Xiong Chumo and Huo Baijun followed closely in Xiao Zhixing's footsteps, and when Xiao Zhixing brought them various beneficial items, they generously gave them to the local people to use.

For example, they used cement to build roads and bridges, donated improved seeds, sold low-priced white salt, taught people to read and write, had military doctors teach people about medicine, established branch clinics in the south, and supported villagers in establishing primary schools in various places.

They won over the hearts and minds of the people in Xiao Zhixing's name, and the officials of Yangzhou and Haizhou couldn't do anything about them because they had powerful backers.

And these are all good things that benefit the country and the people. If they dare to stop them, the local people will tear them apart.

So the two of them continued to train and expand their army while starting from the bottom and increasing their influence.

Because of the Feng family's influence, Xiong Chumo was not as unscrupulous as Huo Baijun.

He proactively approached the local Black Yi people south of Suzhou and Haizhou, sandwiched between the Southern Yi and Dasheng tribes, and won them over.

He has now become a nobleman among the Hei Yi people, and 70% of the Xiao family army under his command are Hei Yi men.

They are all experts in the jungle, and with a little training, they can become jungle elites.

Now the number has reached 50,000, and there is also an imperial edict.

Officials in Haizhou and Suzhou can no longer ignore him.

Especially Feng Lizhen of the Feng family army, they can no longer treat him as if he doesn't exist. They either have to follow Xue Chen's example and hand over the Haizhou defense line to Xiong Chumo, or find a way to drive him away.

Feng Lizhen was filled with regret. He had been too arrogant and hadn't taken that kid seriously, failing to eliminate him from the start.

It's too late now.

Therefore, after Xiong Chumo met with the governor of Haizhou, Feng Lizhen sent a message inviting him to meet at Jianan Pass.

Xiong Chumo led two thousand men, carrying the Xiao family army flag, and went to Jianan Pass in a very nonchalant manner at the invitation.

Many of Feng's soldiers stared at the flag, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Because they all knew that Feng Lizhen had seized the power to guard the pass from Xiao Yuanshan back then.

This matter will forever be criticized by the world.

Feng Lizhen, thick-skinned, greeted Xiong Chumo with a hearty smile, "What a fine young general! General Xiong, I think you should change your flag to the Xiong character flag soon."

Xiong Chumo felt a chill run down his spine; even a deaf person could hear the provocation in this.

He bowed respectfully, saying, "I am stubborn by nature, like to stick to one's word to the end, and believe in loyalty above all else. I was born a soldier of the Xiao family, and I will die a ghost of the Xiao family!"

He used Xiao Zhixing's words at Guixiong Pass to retort in a light but not harsh way, while also subtly implying that Xiao was a traitor and morally flawed.

Feng Lizhen's eyes turned slightly cold, but he quickly regained his smile. "General Xiong is so young, it's truly rare to have such a temperament. Come, let's cut the small talk and come into my residence for a good drink."

Xiong Chumo led ten guards into the mansion, while the others were taken to the military camp to rest temporarily.

Upon seeing this, Feng Lizhen almost couldn't resist killing him. The opportunity was too rare; this kid was so careless, completely unprepared. He could easily...

However, he hadn't prepared for this, and killing him silently was difficult to arrange in a short and urgent time.

What he feared was Xiao Zhixing. If Xiong Chumo died at Jianan Pass, that man would definitely dare to lead his men to seek revenge.

Suppressing their murderous intent, the two sat down amicably.

Xiong Chumo seemed oblivious to the murderous intent, and spoke up with a gentle expression, "If General Feng had not invited me, I would have planned to come and pay my respects to you soon."

"I am straightforward by nature, so I will not hide anything. Thanks to His Majesty's trust, he has ordered me to join General Feng in defending against the Southern Barbarians. I am anxious and would like to hear how the General plans to arrange things for me."

Feng Lizhen's eyes turned slightly cold. "General Xiong is indeed impatient."

This blatant attempt to seize power, without any attempt at subtlety, made him very unhappy.

