Dispatching Troops, Brothers Meet Without Recognizing Each Other

"Reputation? What is that? If I want it, I can have it instantly."

In Eastmont, House Lewis's chaos and the scholars' rumors have indeed harmed Ninth Royal Uncle's reputation, but Nolan doesn't care at all.

"Uh..." Serena paused, nearly biting Nolan's finger. She awkwardly stuck out her tongue.

She forgot that news travels slowly in this world, and imperial power is absolute. Just House Lewis's rumors alone can't easily ruin Ninth Royal Uncle's reputation.

Nolan smiled, his lips pressed together, and gently traced Serena's lips with his finger, having no intention to continue speaking.

Serena, annoyed, opened her mouth wide; Nolan didn't pull away, letting Serena bite his finger. The sensation against his fingertip made Nolan want to stay still.

Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop. The temperature in the room slowly began to rise...

Ahem... After a long moment, Serena finally came to her senses, turning her face away, unable to meet Nolan's gaze. His eyes were too intense, making it hard to breathe.

"Heh..." Nolan didn't make things difficult for Serena, just laughed, stood up, and bent down to whisper in her ear: "Serena, I'm a man of my word. Our three-month promise is almost here."

His voice was soft, like a feather brushing her heart, making her tremble uncontrollably. When Serena looked up and saw the undisguised desire in Nolan's eyes, she immediately sobered and instinctively leaned away.

She couldn't help but feel she was in danger—a man starved for too long could be scary.

"Nolan..." Serena was about to plead, but Nolan pretended not to hear and turned away, leaving her alone. She angrily punched the bed: "Bad man! Just when things were finally getting better, he starts thinking about things he shouldn't. Too much!"

Things in Eastmont really were moving forward. House Lewis was all in prison, and unless Nolan spoke up, they wouldn't be getting out. As a prince, he might not take their lives, but he could certainly keep them locked up.

You have to remember, never underestimate the power of the royal family!

But this has both benefits and drawbacks. For every day House Lewis is imprisoned, their shops stay closed, and the people of Eastmont can't buy what they need to live.

As a result, people couldn't live at all. It didn't take long for Eastmont to fall into chaos, especially with agitators stirring things up. After two days, the province was in turmoil. Other shops sold grain, but at prices no one could afford. The people were helpless, and seeing the chaos, the Governor-General appeared anxious but was secretly delighted.

Ninth Royal Uncle, there's no more rice in the city. Many people are gathering and causing trouble. If this continues, people will starve to death!

Mm.

Ninth Royal Uncle, I beg you, please show mercy. If this goes on, the people will riot, and things will get out of hand." The Governor-General looked ready to cry, but Nolan remained unmoved, sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, lost in thought.

Inside the Lu family's small cabin, the man listened to the situation outside and revealed a bloodthirsty smile: "Ninth Brother, oh Ninth Brother, I really want to know how long you can hold out. If you really force the people to rebel, all your previous efforts will be wasted."

"Master, the men are assembled and ready to move at your command," said the gray-clad man, speaking carefully.

"Do it now. I don't want to see Ninth Royal Uncle in Eastmont tomorrow."

"Understood."

The gray-clad man turned and left. Soon, a crowd of commoners gathered outside Blossom Garden. Unlike the scholars' earlier protests, this time it was a mob armed with shovels and iron rods.

The crowd gathered outside Blossom Garden, hurling stones inside and shouting nonstop for Ninth Royal Uncle to release the Lewis clan and reopen the shops—they needed grain, they needed food...

"Ninth Royal Uncle, something terrible has happened—there's a riot outside!" The Governor-General rushed back, breathless. "Ninth Royal Uncle, the mob smashed the shops along the street. When they found nothing, they gathered outside Blossom Garden, demanding you release the Lewis clan."

"Is that so? Let's go see." Ninth Royal Uncle rose and headed outside, utterly composed.

"You can't go, Ninth Royal Uncle! The mob is out of control. If you go out there and something happens to you, what will we do?"

"I trust the Governor-General will ensure my safety." Ninth Royal Uncle stepped back in disgust. His Eight Commanders immediately moved to block the Governor-General, who, though secretly pleased, still loudly protested: "Ninth Royal Uncle, you can't go out there!"

