Becoming a god by following the natural order and seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune.

Chapter 57 No need to wear armor when praising merits at the drill ground!
"Deputy Commander Cheng."

"My subordinate is here!"

Cheng Yanhua, who was secretly trying to figure out Chen Sheng's intentions, suddenly trembled and hurriedly bowed.

"I have already consulted with County Commandant Wu, and from this moment on, I will assume the position of acting commander of the military camp."

Chen Sheng looked at him with a half-smile, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Cheng Yanhua was shocked, but quickly forced a smile: "This subordinate congratulates you on your promotion, sir!"

"Don't rush to congratulate him yet; he's only 'acting' for now."

"Given your achievements in suppressing the bandits this time, it's only a matter of time before the word 'substitute' is removed."

Cheng Yanhua had a forced smile on his face, but cold sweat was already seeping out from his back.

"is it?"

Chen Sheng's tone turned cold: "But I'm worried that someone will use Commander Chu's death to make a fuss and frame me."

With the guidance of the "Avoid Misfortune and Seek Good Fortune" celestial book, Chen Sheng already knew that several people witnessed the truth during the chaos when he killed Chu Yueshan, including Cheng Yanhua.

Although the other party had no ulterior motives, he still wanted to give them a warning.

These words struck Cheng Yanhua like a thunderbolt; cold sweat instantly poured down his forehead, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.
"Your subordinate... Your subordinate can testify that Commander Chu did indeed die at the hands of the bandit leader Xu Meng. It was only thanks to Your Excellency's efforts that the tide was turned and victory was achieved! Anyone who dares to slander Your Excellency will be the first to face the wrath of this subordinate!"

"I don't like beating around the bush." ​​Chen Sheng threw a list in front of him. "Do as the list says. After the commendation ceremony at the drill ground tomorrow, you will temporarily take over as the commander of the North City."

Cheng Yanhua trembled as he accepted the list, knowing it was a pledge of allegiance. He actually wanted to recommend Chen Sheng's confidant, Yan Ming, for succession, as he was somewhat afraid of Chen Sheng. However, looking at Chen Sheng's enigmatic smile, he dared not ask any questions and could only kowtow deeply.
"My subordinate understands!"

"Go, don't disappoint me."

"Subordinates retire."

Cheng Yanhua bowed and withdrew. Li Huaisheng, who was standing to the side, looked at Chen Sheng and saw him nod slightly. He immediately understood and followed silently.

Li Huaisheng's purpose in going there was not to silence Cheng Yanhua, but to monitor whether Cheng Yanhua was acting honestly.

Anyone who dares to make the slightest move will be killed without exception.

After the two left, the tent fell silent. Chen Sheng closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and calmed his mind.

With less than two hours until dawn, he needed to conserve his energy and prepare for tomorrow's battle.

……

The next morning, at the military camp.

Before dawn, the soldiers were already lined up neatly on the drill ground, and the soldiers from the East and South City military camps also arrived at the drill ground one after another.

Previously, when suppressing bandits, only a group of soldiers skilled in swimming were transferred from the Second Battalion, while the majority of the troops remained to guard the county town. Therefore, only they were the ones who rushed here in this urgent order.

As for the remaining soldiers, they rested in the military camp at night.

When Zhang Yue, the commander of the East City, and Li Cong, the commander of the South City, saw the soldiers in full armor and neatly arrayed in the training ground, they immediately looked surprised and suspicious.

"Didn't they just go to suppress bandits yesterday? How come they're back so quickly?"

"Is it a triumphant return, or..."

The two dared not think too much about it, but they had already sensed that something was wrong.

This morning they received a strict order from Wu County Commandant, instructing them to immediately lead their troops to assemble at the military camp, and not to wear armor, as the higher-ups were going to provide new armor for the soldiers of the military camp.

This already made them feel uneasy, and when they saw this scene, their suspicions and doubts intensified.

What happened?
After arranging the soldiers into ranks, the two men, filled with doubt, found Wang Yue, the commander of the western city, not far away.

