Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

”A breakthrough?” Hu Mei’Er’s red lips curved, and she immediately said, ”I have already found it.”

”What is it?”

”A person.”

”Who?”

”Chen Hong.” A glint of amusement appeared in Hu Mei’Er’s eyes.

Black Shadow was puzzled, but when she wanted to ask more, Hu Mei’Er just said, ”Leave Chen Hong to me. When he returns to the palace, I have ways to deal with him and will pry the matter of the Nan Zhou Treasure from his mouth.”

Black Shadow’s confusion deepened.

...

Nanyang County.

Nanyang City.

The so-called cleanup of the remnants of the rebel army was nothing more than cutting down those in the cities still holding weapons and then reclaiming the weapons and armor.

If you weren’t holding weapons, even if you had previously been a Yellow Turban bandit, no one would recognize you, as not everyone’s face was known in such a large rebel force.

As long as you stayed low-key, no one would investigate too deeply.

So the advance speed was quick.

With the soldiers splitting into several detachments, about twenty-odd out of the thirty-two cities in Nanyang County had been cleared.

The main forces of the Song Army gathered in Nanyang City.

With the rebellion being quelled, some people who had been hiding in the mountains gradually descended and resumed their daily work.

In the military camp.

Huangfu Hao was discussing with his subordinates the plan to return to the Capital once the officials dispatched to Nanyang had arrived.

During the discussion, a messenger’s voice reached Huangfu Hao’s ears from outside.

”General, the Emperor’s inner official has already arrived in the military camp with the Holy Decree.”

Huangfu Hao squinted his eyes; it must be the Imperial Court’s reward that had arrived, and he quickly said, ”Quickly, invite them in.”

The inner official, under the escort of guards, walked into the tent, respectfully saluted Huangfu Hao, and said with a smile:

”Congratulations, General Huangfu, for such a great accomplishment. His Majesty is greatly pleased. I have brought the reward edicts for the generals, and there is a private message from His Majesty that I need to convey to General Huangfu alone.”

The generals exchanged glances and then left.

Only the inner official and Huangfu Hao remained in the tent.

”Huangfu Hao, receive the decree.” The inner official announced loudly.

”This humble servant receives the decree.” Huangfu Hao kneeled with one knee to take the decree.

The inner official’s voice echoed through the tent.

”By His Majesty’s command, appended with the decree, in consideration of the army’s fight, the hardships of the people in Nanyang...”

After a rambling discourse for a dozen minutes.

The general idea was the intercepted illicit funds from the rebel army, ten million taels, were to be submitted to the National Treasury, while the remainder was to be distributed as local relief silver.

Additionally, the officials drawn from nearby Nanyang would arrive shortly.

Furthermore, it covered Huangfu Hao’s reward,

no promotion, just an honorary title.

Still a nominal position.

Huangfu Hao was conferred the title of Inspector of the Ministry of Supervision.

He was granted an annual tribute of two thousand barrels of grain, a thousand pounds of gold, a thousand acres of fertile land, thirty servants, ten carriages of silk, and a mansion in Bianliang.

”This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for the grand favor.” Huangfu Hao accepted the decree.

Regarding this reward, Huangfu Hao had actually anticipated it.

He was already the commander of the army; how else could he be promoted?

Moreover, he didn’t deserve the most credit this time.

”Congratulations to General Huangfu.” The inner official once again congratulated Huangfu Hao and then asked, ”Is General Chen Hong here?”

”Chen Hong has been dispatched by me around Celestial River City to clean up the remnants of the rebel army, but inner official, please wait. I will send someone to notify him to come and receive the decree.” Huangfu Hao said.

The inner official waved his hand and immediately said, ”Never mind, I have to go to Nan County to deliver the decree too. Just ask General Huangfu to hand Chen Hong’s edict over on my behalf.”

Huangfu Hao nodded and took over Chen Hong’s decree.

After the inner official left, the generals following Huangfu Hao rushed into the tent, eagerly asked:

”General, how did it go? What title did His Majesty give you?”

”General, did I get promoted?”

”General, how much was the reward?”

Given that it concerned their interests, how could the generals not be excited?

”Here, these are your reward edicts, see for yourselves.” Huangfu Hao tossed a copy of the decrees to them.

The generals hastily opened them to look over.

Meanwhile, Huangfu Hao read through Chen Mo’s decree.

After reading it, he frowned instead.

And after some exchanges among the generals, they turned their eyes to Huangfu Hao, and said, ”General, why isn’t there a reward for Chen Hong on the list?”

”His is here with me,” Huangfu Hao said in a deep voice.

”General, then what reward did he receive?” The generals were somewhat eager to know.

”Military Commander, he commands ten thousand strong troops from the Infantry Department, receiving an annual tribute of a thousand barrels of grain, a thousand pounds of gold, a thousand acres of fertile land, an upper-grade Profound Level treasure, twenty servants, ten carriages of silk, a mansion in Bianliang.” Huangfu Hao said slowly.

The generals were astonished.

Chen Hong has risen to great heights in one step.

The generals showed envious expressions.

But soon someone noticed something amiss.

”General, that’s not right. An army only has seven battalions, how can ten thousand troops be commanded?”

”Can you fathom His Majesty’s sacred intent?” Huangfu Hao glared at the generals and then called his personal soldiers to deliver the decree to Chen Mo swiftly.

...

When Chen Mo received the decree, the sun was setting, and he was returning with his troops to Celestial River City.

Xu Dabong and others, who were guarding Celestial River City, happily came forward to greet him.

”Promoted, sir, you have been promoted.”

”What promotion?” Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, still not quite comprehending.

Xu Dabong quickly walked forward with his men, surrounding Chen Mo’s horse, and excitedly said, ”Sir, a decree from the Capital has arrived, you’ve been promoted to Military Commander, and you’ve been given command of ten thousand strong troops.”

”Xu Dabong, really?” Gao Zheng and others behind Chen Mo also became somewhat excited and hurriedly asked about the truth of the matter.

”Of course it’s true, there’s the Holy Decree to prove it.” Xu Dabong held up the decree and handed it to Chen Mo.

The leaders behind Chen Mo cheered.

It’s said when one man gains the way, his followers ascend to heaven too.

Now that the master has risen, wouldn’t they rise with him too?

The last time the master became Camp Commander, he appointed sub-commanders and commanders all from among his own men.

Chen Mo dismounted, took the Holy Decree, and opened it to check.

Gao Zheng and others craned their necks to peek a look.

When they saw the rewards listed on it, their eyes widened.

Such lavish rewards!

But Chen Mo frowned.

Commander of ten thousand strong troops.

From the Infantry Department.

The meaning behind it was obvious.

This was to divide Xiao Yunqi’s military power for himself.

There was even a clause, specifically allowing Chen Hong to build a strong army.

This was clearly meant to sow discord between him and the Xiao Family!

And there was an element of wooing too.

An open scheme!

If Xiao Yunqi and Xiao Teng knew about this, what would they think?

The level of trust would surely decline.

They would doubt his relationship with the Emperor.

Otherwise, why would the Emperor give you such generous treatment?

And in matters like these, the more you explain, the more suspicious it becomes.

After all, the army requires a Tiger Talisman to command, but being awarded ten thousand generals implies that the Infantry Department would transfer ten thousand troops to become Chen Mo’s private army.

It’s not far from calling it the ”Chen Family Army.”

Would Xiao Yunqi agree?

PS: Thank you all for the rewards!