Cheng Mo officially took over the marshal's tiger tally

Riding ahead, Huo Changlin, accompanied by several guards, bypassed the ranks and hurried to the north-south galloping road outside Zebei Town, where he joined the cavalry unit arriving from the two newly built stone bridges through the sugarcane fields and sugar mills, waiting for the rest of the army to arrive before marching together to the camp.

"Second Young Master, Miss's family's travelers lodge is quite remarkable. Back in the north, I often heard exaggerated tales, which I never quite believed. But after reading those urban gazettes outside the capital, I had quite the vivid imagination. However, seeing it firsthand, I realized those rumors were not exaggerated in the slightest. The precious sugar frosting piled up like mountains, and the snow-white salt crystals were packed in sacks like ice pellets." Cavalry Captain Huo Mingcheng rode alongside Huo Changlin, expressing his inner feelings.

Ming Cheng came from the family guard, with ancestors who were beggars surnamed Huo. They served loyally and bravely under the Huo family for generations, and were eventually bestowed the Huo surname. He even claimed to have married a distant niece from the old lady's family, so he had a close relationship with both the Huo siblings and their family.

"These Same City Traveler Inns doesn't belong to Miss's family; it belongs to Marshal Mo. At most, Miss Bei has a share in it. Miss's family probably manages a few estates, but believe me, from what I've seen so far, the journey ahead will be quite astonishing." Huo Changlin's concern for his sister, who had married far away from home, had diminished slightly.

"Second Young Master, do you think they have those gas lamps that don't need oil in the palace? I heard most of the goods in the North-South Market are self-produced, and the people doing inventory are familiar faces from the Qiao family. Could it be that Qiao Ziqiu's business venture from a few years ago was truly successful?"

"Mingcheng, what's gotten into you? What are you thinking?"

"I don't have any ulterior motives! Remember the engagement Miss promised to Qiao Ziqiu back then? If it really is his business, it's worth celebrating for Miss, isn't it?"

"I know you care about Miss. Let's not bring up the engagement matter again. Miss married into the Tong family, and decisions regarding engagements cannot be made by her alone. However, Mingcheng, after this battle, your unit will stay here. There might be some negative sentiments among the troops, so you need to handle it. Also, feel free to share any personal thoughts or concerns with me, and I'll do my best to address them." Huo Changlin treated Huo Mingcheng like a brother, speaking openly and sincerely.

"Changlin, you're worrying too much. Wherever we serve in the army, it's all the same. The South is prosperous, and life here is no worse than in the North. But with the sudden change of command and leaving the Huo family army, the soldiers might feel a bit down. But don't worry about me. With my Miss and my Little Miss here, I'm staying to protect them." Mingcheng held high prestige within the Huo family army. The decision to keep him showed the Huo family's care for their distant relative.

"Alright, with your assurance, I can rest easy. Later, I'll introduce you to Marshal Mo. Remember, he might not only be your commanding officer and the Prince, but also your half-master." Huo Changlin smirked, revealing a playful expression as if anticipating some drama.

"What do you mean, Changlin? Be clear about it," Mingcheng sensed some gossip in Changlin's words.

"Just keep it in mind and keep an eye out. Remember, the person you should always protect is your l in Little Miss."

"I understand, Changlin. Don't worry, the Huo family has plenty of capable people."

As they conversed, the vanguard had arrived. The cavalry unit joined the formation and formally marched towards their defense line in South Frontline.

Since early morning, Cheng Mo had been prepared, suppressing his inner excitement and anticipation as he awaited the arrival of the army. Scouts from the Wind Division had already reported that this army was mainly composed of the Huo family army returning from the northern border to the capital, with the supply troops mostly regular troops transferred from the inner region, as well as the Qiao family navy. Cheng Mo had long been estranged from his father, and he dared not believe in familial affection within the royal family. However, being entrusted with these twenty thousand troops could indeed be considered sincere. Last time during his coming-of-age ceremony in Royal home, his father had handed him half of the emblem of the Barbarian King, saying that one day he would personally grant him the authority of the Monarch's Command. At that time, Cheng Mo didn't believe it. He never expected his father to send such an iron-blooded army this time. However, Cheng Mo didn't know if these battle-hardened veterans would accept him as their young commander.

Nevertheless, he stood bravely and firmly on the platform of the training ground. Beneath the fluttering flags, he calmly observed the troops entering the camp until he solemnly received the tiger tally, which represents military authority and the highest military command, from Huo Changlin. Cheng Mo then stepped forward onto the platform and, with the majestic inner strength beyond his years, delivered his first formal speech as the commander of this royal army: "Welcome to the arrival of our great army. I thank you all for coming and for standing shoulder to shoulder with me in battle, defending our realm together! From now on, you are the Southern Frontier Monarch's Army of the Yunmeng Dynasty."

Cheng Mo paused briefly, looking down at the mostly indifferent or disdainful expressions of those below who were now referred to as the Monarch's Army. He abandoned the speech Cheng Shan had prepared for him after days of effort and decided to speak only a few sentences, words he had thought over countless times in his heart. These were his promises to Xiangbei, to the Cheng family guards, to the people of Dongbin, and now, they were also his promises to the soldiers under his command.