302: Chapter 302 There are no parents who are wrong.

"Bang!"

The next moment, the corpse of Governor-General Zhao Tianqing fell backward onto the city wall.

Seeing this, all the powerful figures present trembled inwardly, their gazes towards General Chen filled with a deep sense of awe and wariness.

"Director Xu, long time no see!"

At this moment, Luo Ningshuang spoke, looking at Xu Jiu with a smile.

Xu Jiu had a deep impression of Luo Ningshuang; if it weren't for his daughter Xu Meng insisting on the Thousand-Household position, he would definitely have promoted Luo Ningshuang.

"Indeed, Miss Luo, it has been a long time!"

Xu Jiu said in a very complicated tone.

"Are you surrendering or fighting?"

General Chen asked, scanning the crowd with a casual gaze.

At this, Yan Nangui spoke: "General Chen, I am Yan Nangui, a major general of Lingzhou. However, military power has always been held by Governor-General Zhao Tianqing, and I do not wish to oppose you. Can you let me leave Lingzhou?"

He was an externally deployed military officer. Because of Governor-General Zhao Tianqing, he had never been able to develop his own strength in Lingzhou, so naturally, he was unwilling to risk his life for Lingzhou.

"You may leave, but the money and provisions must stay!" General Chen thought for a moment and said.

Through the Brocade Guard, General Chen had long since figured out the situation in Lingzhou City.

Both this Yan Nangui and Qian Yiru were idle figures who could not touch the power in Lingzhou at all.

"Very well, then thank you, General Chen!"

Yan Nangui's expression brightened, and he decisively turned to leave.

"What about you all?"

General Chen asked again.

"General Chen, this humble one is Duan Hong, the Director of the Lingzhou Arrest Division. I am willing to surrender!" Duan Hong bowed hastily, lowering his posture significantly. He was a petty man by nature; he would throw his lot in with whoever was strongest.

Governor-General Zhao Tianqing was dead. Why would the thirty thousand new troops left behind be able to withstand the ten thousand-plus soldiers of the Fierce Tiger Army below?

"Get up!" General Chen nodded indifferently.

His gaze fell upon Xu Jiu and Qian Yiru.

At this, Qian Yiru spoke: "Although this official is quite disappointed with the current imperial court, I have received its salary for many years after all. I cannot bring myself to surrender to a rebel. Rebel, do it!"

"Very well, I will grant your wish!"

General Chen raised a finger and pointed. A burst of finger energy pierced through the air, directly penetrating Qian Yiru's skull.

Before dying, a flash of astonishment clearly crossed his eyes.

Civil officials value their reputation, and Qian Yiru was no different.

Therefore, even if he were to surrender, it would only be after General Chen had repeatedly urged him, and he would only reluctantly agree.

Unfortunately, he overestimated his own value.

General Chen could purchase Puppet civil officials from the System Mall at any time to help him govern the world; he had never intended to win over civil officials.

Moreover, he checked Qian Yiru with his Eye of Insight, and his favorability was negative.

"Ningshuang, you decide this person's fate!" General Chen looked at Xu Jiu and said.

"Forget it, spare his life!"

Luo Ningshuang said. Although Xu Jiu had given the Thousand-Household position to her daughter back then, he had also arranged a Director position for her, and had not suppressed her afterward.

"Many thanks, General Chen and Miss Luo!"

After a slight hesitation, Xu Jiu bowed and saluted: "I am also willing to surrender!"

Very soon, the gates of Lingzhou City were opened.

The army of over fourteen thousand also entered the city.

After entering the city, General Chen arranged for people to take over the thirty thousand new troops, and simultaneously occupied the Prefectural Yamen and the Zhenwu Division.

Subsequently, he purchased three hundred Puppet civil officials from the System Mall.

He began to take over Lingzhou.

After completely controlling the Prefectural Yamen, General Chen began ordering men to confiscate the property of all the officials in Lingzhou, big and small.

In order to show off before General Chen, Duan Hong directly handed over all the property he had embezzled.

After all, General Chen's reputation had long since spread.

Every time he conquered a territory, he would not burn, kill, or loot the civilians, but he was very ruthless towards officials.

