Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1386 - 449: Accelerated Fission, Military Power Transition, Soldiers’ Remonstrance and Mutiny (Part 3)

The historical distribution framework for Chui Mountain stipulated that the Lord and the Army Chief each received ten percent for no-cost distribution; the remaining eighty percent was split, with forty percent allocated to the military, another twenty percent divided between the Duan and Mu Families, and the final twenty percent auctioned by merchant guilds.

Naturally, this 'allocation' was essentially purchasing permits; apart from the complimentary ten percent designated for Lord Duan Hong and Army Chief Mu Longhe, all others were required to pay silver.

Speaking of which, Master Mu Longhe’s magnanimity deserves special mention.

Mu Longhe, possessing a Xianyang Level cultivation, had no need for such Dan Medicine himself. Logically, he ought to have passed it directly to the Mu Family disciples, much like Duan Hong did.

However, Mu Longhe chose a different path. Each year, he distributed his ten percent share equally among the Mu, Zhu, Helian, and Qiu families. This act demonstrated that Master Mu Longhe viewed his three direct disciples as his own sons, a sentiment greatly contributing to the Mu Family's sustained influence within the military surpassing that of the Duan Family.

Furthermore, even the share exclusively claimed by the Mu Family was, by Master Mu Longhe’s decree, opened for distribution among the Zhu, Helian, and Qiu families. While this decision sparked numerous disputes between Mu Family disciples and those from the other three clans in earlier years, Master ultimately quelled all such conflicts.

Of course, those were merely past events.

Two years ago, following an incident involving Mu Longhe, Lord Duan Hong revised the established rules. Two-tenths of the Dragon Carp Pills and three other types of Dan Medicine procured annually from the Three Towns were now directly assigned to the Lord, while the remaining eighty percent was entirely offered for public sale by merchant guilds within the Town, facilitating open trade.

Ostensibly, this change seemed fair, fostering free competition where wealth dictated access.

Yet, in practice, the reality was far from this idealized scenario.

Ultimately, the Duan Family retained control over Chui Mountain. Their dominion extended to the entire town’s silver mine. While the Mu Family wielded significant clout within the military, the ultimate financial control remained firmly with the Duan Family. This disparity immediately placed the Mu Family at a disadvantage in terms of financial resources when compared to the Duan Family.

In the year prior, the allocation of Dan Medicine became a contentious battle for the Mu Family faction. They leveraged accumulated silver reserves to contend with the Duan Family, managing to secure a portion. The subsequent year, however, saw their decisive defeat, with the entire Mu Family faction obtaining less than ten percent of the Dan Medicine quota.

Over the past two years, a substantial number of Mu Family faction members have been systematically excluded from the military and political institutions of the Town. Their silver income has dwindled, amplifying their misfortunes. This year’s Dan Medicine allocation is, by comparison, almost negligible; they are unlikely to secure even five percent, let alone the ten percent they once contended for.

This unfortunate circumstance directly explains the stagnation in Father Helian Shan’s cultivation.

With the entire Mu Family faction unable to secure a stable Dan Medicine allocation, where would Father find the means for his cultivation?

It is not merely Father; Helian Ba, despite his own cultivation reaching Peak Cold Resistance and his personal strength plateauing at the 23rd rank, is also a casualty of this situation. However, his concern extends primarily to his Father.

Helian Shan, nearing eighty years of age, is entering the natural decline of vitality and blood. If his strength ceases to improve, this decline will inevitably accelerate. As a devoted son, he is deeply averse to witnessing his Father succumb to such premature senescence.

"What? Seeing your father’s vitality waning, are you distressed?"

With an intimate understanding of his son, Helian Shan discerned the source of his worried expression the moment Helian Ba entered the room. While gratified by his son’s concern, he couldn't resist a gentle jest.

Helian Ba, possessing a less direct disposition than his father, adopted a somber mien upon hearing the remark. He initially nodded, then, remembering the pressing matters at hand, leaned forward and confided in a hushed tone, "Father, I have already had the two hundred brothers in the Three Armies Scout Camp tested individually, and there are no irregularities found!"

"The Three Armies represent our Mu Family’s core contingent. Facing such relentless suppression and the current scarcity of resources, harboring such sentiments is quite understandable."

Upon hearing his son’s report, Helian Shan’s expression turned grave, though he betrayed no significant surprise, evidently having foreseen such developments long ago.

Helian Ba’s gaze sharpened slightly at his father’s words. He continued his inquiry in a low voice, "Are Master Uncle and Master’s brothers prepared on their end?"

Beside his three pupils, Mu Longhe also fathered two sons. These five are arranged by age: Mu Qinghe, Zhu Ziying, Helian Shan, Qiu Sanming, and Mu Qingyu. As Helian Shan holds the third position, by seniority, Helian Ba would address the other four as Grand Uncle and Masters.

"They were made ready ages ago..."

Helian Shan took a moment after replying, then carried on, "It was just after dusk that Duan Hong stripped your Grand Uncle of his post as Commander of the Third Army within the Yellow Armor Army. Take a guess who the new Commander is?"

Has Grand Uncle Mu Qinghe been deposed from his command of the Third Army?

Upon hearing this from his father, Helian Ba’s face contorted with shock. This remaining Commander position for the Mu Family's faction in the military represented their final foothold; its removal effectively meant the complete eradication of the Mu Family's influence within the Chui Mountain Military.

Who, then, assumed the role of the new Commander?

Helian Ba pondered for a moment. Then, catching a glimpse of the playful glint in his father's eyes, he instantly grasped the implication and exclaimed in disbelief, "Could it be Duan Ming?"

Helian Shan nodded, affirming his son's deduction. This confirmation sent waves of astonishment through Helian Ba, his visage remaining frozen for what felt like an eternity before he finally let out a sigh, shaking his head repeatedly with a sense of utter powerlessness, as if any further words were simply too much to bear.

Yet, after a brief silence, he found himself compelled to speak:

"The Duan Family truly has no capable individuals left to promote!

Duan Sheng, Duan Yang, and Duan Chen – these three have only just managed to break through to the 30th rank in strength, yet they are being forcibly elevated to Deputy Army Chief positions. This has already stirred significant unrest within the army, turning Duan Hong into a public enemy;