The Dushan Army has been fighting for years, but its organization is incomplete. Tang Fei's idea is to fill the vacancies in the Dushan Army with personnel from the Lu Clan, then equip them with heavy armor and powerful cannons.

Shen Qingping was originally the general of Dushan, and with his cooperation, the entire Dushan is as good as under 'house arrest and power stripped.'

Tang Fei is not very familiar with the previous Dushan commander Xun Pu, nor with the other generals and advisers Bai Li, Chen Ran, and Hong Yu, so naturally, he needs to find someone absolutely loyal to him to lead this troop.

As for Xun Pu, Bai Li, Chen Ran, and Hong Yu, further communication is required.

If they are willing to shine, Tang Fei is also willing to provide them with a chance to prove themselves.

If their beliefs are firm and they indeed don't want to shine...

Their bodies can.

"I have no objections," Phoenix nodded in agreement.

This was as should be expected, the reason Tang Fei said it himself was because the merit comes from above, and the reward goes to below...

He wanted Shen Qingping to know who truly promoted and employed him.

"Thank you, General, thank you, Your Highness." Although Shen Qingping had anticipated this possibility, when he actually heard Tang Fei allowing him to lead an army, his heart was still thrilled.

This is his foundation, his beginning to rise swiftly to prominence.

Or rather, it's already so that others can't catch up.

How prestigious to lead an army?

Some people, their whole lives, are just small generals and advisers.

If he hadn't aligned with Tang Fei, he probably would never have been able to sit in this position in his lifetime.

Although Shen Wuxiang is his grandpa...

However, within the Shen Group, strong generals are as plentiful as trees in a forest, and talents emerge in large numbers. When would it ever be his turn?

By seniority, he's outmatched by everyone.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingping raised his right hand and solemnly said, "I, Shen Qingping... shall clear obstacles for the General and Your Highness, eliminating rebel interference. If I betray this oath, may lightning strike me down."

Everyone felt their hearts were warmed by this.

Truly, it's easier to get promoted in the new dynasty; otherwise, why would so many people be willing to risk decapitation to pursue merit of following the Dragon?

Even Qin Jianyi was envious.

He is the commander of the Sky Wolf Army, the leader of a troop.

However, his command of the Sky Wolf Army is like Qin Family's private army, cultivated by their Qin clan over a century.

Besides, how many years has he struggled in the army? And how many years has Shen Qingping been here?

When Shen Qingping was still just a kid, he had already established numerous battle achievements and was well-known...

And now they are on par?

Of course, Qin Jianyi knows in his heart, Shen Qingping fights for personal interest, while he fights for family interest.

Shen Qingping later can only absolutely obey Tang Fei, sacrificing his life for him.

But not himself... he has a family above, more things to consider.

Next, they strategize about the next plans, Tang Fei proposed to take a break for now, and to take over and reinforce Red Moon City.

Guard against aid and surprise attacks from Brocade City and Feng City nearby.

They captured two cities consecutively, but they need time to stabilize the rear and maintain the results.

Being stable and secure more aligns with their interests.

Sudden advancement is good, but a slight carelessness can bring down the whole affair.

No way around it; still not enough troops...

At this time, wanting to compare with Shen Wu who wielded power in the Imperial Army Department for decades in terms of manpower, that's fantasy.

Everyone agreed with Tang Fei's suggestion, and thus they were temporarily each busy with their work.

This is a newly organized, vibrant, yet vigorous team.

They're centered around Tang Fei and Phoenix, steadily moving towards the center of imperial power.

In the midst of countless matters, everyone's eyes are still filled with hope.

Perhaps there's also a bit of ambition.

------

Mountain Qi Camp.

Shen Wuxiang looked at Shen Anyuan who was kneeling before him, his gaze sharp like a knife, silent for a long time.

Red Moon City lost!

Wang Bota killed!

The one who beheaded him was Shen Family's Shen Qingping...

How absurd is that?

How ironic?

There are thousands of words in the heart, flames of fury that are about to erupt.

But at this moment, Shen Wuxiang didn't know what he should say anymore.

