Chapter 425: World Chapter: The Xuanyong Army Rising to Resistance (1)

Shang Yang was just an insignificant pawn in Xuanyong's million-strong army.

Of course, compared to those heroes with unpredictable powers, although he was just a low-level soldier, Shang Yang was very sure that he had the talent to govern the country. It was only because of the absurd current situation that he was not able to appreciate his talent.

That's right, he has always believed this; if he were allowed to ascend to the management level of the empire, he would definitely be able to bring subversive changes and prosperity to the Xuanyong Empire!
Because to be honest, the world is actually a bit "sick" at the moment.

No, what he meant was that some people are born poor, while some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth and are destined to become rich no matter how hard they work in the future. Shang Yang has always agreed with these natural advantages that family background brings to individuals, and he thinks this is the norm in the world and is not worth being discouraged about.

If one person's ten years of hard study alone could surpass the accumulation of several generations of others, wouldn't that be the biggest joke in the world?

What really made Shang Yang feel "sick" and difficult to accept was the sense of division and unfairness brought about by the class solidification in the current environment, that is, a small number of powerful families absorbed most of the resources, leaving ordinary people permanently deprived of the ladder to advancement.

Currently within the Xuanyong Corps, no matter how big or small the official position is, all officer-level soldiers with certain powers must be descendants of those demonic families. With this environment as the background, for example, on the battlefield in the canyon, even if a low-level soldier of civilian origin has killed 100 enemy soldiers in total, he will never be rewarded or promoted at the post-war reward ceremony. The supreme ruler will only reward the leading children of the powerful. For example, in the rear area, those civilians who continuously provide various supplies to the front line, their hard work day and night is only regarded as a matter of course, and some are even forced.

You see, this is very unreasonable. Those who work hard do not get the corresponding rewards, while the children of the powerful and wealthy who can only talk big have been reaping the benefits with peace of mind. But even so, this "pathology" has existed for thousands of years and has been repeating itself.

Why is the world so absurd?
Just like him.

The reason why Shang Yang was on the battlefield at the moment was entirely because of that damned "corvée". As long as the people of Xuanyong reached marriageable age, they would be voluntarily or forcibly pulled into the legion to supplement the increasingly depleted troops. If it weren't for the corvée, then he would now -

Shang Yang turned his head slightly, and looked to the side with a pair of eyes that were slightly indignant. Unconsciously, a rare smile of tenderness and happiness appeared on his face and eyes.

But not far away, a group of female magic soldiers were gathered together and chattering.

"Hey, you guys, is the war going to end soon?"

"It should be almost over, right? Look, almost all of our Xuanyong heroes have been dispatched. Even if the opponent is strong, it is impossible for him to defeat our Majesty."

"Besides, I heard that even the legendary black and white chess troops from Jixia Academy have come to support the front line!"

"Later, even the two adults came over. I guess it will be over soon, and we can go home soon~!"

"Alas, our opponent this time is really pitiful."

Shang Yang's attention was focused on one of the magic female soldiers who had been silently listening to her companions' conversation from beginning to end.

She was a pretty girl with a graceful figure. Not only did she have fair and delicate skin, but her facial features were also extremely regular and beautiful. She also had a pair of distinct eyebrows and a pair of deep dark eyes. Although she remained silent from beginning to end, her appearance had a dignified and elegant aristocratic temperament. Coupled with her graceful figure that could not be concealed even by the magic robe, she became the focus of all the male soldiers in the highlands even if she just stood there.

And in the crowd, the girl seemed to have noticed Shang Yang's gaze. She turned her head slightly, and the moment her eyes met Shang Yang's, a charming blush unconsciously appeared on her delicate face, and then she subconsciously smiled gently at Shang Yang.

That smile, with a bit of shyness, a bit of tenderness, and a bit of coquettishness, is just like the bright moon in the night sky, enough to illuminate all the darkness in the world.

Ah, how beautiful.
This honor is something that none of the 38 male soldiers in the Xuanyong Legion can enjoy, and it is uniquely exclusive to Shang Yang.

Shang Yang raised his head with great satisfaction, gazing at the starry night sky, and suddenly felt that this canyon battlefield, known as the "human meat grinder", was also so beautiful.

Her name was Yingyu. She was the descendant of a small noble family that had fallen from power among the many nobles in Xuanyong. Even though she was just a small noble family that had fallen from power, she actually enjoyed the right to be exempted from corvée service. However, this beautiful girl still appeared in this land of war, just for him, for Shang Yang.

