Chapter 22: Promoting Talent

The generals present were filled with excitement, suddenly feeling that following the Sixth Prince into battle might not be such a bad thing after all. At the very least, this prince treated them like human beings, and he was not the least bit stingy when it came to provisions. Even if they were to die on the battlefield, they would at least be well-fed ghosts. As for his command ability, that seemed less important now.

After Li Ye issued his first order, what he said next left all the officers overjoyed. "I have no experience in leading troops, and the terrain where the bandits are holed up is incredibly complex—easy to defend and difficult to attack. You all have rich combat experience, and I wish to hear your suggestions. Whether you are a common soldier or a high-ranking officer, any good advice is welcome. If a suggestion is adopted, the soldier will be promoted to an officer, and officers will be directly elevated in rank. As long as you have talent, I will promote you. Do not worry about being unable to earn merit! Just show me what you can do!"

As the order spread, everyone from the lowest private to the highest commander felt immense joy. In ancient times, military rank was strictly tied to one's lineage, and officers held absolute authority. It was unheard of for a commander to heed the suggestions of a mere soldier. Yet, in the heat of battle, soldiers often noticed when their superiors made common-sense errors. Though they felt dissatisfied, they dared not speak out; even if they did, they were ignored or even faced harsh punishment. They had no choice but to entrust their lives to their commanders.

The order issued by Li Ye, inviting everyone to suggest strategies—and promising generous rewards for doing so—set the veterans abuzz with excitement. They possessed a wealth of combat experience and knew how to identify an enemy's weaknesses. Because Li Ye promised there would be no punishment for offering a suggestion that wasn't used, and guaranteed promotion for any idea that was, they were all eager to contribute.

In a short while, a flurry of ideas emerged. Some proposed a "scorched earth" policy to cut off the bandits on Vulture Mountain, besieging them until they ran out of supplies. Others argued that Vulture Mountain was vast, and the bandits were already self-sufficient; even without raiding, they could survive for years on stored grain and their own crops. Some suggested using fire to burn the bandits out when the winds were high, while others proposed finding the water supply and poisoning it, reasoning that without water, the enemy would surely collapse on their own. Still others suggested a siege followed by an offer of amnesty, aiming to resolve the banditry with minimal casualties.

These various methods opened Li Ye's eyes. Although some were quite ruthless, there was no denying their effectiveness. He immediately promoted those who had offered the best suggestions: soldiers were elevated to squad leaders, squad leaders to captains, captains to higher-ranking officers, and existing officers were moved up a grade. Along with their new ranks, their pay was increased, and they were given silver rewards.

The soldiers who received the money could hardly believe their eyes. The speed of the rewards was staggering; from the moment they gave their advice to the moment they received their promotion and silver, not even an hour had passed.

Suddenly, the morale of the entire force shifted dramatically. From initial despair, they now believed that victory was highly likely. If they were rewarded this generously just for offering an opinion, wouldn't everyone be able to rise in rank and wealth if they actually defeated the bandits? They were all itching for a fight, impatient to set out. A leader like the Sixth Prince was the commander they had dreamed of.

Lin Yue was completely awestruck by Li Ye. Even as an outsider, she could clearly feel that the spirit and demeanor of the army had undergone a complete transformation.

Li Ye's actions were deliberate; he sought to identify and elevate useful talent. Being able to offer a sound suggestion proved that these soldiers were capable of strategic thinking and were well-suited for leadership. By promoting them immediately upon his arrival, he gave hope to those who had previously been overlooked. They would surely be fiercely loyal to him, obeying his commands like an extension of his own will. They knew their future now rested in Li Ye's hands, and he was remarkably reliable. Naturally, they longed for victory.

By the time the meal was finished, the army had been rebuilt; its spirit had undergone a total metamorphosis. The air was thick with the desire for battle and a surging murderous intent. All the soldiers stood straight, their eyes resolute. Anyone who saw them would agree that this was truly an elite force.

Satisfied with the spirit shown by his troops, Li Ye waved his hand: "Move out!" They had not even engaged the enemy yet, but they had already formulated several tactical plans; there was no longer any worry about how to fight the battle at Vulture Mountain.

News from the camp also reached the Emperor. After all, this was his son's first time leading an army, and he was bound to pay close attention. However, upon hearing that the men sent to Li Ye were nothing but the old, the weak, and the disabled, Li Xuantian was once again burned with fury. If he hadn't sent his own men to keep watch, he might never have known the true reason for Li Ye's potential failure.

Li Xuantian's expression was grim. "Have you found out who intentionally selected those old and crippled soldiers for the Sixth Prince?"

"On the surface, it was the Ministry of War, but in reality, it was the Crown Prince behind it."

Li Xuantian narrowed his eyes, his gaze icy. "If not for his associating with the Yunlu Pavilion, I would never have known he was capable of such beastly actions, trying to dispose of the Sixth Prince through such methods."

Li Xuantian could tolerate the Crown Prince forming cliques or using his power to line his pockets, but he would never allow a prince of the realm to lower himself to curry favor with the people of the Yunlu Pavilion, nor would he allow him to hunt down his own brothers. If he were this ruthless now, would he turn on his own father when he grew old? The conclusion was obvious. Li Xuantian could not take such a risk.

"Pass down the order: have General Zhao Wudi of the Flying Dragon Guard lead two thousand elite cavalry and set out immediately. Secretly protect Li Ye's safety. He must not come to any harm. If the Sixth Prince is defeated, bring him back."

"Understood!"

Despite all that had happened, Li Xuantian still wanted to see how Li Ye would handle the situation. He ordered his men to continue their surveillance. If Li Ye were dissatisfied and came to complain, it would prove he was nothing more than a mediocrity, not worth cultivating. But if he could eliminate the bandit threat with these five thousand old and weak soldiers, it would prove that Li Ye possessed top-tier military talent.

Because the power of the Yunlu Pavilion had grown so rapidly in recent years, even beginning to infiltrate the court and the army, Li Xuantian felt a sense of grave crisis. The Crown Prince's performance had left him deeply disappointed. He had to find a son who was intelligent and resilient, someone who could handle powerful enemies, and cultivate him to inherit the throne. If the Crown Prince continued to be incompetent, even if it meant stripping him of his title and naming a new heir, he would never let the empire fall under the control of the Yunlu Pavilion.