Three days went by in a blink.

At the Sky River landing, Ning Chen and the rest began boarding.

Because this journey was for peace talks and no one yet knew how the talks would end, there was none of the ceremony there had been when the army marched out.

This time Ning Chen brought Pan Yucheng, Feng Qizheng and Chen Chong... and Diaochan, of course.

Li Hongzhuo and Shen Min had both brought guards of their own.

Five days later they reached Lingzhou.

Without stopping, they made straight for Mangzhou.

From Lingzhou to Mangzhou took roughly another five days.

Once he reached Mangzhou, Ning Chen met with the Mangzhou officials.

The Mangzhou officials counted as Ning Chen's own men.

If Ning Chen had not taken Mangzhou, not one of them would ever have sat in the seat he now held.

And on top of that, Ning Chen was a marquis now.

At the banquet, one after another pledged his loyalty.

Ning Chen did not stand on his rank either. He treated men of ability with courtesy and drew the ties closer.

After the banquet broke up, Ning Chen went alone under cover of darkness to the Mei residence.

The place had been renamed the Chai residence by now.

Chai Dazhuang had come to Mangzhou once the fifteenth of the first month was past.

Ning Chen stepped up and struck the door ring.

The door opened.

The man who opened it was a powerfully built fellow of middle years. At the sight of Ning Chen he was thoroughly startled. "Young Master Ning?"

The man was one of Gu Yichun's people.

After the fifteenth, Ning Chen had sent them to escort Chai Dazhuang to Mangzhou.

Ning Chen gave a nod and smiled. "Are you settling in all right in Mangzhou?"

The man said quickly, "My thanks to the marquis for his concern... It's very good here."

Ning Chen smiled and stepped inside.

When Chai Dazhuang heard Ning Chen had come, he hurried out to receive him.

They came to the main hall, and Ning Chen sat down.

Chai Dazhuang hurriedly served…