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

Qinggang City was just the beginning.

At the same time, similar bloody dramas were unfolding in hundreds of cities across the thirteen prefectures of the Great Liang Dynasty, almost simultaneously.

"The Emperor has decreed!"

If any illegitimate son of a noble family within the territory of Daliang is found to have committed treason, deceived the emperor, or disrupted the court, the family is granted the special right to execute him first and report later!

Those convicted will be pardoned and appointed to succeed their rightful place in the inner circle.

"The direct descendants of the Li family have deceived the emperor and deserve to die!"

"The main branch of the Lu family has wreaked havoc on the court; their entire clan must be exterminated!"

The imperial edict was like a key, unleashing a bloody storm.

The illegitimate son, whose anger had been suppressed for a century, was finally ignited on this night.

The direct descendants of powerful families in countless cities were still reveling in their mansions, celebrating their future plans to divide the world and rule it.

The next moment, they were dragged out of the banquet hall, which was filled with singing and dancing, by the illegitimate sons whom they had once regarded as pigs and dogs.

Swords clashed, blood flowed like rivers.

Within a single day, twelve of the thirteen major cities within the territory of Daliang were captured by the illegitimate sons.

The direct bloodline was almost completely wiped out.

In the remaining city, the direct descendants, who had narrowly escaped disaster, were only able to wage a fierce street battle against the crazed illegitimate sons, relying on the limited military power they had just acquired.

However, none of that matters anymore.

Because whether it's the illegitimate son who has already won, or the two sides still fighting fiercely.

They all met the same fate.

As the battle cries in the cities gradually subsided, and as the illegitimate sons believed they were about to replace the legitimate line and become the new rulers...

One after another, armies clad in heavy black armor, silent as iron, would march in from outside the city.

They raised high black banners embroidered with "Daliang Zhennan Army," and under the banner of the emperor's suppression of the rebellion, they swiftly seized all military power and took over the city's defenses.

Any resistance will be met with death.

These illegitimate sons, who had just tasted the power of authority, couldn't muster even the slightest strength to resist when faced with this battle-hardened army that had truly fought its way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

The mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind.

Overnight, powerful families plummeted from the pinnacle of power into an abyss of no return.

……

Imperial City.

Dragon Abyss Palace.

In stark contrast to the bloodshed and chaos in the surrounding areas, this place is brightly lit and warm as spring.

The hall was covered with a luxurious red carpet, and colorful palace lanterns hung from the golden beams and pillars, while the melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments filled the air.

Palace maids carried jade platters filled with fine wine and delicacies, moving among the guests.

Li Chengzhi and Li Qiang, as representatives of the main branch of the Li family, stood at the entrance of the hall with radiant faces.

"Master Li's skills are truly remarkable; we admire him!"

"Yes, if it weren't for the Li family's strong advice, our aristocratic families wouldn't have the glory we have today."

"Hahaha....."

The representatives who arrived one after another all had fawning smiles on their faces.

Li Chengzhi was overjoyed to hear this, frequently raising his glass and echoing the others, displaying the demeanor of a leader of a prominent family.

"Haha, you flatter me. My Li family is merely following the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

"Not at all, not at all. Our noble families have now reached the summit. How could Shuntian possibly resolve this?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Li Chengzhi was smug and enjoying the moment when everyone was watching.

It's no wonder he's arrogant; he's at the pinnacle of his aristocratic family, a caged bird.

If one were to take the previous step without a bloodline to claim the throne, they would be attacked by all sides.

Therefore, completing this task can be considered as completing the ultimate mission.

Just then, the light at the entrance of the palace dimmed for a moment.

The Lu family's entourage has arrived.

The leader of the Lu family elders, Lu Mingyuan, had a face so gloomy it could drip water.

The cacophony of compliments near the palace gates instantly subsided.

Li Chengzhi and Li Qiang exchanged a glance, their smiles fading slightly.

Li Chengzhi stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"The presence of the Lu clan leader is an honor to the Li family."

Lu Mingyuan snorted coldly, showing no politeness whatsoever.

"The Li family is truly audacious. This morning they advised His Majesty to establish a system of governance based on designated areas, and tonight they're holding a grand banquet in the Longyuan Palace. They show absolutely no regard for His Majesty's feelings."

As soon as he said this, the surroundings fell silent.

All eyes were on Li Chengzhi.

Li Chengzhi chuckled, completely unconcerned.

"His Majesty is still young, so it's normal for him to have some emotional outbursts."

He paused, looked around, and suddenly raised his voice.

"But what's the use of having so many emotions? Ultimately, this world needs talented people to govern it."

"And my Li family, daring to hold this banquet, has the guts to shoulder this responsibility! The future of Daliang will surely be even more prosperous under the rule of my Li family!"

These words were tantamount to announcing to everyone that the Li family would be the sole ruler.

