Upon hearing this, Ning Wan's first reaction was not happiness, but a sinking feeling in her heart.

A request for Prince Huai to take her back...

If the Ning Family were to come for her, Ning Wan certainly wouldn't have this feeling.

But as for Prince Huai, to the people of the world, her reputation was already tarnished. If she were first taken to Huai State, there wouldn't be a lack of gossip and rumors during that time.

Moreover, Prince Huai had good relations with King Chong and the Liang Family, but not with the Ning Family.

Additionally, Ning Wan was ninety percent sure in her heart that Liang Song had already abandoned her. If the Liang Family did not want her, then how would she manage herself in Huai State?

Ning Wan didn't dare to ask why Prince Huai's envoy was looking for Chen Mo. She tightly gripped the pruning shears with her jade hand and, after hesitating for a moment, softly asked, "Does... does the Ning Family know about this? Could you ask Prince Huai to notify the Ning Family?"

"It seems that currently they don't know, but since Prince Huai wants to take you over, he will certainly notify the Ning Family," Chen Mo replied.

Ning Wan glanced at Chen Mo, her red lips parting slightly before closing again. She sighed quietly in her heart; with her current status, it was truly difficult to say more.

"Then thank you, Marquis," Ning Wan said, bowing slightly, but this time without bending deeply, losing much of the beautiful sight.

...

Mid-October.

The Three States began their autumn harvest, with the people sweating as they worked in the fields.

Yu State had undergone several wars, leaving some fields untended, so Chen Mo mobilized the soldiers of the Three Guards to help the people harvest.

At the same time, the holy decree from the Luonan Court finally arrived at Yu State.

Chen Mo received another promotion, leaping from General of Pingxi to General of the Western Expedition, holding a second-grade rank as one of the Four Expedition Generals.

This title was not an empty position, but a real position of power. To the informed, it seemed more legitimate than the previous General Xuanwei or General of Pingxi.

Speaking of it also carried more prestige.

His title was promoted from Pavilion Marquis to County Marquis.

This was the highest level of marquis; above it was duke.

But for a general leading troops in battle, this title was considered the pinnacle for a martial artist.

And at eighteen, Chen Mo stood at the peak that many martial artists longed for.

...

Huai State.

The day Prince Huai dispatched Diwu Fusheng as an envoy to Yu State, it was naturally after prior communication with King Chong and that end. It wouldn't do to offend them by not keeping them informed just to avoid threats from both sides.

Prince Huai did not truly intend to form a neighborly alliance with Chen Mo; it was merely a temporary measure.

As soon as the obstacles in front were cleared, this so-called non-aggression pact could be torn up at any time?

Breach of faith?

This was no longer the era a thousand years ago, where war required adherence to etiquette.

Before a battle, you had to send a challenge letter saying you were coming to fight.

You couldn't attack without giving preparation time.

Now it's all about victors and losers, deception is not shunned, and whoever wins speaks the truth.

Besides, what promises are needed between rebels?

It was only because King Chong agreed with his temporary measure, thinking it best to first resolve the immediate crisis, settling accounts afterwards, that Prince Huai consented to Diwu Fusheng's suggestion.

In the study, Diwu Fusheng recounted everything he witnessed in Yu State to everyone.

"Your Highness, just as I anticipated, Chen Mo indeed intends to establish his own foothold. As I hurried from Linzhou to Yu State, I learned that the other side is preparing troops, organizing forces, stockpiling provisions, which is entirely unlike the behavior of an ordinary rebel.

Upon reaching Yu State, I went to Chen Army's training ground and found that his forces are different from the usual Celestial Master Army. Chen Army is well-equipped, with strict military discipline, equipped with horizontal sabers, round shields, and hand crossbows. Even when compared to Your Highness's Dragon Strategy Army, they are quite comparable," Diwu Fusheng stated.

"Diwu Fusheng, your words are quite exaggerated, completely boosting other's morale while diminishing our own, saying it rivals Your Highness's Dragon Strategy Army."

A cold snort came from the side, it was the same staff officer who had previously opposed Diwu Fusheng.

His name was Liu Ji, and he came from a notable background. In fact, among those in the study, few were from low origins.

They came to rely on Prince Huai not just to fulfill ambitions, but more to seek fortune for themselves and their families, and even harbored hopes of becoming ministers under a new rule.

Indeed, in their view, although Great Song's fate was ending, the throne was set to change hands.

And among the feudal lords of this world, those with great power and occupying righteousness, the ones who can legitimately ascend the throne are King Chong and Prince Huai.

Among them, Prince Huai's power is even stronger than that of King Chong.

Therefore, who wouldn't want to showcase their talents and increase their status in the eyes of this future Emperor by following such a promising figure?

In the future, when Prince Huai ascends the throne, they will naturally receive even greater rewards.

So, naturally, they strive to compete in everything.

"Prince's Dragon Strategy Army, not to mention it was established during the Grand Ancestor's time, has soldiers who are all descendants of those old Dragon Strategy Army members, with a higher quality than the Rebel Army. Moreover, with the Prince's years of training and nurturing, how could a Rebel Army that hasn't developed for three years compare to them?" said Liu Ji.

