After all, these regular soldiers rarely have the chance to meet with King Anping. Without any close contact, naturally, they can't really become "close" with you.

Strictly speaking, they actually follow orders from their direct commanders, the Squad Commanders and Centurions.

Chen Mo used a legitimate reason, stating that King Anping was deceived by rebel traitors and, upon learning the truth midway, decided resolutely to eliminate the traitors, thus he entrusted his troops to Chen Mo's command to march on Chongzhou.

The Yan Army soldiers naturally harbored doubts, and King Anping's confidant, Grand General Wang Ying, even demanded to see the Prince or receive his issued command, but was immediately detained by Xiao Jing.

Then, the Deputy General who was assisting Wang Ying was promoted by one rank.

The Centurions and other ranks below were also promoted by one rank.

With rewards and penalties applied, they had no choice but to comply.

...

The next afternoon.

Chen Mo found King Anping, Chu Ji, and said, "Prince, after thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that it was General Zhao Liang under my command who, upon tracing a rebel into your camp yesterday, urgently surrounded your camp to prevent the rebel from escaping amidst your ranks.

Now the situation is clear, the rebel has been captured, and I have severely reprimanded him."

With that said, Chen Mo turned around and shouted, "Hurry and come apologize to the Prince."

As he spoke, Zhao Liang, bare-chested and carrying branches on his back, walked in and then knelt before King Anping with a thud: "Prince, I was too impulsive last night, recklessly leading troops to surround your camp. Now that I reflect upon it, I deeply regret it and have come to apologize. Please forgive me."

Hearing Zhao Liang's words, King Anping was amused but also angry.

"Impulsive? Reckless? You speak lightly, trying to diminish a major issue into a minor one, right?" King Anping thought angrily.

Yet, despite his dissatisfaction, he couldn't truly blame Zhao Liang.

Because everyone knows that if those two sing in duet, there must be Chen Mo's hint behind it; would Zhao Liang dare otherwise?

Currently, it's still better to visit the camp.

Although King Anping decided not to blame Zhao Liang, he did not show goodwill to Zhao Liang and Chen Mo, coldly saying, "Duke An, now may I leave?"

"Prince, what are you saying? Yan State has always been your territory. Where would I dare to stop you from going anywhere?" Chen Mo replied.

"Let's go." King Anping left with Zhang Le.

"Marquis, aren't you giving him too much face, being so disrespectful to you?" Zhao Liang hurriedly removed the branches from his back, stood up, and said.

"Never mind, letting him vent some anger after withholding so many of his troops is no problem," Chen Mo said with a smile.

...

Before King Anping could reach the camp, he ran into Wang Ying, who was looking for him.

Chen Mo didn't order Wang Ying to be killed.

The moment he gained control of Yan State, he released Wang Ying.

Though Wang Ying did not understand Chen Mo's intentions, he still believed it best to first report the matter to the Prince.

When King Anping saw Wang Ying, his heart sank, and he hurriedly asked, "General Wang, why are you here?"

Wang Ying quickly reported what he knew to King Anping.

After listening, King Anping felt dizzy, and moments later, he began to curse: "Utterly shameless, utterly shameless. How could Chen Mo, as the Court's First-class Duke, partake in such despicable deeds, shameful, shameful... cough cough..."

"Quick, quick to the camp." After calming down, King Anping hurriedly said.

Yet it was too late.

By the time they arrived, the once large camp had already been deserted.

Though King Anping wasn't Prince Huai, seeing this scene, he felt like vomiting blood.

In his eyes, Chen Mo's actions were no different from those of a bandit.

"Prince, what should we do now?" Wang Ying asked worriedly.

"Prince, Chen Mo has gone too far in bullying. We should fight them," Zhang Le said.

King Anping dejectedly said, "Fight, with what?"

With the army gone, and having stabbed King Chong and Lu Sheng in the back before, their hatred towards him must surpass even that towards Chen Mo, wishing to skin him alive.

