Cultivation: But Not a Game-Chapter 125 - 60: Li Shui Town, Third Brigade_2

"In the next year, I will focus on three things: first, reorganize the team to restore the full capacity of the battalion."

"Second, rebuild the treasury. The previous commander left, leaving the treasury with less than one percent. We aim to rebuild it within a year."

"Third, enhance our capabilities by organizing more group activities to improve the average skill level and cohesion of our members."

"The above plans require everyone’s concerted effort to be realized as soon as possible."

Su Yu’s gaze sharpened as he sternly ordered,

"Second Company, Mu Chen!"

Mu Chen’s expression became serious as he loudly responded.

"Third Company, Xiao Yunya."

"Fourth Company, Gu Yao."

"Fifth Company, Hu Qingfeng!"

All four company leaders stepped forward.

"You are the leaders of these four companies, responsible for leading them. My three demands are laid out here. Can you achieve them within a year?"

Hu Qingfeng immediately answered,

"Fifth Company guarantees to complete the task."

"Wow, such a sycophant!"

Mu Chen and Xiao Yunya replied seriously.

"Very well, all four captains are quite confident. I’m looking forward to it."

Su Yu smiled slightly and waved his hand,

"Now, only the First Company remains; all other companies are dismissed."

The square fell quiet for a moment, and then a low murmur ensued. The arranged formations quickly turned chaotic as people began to leave in quick succession.

Su Yu moved to stand before the First Company, scanning over the significantly smaller group in comparison to other companies, and said sternly,

"Squad leaders and deputy company commanders step forward!"

The crowd stirred, but only three people stepped forward.

"Third Squad Leader, Zhao Fenglan."

"Seventh Squad Leader, Cheng Yunqing."

"Tenth Squad Leader, Fei Mingli."

Su Yu frowned and turned to Zhao Fenglan, asking,

"How many people are in the First Company now?"

Zhao Fenglan immediately answered,

"Originally 196 in the First Company, now 89 remain."

"So few?"

He hadn’t expected such a severe loss in personnel for the First Company, with only three squad leaders present while seven others were taken by the former commander.

Although Chu Xinyue regained control of the Second Corps, it was not the complete Second Corps but rather a fragmented one.

The former antagonistic commanders of the First, Third, and Fourth Battalions chose to take loyal subordinates and break away, establishing their own bases after she regained control of the Second Corps.

However, they didn’t completely leave the guild. Rather, they became independent companies within the guild with its support.

The Third Battalion had already been split once, originally comprising a thousand members, and now only has over six hundred left.

The First Company, as the former commander’s direct company, was more harshly divided, with more than half of its members taken away.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. The worst was that they had emptied the original treasury and warehouse of the battalion. Now, the Third Battalion and its five affiliated companies have nothing left in their treasury, and the warehouse, while not entirely emptied, is left with only some worthless materials.

There is nothing Chu Xinyue can do about this, as such situations adhere to an unspoken rule.

The guild, unlike a country, is merely a faction characterized by its internal factions, each leader with their own followers and foundation, obeying only their immediate superior.

Similar to the Thousand Feather Guild, the three main corps are three major factions.

Dozens of independent companies are minor factions.

The main corps, compared to the independent companies, hold more power and influence. Any single one can easily overpower an independent company, yet the main corps has no authority to command any independent company.

Furthermore, they have the support of the high-level guild leaders. Chu Xinyue, having just assumed control of the Second Corps and lacking strength, cannot punish them.

Su Yu did not linger here. After briefly organizing, he conducted a simple review and familiarization with the team before dismissing them.

Then, he took the three squad leaders to the town’s base, where they introduced him to Li Shui Town and the basic situation of the Third Battalion.

After taking a tour around the town, he gained a deeper understanding of the Third Battalion’s current situation.

Li Shui Town serves as the battalion’s base, and apart from this, the battalion has two resource sites nearby. One is located in the mountains over a thousand kilometers northwest of Li Shui Town, a large Yuantong copper mine that produces a mineral called Yuantong. This is used to make second to third tier Flying Sword Magical Treasures, generating about 160 gold annually for the battalion.

