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

Outside the imperial city.

After finishing his midday exercise, Zhao Yu took a shower and changed into a suit of golden armor.

The armor is carved with lifelike five-clawed golden dragons, which gleam in the sunlight.

He mounted a pure white warhorse, his long hair tied up, looking like a young hero.

They slowly approached the palace and assembled, followed by Meng Baishan and the newly assembled personal guards.

After all, Zhao Yu had taken away the previous personal guards, and the ones that were assembled now were mostly at the Innate Realm.

But Zhao Yu didn't care. After all, with his father-in-law, a half-step Celestial Realm expert, as his bodyguard, anyone who came would die.

"Set off!"

At a command, the large army marched towards the city walls of the capital.

Along the way, the once bustling streets were now deserted.

It wasn't until they approached the city wall that the reason for the sparse population became clear.

Hundreds and thousands of people, men, women, and children, were busily engaged in the activity.

Some were carrying rolling stones and logs, while others were reinforcing the weak points of the city wall; all of them were throwing themselves into the upcoming great battle.

Someone in the crowd shouted something.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Everyone turned around and saw Zhao Yu riding a white horse, shining brightly, and immediately burst into cheers.

"It's the Emperor!"

"The Emperor is here! The Emperor has personally led the expedition!"

"Great! With His Majesty here, we're sure to win!"

"That's right! Those traitors from the Wolf Kingdom will definitely be driven away by the Emperor!"

Instantly, a flame of hope ignited in the eyes of the people.

Ever since they saw that a mountain of rice was found during the raid on his home, everyone's impression of Zhao Yu has skyrocketed.

Zhao Yu reined in the horses and glanced at the crowd.

He said in a deep voice:

"If all the civil officials of the Great Liang were like you, how would the Wolf Kingdom dare to challenge us?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the anger of the people present towards the corrupt official was reignited, and they all knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

"Get up." Zhao Yu dismounted, drew his imperial weapon from his waist, and shouted, "I hereby swear an oath to Heaven today."

"Once this crisis is over, within three years, I will ensure that everyone in the Great Liang has a place to live, enough to eat every day, and clothes to wear!"

boom!

These words ignited the emotions of the people.

Does everyone have a place to live? Can everyone eat their fill at every meal?

These are the good days they never dared to dream of!

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"We are willing to die for Your Majesty!"

The people were greatly encouraged and became even more motivated.

Zhao Yu nodded in satisfaction and turned to walk towards the steps on the city wall.

Meng Baishan followed closely behind, nodding secretly. Compared to Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu now seemed more like a good emperor.

In terms of both compassion for the people and methods, he far surpasses Zhao Yu.

My Meng family must help Zhao Yu successfully reclaim the rightful throne!

As Meng Baishan was pondering this, he reached the halfway point of the city wall and suddenly heard complaints coming from above.

"Sigh, five thousand against thirty thousand, how are we supposed to fight this battle?"

"Yes, and this is only the first army of the Wolf Kingdom. I heard there are two more similar teams following behind..."

"Hopefully it will stop it; I have a wife and kids at home."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like needles piercing Meng Baishan's heart.

Meng Baishan's old face stiffened instantly. He quickly took two steps to stand in front of Zhao Yu and knelt down on one knee.

"Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty to educate my son. He has not fulfilled his role as commander of the Imperial Guards. I beg Your Majesty's punishment!"

If a general's troops show signs of fear of war and complain before the battle even begins, that is a serious offense!

This means the general is incompetent and the morale of the army has collapsed!

Zhao Yu waved his hand, signaling him to get up.

"Innocent."

After all, they were imperial guards who stayed in the capital city all the time, and they rarely saw blood.

Furthermore, the fact that they did not immediately consider fleeing, given the significant disparity in troop strength between the two sides, proves that Meng Qianshan does possess some talent in managing troops.

Zhao Yu continued climbing the steps.

The soldiers who had just been complaining turned pale with fright when they saw the dazzling golden armor. They immediately knelt down and didn't dare to breathe.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Yu, without glancing to the side, asked calmly, "Where is General Meng?"

A soldier pointed with a trembling finger to a pavilion in the center of the city wall.

"Your Majesty, General Meng is currently discussing matters in the pavilion."

Zhao Yu nodded and walked straight towards the pavilion.

Meng Baishan slowed down a few steps and fell behind, his profound internal energy surging imperceptibly.

The soldiers who had just been complaining suddenly turned pale as if they had heard something.

