Horn dipped the hard bread into the meat soup and drank heartily with a large number of Holy Armor Forbidden Army.

This lamb soup, seasoned with meat and peppers, was really tender and delicious for Horn and the others who had been on the road all night, and they ate without stopping.

Originally, André and a group of Falan officers sitting next to them felt a bit awkward, but Valent Taylor loosened them up after a few drinks.

The courtyard which was quiet before, was now filled with the sounds of slurping and munching.

Outside the courtyard, the sky broke to dawn, and the smoke of breakfast porridge rose from the Iron Fist Battle Group's storeroom.

Having experienced the turmoil at dawn, these Iron Fist Cultivators dared not retaliate, and now were even less likely to take any action.

Although Valent Taylor and Solan criticized it as too risky, the effect was surprisingly good.

Even though the groundwork laid by Valent Taylor during this period was key, in others' eyes, it was Horn who single-handedly suppressed the entire Iron Fist Battle Group.

As the news spread widely throughout the camp, although surprised, most soldiers accepted this reality.

Because his Holiness not only retained these extra soldiers in their positions but also confirmed the ownership of army land.

The purpose of border trade was to pay the wages of extra officers and soldiers.

If that's the case, Horn took responsibility for the salary issue of extra officers and soldiers, what's wrong with returning the border trade?

As for the issue of Hundred Households District in Shangruifo County being marginalized, with the new monks brought by Valent Taylor and Horn's rectifications, it was no longer a problem.

Military power, financial power, administrative power, these three powers that André exploited, were instantly taken back by Horn and Valent Taylor working together.

After breakfast, the Holy Armor Forbidden Army yawned and left, while the Pope of Thousand River Valley with a pot of coffee gestured to André.

Horn rode to a quiet spot by Silver Mantis River and called the guards to disperse.

Lagging behind, André cautiously followed Horn's side, responding to his chat.

After chatting about the weather and the Xia Lvcheng scenery for a while, Horn walked to the embankment and sat with his legs hanging over.

André followed and sat down, only after a pause did he whisper: "Those offending officers and soldiers, I've ordered, the ones to kill have been killed, and others have been transferred...Your Holiness, I can assure you I only found out afterwards..."

Facing André's defense, Horn only wore a mysterious smile.

Whether André knew or not, was actually irrelevant. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Besides, Horn was certain, even if André didn't know, he surely had heard or realized such intentions within the army.

In the end, the Border Knight Order was at the border.

On the eve of battle, Horn dismissing André was extremely risky.

But if during the war, using the advantage of not being dismissed, André was very likely to turn Shangruifo County into an independent little kingdom.

Saying André wants to replace Horn is unlikely, in his outsider status, it's absolutely impossible to be accepted by Thousand River Valley People.

Saying André attempts to join the Leia people is even less possible, as most officers and soldiers would never consent.

Moreover, it's uncertain if Leia can offer a salary as high as Horn's.

Doesn't André, such a smart person, know the soldiers' real thoughts?

The most likely scenario is André subconsciously extending his power, attempting to carve out a big piece of post-war cake.

For example, give him the tariff management rights for the wool trade of Shattered Stone Plain.

In other words, André's target isn't rebellion or independence, but future influence.

He wants progress!

Only his means of progress was to use local pressure to force the central power.

From this, Horn could see he had not yet yielded to Horn's and Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance's authority.

When Horn and Valent Taylor's ships sailed into Shangruifo County, André realized clearly his power would surely be taken.

And Horn's tactics were savvy, first cutting and alienating the rent-seeking class, then pulling interests, finally sending Valent Taylor to stabilize the situation.

He can only hope for Horn's mistake.

André gambled on it, but he lost the bet.

Horn and André tacitly avoided probing the motives of this group disguised as Border Knights, though they understood without speaking.

"In front of many soldiers, I saved your face, do you know what your outcome is?" Horn looked at the fishing boats on Silver Mantis River but didn't look at André.

André pondered for a while, then smiled bitterly: "Demotion to Corps Commander?"

"Suspension from the Iron Fist Army Battle Group Commander position, temporally filled by Valent Taylor."

That's it, after four years of hard work, and back to before enlisting again.

Upon hearing the news, André just smiled bitterly, accepted his loss, and had no choice but to comply.

But regarding this order, once he leaves, can Valent Taylor take up the position of Battle Commander?

"Considering the soldiers' moods, you are appointed Valent Taylor's military advisor." Horn yawned, "I will have Cheka and Shadow Guard members monitor and protect."

Remaining as military advisor, André straightened himself, without hesitation opened up: "Do I have a chance to regain my position?"

"You've made huge contributions in guarding Thousand River Valley, but you also have the fault of disobeying orders." Horn earnestly looked at André, "You know too, in front of the Holy Father, good deeds cannot offset sins, I just hope to judge the sins, not the person."

André understood the implication, if he can win this battle, he will regain his position, past mistakes forgiven.

If he loses this battle, fails in defense of Shangruifo County, it would be revenge and complete investigation.

Mixed emotions swelled within André, yet he continued to swear, promising not to disappoint Horn's expectations.

"Enough, enough." Horn dug his ear, his eyelids growing heavy, "I still have one last question for you...I've heard you have quite a bit of unexpected income and several little lovers?"

"The income can be returned, the lovers can't be, they're all willing, I never do anything by force."

Horn shook his head: "You've done well recently, supplies in military uniforms, food training never cease, and repelled the Border Knight Order's attack.

Publicize this money, take the deserved bonuses, distribute the rest for the Charitable House, for Shattered Stone Plain refugees.

As for your several little lovers, Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance doesn't dictate you can marry only one, it just advocates monogamy.

But be careful, someday being stabbed in sleep by a jealous lover, there's nowhere to argue."

For some reason, these words from Horn seemed so dreamlike.

Seeing André dumbfounded, Horn dusted off and stood up: "I'll give you 50,000 pounds, spend 30,000 to complete this perfectly, meet mine and Imperial Cardinal Conference's expectations, keep the remaining 20,000 and what's wrong with that?

If you spend 50,000, fail in the task, I will still dismiss you, understand?"

"Understood, Your Holiness!"

"Good, let's talk about the battle plan now." At this point, Horn was already yawning repetitively, his words slurring.

André quickly persuaded: "Your Holiness, you should rest first, there's time to discuss."

"...Alright, let me mention the clues and main themes, we can discuss after I wake up!"

"Please continue."

Glaring sleepily, Horn sternly said: "We're going to poke at Ginijis' weak point...understand?"

"......"