Any official who was corrupt would have their property thoroughly confiscated by him.

Since that was the case, it was better to offer up his property in advance to leave a good impression on General Chen.

During his time as the Director of the Arrest Division, Duan Hong had also embezzled quite a lot.

The contributed property amounted to over 100 million taels of silver.

"Did you hold anything back?"

General Chen looked at Duan Hong with a half-smile.

"General, this subordinate absolutely has not held back a single bit. If the General does not believe me, you can send men to investigate. If it is discovered that this subordinate has held anything back, I am willing to commit suicide to apologize!"

Duan Hong immediately stated.

"Very well, then go and assist in the confiscation of the other officials' property!" General Chen nodded with satisfaction.

At the same time, through the Eye of Insight, he discovered that Duan Hong's loyalty had reached 65.

It had already reached the passing line.

Meanwhile, at Mingjian Villa.

The news that General Chen had broken through Lingzhou City had already arrived.

Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng and his wife gathered together once again.

Qin Shuangyu's eyes were somewhat vacant, and the regret in her heart grew increasingly intense.

"Husband, that unfilial son has created such a huge momentum now; do you think it is truly possible for him to seize the world?"

"How is that possible!"

Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng sneered: "Lingzhou is merely one of the ten provinces of the Great Yong Kingdom. Furthermore, he only occupies a little over half of the territory of Lingzhou!"

To be honest, Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng was extremely jealous of this cheap son.

Back then, he had abandoned General Chen in order to inherit the position of Villa Master, which showed that he was a person with a relatively strong desire for power.

If he had acknowledged General Chen earlier and eased their relationship, if General Chen were to seize the world, would he, as the father, be the one to become Emperor?

Qin Shuangyu heard the jealousy mixed in Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng's words.

However, she didn't mind and said thoughtfully: "Husband, why not let Lier go and see that unfilial son?"

Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng said coldly: "That unfilial son is an ingrate; why would he be willing to acknowledge Lier?"

"Give it a try!"

Qin Shuangyu said: "No matter what, Lier is his own blood brother. Even if he doesn't acknowledge Lier, he wouldn't go so far as to kill his own brother!"

"Then let's give it a try!"

Manor Master Zhao Jiansheng hesitated for a moment, but still agreed.

"Then I will go and inform Lier!"

Very soon, Qin Shuangyu arrived at the courtyard where Zhao Li resided.

Zhao Li, who was practicing swordplay, immediately stopped and asked: "Mother, why have you come? Is there something you wish to instruct me on?"

"You child!"

Qin Shuangyu's eyes showed doting: "Can't your mother come to see you if there is nothing wrong?"

"Of course not, Mother, let's go inside and chat!" Zhao Li stepped forward to support Qin Shuangyu and walked toward the living room.

Before long, the mother and son were seated.

After dismissing the serving maid, Qin Shuangyu said: "Lier, do you know that you have an older brother?"

Zhao Li was stunned, then asked with pleasant surprise: "Really? Where is my older brother?"

"Your older brother is named General Chen, and he is currently the commander of the Fierce Tiger Army. He just captured Lingzhou City!" Qin Shuangyu introduced slowly.

"What?"

Zhao Li exclaimed: "My older brother is actually this formidable?"

Qin Shuangyu said: "Your older brother has many misunderstandings about your father and me and refuses to acknowledge us. But you are blood brothers after all. As the saying goes, 'Fighting tigers requires brothers.' Your father and I have discussed it and want you to go and defect to your brother and help him with his work!"

Zhao Li furrowed his brows slightly and said indignantly: "How could my older brother be like this, not even acknowledging his parents? I must go and speak to him!"

"Don't!"

Qin Shuangyu quickly said: "It was indeed your father and I who let him down back then. In fact, it doesn't matter whether he acknowledges us or not; as long as he can acknowledge you, his own younger brother, your father and I will be satisfied."

"Hmph!"

Zhao Li still huffed dissatisfiedly: "There is no such thing as parents being in the wrong. If Mother and Father let him down back then, there must have been some hidden reason. This older brother of mine is truly too out of line. I will go to Lingzhou City right now and will definitely bring him here to apologize to Mother and Father!"