Chapter 46: Undercurrents Surging (Grand Finale)

Inside the Prince Dai's Mansion, charcoal fires burned fiercely.

The vassal princes gathered together.

"The current emperor is utterly muddle-headed!"

Prince Dai slammed his teacup onto the floor, sending porcelain fragments scattering in all directions.

Though he appeared furious, he was secretly sneering inside.

"The battle in Wa was merely a minor victory for our forces. At a time like this, we should be regrouping our troops and waiting in strict readiness. Instead, he ordered Zhao Kuo and Huo Huan to lead the entire army in a direct assault on the enemy's stronghold! Isn't this driving our soldiers straight into a fire pit? It is utterly foolish!"

Hearing the words "utterly foolish" spoken by Prince Dai, and directed at the emperor himself—

he naturally knew that such remarks were highly inappropriate.

Yet, as soon as the words left his mouth, he began watching the reactions of those around him.

Prince Yu stroked his beard and nodded slightly in agreement.

"Indeed. With such a muddle-headed ruler acting in such a chaotic and lawless manner, what reason do we have to fear him? In my opinion, he won't be sitting on that dragon throne for much longer."

The stone in Prince Dai's heart slowly descended, and he let out a slight sigh of relief.

"Exactly!"

Prince Lu, who had arrived in the capital not long ago, also chimed in loudly.

His words were even more audacious than those of Prince Dai.

So much so that quite a few of the vassal princes present could not help breaking out in cold sweats.

"With such a muddle-headed emperor carrying on like this, wouldn't the Great Zhou fall into ruin sooner rather than later?

Besides, as you all have said, he has been plotting, both openly and covertly, to strip us vassal princes of our military power.

This is simply casting away the good bow once the birds are all hunted!

In my view, we all hold troops in our hands. If we unite as one, what great undertaking cannot be accomplished?"

With someone taking the lead, the courage of the other vassal princes grew as well, and they began uttering nothing but disloyal words.

Everyone spoke over one another, their remarks filled with contempt and disdain for the emperor.

It was as if that supreme imperial throne was already within their grasp.

In their eyes, Li Chen was merely a monarch addicted to wine and women, utterly incompetent and completely unworthy of possessing the realm.

Suddenly, Prince Dai spoke slowly, breaking the clamor in the hall.

"Since everyone is dissatisfied with the emperor and shares the desire to enthrone a new ruler, I wonder if you gentlemen have any thoughts on which new emperor we should support?"

The crowd looked at one another in silence.

In the end, all eyes turned to focus upon Prince Dai...

***

Three days later, within the military camp, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.

Zhao Kuo and Huo Huan stood side by side in heavy armor, clutching the golden imperial edict tightly, their expressions as stern as iron.

"Within seven days, launch an active assault on the Wa stronghold and annihilate the enemy forces... How—how can this possibly be done?"

Zhao Kuo's brow was locked in a deep frown, his eyes filled with worry and confusion.

"The Wa are inherently cunning and deceitful. After this battle, the defenses of their stronghold will undoubtedly be even more heavily guarded. With our current losses in manpower and our morale not yet fully recovered, this is simply an impossible mission!"

Huo Huan remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly.

"That may be true, but since His Majesty has issued this decree, he must have his own considerations. As subjects of the Great Zhou who eat the ruler's stipend and carry out the ruler's duties, our only choice is to give it our all, so as not to fail His Majesty's trust and heavy commission."

Zhao Kuo nodded slightly. After pondering for a moment, his gaze gradually grew resolute.

"You are right. No matter what, we must fight to the death. The emperor is not muddle-headed; by making us do this, he must have profound intentions. Perhaps, within this seemingly desperate situation, a glimmer of survival is concealed."

***

Several days later.

Deep within the imperial palace, Li Chen was entangled in intimacy with Wan'er on the couch.

Red candles flickered, and the warm bed-curtains were filled with fragrance. After a bout of passion, Li Chen leaned lazily against the head of the bed, a satisfied smile blooming across his face.

At that very moment, an attendant untimely knocked on the chamber door.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report from the front lines!"

Li Chen, who was about to fly into a rage, suddenly snapped to his senses.

An urgent report?!

The corners of Li Chen's lips curled upward slightly, and a surge of inward triumph swelled within him.

Hahaha, this must be the news of Zhao Kuo and his army's defeat. Splendid! I can complete my incompetent ruler mission once again.

With this thought, he impatiently issued an order for his ministers to assemble in court immediately.

In the Golden Luan Hall, incense smoke curled upward as the ministers stood in orderly ranks.

Li Chen sat high upon the dragon throne.

"Lords, a battle report has just arrived from the front lines. Care to guess the outcome?"

The ministers murmured amongst themselves.

"To march straight into the enemy camp with forty thousand men against one hundred and ten thousand—is there any chance of winning? Ah, it must be the complete annihilation of the entire army."

"In my view, it won't be quite that exaggerated. They certainly couldn't win, but this battle report is likely not good news."

"Indeed. We ought to seriously consider how to respond to other nations next. For the great Zhou to suffer defeat at the hands of a tiny Wa state—once other countries find out, they will surely believe an opportunity has arrived and raise arms against us!"

Though the senior ministers remained silent, their faces were etched with undisguised worry.

"Quick, quick, read it out to the lords. What does the battle report say? Did our army suffer a crushing defeat?"

Unlike the courtiers, Li Chen's face was plastered with excitement and anticipation.

The soldier looked somewhat stunned.

He unfolded the battle report, his voice ringing out loud and clear.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Generals Zhao Kuo and Huo Huan respectfully obeyed the holy decree, leading the army in a heroic assault on the Wa stronghold.