Lu Mingyuan's face turned even uglier, but he was powerless to refute it.

The Lu family was not powerful enough, so he could only flick his sleeves and prepare to lead his men into the hall.

"The Li family has quite the audacity to claim they have the talent to govern the world!"

A hearty laugh came from outside the hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Zhang Wenyuan, accompanied by the heads of several families with whom he had formed marriage alliances, was walking slowly towards them.

He wore a playful smile, his steps unhurried yet exuding an air of defiance.

Everyone perked up and looked on. Although the Zhang family was a rising star, they had made quite a splash in the recent civil war.

When Li Chengzhi saw the person who had arrived, his face immediately fell.

"I don't think my Li family invited any Tom, Dick, or Harry's family, right?"

Zhang Wenyuan laughed instead of getting angry.

"Longyuan Palace is a royal residence. When did the Li family become qualified to decide who can and cannot come?"

"you!"

Li Chengzhi's anger surged, and he was about to explode.

"Alright, alright."

Li Qiang reached out to stop him, smiling as he smoothed things over.

"We're all family, why ruin the harmony?"

"Since Patriarch Zhang is here, let's all take our seats. The more people there are, the more lively it will be, and it will better demonstrate the unity of our noble families."

Li Chengzhi looked at Li Qiang with a puzzled expression.

Li Qiang simply shook his head at him.

Seeing that the Li family had yielded, Lu Mingyuan and Zhang Wenyuan both showed a hint of smugness on their faces, and each led their people to find seats.

After the guests were seated, Li Qiang whispered an explanation to Li Chengzhi.

"Brother, why bother arguing with them?"

"It would be better if everyone came, so that we could better demonstrate our strength and let those smaller families know who the real master of this banquet is, and who the master of this world is."

Wouldn't it be easier to win over smaller families then?

Li Chengzhi was taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on, and the anger on his face turned into a cold smile.

"Qiang'er, you're so thoughtful."

He picked up his wine glass again and walked confidently towards the center of the hall.

"Today is a joyous day for our noble family! Come, let us drink to this!"

Inside the hall, everyone raised their glasses, and for a moment, the atmosphere was lively and filled with the clinking of cups.

After everyone finished their drinks, the atmosphere became more lively.

Seeing that the situation was about right, Li Chengzhi also decided to start making plans.

The music gradually subsided, and the banquet reached a minor climax.

Everyone understood that it was time for the Li family to reveal their ambitions.

Li Chengzhi, holding a wine cup, walked to the center of the hall, drawing everyone's attention.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

The hall quickly fell silent.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our noble families."

Li Chengzhi raised his wine glass, looked around at everyone, and couldn't hide his smugness.

"Your Majesty is young and the affairs of state are heavy. It is our noble families' duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."

"From this day forward, the five prefectures and fifty-seven cities of the Great Liang will be governed by a system of demarcated territories. However, the current geographical distribution is too scattered. I suggest... a reorganization of the territories!"

Everyone's breath caught in their throats.

"Among them, the most prosperous Yunzhou, Jinzhou, and Zhongzhou will be governed by my Li family," Li Chengzhi said slowly, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall gasped and whispered among themselves.

"The most prosperous land in the three continents—isn't the Li family far too greedy!"

"Sigh, the internal strife in the past didn't drain them enough. The Li family's strength now far surpasses that of the other two families, except for the Gan family."

"The Gan family has become the little emperor's dog. They didn't express their opinion last time, so they probably won't divide up the territory. They will most likely shrink back to the few cities around the capital."

"That day, I completely changed my personality."

Lu Mingyuan's face turned ashen, and his fingers gripping the wine glass turned white from the force.

Zhang Wenyuan curled his lip in displeasure, clearly not intending to let the matter rest.

"As for the remaining Qingzhou and Hezhou, they shall be allocated among those present according to their respective strengths."

Li Chengzhi's voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Of course, if any family is willing to submit to my Li family, there is no need to fight for those two states. My Li family will arrange a rich territory for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the representatives of the prince's smaller families immediately stirred.

Compared to fighting to the death with other families to seize the remaining two barren states, directly siding with the powerful Li family is undoubtedly the best choice.

"My Dao family is willing to follow in the footsteps of the Li family!"

"My Hu family is willing to serve the Li family like dogs and horses!"

For a time, voices expressing loyalty rose and fell.

Lu Mingyuan and Zhang Wenyuan's expressions grew increasingly grim, yet they were helpless.

The Li family's strength is undeniable; even if they join forces, they would find it difficult to contend with them.

Looking at the scene of being surrounded by admirers, Li Chengzhi was filled with pride, as if he could already see the future of the Li family ruling the world.

He opened his arms, as if preparing to say something more.

Just then.

boom!

The heavy doors of Longyuan Palace were violently smashed open from the outside.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Yu led his men and slowly stepped into the hall.

"It's so lively!"