After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

"Open the city gate quickly!"

The convoy of the powerful families was intercepted at the north gate of the city, led by the Wang and Chen families.

Their wagons were full of military supplies, and there was even a new batch of weapons to be sent to Tianyun City.

The soldiers guarding the city said, "Dragon City is conducting inspections, and delivery teams from all the major families are temporarily prohibited from leaving the city."

"What did you say! Are you blind?!"

The Wang family members displayed the warrant issued by Zhang Shouren.

They had never used this warrant before, because Zhang Shouren used to maintain the operation of Longcheng, but now Chen Futu had taken over. In fact, the various families were not sure whether the warrant was still valid.

"We said you're not allowed to leave, and that means you're not allowed to leave! If you dare to break through, we'll throw you all in jail."

"General Zhang ordered us to transport supplies to Tianyun City. Aren't you afraid of losing your heads if you obstruct us?"

"You're the ones who're afraid of losing your heads."

With a whoosh, Dian Wei led Po Lu's personal guards to the scene, and a large group of people surrounded the cargo convoy.

"General Dian Wei, why is this?"

"Why? Dragon City is in dire need of a large amount of military supplies to equip its troops. Withhold them all."

Ignoring the expressions on these people's faces, Dian Wei gave an order, and the Po Lu Army rushed forward to rob the caravan. Anyone who resisted was thrown off the carriage, and the city gate was soon filled with chaos and commotion, with many people discussing the matter.

The merchants secretly laughed at the sight.

When Zhang Shouren was alive, the powerful families looked down on others, but now that Longcheng has a new master, their good days are over.

Of course, the Crown Prince wouldn't treat his own people unfairly; their investments in the development zone would soon yield returns.

"We want to see the Crown Prince!"

"Yes, Your Highness! Why are you preventing us from leaving the city? You've delayed important military and national affairs; you should at least take responsibility!"

A group of noble families were driven to an open space, but Dian Wei ignored them and ordered Po Lu's personal guards to pull all the carriages away, just like bandits.

After the procession had left in a grand procession, someone stumbled and shouted, "Something terrible has happened! The family's business and mines have been seized!"

Upon hearing this, the major families no longer cared about the caravan and hurriedly returned to their residences, their faces flushed red.

Sure enough, many people came to the Longcheng government office, some to check the accounts and others to collect taxes.

Any industry that cooperated with the government, or even had any connection to officialdom, was confiscated by Chen Futu.

"What exactly does the young master want to do?!"

"You can't do this!"

The heads of the families were blinded by rage; this was blatant robbery!

They've worked so hard to build this business; are they really going to lose it all in one day?

The official coldly replied, "The Crown Prince has said that no one outside the government is allowed to interfere in the production of salt, iron, and military equipment. From today onwards, all related businesses under the jurisdiction of the Northern Frontier will be brought under government control. Anyone who dares to disobey this order will be executed without mercy!"

The Crown Prince's word is law, and no dissent is permitted.

The families watched helplessly as large boxes of money were carried out of the treasury.

The officials even thoughtfully left them one-tenth of their family property, claiming that even if they hadn't made any great contributions, they had still put in the effort, and the rest was their salary.

In addition, notices were posted regarding the return of military supplies such as mines and ordnance to the government, along with verbal punishments for several powerful families.

The common people were happy to see the joke, while some businessmen seemed worried.

If someone confiscates your family's property at the slightest disagreement, who can withstand that?

In just a few days, Dian Wei recovered all the mining resources around Dragon City, and then issued a notice soliciting merchants to invest in the construction of mines and arms workshops. Any investor would receive a certain share of the profits in future wars.

As soon as the news of the war profit sharing was released, those still somewhat anxious businessmen immediately flocked to the Commerce Department.

The chief official, Feng Cheng, was extremely busy, yet he couldn't help but admire Chen Futu's methods.

The war dividends were a small, temporary measure by Chen Futu to quickly stabilize the military preparedness in the northern frontier.

As for how much to distribute to the merchants, that's ultimately up to him; let's just get things started first.

Tianyun City General's Mansion.

Upon receiving news that Chen Futu had issued a decree to bring mining and arms manufacturing under government control, Zhang Shouren's expression became uncertain.

One by one, his generals came to him.

The reason is simple: the powerful families and clans are deeply intertwined with them. Back in Longcheng, these families would give them gifts during festivals. Now that Chen Futu has overturned their livelihood, how could they possibly tolerate it?

"General Zhang, the young master is going too far!"

“He leaves no way out for his brothers. In my opinion, he is targeting us.”

"He confiscated the properties and put them under government control. He made it sound nice, but it was just a way for his bunch of people who appeared out of nowhere to grab profits!"

The generals clamored and denounced him, but Zhang Shouren remained silent.

Just then, someone came to deliver a message, "General! The Great Qian Dynasty has sent an angel to deliver an imperial edict."

Zhang Shouren sneered, "Now that things have come to this, does the Great Qian Dynasty want to make peace?"

Everyone knows that since the old emperor slandered the crown prince, the northern frontier has actually broken away from the control of the Great Qian Dynasty. However, since the crown prince has not officially declared the establishment of a state, the northern frontier is nominally under the control of the Great Qian Dynasty.

A short while later, a eunuch arrived in the hall.

Zhang Shouren sat steadily in the commander's chair, his expression indifferent. The other generals also wore cold smiles on their faces, showing no kindness whatsoever, let alone getting up to receive the imperial decree.

The eunuch said angrily, "General Zhang, aren't you going to get up and come forward to receive the imperial decree?"

"Bah! What is this dog emperor anyway! Does he even deserve to make my general stand up?"

"Speak your mind, or get out!"

The generals glared at him as if they wanted to kill him, and the eunuch turned pale and had no choice but to reluctantly open the imperial edict.

"By imperial decree, Chen Futu has been stripped of his title as the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei for his lack of virtue and for defying the will of Heaven in his plot to rebel. However, Your Majesty, mindful of General Zhang Shouren's arduous service in guarding the frontier and his status as the adopted son of the Prince of Zhenbei, hereby bestows upon General Zhang Shouren the title of the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei, effective from this day forward. So be it."

After the imperial edict was read, the huge council hall fell silent.

Zhang Shouren remained firmly seated in his command chair, his face expressionless. In contrast, his generals were all extremely excited, wishing they could receive the imperial edict from Zhang Shouren on his behalf.

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict asked with a smile, "General Zhang, the imperial edict has been read. Shouldn't you receive it now?"

Zhang Shouren narrowed his eyes. "The Great Qian has a good plan."

"Hehe, I am only responsible for conveying the imperial decree. Whether or not it is accepted depends on General Zhang. However, His Majesty has a message for me to tell the general: as long as you take command of the northern frontier, the Great Qian will definitely provide you with full support."

The meaning of the Great Qian Dynasty is very clear: as long as Zhang Shouren accepts the title of Prince of Zhenbei, once Chen Futu raises his troops, the Great Qian Dynasty will mobilize troops to assist him, and the two sides will surely be able to break through Longcheng.

Zhang Shouren snorted, "Leave the imperial edict here, you can get out of here."

"Hehe, I'll take my leave now."

The eunuch smiled obsequiously and bowed repeatedly before hurriedly leaving with his men.

After he left, the generals were overjoyed and knelt down to pay their respects, saying, "This humble general greets the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei!"