Xuzhou, Huayun County, in the grand military camp.

After Xu Rui'an finished writing the memorandum, he gently blew to make the ink dry quickly.

Within the entire military tent, there were only him and Xu Mujun seated on the main seat.

At this moment, Xu Mujun sat cross-legged, eyes closed, resting, not knowing what he was pondering.

Outside the tent, the wind raged, shaking the tent, even the candlelight inside flickered.

The shadows danced, almost like phantoms.

"Rui'an, finished writing?"

Xu Mujun's voice rang out, clear within the open tent.

Xu Rui'an respectfully replied, "Grand General, it's finished."

"The list of one hundred and thirty-two people from the Xu Clan petitioning for merits, and the list of those fallen for compensation are all recorded."

"Once done, send it back to the Capital City at the right time."

"Grand General..."

Xu Rui'an hesitated for a moment and said, "The other memorandum... should it be sent back too?"

"Oh?"

Xu Mujun slowly opened his eyes, indifferently, "Do you have other opinions?"

"Grand General..."

Xu Rui'an took a deep breath and said, "Our Xu clan members have indeed achieved numerous merits following the Grand General in battles across the country, but the Imperial Court has already given rewards."

"Moreover, the final battle with the rebel army has been stalemated for nearly two years, during which our Xu clan members have achieved no further merits. Why does the Grand General repeatedly petition to the Imperial Court for merits?"

"Furthermore, over the years, any Xu clan member who serves as an officer in the military holds at least a hundred acres of land and counting wealth, which makes the number of officers the highest in the entire army."

"Grand General, what you have done has already aroused dissatisfaction from the Imperial Court."

"Additionally, some spoiled children in the clan, relying on the Grand General's reputation, have been causing trouble in their hometowns, and even in the Capital City... The common people are full of complaints and criticism against you, why trouble yourself?"

Looking at the most outstanding person in the clan in front of him, Xu Mujun sighed inwardly and said, "Rui'an, you don't understand."

"Grand General..."

"What I do is merely to reassure the Imperial Court and to put Your Majesty at ease."

"But, but Grand General, your reputation..."

"What does my reputation matter?"

Xu Mujun shook his head, "As long as it's for Great Yu, what does personal honor and disgrace count for?"

"And the final battle with the rebel army..."

"The time is not yet ripe."

Xu Mujun said, "Currently, the Imperial Court's army has gradually cleared the rebel army north of Xuzhou, pushing them to the southeast."

"In the north, my army intercepts, in the west General Meng Guang and General Miaoo Xiu's forces block, the southern elite of Guanshan's Yunzhou Army and the new army led by Cui Xiawu, connecting the rebel base."

Behind Xu Mujun, the vast map of Great Yu flickered under the lamp's light.

On it, there were numerous flags representing the Imperial Court and the rebel army.

With Xuzhou as the dividing line, the North was densely filled with the Imperial Court flags, like a Great Wall separating the north and south of Great Yu.

In the west, however, there were many mountains and rivers.

At numerous mountain and river checkpoints, stationed the Imperial Court's army, preventing the rebel's intent to advance westward.

In the southwest direction of Shuzhou, the southern Yunzhou, Yuezhou, and other places were also territories of the Imperial Court.

Which means, currently, the whole rebel army is surrounded by the Imperial Court army in Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangzhou, and half of Qingzhou.

"Grand General, regarding the Imperial Court..."

"This General has been declining for more than two years, the Imperial Court can hardly wait, it's time to report some battle results to them."

Xu Mujun said in a deep voice, "Now my merits are truly too high, many in the court are envious, many officials secretly collect evidence of my crimes and impeach me."

"Even the clan members have been drawn in by those with intentions..."

"Damn it!"

Xu Rui'an gritted his teeth, "While we soldiers fight on the front lines, those worthless officials in the court do nothing to unite and suppress the rebels, instead they hinder everywhere!"

"Do the esteemed officials in the court, are they all blind?"

Xu Mujun glanced at him and said, "Hence, I must proactively deliver 'evidence' into their hands, only this way, the Imperial Court will be reassured, Your Majesty will be reassured."

"I hope Your Majesty can understand my endeavors."

"General!"

Suddenly a shout came from outside the tent.

"Come in!"

