World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 313 - 180: Long live Suo Lun! Zhi Ning spurts blood!_2

Chapter 313: 180: Long live Suo Lun! Zhi Ning spurts blood!_2

Suo Lun stood on the balcony of the castle, looking down at the four thousand rebel prisoners on the parade ground.

He would soon lead the City Defense Army south to Tianlang Pass, and coordinate a pincer attack on Tianlang Pass with Yan Yan’s Army. Leaving these four thousand rebel prisoners in the rear was a liability rather than an asset; should they cause chaos, it would spell trouble.

So the simplest solution was to wipe them out cleanly.

Suo Lun did indeed have that impulse, but his rationality quickly suppressed it. These were, after all, four thousand living people, and moreover, they were his own subjects. They were not bad people, nor did they harbor intentions to betray the Suo; they were simply fighting to earn their bread.

Suo Lun looked at these rebel prisoners and said indifferently, "I am Suo Lun! Count Tianshui, City Lord of Tianshui City, also the lord whom you sought to rebel against."

Instantly, all the prisoners looked towards Suo Lun with uneasiness, their eyes filled with terror. Clad only in their thin clothes, they shivered even more in the cold.

Not only the rebel prisoners, but the soldiers of the City Defense Army also looked towards him; they too were very concerned about their fate.

"All the rebels should be executed," Suo Lun stated bluntly.

The four thousand rebel prisoners trembled with fear at once, immediately ready to kneel and beg for mercy.

"Nurdan and other high-ranking Samurai lords, all must die; centurions among the rebels, all must die. Squad leaders, all shall be demoted to slaves," Suo Lun declared without mincing words. "However, as the lowest-ranking soldiers, you, who were ignorant and unaware, will not need to die."

The four thousand plus rebel prisoners immediately felt as if they had escaped from death’s clutches and breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"You sold your lives to people like Nurdan for how much pay each month?" Suo Lun suddenly asked.

The rebel prisoners looked at each other, not sure how to answer.

"One silver coin a month," a prisoner ventured cautiously. "During wartime, three silver coins."

A single silver coin is equivalent to three hundred units of Earth’s currency; indeed, the pay was very low, no wonder Nurdan and others were driven to madness, at times rallying up to thirty thousand rebels.

"By the day after tomorrow, the rest of Nurdan’s rebels will be annihilated," Suo Lun said in a very relaxed tone, without even mentioning Zhi Ning.

Because, in the eyes of all the soldiers, the war from beginning to end was a conflict between Suo Lun, Suo Hanyi, Nurdan, and others, while Commandery Princess Zhining was unknown to them.

"After the end of the war, the majority of you can go home, to farm if you must farm, to work if you must work," Suo Lun continued. "Those who wish to continue being soldiers must go through a strict screening, with only those possessing exceptional physical fitness and martial skills allowed to continue serving in the army, filling the ranks of the City Defense Army. Because, after the war, the City Defense Army will be expanded to ten thousand!"

These words from Suo Lun were not only meant for the rebel prisoners, but more importantly, they were for the City Defense Army to hear.

Indeed, hearing Suo Lun’s words, all the present members of the City Defense Army were delighted beyond expectation, their concerns completely dispelled.

The City Defense Army would not only avoid reduction, but it was also going to be expanded, meaning that their livelihoods were secured; their military status and their allocated farmlands would not be repossessed.

"What is the current pay for the City Defense Army?" Suo Lun turned his head to ask.

"Three silver coins a month," Suo Danchen answered. "It’s the same during peacetime and wartime, three silver coins, though a portion is paid in grain."

Suo Lun declared, "Increase it, from now on the minimum wage for the City Defense Army will be five silver coins per month."

As soon as these words were out, Suo Danchen and the others’ eyes lit up, and all the soldiers from the City Defense Army were ecstatic, their faces a mix of disbelief.

The wage was nearly doubled from three silver coins to five. Furthermore, they hardly had any expenses while in the barracks, and could save up more than a Gold Coin each year, enough to let their families live a good life.

In an instant, all the City Defense Army soldiers’ worries vanished completely, replaced by overwhelming joy and excitement.

As for switching allegiances from Suo Hanyi to Suo Lun, such a change was far easier for the average soldiers.

Because Suo Hanyi did not have much direct contact with the soldiers; he interacted more with the officers. Thus, the centurions and higher-ranking officers had deeper feelings and loyalty towards Suo Hanyi.

These soldiers, their allegiance was to the Suo, and what they valued most were their livelihoods and prospects.

Suo Danchen at his side inwardly brimmed with admiration; Suo Lun hadn’t said a word specifically to the City Defense Army, but every word spoken had been for them to hear, and in just a few sentences, he had dispelled the soldiers’ unease, without the slightest hint of pandering.

And the four thousand rebel prisoners below were also incredibly excited. Not only could they live, but they might also become members of the esteemed City Defense Army, eligible for a monthly wage of three silver coins; their former masters like Nurdan instantly cast aside into oblivion.

Suo Danchen immediately gave a meaningful glance.

At once, a prisoner shouted out loud, "Long live Lord Suo Lun, long live Lord Suo Lun!"

Following suit, all the prisoners shouted in unison for the long life of Suo Lun.

Not only that, more than four thousand prisoners kneeled down in unison, signifying their allegiance.

On the other hand, the City Defense Army soldiers felt pride internally. They were excited but would not show their emotions as superficially.

Suo Lun turned his head and whispered to Suo Danchen, "Give each prisoner an additional piece of clothing, but still do not let them dress warmly, make their daily porridge thicker but do not allow them to eat their fill."

Suo Danchen’s heart surged with excitement because this was the first time Suo Lun had slightly turned his face to speak with him, suggesting a slight warmth in his attitude.

At that moment, he deeply felt the difference between Suo Hanyi and Suo Lun.