The carefree sixth prince, my father respectfully invites me to ascend the throne.

This so-called Divine Martial Army was the army that Yang Ling had assembled, mostly composed of people he had recruited on his way to Liangzhou.

I don't know why this old guy brought me here. Could it be that he wants me to announce here that from now on all these people will submit to the Crown Prince?

He naturally couldn't say such things, after all, he held a rather high position in the hearts of these people. If he were to say those words, he and Chen Ming would probably lose their lives.

"My lord, if you intend to bring these people under the Crown Prince's wing right now, I advise you not to make that plan."

Yang Ling looked at Chen Ming with a serious expression, but to her surprise, the other party only smiled slightly after hearing this.

"General, you are overthinking it. I never intended to think that way. I just wanted to see how much prestige you have among these troops."

Yang Ling was slightly taken aback when he heard this. This old guy had really gotten a lot of nerve.

But that's fine too, let him see what it's like here today!

In no time, all the elite troops had gathered together.

Yang Ling looked at the soldiers below, who were poised to fight, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

She turned her head and glanced at Chen Ming beside her, a faint smile on her lips.

"Lord Chen, you have seen the faces of these soldiers, haven't you? If they are used properly in the future, they can get you whatever you want."

The implication was quite clear, and Chen Ming's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

"I appreciate the General's kindness, but we are all loyal to His Highness the Crown Prince. I have no personal motives!"

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, Yang Ling couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

This old rascal is quite the actor; let's see how he gradually wins Chen Ming over.

The two of them walked together to the command platform and looked down at the densely packed soldiers below.

"My lord, there's something I'm not sure if I should say!"

Yang Ling glanced at the person in front of her, a smile playing on her lips.

Upon hearing these words, Chen Ming turned around and glanced at them.

"General, please speak plainly?"

Anyway, we've already sided with him, so we can all be considered one of his own.

"Although these soldiers are brave in battle, they lack food and clothing under the Ninth Prince's command. If you can provide them with sufficient pay, are you worried that they won't be willing to risk their lives for you in the future?"

When Yang Ling said those words, Chen Ming's eyes widened in surprise.

How could he possibly not have any selfish motives?

If I could bring all these people under my command, wouldn't that be...?

"Haha, General, you are absolutely right. I had completely forgotten about this matter. I wonder how much pay the army is short?"

Seeing that Chen Ming had taken the bait so easily, Yang Ling immediately smiled knowingly and held up five fingers.

"The army is currently short of 250,000 taels of military pay. If you, sir, can fill this gap, winning over these soldiers will be a piece of cake!"

Yang Ling spoke these words casually, but Chen Ming didn't take them the same way.

"General, you must be joking!"

Chen Ming almost fainted from anger upon hearing Yang Ling's words. Two hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver—even if he sold everything he owned, he couldn't come up with that much money.

"If you think I was joking, then so be it. Just consider it me being nosy."

With that, Yang Ling turned to leave.

Seeing this, Chen Ming quickly stepped forward and blocked the other party's path.

"General, wait! If I really distribute these 250,000 taels of military pay, will these men truly be loyal to me?"

Upon hearing Chen Ming's words, a faint smile appeared on Yang Ling's lips. This guy ultimately couldn't resist the temptation.

"What are you saying, sir? It won't be as simple as just being loyal to you. Whatever you want, sir, we'll do it!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming couldn't help but become excited.

Although 200,000 taels of silver is not a small sum, as long as these soldiers can be bribed, then all the power of the Crown Prince's faction will be in our own hands.

"Alright! As the general said, the 250,000 taels of military pay will be given to you soon, but you also have to do something for me!"

Chen Ming said with a firm expression that this matter was very important to him, and also very important to his future career!

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling's lips curled into a smile, "As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not disappoint you, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming immediately nodded.

"Since the general has agreed to my request, I naturally believe in your abilities."

Chen Ming smiled slightly and whispered a few words in Yang Ling's ear.

As Chen Ming finished speaking, Yang Ling's eyes widened in disbelief; she had never heard of such a thing.

In order to test him, Chen Ming actually wanted him to assassinate a retainer that the Crown Prince had planted in his residence.

Couldn't Chen Ming easily find a reason to kill someone over such a trivial matter?

Why must I make myself do it?

It's obvious they want him to pledge his loyalty!

But this is for the best. After the first person is killed, Chen Ming's ambition will only grow, and he will naturally kill others in the future.

He would first use Chen Ming to kill all of the Crown Prince's men.

"Don't worry, sir. Leave this to me. I'll definitely handle it perfectly."

……

That evening, Yang Ling summoned An Yu.

"Send one of my bodyguards to kill someone!"

An Yu frowned deeply upon hearing this.

"Master, who are you trying to kill? Has your identity been exposed?"

An Yu's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes held a hint of unease as she looked at Yang Ling.

Seeing this, Yang Ling smiled faintly and patted An Yu's shoulder, "It's nothing, just killing an insignificant person!"

Hearing this, An Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief. "At least let me know who they're killing!"

Yang Ling smiled slightly upon hearing this and whispered a few words into An Yu's ear.

An Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. "This..."

"I have a feeling this whole thing is a bit off. Is it some kind of trap that kid set for you?"

An Yu looked at Yang Ling with a puzzled expression.

Yang Ling sighed softly, "The situation is dire. The Crown Prince's faction is eyeing us covetously. We must take action as soon as possible."

Hearing Yang Ling's words, An Yu nodded.

"I'll go and instruct my men to have those guards do it!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling nodded slightly, signaling the other party to get on with it quickly.

……

Inside a room in the Chen residence.

Chen Ming looked at the man in front of him with a smile, "Brother Wang, the Crown Prince sent you here to assist me this time. You've really had a hard time."