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

"Lan Que, son of the Duke of Liang, was traveling in the southwest when he was framed by villains with extremely cruel methods. The Mu family, who are stationed in the southwest, failed to supervise him properly and are suspected of dereliction of duty. Effective immediately, he is to hand over command of the Western Army. Further plans will be made after the matter is investigated!"

Mu Yuan was not surprised at all by the contents of the imperial edict read by Liu Xi; in fact, it was within his expectations.

After reading the imperial edict, Liu happy snorted coldly and said:

"Receive the imperial decree!"

However, after these words were spoken, no one from the Mu family made any move, nor did they show any intention of accepting the imperial decree.

"Mu Yuan, you're getting bolder and bolder. Before, when you defied the imperial decree, the Emperor, mindful of your Mu family's meritorious service in guarding the southwest, didn't hold it against you. Now you dare to defy the imperial decree again? Have you gotten used to defying imperial decrees? Do you really think that because the emperor is far away, he can't do anything to your Mu family?"

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, raised an eyebrow, his face full of displeasure.

Mu Yuan said slowly and deliberately:

"Your Highness, I think you've misunderstood. If the imperial edict is true, we will gladly accept His Majesty's decree and any punishment. However, if the edict is fabricated, then that's a different story!"

"The Emperor's decree is beyond question; to refuse it is to defy the decree!" Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, roared.

This time, he was determined to use the imperial edict to seize military power from Mu Yuan in the Western Army.

"If the Mu family is to be held accountable because Lan Que was harmed by villains in the southwest, then what about the guards who have protected the prince for many years? If anything happens to them, won't you also be held accountable?" Mu Yuan retorted.

"What a sharp tongue!" Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, said, his face growing increasingly grim. "Lan Que is the son of the Duke of Liang; how can he be compared to an ordinary person?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan's lips curled into a meaningful smile, as if he had been waiting for Ning Wang to say these words.

Mu Yuan remained calm and spoke slowly:

"The common people of the world all regard the Emperor as their sovereign and father. The Great Qian Emperor once said that the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. How come in your mouth, Your Highness, Lan Que's life is a life, but other people's lives are not?"

"Such differential treatment, Your Highness, is a violation of the late Emperor Gaozu's dying instructions. You completely disregard him. Are you dissatisfied with Emperor Gaozu? Or perhaps, are you plotting rebellion?"

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, turned pale. He had only argued with Mu Yuan for a few words, and now he was accused of treason and sentenced to death.

If things continue like this, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, fears that Mu Yuan might utter some more serious accusations.

Thinking of this, he quickly changed the subject:

"Stop trying to stall me for words. If you refuse the imperial decree, you will be defying it, and I will report this to the court. Then, your entire Mu family will suffer the consequences!"

Despite the threat from Prince Zhu Zheng of Ning, Mu Yuan remained completely calm.

Seeing that Mu Yuan remained unmoved, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, continued to exert pressure: "Mu Yuan, I advise you to obediently hand over the commander's seal. Otherwise, if the Emperor is enraged, your Mu family will not only be ridiculed by the world, but will also be regarded as traitors, and everyone will have the right to kill them!"

"Your Highness, if you truly desire the commander's seal, it's not impossible!"

After repeated pressure from Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, Mu Yuan finally softened his stance.

These words made the Mu family members present tense. Could it be that Mu Yuan really wanted to hand over the command seal?

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, was secretly delighted, but he did not show it on his face.

"You're smart enough to give it to me!"

As he spoke, Prince Ning extended his right hand, demanding the commander's seal.

"Wait, I haven't stated my conditions yet!" Mu Yuan didn't rush to hand over the commander's seal, but calmly said, "Since Your Highness insists on having the commander's seal, what if you can't mobilize the Western Army after you take it?"

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, said with certainty, "Hmph, don't try to scare me with your alarmist talk. The commander's seal is the military tally. Whoever holds the military tally can command the entire army. Who would dare disobey?"

Seeing this, Mu Yuan seized the opportunity to propose a bet:

"Let's make a bet. If you hold the command seal and can command the Western Army, then I will not only willingly hand over the command seal, but also fully cooperate with you to make the Western Army obey you."

"Conversely, if you hold the commander's seal but are unable to command the Western Army, then this matter has nothing to do with my Mu family. Afterwards, when you explain to the Emperor, you are not allowed to mention my Mu family!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, frowned and fell into deep thought.

He firmly believed that holding the commander's seal would allow him to command the Western Army. After all, Mu Yuan had only recently taken over the Western Army, and his prestige in the army was far less than that of his fathers. Moreover, it was impossible for all 200,000 Western Army soldiers to obey his every command.

After careful consideration, Prince Zhu Zheng of Ning decisively agreed.

"Then please come with me to the Western Army's garrison, Your Highness. We'll find out soon enough." As Mu Yuan spoke, he took out a black iron token from his pocket and tossed it to Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng.

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, caught the black iron token, and was so fond of it that he couldn't put it down, his eyes filled with greed.

He finally obtained the black iron token symbolizing the seal of the Western Army commander. As long as he went to the Western Army's garrison and verified it, he could command an army of 200,000 men!

From then on, he held military power.

With this army of 200,000, he could help the emperor bring down the Crown Prince, the Grand Commander of the Five Armies, and the Duke of Liang.

At that time, there will be no need for the emperor to designate an heir; he will be able to directly ascend the throne.

As for Mu Yuan and his family in front of us.

After verifying it myself, I'll target them first.

Having made up his mind, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, followed Mu Yuan away from the Xiping Prince's Mansion and rode to the Xifu Army's garrison.

One hour later.

Suddenly, bugle calls rang out from the Xifu Army's garrison.

Upon hearing the bugle call, all the soldiers of the Western Army rushed out of their tents and gathered at the drill ground.

On the reviewing stand.

Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, looked down at the massive crowd below, his excitement overflowing. This was 200,000 Western Army soldiers, who were about to fall into his hands.

In contrast, Mu Yuan remained calm, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.

offstage.

When the soldiers of the Western Army saw Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, they all looked puzzled, and some even whispered among themselves.

At this moment, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, raised his black iron token high:

"My lords and soldiers, you surely all recognize this black iron token in my hand! From this day forward, I shall take command of the Western Army, and you shall all be subject to my authority!"

His high-profile declaration instantly caused an uproar among the audience, with a flood of discussions erupting. The soldiers of the Western Army were almost all whispering among themselves.

Upon seeing this scene, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, couldn't help but reveal a confident expression on his face.

After all, it's been such a heated discussion.

This is sufficient proof that the Western Army has wavered.

Thinking of this, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, couldn't help but glance at Mu Yuan beside him, his eyes full of smugness.

Mu Yuan remained calm.

It's time to see the power of this black iron token.

Looking at the black iron token in his hand, which symbolized the commander's seal, Prince Ning, Zhu Zheng, composed himself, took a deep breath, and shouted:

"Now that the command has changed hands, all are to obey my orders and return to camp!"