feng Hui was tempted to pledge allegiance.
Despite his youth, this superior truly got things done!
Yet Feng Hui never knew, if he wanted to pledge allegiance, Zhang Yuan would dismiss such a seasoned rogue from the martial world!
After contemplating, Feng Hui asked: "My Lord, should you pay a visit to the Daoist Government Office?"
"We’ll see."
Zhang Yuan lazily replied: "Lord Fei is busy, and so am I, no need to bother."
Feng Hui was taken aback.
Zhang Yuan was clearly set against Fei Hongming, showing no respect to this Daoist Official!
Recalling last night at Chunjiang Building, Feng Hui felt as if a million ants crawled inside his heart.
However, Zhang Yuan turned his back and left without a glance.
