Chapter 566: Leaving
Batches and batches of raw materials were sent to Ye Chong's manor. Even though they were sold 20 percent above market price, Ye Chong thought it was worth it. He spent most of his money on raw materials, especially the rare ones, and was always offered than he needed. Sun Sieha's letter also helped him with the purchases.
In Su City, all the businessmen were also nobles. When they found out through their sources that the great Master Ye Chong was visiting, they all tried to curry his favour. Ye Chong responded to them coldly, but never stopped them from offering their services. This was a pleasant surprise for the businessmen. Building a relationship with this man of status was a wonderful opportunity!
No one asked him what the materials were used for. After all, it was common for weaponsmiths to store raw materials. Besides, Ye Chong had the King's approval. In the end, Ye Chong received more raw materials than he expected, and some of them did not even cost him a single ao. A few of the businessmen even gave him the transport aircraft that came with the materials.
Kristen gaped at the materials and asked, "Teacher, why you do buy so much of them?"
"They're useful." Ye Chong did not explain. The truth was, Kristen was a good student. She was talented and hardworking, and she improved quickly. More importantly, she was young. However, Ye Chong did not plan to bring her along. That had been decided early on.
His students' training continued without pause.
Ye Chong began to reorganize his five thousand students. He was no longer ignorant of military structures. He incorporated strict status rankings, rules, and practiced reward and punishment just like in the military. Ye Chong was familiar with these concepts.
Ye Chong promoted students who performed well in their training to low ranking military officers. The effect was immediate. The five thousand students conducted themselves more professionally, no longer behaving as free and easy as they once did.
Here on the training ground, the five thousand students stood in formation, all standing straight and with a serious expression on their faces.
Ye Chong stood in front of them without emotion. The students were afraid of Ye Chong. Rumor had it that Master Ye Chong had the authority to form a five thousand strong security detachment. This was exciting news to him. To be able to serve someone as prominent as Master Ye Chong in Eastern Cloud was a great honor. From now on, their lives would be heavily influenced by Ye Chong. Anything that Ye Chong do in the future will directly affect the course of their future.
"From now on, you are my personal security detachment. Any of you who object to this, please step forward." Ye Chong spoke with a normal tone.
All the students could not hide the excitement on their faces, but tried they did as they stood even straighter. Today, the rumor was confirmed. Their future was secured.
Ye Chong's plain voice continued to reverberate in the air. "As my personal security detail, you will follow me wherever I go. You will leave behind your families, your homes. I'll allow you 10 minutes to reconsider."
No one moved. Ye Chong was not aware that leaving home was common in Eastern Cloud, especially for young shooters. They would travel far and wide to hone their skills. The journey was hard and dangerous. Few made it back.
Ye Chong was satisfied that none of them left. These young people were far from actual warriors, but they were molded according to Ye Chong's idea of an ideal soldier. Ye Chong was not interested in shooters. He was more in need of shooters who could pilot mechs. However, almost all shooters could not do this. Their bodies were simply too weak. A shooter who could pilot a mech would be very powerful, especially against creatures like the red-tailed beasts.
Nevertheless, it was rare for anyone apart from pure geniuses to excel in both mental and physical abilities.
These students would be Ye Chong's basis of protection. Ye Chong distributed all the money he had left to the students, for them to send back to their families. This gesture improved his reputation amongst the students even more.
Ye Chong called Xi Yan out. "Of all the weaponsmiths you know of, do you anyone who is good but has few close social ties?"
Xi Yan considered the question and replied, "I know a few."
"Give me the list of names and addresses," Ye Chong said.
…
Ye Chong went to Master Karu.
When Master Karu heard that Ye Chong was here to visit, he dropped everything he was working on and came to him. He knew that Ye Chong was not here for a chat, so he asked, "Why are you here to visit me? How can I help you?"
Ye Chong handed over a list of names to Master Karu. "I need these people."
Master Karu scanned the list briefly and said, "Of course." He turned to speak to a servant, and then went back to Ye Chong. "You'll have to wait a moment. Why do you need them? Don't you already have two students?"