"Silence him."

Without sparing the Governor-General a glance, Ninth Royal Uncle walked out under the protection of his personal guards. At the door, he heard the shouts from outside, but his expression didn't change. He signaled his men to open the gate.

The personal guards rushed out with shields, the sound of stones clattering against them. As soon as Blossom Garden's gate opened, the mob surged forward.

'Back! Back! Everyone move back!' The guards didn't strike anyone, only blocked the mob. But the rioters kept pushing forward—until a sudden explosion erupted to their left, flames flashed, and the wall collapsed in smoke.

"Ah..." Someone screamed, and the mob froze, afraid to make a sound or move, all staring in terror at the explosion, fearing it might happen to them next.

The guards quickly stepped forward, using their shields to separate the crowd and ensure Ninth Royal Uncle's safety.

Ninth Royal Uncle stood on the steps of Blossom Garden, looking at the agitated crowd and coldly asked, 'Do you want to kill me?'

'We wouldn't dare, Your Highness, we wouldn't dare. Prince, we just want food...' Those with some reason left immediately knelt, but the truly desperate, red-eyed mob raised their iron rods and shouted, 'You dog prince! You feast and celebrate, but you starve us! We're here to kill you. A prince like you deserves death!'

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Ninth Royal Uncle shot a cold glance at the man cursing him, but didn't care at all. Yet his words stirred up even more agitation in the crowd, and a cold glint flashed in Nolan's eyes.

Ninth Royal Uncle's cold glare swept over the crowd, and the tension only grew.

An armored personal guard rushed over at that moment, dropping to one knee before Ninth Royal Uncle. "Prince, Young Master Su's merchant ships have arrived."

"Good." Ninth Royal Uncle's eyes flashed with sharp light.

Vincent Su, your timing is perfect. From now on, there will be no more Lewis shops in Eastmont...

Ninth Royal Uncle waved the guard away and loudly asked the mob, 'Are you here to force me to release the Lewis clan, or do you just want to buy grain?'

Buy grain! We want to buy grain!" the mob shouted. The few voices asking for the Lewis clan's release were quickly drowned out.

Very well... If you want grain, go to the port now. There's no grain in the city, but five large ships have just arrived at the harbor. Everything you need can be bought there." Nolan's voice was calm but persuasive, inspiring trust.

Prince, is it true? We won't starve?" someone asked cautiously from the crowd.

They caused trouble because someone spread the rumor that Ninth Royal Uncle would destroy the Lewis clan and starve them all.

Of course not. I guarantee that nothing will change for you. Even if the Lewis shops close, you can still buy everything you need—and at cheaper prices. If you don't believe me, go see for yourselves. I'll wait here for you.

Ships! Ships! So many ships at the port! So many people! Quick, grab the rice bags—the rice is so white!

We believe you! We believe you! Let's go see for ourselves!" the mob shouted, rushing away.

The mob poured out like a flood. Those agitators hidden among them tried to escape, but Ninth Royal Uncle's personal guards watched them closely and didn't let them leave.

The guards charged into the crowd, seizing the agitators. Those who tried to shout that Nolan's men were killing people found their jaws dislocated as soon as they opened their mouths. As for the rest of the troublemakers, Nolan did not pursue them.

A crowd of manipulated fools—there was no need to hold it against them.

The plot against Ninth Royal Uncle was easily broken by the arrival of five large ships. With their supplies, even if the Lewis clan were imprisoned for a year, Shandong would remain stable. In peaceful times, commoners would never risk death for rebellion.

The Governor-General of Shandong was so angry his teeth ached, but he didn't dare show it in front of Ninth Royal Uncle. He could only force a smile uglier than crying.

Ninth Royal Uncle ignored him and ordered the guards to keep watch and not let him leave Blossom Garden. The Governor-General realized something was wrong and tried to escape, but it was too late...

Once inside Blossom Garden, he had no choice but to obey.

During the day, Ninth Royal Uncle used the supplies Vincent Su brought to quell the Shandong riot. He then began planning his next move—he had lost all patience with the situation dragging on.

That evening, the three thousand city guards 'borrowed' from the Governor-General returned to the city. But these were not the old, weak, or sick—they were Nolan's elite troops, with a thousand Black Riders mixed in.