"Brother Wang, what's going on? Have you returned from suppressing the bandits? How is Black Serpent Stronghold?"

Wang Yue glanced at the two of them and forced a smile:
"They've been wiped out."

"What?" The two exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and unease in each other's eyes.

The Black Snake Water Village, which had been entrenched in Changshan County for many years, was wiped out overnight.

This is definitely not good news for them.

They had close ties with the three major families and were well aware of their secrets—the three families had long been colluding with the bandits outside the city. They had initially thought this bandit suppression was another trap set by the three families, but unexpectedly, such a turn of events had occurred. The two men immediately sensed something was wrong and were about to send someone to secretly inform the three families when they turned around and saw that the camp gates were closed, and a squad of black-clad elite soldiers stood with swords, blocking all exits.

This situation made them feel a little uneasy.

"You two don't need to trouble yourselves."

Wang Yue suddenly spoke up, "If you have any questions, just ask the Commander-in-Chief later."

"Where is Commander Chu? By the way, what happened to Commander Chen of Beicheng?"

Before the two finished speaking, they suddenly felt the atmosphere around them freeze.

Following everyone's gaze, the curtain of the main tent was lifted, and a familiar figure stepped out.

They were very familiar with the newcomer—it was Chen Sheng, the commander of the Northern City.

But the eighth-rank military officer's robe he was wearing made the two of them feel as if they had seen a ghost. It was clearly the official robe of the Grand Commander of the Military Equipment Battalion, which should have been worn by Chu Yueshan. How could it be...?

The two stared wide-eyed, trying to confirm the authenticity, but they couldn't see anything unusual. In fact, they thought the robes fit the other person perfectly.

Immediately, alarm bells rang in the hearts of the two men, and they hurriedly looked at Wang Yue, only to see that Wang Yue had already respectfully bowed:

"Your subordinate greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang and Li.

The two were surprised and uncertain, and for a moment they forgot to salute, but Chen Sheng ignored them and went straight up to the command platform to look down at the hundreds of soldiers on the training ground.

This constitutes the entire armed forces of Changshan County.

Whoever can completely control them will have the final say in Changshan County.

Previously, the Armed Forces Battalion was involved by various parties, resulting in a fragmented power structure, but things will be different from now on.

As Chen Sheng stepped onto the stage, the noise on the training ground gradually subsided.

Hundreds of eyes were focused on him, filled with doubt, surprise, and awe.

"Yesterday, during the bandit suppression, Commander Chu unfortunately died in the line of duty." Chen Sheng's voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the drill ground. "I have been ordered by the county magistrate to assume the post of Commander of the Armed Forces Battalion, effective immediately."

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Cheng Yanhua, Wang Yue, and more than 200 other participants from yesterday were the first to salute.

Seeing this, the others dared not be negligent and bowed in agreement.

Although Zhang Yue and Li Cong had their doubts, they dared not question them in public and could only follow the crowd in bowing.

"I have gathered you all here today for two reasons: first, to reward those who have made contributions, and second, to promote and give important positions to those who are capable."

Chen Sheng's voice turned cold, "Those whose names are called, step forward and listen to my command!"

Cheng Yanhua stepped forward in response, took out a list from his robes, and solemnly read it aloud:

"Zhao Yuan, Chen Ji, Ma Yu..."

Those named, besides those who had distinguished themselves in yesterday's bandit suppression, were mostly squad leaders and sergeants from the East and South Battalions.

A murmur immediately broke out in the audience.

"How come there are people from our battalion here?"

"Can one be credited for achievements without even suppressing bandits?"

Everyone had their own thoughts. Most people were secretly pleased, thinking that the new official was trying to win people's hearts. Only Zhang Yue and Li Cong's expressions changed drastically—those who were named were all closely related to the three major families!

What exactly is Chen Sheng's intention?

Just as the two were filled with doubt and surprise, Cheng Yanhua's voice rang out again:

"Zhang Yue, Li Cong,"

Zhang and Li were both shocked. They looked at each other and their faces turned pale.

Because the two names the other party shouted out were none other than themselves!
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(End of this chapter)