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

"By the way, don't mention this to anyone. If anyone asks, just say that Vice Marshal Feng is being considerate of the new recruits," Mu Yuan reminded him.

The grain official frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

It was clearly Mu Yuan's consideration for his subordinates that could have been publicized to make the new recruits grateful to him. Why did Mu Yuan give up the opportunity to win people's hearts to Feng Zhong, who had only been there for a few days?

"I understand."

Although he couldn't understand Mu Yuan's actions, the grain official still agreed.

"Go down."

Mu Yuan waved his hand, signaling the grain official to step down.

After he left, Mu Yuan's expression became playful, and he muttered to himself, "Now, things are about to get interesting."

Because of Mu Yuan's instructions.

The following days.

After their arduous daily training, the new recruits received more rations than usual.

Furthermore, with the grain official spreading the word that everything was arranged by Feng Zhong, Feng Zhong's prestige among the new recruits soared.

They were like gods.

Feng Zhong also enjoyed this prestige; the new recruits' adoration satisfied his vanity to an unprecedented degree.

They had absolutely no idea.

He has quietly fallen into an endless abyss.

However, things took a sharp turn for the worse on the third day.

Because the new recruits were given more rations than usual, the food that should have lasted for three to five days was completely used up on the third day.

After completing their basic training, the recruits, unable to receive rations and fill their stomachs, began to riot.

Feng Zhong, who was revered as a god by the new recruits just a few days ago, has now become the target of their attacks.

After all, the new recruits who joined the Western Army wanted nothing more than to make a name for themselves and get a full meal.

There's no food to eat now.

The anger of the crowd was ignited.

Naturally, people will make a big fuss and demand an explanation.

Inside the central command tent.

The officers of the Western Army gathered here because of the riots caused by the new recruits.

Everyone had a serious expression on their face.

Among them, Feng Zhong's face was the most gloomy.

His gaze was cold and sharp as he stared intently at Mu Yuan.

However, Mu Yuan turned a blind eye and even remained silent.

Finally, Feng Zhong could no longer remain silent and questioned Mu Yuan: "General, what exactly are your intentions?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan looked completely innocent, even bewildered: "Vice Marshal Feng, what do you mean by that? I don't understand."

Before Feng Zhong could respond.

Yang Daye stood up, his leopard-like eyes glaring angrily at Feng Zhong:

"Vice Commander Feng, we've all gathered here because of the trouble caused by those new recruits you recruited. Instead of trying to quell the unrest, you're turning your anger on the Commander-in-Chief?"

"Have you forgotten that these past few days the Commander-in-Chief has been praising you to the new recruits? Instead of being grateful, you suspect the Commander-in-Chief of having ulterior motives?"

Faced with Yang Daye's scolding, Feng Zhong suddenly realized that all of this was Mu Yuan's scheme.

"Gratitude?" Feng Zhong sneered. "Isn't that just ulterior motive?"

"Feng Zhong!!!" Unable to tolerate Feng Zhong's veiled attacks on Mu Yuan in public, Yang Daye called out his name and angrily shouted, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you! You don't appreciate kindness!"

Hearing Yang Daye dare to call him by his name in public, Feng Zhong was furious.

He had originally intended to publicly point out Mu Yuan's behavior these past few days, with the aim of flattering him to his death. However, if he said these words now, no one would believe him.

That is, at this very moment.

Feng Zhongcai truly witnessed Mu Yuan's methods.

Mu Yuan first used various forms of flattery to elevate his status among the new recruits.

The goal is quite simple.

It's a case of flattery to kill!

Over the course of a few days, the new recruits came to regard Feng Zhong as a good general who loved his soldiers like his own children. Then, by having the grain officer make public announcements, Feng Zhong's status in the hearts of the new recruits was further enhanced, and they regarded him as a god-like figure.

Finally, when the time was right, supplies ran out, and the new recruits had no food, they rioted and demanded an explanation.

The new recruits naturally targeted Feng Zhong as their target.

A grain of rice brings gratitude, but a bushel of rice breeds resentment.

The new recruits had no food, and Feng Zhong's lofty image in their hearts instantly collapsed.

After all, Mu Yuan had been praising Feng Zhong to the new recruits these past few days, which had inadvertently deepened their impression of him.

Feng Zhong never expected that his recruitment of new soldiers, intended to cultivate his own strength and gain a foothold in the Western Army, would be ruined by Mu Yuan's constant flattery. He lost his way and, due to his negligence, his original plan has now completely vanished.

"Vice Commander Feng, our supplies are running out, and the new recruits are all demanding answers from you. You'd better come up with a solution as soon as possible, otherwise, if things escalate and cause a mutiny, I really won't be able to protect you!"

Mu Yuan tried to persuade him earnestly, but there was a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Realizing that all of this was due to Mu Yuan's overpraising him, and that no one would believe him even if he explained, Feng Zhong grew increasingly angry and publicly cursed:

"Mu Yuan, you're despicable!!!!"

These words were spoken.

The officers, led by Yang Daye, stood up and stared at Feng Zhong with hostility in their eyes.

This was clearly a warning to Feng Zhong.

If they continue to disrespect Mu Yuan, they will take action.

Feng Zhong glanced at the angry officers in front of him and burst into laughter, his laughter filled with malice.

"Mu Yuan, I truly admire you. To flatter me to my death, you haven't even revealed a single detail about your loyal subordinates, have you?"

Judging from the expressions of Yang Daye and the others, Feng Zhong had already guessed most of the truth.

In order to lure him into the scheme, Mu Yuan not only did not reveal anything to the generals in front of him, but most of the various discussions about Mu Yuan in the army these days were also deliberately orchestrated by Mu Yuan, with the aim of dispelling his doubts.

Mu Yuan remained silent in response to Feng Zhong's remarks, simply watching him quietly.

In Yang Daye's and others' eyes, Mu Yuan's silence meant he disdained to respond, while in Feng Zhong's eyes, Mu Yuan's actions were a silent acquiescence.

Even so, Feng Zhong couldn't do anything to Mu Yuan.

Because from the moment he entered the game.

There was no way out.

Even if he knew the truth now, he couldn't explain it to anyone, and even if he did, no one would believe him.

His prestige has soared too high these past few days.

It left too deep an impression on outsiders.

There is absolutely no chance to turn the situation around.

Feng Zhong's current predicament is like mud falling into his crotch—even if it's not excrement, it's still excrement.

Just then.

A series of chaotic sounds came from outside the central command tent:

"Feng Zhong, get out here right now!!!"

"We know you're in there, don't cower like a turtle, come out!!!"

At that moment, the new recruits rushed to the outside of the central command tent, demanding an explanation.

Hearing the commotion outside, Feng Zhong was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat, his face turned pale, and his lips turned purple.

In the past few days, he has recruited thousands of new soldiers. Now, he not only has to solve the problem of feeding these thousands of hungry new soldiers, but also has to find a way to extinguish their anger.

If he makes even the slightest mistake, he could face an attack by thousands of people.