The Western River Land is clearly all mine.

My land, you take thirty percent, keep seventy percent, and you still want me to thank you?

And there are conditions, so you're planning not to pay any taxes for the hidden seventy percent?

Very well, very well.

Since you all aren't willing to cooperate,

then...

The reply Chen Mo gave Xiao Jing was just one word.

...

The next day.

Xiao Jing in Zhangquan County received Chen Mo's response.

Just one word: "Kill."

Chen Mo understood the confidence these major noble families had in being uncooperative.

Nothing more than thinking, like King Chong, he needed them.

And they, as local noble families, through interests had linked into a dense network in the Western River, mutually restricting and balancing each other. Without their help, outsiders trying to govern local affairs indeed couldn't handle it.

But Chen Mo truly wasn't afraid.

His groundwork was established.

His foundation was stable.

He didn't need them at all.

After reading Chen Mo's reply, Xiao Jing coldly laughed a few times, noting this was directed at the Zhang, Yan, and Gao families, saying: "Our Duke An, he's no Prince Huai or King Chong, and you dare to negotiate with a tiger?"

After grumbling about it, Xiao Jing called out externally: "Come in."

"I'm here." Xiao Jing's deputy general walked in.

"Send out the orders, it's time to act."

"Yes."

...

The Zhang Family was the old-established family of Zhang Family County.

If discussing family history, the Zhang Family is even older than the Xiao Family, just that no significant officials emerged from them since their ancestors.

The Zhang Family's ancestor, Zhang Quan, was once the county magistrate of this region in the previous dynasty.

At that time, this place wasn't called Zhangquan County yet.

Due to Zhang Quan's achievements in water management, after his death, this area was renamed Zhangquan County and has been used ever since.

There's still a monument at the city gate, erected by the people of the previous dynasty for Zhang Quan.

Benefiting from ancestral reputation, although no significant officials emerged from the Zhang Family through generations.

When the Grand Ancestor Emperor just established the nation, the Zhang Family's prestige in Zhangquan County was immensely strong, so much so that the Grand Ancestor Emperor even posthumously honored Zhang Quan, and to commend his achievements in water management, bestowed upon the Zhang Family an immunity token.

If the descendants of the Zhang Family committed a capital crime, they could use this immunity token to avoid execution.

This kind of posthumous honor from the emperor of the current dynasty to an official of the previous dynasty was rare in history.

Afterwards, whenever floods occurred in the Western River region, officials managing water affairs would come to consult the Zhang Family.

During festive times, local county magistrates and prefects would also send regards to the Zhang Family.

Over time, the Zhang Family was celebrated as almost divine by the people, and their connections extended even to imperial attention.

Some officials not fully knowing the details would even proactively seek favor with the Zhang Family.

Later, when turmoil came, King Chong needed to recruit soldiers, but lacked the funds and food resources. The Liang Family alone wasn't sufficient, and at that time, they also supported Prince Huai, more so supporting Prince Huai, hence, King Chong thought of the noble families in the Western River region.

Because he was "seeking resources" and also wanted a virtuous reputation, he lowered his posture somewhat.

And this misled the Zhang Family.

Thinking even a vassal king should show them some respect.

Thus, why should Duke An not show them respect?

In the Zhang Family's study room.

Currently, the patriarch of the Zhang Family, named Zhang Shao, is discussing family development with his steward.

"Later, personally go to the Yan Family and Gao Family, make sure they don't yield. If we unite, the situation in Zhangquan, Jin Ze, and Wuyi counties can't change, even Duke An will have to compromise." Zhang Shao said.

The steward hesitated, paused for a moment, but eventually spoke: "Master, isn't offering thirty percent a bit too little? I've heard Chen Mo is a ruthless killer."

"Too little?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Shao got angry, exclaiming: "Do you know how much this thirty percent is worth? A family of yours as servants for a thousand years wouldn't earn this much.

