I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 419 This old fox, shameless as a pharmacy owner? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
After the servants left, Dai Xiaoyao knelt down on the ground: "Uncle, save my Xingluo Kingdom!"

Zhu Yingxiong was greatly surprised: "Your Highness, what do you mean by this? Please rise!"

Dai Xiaoyao refused to get up: "Uncle, my brother has let a wolf into the house, and Xingluo Kingdom is in imminent danger! Now, only you, Uncle, can try to curry favor with Emperor Tiance through Consort Zhu, and perhaps save the people of Xingluo Kingdom!"

He almost blurted out Zhu Zhuying's name, but after thinking about it, he didn't dare to say it that way and could only call her by her name.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yingxiong sighed deeply, his face showing difficulty: "Your Highness is indeed reasonable. However... I have been claiming illness and staying at home since my argument with His Majesty, I'm afraid..."

He was already implying that he would refuse, because such tact was too risky for Zhu Yingxiong.

Despite being a high-ranking general, once Dai Wuchang finds something wrong with him, he can be accused of treason.

Besides, his position is already very high, beyond which there is no higher rank to be bestowed. Recently, undercurrents have been surging, and he only needs to stay at home to protect the Zhu family.

To put it bluntly, his second daughter is Li Chen's imperial concubine. Even if the Tian Ce Dynasty's army attacks, they won't do anything to his Zhu family. He has no need to get involved in this mess.

Dai Xiaoyao kowtowed deeply: "Uncle! You and my father are sworn brothers. Do you really want to watch Xingluo Kingdom be destroyed in my brother's hands?"

These words moved Zhu Yingxiong, and the old emperor's dying words came to mind.

If Xingluo Kingdom is destroyed like this, how can I face the old emperor when I go down?

He helped Dai Xiaoyao up, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Very well! I will write a letter and have it secretly sent to the Tian Ce Dynasty. However..."

He looked at Dai Xiaoyao meaningfully, "Has Your Highness thought this through? This is..."

Dai Xiaoyao smiled wryly, "Uncle, there's no need to worry. If this can save the people from the ravages of war, I, Dai Xiaoyao, will take the blame for treason!"

This is the deterrent power of the Tian Ce Dynasty. Even before any substantial punishment has been imposed, it has already made the people of the southern kingdoms tremble with fear and feel insecure.

Moreover, Emperor Li Chen was known for his 'fierce reputation'; he had been fighting ever since he ascended the throne and was invincible.

Anyone who knows a little about Li Chen knows that you shouldn't gamble on whether Li Chen dares to hit you. If he really does, you won't be able to fight back.

At this time, the army of the Tian Ce Dynasty began its march.

Xu Zifeng remained the vanguard general, while the commander of the Southern Expeditionary Army was Yun Xu, the commander of the Second Army Group.

There's a deeper meaning behind this appointment.

After Yunxu's daughter, Yunshang, entered the palace as a concubine, she repeatedly pleaded with Li Chen, hoping to give her father a chance to make a name for himself.

After careful consideration, Li Chen finally agreed to the appointment, taking into account Yun Xu's long-standing loyalty and outstanding military achievements.

Upon hearing the news, Yunxu was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night, thinking that his precious daughter had finally married the right person.

Which general doesn't want to achieve great deeds and establish a career?

What he didn't know was that his younger sister, Yun Yuehua, had also made the request along with Yun Shang. However, Yun Yuehua was too shy to reveal that she was also a concubine in the palace.

What surprised Yun Xu even more was Xu Zifeng's performance. This usually unruly young general was surprisingly calm on this expedition.

Based on Xu Zifeng's past personality, the first thing he would do after getting the opportunity to go on the southern expedition would definitely be to go see his father, the Prince of Zhennan.

That's what he thought at the time.

But ever since he followed Li Chen out of the palace for "training" last time, Xu Zifeng has come to a deep understanding: His Majesty wants absolute loyalty and cannot tolerate the slightest disloyalty.

This opportunity is hard-won; if we don't cherish it, we won't have another chance.

Xu Zifeng secretly warned himself to march strictly according to Li Chen's requirements, not daring to make even the slightest movement.

This unusual behavior left Yun Xu completely baffled.

He had originally thought that His Majesty had sent him, an old general, to keep Xu Zifeng, this troublemaker, in check. Unexpectedly, Xu Zifeng was so well-behaved, leaving him, the commander, somewhat at a loss.

"Has this kid changed his ways?" Yun Xu stared at the neat ranks of the vanguard, completely baffled.

Meanwhile, King Zhennan had just finished his battle with the sea tribe and rushed back to his residence, covered in dust.

Upon learning that his son had led an army on a southern expedition, he immediately went to the border to wait.

When he saw the trains carrying the elite troops of the Tian Ce Dynasty arrive, the Prince of Zhennan couldn't help but sigh: "The fact that such a large army can be mobilized in a single day is unimaginable in the past."

What impressed him even more was the efficiency with which the troops disembarked. The warhorses, equipment, and provisions were all in perfect order, and preparations were completed in less than an hour.

This terrifying mobilization capability is enough to terrify any adversary.

Finally, the Prince of Zhennan spotted his son, Xu Zifeng, in the crowd.

Standing right next to Xu Zifeng was his old rival, Yun Xu.

"General Yun, how have you been?" The Prince of Zhennan forced a smile and took the initiative to greet him.

Although he had wanted to tear Yun Xu to pieces back then, now was not the time.

"Thanks to Your Highness, everything is fine," Yun Xu replied with a forced smile.

The two old foxes exchanged insincere pleasantries, each harboring their own ulterior motives.

The Prince of Zhennan secretly pondered: His son's behavior must have been due to some hint from His Majesty.

Yun Xu, on the other hand, was wondering: What are these two, father and son, up to?

At this moment, Xu Zifeng, who was standing next to Yun Xu, gave his father a standard military salute: "Xu Zifeng greets the Prince of Zhennan."

This formal, businesslike address sent a shiver down the spine of the Prince of Zhennan.

He immediately understood that his son was deliberately keeping his distance.

As expected of my own offspring, they really know how to assess the situation!

The Prince of Zhennan immediately smiled with satisfaction: "General Xu is radiant and promising at such a young age. He truly deserves to be called a pillar of our Tian Ce Dynasty! This military uniform makes him look even more heroic. Like father, like son!"

This string of praises made Yun Xu roll his eyes. This old fox really goes all out when praising his son, and he even praises himself in the process. Does he have any shame?

Yun Xu coughed lightly: "General Xu, the army should set off."

"Yes, sir!" Xu Zifeng replied crisply, turned around and left without giving his father even a second glance.

The Prince of Zhennan was not angry at all; on the contrary, he appreciated it even more.

The son's composed demeanor shows that he has truly grown up.

After Xu Zifeng walked away, only the Prince of Zhennan and Yun Xu remained at the scene.

"General Yun, do you need my assistance for this southern expedition?" the Prince of Zhennan asked tentatively.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, but I am preoccupied with military affairs, so I will not trouble you further," Yun Xu politely declined without any hesitation.

When Yun Xu returned to the army, he found that Xu Zifeng had strictly followed Li Chen's orders and set up camp immediately after advancing one thousand meters.

To his surprise, the troops stationed in the southern countries along the way not only dared not stop him, but also took the initiative to withdraw.

(End of this chapter)