Several people with different reactions

Gao Yuan and his group stayed beside the Diannan Marsh for five days, and Local Chieftain Yang Yinglong was nervous for five days.

It wasn't that he hadn't considered eliminating this group, but seeing how high their armor coverage was, he abandoned the idea.

He knew that even if he went all out to wipe out Gao Yuan's group, the losses would be devastating.

At that time, other Local Chieftains would certainly seize the opportunity to cause trouble, and he would end up losing more than he gained.

Precisely because several Local Chieftains harbored such thoughts, Gao Yuan and his group traveled smoothly the entire way.

When the group entered the territory of the West City Local Chieftain, Gao Yuan's constantly tense heart finally relaxed a little.

Compared to the places they had passed through on the way, West City was much calmer.

When the group arrived outside Dehong City, Local Chief Mu Sheng of West City, Pacification Commissioner Ye Quan, Local Chieftain Xian Zhen of Menge, and Pacification Commissioner Lin Yang were already waiting outside the city with their people.

Seeing the group arrive, Mu Sheng and Xian Zhen led the way in bowing.

"We greet Your Highness the Princess and the duke of anle county."

Gao Yuan stepped forward on behalf of Zhao Xiyao to help everyone up.

"Please dispense with the formalities. The Princess and I will rely on your care and assistance in the future."

After Gao Yuan finished speaking, he began observing the reactions of the various people.

Mu Sheng showed no change, but the expressions on the faces of the other three became quite dramatic.

In particular, when Xian Zhen saw the thousand soldiers behind them, his face was so gloomy that it looked like water could drip from it.

Seeing this situation, Zheng Wan and Song Yao also stepped forward and began exchanging pleasantries with Ye Quan and Lin Yang.

However, this small talk seemed to have little effect, and Lin Yang was the first to jump out.

"Your Highness the Princess is of noble birth. Menge City is simple and crude, and we fear we would neglect you."

Xian Zhen reacted immediately, stepping forward, not even bothering to bow.

"Dehong City is the largest city in this area. Its walls are strong, and the city is exceptionally prosperous. Why doesn't Your Highness the Princess stay in Dehong?"

These words sounded nice, appearing to consider Zhao Xiyao's well-being in every aspect, but anyone could tell that they did not want to accommodate Gao Yuan and his group.

Ye Quan clearly wanted to object, but Mu Sheng had already spoken first.

"My little girl, Mu Qing, still fondly remembers the friendship she shared with Your Highness back in Luoyang."

"I have a residence in Dehong City, built in the style of the Central Plains. Although it's not large, it is quiet. If Your Highness doesn't mind, you may stay here for a while."

Gao Yuan saw Ye Quan's expression, which looked like he had eaten feces, and felt disdain, but he immediately agreed aloud.

"Then we shall trouble Local Chief Mu."

Led by Mu Sheng, Gao Yuan and his group grandly entered Dehong City.

Although it was called the largest city in the area, it was actually only the size of a lower county town in the Central Plains region.

The city walls were not made of rammed earth; instead, they were built using giant logs sourced from the local primeval forest, driven into the ground to form a perimeter.

Mu Sheng led the way and provided introductions, but Gao Yuan noticed that those three old geezers had already quietly departed.

Upon arriving at the detached residence, Gao Yuan immediately saw a young woman standing at the entrance, anxiously waiting on her tiptoes.

This girl was about 1.65 meters tall, which was considered tall for the Southwest region.

Her face was very delicate and pretty, and she wore a fiery red close-fitting suit that highlighted her curvaceous figure. Her hair was woven with decorations and tied into a high ponytail.

Her only drawback was that her skin was not fair, instead displaying a healthy wheat color.

Seeing Zhao Xiyao from afar, the girl skipped down the steps in her little leather boots and flew over happily, shouting:

"Father, Zhao Xiyaos informal address..."

Mu Sheng looked at his daughter with doting affection, lightly scolding her with a smile.

"You reckless girl, how dare you call the Princess by her name? Where are your manners?"

"Uncle, you exaggerate. Qingqing and I are friends; we don't stand on ceremony."

Zhao Xiyao was also happy to see her friend, and the two held hands and chatted for quite some time.

"Don't stand at the entrance anymore, everyone come inside and talk."

This courtyard was indeed in the Central Plains style, suggesting Mu Sheng had put a lot of effort into it.

