Luonan.

Ever since Xu Guozhong coerced the Emperor to move the capital to Luonan, the court has been in disarray. Especially with the sudden and mysterious death of the Empress Dowager, all suspicions pointed towards Xu Guozhong, causing widespread negative impact. Coupled with the Emperor's deposing of the Empress, it made the people and ministers of Luonan despise Xu Guozhong. Although they did not express it openly, their loyalty waned, and very few remained as true confidants to Xu Guozhong.

How significant is this impact?

First, let's talk about grain. The noble families and commoners below would not willingly hand over their grain. When you send troops to forcibly collect, the noble families and wealthy merchants claim they have no grain, even daring you to search. Having hidden the grain, the search comes up empty. When desperate, they threaten with their lives and offer only a symbolic amount.

This is the way of the noble families.

If the noble families refuse to hand over grain, how much can you extract from the oppressed commoners? It will only lead to public outcry.

Then, there's the matter of troops.

Although Prince Huai lost the last Loyalist battle, he severely wounded Xu Guozhong, decimating a large portion of his forces. Upon arrival in Luonan, he naturally needed to recruit to replenish the army, but the people would not volunteer. Xu Guozhong had to resort to conscription.

As a result, rebellion erupted around Huainan, with bandits frequently attacking government convoys.

Xu Guozhong knew such actions were like drinking poison to quench thirst.

He also knew that without restoring the court's principles and order, various evils and malpractices would emerge, leading to chaos and crisis in the world.

But he had no choice; money, grain, and troops were his lifeline, even if it meant killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

Without grain, the army would rise up.

And without an army, too many would tear him apart, leaving him without a place to be buried.

For this reason, over the past two years, Xu Guozhong remained entrenched in Luonan, missing many opportunities to reclaim the Celestial River.

Today, Luonan resembles a collapsing high tower, held up only by him. If he left, the tower would immediately crumble.

Not only external forces caused trouble, but even his own generals, staff officers, and his eldest legitimate son also created problems for him.

His son and a group of others constantly pushed for him to declare himself Emperor.

His eldest legitimate son, Xu Yao, even said, "Father holds complete control over the military and government. Everything is decided by your decree, yet someone still looms over, requiring their consent for any matter, even if just superficial. The luck of the Great Song has run out. Father, having the weight of the nation on your shoulders, both emotionally and rationally, you deserve to advance further."

Xu Guozhong not only sternly rejected this but also slapped Xu Yao in front of everyone, stating that anyone who dared bring up the matter of proclaiming himself Emperor would be executed without mercy.

He said he was born a servant of the Great Song and would die as a ghost of the Great Song.

The Emperor, above millions.

To say Xu Guozhong never thought about the throne would be impossible.

But he dared not.

Having navigated the treacherous waters of bureaucracy for decades, rising from a Seventh-Grade official to the position of Prime Minister, second only to one, he understood that listening to his son's instigations to commit regicide and proclaim himself Emperor...

The heroes of the world would surely rise against him, and the scale would far surpass that of Prince Huai's last Loyalist Army.

Given the current situation, Xu Guozhong had no confidence to withstand another confrontation.

In his study, Xu Guozhong looked at the mountain of documents piled on his desk, feeling an immense pressure.

The only potential relief, the Celestial Master Army, had already been eliminated. Chen Mo, merely a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, had fewer troops than the Celestial Master Army, and it was uncertain how long he could hold out.

The unresolved mess in Luonan, facing off against Prince Huai again...

Thinking about this, Xu Guozhong sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat disheartened.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and soon after, Grand General Lu Sheng appeared.

Seeing Lu Sheng, Xu Guozhong felt a slight unease, having recently received numerous reports that the noble families of Luonan were secretly associating with Lu Sheng. Even some of his confidant staff officers were getting close to Lu Sheng.

As his physical and mental energy declined with age, he felt increasingly unable to suppress the other party.

Lu Sheng entered with a smile, excitedly announcing, "Prime Minister, good news, good news..."

"The Celestial Master Army has been destroyed, and Prince Huai has occupied Fengzhou, what good news could there be?" Xu Guozhong didn't take it to heart.

"It's great news..." Lu Sheng approached him and said, "The Wu Family has allied with Chen Mo. When Prince Huai attacked Qingzhou, Chen Mo led his army to raid Huai State, capturing Huainan and Wuguan, and killed General Wei Liang Xuan, currently occupying Huai State.

The most crucial point is that the Qiang Race of Xiliang and Yang Xian of the Shu Residence have both announced alliances with Chen Mo. Now, Prince Huai is like a locust after autumn, jumping for a few days."

"What?!"

Upon hearing Lu Sheng's words, Xu Guozhong sprang to his feet, unable to hide his astonishment, and solemnly said, "Liang Xuan was an Upper-Grade Martial Artist, a senior general in the court, and Wuguan is known as one of the Great Song's five critical passes. How did Chen Mo capture Wuguan and kill Liang Xuan?"

"It seems that a military general from Huai State defected to Chen Mo, lured away the defenses of Huainan County, and took it via a pincer attack, leaving Wuguan with insufficient garrison forces. Furthermore, Chen Mo pretended to be weak to conquer, as he is not a Middle-Grade Martial Artist but instead a Third-Grade Divine Power Realm. According to reports, his Divine Power is a purple sun." Lu Sheng explained slowly.

Hearing this, Xu Guozhong's pupils contracted, stunned once again.

"Third-Grade? He's only twenty years old, how can he be a Third-Grade Martial Artist? Is it possible you heard wrong?" Xu Guozhong found it hard to believe.

"Prime Minister, how could I deceive you? The news has spread everywhere." Lu Sheng stated.

Xu Guozhong took a while to digest the information, saying, "This is indeed good news. Quickly prepare the carriage, I must go to the palace to grant rewards to the Marquis of Pingting County."

"Yes." Lu Sheng obliged but didn't leave.

"Is there anything else?" Xu Guozhong asked.

"Prime Minister, there is indeed one more matter."

Lu Sheng brought up an issue wanting Xu Guozhong's assistance with. He mentioned recently befriending someone and hoped Xu Guozhong could request the Emperor to grant his friend an official position when he visits the palace.

Xu Guozhong furrowed his brow but, seeing Lu Sheng's pleading demeanor, agreed nonetheless.

...

Who was Xu Guozhong? After entering the palace, he directly asked the Emperor to appoint Chen Mo as the Governor of Huai State, managing both military and civil affairs, and elevated him to Grand Commandant.

Grand Commandant, in the Great Song, was the highest military official, leading all military powers across the land.

Xu Guozhong's move naturally added fuel to the fire in Huai State, thereby legitimizing Chen Mo's control over Huai State.

Moreover, appointing such a young man as Grand Commandant could push Chen Mo into the limelight, allowing Xu Guozhong to enjoy a period of stability.

Afterward, Xu Guozhong thought further and decided to grant titles and promotions to Yang Xian and Dong Wei, the leader of the Qiang Race, as well.

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