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

The study in the Gan residence.

Gan Qing sat in the armchair, his face full of sorrow, his once meticulous white hair now somewhat disheveled.

"How did I get to this point?"

He frowned and asked himself.

At this point, he not only lost his position as prime minister, but was also caught between the Wolf Kingdom and the Great Liang.

He knew very well that no matter whether the emperor ultimately resolved the military crisis or the Wolf Kingdom's army broke into the city, the Gan family's fate would not be good.

The former committed treason, and if the emperor made it public, he would surely die.

The latter, in order to protect himself, first had other families steal cannons, and then submitted a memorial to retire and return to his hometown, thus selling out the other families.

Once the war is over, the elders of each family will surely realize what's happening, and his best outcome will be to be pushed out by the Gan family to die in his place.

Even the Gan family, because of their own actions, has caused their once leading position among the five major families to become precarious.

It might not be long before the territory under the Gan family's control is completely devoured by the other three families.

He had to find a way to get out of this dead end!

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

"My lord! Someone from the palace has arrived!"

The servants' faces were filled with panic.

Upon hearing this, Gan Qing trembled, the worry in his eyes vanished instantly, and he quickly stood up, saying, "Quickly! Quickly, invite them in!"

A moment later, a fat man dressed in a flying fish robe and wearing an embroidered spring knife at his waist walked in.

The newcomer was none other than Qiu Ping, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Qiu Ping didn't waste any words and stared directly at Gan Qing.

"Prime Minister Gan, receive the secret decree."

Gan Qing's heart skipped a beat. He dared not be negligent and quickly bowed in greeting.

Qiu Ping unfurled the bright yellow scroll in his hand and read it aloud in a completely emotionless tone.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I am fully aware of your secret dealings with the Wolf Kingdom. Considering your past as a pillar of the nation, I will grant you a chance to live."

boom!

Gan Qing felt his heart skip a beat and was greatly alarmed.

"He knew all along!"

I knew it. The emperor is no longer the same as before. How could such petty tricks possibly fool him?

Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

Qiu Ping's voice continued.

"You have one day to have Jin Shang of the Wolf Kingdom spread the news throughout the Qin and Mang kingdoms that Jin Quan of the Wolf Kingdom is using the people of Daliang as human shields to attack the city. If you fail to do so, you know the consequences!"

So be it!

Qiu Ping closed the imperial edict and coldly handed it over.

"Prime Minister Gan, His Majesty hopes to hear good results from the Wolf Kingdom's army today."

Gan Qing was startled again!

"Did you hear the news in the Wolf Kingdom's army?"

Doesn't that mean...?

He accepted the secret decree with trembling hands and bowed deeply.

"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree!"

"As for Xiaoyue Jinshang, this old minister is confident that he will not fail the Emperor's favor!"

Qiu Ping nodded slightly, turned around and was about to leave without any hesitation.

"Commander Qiu, please wait!"

Gan Qing seemed to realize something and quickly called out to him.

Qiu Ping paused, turned around, and looked at him indifferently. "Is there anything else, Prime Minister Gan?"

Gan Qing forced a smile.

"Please inform His Majesty that... that this old minister has understood His Majesty's meaning."

If Your Majesty has any task for this old minister to perform, as long as it prevents the Gan family from declining, this old minister will not hesitate to do so!

Qiu Ping glanced at him and nodded.

"Understood, I'll pass it on for you."

After saying that, he strode away without looking back.

Only after Qiu Ping's figure completely disappeared through the door did Gan Qing let out a long sigh, as if all his strength had been drained away.

He gazed in the direction Qiu Ping had left, his eyes filled with struggle and helplessness.

He had no other choice.

The Gan family must not be allowed to decline under his leadership!

Gan Qing's eyes hardened, and he called out in a deep voice towards the door.

"Someone come here!"

"Go and invite our distinguished guest over; tell them there's something important to discuss!"

……

Night fell, but the emperor's palace remained brightly lit!

Inside the palace, singing and dancing filled the air, with a group of graceful concubines singing and dancing lightly.

Zhao Yu leaned back on the dragon couch, holding a cup of fine wine in his hand, enjoying the decadent music playing before him.

These concubines were all considered to be of superior beauty.

However, compared to figures like the Empress and Shen Miaochu, who brought ruin to the country, they are still several levels below.

That's understandable, though. It's already a miracle that Zhao Yu managed to leave behind the Empress and Shen Miaochu, two exceptional women, when he fled.

In this life, isn't it just about enjoying a little bit of strutting around?

Just then, the chief eunuch Wei An walked in with small, quick steps and a bow.

"Your Majesty, Qiu Ping, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience."

Qiu Ping?

A smile curved Zhao Yu's lips.

I wonder if that old dog Gan Qing understood his imperial edict.

"Announce."

Soon, Qiu Ping strode into the palace and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, the imperial edict has been delivered, and Gan Qing has already relayed the message."

Zhao Yu spoke calmly.

"Did Gan Qing say anything else?"

Qiu Ping dared not conceal anything and reported Gan Qing's last words truthfully without omitting a single one.

Zhao Yu sneered inwardly after hearing this.

It seems Gan Qing isn't stupid after all.

After these days, Gan Qing has repeatedly betrayed the civil official group in court, and he has long since lost his footing among the four powerful families.

Furthermore, since he possessed irrefutable evidence of the other man's treason, the other man was unlikely to gain any advantage over him.

His only hope was to abandon the core of the Liang dynasty, completely align himself with the Wolf Kingdom, and start afresh.

It's a pity that the partner he chose happened to be the most unreliable Xiaoyue Jinshang.

Therefore, he had no other choice long ago.

"Have someone tell Gan Qing to behave himself and await my decree," Zhao Yu calmly instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qiu Ping accepted the order and respectfully withdrew.

Zhao Yu picked up his wine glass and began to think.

I don't need Gan Qing right now.

This piece can only play its greatest role after the military troubles have been quelled.

Zhao Yu looked up at the sky outside the palace; it was pitch black.

"It's almost midnight, time to check the security footage."

"Everyone, step back."

The singing and dancing abruptly stopped, and all the concubines, maids, and eunuchs in the hall hurriedly bowed and filed out.

Zhao Yu ordered, "Let's proceed to the imperial mausoleum."