Chapter 18

If there's a problem, find the boss.

As a result, Li Xian found himself in a situation like a lamb entering a tiger's den, being conscripted by the boss—“Brother, you are here to be a military commander, how can you run off to do other things?”

Actually, Li Xian hadn't forgotten his appointment. He was very clear that Wang Chuan had sent him here with no good intentions—if Li Xian had directly expressed his intention to take over military power, it would inevitably lead to a falling out with Li Liang.

Military power is the most important authority, especially in the current precarious situation of the Great Xia Kingdom; even close brothers are wary of this.

Therefore, under Xu Ren's guidance, Li Xian never mentioned the position of military commander and focused solely on developing his factory.

As a result, Li Liang voluntarily handed over military power and clearly stated: in this time of impending collapse, Li Xian must learn to lead troops and fight, otherwise he cannot protect the Li family's legacy. Li Liang's meaning was clear—close brothers, father and son in battle; it is precisely because of the impending collapse that the family needs to unite the most.

So, Li Xian eagerly came to the military camp. As a military commander, Li Xian needed to manage all aspects of the army, from politics to military affairs, from daily life to salaries, almost like a combination of a general and a nanny.

"Assembly!" Song Xing conveyed the order on behalf of Li Xian.

Tens of thousands of soldiers assembled on the spot, all except those necessary to guard the border.

"Wang Jian, late Foundation Establishment stage, responsible for the upper army of ten thousand, mainly for charging."

"Chang Lin, late Foundation Establishment stage, responsible for the middle army of ten thousand, mainly for defense and mobile combat."

"Cheng Jiming, late Foundation Establishment stage, responsible for the lower army of ten thousand, mainly for archery, spells, and other long-range attacks."

Li Xian looked around, feeling a surge of heroism. As the saying goes, once a number exceeds ten thousand, it becomes boundless. Li Xian truly experienced this feeling, standing on the platform, he couldn't see the end, surrounded by fluttering banners and the cold, deadly gleam of weapons.

A sea breeze blew, stirring the banners and brushing past the blades, as if spreading a sense of killing intent.

The three thousand soldiers were all true elites and the main protective force of Anyang City. The army was not short of Foundation Establishment stage experts, and almost all the soldiers were at the fifth level of Qi Cultivation or above.

Moreover, although this army was nominally the state's, it had long become the private army of the Li family.

Li Xian, hands behind his back, walked naturally and confidently in front of the three generals, seemingly oblivious to the doubtful looks in their eyes.

Stopping at the edge of the platform, Li Xian asked calmly and naturally, "Three generals, why did you join the army?"

"Huh?"

Not just the three generals, even Xu Ren, the great strategist, was momentarily at a loss. What was the young master up to?

To be honest, Li Xian's leap was really too big!

Li Xian turned to look at the three generals, his gaze direct and calm, yet with a faint sense of pressure. Although Li Xian had only been in this world for a short time, he already had a certain air of authority.

Under Li Xian's gaze, the three generals unconsciously lowered their spirits.

"Answer me!" Li Xian's voice rose.

"I... I... initially just to make a living," Wang Jian said, somewhat embarrassed.

"To obtain cultivation resources provided by the military," Chang Lin said straightforwardly.

"Both," Cheng Jiming was even simpler.

Li Xian then asked, "And now?"

No response.

Li Xian turned to Xu Ren, "Mr. Xu, what was your initial reason for deciding to be a strategist?"

Xu Ren, a strategist who lived by his wits, immediately understood Li Xian's meaning: "Two goals. First, to prove my own value; second, to do something meaningful for the people. These goals may be distant, but I will persist and strive tirelessly."

Hearing Xu Ren's words, the three generals suddenly felt ashamed and lowered their heads.

Li Xian spoke at the right moment, "Three generals, I believe that as a true general, one must understand why they fight, to strengthen their resolve. Only with firm resolve can one become a renowned general.

Whether for personal reasons, for family, or even for the people, these can all be your pursuits.

Think about it, three generals. You don't need to tell me, just think it through yourselves."

Then Li Xian turned to face the three thousand soldiers below the platform, using his eighth-level Qi Cultivation true essence, his voice like thunder, "Brave warriors, do you want to be generals?"

Li Xian's sudden, crazy shout left everyone stunned again, unsure how to respond.

Li Xian raised his hand and continued, "I've heard that a soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. Now, tell me loudly, do you want to be a general?"

Li Xian's words made several young officers' eyes light up. A few weak voices emerged.

"I didn't hear you clearly, say it louder."

"Want."

"Not loud enough, soft like a woman. Louder!"

"Want!"

"Not loud enough!"

"Want! Want! Want!" The three thousand roared, a spirit of indomitable will rising to the sky.

Li Xian placed his hands flat, the roar gradually subsiding; but at this moment, the soldiers had clearly changed, each one like a waking tiger, invincible.

When the noise subsided, Li Xian shouted, "If you want it, you must work hard, cultivate hard, and study hard. Only those who are well-prepared can seize the opportunity when it comes.

My name is Li Xian, the new military commander. I won't speak in empty platitudes. Let's wait and see the changes to come. I'll just say one thing: if you don't want to be eliminated, you must work hard. Your fate is in your own hands!"

After his passionate speech, Li Xian ignored the somewhat shocked expression on Xu Ren's face and went directly to the three generals, "Three generals, I have a question. Do you know the mineral resources around here? Not just iron and jade mines, but also limestone, copper mines, and even unique places."

Li Xian's shift was significant, but the three generals quickly reacted. Chang Lin said, "Commander, I know. I've marked all the special places around here for map-making. I don't know about the minerals, but I know all the special places. There are a few places that might have iron and copper mines. The soldiers have even picked up malachite to play with."

"Hmm..." Li Xian was momentarily at a loss for words. Directly demanding the information would be disheartening. Should he offer money or other rewards? Li Xian was unsure.

At this critical moment, the strategist stepped in. Xu Ren immediately said, "Young master, I once saw a military map transaction, a map of ten miles was worth five taels of gold."

Li Xian was immediately delighted, not caring whether Xu Ren had really seen it or not. If a problem can be solved with money, it's not a problem. "Do the three generals have relevant maps? Don't worry about duplicates, as long as you can provide them, I'll buy them at five taels of gold per ten miles."

"Yes, yes." The three generals were overjoyed, like a pie falling from the sky.

Through this purchase, Li Xian thoroughly won the acceptance of the three generals—this young master doesn't seem to be a fool after all.

Maps were quickly delivered, and Li Xian paid 600 taels of gold on the spot, to the satisfaction of both sides.

With the maps in hand, Li Xian irresponsibly left the soldiers behind and focused on finding mineral resources. Compared to current military power, Li Xian valued technology more.

This search brought Li Xian great joy; he found two substantial iron mines, one copper mine, one relatively poor silver mine, and several chromium and manganese mines.

The mineral resources in the Immortal Realm seemed particularly abundant. Searching just a county-sized area, he found so many resources, truly a land of plenty.

(End of AD)