"No, no." Chen Mo modestly downplayed a bit. The feeling of showing off in front of others versus in front of your own woman is completely different.

Soon enough, the people Gao Zheng sent out to investigate also returned.

Chen Mo finally understood what was going on.

It turned out that these commoners, upon hearing the news of Chen Mo’s appointment to Nanyang, all followed him, hoping to become people under his jurisdiction.

The purpose was simply to have a full meal.

The incident of Chen Mo’s famine relief in Celestial River City and the matchmaking event he organized had spread by word of mouth, and even the people of Qinyang County had heard about it.

Moreover, when people spread news, they tend to exaggerate. The so-called three men make a tiger, and gradually it became...

Following Chen Mo, one could not only eat their fill but also eat meat.

As for the matchmaking, it became a means of distributing husbands and wives to people.

The bank loans were seen as giving out money.

Thus, in their eyes, Chen Mo instantly became a great benefactor.

Who wouldn’t want to follow such a great benefactor?

Upon learning this, Chen Mo was both amused and exasperated. Could this really be happening?

"How many people are following?" Chen Mo thought for a moment and asked.

"There are probably not less than ten thousand," Gao Zheng said.

"Ten thousand?" Chen Mo pondered for a while and then said, "In that case, let’s allocate some of our provisions and cook porridge for them every day."

"Sir, are you planning to?" Having followed Chen Mo for so long, Gao Zheng could somewhat discern Chen Mo’s intentions.

"Isn’t Nanyang County in need of people? Although saying it’s ten rooms out of ten empty is an exaggeration, seven out of ten is still true. We can let them..." Chen Mo began to explain slowly.

"Brilliant, sir."

"Stop flattering and hurry up to get it done."

"Yes, sir."

...

Maybe it was the effect of the porridge distribution. Initially, only ten thousand people followed, but then people from the surrounding prefectures and counties heard about it and joined in one after another.

From the initial ten thousand, it grew to nearly a hundred thousand in two days.

The provisions that Chen Mo and his group brought were almost depleted.

Now that the food is gone, what should we do when we reach Nanyang?

"Sir, the food is gone. What should we do now?" Gao Zheng said solemnly.

"Didn’t Nanyang have many wealthy squires? Let’s ask them to donate grain." Chen Mo’s first thought was to strike the rich and share the land.

He didn’t have it, but they did.

Gao Zheng put on a long face: "Sir, even the landlord’s family has no surplus grain."

Yes, Chen Mo almost forgot.

How many times had Nanyang been pillaged?

Even the landlords who could hide probably had to tighten their belts now.

Moreover, the Yellow Turban Army mainly consisted of commoners, so when they entered Nanyang, the first ones they looted were those wealthy landlords who oppressed them daily.

"Chun Lan, how much money do we have in the account?" Chen Mo asked Chun Lan.

Chun Lan shook her head: "Currently, the finances of the mansion are managed by Sister Luo Zhen."

"Sorry, I forgot." Chen Mo turned to look at Luo Zhen.

Luo Zhen didn’t answer formally but tugged at Chen Mo’s robe, indicating to speak in private.

After reaching a secluded spot, Luo Zhen said, "Sir, there are 13.46 million taels, and that’s not including..."

"Cough, cough." Upon hearing this, Chen Mo immediately started coughing. Even though he knew he was quite wealthy, he didn’t expect to be this wealthy.

Such a vast amount of wealth, besides acquiring it through confiscation and exploitation,

came from gifts from officials,

imperial rewards,

and profits from the mansion’s businesses.

"Uh, Zhen’Er, as they say, take from the people and use for the people. I plan to allocate some silver taels to purchase grain from some affluent states and counties," Chen Mo said.

"I comply with your plans," Luo Zhen replied.

"Then it’s decided."

Chen Mo wasn’t using the simulation daily, and the places to spend money were few. It was time to use some of it.

Fortunately, he was now the parent official of a county, and he had to set an example.

Luo Zhen nodded: "I happen to know several major grain merchants. I will try to contact them on your behalf."

"Alright."

...

Another day later, the 103rd day of the Great Turmoil.

Chen Mo arrived at Nanyang County.

His official position was only that of a state governor, and when it came to his territorial control, he only governed one county with thirty-two cities. Other state governors commanded one state and several counties.

