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

Chapter 645 Does he believe that outsider, or does he believe us, mother and son? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Recently, Da Luo and Tian Ce have launched a full-scale war. As someone who secretly supports Tuoba Zhen, he has taken on the heavy task of logistical support.

It requires coordinating the transportation of a large amount of military equipment and supplies, and also constantly monitoring the progress of the battle on the front lines to assess the value and risks of Tuoba Zhen's move.

Originally, seeing that Tuoba Zhen could fight Helan Xuan of the Northern Dragon Clan to a standstill, and even gain a slight advantage, Andrei thought that this investment might be worthwhile.

However, the war progressed slowly, and the expected breakthrough failed to materialize. The huge investment seemed to have vanished without a trace, which made Andrei anxious and dissatisfied. He consulted with his trusted strategist Vasily for a long time but could not come up with a good solution. Exhausted, he returned to his residence.

However, as soon as he got home, before he could even shake off his exhaustion, he saw Sergei kneeling in the hall, looking miserable, and his wife Ekaterina constantly giving him meaningful glances.

Upon seeing his father, Sergei immediately resorted to his old tricks, bursting into tears and repeating his prepared story, emphasizing Tuoba Zhen's "ostracism" and "framing" to portray himself as an innocent victim.

But Grand Duke Andrei was not so easily fooled. In his youth, he was a fierce general who had fought his way up on the battlefield and had rich military experience.

He listened patiently as his son finished speaking, his face growing increasingly grim.

From Sergei's evasive and evasive account, he astutely gleaned key information: unauthorized changes to the reconnaissance route, rash attacks on non-primary targets, and being easily lured into an ambush. This was clearly a classic case of greed for credit, recklessness, and mismanagement!
Tuoba Zhenna Ren Andrei knew him well. Although he was arrogant and haughty, he was by no means mediocre in military affairs. It was impossible for him to deliberately harm a detachment that came to help at such a critical moment. That would not make sense.

The most likely explanation is that his good-for-nothing son was too eager to prove himself and ended up walking right into a trap carefully set by Tian Ce, almost losing all his savings!

"Enough!" Andrei slammed his hand on the table, making the cups and saucers on it rattle loudly.

He glared at Sergei, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger: "You piece of trash! You idiot! You still dare to argue here! Do you really think your father is a fool?! Tuoba Zhen may be arrogant, but he will never cut off his own arm!"

It's clearly your own incompetence and reckless ambition that led to the loss of 20,000 elite troops! You've utterly disgraced the Andrei family! How am I supposed to maintain my standing in court now? How am I supposed to face His Majesty and the other Grand Dukes?!

Seeing her husband so angry, Lady Catherine quickly stepped forward to try and calm him down: "Husband, please calm down. Ge'er is still young; it's understandable."

"Shut up!" Andrei was furious and shoved his wife aside without any politeness. "Womanly compassion! This is war! Not child's play! Twenty thousand lives and countless military supplies have been lost because of his stupidity and arrogance! And you're still speaking up for him?!"

He pointed at Sergei and said sternly, "From today onwards, you get back to your room and are not to step out without my order! Reflect on your sins! If you dare to act on your own again, I'll break your legs!"

Although no harsher military punishment was immediately imposed, the confinement and relentless reprimands already demonstrated Andrei's attitude.

He even felt a pang of sadness and vigilance and began to seriously consider that perhaps it really was time to change the heir. Although Sergei's younger brother was younger, he seemed to be more mature and sensible than his eldest son.

Sergei knelt on the ground, head bowed, listening to his father's thunderous rebuke and final decision, biting his lip so hard it almost bled.

His father's distrust and complete rejection were like ice water poured over his head, but they did not extinguish the flames in his heart. Instead, they were like boiling oil added, making the ambition and desire for power ignited by his master burn even more distorted and frenzied.

During his confinement, his mother, Catherine, would often secretly visit him, gently advising him: "Gergi, don't be so stubborn. Your father is angry right now. Wait until he calms down, and then I'll plead for you. You can then sincerely apologize. After all, he's your blood relative, and you're the eldest son. He won't really abandon you." However, these words of comfort sounded particularly harsh to Sergii.

He had already learned from his trusted subordinates that his younger brother had been sent by his father to lead the southern expeditionary force.

Ostensibly, he went to Tuoba Zhen's command to "learn and gain experience," but in reality, he was there to earn military merits, build connections, and prepare to replace his "failed" eldest son in the future!
Sergei was ambitious to begin with, how could he tolerate such a thing happening?

What infuriated him even more was that he noticed a faint bruise on his mother's wrist. When he pressed her for details, she stammered that she had accidentally bumped it.

But Sergei immediately understood that this must be because his mother was beaten by his enraged father when she pleaded for him last time!
Seeing his mother injured because of him, Sergei's resentment towards his father reached its peak.

Why?! Why can't my father understand me?! Why does he prefer to believe that barbarian Tuoba Zhen rather than his own son?! Only Master! Only Master knows I'm right! I'm not wrong at all!
The mistake was that I had no power! If I were a general, a duke, or an emperor, who would dare disobey my orders? Who would dare question my decisions? How could I possibly be wrong?!
After his mother left, Sergei paced anxiously alone in the room.

Although he had figured out the "root cause" of the problem, he still felt confused and helpless about how to do it.

With his father firmly controlling his fiefdom and himself under house arrest, what could he possibly accomplish?
Just then, he suddenly remembered his master, Master Urg!

"That's it! Find Master! Master will definitely have a way!"

Without hesitation, he activated the sensing talisman left by his master in his palm.

This time, Li Chen arrived a little later, after all, Winterhold is quite a distance from Cold Iron Pass.

But his identity as a "great wizard" is the best passport.

When his figure, cloaked, painted, and exuding a mysterious and powerful aura, appeared at the gates of Winterhold.

The city's commander was so frightened by the unfathomable spiritual pressure that he immediately bowed and saluted, not daring to question him at all, and respectfully invited him into the city.

Sergei had already received the news and personally greeted them at the entrance of the mansion.

Although he was confined, the restriction was limited to not leaving Winterhold; he was still allowed limited movement within the castle.

He led his master to his luxurious but somewhat oppressive residence. His mother, Catherine, waited curiously by his side, wanting to see who this "all-powerful" master her son spoke of really was, though she couldn't help but worry that he might be a fraud.

However, when she actually saw Master Urge, who was actually Li Chen in disguise, the overwhelming, awe-inspiring majesty and unfathomable aura that greeted her instantly dispelled all her doubts.

This is definitely a true great wizard!
(End of this chapter)