Chapter 426: Military Expenses

Evidently, the three generals were tallying accounts, some sighing, others furrowing their brows.

Hearing the commotion, the three lifted their eyes, seeing Ning Zhuo's return, all greatly rejoiced.

"Military Advisor, the Military Advisor is here!" Liu Er immediately ran down, opening his arms to welcome Ning Zhuo.

Zhang Hei laughed heartily, pushing the ledgers to the center of the table: "Everything relies on the Military Advisor, my eyes are already blurry!"

Guan Hong was even more direct, immediately standing up: "I'm going to drill the troops."

Liu Er warmly pulled Ning Zhuo, seating him in the position of the main general.

Ning Zhuo quickly demurred: "The position of the main general, how can this junior presume to sit?"

Liu Er then said: "These ledgers all rely on the Military Advisor. If the Military Advisor can complete this, it will surely be a great merit, what's the harm in letting you become the main general?"

Although Liu Er was merely speaking pleasantries and formalities, he also revealed some of his true feelings.

Ning Zhuo sat on the chair, offering a strained salute, indicating he would go all out.

Liu and Zhang then left Ning Zhuo in the main tent, following closely behind Guan Hong.

Ning Zhuo was quite skilled at accounting. In the past decade or so at Fire Persimmon Immortal City, he was not favored, and his cultivation resources had to be meticulously calculated.

Even when impersonating the Young Lad, selling the Up and Down As You Wish Ropes externally, bringing in a large income. He also spent a lot, used to acquire mechanisms and creations. It can be said, he earned much, but spent much too.

Moreover, he had been his own master since childhood; one who has managed a household knows the cost of oil, salt, firewood, and rice.

Ning Zhuo was quite confident in this, but truly burying himself in the ledgers of the Three Generals' camp, he also felt a headache.

He immediately understood the pain of the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, before.

On one hand, the various accounts were quite complicated; on the other hand, the expenses were too large, so large that it made Ning Zhuo's heart palpitate.

The major part of military expenditure lay in salaries.

Currently, the military camp had gathered over three hundred cultivators, among whom Foundation Establishment stage cultivators numbered about fifty to sixty, with the remaining two hundred plus being Qi Cultivation level cultivators.

For Qi Cultivation cultivators, depending on their specific cultivation and combat power, their monthly salary ranged from three thousand to eight thousand low-grade spirit stones.

For Foundation Establishment level cultivators, the monthly salary ranged from thirty thousand to eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones.

This meant that the monthly salary for Qi Cultivation stage cultivators alone required at least one million three hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Although there were fewer Foundation Establishment cultivators, their salaries amounted to over three million low-grade spirit stones.

The monthly salary expenditure alone was at least four million three hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.

And even this salary standard was considered low. The Three Generals' camp maximized the share of spoils to attract these cultivators.

Among all the armies currently in Azurewood Immortal City, the Three Generals' camp had the second lowest salary, with the first being the Red Flower Camp.

Next, there was the unified procurement of Dharma artifacts.

Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators generally used Dharma artifacts.

According to market prices, offensive Dharma artifacts ranged from one thousand to one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones per piece. Defensive military Dharma artifacts cost from two hundred to four thousand low-grade spirit stones per piece.

Ning Zhuo carefully studied the market in Azurewood Immortal City. Based on the two offensive and defensive Dharma artifacts selected by the three generals, the total procurement cost was around six million spirit stones.

Following this, there were commonly used talismans, pills (like Bigu Pills), etc., for daily use.

Talismans included Speed Talismans, Protection Talismans, Sharp Blade Talismans, and other common talismans. These could be purchased through the military channels of the Two Streams Nation, with prices ranging from one and a half to three low-grade spirit stones per talisman.

Ning Zhuo calculated based on the minimum scenario. Each cultivator would consume about twenty talismans per month, and consume various pills, averaging one hundred to two hundred low-grade spirit stones per person per month.

