Yue Fuguang looked down at the devout people of Gancheng. When she told them that they, too, were now citizens of Dayan, there was no disturbance of the sort she had expected.
Some people looked unhappy, but judging by their clothes, Yue Fuguang chose to ignore them. What she saw on the faces of the vast majority was joy. They did not reject their new identity—in fact, some even seemed excited.
She continued, “Whatever the people of Dayan have, you shall have as well.”
The implication was obvious. Sure enough, one of the sharper-minded villagers immediately summoned his courage and asked, “Goddess, does that mean we’ll be able to plant the high-yield crops from Dayan, too?”
A few people whispered among themselves, “Sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn… If we can plant even one of those, we’ll never have to worry about starving again!”
“Exactly! I never even dared dream that we’d be able to grow those crops so soon.”
Only after the people below had gradually quieted down did Yue Fuguang speak again. “As I said, you are now citizens of Dayan. Naturally, you may plant every crop that the people of Dayan possess.”
“Not only high-yield sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn, but also the tastier fruits and vegetables—as long as you are citizens of Dayan, you will all have the opportunity to grow them.”
Newly conquered territories would be given new land policies on a trial basis. With these benefits dangled before them, the people would naturally stand on the side of the imperial court.
As for the wealthy and nobles who opposed them, if they dared make trouble, cutting down a few of them to establish authority would be just fine.
Sensing a fleeting murderous intent from its host, the System changed the admonition it was about to make into: 【Host, is Dayan’s supply of improved seeds sufficient?】
「This year’s harvest was abundant. It should be enough to plant in Nanyue.」 Not all the land would be used for those three crops, after all. Rice was still the staple grain here.
【Was adding something to the rainwater all in preparation for this?】
Although this year had supposedly brought drought, once the grain harvested across Dayan had been weighed and calculated, the total had already far surpassed that of any previous year. It was truly a bumper harvest!
「Otherwise, why would I do it? Adding those ingredients costs points!」 Yue Fuguang tightened her grip on her purse. Spirit-infused liquid filled with vitality was painfully expensive.
Boom!
At her words, the people below erupted completely. Weeping, shouting, and laughter blended together—a full display of the many flavors of life.
Yue Fuguang paid no further attention to the people who were happier than if they had picked up a fortune. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the military camp stationed outside the city.
The troops below soon sensed her attention as well. Xu Shu and Wei Shouyi had already galloped to the camp and received word of her arrival. They bowed toward Yue Fuguang and said, “My lady, please give us your orders. This subordinate and our brothers will do whatever it takes—even give our lives—to fulfill your wishes!”
“We are willing to die for you, my lady!”
“We are willing to die for you, my lady!”
Yue Fuguang nodded. “Now, most of Nanyue’s territory has already fallen under Dayan’s rule. However, the people of Fu City, Yi City, and Jiang City are still suffering.”
“General Xu, you must rescue them as quickly as possible.”
Yue Fuguang’s words sounded lofty and righteous, but the System could not help mocking her. 【Host, that was so hypocritical. Far too hypocritical!】
「Are you saying the people of those three cities aren’t suffering?」
Faced with that question, the System genuinely had nothing to say. The Nanyue royals and nobles who had fled had all poured into those three places. The local people were now suffering one hardship after another and were practically on the verge of rebellion.
“Yes! We shall obey your command. We swear to take the three cities, even at the cost of our lives!”
“We swear to take the three cities!”
“We swear to take the three cities!”
Yue Fuguang put on an expression of great satisfaction. “General Xu, the surrendered soldiers are now soldiers of Dayan as well. You will treat them equally and grant them the same benefits as the soldiers of Dayan.”
Xu Shu deliberately asked, “What exactly do you mean, my lady?”
“Build merit, establish a career, and earn honors for your wives and children.”
Yue Fuguang’s eight words rang across the skies above Gancheng like thunder, echoing through the hearts of the soldiers and civilians of Nanyue.
Build merit, establish a career, and earn honors for your wives and children!
Even as surrendered generals and soldiers, they could still build merit and establish careers just like the army of Dayan, earning honors for their families!
A young general with a resolute face suddenly stepped forward. Dropping to one knee, he proclaimed, “My lady, I am You Minzhi, formerly a Nanyue general and now a surrendered officer. I am willing to serve as vanguard and assist the army of Dayan in taking the remaining three cities of Nanyue!”
Yue Fuguang raised an eyebrow. “You’re from the You family?”
The young general paused. He had not expected the Goddess to know of the You family. Overcome with excitement, he replied, “Yes. I am You Minzhi, from the second branch of the You family!”
Yue Fuguang nodded. “General Xu, did you hear that? Your vanguard commander has volunteered for battle. The You family is a renowned military clan. I imagine Young General You will not disappoint me.”
You Minzhi excitedly cupped his fists. “I swear to take the three cities and will not let you or the general down!”
Yue Fuguang shook her head slightly. “The remaining three cities are merely small places. Young General You, do your best, but there is no need to risk your life! Your lives are of great importance to Dayan. We still have Nanzhao, Beili, and Xiqiang to deal with.”
“General Xu, when attacking the cities, lead with explosives and do everything possible to minimize casualties among our troops!”
Upon hearing this, not only You Minzhi and the other members of the You family, but also the ordinary soldiers of Nanyue and the troops of Dayan, were moved to the point of secretly wiping away tears.
They had assumed that even if they were given the chance to build merit and establish careers, they would have to exchange their lives for it. Who could have known that the Goddess had never intended to use their lives as cannon fodder?
Explosives—they had personally experienced their power. With such weapons, what city could they possibly fail to take? If there truly was one, then they could only blame themselves for being useless!
“Dayan will not let down those who do not let down Dayan.” The words were both a warning and a reassurance, meant to put their minds at ease.
【Host, is that it?】
The System stared blankly as Yue Fuguang climbed back into her flying carriage and lay down again. They had flown for more than ten hours, yet Yue Fuguang had appeared for less than half an hour—and had already won over both the hearts of the people and the loyalty of the army.
How did it know? A large amount of faith value was spilling out from Yue Fuguang and being picked up by the System, allowing it to repair its damaged data. The process was slow, but effective.
「What else should I do? Stay behind for a banquet?」 Xu Shu and Wei Shouyi had genuinely wanted to throw her a grand feast, but Yue Fuguang had refused.
「I forgot to ask you—how did Prince Cheng… no, Emperor Chenghe, die?」
The army of Dayan had stormed into Gancheng. The emperor was dead, while the imperial family and several high-ranking officials and nobles had fled. After Gan Sheng’s death, several of his children had also disappeared.
