Urban God of War: The Live-in Son-in-law

Those who were to be killed, were killed; those who were to be punished, were punished.

No sooner had the matter of dealing with the rebels subsided than Ye Feng issued several decrees that shook the entire Northern Border Legion to its core.

The Eight Legions would be abolished, to be reorganized into Five Great Legions, with appointments as follows.

Xiao Chuanqi as the First Legion Commander.

Leng Wuming as the Second Legion Commander.

Jin Wuming as the Third Legion Commander.

Shangguan Fenghua as the Fourth Legion Commander.

Qin He as the Fifth Legion Commander. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

The positions of Marquis and commander were permanently abolished; the Northern Border would not recognize them, nor would it confer such titles in the future. The personnel structures under the Legion Commanders were to be arranged according to the latest international military regulations, rewarding merit and promoting in due course.

Three new armies were established in the Northern Border: the Military Governor, the Xing Jun, and the Hidden Army. These three would not be in charge of leading troops; the Military Governor would be responsible for the management and coordination of all legions, the Xing Jun for military discipline, and the Hidden Army for all espionage activities.

It's worth mentioning that the Military Governor was Gai Jiutian, who was also the Vice Governor of the Northern Border, while the leader of the Xing Jun was Sima Zhantian.

The Northern Border Legion allowed all soldiers aged fifty or above to retire and return home; the maximum service age was set at fifty-two, with special exceptions, and the minimum enlistment age was raised to seventeen (previously fifteen). All underage recruits were to attend the military academy and could only enlist upon graduation.

...

This succession of decrees left the million-member Northern Border Soldiers with hardly a moment to blink—some happy, some sad—and among the happiest was Sima Zhantian. He had become a legion commander and would no longer have to reluctantly follow in Xiao Chuanqi's wake; he could now proudly compete with him head-on.

"What are your thoughts or opinions regarding the latest decrees I've issued?"

In the commander's tent, except for Gai Jiutian, all five of the Great Legion Commanders and Sima Zhantian had arrived.

What else is there to say?

You, the king, have already acted first and reported afterward. Everyone was speechless, but since Ye Feng said this, naturally, he wanted to hear their opinions.

"My king, we certainly have no objections about the reorganization into Five Great Legions and the establishment of the Northern Border's exclusive military academy, but what about the Imperial City?"

Xiao Chuanqi frowned and left his sentence unfinished.

Ye Feng had barely returned before initiating these actions, which would certainly stir criticism and rumors among those in the Imperial City with ulterior motives.

"That's not a problem."

"The rulers of the Four Realms all have the power to govern their own troops. Besides, the Northern Border is unlike the other Three Realms, and the military academy also needs to be adapted to local conditions. If the Imperial City has any objections, I will handle them myself."

Opinions, rumors—what do they amount to?

In the presence of others, if the Nation Guard does nothing, and if I, Ye Feng, dare to say I will do so, then I've already shown enough loyalty and revealed my intentions. If the Imperial City cannot handle such a trivial matter, the one who truly objects is myself, Ye Feng.

Fight as we might, struggle as we must.

Why should the soldiers from the Military Department bleed for you, settle your tabs?

Today, many have been killed, but in Ye Feng's eyes, their death was worthless. They did not deserve such a fate; each one of them was once a valiant warrior on the battlefield.

"The king can decide for himself."

Xiao Chuanqi kept his mouth shut, knowing Ye Feng was determined.

"My king, may I take on the position of school principal for the military academy? I'm also no longer young. Within three years, I will certainly help you create one, or even a batch of suitable candidates for legion commanders."

Shangguan Fenghua stepped forward to offer his services.

It was apparent that this old legion commander, who had served two generations of princes, had been contemplating retirement after the events of the past few days.

"Yes!"

Ye Feng nodded and then added with a smile:

"However, after you, it won't be so easy for anyone who wants to be a legion commander."

Ye Feng was not averse to this neutral old legion commander; on the contrary, he was quite willing to respect Shangguan Fenghua.

In fact, Ye Feng had always hoped that each Northern Border Soldier would remain loyal to their duty and position in this life, without being drawn into any power struggles.

"Thank the king for granting my request!"

Shangguan Fenghua bowed; he dared not look directly into Ye Feng's penetrating eyes.

Although unaware of what Ye Feng had gone through, Shangguan Fenghua felt that Ye Feng had become more assertive than before, and yet he concealed his sharpness extremely well.

Majestic and profound, his authority was implicit but undeniable!

The stature of a great general was established, and the era of Ye Feng was inevitably arriving. The Old Northern King had not chosen wrongly—Shangguan Fenghua felt immensely relieved at heart, knowing he could leave in two or three years with peace of mind.

"No need, it's good that the former commander is willing to become the principal."

Ye Feng spoke courteously, and of course, sincerely.

"My king, since you have abolished the marquis system, it seems the other two marquises may not yet be aware."

Jin Wuming voiced his concerns.

"That is precisely why I've summoned you here. Yesterday, I ordered someone to invite them to support their king, but it's this late and no one has shown up."

"Since they aren't coming, then I must pay a visit in person. Who among you would like to lead troops with me to meet the two marquises?"

When Ye Feng spoke the word "meet," his tone clearly grew heavier.

That explains it!

All five legion commanders rose to their feet and declared:

"The First Legion is willing to go!"

"The Second Legion is willing to go!"

"The Third Legion is willing to go!"

...

All five legion commanders expressed their willingness, leaving Ye Feng slightly surprised, as the nice guy Shangguan Fenghua seemed to have had a change of heart.

