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

Chapter 623 So that's all the skill you've got? What a disgrace! (Please subscribe and vote!)

Offending the emperor? That's a crime punishable by the confiscation of your property and the extermination of your entire clan!

The Chu family's greatest reliance is Consort Chu. No matter how much she is favored, her honor and disgrace, rise and fall, are nothing more than a word from His Majesty!

Chu Pengzhan was so frightened that he almost fainted. His whole body was shaking like a leaf. He never imagined that he would offend the emperor, who was traveling incognito, in this very place!
If he had known it was His Majesty Li Chen earlier, why would Commandant Cheng have needed to take action that day? Chu Pengzhan would have personally beaten his troublemaking nephew Chu Xiang to death!
"Brother... Brother! Save me! Save the Chu family!" Chu Pengzhan practically crawled onto Chu Jingsong's leg, pleading incoherently, "What... what should we do? It's all over now!"

Seeing his appearance, Chu Jingsong suppressed his fear and took a deep breath, saying, "Get up! What's the panic! I have met His Majesty several times and know his temperament somewhat. Since His Majesty did not take action on the spot and arrest you for questioning, but instead allowed you to stay safely in Hantie Pass, it means that there is still room for maneuver in this matter."

He pondered for a moment, then continued, "The only thing we can do now is to try our best to make amends. I will find a suitable opportunity to take you to see the Emperor and apologize. But you must remember this well: His Majesty is traveling incognito, so your identity must never be exposed!"
"No matter how His Majesty rebukes you, you must grit your teeth and endure it, showing the utmost remorse. Act according to the circumstances, understand?"

Chu Pengzhan dared not utter a single objection, nodding frantically as if grasping at the last straw.

Although Chu Jingsong appeared calm on the surface, he was actually panicking inside.

Even though he knew that Li Chen was an emperor who would listen to advice, the mind of a monarch was as deep as the sea and the wrath of heaven was unpredictable, so he ultimately had no confidence.

He immediately and sternly ordered Chu Pengzhan to cancel all welcoming ceremonies and banquets, and to send all those sycophantic dignitaries away.

At this moment, he had no time to deal with these things; his immediate priority was to go and see His Majesty to apologize.

The two changed into plain gray clothes without any patterns, deliberately keeping a low profile, and rode in an inconspicuous carriage straight to the military camp.

Near the military camp, Chu Pengzhan secretly had someone contact Wang Jianjun.

Upon hearing the news, Supervisor Wang rushed over and, seeing that it was Chu Jingsong himself, immediately put on a respectful expression, for he was, after all, the father of Consort Chu.

He guessed that the Chu family head's personal visit must be about Chu Xiang's matter, so he preemptively complained, "Lord Chu, it's not that I'm unwilling to make an exception, but the evidence against Young Master Chu is irrefutable, and Commandant Cheng is keeping a close eye on things. I'm just following the rules, it's truly a difficult situation."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw that Chu Jingsong not only showed no sign of blaming him, but instead solemnly praised him, saying, "Supervisor Wang is fair in his dealings and strictly abides by the law. I admire him! My good-for-nothing nephew is arrogant and domineering, and violated military regulations. He has only himself to blame, and he deserves to be locked up! Supervisor Wang is acting in accordance with the law. What wrong has he done?"

These words left Supervisor Wang speechless, completely bewildered.

When did the head of the Chu family become so righteous?

Then, Chu Jingsong cautiously and seemingly casually inquired, "I wonder if Commandant Cheng is currently in the camp?"

Although Wang Jianjun found it strange, he still answered truthfully: "Commander Cheng is currently training soldiers at the drill ground. If Lord Chu wishes to see him, I will send someone to invite him immediately."

"No need! Absolutely not!" Chu Jingsong's expression changed slightly in fright, and he quickly waved his hand to stop him, his movements so fast that they almost made the wind whistle.

