These princes from the Northern Barbarians are all troublemakers. I wonder if Xiao Kui will be driven to his death by the impending chaos?

He boasted that he could control the situation, but he forgot that he was the old lion, while the cubs had grown up, their claws fully developed, and they were all waiting for this opportunity to compete for supremacy.

She didn't have time to go south tonight, so she suppressed her desires and worked diligently during the day, handling various affairs in the northern state.

News from Mu Wan's side kept arriving.

After arriving in Xiazhou, she handed over other matters to Gu Tianyang and devoted herself to the construction of the women's army.

Her first act was to rush to Xining Pass to visit her family. After a heartfelt speech, she immediately demanded money and territory.

The younger members of the Mu family immediately changed their expressions and ran away.

Mu An couldn't run because his arms were entangled, and Mu Liangyi couldn't run because of his leg problems.

The father and son resigned themselves to their fate with bitter smiles.

Mu Wan was not cold and aloof in front of her family. She showed her daughterly side and said, "Father, grandfather, Wan'er's women's army is so poor. There are only ninety-eight people, and they are all unfortunate girls. They have no family and rely on Wan'er to survive."

"Do you think we should help Wan'er take care of them?"

Mu'an has a dry cough.

Mu Liangyi's face hardened, and he subconsciously covered his beard. "Speak, how many do you want?"

Mu Wan smiled sweetly, "I don't need the provisions and pay, Prince Yuansheng will send them. I just need a piece of land for the garrison and a public notice from my grandfather."

Mu Liangyi's eyes flickered slightly. "What public announcement?"

Mu Wan smiled and announced, "Public notice calling on women of Xia Prefecture to join our Women's Army to defend our country!"

Mu An and Mu Liangyi remained silent, waiting for her to unleash her next big move.

"The settlement allowance for each female soldier is 35 taels of silver, paid in a lump sum. After enlisting, she will receive at least 5 taels of silver per month. Those who kill the enemy will be richly rewarded."

"However, an agreement must be signed with their families. After that, their personal status will belong to our Women's Army. They can take care of their families, but their marriage, retirement, etc. will no longer be decided by their families. Each member of our Women's Army will be a female household, and the Women's Army will be responsible for the work of compensation and resettlement after injury."

This is equivalent to selling oneself to the women's army, but not as a slave, because one can decide one's own life's important matters afterward.

The world is unfair to women, and this is something Xiao Zhixing can do for them; it just depends on whether they dare to take this step.

Of course, many more girls might be sold by their families to the women's army. Thirty-five taels of silver was a huge sum that could allow a family of five to live a good life for several years and even buy several acres of fertile land. The temptation was immense.

But isn't this also a way of saving the girls?

As for whether her family members would change their minds, Xiao Zhixing was not a soft-hearted person.

As for whether the girls will be soft-hearted?

It's wise to start with brainwashing after joining the women's army.

Knowing that there is a chance to be reborn, who wouldn't want to live freely?

If there's truly no way to save her, then there's nothing we can do; we'll respect her fate and never force her.

Even a savior can't save someone with a screw loose.

After hearing Mu Wan's words, Mu Liangyi and the other person fell silent.

My first thought was, is Xiao Zhixing really that rich?

Once this notice is posted, countless families in Xiazhou who can't afford to eat will send their daughters here.

This is an astronomical figure.

Women from poor, commoner families were already considered lowly, and even if they could be sold for thirty-five taels of silver, there was no shortage of ruthless people willing to do so, knowing they might die in battle.

Some girls even sell themselves to save their families.

Mu Wan urged, "Grandfather, just tell me if it's okay or not?"

Mu Liangyi sighed, "Wan'er, with such a commotion, your grandfather is worried that you won't be able to handle it. Your grandfather is old and afraid that he won't be able to protect you."

Not to mention Shengjing City, even in Xia Prefecture, it will cause waves.

Those pedantic Confucian scholars will inevitably slander her. If she makes a mistake and the opposition becomes too strong, can he protect her?

Mu Wan's face was resolute. "Grandfather, Wan'er is not afraid. Wan'er is willing to be the pioneer, even if it means death!"

With Xiao Zhixing backing her up, she had no worries.

If you don't live a life full of excitement and passion, won't you regret it when you die?

Mu Wan knew their worries, and she winked mischievously and said, "Grandfather, you don't need to protect me. I'm the Prince's woman now."

If they're so capable, let them go find Xiao Zhixing and see if the Prince will tolerate their nonsense.

Mu Wan felt incredibly relieved as soon as she said those words. Was this what it felt like to have a powerful backer?

Mu Liangyi and Mu An: ...

Well, what else can they say?

Indeed, Wan'er is now under Xiao Zhixing's control, and it would be better for them to interfere too much.

Let's leave it at that then.

As a result, Xiazhou became lively after the recruitment notice for the women's army was posted.

In just half a month, nearly 20,000 girls joined the women's army, and these were the ones who were carefully selected.

Those who were too young or in poor health were rejected.

This, in turn, makes even more people want to send girls to join.

The joys and sorrows varied from family to family, but in general, the women's army expanded significantly, eventually reaching 50,000 members.

Xiao Zhixing waited for Shengjing's reply to grant her the right to negotiate, while simultaneously ordering Mu Wan to garrison a location and focus on training troops.

She planned to go south that evening; there were still two subsystems there to work on.

Suddenly, Yin Yi delivered a message: "Your Highness, Miss Li Ningxiu has suddenly fallen seriously ill. There are rumors in Shengjing that because Young Master Li took Miss Qi as a concubine and his first child did not survive, his fate has been changed and he may bring misfortune to his wives."

Xiao Zhixing: ...

Her mind raced, and she instantly recalled the conversation between Zhao Yunqi and the Emperor System.

Why did I think of them?

Wasn't it because they made Li Jun their primary candidate for crown prince?

They planned to arrange a marriage between the crown prince and themselves!

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