Feng Zhen gripped his brush and used the candlelight to illuminate the bamboo slips. He had been working through the night, and he felt like he was about to cross his eyes.
"I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed that my lord was dressed in women's clothes."
Yang Si, who was working overtime and had not had a midnight snack, heard this and said, "Ah, what a terrible nightmare."
Feng Zhen and Yang Si often argued and disliked each other.
There was only one person who could make them put aside their former enmity and form an alliance — their lord.
What happened in the imperial city of Chenzhou was immediately spread to Prince Changshou and the allied army. Both sides had different reactions.
Prince Changshou threw his head back and laughed heartily, his mood unprecedentedly carefree.
Meng Zhan poured a bucket of cold water on him at this moment. "Your Highness, it's too early to be happy."
Prince Changshou was already thinking about the coronation ceremony. He was upset that Meng Zhan had interrupted him, but he couldn't do anything about it.
"Why do you say so?"
Meng Zhan's tone was cold. "If one emperor dies, they can make another one."
Prince Changshou's expression stiffened. He had originally planned to put the Emperor under house arrest and let him write the imperial edict to abdicate.
Now that the Emperor was dead, the Alliance Army and other important officials had the right to support the new Emperor.
Thinking that the throne that he yearned for was going to fall into the hands of an unknown young boy, he was flustered and exasperated.
Meng Zhan said, "There's no need to be angry, Your Highness. There's no way to make the Emperor abdicate his throne to you. Why don't you proclaim yourself as the Emperor?"
After Prince Changshou heard this, his body trembled violently. He felt as if a clap of thunder had exploded beside his ears, causing his mind to become muddled.
"Proclaiming myself as an emperor … Isn't that treason?"
Prince Changshou wanted the "legitimate" throne, but had never thought of proclaiming himself as the emperor.
Meng Zhan sneered in his heart.
What was "orthodox"? What was "treason"? Which of the things that Prince Changshou had done was orthodox?
"Your Highness, there's no time to lose. Make a decision now." Meng Zhan said, "If we're late, we might not have this chance in the future."
Prince Changshou was upset, but deep down, he agreed with Meng Zhan's suggestion.
Proclaim himself Emperor!
On the other side, the allied forces were also dumbfounded by this news.
Did Prince Changshou send a secret elite force to attack the Imperial City of Chenzhou?
Did Yang Jian and Liu Xi's armies arrive in time to save countless important ministers and their families?
The emperor died while he was fleeing?
With the death of the Emperor, the entire nation mourned.
It was not appropriate for the feudal vassals to continue drinking and having fun. They could only reluctantly change into dark clothes as a sign of mourning.
Some people were concerned about the death of the Emperor, while others were concerned about Liu Xi and Yang Jian's forces.
Xu Bei felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
He finally didn't have to continue hiding the news, nor did he have to bear the attacks of the other feudal vassal forces. He could even hold his head high in front of Xu Fei.
From an outsider's point of view, Liu Xi and Yang Jian's actions were all under Xu Bei's orders.
Liu Xi and Yang Jian had made a great contribution this time, and Xu Bei wanted to remember it.
Little did they know that to Xu Bei, this credit had fallen from the sky. It was free.
Other than Xu Bei, Liu She, as Liu Xi's father, was also congratulated by the crowd.
Huang Song secretly said to Liu She, "Congratulations, Governor. I'm afraid no one can compare to Lanting's great contribution in saving the Emperor."
While many feudal vassals were enjoying themselves, Liu Xi had led his troops to the imperial city of Chenzhou. This was an achievement that no one could be envious of.
There was a smile on Liu She's face as he dealt with the nobles who came to congratulate him.
"Lanting is still young and full of vigor. He doesn't deserve such praise. He still needs more experience."
Although he spoke humbly, everyone could see that Liu She was in a good mood.
Another person was also in a good mood. This person was the County Chief of Shanghai, Wuma Shang.
The Emperor had passed away without leaving behind any edicts. What did this mean?
It meant that his opportunity had come.
Now that the world was in chaos, there was an urgent need for a king with prestige and ability to stabilize the world. Looking at the Dongqing royal family, who was more suitable than him?
He knew that the Emperor had other princes and grandsons, but Wuma Shang didn't think much of them.
During critical times, special treatment was needed. The succession of the throne should also be flexible, and only the virtuous should be able to take it!
An Cui followed Wuma Shang, coldly observing his emotional changes. He laughed to himself.
In the current alliance army, the only forces that hoped for Wuma Shang to ascend to the throne were Wuma Shang himself and An Cui.
Every man for himself, and heaven and earth would destroy him. What substantial benefit would supporting Wuma Shang to ascend to the throne bring to the other feudal vassals?
The answer was none.
Therefore, Wuma Shang had celebrated too early.
An Cui did not say this out loud. Instead, he went against his will and complimented Wuma Shang profusely.
Wuma Shang was in a good mood. With a wave of his hand, he borrowed a lot of manpower, horses, and rations from An Cui.
The alliance army passed through Jiamen Pass and marched valiantly towards Chenzhou. They thought that they would encounter Prince Changshou's main force, but unexpectedly, they were unimpeded along the way. They didn't encounter Prince Changshou's army at all.
The scouts investigated for several days and finally confirmed that Prince Changshou had retreated to the border of Chenzhou. They didn't know what he was planning.
"Why did he retreat for no reason?"
Everyone was confused. Only a few people could see clearly.
"A storm is brewing," Feng Jue sighed as he looked at the sky outside the tent. "Prince Changshou is playing hard to get."
Huang Song didn't understand. "Playing hard to get?"
Cheng Jing said, "It's not just playing hard to get. I think he has other plans."
Huang Song looked at Feng Jue, then at Cheng Jing. Both of them had the same expression. Only he was still confused.
He felt like his IQ had been crushed by the two strategists again.
For the alliance army, Prince Changshou's retreat was definitely good news. At least they didn't have to expend troops to fight anymore.
The imperial city of Chenzhou had been through the flames of war. The city gates looked desolate and dilapidated. The residences in the city had been cleaned up, but traces of it could still be seen.
The alliance army didn't move their troops into the city. Instead, they chose to station outside the city to reassure the people.
Because many of the officials and their families had been taken away by Prince Changshou, the court was short of manpower.
Feng Zhen, Yang Si, Yan Lin, and the others took this opportunity to take up positions.
"After entering the city, the chief of Shanghai County, Wuma Shang, has been very active. He's trying to rope in the officials and vassals without any disguise. Idiot! "
Jiang Pengji sat paralyzed on the main seat, sprawled on the table without a care for her image. She looked like she had been hollowed out.
She thought that she should bring a few more strategists with her next trip. At least they would have more manpower.
Liu She drank his sake with a calm expression.
"He's still too eager for quick success. If he planned it step by step, it might be possible."
The more impatient Wuma Shang was, the less likely they would choose him.
How could an ambitious Wuma Shang be any easier to control than a son of the emperor?
As they spoke, light footsteps came from outside. Huijun's gentle voice sounded.
"Langjun, may I come in now?"
"Come in."
Liu She glanced at Huijun. His eyes were calm.
Huijun's appearance was only half the same as before. If she had been beautiful before, she was at most a delicate beauty now.
Even if someone familiar came, they would only think that she looked familiar. They wouldn't suspect that she was the late Demon Empress.
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