The Emperor's tone was gentle, it couldn't be considered unhappy, but it was definitely not a joyful tone.

The nameless old eunuch's heart jumped slightly. With a combination of the decisions and actions the Emperor had recently made, he knew in his heart that the Emperor must now see Chu Mo's danger as greater than his contribution.

From the Emperor's perspective, that indeed seemed to be the case!

If Chu Mo were no longer present, then the Great Xia would become safer and more pleasant!

The primordial stone deposits of Skybreaker Mountain had been completely depleted. The Emperor didn't voice it, but inwardly, he was somewhat displeased.

People are just like that; their own interests are always their first consideration.

It couldn't be said that the Emperor was in the wrong. It just gave off the impression that he was somewhat fickle.

One moment he was all praises, hailing Chu Mo as a treasure of the dynasty. The next, he felt this man was too dangerous and could jeopardize the Great Xia...

"If Your Majesty truly feels that Young Master Chu... is not suitable to be in the Great Xia, then when he returns, after the rewards are given...perhaps...you could simply send him directly to a granted land," the nameless old eunuch suggested cautiously.

"A granted land? Which land should be allotted to him?" the Emperor inquired, his eyes fixated on the nameless old eunuch.

The old eunuch calmly said, "Didn't Your Majesty once say, the territories of Great Qi that he conquered should be granted to him?"

"I... indeed said so, but now he doesn't have troops or generals. How can he fight on his own?" the Emperor said dismissively. "I... certainly won't entrust any military power to him again."

The old eunuch sighed silently to himself and suggested, "In that case, Your Majesty could put it to him this way..."

...

"Chu Mo, the current situation is evident. Although Great Qi suffered a massive loss, they still, after all, have the strength to fight. Therefore, I can't spare you any manpower. After tomorrow's ascension ceremony, you will officially be King of Chu. It would not be appropriate to stay in Great Xia any longer. Yet with your lack of soldiers and generals, I'm also somewhat worried about your allotment of land."

The Emperor looked at Chu Mo in front of him, a helpless smile on his face, as he spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty once said that since I am bestowed the title of King of Chu, I should have the right to recruit and arm my own forces, isn't that correct?" Chu Mo also smiled slightly, looking at the Emperor.

Having just returned to Yanhuang City last night, without even getting a chance to see Gao Dasha who had already pledged his loyalty, Chu Mo was summoned to the palace early in the morning.

"Yes, that's the case. But my lad... you shouldn't try to undermine my command! The soldiers and horses of Great Xia... can't be given to you," the Emperor looked at Chu Mo, with an expression half-serious, half-teasing.

Chu Mo shook his head, "Why would I do that? Regardless, Great Xia... is my motherland. Your Majesty, please be rest assured, I will never do such a thing. However... if someone willingly wants to follow me... to build a new homeland, Your Majesty will surely not obstruct, right?"

The Emperor raised his eyebrows, looking at Chu Mo with some vigilance, "Who are you referring to?"

"The people of Great Xia," Chu Mo made a bitter face, "Your Majesty surely wouldn't force me to be a king without subjects! When the time comes, Great Qi can just easily send some soldiers over... and reclaim all my territories. That would, for our Great Xia... equally not be of any benefit, right?"

The Emperor's heart stirred slightly. He was mildly annoyed. This boy dares to use this to threaten me...

However, the Emperor realized too, his recent series of actions were indeed a bit too harsh on Chu Mo.

All the courtiers had seen it. Although they didn't voice it out, they thought the Emperor seemed ungrateful.

Chu Mo's contributions to the Great Xia were well-known to everyone.

In the war at Skybreaker Mountain that altered the fate of the two nations, it wouldn't have been the Great Qi suffering calamitous destruction if not for the intelligence obtained by Chu Mo by sheer luck!

Reflecting on this, the Emperor's heart softened a little. He said softly, "In that case... no problem, but you can't force it, understand?"

Chu Mo chuckled to himself silently, replying, "Don't worry Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare to force anyone!"

"Good!" the Emperor sighed with relief. He then began to chat with Chu Mo about trivial matters, looking as though he was still as attentive to Chu Mo as before.

However, they both clearly understood, fissures had unknowingly formed between them. Now, neither wanted these fissures to widen. Both were, more or less, making their last attempts to prevent this.

Chu Mo returned to the Fan Residence, only to find his grandfather absent. However, the One-Armed Uncle had returned.

Looking at Chu Mo, he asked, "The General left the house last night. When he came back... he seemed pretty joyful. Did something good happen?"

Chu Mo laughed to himself inwardly: Even the One-Armed Uncle sensed the abnormal behavior and came privately to question me. Seems like grandpa must have found love.

At the same time, Chu Mo also felt some self-reproach. Although he occasionally thought about his grandfather's wellbeing these years, he hadn't really shown concern since the last time he was reprimanded by his grandfather.

"If I proposed it earlier, maybe... I would have a younger uncle by now, right?"

Chu Mo did not hide anything from the One-Armed Uncle and told him about it.

The One-Armed Uncle was thrilled after hearing it. "I see, that's the matter! Back then, I also urged the General. I told him that you wouldn't mind it. However, knowing his moral principles, firstly he thought he was not treating you fairly, and secondly... he felt he was unworthy of that young lady! He thought the age difference was too great and, back then as you know, our Fan family had very modest means. The General was afraid that she would be mistreated."

The One-Armed Uncle sighed repeatedly after recounting the story and then said, "Thanks to you, Young Master. If it was not for you, the General might have lived a bachelor's life..."

Chu Mo shook his head, laughing bitterly, "Without me, grandpa probably would have married and had children already..."

"You can't say it that way. In the eyes of the General, your position, Young Master, no one else could compete with! Even if the General has his own children later, it certainly would not change anything!" the One-Armed Uncle assertively looked at Chu Mo.

"I believe you," Chu Mo nodded.

Following that, they refrained from continuing the discussion. Chu Mo directly shared his plans with the One-Armed Uncle.

The One-Armed Uncle was somewhat startled, looking at Chu Mo. Following that, he said in a deep voice, "The Emperor's measures during this period are clear for all of us to see – he quickly took away the military power in your hands in fear that you would become more powerful. Yet... we can't help but understand his reasons, even though we don't like it."

Chu Mo nodded, heaving a sigh, "Indeed, fear is common when you are in that position."

"But the Emperor has been too hasty!" the One-Armed Uncle said calmly, "He also shouldn't have removed the General from his position and replaced him with the Third Prince at this time. This move... has significantly affected the morale of the troops." (End of the chapter. If you like this novel, please vote and support on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read on m.qidian.com)

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