Without the slightest hesitation, the group immediately knelt down before Meng Baishan.

"Thank you for the punishment, General. I accept my punishment!"

Meng Baishan then approached Zhao Yu respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I have presumptuously punished myself. Please forgive me. The Meng family will absolutely fulfill its responsibilities."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu knew that Meng Baishan was afraid that Zhao Yu's simple answer might actually create resentment towards the Meng family, so he did this.

He knew that skill was the same as the secret telepathic communication technique he had used earlier.

Zhao Yu remained silent, for the military had its own unique logic for survival.

Before long, the two of them, one in front of the other, finally arrived at the pavilion in the center of the city wall.

Inside the pavilion, Meng Qianshan was pointing at a huge sand table, giving instructions on defense to several deputy generals.

"The First Battalion is responsible for rolling stones and logs along the eastern section of the city wall. They must ensure that the Wolf Kingdom rebels do not breach the wall through any weak points!"

"Second Battalion..."

Before he could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of a figure at the door out of the corner of his eye and quickly turned around.

Upon recognizing Zhao Yu and his father, he immediately knelt on one knee with his generals and clasped his hands in salute.

"This humble general, Meng Qianshan, greets Your Majesty! And pays respects to my father!"

"Rise." Zhao Yu waved his hand, his gaze falling on the huge sand table.

On the sand table, small red flags representing the Wolf Kingdom's army were densely packed outside the main gate of the capital.

"What are the movements of the Wolf Kingdom on the other side?" Zhao Yu asked casually.

Meng Qianshan stood up and reported solemnly: "Your Majesty, according to the scouts, the Wolf Kingdom's army has set up camp by Yuquan Lake, and smoke rose from their cooking fires an hour ago."

My prediction is that they will launch their first major attack at sunset.

"You bastard!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Meng Baishan, who was standing to the side, shouted angrily.

"Have you forgotten all the military strategies I taught you?"

Have you ever seen an army that marches a long distance and attacks a city without rest?

Don't you understand the principle of waiting at ease for the enemy to tire themselves out?

Meng Baishan was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, feeling that his son had completely disgraced him.

Zhao Yu nodded in agreement, saying, "General Meng is right. Are you confident?"

Seeing that even the emperor said so, Meng Qianshan felt somewhat innocent and aggrieved.

"Father, Your Majesty, but... but the Wolf Kingdom just sent a messenger, specifically requesting that we be prepared!"

As he spoke, he took out a letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"This is their declaration of war."

Zhao Yu took the letter, unfolded it, and read it.

The handwriting above was messy and arrogant, full of disdain.

"Young Emperor of Liang, wash your neck clean and wait!"

Before sunset, I, Xiaoyue Jinshang, will surely ascend your city tower, drink your fine wine, and sleep with your concubines!

If you surrender now, I will spare your lives and make you horses for my Wolf Kingdom!

—Xiaoyue Jinshang!

After reading the letter, Zhao Yu chuckled.

This was unexpected.

The Wolf Kingdom's southward advance was too smooth, defeating only weak and incompetent rabble, which made them arrogant.

They were so proud that they forgot even the most basic military strategy.

However, this is just right.

An arrogant army is bound to be defeated.

Since they want to launch a full-scale attack and pull off a decisive blow, I can use the prepared artillery to inflict the heaviest damage on them in the first battle, thus buying precious breathing room for the subsequent plans.

Meng Baishan also came over to read the letter; he wasn't as relaxed as Zhao Yu.

"Your Majesty... if they really disregard everything and launch a full-scale attack, our army only has five thousand Imperial Guards, I'm afraid... I'm afraid we won't be able to withstand them!"

"Though the city walls are high, they could not withstand the repeated assaults of an army of 30,000."

Five thousand against thirty thousand—the disparity in troop strength was simply too great.

Even if the Imperial Guards were the most elite, it would be difficult to hold out.

Zhao Yu put away the letter and looked at Meng Baishan with a calm expression.

"General, didn't General Meng tell you that I prepared some good things for him?"

"nice one?"

Meng Baishan was stunned, looking at his son with a completely bewildered expression.

How come he didn't know about this?

Meng Qianshan, who had just been scolded and looked dejected, now grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

He straightened his chest and spoke confidently to his father.

"Father, please rest assured!"

I wish they would send their entire army on!

"Those stupid wolves, if they dare to come, I'll make them regret it!"