In this case, this part of the expenditure would also be fifty-seven thousand low-grade spirit stones.

"Distributing pills is not as good as procuring medicinal pools."

"Calculating the cost, if the army is maintained for more than three months, purchasing medicinal water pools becomes more cost-effective."

"Similarly, it would be best to also procure a Dharma power pool."

These two heavy pieces of military equipment, purchased at the smallest specifications, each required four million low-grade spirit stones, totaling eight million low-grade spirit stones.

Then, there were Dharma artifact repairs, accidental losses, camp construction, unexpected incidents, etc. A budget had to be set aside for this part.

Calculating according to the standard of one-tenth of the normal total expenditure, it was nearly five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.

"But this is still not enough."

"We also need to configure battle flags, and preferably have mounts."

Battle flags were very important.

Battle flags were often the carriers for the condensation of military aura, the core of the battle formation, providing a qualitative improvement to the entire army's combat.

This aspect must be purchased, but it shouldn't be rushed for the time being - it depends on what kind of battle formation Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei can achieve through troop drills.

Purchasing battle flags based on the battle formation is the most appropriate approach.

Mounts might not seem necessary, but that's not the case.

Qi Cultivation cultivators cannot fly with swords, and while Foundation Establishment cultivators can fly with swords, it's only for short distances, not long distances for extended periods.

Placed on the battlefield, an army must consider the overall picture.

This means that an army without mounts has very weak mobility and will often be played around by the enemy, placing them in an extremely passive and disadvantageous situation.

Many past battle examples have warned future generations that the mobility of an army is extremely important.

Sometimes, whichever army arrives at the battlefield first, occupies a favorable terrain, and forms the battle formation in advance, that army often possesses a huge advantage.

Precisely because of this, in military strategy, the art of "speed is of the essence" is always given priority.

This is a consensus among many masters of military strategy.

"Monthly salary is over four million three hundred thousand."

"The total cost of equipping the entire army with offensive and defensive Dharma artifacts is around six million."

"Talisman and pill consumption is fifty-seven thousand. This is the minimum standard, but in practice, drilling troops often exceeds this by a lot."

"Purchasing medicinal pools and Dharma pools requires an investment of eight million."

"Dharma artifact repairs, accidental losses, etc., require a reserve of five hundred thousand."

Adding it up, the military expenditure will reach eighteen million nine hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.

"This doesn't even include the future purchase of battle flags and mounts."

Calculating to this point, Ning Zhuo felt parched and his heart felt very unstable.

Having truly calculated the accounts, the military expenditure was higher than he had imagined. But these were still purchases based on the minimum standard, adhering to the principle of saving wherever possible.

"How wonderful it would be if it were the great battles of ancient times."

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but reminisce about the past of history.

At that time, the Hundred Arts of Cultivation were not yet developed, far from blooming in full. When there were great battles in the cultivation world, they were organized and carried out in the form of mercenaries.

Every cultivator was self-sufficient, taking on military tasks, receiving rewards after completion, either material or military功.

This kind of battle emphasized the individual cultivation and combat power of the cultivator.

But with the increasing profundity of formations, the standardization of unified Dharma artifacts, the increasing richness of spiritual energy, and the vigorous development of military strategy and official methods, the application of destiny and national power became more and more exquisite.

The former form of mercenary armies became increasingly backward, gradually being swept into the corners of history.

Not to mention now, in the later period of the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, the form of warfare with cultivator armies had already stepped onto the historical stage.

After the subsequent two dynasties, multiple imperial dynasties, and countless kingdoms, the wars involving cultivators became very professional, emphasizing all aspects.

There must be unified offensive and defensive Dharma artifacts to utilize the advantage of numbers!

There must be military strategy to better integrate power and create the practical effect of fighting above one's level!

If it were truly an elite army, every military cultivator must cultivate the same cultivation method! For example, the Golden Halberd Army was recruited by the Two Streams Nation from virtuous youths across the country and cultivated from the beginning of their cultivation. The weapons, armor, mounts, etc., were all unified and excellent.

