Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 174: So, have you made up your mind?

Hearing Chen Mo’s words.

Huangfu Hao and Xiao Teng both turned their gaze towards the headless corpse. Judging by the yellow armor on its body, it was indeed the main general, Zhang Ping.

But such an important matter couldn’t be confirmed just by a piece of armor.

A thorough autopsy and comparison with captured rebel soldiers were still required.

After a series of examinations, it was confirmed that the corpse was indeed Zhang Ping’s.

The rebellion in Nanyang resulted in the death of the Governor of Nanyang.

It shocked the entire court and society.

The fall of Nanyang was closely linked to the Yellow Turban Rebel Army, and since Huang Ping was the leader of the Nanyang rebel forces, he naturally had to bear the main responsibility. If he was captured alive, he would be brought to the capital for Your Majesty to personally deal with him.

Even if he wasn’t captured alive, killing him would be a tremendous merit.

But the question soon arose.

How did Chen Mo kill Zhang Ping?

Huangfu Hao asked, "As far as this General knows, Zhang Ping was a Third Grade Martial Artist. How did you manage to kill him?"

On the way, Huangfu Hao also inquired with Xiao Teng about Chen Mo’s background.

He was merely a Seventh Grade Martial Artist, so how could he have killed Zhang Ping?

"Because I am also a Third Grade Martial Artist," Chen Mo said, resting for a moment as his Dantian recovered some True Qi, and then released his aura.

Huangfu Hao and Xiao Teng were both dumbfounded.

Immediately, Xiao Teng exclaimed in disbelief, "You were clearly a Seventh Grade Martial Artist, how..."

As he spoke, Xiao Teng’s eyes widened as if he understood something, and he immediately said, "You were hiding your cultivation; you have always been a Third Grade Martial Artist, only you never revealed it before."

After all, it had only been about ten days since his sister arranged for Chen Mo to enter the Soldier and Infantry Department.

How could someone possibly advance from a Seventh Grade to a Third Grade Martial Artist in just about ten days?

It was impossible.

Even the Grand Ancestor of the previous dynasty did not have such talent.

The only explanation was that he was hiding his cultivation back then.

"Hiss..." Xiao Teng took a deep breath.

A nineteen-year-old Third Grade Martial Artist, what incredible talent!

Xiao Teng understood.

He understood everything.

A nineteen-year-old Third Grade Martial Artist, no wonder he caught the State Preceptor’s attention and became a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect.

If he were just a Seventh Grade Martial Artist.

The Capital was filled with people; would the State Preceptor take notice?

No wonder his sister was determined to protect him.

Xiao Teng patted Chen Mo’s shoulder and immediately said, "Brother Chen Hong, I will write to His Majesty to request credit for you."

Since Chen Mo was recommended by Xiao Yunxi.

That made him one of the Xiao Family.

Since he was one of the Xiao Family, and Chen Mo had achieved such a great merit, Xiao Teng naturally had to request credit for him.

When he held a high position and authority in the Imperial Court, the status and power of the Xiao Family would also become more stable and powerful.

And with the Xiao Family requesting credit, no one would dare to seize Chen Mo’s merit.

Chen Mo was somewhat astonished.

He originally had a bunch of reasons ready to brush things off.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Teng directly spoke on his behalf.

If that’s what he thought, let him think that way.

Chen Mo nodded.

Although Huangfu Hao was still surprised, he was not as shocked as before.

The Xiao Family was a distinguished noble family with deep roots.

Revealing a hidden genius now wasn’t anything strange.

The Huangfu Family also had one.

He patted Chen Mo’s other shoulder and said, "Chen Hong anticipated the enemy’s movements, guarded Duanbei Mountain with blood, preventing the main rebel forces from fleeing, and now has killed the main general of the rebel army. This chief merit belongs only to you. I will also request credit for you from His Majesty."

"Thank you, Generals," Chen Mo bowed respectfully to Xiao Teng and Huangfu Hao, and then said, "I have another surprise to present to the Generals."

"Oh." Hearing Chen Mo’s words, both were a bit startled. What other surprise could there be?

Chen Mo teased a bit, then said, "Generals, could you accompany me to have a look?"

"Alright." Both nodded.

...

As the reinforcements arrived, the main enemy forces immediately fled in panic. After the army wiped out most of the rebel forces, they stopped pursuing the remainder.

The saying goes, ’Do not chase a defeated enemy.’

This was the rebels’ only way out.

If they continued the pursuit, the rebels would be left with no escape.

A cornered beast can be dangerous, making a desperate counterattack could cause losses to oneself.

Therefore, the army decided to rest first, stabilizing the overall situation, then slowly clearing out the remnants later.

...

On another side.

All the army’s various levels of generals followed Chen Mo to a cave.

The entrance of the cave was covered with branches.

Gao Zheng and others removed the branches from the entrance.

Inside, neatly arranged were large boxes.

"Chen Hong, this is?" Although Huangfu Hao had a faint guess, he still asked in disbelief.

"These are the treasures plundered by the rebels throughout Nanyang," Chen Mo said.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals were shocked.