Ye Chong found a good excuse. "I have an operation, and I need the manpower."
"I see." Master Karu's interest was piqued. "Is this a huge project?" Larger projects often needed the collaborative strength between many weaponsmiths. That was why Master Karu thought to ask. When Ye Chong mentioned an operation, the first thing he thought of was a large scale project.
Ye Chong nodded. "Yes."
"Haha, you should've just told me that. There's no need to find outsiders to help you when you can get them from me. Hmm, I'll assign 20 weaponsmiths to you." Master Karu offered warmly.
He did not wait for Ye Chong's consent before he called out a group of weaponsmiths. When Ye Chong saw them, he realized what Master Karu was trying to do. These so-called weaponsmiths were all young and inexperienced disciples only. They would not be able to offer any real help.
Master Karu had offered manpower to Ye Chong, but he was actually hoping to send these students out to learn from Ye Chong. Hopefully, they would return with much greater abilities than before.
Ye Chong looked straight at Master Karu and kept quiet.
Master Karu blushed awkwardly, and then coughed lightly. "You know, don't you, that the situation is a bit dangerous recently. We're also having a shortage of manpower here. These are the only people I can give you. You should teach them a few when you're free, err, and in exchange, they'll work for you, like labor work and stuff."
Ye Chong continued looking quietly at Master Karu.
Master Karu was feeling guilty now. Since Ye Chong refused to speak for a long moment after, he coughed again. "Sigh, you people, why so serious? How about this, I can offer you some compensation?" Master Karu asked, testing the waters.
"What compensation?" Ye Chong's reaction was exactly what Master Karu had hoped for. As long as Ye Chong was willing to negotiate, all was well. If they could make this work, he would not lose anything from the negotiation.
Hence, Ye Chong bargained for some more valuable raw materials from Master Karu before "grudgingly" accepting the 20 young weaponsmiths. Master Karu's raw materials were much more high quality than the ones commonly found in the market.
Throughout the negotiation, Ye Chong only spoke a few words, and mostly kept silent. Master Karu was happy with the outcome, and grinned widely. Soon, the people in Ye Chong's list of names were brought to them.
Master Karu changed his whole bearing into one of great seriousness, and cleared his throat. "By the Eastern Cloud's law of war, you are all conscripted. From today onwards, you will serve your country without reserve. Master Ye Chong here will be in charge of you. Your duty is to assist and obey him. If you disobey your orders, you will be charged with treason!"
The weaponsmiths all looked shocked by Master Karu's stern announcement.
Master Karu turned back to Ye Chong, and the stern expression vanished immediately. He winked playfully at Ye Chong.
With that, Ye Chong brought the valuable raw materials, the 20 young weaponsmiths and the eight clueless civilian weaponsmiths back to his manor.
These weaponsmiths were divided between Kristen and Xi Yan. They spent half the time learning, and the other half making weird mechanical parts according to the schematics given to them. With thirty people working together, they were now much faster.
The war began very soon after.
Eastern Cloud now had a tense atmosphere. Prices for all goods and items soared. However, Ye Chong was not affected. When he and his Army of Glutinous Rice Balls were training, they were slowly making their way towards the central region of Eastern Cloud instead of the border without drawing any attention to them.
On this day, 10 days after the war first started, Ye Chong suddenly gathered all his students.
Five thousand training vehicles were all in position. The students were all inside their vehicles. After more than a year's training, they now looked like capable soldiers.
Ye Chong led their operation this time.
Ye Chong asked Xi Yan, "Ready?"
"Ready, teacher," Xi Yan replied. He took a long look at Ye Chong, then boarded the transport aircraft. Everyone else was there, except for Kristen.
There were five transport aircrafts, all modified by Ye Chong. They were piloted by five of the students, respectively.
"Move out."
Ye Chong announced the beginning of their flight just like usual. The five thousand training vehicles, or more precisely, the 4,995 training vehicles and five transport aircraft took air at the same tie. They were flying towards Yedda City.
Ye Chong turned back to look at his manor, which grew smaller and smaller in view. He watched without expression.
"Goodbye, Kristen."
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