Chapter 205 - Choosing Generals Part 1
Originally, since the potions had already been manufactured, they should’ve directly been distributed. However…Suo Jia suddenly realized that although he had 10,000 regular army members and 100,000 slave soldiers under his command, he didn’t actually have any way of leading them. That was because…all the high ranked military officers had been killed by him and the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes!
Suo Jia couldn’t help but break out into a cold sweat. Luckily, no enemies had attacked. Otherwise, under such circumstances, how was he supposed to organize everyone to meet the enemy head-on? How would Suo Jia’s commands be transmitted out?
Suo Jia hurriedly rang the alarm bell, gathering all of the soldiers together. Then…after preparing what he wanted to say, he quickly rushed to the public square. Just as before, the slave soldiers and regular army soldiers were all gathered there, listening to Suo Jia’s words.
Suo Jia looked at the sea of people and said in a heavy voice, “Everyone, I’m sure you all know that because the Naifa Family head rebelled, the high ranked military officials in the army were all killed. Now, you all no longer have generals, or any leaders. This is something that absolutely won’t do.”
Suo Jia continued, “Right now, I want everyone to elect leaders. These people must lead everyone to advance through life, work, marching the army, and fighting. As for the standards to be elected, those are up to you all to consider. It doesn’t matter what perspective you are judging them from.”
Hearing Suo Jia’s words, everyone began to discuss amongst themselves. Typically speaking, the commanding officers in the army were assigned by the higher-ups. This type of exclusive selection method had never been used before; it was definitely an original and creative method. Allowing everyone to select their commanding officers built their faith in their leaders.
Suo Jia bitterly smiled at the sight of the heated discussions below him. In reality, this was his solution to an issue he couldn’t solve. He didn’t understand the army that well, nor did he understand the prestige and popularity of people within the army. The candidates rashly appointed would not necessarily win over everyone’s hearts.
Of course, Suo Jia had also considered making the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes assume the position as commanding officers. However, in terms of ages, they weren’t much older than 20 years old. Supervising 60 year old soldiers was clearly not very appropriate. In addition, the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes didn’t have that time to waste.
Moreover, even if everyone accepted the lead of the Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes, they couldn’t possibly win over everyone’s confidence. Just being strong wasn’t good enough; one had to have things like prestige and reputation. These were the most important aspects. To these soldiers, what kind of credentials did these Angelic Six-Winged Phoenixes have to speak of?
A slave soldier near the platform said, “Sir, may I ask if we slave soldiers must also elect commanding officers?”
“Hm?” Suo Jia looked at the slave soldier in confusion and asked, “Do you mean to say that you guys have never had any commanding officers before?”
With a firm nod, the slave soldier bitterly smiled and said, “Of course not. We are driven out to the front lines in every battle; there’s absolutely no need for a commanding officer. All we have to do is charge forwards.”
“Ah…” Suo Jia pretty much understood what the slave soldier was saying. These slave soldiers were only viewed by others as cannon fodder to block the shower of arrows, and then attack the enemy’s formation. This was their only use.
Suo Jia firmly declared, “Of course you must choose. From today onwards, you guys will be like the regular army soldiers, and become authorized parts of the army. The commanding officers in charge of supervising the army not only have to be elected, but completely decided on!”
Naifa Lian lightly nudged Suo Jia from the side and said, “Young Master, that won’t do. If you let them become an official part of the army and unify them under one leader, a rebellion would lead to a major disaster. That is precisely why the soldiers aren’t allowed to choose their commanding officers.”
“That…” Suo Jia couldn’t help but frown at Naifa Lian’s words. He knew that he had thought of the matter as simpler than it was. He wasn’t the only cunning one in this world. Anything he came up with could be thought of by others. However, because of various reasons, others might not be able to actually carry out the same methods.
Suo Jia really wanted to take back his words. But since he had already said them, he couldn’t possibly retract them, especially since there were so many people witnessing it. He’d accept any amount of suffering now; otherwise, he wouldn’t call himself Suo Jia!
