"So prosperous…"

Within a ruined manor, fires burned all around and smoke billowed into the air.

​​

Sounds of killing and fighting sounded out, as well as some faint howls of pain.

Ahead, many Blackfur people were diligently bringing out chests, and looking at this scene, Krudo deeply breathed in.

"But of course."

Looking at Krudo, Chen Heng smiled, "Different from the northern rulers, the rulers in the Kutu Royal City are all top-tier families. Otherwise, they would not be able to establish themselves here."

Such families as these naturally did not lack money.

"Now that we've destroyed three families in one go, I trust that the others will become more well-behaved."

Looking ahead, Chen Heng's expression was somewhat cold.

Even though he had come to an agreement with the majority of noble families in the Kutu Royal City, it was impossible to trust all of them to cooperate.

Chen Heng could endure small things, as long as they did not go too far.

However, for those who did go too far, Chen Heng's response was quite simple.

In just one night, three families had been completely annihilated by the army from the northern side, and all of their people in the Kutu Royal City had been captured.

Such massive existences disappeared just overnight.

Their people were all turned into slaves, and their lands and assets were confiscated. Everything they had gathered over many years directly disappeared.

Chen Heng used these three families' outcomes to tell everyone the consequences of opposing him.

Different to what others thought, Chen Heng was actually quite pleased with the rebellious ones.

After all, in order to control people, simply providing them with good conditions was not enough; one also needed enough threats and deterrence.

These three families were what Chen Heng used to show his might.

By killing them, not only could Chen Heng establish his dominance and scare the remaining people, but he could also get rid of variables in the city.

The assets that they took from these families also resolved a portion of Chen Heng's frustrations.

At the very least, they would not have to worry about giving out rewards for the next while.

"How is the management of the army?" Chen Heng came back to his senses and looked at Krudo as he asked.

Krudo nodded, "It has already begun. According to your orders, whether it is the nobles' soldiers or Mader's soldiers, they have all been split up and reorganized into new divisions, and the commanders are all our soldiers."

"Very good." Hearing this, Chen Heng nodded.

Despite the nobles giving their soldiers to Chen Heng, with just an order, they would immediately leave Chen Heng's control.

Just like the northern rulers' armies, Chen Heng did not have complete control over them.

For the northern rulers, it was fine as they were his allies and somewhat reliable. However, he could not let his guard down against these people.

As such, Chen Heng did not hesitate to split up those armies.

He used his army as the foundation and split them up across multiple divisions to keep control of the 7,000 soldiers.

This way, they would be able to preserve their battle strength while increasing control.

"The southern side has sent another messenger."

Nearby, Kelly suddenly spoke, "The rebel army is rampaging in the south, and many rulers are asking the Kutu Royal City for assistance. Should we send reinforcements?"

Chen Heng shook his head, "No, it is not time yet."

He had only just arrived at the Kutu Royal City, and there were still many things that he had not done.

This included training for the army, as well as replenishing on consumables and equipment.

They still needed some time for Chen Heng's army to fully integrate together and become one unit.

Only then would it be time to move out.

"Won't they join in the rebellion if we don't go and help them?" Krudo asked, feeling quite confused.

Before Chen Heng could speak, Kelly laughed and said, "Not everyone has the right to surrender and join the rebel army."

"What do you mean?" Krudo frowned, feeling quite confused.

Kelly looked at Chen Heng, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he continued, "Why does the rebel army want to rebel and fight their way to the Kutu Royal City? Could it be that they just want to overthrow Her Majesty and have no other aims?"

Before Krudo could reply, he continued to speak, "Of course it's not like that. From the start, what they wanted was the same as us: land, asset and slaves. As such, they can't accept anyone and everyone."

Hearing this, Krudo frowned and felt a bit enlightened, but he was still somewhat confused.

Seeing this, Chen Heng inwardly shook his head.

It was actually quite simple.

The southern rulers wanted land and assets.

However, these things did not just come from nowhere.

If they wanted these things, they had to take it from others.

However, those who were stolen from would not just let others take their territory—this was why they were requesting support from the Kutu Royal City instead of directly joining the rebellion.

At the end of the day, if the rebel army allowed those rulers to keep their land and assets, there would be no need for them to fight so desperately against the rebel army.

It was a pity that this was impossible.

Wasn't the whole reason the rebel army was fighting to get land and assets?

If they accepted everyone and obtained nothing, why would they still fight?

This was why the rebel army could not accept everyone.

In the end, this was a zero-sum game where someone had to lose in order for others to gain.

It was because he understood this that Chen Heng was not worried.

Even if he did not do anything, in order not to lose their territories, those rulers would desperately defend against the rebels.

Unless the rebel army promised that they would not take anything, they would be Olivia's staunchest defenders.

Having these people fight each other and consume each other's strength would benefit him the most.

Of course, despite knowing this, there were still some things that he had to do.

Otherwise, if these people fell too quickly, they would not be able to reduce the strength of the rebel army by much.

"Use Her Majesty Olivia's name to tell them to continue to resolutely defend."

Looking at Kelly, Chen Heng spoke calmly, "Then use my name to provide them with food and weapons so that they can last longer.

"Tell them that if they can hold out for another month, I will be able to move out and support them."

Hearing this, Kelly stared for a moment before coming back to his senses.

"How are things for Her Majesty?" Chen Heng suddenly asked while looking at the scene before him.