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

The Imperial Study.

The wafting sandalwood incense dispelled some of the chill in the hall.

Qian Batian, the Prince of Zhennan, sat imposingly in a pearwood chair, dressed in plain clothes, with the tea in front of him having been changed once.

He showed no impatience whatsoever; on the contrary, he looked around the room with great interest.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As Wei An gave a drawn-out announcement, Zhao Yu appeared at the door.

"Everyone, step back and wait outside," Zhao Yu instructed Wei An and the others behind him before walking in alone.

Qian Batian stood up, his burly figure casting a shadow. He cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Yu, but let out a loud laugh.

"Haha, Yu'er, are you done with your work? Your uncle has heard that you haven't even been attending the morning court sessions lately, which has worried those civil officials quite a bit."

"Those two old bastards from the Li and Lu families are probably so frustrated they want to bang their heads against the wall. They want to fight, but they can't beat that hothead Zhang Wenyuan. They want to complain, but they can't find a way to do so."

Zhao Yu chuckled and said politely, "Uncle, you flatter me. Please sit down and we can talk."

After taking his seat, he gestured for Qian Batian to sit down as well.

Qian Batian sat down again, his laughter subsided, and he changed the subject.

"Yu'er, your uncle has come to say goodbye."

"Oh?" Zhao Yu asked, feigning curiosity, "Where is Uncle going? Are you heading back south?"

"No, it's because my uncle has an old friend who invited him to go to the Qin state. He also wants to see for himself what the Qin state has become after the reforms."

Zhao Yu's face remained expressionless, but he was secretly amused.

He knew perfectly well what Qian Batian was going to Qin for.

It was all for a precious medicinal herb that appeared at the Qin auction.

Zhao Yu deliberately feigned a troubled expression and said hesitantly, "Uncle, you are the pillar of our Great Liang, so naturally I cannot restrict your whereabouts."

But you are well aware of the current situation. The three great families have amassed so many private armies in the capital, and tensions are high. They need someone like you, commanding a million troops, to stabilize the situation and keep them in check.

Zhao Yu emphasized the words "million-strong army".

Qian Batian narrowed his tiger-like eyes slightly, naturally sensing that Zhao Yu's words had a hidden meaning.

However, the smile on his face quickly returned.

"What's so difficult about that? If Yu'er is worried, Uncle can leave the military tally behind."

"As long as you have the military tally, the Zhennan Army can be mobilized to suppress the rebellion at any time."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu immediately looked embarrassed and waved his hands repeatedly.

"How could I possibly accept this? My uncle's military seal is of utmost importance..."

He verbally declined, but his hand was already outstretched, and he looked at Qian Batian with a smile.

Qian Batian stared at the pale, white hand, his eye twitching involuntarily.

He had sensed something was off about the kid's words and was thinking of testing him with some words, but he didn't expect the kid to be so shameless and actually take the bait.

It seems they had their eyes on his military power, just as he had thought.

Qian Batian was puzzled.

But why did this kid have to come at this crucial juncture to demand military power from him?

This was precisely the time when he needed to go to the Qin state to obtain medicinal herbs, and he would agree no matter what. The timing was simply too coincidental.

The Prince of Zhennan quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

In the end, they decided to compromise.

The reason is simple: this Zhennan Army was built by him, and everyone in it is a trusted confidant of the Qian family.

As soon as Qian Batian shows his face and gives an order, the army can be recalled instantly.

The military tally had long been rendered useless.

Thinking of this, he deliberately sighed heavily, his face showing a hint of the desolation of a hero in his twilight years.

"Alas, your uncle is getting old. The Zhennan Army is, after all, the army of the Great Liang. If His Majesty needs it, then take it."

He took out a heavy tiger military tally from his pocket and solemnly placed it in Zhao Yu's outstretched palm.

Zhao Yu clenched his fist and swiftly stuffed the still-warm military tally into his robes, the movement swift and without the slightest hesitation.

The moment the military tally was in his pocket, the awkwardness and reluctance on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm concern.

"Uncle, your journey to Qin is long, so please be extremely careful. Or... should I issue a decree to have the Zhennan Army send a detachment of elite soldiers to escort you?"

Qian Batian's eye twitched again.

Send his own men to protect him?

That kid is truly shameless.

"There's no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself. The Qin state is currently undergoing reforms, and the security within its borders is relatively good. It would actually be more convenient for me to travel alone."

Zhao Yu smiled and nodded, no longer insisting.

"Alright then."

He stood up and walked over to Qian Batian himself, speaking in a relaxed tone.

"Then I wish you a safe journey, Uncle, and that you will buy what you want."

These words, spoken so casually, were like a thunderclap to Qian Batian's ears.

Qian Batian's heart skipped a beat.

He suddenly looked up at Zhao Yu.

This kid... does he know my true purpose for coming here?

impossible!

The information about that precious herb was obtained through his trained assassins; the information was kept completely under wraps and there was absolutely no way it could leak out.

But judging from the kid's appearance, he doesn't seem to be talking nonsense.

Suddenly, the Prince of Zhennan remembered the day he had spoken with his steward.

Could it be... that there is a Celestial Realm expert hidden in this palace who is skilled in concealment and cannot even be detected by him, so the news has leaked out!

One thought after another exploded in Qian Batian's mind, causing a fine layer of cold sweat to seep out from his back.

Zhao Yu didn't give him a chance to think further and had already made a "please" gesture.

"It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer, Uncle."

Qian Batian's Adam's apple bobbed as he suppressed his surprise and doubt, and he could only bow and take his leave.

"Your subject takes his leave."

He turned and walked out of the imperial study, his steps still steady, but his brows were tightly furrowed.