Chương 33: Luck Lottery, Falcon Taming

Three days later, the base returned to its usual tranquility.

Inside the command center of the high-rise building.

Chu Zhaoxue stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the martial artists training below. The morning light gilded her smart military uniform with a golden edge.

"Give me a detailed list of all the members of the Sheng Hai family in the base," she ordered without turning her head.

"Yes, General." The female officer beside him immediately handed over a neatly bound folder.

Chu Zhaoxue took it, her fingertips gently turning the pages, her gaze sweeping over the names and background information like a hawk.

"Those who are not valued within the family and have a rebellious streak should be circled in red and given special attention. They are the ones we need to win over in the future."

She paused, then added, "In particular, we need to focus on strengthening their military and political education in the upcoming classes."

The female officer frowned slightly, asking with some confusion, "General, forgive my bluntness, but these people are not valued by their families and have limited access to family resources. Their foundation is far inferior to that of the true core members of those aristocratic families. Even if we win them over, it probably won't have much effect on controlling the entire aristocratic family."

"No, you're wrong." Chu Zhaoxue turned around and gently placed the list on the table, making a crisp sound.

"Look at these names. In their family tree, they may just be scraps, pawns that can be sacrificed at any time; but in our hands, they can become the sharpest wedges driven into the heart of their families."

She stared intently at the female officer:

"It's precisely because they're neglected that they're most worth winning over! They harbor too much resentment and bitterness. What our new army can give them is something their families can never provide—guns, an army, power! Just think, a son who has no say in his family, once he commands hundreds or thousands of elite troops, how could he not develop ambitions?"

"The general means... to raise tigers to drive away wolves? But these 'tiger cubs' are wild and difficult to tame, and I'm afraid they won't be easy to raise them." The female officer was still somewhat worried.

"Raising tigers? No, it's taming eagles," Chu Zhaoxue corrected.

"We starve their bodies, break their pride, and then feed them the meat in our hands. Only then will they recognize us as their masters and hunt for us."

She walked to the map and pointed to several areas of Sheng Hai: "I want them to feel from the bottom of their hearts that the New Army is their only support and the source of confidence for all their actions."

She paced back and forth a couple of steps, her voice carrying the weight of history:

"Historically, the powerful warlord Cao Cao's core strategy for building his own faction was to find those with potential, resentment, and those who were not successful in the old system. Because you give them something the old system never gives—hope and seemingly fair opportunities. Therefore, their loyalty to the new master far exceeds that of the old nobles."

She changed the subject, her eyes sharpening: "However, before that, we must first cultivate their 'loyalty,' which cannot be achieved by mere words."

"Indeed, only loyalty can earn us important responsibilities. But how to truly bring them to our side is the real challenge." The female officer sighed and said, "I've observed these past three days, and most of those scions of noble families are used to a life of luxury. When they see the missions posted on the mission board, they just glance at them out of curiosity and have no intention of accepting them. Getting them to work for us willingly will be very difficult."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhaoxue revealed a knowing smile on her face.

"Human nature needs to be guided, not forced."

She slowly said, "In this way, before each mission is issued, we can create a lottery gimmick. We'll secretly manipulate it, providing a so-called 'lucky list,' and those who draw the 'lucky ball' will have their merit points doubled after completing the mission!"

"Lottery draws are a perfect disguise for us to conduct 'selective incentives' and 'loyalty tests'."

"The coveted merit points and the immense allure of powerful military positions can definitely ignite the restlessness deep within their hearts. In aristocratic families, there are many concubines, and power struggles and intrigues are commonplace. Those children who grow up in such an environment are not stupid. Once they have a clear ladder to climb, their inner desires will become uncontrollable."

"In the initial stage, you can give them some simple tasks that they can complete easily and experience the satisfaction. This will give them hope. What people fear most is not difficulty, but the lack of hope. Once they see hope, the potential they unleash will be several times or even dozens of times greater than usual."

She looked at the female officer and said with the most blunt analogy, "Have you ever seen a fool who wouldn't pick up money when it's available? Once they start, they'll be like cats that have tasted meat, unable to resist continuing. Because, in this world, everything is either zero times or countless times."

"General, what a brilliant idea!" The female officer's eyes gleamed, completely impressed by the intricately planned scheme.

Chu Zhaoxue's gaze returned to the window, her voice growing louder and deeper:

"Our strategy is to support the 'secondary forces' within the aristocratic families—those illegitimate sons and collateral branches—to counterbalance or even replace the uncooperative 'primary forces'—the direct line heads. This allows us to achieve low-cost, high-efficiency indirect control."

"Remember, the good families are those that are controlled by the new army! Those old families that don't contribute money, effort, or concessions should be eliminated."

"The New Army's tables can only hold obedient bowls. Those old, broken, and prickly ones... should be smashed by their own people."

"Our new army is developing too fast; there are major changes every few years. We need to catch up in terms of territorial consolidation!"

"General, your insight is excellent. I will make the arrangements immediately." The female officer bowed and accepted the order with heartfelt gratitude.

"Oh, right, General." Before leaving, the female officer remembered something and turned back to report, "After Yuan Ye's death, the Blood God Cult seems to have vanished into thin air; there hasn't been a single word from them since!"

Chu Zhaoxue looked down at the well-organized base, her gaze becoming profound:

"Yuan Ye is only a vice leader, yet the Blood God Sect has suffered heavy losses because of him, losing two of its most treasured artifacts, the 'Blood Fiend Blade' and the 'Blood Soul Divine Needle.' It is only natural for them to choose to lie low and prolong their existence."

She shifted her tone, her voice carrying a hint of warning: "However, we must be especially careful at times like these. A mad dog driven to madness often retaliates with the most ferocious fury. Have the intelligence department intensify its surveillance; don't let any clue related to the Blood God Cult slip by!"

"The general is right!" The female officer's expression also turned serious as she solemnly replied before turning and quietly retreating.