Do you know the saying 'the heart is insatiable like a snake swallowing an elephant'? If I give more, they'll only think I have more. Thirty percent, I'm still saving face for them, all this land is mine, if I give it all, who will support you, give you food? You'd all end up begging.

That Chen Mo is a fool, thinking winning people over involves dividing land, when starving them for a few days then offering a bowl of porridge would solve the issue, he insists on complicating things."

Finished speaking, Zhang Shao spat disdainfully, shouting outside: "Where's everyone, bring me honey water!"

The steward, scolded by Zhang Shao, dared not lift his head, was about to withdraw.

When a servant rushed in frantically: "Master, something bad happened."

Entering the study, the servant knelt before Zhang Shao, panic-stricken: "Master, it's bad, a group of soldiers surrounded the mansion, smashing things everywhere..."

"What?" Zhang Shao's face changed on hearing this, hurriedly asked: "Are they the Chen Army brought by Xiao Jing a few days ago?"

"Indeed."

...

In wartime, speed is key.

From the Zhang Family's properties being seized to Zhang Shao being taken to the execution platform, less than half a day passed.

Seeing the executioner walking behind him, Zhang Shao realized this was real, got scared, hurriedly said: "I have the immunity token granted by the Grand Ancestor Emperor to avoid execution, you can't kill me."

The officer in charge of execution wasn't Xiao Jing, just a centurion from the Chen Army, uncultured and crude, yet said playfully: "Immunity token? Show it to me, if genuine, then we'll spare you."

Zhang Shao: "..."

When his family's properties were seized, he barely reacted before being overpowered by the incoming armored warriors. After everything was seized, he was taken here without a hearing, how could he produce the immunity token?

Seeing Zhang Shao speechless, the centurion laughed: "At the moment of doom, still dare to deceive me.

Come, execute the sentence."

With Zhang Family facing the same fate, so did the Yan and Gao families.

Once the news of the downfall of the Zhang, Yan, and Gao families spread, those noble clan gentries who initially allied with them to pursue their own interests, scattered, disintegrated, seeking Xiao Jing, offering their willingness to cooperate.

...

January 26th.

In Wang'an County, Western River region.

Inside the government office.

Chen Mo held a vermillion pen, drawing circles on the map, each circle drawn indicating the place marked was his area of actual control now.

"Indeed, blazing a military trail is faster than anything else. Now it's settled, so as to prevent future backstabbing."

Chen Mo drew two routes on the map.

The left route leading to the Celestial River.

The Celestial River was originally the capital, but was later moved to Luonan by Xu Guozhong.

"Why are you drawing the route to Celestial River?" Zhi Ning asked puzzledly.

"I'm considering the escape route after Lu Sheng's defeat. At that time, Xu Guozhong, facing Prince Huai's loyalist army, managed to take the Emperor to Luonan, so Lu Sheng might also possibly take the Emperor back to Celestial River, I wonder if I should set up an ambush here for future use." Chen Mo replied.

"We haven't even fought to Luonan yet, and you're considering events after Lu Sheng's defeat, what if..." Saying this, Zhi Ning immediately closed her mouth, thinking it was rather ominous to speak of it now.

"A strategist must plan several, even dozens of steps ahead for every advance."

As he spoke, seeing no one else around, Chen Mo embraced Zhi Ning's slender waist, chuckling: "These days, didn't see you cultivating, eager for children, huh?"

Zhi Ning's face flushed instantly, pushing Chen Mo away, stubbornly retorting: "Who said... I haven't been cultivating, you just didn't see it."

Chen Mo smiled at her, suggesting: "How about we sneak out for a little break?"

"You want to die, huh?" Zhi Ning knew he was teasing her, angrily slapped Chen Mo's arm.

"Old couples, still so bashful." Chen Mo said this, stopped moving because he heard approaching footsteps outside.

Yue Ruyan entered: "Xiao Wu and the two patriarchs have arrived."