Diwu Fusheng didn't look at Liu Ji but cupped his hands toward Prince Huai and then answered Liu Ji's question in a reporting manner:

"Your Highness, I originally thought so too, but having witnessed certain things firsthand, I no longer hold that belief.

Some members of the Chen Army are equipped with a batch of Divine Arm Crossbows, which suggests that after Chen Army captured Yu State, they must have incorporated many Yu State Army soldiers. Furthermore, I have also noticed traces of Qingzhou Army in them. Therefore, it is evident that this is not merely a ragtag army but a strong force made up of a regular army.

Although there may be many Celestial Master's Rebel Army and peasants mixed in, Chen Army has traveled from Qingzhou to Yu State and then to Linzhou, and the battlefield is the best place for honing one's skills; this group of people has long been tempered.

This is a very formidable enemy, so it is reasonable to sign a mutual non-aggression pact with them before we resolve the issues with the Celestial Master Thieves and Xu Thief. Otherwise, if we find ourselves beset on all sides, this army would not be as simple to deal with as when we drove away those fifty thousand Celestial Master Thieves."

Seeing Diwu Fusheng's words leave everyone in the study silent, Liu Ji glanced at Prince Huai, then said softly: "After you returned from Yu State, you praise that thief so highly. Could it be you've been bribed by him, acting as an insider for him, and deliberately saying these things?"

These words made the study fall into silence. Such an accusation was akin to saying in front of His Majesty that someone intends to rebel.

Diwu Fusheng became furious, pointing at Liu Ji's nose and shouting: "What kind of person do you take me, Diwu Fusheng, for? Since my ancestors, my Fifth Family has followed the Grand Ancestor Emperor in waging wars across the realm, never serving two masters.

As descendants of my ancestor, my Fifth Family takes it as its duty to be concerned for the people and to support the world. Now that the Emperor is in the hands of rebels, Prince has the best hope of rescuing the Emperor and restoring the Great Song, how could I, Diwu Fusheng, commit such a betrayal?

Liu Ji, do not use your petty heart to suspect and defame me."

After speaking, Diwu Fusheng cupped his hands toward Prince Huai again.

Liu Ji did not expect Diwu Fusheng to be so eloquent, even bringing up Diwu Xiaoxian. As eyes from all around landed on him, Liu Ji coughed lightly: "I was merely suspicious, explain yourself clearly, and there's no need to be so excited."

"Excited? You slander me and blame me for being excited."

Diwu Fusheng cupped his hands toward Prince Huai once more, saying: "I request Prince Huai to judge for me and punish Liu Ji."

"I was all for Prince Huai's sake; what guilt do I have?" Liu Ji also cupped his hands toward Prince Huai.

"Enough." Prince Huai only felt a headache; since Diwu Fusheng proposed the non-aggression pact, these two started bickering whenever they met.

Prince Huai gave each a knock: "Fusheng, Liu Ji did not mean it that way; his intentions were for my benefit, so don't take it to heart."

"And Liu Ji, you should say less. Fusheng is loyal to me; he would never betray me."

Liu Ji humbly accepted the reprimand.

Diwu Fusheng felt somewhat dissatisfied, but since Prince Huai had decided, he refrained from saying more.

Prince Huai then asked: "In that case, is Chen Mo willing to sign a non-aggression pact?"

"He is willing, but he needs Your Highness to agree to three demands," Diwu Fusheng replied.

"Three demands?" Prince Huai frowned and said: "Explain them in detail."

"Your Highness, rest assured, these three demands are not excessive. The first demand is for Your Highness to acknowledge his legitimate status. Since Your Highness is going to sign a non-aggression pact with him, acknowledging his status as legitimate is also beneficial for Your Highness," explained Diwu Fusheng.

Prince Huai pondered and agreed.

If he acknowledges the other party's legitimate status, then in the eyes of the world, he is no longer signing a non-aggression pact with a thief.

Seeing Prince Huai accept the first demand, Diwu Fusheng continued: "The second demand is for him to hope we can engage in commerce and open the trade route to Jiangnan.

After consideration, I believe Your Highness can agree to this. In the eyes of the world, Chen Mo is ultimately of a thief's origin, and there is a subconscious perception of the other party as unreliable. Therefore, for merchants, even if the trade route is opened, merchants from this side will not venture there to do business.

So only if they come to us for business, can we legally and formally collect taxes from them whether they come in or go out."

Upon hearing this, Prince Huai's eyes lit up: "Granted."

With the first two demands agreed upon, the last one wasn't a problem.

However, before that, Prince Huai also presented a request. He wanted Chen Mo's side to publicly announce that before he captured Longmen County, Liang Song's second wife, Ning Wan, had passed away suddenly from illness; he only captured Liang Song and Liang Xue.

This request, in fact, wasn't Prince Huai's idea.

It was a demand from the Liang Family.

Evidently, the idea Liang Song conceived earlier to save face was also thought of by the Liang Family.

As long as Ning Wan had died before this, then neither the Liang nor Ning families would be dishonored.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.