Batian Martial Soul

Chapter 14358 Clear rewards and punishments
Having said that, Ling Xiao was extremely anxious and unwilling to waste even a moment of precious time in this ruined place.

His figure suddenly swayed, and his body shone brightly, instantly transforming into a streak of light, so fast that it was almost impossible for the naked eye to catch it.

He rushed straight toward the sect's treasure vault, scripture pavilion, and other important areas, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its abundant prey.

Looting spoils of war is a natural part of the process after the war ends.

After a major battle, all sides have suffered heavy losses, and replenishing their own resources and strengthening their own capabilities has become an urgent matter.

As a major sect with a long history, the Blazing Fire Sect must possess countless treasures and precious books in its treasury and scripture pavilion. These would undoubtedly be a huge fortune for Ling Xiao and his forces, greatly enhancing their strength.

Ji Mingkong and the other two women remained where they were, quietly watching the direction in which Ling Xiao had disappeared.

The three of them standing together formed a unique sight.

After a moment, they looked at each other and saw a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes, and shook their heads in unison.

Lin Ying'er has always been aloof, like frost in the cold winter. At this moment, she just stood there quietly without saying anything, as if all of this had nothing to do with her.

Ni Shuanghan remained silent, her lips tightly closed, her eyes revealing a deep contemplation.

Only Ji Mingkong, as the core manager of the Batian Empire, was meticulous and considered issues more comprehensively. However, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes, as if she had a premonition of something bad.

About half an hour later, Ling Xiao's figure reappeared in front of the three women.

Compared to when he left, he had a noticeably more relaxed and joyful smile on his face. That smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and bright, indicating that he had gained a lot from the treasure vault and the library.

He laughed heartily, a hearty and unrestrained laugh that showed he was in a very good mood.

With a flick of his finger, a seemingly ancient storage ring containing a hidden space flew lightly toward Ji Mingkong.

The ring traced a graceful arc in the air, seemingly carrying a touch of mystery.

"Mingkong, this is part of the spoils seized from the Blazing Fire Sect this time. There are spirit crystals, pills, and materials, and the quantity is quite large."

Ling Xiao said casually, in his view, the brothers who participated in the war had made tremendous efforts and sacrifices for this war, and this was a well-deserved reward, a way to repay them for their hard work and dedication.

"Take this and distribute it to the brothers who participated in this battle. We can't let everyone's hard work and sacrifice go to waste."

However, Ji Mingkong did not immediately accept the storage ring. Instead, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if hiding countless worries.

She slowly shook her head and said solemnly:
"Your Majesty, this matter... is probably not appropriate."

Although her voice was not loud, it conveyed an undeniable firmness.

She knew that in this complex situation, every decision could affect the future of the entire Hegemon Empire, and she could not make the wrong decision because of a momentary impulse.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao's relaxed and cheerful smile faded slightly, like a flower in full bloom in spring suddenly being touched by a gentle breeze, causing its petals to tremble.

A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly as if he were rapidly pondering the meaning of Ji Mingkong's words. He then asked:
"What's wrong?"

"Our brothers fought valiantly, braving gunfire and bullets, and paid a heavy price for this victory. Isn't it only right that we share the spoils of war after the victory?"

"They risked their lives to fight, and these spoils are rightfully theirs."

Ji Mingkong took a deep breath, the breath flowing slowly through her chest, as if accumulating enough strength to articulate her point of view.

With a serious expression and a firm gaze, she looked at Ling Xiao and began to explain:

"The Overlord Empire has its own laws and regulations, which are like the cornerstone of the country, supporting the stability and development of the entire empire."

"Rewards and punishments are all well-established, and every rule is carefully considered and formulated for the long-term interests of the empire."

"If the spoils of war are distributed among the participants after each battle, it may boost morale in the short term and allow the soldiers to see the direct benefits of the battle, thus encouraging them to join the battlefield more enthusiastically."

"But if this continues, it is easy to become lazy, and some people will gradually develop a dependency mentality, believing that as long as they participate in the battle, they will definitely get rich spoils, and no longer go all out as they did at the beginning."

"It could even trigger internal strife. When the quantity of spoils is limited or the quality is inconsistent, soldiers may have conflicts and disputes over more spoils."

“Some people will gradually take it for granted, and if they are not satisfied with their harvest or the distribution is not satisfactory in the future, they may harbor resentment. Once this resentment accumulates, it will be like a malignant tumor, gradually eroding the unity and stability of the empire and hindering long-term unity.”

"Rewards and punishments must be clearly defined and implemented through a system. Only by relying on a sound system can we ensure that everyone's efforts are fairly evaluated and rewarded, thus maintaining justice and inspiring future generations to continue to strive for the empire."

At this point, Ji Mingkong paused, his eyes revealing concern for the soldiers and expectations for the future of the empire, before continuing:

"Of course, the imperial court will never mistreat any meritorious official."

"Those who bravely fight the enemy and make outstanding contributions on the battlefield will be rewarded in a timely and full manner in accordance with the military merit system."

"The military merit system is like a precise ruler that can measure the size of each person's contribution and give corresponding rewards, so that everyone can be convinced of its merits."

After listening to Ji Mingkong's words, Ling Xiao pondered for a moment, his eyes becoming deep, as if he were repeatedly chewing over Ji Mingkong's words in his mind.

After a moment, he understood Ji Mingkong's deeper meaning.

He was not inept at political maneuvering; he had accumulated a wealth of experience through years of warfare and governance.

However, he sometimes preferred a simpler approach of seeking revenge and felt that directly distributing the spoils of war to his soldiers was the most direct and effective way to motivate them.

However, managing a large force requires more comprehensive consideration; one cannot prioritize short-term gains while neglecting long-term interests.

He nodded, a look of approval on his face, and readily agreed:

"You're right, I was just being naive."

"In that case, this matter shall be handled in accordance with the system of the Overlord Empire. You shall keep this ring for now, deposit it into the national treasury, and then the court shall distribute rewards based on merit."

"Only in this way can we ensure the stability and development of the empire, and allow everyone who has contributed to the empire to receive the rewards they deserve."