Xiong Chumo grinned, looking like a young, impetuous man who didn't know the meaning of tact. "There's nothing I can do. At my age, I haven't learned to be steady and self-controlled. I only know to gain some advantages as soon as possible so that I can serve the country."

Feng Lizhen suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Then what convenience does General Xiong need?"

Ignoring his cold gaze, Xiong Chumo cupped his hands towards the north and said, "By order of Prince Yuansheng and by order of His Majesty to manage Haizhou, I hope that you, like General Xue Chen, will give me the authority to defend the border of Haizhou."

Feng Lizhen stared coldly at him, "The border defense of Haizhou is a matter of life and death for Jianan Pass. General Xiong's offer to take it is far too arrogant. You have no past achievements, how can I entrust it to you?"

Xiong Chumo, with an arrogant air, said, "General Feng need not worry about that. If I were to lose my defenses, I would offer my head as an apology."

The two sides were on the verge of a fight, their eyes fixed on each other, neither willing to back down.

After a long pause, Feng Lizhen laughed angrily, "Good! Good! Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. General Xiong is indeed worthy of being a soldier of the Xiao family!"

Xiong Chumo flashed a white smile. "Thank you for the compliment. I am also proud to be a member of the Xiao family army."

Feng Lizhen was so angry she almost fainted.

At this moment, he was extremely annoyed and troubled.

Xiong Chumo clearly came to demand power, defying the emperor's decree, which was tantamount to taking the imperial sword.

Unless he intends to defy the imperial decree, it is not advisable for him to vehemently refuse.

Most importantly, the leopard tally for the Feng family army is still nowhere to be found. If he disobeys the imperial decree, Xiao Zhixing will definitely appeal to the emperor, and then the leopard tally will be nowhere in sight.

He sized up Xiong Chumo, a kid who hadn't even started working yet, humph.

Let's give it a try and let the Southern Barbarians on the other side teach this kid a lesson sometime.

If he can't act himself, wouldn't he know how to use someone else to do the dirty work?

It would be best if he died at the hands of the Southern Barbarians.

At that point, Xiao Zhixing will have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

Finally, Xiong Chumo successfully obtained the right to defend the border between Haizhou and the Southern Barbarians.

As he walked out of Jianan Pass, he turned back, his gaze cold.

The real challenge begins now.

The prince had already warned him that he not only had to guard against Feng Lizhen, but also against the Southern Barbarians, because the two sides might join forces against him.

Xiao Zhixing withdrew from watching and immediately ordered the Ghost Guards to send two more people to secretly protect Xiong Chumo.

His situation is extremely dangerous; we must protect him.

Therefore, she went to great lengths to send him and Huo Baijun large amounts of food, supplies, and military equipment.

They must gain complete control of the border between the two states as soon as possible.

[Yellow comment: Ah, I suddenly understand, Zha Zha Qi is also using the Prince and Xiao Family Army to strengthen the southern defense line.]

[Red comment: Yeah, it's obvious. Zha Zha Qi knows everything about Huo Baijun and Xiong Chumo's activities in the south, knows they have people on their side, and of course he wants to use them. For this, he's willing to strengthen the Xiao family army because Feng Lizhen is completely untrustworthy.]

[Green comment: He was just in case. Since these people couldn't be contained, he brought them out to serve the country together. Even if they died in battle, they would still be soldiers of the Xiao family. In any case, it was Xiao Zhixing's strength that was being depleted.]

[Yellow comment: Hmph, he's just taking advantage of our prince's public-spiritedness. He knows she cares about the border defenses and will fight to the death to protect the four corners of the land, that's why he arranged it this way.]

Xiao Zhixing nodded, agreeing. Zhao Yunqi's strategy was indeed a calculated move, using her power to strengthen the southern defenses, and in return, she had to pay and provide her with resources.

It's hard to say whether she or he benefited from the deal.

At this moment, Bai Feng said, "Ahhh, Xiao Xing, hurry up! The Northern Barbarians have contacted me again!"