Suo Jia gritted his teeth and declared, “I don’t care if you revolt or not. If anyone rebels, it will definitely be because of something I did wrong. If I do well, even slave soldiers would support me.”
Suo Jia turned around to face the regular army camp and said, “As for you guys, you should hurry up and choose your commanding officers as well. I won’t interfere with how you select them but…I warn you all that these election rights are sacred, and must not be sullied. If anyone dares to commit fraud in this regard, the martial law will not take mercy, no matter who the perpetrator is!”
As soon as Suo Jia finished speaking, a Mengma Knight walked out from the formation and up to the platform. He first saluted respectfully to Suo Jia, then said, “Viscount Suo Jia, I believe…that there’s absolutely no need to continue this electing process!”
“Eh!” Suo Jia’s expression changed as he nervously thought to himself. Could it be…that these guys who were unwilling to follow his arrangements because of his young age?
The soldier continued, “Viscount Suo Jia, we’ve always had the best person for the job in mind. I believe…that everyone, not just me, feels the same!”
At this point, the soldier turned around and shouted, “Brothers, say it together: who is our ideal general?”
“General Harvey! General Harvey! General Harvey…” All the soldiers began to cry out. Seeing their excited and revering expressions, Suo Jia could tell that this Harvey’s prestige and reputation were at absolutely frightening levels. Nobody could possibly overwhelm him.
Suo Jia smiled and nodded, “Ok. Although I don’t know this General Harvey, I believe that someone so loved and respected must be a well-revered general. I have received everyone’s opinions!”
Suo Jia declared, “I wonder who this General Harvey is? I would like to invite him up so that my humble self can see his face!”
A steel armored knight walked out from the formation with large strides. Although he was only walking, the heroic spirit that radiated from his body was enough to draw anyone’s attention. This person was definitely not simple.
“Creak…” General Harvey walked up to Suo Jia and stretched out his right hand. He lifted his visor to reveal a dignified and solemn face. After flawlessly saluting, General Harvey said in a deep voice, “Soldier Harvey greets Viscount Suo Jia!”
“No, no, no…” Suo Jia smiled and shook his head at the greeting, “Didn’t you hear the shouts of the soldiers just now? You’re no longer a soldier anymore, but the general of the entire Mengma corps!”
Suo Jia paused and frowned for quite a while. He then firmly declared, “I will go and apply for a knights group soon. So aside from your status as a general, you will also be that knights group’s second in command!”
Suo Jia fell into deep thought, murmuring, “You guys are the pride of Dawn. Dawn is a hope, and hopes should be represented with green. That’s why…you will all become the Emerald Angels Knights group!”
“Emerald Angels Knights group?” General Harvey asked in confusion. He then nodded in praise as he said, “Indeed, choosing green is the right choice. Green not only represents hope, but also the earth element. We, the Mengma corps, are an earth-elemental unit! There’s no color more appropriate than this.”
“Hehe…” Suo Jia couldn’t help but smile at Harvey’s words. The Blood Angels mercenary group, the Dark Angels thief group, the Golden Angels merchant group, and the Emerald Angels Knights group were all established already. If he also established two other groups, the Azure Angels and the Radiant Angels, he’d have six major Angels groups. He alone could control all six; moreover, they were all peak-grade groups. When Suo Jia thought this, he couldn’t help but feel excited.
However, Suo Jia suddenly realized, he seemed to have already established the Emerald Angels adventure group. Wouldn’t he be repeating? Suo Jia bitterly smiled at Harvey, who currently had an expression of approval on his face. Suo Jia realized that now, he could only change the adventure group’s name to the Azure Angels! This Emerald Angels name would be given to the knights to use.
Thus, the Emerald (Green) Angels, the Azure (Blue) Angels, the Blood (Red) Angels, the Golden (Yellow) Angels, and the Dark (Black) Angels groups were all successfully established. Only the Radiant Angels group remained before Suo Jia’s expected goal was reached.