King Anping laughed bitterly in despair, "Scatter, everyone scatter."

With Chen Mo being shameless, King Anping could only swallow his grievances silently.

He's already severely offended King Chong and others.

If he were to fall out with Chen Mo now, his very life would be in jeopardy.

...

Chen Mo didn't rush to march on Chongzhou.

He suspected that news from Fengzhou would soon arrive, and once Yue Ruyan brought her troops, the combined forces could then head to Chongzhou.

During the wait, Chen Mo ordered the Chen Army and thousands of Yan Army soldiers to integrate.

Especially mentioning that upon learning of Chen Mo's true intention of detaining his troops and unable to resist, King Anping simply "lent" his Personal Guard Battalion to Chen Mo, never discussing terms for return.

As for the captives taken during this period.

Chen Mo's intention was to disarm them and remove their armor, then send them to the rear.

These individuals couldn't be used for the time being.

Some were from Chongzhou, others from Celestial River and Luonan.

Which means that their families are still in Chongzhou, Celestial River, and Luonan.

If they were sent to the battlefield, they might be persuaded by the enemy during crucial moments to betray for the sake of their families.

In the blink of an eye.

Time moved to mid-November.

Back hall of Yuan County Government Office.

Chen Mo received a confidential letter from Yue Ruyan.

The matter in Fengzhou is settled.

Prince Huai took his own life at Dragon-locking Mountain.

An era of a formidable figure has ended.

Yue Ruyan is leading the Chen Army, along with the Vine Armor Army dispatched by Yang Xian, en route to Yuan County.

Chen Mo lightly pinched, held the confidential letter in his hand, and watched it burn completely, murmuring, "This outcome is the best for everyone."

As he called out Sun Meng's name, instructing him to send the news of Prince Huai's demise to Xiangyang, Sun Meng's voice was heard first.

"Marquis, Madam Gan requests an audience."

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, "Have her wait for me in the study."

"Understood."

...

In the study.

Madam Gan was enjoying scented tea, and upon hearing footsteps, hastily set her teacup down, tidied her dress, and stood quietly by.

Although she hadn't heard these footsteps in a long time, Madam Gan instantly recognized them.

When the owner of the footsteps entered, Madam Gan hurriedly saluted: "The wife of a guilty subject greets Duke An."

"Madam Gan need not call yourself that, Prince Huai is deceased, and you did not participate in his rebellious plot, so wherefore the guilt?"

Chen Mo said while observing Madam Gan.

Madam Gan, dressed today in a palace skirt with blue and white undertones, adorned with a vivid jade hairpin atop her elegant moth-gathered coiffure, well-matching her attire, her hair neatly set up revealing a smooth and jade-like forehead. Sensing Chen Mo's gaze, her egg-shaped face full of charm slightly reddened but soon turned astounded: "You say... He's dead?"

Chen Mo nodded, "I just received a message from Fengzhou; Prince Huai took his own life at Dragon-locking Mountain."

Seeing Madam Gan silent for a long while, Chen Mo smiled, "It seems Madam and Prince Huai shared a deep bond, are you mourning Prince Huai?"

"No." Realizing Chen Mo's misunderstanding, Madam Gan panicked and quickly explained: "My relationship with him was nominally over years ago. In Chongzhou, he even hit and verbally abused me; I hated him to the core. Why would I mourn him? Now that he's gone, I couldn't be happier enough to clap my hands; the news was just too sudden for me to process."

Madam Gan was truthful in her words, having long lost feelings for Prince Huai.

Moreover, since that parting in Wuguan, her mind was filled only with thoughts of Chen Mo and the sense of fulfillment he brought.

Coming to senses, Chen Mo noticed a rather hard-to-spot bruise on Madam Gan's forehead and gently touched it: "What's this?"

"He hit me."

"Does it still hurt?" Chen Mo asked gently.

Madam Gan wasn't a young girl, so she naturally leaned into Chen Mo, resting against his chest, tenderly saying: "It did a little, but now it doesn't hurt at all."