When Li Zicheng’s army reached the walls of the Capital City, the letter he wrote to Emperor Chongzhen was hardly that of a rebel leader. It sounded more like a subject, even implying he would withdraw his troops if paid enough silver.

He had even sent envoys to negotiate with Emperor Chongzhen, proposing conditions like ceding the Northwest to him, granting him the title of King, and a reward of a million in silver for his army.

This wasn’t because Li Zicheng lacked ambition. On the contrary, his army swelled with every battle. With more soldiers to support, his supplies and funds ran perilously low. The Chuang King was brought down to earth by harsh realities, spending sleepless nights terrified that his soldiers would mutiny and kill him if he couldn’t provide pay and food. His final letter to Chongzhen was practically a confession; he stated that for enough silver, he would settle for being the Northwest King.

His rebellion had started with unstoppable momentum, but when faced with the logistical nightmare of feeding his army, even the Chuang King’s charge faltered. Had the Court simply paid him, they might have bought their way out of disaster.

But Emperor Chongzhen had no silver either.

The silver was all in the hands of the ministers and scholar-officials, the vested interest group of the era. They were so tight-fisted they would rather see the city fall than part with a single coin.

In the end, the city did fall, and those ministers gained nothing from their avarice.

’I’m getting sidetracked,’ Fang Zhen thought, pulling his focus back to the present.

Mansa was a reasonable man. He knew you couldn’t support an army without money and had no desire to see the Tarrenno Territory descend into chaos. After weighing his options, he decided to hand control of the legion over to Fang Zhen.

With this decision made, the Tarrenno Legion and the Nottingham Garrison, who had been on the brink of war, were spared a bloody conflict.

Once the decision was made, the tense, hostile atmosphere between the two armies eased, and the soldiers on both sides breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Even soldiers aren’t always eager for war.

Fang Zhen’s Knights—Agatha, Matthew, and the others—rode over to join him.

"My lord, what should we do with Duke Tarrenno’s body?" Finn asked. Matthew, Mansa, and the others all turned to look.

Fang Zhen glanced at the body of Tarrenno on the ground and let out a soft sigh.

"Remove his armor, and then give him a proper burial."

"He was my opponent in a life-and-death duel, but he was still a Duke. He was also a powerful Knight and Mage. He deserves to be treated with basic respect in death."

"Prepare his body, find a suitable coffin, and once the situation stabilizes, we will bury him with the honors befitting a Duke."

"Yes, my lord," Finn replied, accepting the order.

Mansa, who had been quietly observing how Fang Zhen handled himself, gave a slight nod.

’It seems this Lord Fang Zhen Augustus is no tyrant. On the contrary, he appears quite magnanimous.’

Duke Tarrenno’s armor was removed from his body. The finest coffin in Nottingham City was procured, and he was temporarily laid to rest.

As for Duke Tarrenno’s Black Dragon Armor, his Extraordinary War Axe, and the several Extraordinary Items on his person—all now Fang Zhen’s spoils of war—they were presented to him by his subordinates.

Fang Zhen was quite impressed by the Black Dragon Armor. Its most remarkable quality was its magic resistance, on top of its physical defense.

The armor was too large for his frame, so he couldn’t wear it yet. However, Fang Zhen planned to take it to the Curse Seal World and have the master craftsmen of the Whig Society resize it for him to use as a spare set.

Fang Zhen accepted the Extraordinary War Axe as well.

His strength was increasing, but his weapon was still the same Longquan Long Spear as before. It was gradually failing to keep up with his progress.

It was adequate for everyday situations, but in difficult battles, the Longquan Long Spear was already starting to buckle under the strain of Fang Zhen’s Extraordinary Power.

He had no intention of learning to wield a war axe. Instead, he planned to send it to the Whig Society in the Curse Seal World to see if they could smelt it down and use the materials to forge a new Extraordinary Long Spear.

This highlighted the importance of a support organization. Used effectively, the Whig Society could significantly enhance Fang Zhen’s power.

Fang Zhen also took the remaining three Extraordinary Items that had belonged to Tarrenno.

Since the effects of Extraordinary Items for the same equipment slot did not stack, he decided he would figure out later whether to sell them, add them to his collection, or refine them into Prime Essence.

These tasks took some time, but they were all dealt with swiftly.

「Night fell.」

Inside Nottingham City, within what was formerly Henry’s mansion.

Led by Fang Zhen, a group of seven people—the seven most powerful and influential individuals in Nottingham City—gathered for a discussion.

"My lord, I believe it won’t be long before Duke Balenzuo declares war on us!"

A clear, bright voice spoke up.