Chapter 1 The General
　　
Looking at Duke Dingguo's suggestive gaze, Jiang Chen raised his hand and waved away the surrounding Imperial Guards.

'Duke, I have already ordered them to retreat half a zhang away. Please speak frankly. No third person will know.'

Hearing this, Duke Dingguo's expression became serious: 'Your Majesty, what I want to say is that although there is no concrete evidence, it is a fact that the Zhenhai Jiedushi (military governor) has been frequently mobilizing troops during this period!'

'You understand the principle of rather killing a thousand by mistake than letting one go.'

'Some things… can be prepared!'

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his weathered eyes, and a murderous aura emanated from him, as if he was determined to kill.

Jiang Chen did not expect that this official, who was somewhat muddleheaded and weak in family matters, would be so decisive in national affairs. But it had to be said that this idea was exactly what he wanted.

He nodded and said, 'I am already preparing for what you mentioned.'

'But after all, the Pei family has been entrenched in the South for many years. Before the layout is completed, we must not act rashly.'

'Otherwise, if he discovers the clues, war will surely break out in the South, and then I will be at a disadvantage… The reason for summoning you back to the capital this time is to tell you to try your best to contain the Zhenhai Jiedushi while guarding the border!'

'If they make any unusual movements, your Zhao Family Army will immediately suppress them, leaving no one alive, and cutting them off at the root!'

Although he was not sure whether the Zhenhai Jiedushi had any rebellious intentions, Jiang Chen no longer intended to waste time investigating.

Loyal or disloyal.

As the emperor, he had no shortage of people under his command, and only his confidants could sit in the position of regional governors!

Rather than a talented but uncontrollable official, Jiang Chen would rather tie a dog who knew nothing but was obedient enough to that position!

Hearing the determination in Jiang Chen's words, Duke Dingguo trembled and gained a deeper understanding of the emperor's ruthlessness.

His tone became more respectful: 'Yes, Your Majesty! This subject will never let you down!'

'As long as the Pei family takes any transgressing actions, the Zhao Family Army will immediately move out to solve your worries and those of the court!'

Seeing the change in Duke Dingguo's attitude, Jiang Chen smiled and nodded: 'Good, then I will leave the South of Da Wei to the Duke to manage. I believe that with the Duke's ability, he will be able to stabilize the situation.'

'After all, you are a fierce general praised even by the late emperor, guarding the gates of Da Wei for decades. Your merits are so great that even I must treat you with caution!'

Jiang Chen's seemingly unintentional joke made Duke Dingguo break out in a cold sweat.

Not daring to take credit, he hurriedly knelt down and said: 'Your Majesty, this subject's meager achievements are not worthy of such praise from you.'

'Guarding the border and resisting the enemy is this subject's duty as a military general. It is even more of an honor for me to serve you...'

Hearing the fear in Duke Dingguo's tone, Jiang Chen helplessly rubbed his forehead and interrupted him: 'Duke, what I said just now was all from the bottom of my heart. I didn't mean to beat you. Please rise quickly.'

'I remember all the contributions that your Xu family has made to Da Wei in my heart. As long as you do not commit any fundamental mistakes, I will guarantee your family's prosperity for generations!'

Hearing this, the big stone in Duke Dingguo's heart finally fell to the ground, and he solemnly said: 'Your Majesty, please rest assured that our Xu family are all loyal and will serve the royal family for generations. We will never betray the imperial grace like the Zhenhai Jiedushi!'

Although he felt a little sorry for the Pei family's ending, Duke Dingguo would not be soft-hearted when it came to smearing them.

The reason why their noble families have the glory and status they have today is all thanks to the emperor's trust, but the Pei family just couldn't see through such a simple principle and got involved with Jiang Zuo Wang for some petty gains.

It served them right to fall to such a point!

And after receiving Duke Dingguo's repeated assurances, Jiang Chen also felt relieved at this time.

With this veteran guarding the south, the problem in the South can be considered temporarily resolved and will not cause too much trouble.

He smiled and said, 'Although I would like to keep the Duke for a few more days, there are too many people with prying eyes, and staying in the palace for too long may leak the news. Let's meet again when there is a chance in the future.'

With that, Jiang Chen raised his hand and summoned Feng Jin, who was waiting outside the pavilion, and instructed, 'Go to my private treasury and pick out a few bottles of good wine for Duke Dingguo to take with him and taste on the road.'

'Also, add 30% more to the military pay allocated to the Zhao Family Army this year, and the money will also come from my private treasury.'

These two casual sentences set off a storm in Duke Dingguo's heart!

He did not expect that this cruel and ruthless emperor would have such a considerate side.

He had never told anyone about his love for fine wine, only his family and a few friends knew about it.

And Jiang Chen, this high-ranking emperor, would actually lower his status to understand an official's preferences. Even a regional governor like Duke Dingguo could not help but feel a sense of being flattered at this time.

And what made him even more pleasantly surprised and even brought tears to his eyes was the additional 30% of military pay.

With this reward, the soldiers under his command would not have to tighten their belts, and those wounded soldiers who had no combat effectiveness could also have a full meal!

Thinking of this, Duke Dingguo finally couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart and kowtowed sincerely: 'This subject thanks His Majesty for his great kindness!'

'These extra military rations will allow the soldiers of the Zhao Family Army to have a good year. Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty!'

Looking at Duke Dingguo's happy and incoherent appearance, a trace of gratification flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. A person who cares about the soldiers under his command will not have bad morals.

He could rest assured using such a person.

Bending down to help Duke Dingguo up from the ground, Jiang Chen solemnly said: 'Duke, I cannot accept this gift from you.'

'Those soldiers leave their homes and guard the border. It is only right for me to add military pay to them. If I treat these heroes who shed blood and tears for Da Wei harshly, what face do I have to rule the world?'

'Now that it is just you and me here, I can promise you that when the day comes when all the treacherous officials in the court are removed, I will definitely treat all the soldiers of Da Wei well, so that they can be provided for in their old age and not worry about their lives after retirement!'

Meeting Jiang Chen's sincere and firm eyes, Duke Dingguo's tiger eyes turned red, and he was convinced by this sincere love for the people: 'Good, this subject believes in Your Majesty, and believes that you will be able to do it!'

'From today onwards, this subject will be the sharp sword in Your Majesty's hand, cutting through thorns and thorns for you and killing all rebellious and traitorous subjects!'

Hearing the determination in Duke Dingguo's tone, Jiang Chen knew that this great general with illustrious military exploits had really been subdued by him, and a smile could not help but appear on his face.

'While there is still time, Duke, tell me more about the situation in the South. I want to know how the people there are living, whether they have been bullied by the local powerful families, and how the local governance is, and whether there are any officials who are corrupt and pervert the law...'

In the Hundred Beast Garden, the emperor and his subject asked and answered, chatting until dusk.

It was not until Duke Dingguo had to leave that they parted reluctantly.

At this time, Jiang Chen also had a general impression of the South, and knew which people in the court were connected to the Southern aristocratic families.

If things really developed to the worst, and the Pei family had to be诛灭 (zhū miè, exterminated)… these people must be controlled in advance!