"For suppressing the rebels of the Heavy Martial Pavilion on behalf of the Imperial Court, Danfeng Prefecture will be dissolved and reorganized as a province. The court has promised each of the thirteen families in Capital City a share of its territory.
We have already agreed in secret that each family will take one city. The Cui Family will receive Linchuan County.
After exterminating the rebels, you must absorb this second-largest city in Danfeng Prefecture."
At this point, Cui Zhenru said solemnly, "If you accomplish this task and earn merit, each of you will be rewarded."
A retainer surnamed Lu cupped his hands and asked, "My lord, what must we accomplish for it to count as meritorious service?"
"Linchuan County originally had fifty thousand inhabitants. After this upheaval, thirty thousand remain. If ten thousand remain when you take the city, you will have earned neither merit nor blame. If fewer than ten thousand remain, you will have failed in your duties. Anything above ten thousand will count toward your merit."
Everyone understood what was expected of them.
This time, Cui Zhenru wanted not only the city, but its people as well.
If everyone died, occupying an empty city would instead become a burden to the Cui Family.
The retainer surnamed Lu replied, "Understood, my lord."
"The situation in Danfeng Prefecture is far worse than what you have heard in Capital City. Since our plans have now been settled, I will share what intelligence I currently have."
Seeing Cui Zhenru's solemn expression, Chen Ye and the others focused their attention and listened.
"The assistant administrator the court sent earlier was utterly incompetent. The situation there has spiraled completely out of control.
As far as I know, the Heavy Martial Pavilion raided the court's armory a few days ago and seized the