The story is simply that a commoner family that is about to starve to death is taken in by a declining noble family. As a result, the children of the two families grow up together, become childhood sweethearts, and even fall in love with each other when they grow up. It's a similar melodramatic script.

However, unlike those bloody novels circulated among the people, Shang Yang was luckier, because nobles were originally forbidden to marry commoners, not to mention that the man's family was of a lower class. Fortunately, Yingyu's parents were reasonable people who did not stick to traditional customs. And because of the decline of their own family, they were not even disturbed or obstructed by the court. The two families successfully reached an engagement. All this should have been a happy thing, if it were not for the war.
Three years ago, Shang Yang, who had already chosen an auspicious date to get married, received a call for "corvée labor" from the empire. He would be forcibly enlisted in the Xuanyong Corps and begin a three-year military career.

This was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue at the time. Even though Yingyu's parents later tried to smooth things over and make arrangements, they were ultimately unable to prevent Shang Yang from evading the call for corvée labor in the face of the iron laws of the empire. Seeing that there was no hope and when everyone was at their wits' end, Yingyu, the usually quiet girl, did something that shocked everyone around her.

Yingyu, who received aristocratic education since childhood and had good magical qualifications and academic qualifications, ignored the strong opposition of her parents at the time and resolutely followed Shang Yang to join the Xuanyong Legion!
As the saying goes, if you marry a chicken, you follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, you follow the dog. However, this young girl, who had not even entered the family, had already given her body and soul to Shang Yang. Only Shang Yang knew clearly and cherished her true love.

From then on, the two began their three-year military career in the dangerous canyon battlefield. During the three years, they experienced countless life-and-death situations, fought against groups of enemies, wandered in the wild areas, ambushed the enemy, and even severely damaged super soldiers. Later, relying on tacit cooperation, they also had a remarkable record on the battlefield.

But as mentioned before, there are problems with the reward system. Although they have made great achievements and killed many enemies along the way, the result is that Yingyu has been promoted all the way and is now a centurion. Only Shang Yang is still just an ordinary pawn. But even so, Yingyu has always been loyal to Shang Yang.

If you get a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for?
If it weren't for the demands of the war, he would have probably married this beautiful girl in his hometown three years ago. If everything had gone well, their child might have been born.

If Shang Yang could become an imperial administrator with the recommendation of the Yingyu family and show his talent after returning, he would re-establish the reward system, abolish the hereditary noble system, reward military merit, and reward according to the number of enemies killed, instead of letting those powerful and wealthy children who only have appearances to show off their power abuse their power. At the same time, he would abolish the aristocratic well-field system, implement private ownership of land, allow free trade, and achieve economic growth.
This is the great blueprint that Shang Yang planned for a strong Xuanyong in countless nights; through a series of reforms, he created an unprecedentedly powerful empire!

Of course, for Shang Yang, these are just the pipe dreams of ordinary people from the bottom of society. In reality, it is impossible to realize these, because the heroes and the powerful people will not allow ordinary people like them to take power.

This world is so "sick".

Therefore, if he had to choose between his ambition and the jade, Shang Yang would choose the latter without hesitation.

Yes, let it be if he is not appreciated for his talent. After all, the current situation and the system do not allow it. Anyway, when he retires from the legion, even if he can only live a farm life with this girl for the rest of his life, with the man farming and the woman weaving, Shang Yang will be satisfied.

Now, such an ordinary wish will soon come true, because in a few days, the three-year corvée period will be over, and they will also end this arduous and dangerous military career, retire from the legion and return home.

Not many soldiers can survive the canyon battlefield and return home. When they do, the villagers will welcome them with gongs and drums and hold an unprecedented grand wedding for them.
Thinking of this, Shang Yang couldn't help but smile with happiness.

Maybe this is what they call a promising future!

just
Maybe this is how God is. This son of a bitch never makes things easy for anyone. When you think everything is hopeful, it often appears suddenly, cruelly takes away all hope, and laughs at the person involved without any scruples!
Rumble.
A low but heavy thunder suddenly came from the distant sky outside the high ground. It was so powerful that even the huge high ground that could accommodate millions of troops began to tremble slightly. Faintly, it seemed as if some terrifying group of giant beasts were approaching!
"Fuck, what's going on?"

“Is this thunder so scary?”

"Is everyone okay?"

The legion that was originally resting and chatting leisurely was suddenly in commotion. The crowd looked around in fear and asked each other questions.

What responded to them was a staggering figure slowly appearing on the high ground, and in the endless night sky behind them, there were dark clouds sweeping in like a ferocious beast.

"No, it's bad! The front line, the front battlefield has been completely destroyed by the enemy!!"

(End of this chapter)