"You lead them to wage war far and wide; if you win, what do you gain?"
"If you lose, what will they lose?"
The outcome was clear. If they won, Prince Min Tu would become the Crown Prince, and the lands of the Great Chu Dynasty would belong to the Southern Ocean Kingdom. From then on, glory and riches would be theirs to enjoy for a lifetime. The soldiers, however, would remain soldiers. They couldn't become Crown Princes or even minor princes, not even nobles. They would still be at others' beck and call, still risking their lives for others. But if they lost, it would be a total defeat. Everyone would die together.
Heh. So what were they seeking by crossing the vast ocean to come here? Their lives are valuable too! They also long to return to their hometowns, to their wives, children, and warm homes. Though poor, life isn't unbearable. Why should they trade their lives for someone else's wealth and status? And it's not even certain they could make such a trade.