Such an army, once in battle, would unleash terrifying power. A newly formed army like the Three Generals' camp could not withstand a single round and would inevitably be routed at the slightest contact!

"Burning money, forming an army is constantly burning money!"

After completing the calculations, a thin layer of sweat had formed on Ning Zhuo's back.

Currently, the spirit stones on the books of the Three Generals' camp could at most last for three months.

Ning Zhuo wished he could dispatch the army now and head to the front lines. Over three hundred people, the daily consumption made it difficult to breathe.

But he knew very well in his heart: they must practice diligently, and the troop drills must reach a certain standard before they can enter the battlefield.

Otherwise, they would be cannon fodder!

And to diligently train troops, the daily expenditure would increase again.

"If push comes to shove, I can only supplement some." Ning Zhuo left the main tent and observed the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, drilling their troops from afar.

Ning Zhuo's experience was limited, as he had only started traveling the world this year, but his knowledge was solid, at least the basic things were quite comprehensive.

He watched for a moment and recognized it as the Triangle Arrow Formation.

If viewed from high altitude, this formation was a perfect triangle.

The three Golden Core level generals were distributed at the three corners. Liu Er was at the forefront, Guan Hong was on the left, and Zhang Hei was on the right.

This Triangle Arrow Formation was the most classic assault formation. The strongest cultivators in the army were at the three corners, with a large number of Qi Cultivation stage cultivators filling the middle, and Foundation Establishment level cultivators distributed along the two front lines.

Formations are divided into mobile formations and static formations.

The history of static formations is much longer than that of mobile formations. The most classic static formation is the Spirit Gathering Formation, which allows cultivators to gather surrounding spiritual energy for their own cultivation, increasing the efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy.

The history of mobile formations is likely less than half of that of static formations, but once developed, they became extremely vigorous, especially widely used on the battlefield, with a rapid rate of improvement.

The Triangle Arrow Formation is a typical mobile formation.

Ning Zhuo watched for a moment, and couldn't help but feel secretly worried: "Mobile formations are difficult to practice. How long will it take to reach the minimum standard for forming the formation? Money is being burned every day!"

The practice of every mobile formation requires a large investment of time, material resources, and human resources.

Ning Zhuo increasingly felt that forming an army was like a gamble.

The three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, had already put up their entire fortune!

And Ning Zhuo wanted to plot for his mother's relics in the hands of the Six Caves Sect, such as the mechanism carriage, etc. Relying on the Two Streams Nation and the Three Generals of Liu, Guan, and Zhang was undoubtedly the most effortless approach.

"If the expenses are not enough, I'm afraid I'll have to step in and help out."

Ning Zhuo must seize the time and must follow closely behind.

When the great battle breaks out, his mother's mechanism carriage and other items are likely to vanish in the war. He needs to personally participate, be present on the scene, and adapt to circumstances to have a chance of capturing the target items.

Missing this great battle, it will be countless times more difficult for him to find these things again.

Ning Zhuo returned to the Mechanism Wandering Dragon and inventoried his assets.

He had a lot of spirit stones.

The last time in Misty Hidden Mountain, the Mountain God gave him ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones, which, converted to low-grade spirit stones, was one million.

He also had many precious materials.

Such as Misty Beauty Orchid, Heavy Thunder Beetle, Heavenly Dew, Floating Cloud, Walnut Mountain Essence, Haze Stone, and Ghost Shadow Bamboo, etc.

If these were sold, it would also be a considerable sum of spirit stones.

Among the precious materials, the most valuable were undoubtedly the Nascent Soul level precious materials produced by the Old Monster in the Stone.

But these precious materials all had hidden dangers.

Before, Ning Zhuo had taken out quite a few pieces. Now, if he wanted to rely on Dao to cultivate, these precious materials could not be sold casually.

It is worth mentioning that every time the Thousand Li Wandering Dragon travels through space, the starting price is five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.