A messenger entered, panting heavily, half-kneeling, "Reporting General! A message from the mansion!"

"A message from the mansion?"

Xu Mujun frowned and said, "There's Zhong Chun managing, with old veterans guarding and Your Majesty, what could happen?"

"Could it be something happened to Jingzhong? Quickly bring the message!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the letter, Xu Mujun quickly opened it, his gaze slightly changing.

The content was simple, he finished reading at a glance.

The letter was from Zhong Chun, and the content was very straightforward.

Three days ago, Your Majesty personally visited Xu Mansion, granting Xu Mujun's grandson Xu Jingzhong the style name 'Yongxin'.

Xu Jingzhong, Xu Yongxin.

Seeing these two characters, Xu Mujun felt deeply moved, his mind reminiscing the several summons from Your Majesty before departure.

"Yongxin, Yongxin... Your Majesty, eternally trust this General, huh..."

"Seems, it was I who measured others' hearts with a villain's measure!"

The letter's content was simple, and the meaning it represented was straightforward.

That is... Zheng Yi eternally trusts Xu Mujun, allowing Xu Mujun to act boldly and confidently.

"General?"

Xu Rui'an asked softly, "Did something happen at the mansion?"

"Nothing!"

Xu Mujun put away the envelope, said solemnly, "No more court concerns, focus on annihilating the rebels!"

Xu Rui'an cautiously asked, "Grand General, we spent two years pushing the rebels to these four states."

"And the various checkpoints, waterways, cities around these four states are guarded by the Official Army, next step..."

"The next step, of course, is to eliminate the rebels!"

Xu Mujun slapped the map, said coldly, "Over these two years, I have obtained considerable intelligence through spies."

"Currently among the southern rebels, led by King Chen, Zheng Zongkai, the Tuoba Clan, Tianlong Temple, and the White Lotus Sect, as long as we eradicate these four rebel factions, the entire Great Yu rebel army will collapse."

"The first battle..."

Xu Mujun slid his hand on the map, soon landing on a city. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Guangqing City!

This place is a large city in the southern Qingzhou, bordering Xuzhou.

Moreover, it is the base of the White Lotus Sect, within it, guarding are millions of White Lotus Sect followers.

Though the four rebel factions are allied, they secretly guard against each other, stationed in various cities, forming horns, to collectively resist Xu Mujun.

"White Lotus Sect?"

Xu Rui'an's eyes suddenly brightened, seems, the Grand General is ready to act?

"General!"

At this moment, a request to see someone came from outside the tent again.

"Come in!"

The tent was lifted, and a weather-beaten middle-aged man stepped in.

It turned out to be... Xie Jiuque!

"General!"

Xie Jiuque cupped his hands and said, "I have completed the reconnaissance and came to report."

Two years ago, during the battle of Yuanhe Mountain, Xu Mujun's army beheaded the cultivator Wang Feiyu, trampled Yuanhe Mountain, and killed more than thirty thousand disciples completely.

Along with that, tens of thousands of stubborn rebels became casualties under the blades of the Imperial Court's army.

At that time, Xie Jiuque was also hiding in the woods, and he unexpectedly encountered the fleeing Wang Zifeng.

Under a sneak attack, Wang Zifeng, an early-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator, was caught off guard and was immediately killed by Xie Jiuque.

Afterward, Xie Jiuque presented Wang Zifeng's body, revealing his identity and credentials to Xu Mujun.

Not only that, he was deeply impressed by Xu Mujun's lone prowess in killing a cultivator, especially at a higher realm than innate, and willingly bowed down, willing to recognize Xu Mujun as his master, hoping to surpass the innate realm.

After considering for a while, Xu Mujun subdued Xie Jiuque.

However, it was not a master-servant relationship but rather granted Xie Jiuque the status of a guest, also a member of Xu Mujun's personal guard!

Since then, Xie Jiuque became the leader of Xu Mujun's personal guard.

Besides guarding Xu Mujun, the greatest purpose was to go out and scout enemy situations.

With Xie Jiuque's strength as an innate realm martial artist, unless encountering cultivators among the rebels, he could naturally move freely.

Even if there were innate realm martial artists among the rebels, Xie Jiuque was not afraid.

Xu Mujun asked, "What intelligence do you have?"

