September 20.

The envoy sent by Prince Huai arrived in Linzhou, seeking to meet Chen Mo, just as Zuo Lianglun had finished organizing Linzhou.

Sun Meng left the two thousand Divine Martial Guards he led in Xiangfen to assist Zuo Lianglun with the aftermath, while he took the remaining Divine Brave Guard, along with the treasures confiscated from Linzhou, accompanied by Prince Huai's envoy, heading towards Yu State.

October 1.

Under Sun Meng's leadership, the envoy of Prince Huai arrived at Longmen County.

Sun Meng first settled the envoy of Prince Huai, then went to the government office to report.

...

Chen Mo was not at the government office but in the fields outside the city.

Although Yu State is mountainous, Longmen County is located in the heart of Yu State, with relatively fewer mountains. The open areas outside the city have long been cultivated into farmable fields. After hundreds of years of development, these are all fertile lands.

Chen Mo sat under a crooked tree, writing with a branch back and forth.

In the golden autumn of October, the grain planted in the summer is soon to be harvested.

Since taking control of Yu State, unlike in Pingting County and Qingtian County, Chen Mo has not mentioned tax exemptions or started tax collection.

He just wanted to see the local people's harvest and how to levy taxes.

This year, he won't collect taxes yet; there are more than two months left, and the year will be over.

During this time, he must quickly establish the tax collection amounts.

The terrain of Yu State is complex, and the harvest varies from county to county, so it must be based on actual conditions.

According to Chen Mo's plan, he intends to build two large granaries in both the north and south of Linzhou, each storing more than half a million bushels.

Once the granaries are filled, they will be sealed and not used externally.

In case of changes in the world's situation, whether advancing into Huai State or retreating to Jiangdong, grain can be drawn from these granaries, saving a lot of time compared to emergency requisition.

After that, Chen Mo wiped away the words "granary" and wrote "county school" on the soft mud.

The team he cultivated in Pingting County, especially the trained clerks, became extremely useful after he took Yu State.

However, this number of people is obviously not enough; it's been over ten days since recruitment orders were issued, yet very few people have come to join, far from what he imagined.

He can only establish a county school in Yu State to train himself.

And as for why, after ten or so days of recruitment, few have come to join, Chen Mo has understood some reasons.

Indeed, the strength is one aspect.

Another aspect is the family background.

The Chen Family, going back ten generations, were all poor farmers, with no prominent officials in the family, and he himself has no academic titles, just being a child student.

People with talent often care about appearances and comparison.

For instance, if two people are equally talented, and both are friends.

One friend joins Prince Huai, a powerful leader known to the world, with great prospects.

Meanwhile, joining a young and inexperienced kid like himself is something that might bring mockery from friends.

Or if two graduates, one joined a major company, while the other works on the assembly line.

It's said that, at least in outsiders' view, working at a major company is certainly more prestigious than assembly line work.

Chen Mo now is like running a small workshop himself, perhaps offering salaries and benefits not lower than the major company, but lacks the fame and industry status of the major company.

Most importantly, a major company has higher chances of going public.

A small workshop might go bankrupt at any time.

Besides, Chen Mo as the boss also has the "criminal record" of being a rebel.

To change this, the most direct way is to marry well, gaining political resources and wealth from his wife's family.

Of course, forcibly marrying someone like Xia Zhining or Liang Xue won't work; he needs someone like Yi Shiyin, since the Yi Family supports him fully.

However, the Yi Family is a small noble clan, and their help is no longer significant.

Chen Mo wishes to marry a girl from a prominent family.

Otherwise, his position as the legitimate wife would not always be vacant.

But if he actively seeks marriage, it would be degrading, and might be rejected and chased away, even if successful would place him in a lower position.

The other party must actively seek him.

Just then, a fast horse dashed towards them.

Due to the fields around, the personal soldiers on horseback dare not trample the rice. On the small path, they restrain the war horse, dismounting before running along the field ridge quickly to Chen Mo, saying: "Marquis, Prince Huai's envoy has come from Linzhou, led by General Sun, saying there is an important matter to discuss with the Marquis."

"Prince Huai's envoy?" Chen Mo was taken aback, wiping away the words in the mud, standing up. He had never dealt with Prince Huai before; why was he looking for him?

Could it be that his release of Ning Wan's news reached the other party, causing them to come and demand the person?

After careful consideration, Chen Mo said, "Tell Captain Sun that I am training soldiers on the field, let him bring the person here directly."

"Yes."

...

Sun Meng walked slowly, holding the horizontal saber at his waist, and said softly, "Our Marquis is training soldiers on the field, you can come with me directly."

Diwu Fusheng nodded with a smile.

After Prince Huai agreed to his proposal, in order to facilitate the signing of the treaty and to understand the situation in Yu State, and also because Diwu Fusheng wanted to meet Chen Mo, he personally came over.

