The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

"In this way, I will feel at ease."

Li Chengfeng smiled with satisfaction and handed Feng Rusi a written order with the imperial seal. "Go."

Feng Rushi took the instruction seriously, and a sense of responsibility he had never felt before surged in his heart.

He saluted Li Chengfeng again, then turned and left quickly.

Li Chengfeng watched his back disappear outside the imperial study.

After receiving the oral instructions and imperial decrees, Feng Rushi quickly left the imperial study.

The wind outside blew on his face, making him much more sober.

It also calmed his surging emotions a little.

The responsibility falling on my shoulders this time means it is not an easy challenge.

He couldn't help but recall Li Chengfeng's words, and a warm current surged deep in his heart.

Those words were so powerful that they made him more and more determined to lead the captured soldiers onto the right path.

Feng Rushi went to find He Sheng immediately without leaving the palace.

When Feng Rushi arrived at the Zhenguo Army's base, He Sheng was already waiting in the central military tent.

He didn't know much about Feng Rusi, he only knew that he was highly valued by Li Chengfeng. After seeing him with his own eyes this time, he also wanted to find out more about this young man.

Despite many probing questions, he still maintained proper courtesy.

"Master Feng, you have come a long way and have worked hard."

He Sheng clasped his fists and bowed, his face showing some doubt.

Feng Rusi showed no sign of nervousness, but responded calmly and steadily, "General, His Majesty has ordered me to mobilize the captured soldiers for coastal defense."

After that, he handed Li Chengfeng's oral instructions to He Sheng.

He Sheng took it, glanced at it, and was shocked. He didn't expect that this young student would come with such an important mission.

"Lord Feng is so young yet His Majesty holds him in such high esteem. I will certainly cooperate fully."

He Sheng said with a smile, but there was a hint of tentativeness in his tone.

Feng Rusi naturally understood He Sheng's unspoken intention. He responded gently, "General He, my gratitude aside, I'm here today to ask you to mobilize troops to assist my Nanzhou group."

He Sheng took the instruction and read it. His expression changed slightly. "Nanzhou? That place is not easy."

"General He also knows that those captured soldiers are bound to be dissatisfied."

Feng Rusi said with a serious expression, "I came here this time precisely because I hope General He can transfer those people under Cheng Qitian's command to me. This is His Majesty's wish, and it can be regarded as a way to appease them."

"Those who were received from Cheng Qitian have obeyed orders, but their minds are still wandering. You are just a scholar..."

He Sheng frowned slightly, still worried that a mere scholar like him could control those troublemakers.

"Don't worry, General."

Feng Rusi's eyes were firm. "This is the emperor's order, and it also reflects my determination to take on this position."

"General, just do your best to help."

He Sheng looked at Feng Rusi's determined look and said with a helpless smile: "You are really brave, okay then."

"If you need military support in the future, I will follow at any time."

"Thank you, General He!"

Feng Rusi felt grateful, and the tension in his heart relaxed a little.

Next, he still has a lot to do, and the group of captured soldiers will be his first biggest problem.

It was a long and thorny road, but with Li Chengfeng's trust and support, Feng Rusi knew she was not alone.

He had a premonition that there might be some unseen power hidden among the captured soldiers, and all he needed to do was to gather and refine these powers into shape.

The next morning, just as the sky was getting light, the sound of the National Defense Army's training echoed throughout the camp.

Led by He Sheng, Feng Rushi passed through layers of tents and came to a remote corner.

Living here are Cheng Qitian’s former subordinates. There are not many of them, only about a hundred or so, but they all have fierce looks on their faces, which makes them out of place among the national defense troops training around them.

As soon as you step into this area, you are overwhelmed by an oppressive atmosphere.

The prisoners were dressed in rags, but it could not hide the ferocity in their eyes.

They gathered in groups of three or five, talking in low voices, and occasionally cast scrutinizing glances at Feng Rushi.

"What are you looking at? If you keep looking, I'll dig your eyes out!"

A burly soldier of the National Defense Army noticed these unfriendly looks, shouted angrily, and slammed the spear in his hand hard on the ground, making a dull "bang" sound.

"What? You want to fight? When I was following the prince to conquer the world, you brats were still playing in the mud!"

An old soldier fought back without showing any weakness, still mentioning the dead prince. Feng Rushi locked onto him with one glance.

"What the hell did you say?!"

The soldier immediately became furious and rolled up his sleeves to go forward and argue.

"Come on! Who's afraid of who? Do you really think I'm afraid of a running dog like you?!"

The veteran soldier was not willing to be outdone. He pushed his companion aside and rushed forward to fight.

He is not weak like an old man at all, and has some backbone, but people tend to be stubborn when they get old.

This was Feng Rushi’s inner evaluation.

"Stop!" He Sheng shouted upon seeing this, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire venue.

The two sides were on the verge of a fight, and the surrounding National Defense Army soldiers and prisoners also gathered around, and a melee was about to break out.

He Sheng roared angrily, his voice like a loud bell, making everyone's eardrums numb.

The soldiers of the National Defense Army respected He Sheng in the first place, and they retreated upon hearing his words, but the looks they gave the captives were still not friendly.

He Sheng glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "It's already this late, and you're still fighting among yourselves!"

"Do you think you are still the personal soldiers of the high and mighty prince?"

"Now you belong to the National Defense Army, face the reality!"

Although the old subordinates were unwilling, they did not dare to say anything more and just lowered their heads and remained silent.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, He Sheng pointed at Feng Rusi beside him and said loudly, "This is Lord Feng. He has come here by the order of His Majesty. I have something important to discuss with you!"

Feng Rusi stepped forward at the right moment, scanning everyone's face without leaving a trace: "Everyone, I know you have resentment in your hearts, but now the overall situation has been decided, Cheng Qitian is dead, if you persist in your delusion, you will only die."

When everyone heard this, they fell silent. Many people even looked indignant, but because He Sheng was present, they did not dare to lash out.

Feng Rusi ignored everyone's reaction and continued, "Pirates are rampant in South China right now, disrupting the lives of the people along the coast. Your Majesty is merciful and will give you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious contributions!"

"As long as you are willing to follow me to Nanzhou and quell the sea turmoil, His Majesty promises to forgive past mistakes and reward you according to your merits!"

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned and looked at each other. They obviously did not expect Feng Rushi to propose such a condition.

"Master Feng, are you serious?"

A young soldier asked tentatively, obviously unwilling to believe such a good thing.

"You have no joke!"

Feng Rusi spoke in a firm tone, his eyes fixed on the crowd, "I have come here to bring His Majesty's instructions."

"I am ordered to lead you all and form an elite navy. Of course, anyone who disobeys will be punished by military law!"

Everyone's face changed, and the last bit of hope in their hearts disappeared.