Our soldiers fought with indomitable valor, charging forward like a sharp blade. After several days of bitter combat, with a force of just over forty thousand men, they completely annihilated nearly one hundred and ten thousand Wa troops, achieving an unprecedented and resounding victory!"

These words struck like a heavy bomb, instantly throwing the grand hall into an uproar.

Li Chen's mind went completely blank; he simply could not believe his ears.

They... they actually won?

"What did you say? You mean they won?"

"That is correct, Your Majesty! Not only did they win, but it is a monumental victory, Your Majesty!"

The ministers first stared in wide-eyed astonishment, then fell to their knees one after another, shouting, "Your Majesty is brilliant! Your Majesty is wise! Directing strategy from afar—this is the blessing of our Great Zhou and the great fortune of the realm!"

The smile on Li Chen's face froze instantly, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Zhao Kuo and Huo Huan could pull off such a miracle.

Among the courtiers, Prince Dai's expression was as dark as storm clouds, his hands clenched into tight fists with his nails digging deep into his palms.

Jealousy and resentment surged within his heart like a raging tide.

His strategist, Cai Jing, also furrowed his brows deeply, his expression grave as he pondered to himself.

"It seems this emperor is not as muddle-headed and incompetent as we believed. Could it be that we misjudged him all along?"

Li Chen forcefully suppressed the shock and anger raging within him.

As he listened to the voice gradually echoing in his mind:

[The emperor has acted as a wise ruler, causing the national fortune of the Great Zhou to rise by 2,000 points. 11,550 points now remain.]

[Friendly reminder: Based on the current increase in national fortune, it has been converted into 2 points of misfortune. Current misfortune value: 11.6. Once the misfortune value is full, the emperor will undergo the Nine-Day Heavenly Tribulation!]

Fine, fine, fine!

Is that how you want to play it? Then I'll just turn up the dial all the way, shall I?

He let out a cold snort.

"Recall the entire army immediately, without a moment's delay!"

"Bai Che!"

Bai Che started slightly and stepped forward immediately.

"This subject is here!"

"Hear my decree: immediately begin preparations for the selection of imperial concubines. In five days, I shall enrich the inner court!"

With that, Li Chen stood up abruptly and strode away in anger, leaving behind a hall of bewildered ministers.

"What has gotten into His Majesty? Such a great victory, yet he doesn't look the least bit happy?"

"Leaving aside his lack of joy, why order the entire army to return in immediate triumph right after winning?"

"This precisely demonstrates His Majesty's brilliance! Think about it: though our army achieved a great victory, the losses were heavy, and their location is less than a hundred miles from the Song state. If Song were to dispatch troops right now, wouldn't our forces face total annihilation?"

"Indeed! His Majesty's foresight is profound. But why was His Majesty unhappy?"

"Do you even need to ask? It surely failed to meet His Majesty's expectations, or perhaps he has an even grander strategy that has yet to be fulfilled."

"Ah, I see..."

The crowd exchanged speculations about Li Chen's profound intentions, already viewing him as an eternal, enlightened monarch...

Meanwhile, a fierce gleam flashed in Prince Dai's eyes.

Very well, Li Chen. You hide your depths well, playing the pig to eat the tiger. For so long, you almost managed to fool us all.

No matter. Regardless of whether you are a tiger or not, the incompetent ruler points you accumulated before are already sufficient.

You won't be sitting on that throne for much longer. The day of your concubine selection shall be the day your seat is usurped.

As he thought this, Prince Dai could not help but let out a smug smile.

***

Five days later.

The imperial palace was decked out in colorful banners and lanterns, bustling with extraordinary liveliness.

The concubine selection event officially commenced.

Young maidens from all over the realm, dressed in gorgeous robes and exquisite makeup, stepped into the palace deep as the sea, each harboring her own aspirations and dreams.

Li Chen sat high upon the dragon throne, casting a listless gaze over the women below while pondering how to commit a series of incompetent acts during this event.

Damn it!!

I simply refuse to believe that acting as an incompetent ruler is harder than being an enlightened one!

Since state affairs and military matters failed me, I'll just rot from the head down, indulge in song and dance day and night, and become a lazy emperor who only ever dotes on his concubines.

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind—

Suddenly, an attendant shouted in a shrill voice, announcing loudly:

"An envoy from the Tang state requests an audience!"

Li Chen was slightly startled, secretly guessing to himself:

"What business does the Tang state have sending an envoy at a time like this?"

A moment later, an envoy dressed in lavish attire strode into the hall and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, hearing that the Great Zhou is holding a grand concubine selection ceremony, the Tang state has specially sent a generous gift. Our Great Tang has carefully selected a maiden both talented and beautiful, hoping she may have the honor of serving by Your Majesty's side to help relieve your worries."

Li Chen nodded slightly, suspecting inwardly:

This is undoubtedly a spy sent by the Tang state taking advantage of the selection. Very well, as long as she isn't too hideous, I'll definitely accept her and fulfill the Tang state's wishes.

He immediately signaled for the envoy to bring her forward.

The moment the young woman slowly stepped into the hall, Li Chen's eyes lit up, and he froze in place.

The newcomer was none other than Lady Yueyao—the very woman he had been longing for day and night, lingering in his dreams.

Yueyao was dressed in a moon-white long dress, her figure graceful and swaying like an immortal descending from the heavens. Her skin surpassed snow, her eyes were bright and captivating, and every gesture exuded an otherworldly elegance.

She took light, lotus-like steps forward, arrived before Li Chen, and bowed gracefully, her voice crisp and melodious.

"Yueyao of the Tang state pays respects to Your Majesty."

Excited, Li Chen stood up, hurried down the steps, and personally helped Yueyao to her feet, his eyes brimming with tenderness and doting affection.

"I... I finally get to see you again!"

(To be continued...)