His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Old Madam Mu's words did not clearly describe Ma Chengwu's life experiences.

But there is a lot of important information.

Mu Yuan already felt it.

This new governor is no ordinary person.

Otherwise, the other party would not have been recommended by Prince Ning and given an important position by the emperor.

Moreover, among these fragments of information, Mu Yuan paid particular attention to "the recommendation of Prince Ning".

If this person were one of the emperor's men, that would be fine.

I'm afraid he might be a member of the Prince of Ning's faction.

Now that Prince Ning has turned back and is staying in the southwest, a grudge has been formed. If the two of them were to join forces once Ma Chengwu arrives...

What awaits the Mu family is one scheme after another.

"The court sent a Prince of Ning first, and then sent a new governor. It's clear they're trying to hinder the Mu family. Yuan'er, you have to hold on. The life and death of the Mu family rests on your shoulders."

Old Madam Mu said earnestly. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation, she wouldn't have wanted to send someone to call Mu Yuan back in the middle of the night.

"Grandma, don't worry. No matter how bad things get, your grandson will do everything in his power to protect the Mu family," Mu Yuan reassured her softly. He and the Mu family were already a community of shared interests.

At the same time, Mu Yuan began to plan how to deal with the Prince of Ning, who was stranded in the southwest, and the newly appointed governor.

The sky gradually brightened.

After Mu Yuan finished talking with Old Madam Mu, he did not choose to rush back to the Xifu Army's garrison.

Instead, they stayed at the Prince's residence for a short rest.

Wait until dawn, then take a horse-drawn carriage back to avoid the fatigue of traveling back and forth and the possibility of accidents.

Three poles in the sun.

The garrison of the Western Army.

"Where is the Commander-in-Chief today?"

The soldiers gathered at the drill ground waited and waited, but Mu Yuan did not appear. A commotion arose in the crowd.

Hearing the soldiers' discussion, Yang Daye quickly ran to Qin Hongxiu.

"General Qin, where has the commander-in-chief gone? Why can't we find him in the camp?"

Yang Daye was also helpless. If Mu Yuan didn't show up, the soldiers would continue to talk about him and make negative comments about him, which would damage Mu Yuan's military prestige.

Qin Hongxiu also had unspeakable suffering.

She absolutely could not tell the truth, otherwise, if Yang Daye knew that Mu Yuan had been urgently summoned back by Old Madam Mu.

If morale is shaken, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Just then.

Several figures appeared at the camp entrance in the distance.

"Could it be the General?"

Yang Daye's face lit up with joy.

However, as the figures drew closer...

Everyone on the training ground changed their expressions.

The newcomer was Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, who had previously left in a sorry state. Walking beside him was a man in official robes.

The man's official robe was embroidered with a golden pheasant pattern, indicating that he held a high official rank.

"This person is like a persistent ghost!"

Yang Daye was indignant.

"Do not be rude."

Qin Hongxiu quickly stopped Yang Daye, fearing that his voice would reach Zhu Zheng's ears and he would be framed.

Zhu Zheng was a member of the imperial family.

Yang Daye's remarks could easily warrant charges of disrespect.

"Your Highness."

Even though Qin Hongxiu was extremely unwilling, she had to bow to Zhu Zheng according to etiquette.

The others, led by Yang Daye, also reluctantly bowed deeply to Zhu Zheng, their attitude and tone clearly showing their perfunctory attitude.

However, Zhu Zheng didn't take it seriously.

It's not that he's magnanimous.

Instead, he now has helpers.

"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the newly appointed Governor of the Southwest, Lord Ma Chengwu." Zhu Zheng pointed proudly to the official insignia beside him.

Everyone looked surprised upon hearing this.

In the southwest, the governors were all recommended by the Mu family and reported to the imperial court.

Now, the court has neither revealed a word about the newly appointed governor of the southwest nor informed the Mu family. The meaning behind this is self-evident.

Ma Chengwu, with a stern expression, surveyed Qin Hongxiu and the others with a cold gaze.

"Huh?" Zhu Zheng let out a soft exclamation, looked around, and then asked, "Where is your Commander Mu Yuan? I can't find him."

"Your Highness, our commander has not yet gotten up," Qin Hongxiu said expressionlessly.

"Still not up at this hour?" Zhu Zheng's face was full of a cunning smile. "Perhaps you're not in the camp, having deserted your post!"

At this point, Zhu Zheng immediately looked at Ma Chengwu, the governor of the southwest.

"Lord Ma, as the newly appointed Governor of the Southwest, you are in charge of the Southwest's political and military affairs. Tell me, what should be done if the commander of the Western Army abandons his post?"

With Ma Chengwu now a great help, Zhu Zheng exudes confidence in his words and actions.

He brought Ma Chengwu with him today.

It's about regaining the face we've lost.

To dampen Mu Yuan's arrogance, and incidentally, to give these Western Army soldiers, whom he considered worthless, a taste of their own medicine.

Let these Western Army soldiers know.

Who is the king!

"According to the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty, a commander of an army who abandons his post without authorization should be imprisoned."

Ma Chengwu was well-versed in the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty. As soon as he spoke, the expressions of Qin Hongxiu and the others changed instantly.

After a pause, Ma Chengwu continued:

"However, the Mu family has guarded the southwest for generations and has made great contributions. It is impossible for them to be imprisoned, but a beating is inevitable."

The hearts of everyone present, which had just been put at ease, were once again filled with apprehension.

As the commander-in-chief of the Western Army, Mu Yuan not only represents the Western Army, but also the face of the Mu family.

Whether it's imprisonment or caning.

Both had a significant impact on the Western Army and the Mu family.

"Your Highness, the Commander-in-Chief has indeed not yet gotten up. Your alarmist and unfounded accusations seem to be an attempt to frame him," Qin Hongxiu said sternly.

"Whether it's a setup or not, let Mu Yuan show himself, and we'll know the truth."

To avoid being believed that he had deliberately framed someone, Zhu Zheng continued, "I have come here today to allow Lord Ma and Mu Yuan to meet. After all, they will be working together in the future, and I am thinking of the stability of the Great Qian Dynasty and the southwest."

His words were grand and dignified, filled with concern for the fate of the nation.

But Qin Hongxiu and the others knew.

These are just excuses.

"Someone, go and invite the commander-in-chief." To avoid being seen through by Zhu Zheng, Qin Hongxiu had no choice but to instruct the soldiers to pretend to invite Mu Yuan.

The soldier was taken aback.

Mu Yuan isn't at the military camp, so where can I ask him for help?

Fearing their scheme would be exposed, Yang Daye kicked the soldier in the backside and roared, "What are you all standing there for? General Qin sent you to fetch the commander-in-chief, why aren't you going?"

The soldier looked miserable, but in the end he had no choice but to agree and prepare to go to the deserted commander's barracks to invite Mu Yuan.

"It would be best to invite them, otherwise...!"

Zhu Zheng let out a cold snort, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

Why is it so lively today?

A familiar voice came from afar.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Mu Yuan was seen walking slowly toward the training ground.

Qin Hongxiu and the soldiers of the Western Army couldn't hide their joy when they saw Mu Yuan.

"Your Highness, what brings you here again?"

Mu Yuan's lips curled into a mocking smile, his words clearly implying that Zhu Zheng hadn't learned his lesson and still dared to cause trouble here.

Before Zhu Zheng could react.

Mu Yuan turned his gaze to Ma Chengwu.