Xiao Teng was at a loss for words.

This was yet another significant merit!

Moreover, this merit would make the Emperor even happier than killing Zhang Ping.

Because this treasure would ultimately be handed over to the National Treasury.

As the treasury grows, naturally a portion also enters the Emperor’s pocket.

"Didn’t the rebel forces transfer the treasure away?"

In fact, after capturing so many cities in recent days, Huangfu Hao had not seen any silver and thus speculated it had been moved out of Nanyang by the rebels, having little hope of retrieving it.

Unexpectedly, the treasure had not been moved.

Chen Mo nodded and then shook his head, saying, "When we arrived, the rebels were transferring the treasure. What we intercepted was only a part of it."

Huangfu Hao waved his hand and said, "Even if it’s only a part, it’s still quite an achievement."

"Brother Chen Hong, how much silver is there in total?" Xiao Teng had started addressing Chen Mo as brother.

"Time was too short, we haven’t had the chance to count." Chen Mo said in this way.

There are too many shady dealings in counting such things.

And the figures counted are not the ones reported, so Chen Mo left it to them to handle.

Huangfu Hao and Xiao Teng exchanged glances.

At this moment, Wei Xian suddenly spoke, "Leave the task of counting these filthy things to our family."

As soon as he said that,

all the generals present frowned.

However, Wei Xian showed the treasure sword at his waist, a gift from Your Majesty, allowing him to act first and report later.

Huangfu Hao and Xiao Teng exchanged glances again, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, "Then we’ll trouble you, Eunuch Wei."

"Serving Your Majesty, how could it be a trouble," said Wei Xian.

Then the counting began.

But in this army, there are people from various factions.

Wei Xian could not possibly do all the counting alone.

He would have to find people...

...

The night deepened.

By this time, the army had descended the mountain and settled in Liuyin County.

Meanwhile, the counting was completed.

In total, it was estimated at 20.65 million taels.

This number shocked everyone.

Last year, the Great Song Dynasty’s annual tax revenue was around 70 million taels.

And here, it accounted for one-third of the annual tax revenue.

Everyone knew the silver in the cave was definitely more than 20.65 million taels.

But it was deep water here, and it could not be looked into.

In the military tents, Huangfu Hao wrote several copies of the battle report, ordering them to be delivered at top speed through the night straight to Bianliang.

Although Chen Mo is now the Camp Commander, it was said by Huangfu Hao, not official, only when a Holy Decree comes down with a seal is it real.

However, with such great merit gained this time, Chen Mo is bound to rise many ranks.

Even if someone did not want it, they could not stop it.

Because it is an undeniable fact.

...

As for these matters,

Chen Mo hadn’t paid much attention.

Because it involved the game of multiple parties.

What is his, will not escape.

What isn’t his, he can’t fight for.

Although in Chen Mo’s heart, moving up was a sure thing.

In this last stand, Chen Mo’s direct battalion had less than thirty people left.

Although Xiao Teng gave him another battalion, it needed to be reorganized.

In the place where Chen Mo’s battalion was stationed, whispers rose in the darkness.

"Sir, what should we do with the seven boxes of treasure we hid on the mountain?"

"Leave them for now, there are too many eyes now, plus with the shortage of hands, if we move them now, we’ll definitely be discovered."

"Understood," Gao Zheng said respectfully.

Seeing Chen Mo preparing to leave, Gao Zheng smiled and said, "Sir, Miss Luo Zhen has already prepared hot water in the tent."

Stopping his steps, Chen Mo turned back and said, "Without my order tonight, no one is allowed to enter my tent, not even if a general comes, you must stop them in advance."

"Understood, I will not let anyone disturb you, sir."

"..."

At this moment, it was already past midnight.

Tap tap...

Steps were gentle.

In the clean tent, a faint sandalwood fragrance permeated the air.

Luo Zhen should have finished her ablutions.

She wore a patched skirt, and her long black hair draped over her shoulders, still slightly damp.

The key point was, this skirt seemed small, exposing her long fair legs, the curves from her shoulders down were alluring, with long legs outlining an enticing picture.

Standing there, she seemed brighter than the lamps inside the tent.

That was only wearing an ordinary skirt, if she wore a silken one, even fairies might be outshone.

Seeing Chen Mo enter, a blush crept up her exquisite face, and a kind of shyness she couldn’t hide, no matter how hard she tried.

"Where did you get those clothes?" Chen Mo spoke first.

"Don’t you like it?" Luo Zhen thought Chen Mo didn’t like them and said, "As I was coming down the mountain, I saw them hanging in a courtyard with no one inside, so..."

After speaking, Luo Zhen added, "I originally planned to find a silken dress, but I couldn’t..."

"It’s not that it’s not nice," Chen Mo said.

"Ah..." Luo Zhen’s expression dimmed a bit, but Chen Mo’s next words made her heart flutter.

"I’m saying the clothes aren’t nice, but your beauty elevates them to another level."

Luo Zhen blushed deeply, "Sir... it’s good if you think it’s nice."

"So, have you made your decision?"