"Eighth Deputy General, what are you saying? It's just borrowing ten men. They're my men, so you can order them around as you please."

Lieutenant Yuan thought that Ling Ba probably felt this place was unsafe and wanted to bring more people with him for self-defense when he went out.

"I meant to deliver it," Ling Bayi corrected.

"Give it to you? Uh... okay, given our friendship, I'd give it to anyone, even a hundred, let alone ten."

Without hesitation, Captain Yuan readily agreed.

Who is Ling Ba? He's a favorite of the general.

He looked at the soldiers collecting saltpeter beside him: "Who among you is willing to follow the Eighth Deputy General? Step forward."

Upon hearing that they could now serve as individual officers alongside the Eighth Deputy General, the soldiers all stepped forward.

In this way, their status can be elevated by one level.

"Your subordinate is willing."

"I am willing as well."

"..."

Looking at the more than one hundred people standing in front of him,

Others wanted to step forward, but hesitated because they also wanted to return with Commandant Yuan earlier.

The remaining few hundred people were standing too far away to hear Ling Ba and Captain Yuan's conversation.

Captain Yuan's face darkened, and he feigned seriousness.

"Hmph, you ingrates! Haven't I treated you well all this time?"

The soldiers chuckled sheepishly.

"Commander Yuan, that's not what we meant. We just wanted to do our best to contribute to Dongjin."

"Following me means you can't do your best?" Captain Yuan's face turned cold, then he smiled at Ling Ba.

"All eight deputy generals are willing to follow you. You can choose these men yourself."

Ling Ba thought for a moment, then addressed the hundred or so people in front of him:

"You, come out with me." After saying this, he turned and walked towards the mine.

These hundred or so people wanted to follow, but they looked at each other, and...

Finally, they all turned their gaze to Captain Yuan.

"Sigh, a bunch of greenhorns," Captain Yuan said slyly. "I'm talking to you all. Go out with me."

"yes!"

The hundred-plus soldiers responded in unison and followed behind Ling Ba.

Captain Yuan also went out.

Qiu Yan had already cleaned all the bottles and jars and started making the culture medium.

Seeing Ling Ba emerge from afar, she waved to him.

"Come and help."

Upon closer inspection, she was somewhat puzzled.

Because, behind Ling Ba, besides Captain Yuan, there were also a large number of soldiers following closely behind.

Could it be that the nitrate mine is exhausted?

"Okay." Ling Ba replied with a smile and walked towards Qiu Yan.

And he didn't forget to glance at the soldiers behind him.

"Keep up."

The soldiers were all in high spirits.

Captain Yuan also followed.

He stood shoulder to shoulder with Ling Baping and asked him,

"Eight deputy generals? Didn't you say you needed ten?"

Ling Ba smiled faintly: "Let Xiao Yan choose for herself."

"What?" Captain Yuan exclaimed in surprise.

He then turned his gaze to Qiu Yan.

"You didn't want this for yourself?"

Then he clicked his tongue twice. So, the Eighth Vice-General was trying to curry favor.

Is the Eighth Deputy General trying to use his own people to curry favor with his sweetheart?

"The Eighth Deputy General is brave and valiant, and Miss Qiu is poised and graceful. In my opinion, they are a match made in heaven."

"Commander Yuan has misunderstood." Ling Ba's smile stiffened.

"Xiaoyan is not someone I can covet."

It turned out he had misunderstood; Captain Yuan blushed with embarrassment.

He coughed awkwardly to cover up his embarrassment.

"Even the Eighth Deputy General says so, this Miss Qiu must be extraordinary! She called you cousin? Is she really your cousin?"

Ling Ba smiled bitterly and did not reply.

Lieutenant Yuan patted Ling Ba on the shoulder and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Ah, Eighth Deputy General, if you have taken a fancy to Miss Qiu, please feel free to express your opinion."