This made Chen Mo seem somewhat meager.

Among the thirty-two cities of Nanyang County, the wealthiest had to be Celestial River City.

Currently, the County Magistrate of Celestial River City was Fu Bi, whom Chen Mo had personally promoted.

Celestial River City was also a place Chen Mo had painstakingly managed previously.

Additionally, due to the city’s small size, when the Eighteen Lords stationed in Nanyang County, they didn’t come near, allowing Celestial River City to avoid disaster.

Chen Mo used Celestial River City as his temporary office, and the former Luo Mansion temporarily became the State Governor’s Mansion.

However, because of the city’s small size, it was certainly not suitable for a long stay. Chen Mo also dispatched people to start repairing Nanyang City.

After all, Nanyang City was the largest city in the entire Nanyang County. Only when Nanyang City recovered could other cities gradually follow suit.

The 115th day of the Great Turmoil.

The purchased grain arrived.

The military recruitment efforts also began.

The recruitment announcement was as follows:

For those with an Entry Grade wishing to enlist, aside from three meals a day, they would also be introduced to wives and provided with battle armor.

For those Eighth Grade and above, in addition to the previous benefits, they could be appointed as a Commander or Captain, or even higher positions, depending on their grade, and be incorporated into the Fire Qilin Army.

As for those without Entry Grades, their benefits were slightly inferior: two meals a day and provided with battle armor.

In terms of the source of the armor, during the suppression of the rebellion, we acquired a large amount, and the surplus was stored in the armory at various County Government Offices.

In addition, after repelling the Eighteen Lords’ army, we also confiscated many weapons and armors, enough to arm a 300,000-strong army.

After a week, only five thousand people enlisted with an Entry Grade.

There were even fewer Eighth Grade and above, with only a little over three hundred people.

These three hundred-plus individuals were all incorporated into Chen Mo’s personal guard.

Those without Entry Grades amounted to more than thirty thousand.

Chen Mo quickly arranged for their training.

Additionally, any commoners from Nanyang County were exempt from taxes for three years.

To be honest, even if Chen Mo wanted to collect, he couldn’t, and doing so would likely incite unrest.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

...

The 135th day of the Great Turmoil.

By now, winter had fully set in.

Qingzhou City.

"Eldest Princess, bad news. The section of Yao River from Maple Leaf City to Qingzhou City has completely frozen over. I went with my subordinates to check it out; even a horse-drawn carriage heavy with goods could cross. The ice is thick," Wei Ying rushed to Zhao Qianyi, explaining the gravity of the situation.

Zhao Qianyi, clad in a golden battle armor with a large cloak draped over, stood amidst the swirling snowflakes. The icy elegance on her face seemed to merge with the snow, exhaling quietly forming a misty white cloud in the air: "What should happen eventually does."

Zhao Qianyi turned around: "Wei Ying, has the Imperial Court still not responded?"

Wei Ying shook his head, his face full of anger: "I think Xiao Yunqi is waiting for the Desolate Kingdom to cross Yao River before he’ll dispatch troops."

"We won’t wait, break the ice," Zhao Qianyi, as if having foreseen this, decided to cut off her own retreat and face the Desolate Kingdom in battle.

"Eldest Princess..." Wei Ying’s face changed, initially wanting to persuade Zhao Qianyi against it, but he hesitated and kept silent.

"Go ahead."

...

Wei Ying withdrew and returned a quarter of an hour later, holding a jug of wine.

"All set?" Zhao Qianyi asked upon seeing Wei Ying.

Wei Ying nodded: "I had the subordinates take care of it; Eldest Princess, I’ve warmed up some wine for you."

Wei Ying handed over the jug. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Zhao Qianyi took the jug, opened it and drank a few gulps. Wei Ying was the person she trusted the most, so Zhao Qianyi had no guard against her.

However, Wei Ying said, "Eldest Princess, I’m sorry."

Zhao Qianyi’s face changed, and the next moment, she felt dizzy and fell headfirst into the snow.

"Eldest Princess, my apologies, but you can’t die here."

"Someone come," Wei Ying called out behind her.

Two female soldiers stepped forward.

"Take the Eldest Princess; we’re crossing the river."

PS: A double-length Chapter.