He just wanted to kill.

"Anyuan, do you know why I've brought you here?" Shen Wuxiang finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.

Or rather, it had no feeling.

"I don't know. What mistake has An Yuan made... Uncle, please punish me."

Shen Anyuan, who oversees the Shen Group's commercial enterprises, normally calm and experienced, yet at this moment, he felt a chill in his spine, even slightly trembling.

He was taken away from a high-level meeting by Shen Wuxiang's personal soldiers, witnessing the high-level people's astonished expressions... he was no better off.

If it wasn't a major incident, Shen Wuxiang wouldn't have noticed himself.

Let alone send his personal soldiers to publicly take him away...

He also needs face.

What exactly happened?

Work gone seriously wrong?

Embezzled too much money... but who in the Shen Family does not embezzle?

Those not embezzling are busy embezzling power instead.

"Have you been in contact with Shen Qingping recently?" Shen Wuxiang questioned.

"Qingping?"

Shen Anyuan's heart skipped a beat, knowing something big has happened.

He's not afraid of making mistakes himself, he's worried his son may have violated something taboo.

He's in charge of the commercial arm, at most embezzled some money or played with a few women... what does that count as in the Shen?

His blood runs Shen Family; he can smooth over big issues and dismiss smaller ones.

Showing genuine remorse might even restore him to his position.

But with Shen Qingping... really don't know what kind of trouble he might have stirred up.

"Indeed, contacted once recently..."

"Did he say anything to you?"

"Nothing really..."

Shen Anyuan lifted his head, trying to discern some clues on Shen Wuxiang's face, unfortunately, his expression was unfathomable, revealing nothing. "He said he wanted to come home... I tried to comfort him, saying your second grandpa once said, let you guard Ghost Mountain for three years, if you survive three years..."

"Survive and you can come home. Anyway, just a few more days... I've been counting down the days."

"He can't come home," Shen Wuxiang stated.

"Uncle..." Shen Anyuan hurriedly said, "Years ago, we agreed with your second uncle, that as long as Qingping guards Ghost Mountain for three years, he could come home... why can't he return now?"

"Did Qingping make some mistake? If he did, I'll apologize on his behalf... whether to beat or to punish, I'll take it. Please, Uncle, give the child a chance."

Shen Anyuan's eyes were moist, being a father, he can't bear his child wandering forever outside: "Such a place like Ghost Mountain... is not meant for people to stay. His mother and I live every day in constant worry, often waking suddenly from sleep... terrified someday to hear the news... that Qingping can't come back..."

"Uncle... Qingping is also of Shen bloodline... please, in the spirit of shared lineage... give him a chance."

Shen Qingping shook his head, saying, "I treat him as Shen Family, but he doesn't see himself as Shen Family... He betrayed us."

"Betrayed?" Shen Anyuan was bewildered, asking, "How did he betray? What exactly happened?"

The matter of Red Moon City's fall has yet to spread, Shen Anyuan is unaware of the actual wartime situation.

His son was fighting those barbarians, wasn't he?

Whom could he betray?

Was he taken by the barbarians to be a son-in-law?

Shen Wuxiang sighed heavily, looking at Shen Anyuan, saying: "Tang Fei went to Dushan, looked for Qingping... He convinced Qingping to help him control Dushan, and Dushan's Mountain Guard Army..."

"..."

Shen Anyuan's pupils dilated, full of disbelief.

"Tang Fei integrated Qin Jianyi's Sky Wolf Army, the barbarians' Iron-eating Beast Charge Camp, along with the Dushan Army... Yesterday, they breached Golden City..."

"Today, they breached Red Moon City... I sent Wang Bota with a force of ten thousand to aid..."

"The ten thousand suffered heavy casualties, Wang Bota was captured by bandits... then executed publicly..."

"The one who beheaded him... was our Shen Family's Shen Qingping."

"Anyuan, you tell me, can he still come back? Can I still let him come back?"

"..."

Shen Anyuan's mind went blank, feeling his heart sinking ever deeper.

The sky has fallen!

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