With wives as numerous as clouds and soldiers as numerous as a million, you say he's a useless

While Ye Chengan is actively preparing for tomorrow's grand flower festival.

The Pei family.

Pei Zhongyi, the mastermind behind this grand scheme, also paid close attention to Ye Chengan's movements.

"You mean, Ye Cheng'an not only killed the chief official of Jiucheng during this period, but also took over the Jiucheng troops for his own use, and even ordered Jiucheng to train militia on a large scale?" After listening to the steward's report, Pei Zhongyi suddenly frowned and looked solemn.

Then she looked at her son, Pei Tianyang, and said, "Tianyang, do you think Ye Cheng'an might have already figured something out? Otherwise, why would he be so eager to recruit soldiers and train civilians from the Nine Cities?"

"What if something unexpected happens tomorrow?"

Pei Tianyang snorted coldly, "Father, I think you are overthinking it. How could Ye Cheng'an possibly know about our actions when we are so secretive? Unless, he is a great immortal."

"I think he did this because he had already prepared to win over private soldiers from the moment he arrived in Liuzhou!"

"As for the militia... today's militia are tomorrow's private soldiers."

"You mean, the reason Ye Cheng'an suddenly did this... is not because he discovered what our Pei family and the Nine Dragons Alliance were doing, but because..." Pei Zhongyi's expression was somewhat moved.

Pei Tianyang immediately affirmed, "Of course! Otherwise, why would he give up his perfectly good position as the Crown Prince of the Northern Border and insist on coming to such a windy and cold place as Liuzhou? I've had people investigate, and he voluntarily resigned from his position as Crown Prince to come to Liuzhou. I've heard that the current King of the Northern Border dotes solely on his stepmother and second son, and Ye Cheng'an has been repeatedly suppressed in the Northern Border Royal Court!"

"How could someone as ambitious as him be content to remain subservient to others?"

"If you put it that way, everything makes sense." Pei Zhongyi felt a little relieved.

Pei Tianyang smiled, "Father, rest assured, tomorrow's Hundred Flowers Blooming Ceremony will mark the end of Ye Cheng'an's life. Everything will proceed according to the plans of my Pei family and the Nine Dragons Alliance. The spinning wheel will definitely be ours!"

"Yes." Pei Zhongyi nodded, repeating Pei Tianyang's words, as if only in this way could he dispel the unease in his heart. "You're right, everything will proceed according to the Pei family's plan, and the spinning wheel will definitely be ours!"

This night is destined to be sleepless for many.

The Pei family father and son were examples, as was Xiao Heming.

"Commander Jiang, how are your arrangements for the task I entrusted to you? Tomorrow is the grand Flower Festival, can I finally avenge myself, escape Ye Cheng'an's threat, and be my true self..."

It's all down to this one gamble!

At the Governor's Mansion, Xiao Heming summoned Jiang Zhanji to his study.

Jiang Zhanji presented a reply: "Grand Commander, this is a reply from the 50,000 troops guarding the border. On the day of the Hundred Flowers Blooming Festival, some of them will remain at the border, while others will disguise themselves and infiltrate Yong'an City... to help you achieve your great cause!"

Before presenting the letter to Xiao Heming, Jiang Zhanji had already reviewed it. He noticed that the border commander only emphasized his loyalty to Xiao Heming and said that he would definitely go to Yong'an City as requested, but did not mention what he would do in Yong'an City.

Therefore, at this moment, Xiao Heming could only be happy after reading this letter.

"Excellent! Everything is ready except for the final touch. Now we just need to wait for the Hundred Flowers Competition to begin, and all that's missing is the arrival of the Northern Barbarian army..."

"Ever since that despicable fellow Ye Cheng'an came to Liuzhou, I, the governor, have suffered endless bullying. I can finally vent my anger!"

"Commander Jiang, once I successfully crush Ye Cheng'an, I will reward you handsomely! All of you have contributed!"

"Yes." Jiang Zhanji agreed on the surface, but when he cupped his hands and lowered his eyes, a fleeting, almost imperceptible chill flashed in his eyes.

The outcome is still uncertain; it's not certain who the final winner will be.

Xiao Heming, you're too proud of yourself.

……

The following day, Ye Cheng'an slowly opened his eyes with the help of Zhu Yu's thoughtful wake-up service.

After a quick wash and change, we arrived at the venue for the Hundred Flowers Blooming Festival.

For this grand event, Ye Cheng'an had a vast piece of land found in Yong'an City to build an extremely luxurious arena.

On this day, people from more than a dozen cities gathered to share in the grand ceremony, while various forces converged, creating an atmosphere of undercurrents.

Ye Cheng'an and Zhao Xuefu, as the organizers, sat in the main seats.

The remaining dozen or so brothels that came to the banquet also had their own seats.

Secondly, seats were also specially reserved for Xiao Heming, the Grand Commander of Liuzhou, and the Pei family by Ye Cheng'an.

"Young Master, it's been a long time. Your humble servant is here to oversee things for you." Xiao Heming led Jiang Zhanji forward, smiled at Ye Cheng'an, and showed extreme respect.

However, Ye Cheng'an felt nothing but endless mockery. If he hadn't known what Xiao Heming had been doing behind his back, if he hadn't known that the other party was plotting to kill him day and night, he might have been fooled by the other party's submissive appearance.

Wow, how come everyone in the North is such a good actor?

Could the Northern Territory be the predecessor of Hengdian World Studios in later generations?

While complaining, Ye Cheng'an said to Xiao Heming, "As expected of the Grand Commander, you are a man of your word. Now that you are here, please take your seat."

Xiao Heming nodded and took a seat next to Ye Chengan, while Jiang Zhanji sat in his camp.

He placed Jiang Zhanji by his side partly because of his status as the Grand Commander of Liuzhou, and partly because if the Northern Barbarians arrived, Jiang Zhanji might be an excellent ally.

Seeing that Xiao Heming was so respectful to Ye Cheng'an, Zhao Xuefu thought that he had the other party completely under his control, and felt that he was even more adept at managing his subordinates.

"Ye Cheng'an, could you also tell me about your art of turning enemies into friends and managing subordinates? I would like my father to learn from you." Zhao Xuefu said softly.

Ye Chengan smiled faintly, "That's simple. There are only two ways to get people from the enemy camp to join you. One is to win their hearts and minds. This involves offering them money, a high position, or conquering them with your personal charisma."

"Secondly, it's about making him afraid of you. The reason why Xiao Heming listens to me so much and comes to Yong'an City to stand guard for me is because I have something on him. He's afraid that if he doesn't cooperate with me, I'll give him a fatal blow."

"However, this method has both advantages and disadvantages, so it should not be used lightly."

"Why?" Zhao Xuefu asked, puzzled, and whispered in Ye Cheng'an's ear, "You've already used it on Xiao Heming, the Grand Commander of Liuzhou, so why are you telling me it can't be used lightly?"

"You're holding back, not wanting me to reveal all your skills in managing people to Father Emperor, are you?"

Looking at Zhao Xuefu's suspicious gaze, Ye Chengan shook his head, "If I were really such a petty person, I wouldn't have told you how my father solved the court's predicament and the disaster in Jiangnan without lifting a finger."

"I say this for another reason."

"What's the reason?" Zhao Xuefu became increasingly curious.

Ye Cheng'an did not answer the question directly, but smiled mysteriously and said, "Princess, you want to know? When the Hundred Flowers Blooming Ceremony begins in a little while, you will know when the time comes."

Zhao Xuefu's brows furrowed even more. She really didn't understand what the Hundred Flowers Blooming Festival had to do with the art of controlling people.