If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

"Li Chengzhi! Lu Tianxing! You've gone too far!!"

Xia Meng, the head of the Xia family, pointed at the two men and began to curse them.

His roar was like igniting a powder keg.

"That's right! Sending a bell and a coffin out in the street—is that something a human being would do?!"

"Do you really think we're made of clay?"

Several family heads standing behind Zhang Wenyuan also angrily rebuked him, their faces flushed red, and they rolled up their sleeves, ready to fight.

The atmosphere in front of the Zhang residence instantly became tense.

Both guards had their hands on the hilts of their swords, waiting for their masters' orders to splatter blood on the spot.

The onlookers were so frightened that they retreated repeatedly, clearing a large area, but they were reluctant to leave and craned their necks to watch the show.

Li Chengzhi ignored the angry shouts around him; he only stared at Zhang Wenyuan.

"Zhang Wenyuan, you don't actually think that just because you spent money to buy that batch of armor, you can compete with the Li family, do you?"

He sneered and pointed at the huge bronze bell.

"You probably don't know this, but without sufficient resources, that batch of armor will only be a death knell for your Zhang family."

"This bell is to remind you in case you don't know when your life will end."

Lu Tianxing, standing beside him, stroked his beard and slowly replied, his voice sinister.

"Master Zhang, this coffin is made of the finest nanmu wood. We specially selected it for you. It's the most effective for suppressing vengeful ghosts and evil spirits."

"We're just waiting for the day when Patriarch Zhang... will 'use' it."

Each word was more hurtful than a knife.

Dong Lie and the others behind Zhang Wenyuan were trembling with anger, but they couldn't refute him.

The Li and Lu families have stood for many years and are deeply rooted in the society; they are indeed not easily shaken by these families uniting together.

Zhang Wenyuan's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

However, in that instant, the image of that young man flashed into his mind, and he remembered the promise the emperor had made to him.

A king of a different surname.

This thought acted like a stabilizing force, instantly dispelling all unhappiness.

"Heh... Hahahaha!"

Zhang Wenyuan chuckled softly, then his laughter grew louder and louder, eventually turning into a sarcastic roar.

Laughter echoed through the deathly silent street corner, leaving everyone stunned.

Li Chengzhi and Lu Tianxing's smiles froze on their faces, and they angrily retorted, "What are you laughing at? Do you know you're going to die and are afraid you won't be able to laugh after you die?"

Zhang Wenyuan finished laughing, a smirk playing on his lips, his heart filled with disdain and mockery.

He laughed at Li and Lu, completely unaware that the young emperor harbored murderous intentions towards them.

He and the young emperor were in the shadows, while the Li and Lu families were in the open!

Zhang Wenyuan pointed to the bell, then to the coffin.

"Master Li, Master Lu, what a grand gesture! Truly a grand gesture!"

"However, there's something I'm hesitant to say—you should take these two items back for yourselves!"

"Who will be there to see whom off in their final days is really uncertain!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Everyone looked at Zhang Wenyuan as if he were crazy.

This is a complete breakdown in relations!

"You're asking for death!" Li Chengzhi roared in fury, his face turning ashen.

Lu Tianxing was so angry that his beard stood on end.

Zhang Wenyuan didn't even bother to look at them again, and suddenly waved his hand.

"Since you two are not here for a wedding banquet, then I, Zhang, will not keep you any longer."

"Someone, see the guest out!"

At his command, dozens of Zhang family guards immediately stepped forward, lined up, and pointed their scabbards at the Li and Lu families.

"roll!"

"Get out!"

The guards from the Li and Lu families had never been treated with such humiliation and immediately drew their swords.

"Zhang Wenyuan!" Li Chengzhi glared at him fiercely, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, "You'll regret this! Two months from now, I'll make you kneel before me and beg for mercy!"

"The Zhang family, just wait to be wiped out!" Lu Tianxing also uttered a harsh threat.

After saying that, the two turned and left.

The two groups of people left in a huff, filled with anger, leaving only the glaring bronze bell and the ominous coffin in front of the Zhang residence.

"Master, this..." The steward looked at the two items with a troubled expression.

"Take it to the blacksmith's shop, find a few skilled craftsmen, melt this bell down for me, cast it into copper plates, engrave the death dates of the Li and Lu families on them, and distribute them to the beggars in the city."

Zhang Wenyuan gave the instructions in a calm tone.

He looked at the coffin again.

"As for this, have someone change its name for me and have it carried to the Lu family's main gate! Say it's my return gift!"

"yes!"

The onlookers were stunned, and then a louder discussion erupted.

"My God, Patriarch Zhang is incredibly audacious!"

"They sent the coffin back? This...this is a fight to the death!"

The heads of the families, Dong Lie and Xia Meng, exchanged glances, and each saw shock and... a hint of relief in the other's reaction.

With allies possessing such courage and confidence, they may not have made the wrong choice this time.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's windy outside. Please follow me into the mansion. The banquet will continue!" Zhang Wenyuan turned around and cupped his hands to the guests.

The banquet proceeded as scheduled, with toasts exchanged and songs and dances performed with great enthusiasm.

This time, the Li and Lu families did not cause any trouble, but Zhang Wenyuan knew in his heart that this was just the calm before the storm.

The Li and Lu families will not let this go easily; the real bloodbath has only just begun.

He must prepare for battle as soon as possible.

……

Meanwhile, at the Li family mansion.

"Bang!"

A fine blue-and-white porcelain vase was smashed to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Li Chengzhi's chest heaved violently, clearly indicating that he was extremely angry.

"This is outrageous! This is absolutely outrageous! Who does Zhang Wenyuan think he is, daring to humiliate me like this!"

Li Qiang stood aside, remaining silent.

"Qiang'er, what do you think we should do?"

Upon hearing the question, Li Qiang finally spoke, taking out a map of Daliang and pointing to the towns where forces such as the Zhang family were stationed. He analyzed the troop strength of each town and how conflicts could arise, causing trouble for the Zhang family.