The Dawn Empire had four major legions—the Thorns, Pojun, Yeshou, and the Cavalry Regiment.
Ning Busan was more than familiar with the Thorns Legion, which fought abroad year-round to purge the xenos.
The Yeshou Legion excelled in stealth and surprise attacks, while the Pojun Legion specialized in frontal assaults and charges. The two usually operated together, coordinating their actions.
As for the Cavalry Regiment, the defensive core of the empire, they were primarily responsible for maintaining order and stability within the empire's borders.
Upon taking office, Ning Busan's first act was to convene a military council.
Inside the command tent, the commanders of the four legions gathered, staring at one another: Liefeng of the Thorns, Tieji of the Pojun, Yingsha of the Yeshou, and Shuangkai of the Cavalry Regiment.
Ning Busan had been air-dropped in as their supreme commander, which meant they would have to follow his orders from now on.
Of course, they knew that without Ning Busan, the empire would likely have fallen by now.
They had also witnessed his magnificent display of holding a city alone with a single sword, and they admired him immensely for it.
However, their hearts were filled with worry.
Great individual strength did not necessarily translate to the art of leading an army.
Ning Busan smiled slightly, breaking the silence. “I have called you all here today because I have three orders for you to execute.”
The four of them grew solemn, their gazes sharp and slightly scrutinizing as they looked at Ning Busan.
Was this the classic 'new official lighting three fires' to assert dominance?
Ning Busan continued, “The first order: we are changing the current military service system.”
“All citizens who have reached the age of sixteen must join the military. They can only apply for discharge once they have accumulated Silver-grade military merit.”
Shock flashed in the eyes of all four commanders simultaneously.
Although Liefeng did not understand why Ning Busan was doing this, he supported him without hesitation. “I agree!”
Ning Busan looked at the burly man with a bizarre expression, as if asking: Why did you agree so quickly?
Liefeng scratched his head and gave Ning Busan a foolish, honest grin.
The original commander of the Thorns Legion was Novalia. Now that Novalia had become the Empress, he, as her deputy, had been promoted to commander.
Novalia had instructed him that no matter what Ning Busan planned to do, he had to support him fully.
He was simply doing as he was told.
Tieji had a hot temper and asked directly, “Commander, in the past, recruitment was voluntary. Do you plan to make military service mandatory now?”
“Mandatory military service?” Ning Busan chuckled. “Though I don't particularly like the word 'mandatory,' if you want to put it that way, there's nothing wrong with it.”
Tieji disagreed. “Even if military service is mandatory, the age shouldn't be set at sixteen. What can those kids do? Are we sending them to the battlefield to die?”
Ning Busan asked, “Can you guarantee that when the next Black Sun arrives, you will definitely repel the xenos and keep them completely unharmed?”
Tieji's lips twitched, but he lacked the confidence to make such a promise.
“Since you cannot guarantee it, do not deprive them of the right to take up arms,” Ning Busan said. “Things are different now. The future of the empire depends on the growth and strength of every single individual.”
The four fell silent.
The empire's military merit system was divided into Black Iron-grade, Bronze-grade, Silver-grade, Gold-grade, and Adamantite-grade.
Generally, those who could accumulate enough military merit to reach Silver-grade were already capable battle generals.
In other words, even after those young people accumulated enough merit to retire, they would still possess the strength to fight when facing the xenos.
Mandatory military service seemed like a tyrannical policy on the surface, but in reality, it was the ultimate form of protection for the common people.
This commander's vision was far more forward-thinking than theirs.
Ning Busan asked, “Do you have any other objections?”
The four shook their heads in unison.
“Then let's move on to the second order.” Ning Busan's gaze instantly turned razor-sharp. “All current training plans for every legion in the empire are hereby void. I will personally draft a new training plan for the entire army.”
Liefeng once again voiced his support in a booming voice, “I agree!”
“I disagree.”
This time, the objection came from Shuangkai.
Ning Busan sized him up coldly.
Shuangkai's silver armor was spotless, without a single scratch, and the Dawn emblem on his sword hilt gleamed brightly.
Compared to the other three, he looked fair-skinned and delicate, resembling a pampered noble rather than a battle-hardened warrior.
Intimidated by Ning Busan's icy gaze, Shuangkai's momentum faltered. “The military training plans have been this way since ancient times. You can't just change them on a whim.”
“Since ancient times? What kind of 'ancient times' are you talking about?” Ning Busan sneered. “With the training intensity of your Cavalry Regiment, are you trying to train soldiers to defend the empire, or are you using the entire regiment as a gilded stepping stone for noble children?”
“On what basis do you insult us like this?” Shuangkai craned his neck, protesting. “I admit your individual strength is indeed formidable, but do you even know how to train soldiers?”
Ning Busan raised his chin, his face full of arrogance. “To be completely honest, when it comes to training an army, everyone sitting here is garbage.”
Which of the four sitting here wasn't a veteran who had spent hundreds of years in the military with rich experience?
Ning Busan's words were so incredibly arrogant that even Liefeng felt it was a bit much.
Shuangkai asked furiously, “You're just a wet-behind-the-ears kid! How dare you speak so boastfully?”
“Because he is General Louis.”
These words were like a sudden clap of thunder, thoroughly shocking the others.
What?
General Louis?
Ning Busan turned his head to look at the speaker.
Yingsha stood quietly in the shadows like a shroud of mist, the poisoned dual daggers at her waist gleaming with a faint green light. Her breathing was so light it was almost imperceptible, and her form seemed to blend seamlessly into the darkness.
If she hadn't spoken up, Ning Busan might not have even noticed her presence.
The Yeshou Legion consisted mostly of assassins, and this commander was likewise an assassin.
Shuangkai's face was filled with utter disbelief as he stammered, “You... you are General Louis?”
Rumors had it that Ning Busan was a descendant of General Louis. Having heard this so often, they had naturally formed a fixed mindset, assuming it was the truth.
But thinking about it carefully, there was indeed a more logical explanation—Ning Busan was actually Louis himself.
Ning Busan raised his eyelids. “That's right, I am Louis. What of it?”
Shuangkai clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white as if he were trying his best to restrain himself.
In the end, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He covered his face and burst into tears.
“Uuuh... wahhh...”
Ning Busan slowly mentally typed a question mark: ?
Brother, what are you doing?
Shuangkai sobbed, “I was actually so disrespectful to you just now. I deserve to die!”
“To think that in my lifetime, I would actually get to see the living General Louis,” Tieji muttered. “Even if I were to die right now, I would have no regrets.”
Liefeng, on the other hand, was incredibly excited. “Is it true? General Louis has actually become my commander? I wouldn't even dare to dream of something so ridiculous!”
Ning Busan's lips twitched.
Was this really necessary?
Just what kind of deified figure had Louis been built up to be?
Ning Busan's gaze slowly shifted to Yingsha, the only person present who didn't seem to have lost her mind.
Under Ning Busan's gaze, a faint blush appeared on Yingsha's cheeks. “I didn't mean to expose your identity. I just couldn't stand them being so disrespectful to you.”
Ning Busan massaged his temples.
These people were beyond saving.
“So, do you still have any issues with my second order?”
The four answered in unison, “No!”
Ning Busan said, “Those dukes should be returning to their respective territories soon. Have them leave a portion of the soldiers they brought behind to train with your legions.”
“In the future, it won't just be the four major legions. Every single military force in the empire, big or small, must execute their training according to my standards.”
The four were ecstatic. “Yes, Commander!”
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