"The First and Second Legions will suffice, everyone else continue to hold the fort."

Though reorganizations were declared, such procedures couldn't be completed in just a day or two, so Ye Feng immediately turned down the offer of the other three legion commanders to accompany him.

"My king, I'll go as well!"

Sima Zhantian suddenly became anxious. Becoming the leader of the Xing Jun seemed to have its pros and cons.

As of now, he had no part in leading an expedition.

"Certainly, as the commander of Xing Jun, the responsibility falls fully upon you."

Understood!

Shangguan Fenghua couldn't help feeling resigned, Ye Feng was preparing to wield the knife again, yet he couldn't understand why, if they wanted to live, both Marquises did not show up?

If you say go, then go.

The majestic force of two hundred thousand men soon departed from the Northern Border Camp—these were the original troops belonging to Xiao Chuanqi and Leng Wuming, the two legion commanders.

Mountain Stabilizing Marquis, Liang Zhi.

The first Marquis Ye Feng planned to visit was Liang Zhi. All four Marquises had followed the Northern King to the Northern Great Prairie, hence their respective camps were actually located less than a hundred miles behind the Northern Border Camp.

Less than four hours later, the grand troop had swiftly arrived at the camp of the Mountain Stabilizing Marquis.

What does this mean?

Watching more and more Northern Border soldiers pour into their camp, the people belonging to the Mountain Stabilizing Marquis's camp were utterly baffled—the newcomers wore rather unfriendly expressions.

"Where is Liang Zhi?"

In the camp, Ye Feng looked down at the two kneeling commanders with a grim face; both men were high-ranking generals under the Mountain Stabilizing Marquis.

"Back to the Northern King, the Marquis went to visit Mountain Sealing Marquis more than a week ago."

The commander on the left, Xu Xia, answered.

"He's been gone for a week and hasn't returned?"

Ye Feng asked again.

"Yes."

Xu Xia nodded in response.

"He's been away for a week, and you didn't think to look for him?"

Ye Feng rebuked angrily.

How did such people manage to become commanders? A week's absence clearly signaled a problem. What kind of meeting could cause a Marquis to neglect his camp for seven days without any inquiry?

The two commanders kept their heads down in silence; they couldn't do otherwise. The presence of Ye Feng by now was too powerful, too domineering, and the three standing individuals...

Each one was a true and proper Martial King!

"Immediately dispatch two ten-thousand-man units to the Mountain Sealing Marquis's camp. If anything has befallen Liang Zhi, forget about any good days ahead for you."

Ye Feng rose with a flick of his sleeve, his trip having been in vain.

"Yes!"

The two commanders dared not disobey the order. They might listen to the Mountain Stabilizing Marquis, but all four Marquises were under the command of the Northern Border King.

One could see that Ye Feng was clearly in power now. The king had returned, his prowess as commanding as ever.

An hour later, the group once again reached the camp of the Mountain Sealing Marquis.

"Qi Guosheng, what exactly are you trying to pull off?"

Gazing at the camp of the Mountain Sealing Marquis, Ye Feng's expression was complex.

Deep down, Ye Feng had always believed that among the Four Great Marquises, the one who should least and would least betray him was the Mountain Sealing Marquis Qi Guosheng, because this man was once the Old Northern King's bodyguard, known for his unwavering loyalty.

It could be said that in watching Ye Feng grow up, Qi Guosheng played a part. When Ye Feng first ascended as king, raw and inexperienced, the one who stood steadfastly behind him, the one who supported him the most, was also Qi Guosheng.

Ye Feng didn't order his men to surround the camp of the Mountain Sealing Marquis but instead walked straight in. In the camp of a hundred thousand, tens of thousands of eyes fell upon Ye Feng, yet he ignored them all as if he were strolling in his own courtyard.

"Mountain Sealing Marquis Qi Guosheng, I pay my respects to the Northern King!"

Before Ye Feng reached the main tent, Qi Guosheng had already come forth to greet him.

The atmosphere chilled instantly.

Ye Feng quietly observed Qi Guosheng, who was still not looking up, and after a long while, he finally spoke:

"Take him away!"

No sooner had he spoken than Sima Zhantian charged forward.

"Who dares?"

Before Qi Guosheng could utter a word, the two commanders behind him had already stood up and drawn their swords.

"Kill!"

Another figure rushed forward, sword gleaming whiter than snow.

"Northern King, what is the meaning of this?"

As he watched the two commanders instantly fall to the ground, Qi Guosheng's eyes reddened.

"No need to pretend any longer, where is Qi Guosheng?"

Approaching Qi Guosheng, Ye Feng swiftly tore off the mask from his face.

Liang Zhi!

"Ye Feng, how did you discover it?"

Seeing his hidden weapon also taken by Ye Feng, a frustrated Liang Zhi asked.

"Answer my questions."

Ye Feng's voice was exceptionally cold.

"Dead."

Liang Zhi forced a bitter smile and uttered two words.

Indeed!

Ye Feng inwardly sighed, his face instantly filled with murderous intent as he angrily declared:

"You dared to harm my man, who gave you the audacity? Speak, who instructed you to do this?"

The snow on the ground at that moment turned into myriad tiny blades, flying toward Liang Zhi's feet.

"If I don't speak, only I die; if I do, my whole family will die."

"I know I'm beyond redemption, but Ye Feng, considering my past contributions to the Northern Border, please spare my family from hardship."

A muffled voice came out from Liang Zhi.