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

Standing next to Mu Yuan, Qin Hongxia also keenly sensed the murderous aura emanating from the new recruits around them.

She whispered a reminder to Mu Yuan: "Remember, if the food hasn't arrived by midnight, run for your lives. I and the other soldiers will handle things here."

If thousands of new recruits were to mutini, the situation would immediately spiral out of control.

Qin Hongxiu was worried that if things really happened, Mu Yuan's life would be in danger, so she could only remind him in advance to prevent him from being unable to leave the place in time when things got chaotic.

However, Mu Yuan refused her offer.

When that time comes, he absolutely cannot just leave, otherwise the morale of the army will be completely thrown into chaos.

As the commander-in-chief, his act of running away at the first sign of trouble, leaving the problems to his soldiers, would not only demoralize them but also severely damage his authority and invite criticism.

Moreover, doing this will lead to more than just low morale; it will also bring countless criticisms behind people's backs.

Mu Yuan would never do something as risky as cutting off his own root just to save his life.

At this critical moment.

A burst of light came from the direction of the garrison entrance.

Almost simultaneously, everyone turned to look at the doorway.

next moment.

Several people carrying torches walked in, and soon a horse-drawn carriage appeared behind them, loaded with sacks of grain.

Then came the second, the third...

Without exception.

The carriages were filled with bags of grain.

Upon seeing the grain on the wagon, everyone was excited, including the thousands of new recruits present.

There was no murderous intent in their eyes; instead, they were filled with joy.

On the other hand, Feng Zhong thought he had victory in his grasp and could avenge the loss of his left arm. However, unexpectedly, at this moment, a sudden change occurred, and grain was actually transported to his location.

Moreover, there were dozens of horse-drawn carts fully loaded with grain.

"Unload the grain!"

Mu Yuan gave the order.

The people in charge of escorting the grain began to quickly unload the grain from the wagons.

At this moment, a woman walked straight towards Mu Yuan from the carriage procession.

The woman was Fang Yuyan.

"I didn't mess things up for you, did I?" Fang Yuyan said with a smile.

Mu Yuan gave a wry smile and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "If you had come any later, I'm afraid my life would have been in danger."

"So you had already arranged for Third Sister-in-law to escort the grain?" Qin Hongxiu looked at Mu Yuan with a face full of astonishment.

Just as Mu Yuan was about to explain.

Upon hearing Qin Hongxiu's words, Feng Zhong felt deceived and jumped out in a rage, angrily accusing Mu Yuan:

"Didn't you say during the day that you weren't prepared? What explanation do you have now?"

Feng Zhong's questioning has attracted considerable attention.

Mu Yuan calmly explained, "Long before the food supplies ran out, I had already ordered the requisition of grain, and I gave the order several days ago. This is called being prepared for a rainy day. Vice Commander Feng, you don't even understand this principle?"

Feng Zhong's eyelids twitched uncontrollably, and his face turned extremely pale.

"What? Is Vice Commander Feng not going to admit his mistake?" Mu Yuan asked with a mocking tone, looking at Feng Zhong's gloomy face.

Feng Zhong was now in a dilemma.

The bet he made with Mu Yuan that day was not only made in the presence of many generals.

Afterwards, he also told the new recruits about it.

Now that the new recruits see that the food has arrived and they no longer have to worry about food, they naturally won't share the same hatred for the enemy.

If Feng Zhong wanted to back out now, the consequences would be far beyond what he could bear.

After much deliberation, Feng Zhong could only swallow his pent-up frustration and admit defeat. However, he still stubbornly insisted on putting on a brave front:

"You're lucky this time!"

Mu Yuan had no time for verbal sparring with Feng Zhong; he had already figured out how to deal with Feng Zhong after winning the bet.

"Vice Commander Feng, there are too many people here. How about we go to the central command camp for a chat?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhong frowned.

He knew Mu Yuan's methods all too well.

The fact that he doesn't make demands in front of others but wants to discuss them privately shows that Mu Yuan has already dug a pit for him to fall into.

Feng Zhongqi gritted his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do.

He had no choice but to follow Mu Yuan to the central army camp.

Inside the central military camp.

As soon as Feng Zhong entered, he said impatiently:

"Just tell me what you want, no need to beat around the bush!"

The previous bet had clearly stated that even if he lost, Mu Yuan could not endanger his life, which was the source of Feng Zhong's confidence.

"Vice Marshal Feng is quite straightforward."

Mu Yuan first deliberately praised Feng Zhong, then changed the subject:

"My request is simple: tomorrow morning, you must personally announce to those new recruits that they are to leave the Western Army, and you must not reveal that it was I who asked you to do this!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhong's pupils contracted sharply, and he asked in surprise, "You want me to disband the newly recruited soldiers?"

"Not bad!" Mu Yuan nodded expressionlessly.

Feng Zhong gritted his teeth, his face turning bright red.

If the previous cutting off of his left arm was a physical pain, then Mu Yuan's demand to disband the new recruits was undoubtedly a severe blow to Feng Zhong's heart.

He recruited new soldiers in order to gain a foothold within the Western Army and cultivate his own power.

If the new recruits are disbanded.

After that, he not only had no say in the Western Army, but also incurred the resentment of the new recruits.

After all, it wasn't easy for them to become military households.

Just a few days later, they disbanded and returned to being ordinary citizens.

This disparity.

It's something that ordinary people simply can't accept.

Mu Yuan's actions not only destroyed the power he had cultivated, but also made him resented by the new recruits, sowing the seeds of a major hidden danger.

If he were to go out that day and be encountered by a new recruit who harbors a grudge, he would be badly injured even if he didn't die.

"Vice Commander Feng, you're not the kind of person who goes back on their word, are you?" Mu Yuan looked at Feng Zhong, who was about to go crazy with anger, with a meaningful gaze.

"Mu Yuan, haven't you gone too far?" Feng Zhong's eyes were bloodshot, and his heart was filled with murderous intent.

Mu Yuan, however, seemed unconcerned and said:

"A bet is a bet. If Vice Commander Feng doesn't want to do what I ask, I won't force him."

It may seem like there's no coercion, but a huge pitfall lies hidden behind it.

If Feng Zhong fails to comply, he will be branded as untrustworthy, and from then on, no one in the Western Army will respect him.

No one was willing to risk their life for him anymore.

Feng Zhong is now completely under immense pressure.

He would either be dismissed from the army, thus becoming a nominal deputy commander within the Western Army, resented by the new recruits, and forced to be extremely cautious when going out.

He either reneges on the bet, earning a reputation for being untrustworthy, and no one will dare to approach him again, let alone risk their lives for him.

At this moment, Feng Zhong felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart.

No matter what he chooses, it's almost always a dead end.

This is worse than killing him.

"Is there really no room for negotiation at all?" Feng Zhong's tone softened, hoping to persuade Mu Yuan to make a different request.

Mu Yuan shook his head. He would not show mercy to the enemy and create hidden dangers for himself.