Gao Yuan immediately arranged for Butler Fu to coordinate with Mu Sheng's subordinates to settle the group in.

Besides the servants and maids they brought along, the rest were three hundred trusted soldiers and their families.

As for the people recruited along the way, they were arranged in the military camp and residential houses located in the eastern part of the city.

After the women finished their greetings and Gao Yuan had finished arranging the tasks, the group moved to the main hall and took their seats.

Kneeling was truly uncomfortable. Since wood was plentiful here, Gao Yuan planned to find people to build some tables, chairs, and stools.

The maids served the tea and then withdrew. Zhao Xiyao and Gao Yuan exchanged a glance before she spoke.

"Uncle, Xian Zhen, Lin Yang, and Ye Quan seem to have a very close relationship!"

Mu Sheng took a sip of water and smiled helplessly.

"Your Highness the Princess, if you had come here alone, they might have simply held their noses and accepted it. But you arrived with troops, so they are naturally worried..."

"Worried that our intentions are impure, that we intend to steal the nest."

"Exactly. Who, having enjoyed such power, would be willing to give it up?"

"Uncle, you are different from them. I heard in Luoyang that you have repeatedly petitioned the court to replace the Local Chieftain system with centrally appointed officials."

Mu Sheng smiled and shook his head.

"The Mu Family legacy has reached the sixth generation with me. I have no sons, only Qing'er."

"As a girl, she will eventually marry. Rather than letting this foundation become a wedding dress for someone else, it is better to offer it to the Imperial Court."

Gao Yuan understood Mu Sheng's meaning. He wasn't truly willing to relinquish this power, but he had no choice but to do so.

His daughter would eventually marry, and this foundation would eventually become her dowry.

And the son-in-law would likely be the son of another Local Chieftain, meaning the West City Local Chieftain territory would eventually be annexed.

Once the West City Local Chieftain ceased to exist, his daughter would lose her standing in her husband's family.

Rather than giving it to an ambitious in-law, it was better to give it to the Imperial Court, where they could at least secure wealth and status.

Compared to these unfeeling Local Chieftain in-laws, he was more willing to trust the aristocratic families, princes, and high officials of the Central Plains.

Thinking of this, Gao Yuan interrupted their conversation and asked:

"Local Chief Mu, have those three families colluded long ago, intending to carve up your territory?"

Mu Sheng once again showed a helpless smile.

"The ambitions of those three families have long been known to everyone in both West City and Menge."

"Xian Zhen has led troops across the border to test us several times, and Ye Quan often tries to restrain me."

Gao Yuan revealed a knowing smile.

"So, Local Chief Mu, you want to ally with us to resist those three families, is that right?"

Mu Sheng was stunned, a look of surprise appearing on his face—not surprised that Gao Yuan had thought of this, but surprised that Gao Yuan had directly exposed the truth.

Gao Yuan did not wait for Mu Sheng's reply and stood up immediately.

"If Local Chief Mu is willing to hand over military authority to me, I guarantee I will eliminate these three families within three months."

Mu Sheng finally recovered his senses, greatly alarmed in his heart.

"County Duke Gao, please do not underestimate them. Xian Zhen commands five thousand soldiers, and if you count the garrison troops of the two Pacification Commissioners Offices, that totals a full six thousand men."

"I only have less than three thousand men, plus your thousand soldiers, County Duke Gao..."

Gao Yuan, however, was very confident.

"Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to soldiers, and I am confident that I can immediately turn this situation around."

Gao Yuan's source of confidence was simple: the one thousand Soldier Martial Soul Cards.

He could directly use the Cheat System to incite defection among the soldiers under Ye Quan and Lin Yang, and then use the equipment they brought to arm Mu Sheng's troops. Eliminating those three families would be more than enough.

Zhao Xiyao was also confused about the source of Gao Yuan's confidence.

"Gao Yuan, don't get careless just because you won one battle!"

The corner of Gao Yuan's mouth curled into a non-standard, Dragon King-style sneer.

"Your Highness the Princess, all you need to do is issue an order saying you want to reward the soldiers of the two Pacification Commissioners Offices;

As long as they stay outside Dehong City for one night, I will have absolute confidence in inciting their defection.

As for Local Chief Mu, please prepare some wine and meat, and a new military camp capable of housing fifteen hundred people."