The second resource site is a small Spirit Vein over seven hundred kilometers north of the town where the Third Battalion has established a large medicine field spanning over five hundred acres, cultivating various Spiritual Medicines. This also generates about 120 gold annually for the battalion.

In addition, Li Shui Town itself generates income.

The annual tax revenue is approximately 70 gold.

Annual rental income from the town’s houses is about 30 gold.

Shops affiliated with the Third Battalion within the town earn about 140 gold annually.

In total, the annual income amounts to 520 gold.

The required contribution to the corps is 50%, leaving a remaining 260 gold.

This income is considered average, barely enough to maintain a battalion’s basic operations, definitely not sufficient to achieve wealth.

To win over the people, one must provide them with hope, letting them know that following you leads to prosperity, all of which requires money.

So, how to generate funds?

Based on the current situation of the Third Battalion, Su Yu summarized three methods.

One is to develop new resource points, expanding two or three additional sites to immediately increase income.

A second is defeating BOSSes or attacking demon camps, which can enhance group cohesion, level up, and looting demon camp warehouses yields substantial resources. Even the weakest demon camps have several Level 100 Demon Generals and Demon Kings, with BOSSes themselves dropping loot — providing cash and stocking the warehouse.

Third is to lower prices and expand new business, with the Third Battalion having several warships that can take newcomers to level up.

Normally one person costs 1 gold per day, but they can offer discounts to attract more people, such as a 50% discount for just 50 silver per day on board.

If ten people join per day, that’s 5 gold in income, and twenty people make it 10 gold.

If a stable income is achieved, the annual revenue could reach several hundred gold.

However, this won’t last too long, as consistently lowering prices can disrupt the market, likely causing the guild to eventually stop it.

Nonetheless, if the first two methods can be implemented, they can indeed swiftly boost the battalion’s income.

"First step is to integrate the battalion, while recruiting some newcomers, and lead the team on a few successful ventures by month’s end to alleviate financial strain."

"As Xiaoyu said, even to stay in the sect, you need funds to support cultivation. If a battalion develops well, it can provide more than a hundred gold in income annually, greatly easing future financial pressure."

Su Yu pinched his chin, then sent a message through the team channel to several company commanders,

"Come to the council hall for a meeting, and bring along all existing squad leaders."

"Received."

It was Hu Qingfeng who responded first.

When Su Yu reached the base council hall, Hu Qingfeng was already there, conversing with a few subordinates. Upon seeing him, they quickly stood and greeted,

"Battalion Commander." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Su Yu nodded, waving his hand,

"Sit."

"How many squad leaders does the Fifth Company have?"

"Six."

"That’s twice as many as my First Company, where I only have three left."

Hu Qingfeng chuckled,

"Having fewer people has its advantages: those who remain are loyal, making it easier to win their hearts."

"Indeed."

Su Yu was quite fond of this company leader who supported him immediately, smiling as he said,

"The Fifth Company still has four squad leader positions open. Prepare a candidate list and submit it to me for approval."

Hu Qingfeng quickly nodded in gratitude,

"Thank you, Mr. Su."

At this moment, someone entered, interrupting what he was about to say. Upon looking up, Mu Chen, Xiao Yunya, and others had arrived.

The group cupped their hands in greeting and then took their seats.

Su Yu sat down grandly at the head of the table, speaking in a deep voice,

"You are all aware of the basic situation of the Third Battalion, so I won’t elaborate. The regiment commander has appointed you as company leaders; your decisions regarding your companies will be entirely your responsibility, without interference from me under normal circumstances. I only have three requirements."

"First, within one month, organize internally in each company, restructuring into ten squads, and submit the candidate list of squad leaders to me for review at that time."

"Second, each company is to recruit 20 new members within a month."

"Third, each company must submit 100 gold to the battalion treasury by the end of the month."

He looked at them impassively and asked,

"Are there any questions?"

"Speak now if you have any issues; don’t tell me later that it’s impossible once we’ve left the council hall."

The group exchanged looks, and Hu Qingfeng immediately cupped his hands and said,

"No problem for the Fifth Company."

The others opened their mouths, quickly stating that there were no issues.

"Very well, dismissed."