An Jing himself did not need military merits, or rather, he found that relinquishing these rewards to change the lives of more people yielded him greater benefits. Therefore, he announced that all the military merits would go to the group headed by Xu Tai, who had planted the mines, and other militia who had responded to the call of Linjiang City's officials to build fortifications and lay mines.
For a time, many citizens of Linjiang City who had been doubtful and hesitant were now filled with immense regret—An Jing truly lived up to his Divine Mandate. The once-feared Iron Cavalry were annihilated in an instant before him; had they known, they too would have supported him and perhaps shared in the rewards.
As a result, when An Jing declared that Linjiang City needed more militia, those who had previously been reluctant and dragging their feet began to eagerly volunteer.
"But the battles to come will be tough."
