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

In the Palace of Tranquility.

Wei An strode in and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Qiu Ping, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience."

It seems there's some activity at the Prime Minister's residence.

Zhao Yu stopped practicing imitating handwriting and sat back in the main seat.

"Announce."

"Yes."

Wei An acknowledged and withdrew. A short while later, Qiu Ping, dressed in a flying fish robe and with an embroidered spring knife at his waist, strode in and knelt on one knee.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Rise. Is there any movement from Ganqing Prefecture?"

Qiu Ping stood up and reported: "Yes, an hour ago, more than a dozen civil officials, led by the Minister of Personnel, held a secret meeting at Gan Qing's residence."

The specific details of the discussions are unclear, but according to reports from informants in other civil service residences, they reached a consensus that there would be no further changes in the near future.

"Um."

Zhao Yu nodded, agreeing with his thoughts.

Judging from the Prime Minister's response yesterday that he would resign, he knew this would be the outcome.

Qiu Ping paused for a moment, then continued, "In addition, the secret passage in Ganqing Prefecture and the hiding place of that Wolf Kingdom spy have been investigated."

Should we take immediate action to make the arrest?

"No need," Zhao Yu shook his head. "I still have a great use for that spy."

This spy was crucial to his next plan; without him, things might have become much more difficult.

Qiu Ping didn't ask any further questions, bowed, and accepted the order: "Yes! Your subject understands!"

"Step down."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Once Qiu Ping's figure disappeared outside the hall, Zhao Yu's lips curled into a smile.

To repel external threats, one must first secure internal stability.

Now that the internal instability has been completely quelled, it's time to prepare properly and set up a trap to catch the wolf.

"Little Wei Zi."

Wei An, who had been waiting outside the hall, immediately trotted in: "Your servant is here."

"Summon Consort Shen here."

Wei An paused, then bowed and replied, "Your subordinate obeys."

……

Before long, a series of cool footsteps approached from afar.

"Consort Shen has arrived!"

Following Wei An's announcement, Shen Miaochu, dressed in pristine white, entered with an icy expression.

She didn't even bow, but just looked coldly at Zhao Yu and asked, "What is it?"

Zhao Yu wasn't annoyed; instead, he teased her.

"Does my beloved concubine not even bother to address me as 'Your Majesty' when she sees me?"

Shen Miaochu's gaze grew even colder, and she let out a cold snort.

"Speak quickly if you need anything!"

Zhao Yu shrugged. "Alright, I need your help. It will take place in two days."

"I refuse." Shen Miaochu rejected the offer without hesitation. "I have no obligation to help you."

She came here specifically for the antidote, and her determination to cultivate the dual cultivation technique was already a sign of her forbearance.

If she were asked to take action now, there would be no need to even think about it.

Zhao Yu was not surprised to hear this answer.

But since the other side has something on him, he has no choice but to do it, whether he wants to or not.

Zhao Yu spoke as if he didn't care:

"If you don't take action, then don't expect an antidote."

boom!

A surge of cold internal energy caused the temperature in the entire Tranquil Heart Hall to drop instantly.

Shen Miaochu's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent as she said, word by word, "You dare threaten me!"

"Hehe, interpret it however you like."

Zhao Yu remained expressionless and fearless as he stared directly at Shen Miaochu. "However, if you want the antidote to save your master, you must take action. There's no room for discussion."

Shen Miaochu stared intently at him, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, Shen Miaochu finally withdrew her internal energy.

He left with a single sentence, turned around, and walked away.

"Send someone to inform me when the time comes."

Watching her departing figure, Zhao Yu's lips curled up slightly.

You think you can mess with me?

Zhao Yu began to take stock in his mind.

Meng Qianshan and his son Meng Baishan, plus the unfathomable Shen Miaochu.

Three half-step Celestial Realm experts should be able to take on one without any problem, right?

If you get killed in a three-on-one situation, then you really don't know how to play.

Zhao Yu stood up and looked toward the city wall.

Now, it all depends on whether Meng Qianshan can completely follow his plan and suppress the battle situation.

……

On the city wall of the Great Liang Imperial City.

A young deputy general ran up to Meng Qianshan and reported.

"General! All preparations are complete!"

Meng Qianshan nodded and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Pass down the order: all brothers should take turns resting and recuperating! Everything must be done according to military orders!"

"yes!"

Just then, a powerful voice came from behind him.

"Qianshan, what are you doing? Why are you preparing so much stuff?"

Meng Qianshan turned around and saw his father walking towards him with a frown.

"Father."

Meng Qianshan hurriedly went to greet him, then secretly pulled Meng Baishan to a secluded corner, took out the imperial edict from his robes, and handed it over.

"Father, please look."

Meng Baishan took the imperial edict with a puzzled expression and slowly unfolded it.

A moment later, his brows furrowed even deeper.

"The Wolf Kingdom has assembled an army of 50,000, sparing no expense in its assault on the imperial city?!"

How did His Majesty learn of this news?

For Meng Baishan, who was immersed in the military, this kind of information was absolutely confidential. How could he possibly let it leak out and let the enemy find out?

Meng Qianshan lowered his voice, his face showing curiosity.

"Father, I didn't believe it at first either."

But not long ago, that old dog Gan Qing also sent a secret letter, which surprisingly said that the Wolf Kingdom was going to gather an army of 50,000 to attack!

"What?!"

Meng Baishan was completely stunned.

Not only did the Emperor know this news, but even that old dog Gan Qing found out before them.

Who exactly is the commander of this Imperial Guard?

Seeing his father's shocked expression, Meng Qianshan whispered his plan.

"Father, no matter how His Majesty found out, our Meng family has truly caught His Majesty's eye!"

His Majesty clearly stated in the imperial edict that in this battle, regardless of any losses, the Wolf Kingdom's army must be firmly suppressed under the city walls!

"I must handle this matter well, so that His Majesty can see the strength and loyalty of the Meng family!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Baishan pondered for a moment, wondering whether he should tell his foolish son about Zhao Yufei and Zhao Yu.

But after thinking it over, he still said, "Yes, you're right, but to ensure everything goes smoothly, we should deploy all of the Meng family's fighting strength to the city walls!"

A hint of emotion flashed in Meng Qianshan's eyes, and he nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Father!"