Chapter 400: Did You Hear Me?

After leaving Heavenly Mechanism City, Xiao Mo returned to the Qin imperial capital.

And as Xiao Mo returned to the Qin imperial city, the other generals also finished handling the sects in their charge. One after another, they all came to the capital to report back to Xiao Mo.

Because of the matter of sect cultivators joining the army, Qin Shengtian temporarily handed it over to Qin Siyao to handle.

So during these days, whenever those generals reported back to Xiao Mo, Qin Siyao would always be at the side listening, responsible for recording.

After finishing the records, Qin Siyao would then sort out and compile those generals’ reports, and every day she would send them to her father for review.

It was just that these past days, what left Qin Siyao feeling somewhat puzzled was—ever since Xiao Mo came back, it seemed as if he had something on his mind. Sometimes he would even sit in the courtyard, dazed and spacing out.

“Husband... Husband... Husband!”

This day, Qin Siyao walked up in front of Xiao Mo and called out to him.

“Mm?”

Only when Qin Siyao called a third time did Xiao Mo come back to his senses and smile as he looked at the woman in front of him.

“What is it?”

“And you still ask what it is.” Qin Siyao brushed her skirt and sat down beside Xiao Mo with her lips pouting. “I should be asking you what’s going on. These past few days, why have you been spacing out all the time?”

“It’s nothing...” Xiao Mo smiled and shook his head.

“Really nothing?” Qin Siyao’s brows knit as she looked at Xiao Mo distrustfully.

“Really nothing. It’s just that I’ve been deriving in my mind some situations that might happen later, when the great war comes.” Xiao Mo pulled Qin Siyao’s slender hand and had her sit closer at his side, then shifted the topic. “By the way, those documents you compiled—did you give them all to His Majesty to read?”

“Mm. I gave them all to Father, and Father finished reading every one of them.” Qin Siyao nodded. “Father told me to tell you: these cultivators—you can handle the deployments yourself. Father said he trusts you and wants you to do it boldly. By the way, Xiao Mo, are you going to incorporate all of these cultivators into the army?”

“Incorporate all of them.” Xiao Mo nodded.

Hearing Xiao Mo’s answer, Qin Siyao lowered her head, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes.

“I know what you’re worried about, Siyao.”

Xiao Mo said with a smile.

“These cultivators really are used to being loose and undisciplined, while our Qin army’s discipline is strict. If we incorporate them all into the army, mixing the two, it could affect military discipline.

“But before that, I will train them properly. And since they’re joining the war, they must become familiar with the army. Otherwise, on the battlefield, they won’t be able to bring out their full strength.

“And besides, most of our Qin army are martial cultivators, strong in brutal physical bodies. As long as they close in, they can kill an enemy of the same realm.

“But they can also be easily kited by demon cultivators and human spellcasters who are skilled in °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° spells.”

“Incorporating these sect cultivators into the army can complement us. It can produce an effect where one plus one is greater than two.”

“Mm.” Qin Siyao nodded. “Since it’s a decision Husband made after deep consideration, then Siyao will support Husband.”

“Don’t worry. Those sect cultivators also understand the pros and cons, and they want even more to trade battle merit for rewards. In truth, we only made the sects loosen their grip—agreeing to let their disciples enlist. Many cultivators came voluntarily, not by force.”

Xiao Mo kneaded Qin Siyao’s slender hand.

“Right, Siyao. There are some things—recently I suddenly had some thoughts, and I plan to tell you.

“These thoughts of mine—you listen first. Not all of them are necessarily right, and you don’t have to do them all. When the time comes, you can decide based on the actual situation. I’m just giving you a line of thinking.”

Xiao Mo picked up brush and ink, casually writing on paper as he spoke:

“First is the management of sects. Later, when we unify the Myriad Laws world, these cultivator sects can be brought over, but don’t give them too much autonomy.

“Best is to pull one in and strike one down. For those who support Qin, keep giving them a bit of sweetness. If some sect doesn’t learn its lesson and wants to do whatever it pleases, then kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. There’s nothing else to say about that.

“Then set up some agencies that can manage the sects.

“You absolutely can’t let the sects only take the sweetness and never exert effort. We can use the excuse of letting sect disciples go down the mountain to train and gain experience, and have them help Qin slay demons and eliminate evils, granting them certain resources according to their merits.

“In that way, we can also tighten our connections with these sects.

“But also be careful not to let the sects interfere in court affairs. With sects, we must maintain a certain balance.

“Then, our Qin’s current system of military merit.

“Right now, Qin is expanding territory. Implementing a system of military merit is naturally not a problem. But if we unify the Myriad Laws world and still continue to implement a system of military merit, it will definitely cause problems.

“I have an idea—that is to use two paths: recommendation assessment, and examinations for selection.

“The latter, I call the imperial examination.

“The Hundred Schools each have their strengths, so the categories of the imperial examination also must be handled with care. Use Confucianism within, Legalism without—perhaps that would be better?

“All of these... still require Siyao to ponder later...

“And also...”

“Xiao Mo!” Hearing her husband’s words, Qin Siyao’s brows knit, and she cut him off.

“What is it?” Xiao Mo asked with a smile.

“I don’t like you saying these things.” Qin Siyao looked at Xiao Mo quietly. “The way you are... it feels like you’re arranging things for after you’re gone.”

“Silly girl, what are you saying.” Xiao Mo reached out and lightly tapped Qin Siyao’s forehead. “It’s just that on the battlefield, there will always be accidents. If, when the time comes, something happens to me, what then?”

At the word “accident,” Qin Siyao’s face instantly turned deathly pale. Her small hand clenched her skirt tightly as she hurriedly shook her head. “No! Xiao Mo, you definitely won’t have an accident!”

Looking at Qin Siyao’s frightened eyes, Xiao Mo smiled and stroked her hair. “I’m just saying ‘what if.’ After all, things like heaven’s will—who can speak with certainty...”

“What do you mean heaven’s will?!” Qin Siyao puffed out her cheeks. “If heaven’s will wants to take you away from my side, then I won’t believe in heaven’s will! And you’re not allowed to believe in heaven’s will either! Do you hear me...”

That firm gaze—yet also carrying a plea—made Xiao Mo’s heart stir slightly.

“If the Frost King remains in court, Your lifespan—I fear it will not exceed five years...”

In Xiao Mo’s mind, the words the lord of Heavenly Mechanism City had said to him echoed once again.

“Xiao Mo, did you hear me or not? Even if there really is some heaven’s will, you’re not allowed to believe it. Did you hear me or not...”

Seeing Xiao Mo not answer, Qin Siyao shook Xiao Mo’s sleeve.

“I heard you...”

Xiao Mo pinched Qin Siyao’s perky nose.

“Since my wife has said so, then even if this heaven’s will exists, I can’t believe it. Even if it’s nine deaths and one life, I will crawl back out from a pile of corpses to your side.”

“Really?” Qin Siyao asked anxiously.

Xiao Mo smiled and nodded.

“Really.”