He was horrified: His Majesty is training the army, how dare I let him come to see me? You, who are unaware of this, are practically killing me!
He suppressed his panic and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "Commander Cheng is busy with military affairs, how could I dare to disturb him? Could we go and see that wretched child first? So that he may know the truth of his mistakes."

Although Wang Jianjun felt the request was abrupt, he couldn't refuse because Chu Jingsong's attitude was unusually humble, so he personally led the two of them to the prison.

Meanwhile, inside the dark and damp military prison.

Chu Xiang, Hu Yanxun (the Khan's nephew), and Han Zhen (the General's son) were gathered together boasting.

Bored with prison life for several days, they passed the time by imagining how they would take revenge on "Cheng Li" when their family members came to visit.

Chu Xiang spat as he spoke: "When my uncle and maternal uncle arrive, they'll make that brat surnamed Cheng beg for mercy on his knees! They'll skin him alive and tear him apart!" Hu Yanxun sneered: "When my uncle's iron cavalry arrives, they'll make sure he dies a gruesome death!"

Han Zhen scoffed, "My father commands countless elite soldiers and generals; crushing a mere captain is as easy as stepping on an ant!"

Only Zhou Liang huddled in the corner, listening to these harsh words without daring to utter a sound.

Compared to these individuals, his backer Zhou Meng is utterly insignificant.

Just as they were getting into the swing of things, footsteps came from outside the prison gate.

Immediately afterward, Chu Xiang spotted Chu Jingsong and Chu Pengzhan at the prison gate and was overjoyed!
He jumped up suddenly, proudly showing off to Hu Yanxun and Han Zhen: "Look! My uncle and great-uncle are here! They must be here to take me out! That Cheng guy is doomed!"

However, when the cell door opened, the care and rescue that Chu Xiang had anticipated did not occur.

Chu Jingsong and Chu Pengzhan, their faces ashen, stepped into the cell and, without a word, began to punch him indiscriminately!
"You wretched creature! How dare you utter such arrogant words!"

"You ignorant fool! You better stay put and reflect on your actions!"

"If you dare to cause trouble again, you're no longer a member of the Chu family!"

Chu Jingsong hit and cursed as he did so, while Chu Pengzhan went even further, kicking the thickest parts of the body.

Chu Xiang was beaten so badly that he ran away with his head in his hands, screaming repeatedly. He was completely stunned and had no idea why things had turned out this way.

After a beating, Chu Jingsong and his companion straightened their robes, didn't even glance at Chu Xiang, who was sprawled on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, questioning his existence. They bowed to Supervisor Wang and left quickly with heavy expressions.

There was dead silence in the cell.

After a long pause, Hu Yanxun broke the silence with a sneer, his tone full of disdain: "Chu Xiang, is this all the Chu family can do? It seems your uncle and your father are terrified of Cheng Li!"

Han Zhen chimed in sarcastically, "They boasted so much, but all they've got is this much skill. It's truly shameful."

Chu Xiang lay sprawled on the dirty haystack, his face burning, unable to tell whether it was from the pain of his injury or the shame of his embarrassment. Listening to his companions' mockery, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Meanwhile, the king of the north, Huyan Lan, the Khan bestowed upon him by Emperor Tian Ce, had already arrived outside the gates of Han Tie Guan.

In the north, the Khan is allowed to have a private army, just like the Prince of Zhennan, who only needs to be loyal to the court and His Majesty.

Huyan Lan's private army was extremely elite. At this moment, they were arrayed outside the north gate of Hantie Pass. Thousands of iron cavalry stood at attention, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest, exuding a chilling aura.

This is precisely the standard elite military equipment of the Tian Ce Dynasty, combined with the fierce spirit unique to the northern tribes.

The reason Zhou Meng was not in the camp was because he was ordered to wait for Hu Yanlan here.

Military flags fluttered at the north gate. Zhou Meng, dressed in full military attire, rode on a warhorse, followed by hundreds of Han Tie Guan cavalrymen.

(End of this chapter)