Chen Mo didn't return to the Yi Family Courtyard tonight, but instead visited Fu Ze Village, meeting the families of the first group of veteran soldiers who followed him. He sent his regards and care to them, along with some gifts.

Sitting by the fire with some elders, he chatted about everyday life.

At this moment, Chen Mo thought to himself that now he possessed the land of the Three States, it was time to establish a Government Gazette. That way, when he sent warmth to these elders, he could write about it in the Gazette and distribute it...

The next morning.

Not long after Chen Mo arrived at the Government Office, Geng Songfu came looking for him, holding the brocade box Chen Mo had given him yesterday.

"Good morning, Mr. Geng," Chen Mo greeted with a smile.

Geng Songfu cupped his hands towards Chen Mo, then returned the brocade box, saying, "Marquis, this gift is too precious, I cannot accept it. Please take it back, Marquis."

Chen Mo did not take it, instead he poured a cup of freshly brewed tea for Geng Songfu and said, "Mr. Geng has relieved my worries too much and contributed a lot to the people of Qingzhou. To me, Mr. Geng is my right-hand man, an invaluable ally I cannot lose. Just one Blood Ginseng isn't enough to express my gratitude to Mr. Geng. Besides, there's no reason to take back a gift once given."

"But..."

"Mr. Geng, if you continue to speak, I will become displeased," Chen Mo interrupted Geng Songfu directly and then said, "Is this the only reason you came to see me early today?"

Since Chen Mo had gone this far, Geng Songfu could only accept the Blood Ginseng, but he resolved to help Chen Mo forge the alliance with the Shu Residence.

Geng Songfu sat down opposite Chen Mo, took a sip of the tea Chen Mo had poured, and said, "Marquis, your coming-of-age ceremony is approaching, isn't it?"

In civilian terms, sixteen-year-old men and women are deemed adults.

However, according to official regulations, a man is considered an adult only upon turning twenty and performing the coming-of-age ceremony, since he hasn't reached full maturity yet. Thus, twenty is called the year of the weak crown.

"I'll be twenty next February," Chen Mo replied.

"Time really flies. When I first met the Marquis at Dadong Lake, you were seventeen, and now it's been three years," Geng Songfu commented with a bit of emotion.

"Yes, it does fly by fast."

Chen Mo wasn't sure what Geng Songfu wanted to say, so he concurred.

"The Marquis is not young anymore; you should consider having a child," Geng Songfu cut to the chase.

Chen Mo was taken aback, "Why did Mr. Geng suddenly bring this up?"

"Marquis, you are already a Duke with such a vast foundation, you cannot be without a child. A child would stabilize the people's hearts, and if the Three States had a Young Master, it would also be easier to attract talented people for the Marquis," Geng Songfu stated.

After listening to Geng Songfu, Chen Mo realized that having or not having a child concerned not only himself but also so many others.

Initially, he didn't want a child because at the time he was only seventeen.

With the modern concepts from his past life, he felt too young; at this age, he was still a child himself, how could he have a child?

But now he was almost twenty, it was time to consider having a child.

"I understand Mr. Geng's point," Chen Mo said.

Geng Songfu nodded; mentioning this matter was sufficient.

Subsequently, the two began a detailed discussion about receiving the Navy from the Nangong Family.

...

Elsewhere, in Fengzhou.

"Charge! Kill!"

In the biting cold wind at a strategic point, Huai Army soldiers furiously swung their Ring-Headed Sabers at the Celestial Master Army troops stationed here at the rear for annihilation.

Since Linchuan City was captured by the Huai Army, the Celestial Master Army had been fleeing north.

Along the way, the Celestial Master Army abandoned armor and fled in chaos, with some killed, some escaping, and some surrendering.

As the numbers in the Celestial Master Army dwindled.

Diwu Fusheng proposed to Prince Huai that the time had come.

At this moment, Luo Guang relied on the remaining forces of the Celestial Master Army, yet even if he wished to engage in a decisive battle with the Huai Army, it was unlikely to inflict significant casualties on them.

It seemed the New Year was approaching.

For the common folk of the Great Song Dynasty, New Year held special meaning.

Thus, the entire Huai Army was imbued with a spirit to conclude the fighting before the New Year, boosting their fighting prowess substantially.

Currently, the territory still held by the Celestial Master Army was reduced to just six cities on the north bank of Fengzhou.

Annihilation was imminent.

In the Central Army Tent of the Huai Army.

Diwu Fusheng cupped his hands towards Prince Huai and said, "Prince, the Celestial Master Army's destruction is imminent; I must prematurely congratulate you on recovering Fengzhou."

Now Diwu Fusheng was favored in front of Prince Huai, who upon hearing these words laughed heartily, "Thanks to you, Fusheng, in capturing Fengzhou, I shall record your great merit."

"Thank you, Prince," Diwu Fusheng replied, then said, "Prince, as a precaution, and to prevent Qingzhou from finding an excuse, it is time to let the Navy on the north bank go through."

"Prince, do not," Liu Ji stepped forward, cupping his hands, "Prince, our army's victory over the Celestial Master Army and recovery of Fengzhou are assured, even if Qingzhou aids the Celestial Master Army now, it will be futile. Since Qingzhou poses no threat, why should we allow those five thousand Navy troops through?

If Chen Mo acquires this Navy, it would be tantamount to adding wings to a tiger."

However, as soon as the words fell, Diwu Fusheng firmly retorted, "Liu Ji, one must uphold integrity; are you wishing to make the Prince an immoral and unjust figure?"

"Laughable, as they say, deception is a valid strategy, and once the Celestial Master Army is eliminated, Chen Mo will be our greatest threat. For the future, we must not let this Navy through to aid the enemy, I hope the Prince discerns clearly."

"You are the laughable one." Diwu Fusheng directly pointed at Liu Ji's nose, saying, "Do you think our Navy on the river can confront both the Celestial Master Army and Chen Mo? If we do not let this five thousand Navy through, it will surely anger Chen Mo, and also force this Navy to take desperate actions—do you wish to sacrifice our Navy on the Fengzhou river?"

Diwu Fusheng was just short of calling Liu Ji foolish.

Prince Huai now listened to Diwu Fusheng, seeing Liu Ji wish to argue further, he raised his hand stopping Liu Ji, saying, "Enough, let's follow Fusheng's plan; we must not break our promises."

So saying, his gaze turned to Diwu Fusheng, "Fusheng, go and make the arrangements."

"Understood." Diwu Fusheng cupped his hands and withdrew, but before leaving, he glared at Liu Ji.

Seeing it was irreversible, Liu Ji sighed heavily.

...

On the north bank of Fengzhou.

Night fell.

The wind on the river was already strong, coupled with winter, the blowing wind carried a piercing cold.

Zhang Feng stood on the deck at the bow, gazing at the line of fire stretching across the distant river, his expression gradually grew solemn.

Just then, Zhang Feng sensed some disturbance behind him, recognizing the footsteps he knew who it was, thus he didn't move.

"Is there news from Qingzhou?" Nangong Xian draped a cloak over Zhang Feng, speaking softly.

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