Upon hearing this, Li Yang and the others couldn’t help but spit out the tea they had just sipped.

Asking for money, grain, and soldiers, you really have the gall...

Even Xiao Yunqi couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth and hastily looked for an excuse to decline.

The excuse was nothing more than the need for troops everywhere.

Moreover, the Capital is the foundation of the nation, requiring heavy defense, so there are actually no men to spare.

But Chen Mo spoke again, "Lord An Yang, even if it’s just five thousand cavalry, that would be something."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunqi finally couldn’t help but curse, "Five thousand cavalry? Do you think cavalry grows on trees? Besides, five thousand cavalry are as good as tens of thousands of troops, if there were any, you wouldn’t be needed. There aren’t any."

Xiao Yunqi refused outright.

"If not five thousand, three thousand would be fine, if that’s not possible, one thousand would do," Chen Mo haggled.

Perhaps because Chen Mo kept asking for troops, to dismiss him, Xiao Yunqi generously gave him enough grain to sustain an army of twenty thousand for over a month.

Seeing this, Chen Mo left the Xiao Mansion somewhat disappointed.

"Old fox." After exiting the Xiao Mansion, Chen Mo let out a breath.

He never really thought Xiao Yunqi would give him soldiers.

Asking for grain was only to lower his guard.

Although he got the grain, Chen Mo didn’t leave Bianliang.

Because gathering and distributing the grain from the Xiao Mansion would take time, as this was not a small number.

During this time, Chen Mo stayed at the Chen Mansion.

...

That night, someone from the Witch Mansion came, and it was Wu Lu who came personally. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

They came quietly.

"Lord Wu, your esteemed presence graces this humble abode." Chen Mo walked out of the study, instructing the maid to brew some good tea.

Although everything from the mansion had been moved and most people had left, the vast Chen Mansion still required people to guard and clean it, so there were a few maids and guards, just not as many as before.

"Lord Wu, please come inside," Chen Mo invited Wu Lu to walk in.

"Minister Chen is too kind; as a State Governor now, Minister Chen has power and people at his disposal, much more prestigious than an old man like me," Wu Lu complimented.

"It’s not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

...

Chen Mansion study.

"Lord Wu, please, this is a top grade Longjing," Chen Mo smiled and said.

Wu Lu sipped the tea before speaking, "Minister Chen came back to the Capital with troops; is there anything important?"

"Nothing much, it’s just that King Yan is causing trouble again, so I came to the Capital to discuss arrangements with Lord An Yang to quell his rebellion," Chen Mo said casually.

"Isn’t it more than that?"

"Ah, nothing escapes Lord Wu’s insight. I’m poor, so I took the opportunity to ask Lord An Yang for some money and grain."

"If you need grain, ask me, as long as you, Minister Chen, ask, it’s a matter of a word."

"I dare not; I won’t accept without deserving it."

"Ah, those words seem distant, we’re on the same side."

"Truly?"

"Truly."

"..."

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up the teacup, blew over it, and said, "I almost forgot to ask, Lord Wu, coming to me so late, is there anything important?"

"Indeed, there is something important."

"Oh, do tell," Chen Mo put down the teacup without drinking.

"The country is in peril, the people are suffering, yet some in the court want to cede land for peace, selling out the nation. Minister Chen, as the War God of the nation, should take action in these circumstances to turn the tide," Wu Lu said.

"Oh." Chen Mo was shocked and then said, "Who is this person Lord Wu speaks of?"

"Lord An Yang, Xiao Yunqi."

Chen Mo’s expression changed, "Lord Wu, you can’t speak such words carelessly."

"I am not speaking carelessly. Minister Chen, although you reside in Nanyang, you must have heard about the Desolate Kingdom’s invasion. The Desolate Kingdom has even crossed the Yao River, yet Lord An Yang doesn’t send troops to assist the Princess in resisting the Desolate Kingdom; instead, he plans to cede land for peace. Not only that, he first intends to attack King Yan..." Wu Lu spoke with great pain.

Seeing Wu Lu’s demeanor, Chen Mo almost thought this person before him was a patriot of the nation.

Chen Mo took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said meaningfully, "Isn’t Lord Wu afraid these words might reach Lord An Yang’s ears?"

"Minister Chen doesn’t want to remain under others, does he?"

"Lord Wu’s words are off the mark. I am the Governor of Nanyang County now, and frankly, I don’t even care about Your Majesty, let alone being under others."

"Just a governor of one county, is that really the extent of Minister Chen’s ambition?"

"My ambitions have always been modest."

"If they’re modest, why recruit troops, win people’s hearts, and seek talents from the top ten of martial exams?"

"Lord Wu, your words carry unspoken meanings."

"Isn’t Minister Chen the same?"

"What does Lord Wu actually want me to do?"

A vast surge of True Qi erupted from Chen Mo’s body, shrouding the entire study, with his perception covering half of the Chen Mansion.

Wu Lu leisurely began to outline the plan.

"Lord Wu wants me to betray Lord An Yang?" Chen Mo furrowed his brows.

"No, this is not betrayal; this is eliminating an evil for the nation."

"Doesn’t Lord Wu know that Lord An Yang has been a benefactor to me?"

"If he really was a benefactor, Minister Chen wouldn’t just be a governor of one county," Wu Lu, evidently well-prepared, had responses ready for every line.

Seeing Chen Mo’s silence, he continued, "Xiao Yunqi’s actions go against the will of the heavens, and people across the land see him as a target; Minister Chen, are you really going against everyone?

If Minister Chen agrees, the seven counties surrounding Wuling County and Nan County will all be under your command."

"But after all, Lord An Yang has been a benefactor to me," Chen Mo said.

Wu Lu raised an eyebrow.

He was about to persuade further.

Chen Mo downed the tea in his cup in one go and said, "So, add more money."

Wu Lu: "..."

"You will also have the post of Commander of the Infantry Division," Wu Lu said.

"And also, Xiao Yunqi must not die."

After all, Xiao Yunqi had been a benefactor to him, and he was Yunxi’s biological father; Chen Mo felt he must spare his life.

Wu Lu gave Chen Mo a deep look, thinking, "Wanting more money yet still so sentimental?"

"Alright," Wu Lu agreed.

Having agreed to cooperate, Chen Mo wanted to know more clearly, he asked, "With just our two sides, isn’t it not enough to deal with him?"

"Don’t worry, the seven major families, except the Huangfu Family, have all agreed," Wu Lu said. "As for the Huangfu Family, I’ll leave it to you, Minister Chen Hong."

Chen Mo was momentarily stunned, then started to laugh.

...

That night.

Unbeknownst to Xiao Yunqi, many low-level positions underwent changes.

...

The next day.

Chen Mo secretly visited the Huangfu Family and met with Huangfu Hao.

After talking for nearly an hour, Chen Mo returned satisfied.

Back at the mansion, Chen Mo secretly summoned Quan Qiyang.

"Sir, you were looking for me?" Quan Qiyang asked.

Chen Mo nodded and then said, "In the Imperial City Department, have you cultivated your own people?"

"Yes," Quan Qiyang said after hesitating slightly for a moment.

"Good, I have a task to entrust to you."