In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 885 Dragon Bone Little Panda

"Yes!"

Everyone accepted the order in unison, and soon some people left the county office to arrange the conscription.

Inside the county government office, an elder hesitated and said, "Recruiting soldiers is easy, but how do we solve the problem of provisions? Our army's current provisions are probably insufficient to support a large-scale battle!"

In the long-term war against the local warlords of Qiongzhou, the White Lotus Sect suffered enormous losses in both manpower and food supplies. It was already difficult to supply the original tens of thousands of troops, let alone the increased number of recruits after conscription.

"This is alright!"

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Mingwang said, "I will personally write a letter to request the Yuezhou aristocratic families to provide more supplies."

"So good!"

The elder who spoke nodded. If the powerful families of Yuezhou could provide more supplies, the food shortage problem would be easily solved.

but……

The elder pondered for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, conscripting soldiers alone is probably not enough to ensure a safe outcome!"

"Oh?"

Xiao Mingwang glanced sideways and asked, "Elder Li, do you have any other suggestions?"

"I believe that in addition to large-scale conscription and preparations for a decisive battle with the Qiongzhou warlords, we also need to prepare for peace talks with the Qiongzhou aristocratic families!"

The elder's words caused an uproar in the room.

"Peace talks? Impossible! The Qiongzhou aristocratic families have caused such enormous losses to my sect; I will absolutely not allow them to negotiate peace!"

"No! How many of my followers have died at the hands of that powerful family in Qiongzhou? How can we negotiate peace with them?"

"The warlords of Qiongzhou and the powerful families behind them regard us as no different from enemy soldiers. How could they possibly negotiate peace with us!"

"..."

The expressions of the people in the room changed slightly. In the nearly one-year war, countless soldiers of the White Lotus Sect had died at the hands of the Qiongzhou warlords, while a large number of soldiers of the Qiongzhou warlords had also died at the hands of the White Lotus Sect. The two sides had long since formed a blood feud.

In this situation, there is no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides. Even if the high-ranking officials on site agree, the soldiers below will likely complain.

"Tell me what you think."

Little Ming King didn't react much, but looked at the elder surnamed Li and said.

"Yes!"

Elder Li bowed and responded, then said, "King Ming and everyone here should know that even if our sect increases its military strength, it will be difficult to quickly defeat the Qiongzhou warlords. However, we need to take Qiongzhou as soon as possible in order to conquer the world."

Therefore, I suggest that our sect make two preparations: on the one hand, we should recruit soldiers on a large scale, and on the other hand, we should negotiate peace with the aristocratic families of Qiongzhou. If our sect can gain the support of the aristocratic families of Qiongzhou, that would be the best outcome.

If the powerful families of Qiongzhou refuse, then we can consider launching a full-scale attack!

Upon hearing this, the high-ranking members of the White Lotus Sect present showed thoughtful expressions. Just as Elder Li said, even with a large-scale conscription and a significant increase in their own military strength, the White Lotus Sect would find it difficult to defeat the Qiongzhou warlords in one fell swoop.

In this situation, negotiating peace or even gaining the support of the prominent families of Qiongzhou would undoubtedly be the best outcome for the White Lotus Sect.

If the White Lotus Sect could gain the support of the powerful families in both Qiongzhou and Yuezhou, its development would certainly be even more rapid, quickly growing to a point where it could rival the Yang Family Army, thus greatly increasing its chances of dominating the world...

Thinking about this, many high-ranking members of the White Lotus Sect were already tempted.

It must be said that Elder Li's suggestion was quite brilliant, as the White Lotus Sect originally started with the support of the Yuezhou aristocratic families.

They were completely different from Yang Zheng. Yang Zheng despised those powerful families who leeched off the common people, so he was unwilling to accept their financial support or be controlled by them.

But for the White Lotus Sect... the more aristocratic families who support them, the better.

As for the soldiers' dissatisfaction with the peace talks...

Neither Xiao Mingwang nor the elders present cared much about this. The White Lotus Sect's soldiers were like puppets in their hands, tools for them to plunder profits. Who would care about the life or death of the tools or their emotions?

Anyway, these soldiers are all from lowly backgrounds, and if some die, new lowly people can be quickly recruited to replace them, so there is no worry about not having enough soldiers.

"This plan works!"

An elder's eyes lit up slightly as he said, "If we can make peace with the Qiongzhou aristocratic families, and even gain their support, it will indeed be of great benefit to our sect. I agree to make peace with the Qiongzhou aristocratic families!"

"I agree."

"I agree!"

"I support Elder Li's suggestion!"

"..."

After only a moment's consideration, most of the White Lotus Sect's high-ranking members present agreed with Elder Li's suggestion.

On the contrary, Xiao Mingwang hesitated and said, "It would indeed be beneficial for my sect to negotiate peace with the Qiongzhou aristocratic families, but would those Qiongzhou aristocratic families be willing to negotiate peace with us?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Elder Li said confidently, "What the aristocratic families seek is nothing more than profit! If the Ming King only needs to make some promises to the aristocratic families of Qiongzhou, guaranteeing that their families will receive more benefits after establishing his rule over the world, the aristocratic families of Qiongzhou will definitely be willing to support us!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingwang nodded. Having dealt with the powerful families of Yuezhou before, he was well aware of their weaknesses. All they wanted was to preserve their wealth and status and ensure the family line would continue forever.

As long as one is willing to give up benefits, or even promise to bestow hereditary titles upon the Qiongzhou aristocratic families after conquering the world, these Qiongzhou aristocratic families are by no means unable to resist such temptation!

"Elder Li, I'll leave the peace negotiations to you!"

Xiao Mingwang concluded, "We must do everything in our power to gain the support of the Qiongzhou aristocratic families. As for the Yuezhou aristocratic families, I will personally appease them and persuade them to put aside their differences with the Qiongzhou aristocratic families and support my sect together!"

"As ordered!"

"Furthermore, we must not lag behind in conscription. If the powerful families of Qiongzhou are truly stubborn and unyielding, we must strike swiftly and annihilate them!"

"Yes!"

Thus, the White Lotus Sect began a vigorous campaign, conducting large-scale conscription in its territory of Yuezhou, causing widespread resentment throughout the region.

On one hand, he secretly sent Elder Li to contact the Qiongzhou aristocratic families, trying to negotiate peace with them and even gain their support!

Neither conscription nor peace talks can be accomplished in a short time. Therefore, the situation of the White Lotus Sect will not change much in the short term.

While the White Lotus Sect was taking action, Chen Dao was also checking on the advancement of several strange beasts in Chen Family Village.

【Dragon Bone Red Panda】

【Features: Steel-like body, claws as sharp as dragon claws, can control crimson fire, combat power comparable to a first-grade martial artist.】

[Dragon Bone Red Panda Advancement Path 1: Mating with Phoenix Tail Red Panda can produce Spirit Flame Red Panda.]

【Characteristics of the Spirit Flame Panda: With bones and muscles like a dragon and claws like a phoenix, it can control spirit flames to incinerate all mortal martial artists, and its combat power is comparable to the first level of the Spirit Martial Realm.】

[Dragon Bone Red Panda Advancement Route Two: Feeding it Wind Spirit Flowers for one month will advance it to a Wind Spirit Red Panda.]

【Characteristics of the Wind Spirit Panda: Swift and agile like no ordinary beast, it can control spiritual winds to annihilate all mortal-level martial artists, and its combat power is comparable to the first level of the Spirit Martial Realm.】