"Reporting, General! I've infiltrated Prince Chen's Mansion for investigation, and found it heavily guarded by numerous soldiers, but also discovered traces of cultivators."

"Oh? Cultivators..."

Xu Mujun said softly, "There are indeed cultivators in Prince Chen's Mansion."

"Can you find out who exactly they are?"

"Is it King Chen himself, or a loose cultivator that King Chen recruited?"

"I speculate it is very likely to be King Chen himself!"

Xie Jiuque said, "King Chen keeps himself hidden away. I investigated for half a year but only saw King Chen three times."

"During other times, it was Chief Historian Wang Zhen in Prince Chen's Mansion executing tasks."

"King Chen... a cultivator."

Xu Mujun muttered, "The urgent task now is to get clear information on Prince Chen's specific situation and identity."

"It seems that eradicating the White Lotus Sect is imperative."

"Only by attacking what he must protect can we lure King Chen out. Then we can acquire intelligence on King Chen."

"Jiuque, when did you see King Chen last?"

"Three days ago!"

"Three days ago... the timing is about right."

Xu Mujun murmured, "Invite General Tang Zhengkou here for a discussion."

"Yes!"

Soon, Tang Zhengkou arrived at the military camp with his men.

After a discussion, the Imperial Court's army began to move.

A group led by Tang Zhengkou continued to guard Huayun County.

The other group, under Xu Mujun's leadership, headed quietly towards the outside of Guangqing City.

Several messengers dashed out of Huayun County, galloping to different places.

Meanwhile, dozens of carrier pigeons also flew up from the military camp, heading far to the southwest.

...

Capital City.

Baiyu City.

Listening to the debates and speculations of several cabinet ministers, Zheng Yi's thoughts quickly recalled something.

This kind of inconsistent behavior, or deliberate pursuit of official positions, land, wealth, and beauties seemed familiar.

Wang Jian?

Guo Ziyi?

Xu Mujun is... self-slandering!

Zheng Yi immediately made a decision: "My dear ministers, I already have a judgment on the matter of Grand General Xu. Your urgent task is to ensure that the front-line military operations proceed smoothly, with an unimpeded supply of provisions and military pay."

"What Wang Aiqing said makes sense; it is a cardinal military taboo to change generals on the battlefield. Currently, Grand General Xu is still the best choice for the front lines and must not be replaced."

Wang Anshi respectfully said, "Your Majesty, you are wise!"

"In two years, agricultural affairs in the Six Northern States have already recovered, and furthermore, this year, the Capital Region and surrounding twelve counties have had a bumper harvest, enough to support frontline operations."

"We as the officials of the Ministry of Revenue will surely support the frontline operations with all our strength."

"Good!"

Zheng Yi said, "Let's conclude today's discussion here; I have other matters to handle."

"We take our leave!"

After Lu Xiangqing, Wang Anshi, and the others left, Zheng Yi took his men to Xu Mujun's mansion, where he met Zhong Chun.

And Xu Mujun's eldest grandson, Xu Jingzhong.

"Servant greets Your Majesty!"

Zhong Chun, holding a baby, knelt down in greeting.

"Rise."

Zheng Yi said, "You are now the daughter-in-law of Xu Mujun. I will bestow upon you the title of Lady of Edict, and you no longer need to refer to yourself as a servant."

"Servant belongs to the Shadow Guard, serving Your Majesty for life!"

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Has the child been named?"

"Yes, Xu Jingzhong, named personally by Grand General Xu."

"Does he have a courtesy name?"

"Courtesy name?"

Zhong Chun asked curiously, "Courtesy name?"

"Your Majesty, the child is barely over one year old. A courtesy name would take more than ten years..."

"I see this child is promising, and I wish to bestow a courtesy name upon him. What do you think?"

Zhong Chun quickly said, "It's a great fortune for Jingzhong to receive a name from Your Majesty."

Zheng Yi said, "Now, Grand General Xu is fighting outside, and in the court, there are those who slander him. In order to gain my trust, Grand General Xu has resorted to self-slander for self-protection."

"However, am I a person who cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery?"

"Today, I shall grant your child the courtesy name 'Yongxin'!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhong Chun respectfully said, "I shall write a letter to grandpa, informing him of Your Majesty's kind intentions!"