Sun Meng glanced at Diwu Fusheng and said, "It's said that Prince Huai's command is rich in talent, why is it that only you have been sent as an envoy?"

"I came with goodwill, and coming alone can also express our prince's sincerity to the Marquis of Fu Ze Pavilion," Diwu Fusheng replied with a smile.

Sun Meng noticed his calm expression. As they traveled to Yu State, the other party remained composed, without a trace of panic, resembling literati enjoying the scenery.

A scholar with such courage amazed Sun Meng.

"We've arrived."

After walking for a while longer, Sun Meng pointed to the training field in the distance and said.

Diwu Fusheng nodded and followed behind Sun Meng into the training field.

Soon after, Diwu Fusheng's eyes widened slightly.

On the vast training field, bright banners waved in the autumn wind, and endless rows of soldiers in gold and black armor were neatly arranged, extending to the horizon, adding a bit of a chilling aura to the desolate autumn wind.

The imposing military power seemed like a surging torrent condensed on the training field, ready to gush out with the slightest disturbance and destroy everything in its path, yet it remained motionless, making the whole world feel oppressive and causing one's breath to subconsciously hitch.

"Truly extraordinary..." This thought crossed Diwu Fusheng's mind.

Though he had seen the Celestial Master Army, the troops before him were vastly different.

Diwu Fusheng's eyes couldn't hide his astonishment; weren't these under the Celestial Master Army's command? Why were they nowhere inferior compared to the Prince's Dragon Strategy Army?

Seeing Diwu Fusheng finally in awe, Sun Meng straightened up and said, "Please wait a moment, envoy."

He went to report.

During this time, Diwu Fusheng carefully observed the armor of gold and red hues he had never seen before and found it quite imposing, especially with the fine equipment — horizontal sabers, round shields, hand crossbows, long spears — which wasn't something a rebel army should possess.

Soon, his pupils contracted slightly as he discovered the Divine Arm Crossbow.

Diwu Fusheng, naturally knowledgeable about such a powerful weapon, knew that the Liang Family had researched it and never shared it outside. Even though there was some acquaintance between the Fifth Family and the Liang Family, Diwu Fusheng had never had a chance to examine it.

"Da da..."

The sound of armor leaves rustling arose as Sun Meng came over and said, "Envoy, the Marquis knows that Prince Huai's envoy would come and has reserved some time. He's waiting for you in the military tent, please follow me."

Diwu Fusheng reluctantly withdrew his gaze and walked toward the military tent.

In the military tent, Chen Mo sat at the head, flanked by Cui Shuang and Zhang He, their eyes turning to the person behind Sun Meng as he entered.

"A Sixth Grade official..."

Chen Mo first noticed the red number "245" on the other's forehead.

Then he examined his appearance and clothing.

First impressions are important, and demeanor and appearance are key selection criteria for officials.

Regardless of gender, having a pleasing appearance is always agreeable.

The visitor looked about twenty-six or seven years old, dressed in a blue robe; from the fabric, it was clearly not something a commoner could afford. His face was handsome, a wine gourd hanging at his waist.

"I am Diwu Fusheng, a guest of Prince Huai's Mansion, greeting the Marquis of Fu Ze Pavilion." Diwu Fusheng bowed to Chen Mo, executing a perfect ceremony, indicating his high standing.

Diwu Fusheng also knew the importance of presentation on a diplomatic mission and had refrained from drinking beforehand.

"Diwu?" Chen Mo raised his eyebrows, and Cui Shuang below asked in surprise, "What is your relation to Diwu Xiaoxian?"

"He is my ancestor." When Diwu Fusheng spoke these words, a hint of pride appeared on his face.

This was ancestral glory, something descendants are naturally proud of.

Cui Shuang slightly gasped.

Zhang He, while literate, hadn't read enough to know who Diwu Xiaoxian was but mimicked the reaction to avoid embarrassment.

The surname Diwu was rare and noble, and like Cui Shuang, Chen Mo also thought of Diwu Xiaoxian.

Upon hearing that Diwu Xiaoxian was this person's ancestor, Chen Mo's eyes slightly narrowed, "Prince Huai sent you as an envoy to me, what is your purpose?"

"Our prince has heard of the Marquis's great name, your achievements at just twenty-nine are impressive, and he admires you greatly. If it weren't for his preoccupations, he would have come personally by now..." Diwu Fusheng started with pleasantries instead of getting to the main point.

"Prince Huai is too kind," Chen Mo replied with a smile. "But I have never met Prince Huai, in fact, I may have even offended him, having berated him a bit not long ago. Surely you aren't here on his behalf to seek an explanation?"

"Not at all, our prince knows you've misunderstood him, he's also here to clear up this misunderstanding."

"Clear up a misunderstanding?"

Diwu Fusheng took out a scroll from his bosom, "Prince Huai knows that the Marquis has reclaimed Linzhou and wishes to establish friendly neighboring relations with the Marquis, engaging in mutual non-aggression."

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