These assets were more than sufficient to satisfy the cultivation needs of both Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo.

But placed on the battlefield, to maintain an army, they immediately became much thinner.

Ning Zhuo came to the cultivation cabin and knocked on the Breathing Spirit Boat.

Sun Lingtong, who was cultivating inside, opened his eyes and stepped out of the spirit boat: "Xiao Zhuo, what's the matter?"

Without anything important, Ning Zhuo would not interrupt his cultivation.

Ning Zhuo then informed Sun Lingtong of the details: "I plan to increase income and reduce expenditure."

"On one hand, contact the Myriad Medicine Sect and purchase basic pills like Bigu Pills from them in bulk. Based on my relationship with them, I can get a low price."

"On the other hand, I can instruct the Ning family's branch to refine more Jade Moist Xuan Steel. Big Brother, do you remember the battle near Misty Hidden Mountain?"

"At that time, Meng Zichong's soldiers wore jade steel heavy armor, which was quite effective against those demon cultivators and demon beasts."

"If I can sell these armors to the Three Generals' camp, perhaps I can open up a new market for the family."

"Alas... time is still too short."

"I truly hope the Poison Flame Chrysanthemum can be harvested now."

"I wonder if the Old Ancestor has returned to Fire Persimmon Mountain by now."

Sun Lingtong pondered for a moment: "Even if these things can be done, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, and the extent to which it can quench thirst is also quite limited."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "So I am thinking about that Old Monster in the Stone again. If we can steal him back, it will be an overnight fortune, and the current financial shortfall is completely negligible!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Lingtong's eyes immediately lit up: "Right, right, right, Xiao Zhuo, your idea is excellent."

"To tell you the truth, these past few days when I was calm, I was thinking about this matter!"

"We can now deal with Dao injuries, and that stone ball is a complete treasure."

"This matter needs to be done as soon as possible."

"Once others discover that the Old Monster in the Stone is dead, then it's all over."

Ning Zhuo mused: "To enter the Thousand Peaks Forest again, we must first repair the Thousand Li Wandering Dragon, resolve the blood shadow on the dragon body, and at the same time have more fire essence reserves."

Because they had been there before, there were accurate waypoints in the Mechanism Wandering Dragon, allowing for a single transit directly to the destination.

Very convenient.

Sun Lingtong frowned, feeling troubled: "The Blood Shadow Cave Master is a Nascent Soul level, and the means he planted will be very difficult for us to clear."

"If only we had the Highest Good is Like Water, we could wash these away."

"Relying solely on us, it's very difficult to reach this step, we need external assistance."

Ning Zhuo: "How about Zhang Zhongyi?"

Sun Lingtong thought for a moment and said: "His medical skills are very strong, he can even cure Dao injuries. After all, he was once a Nascent Soul level cultivator, and Blood Shadow magic probably can't trouble him either."

"However, if we do this, we will expose the existence of the Thousand Li Wandering Dragon."

"Is this appropriate?"

"In other words, can Zhang Zhongyi be trusted?"

Ning Zhuo thought for a moment: "Zhang Zhongyi upholds the righteous path, and like me, has a righteous heart."

"Whether it was his past conviction or his joining the army this time to help General Mulán, it shows his life philosophy of repaying kindness."

"We also owe it to him for his help in curing the illness this time. It wouldn't have been possible without him."

"I still trust him quite a bit."

"Alas..." Ning Zhuo sighed deeply at this point, "I originally didn't want to treat a good person like this, but for our safety, I have decided to still use the Human Fate Suspended Silk and my Buddha Heart Demon Seal on him!"

Sun Lingtong patted Ning Zhuo's forearm: "Xiao Zhuo, I know you are kind-hearted, but don't have any burden."

"We are not going to harm him."

"It's just that you can't be without a wary heart against others."

"Just talk to him properly!"

Ning Zhuo hummed. At this time, he still didn't know that Zhang Zhongyi also wanted to talk to him.