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

Chapter 656 Don't worry, he won't be able to get here! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
While Li Chen was busy discussing the bloodline origins of wizards and the ancient secrets of the Northern Elves with these beautiful women, a dramatic change was quietly taking place on the war between the Great Luo Dynasty and the Tian Ce Dynasty on the distant southern border.

Sergei faithfully carried out Li Chen's instructions and, in his capacity as "Provisional Governor of the Territory of Grand Duke Andrei," formally cut off supplies to the hundreds of thousands of southern troops commanded by Tuoba Zhen.

Not only did they halt all supplies of food and arms, but they even ordered troops belonging to the Grand Duchy of Andrei, who were originally tasked with defending the border, to retreat a hundred miles, thus relinquishing a crucial logistical route.

This move was like cutting off the fuel supply, instantly plunging the Tuoba Zhen tribe, whose offensive had been going relatively smoothly, into a predicament.

Although the current food reserves can last for a while, the loss of weapons and the replenishment of arrows are already critical. More fatal is the unrest in the army, with soldiers discussing among themselves and full of doubts about the future.

Inside the command tent, Tuoba Zhen's face was ashen. He slammed his fist on the heavy oak table, making the markings on the map rattle.

"Sergei! That damned power-grabbing dog! Coward!" he growled, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "How dare he cut off my army's supply lines! Does he think he can rest easy just because of that so-called 'Master Urge'?"

His aide cautiously advised, "General, Sergei is using the banner of 'peace-loving' to publicly accuse you of arbitrarily raising troops and disrupting the peace of the dynasty. If we attack him now, we risk losing our moral standing and giving others ammunition against us."

Tuoba Zhen was originally a 'parasite' on the Daluo Dynasty. These soldiers obeyed him because the emperor had given him a certain official position.

To put it bluntly, if Tuoba Zhen wanted to turn his guns on Sergei now, it's estimated that only the tens of thousands of former Snow Eagle King's troops under his command would obey his orders.

How could these soldiers of the Great Luo Dynasty do such a thing while the two countries are at war?

The reason why the soldiers of the Daluo Dynasty fought against Tian Ce was actually because of the conflicts that had occurred between the border troops over the years, which led to the outbreak of war.

There was no conflict between the border troops and Grand Duke Andrei, and they were under the command of the court.

He secretly pondered that he would send a team of powerful assassins to kill Sergei, and then support Sergei's younger brother to return and inherit his position. In this way, he could control Grand Duke Andrei's power, killing two birds with one stone.

Moreover, Tuoba Zhen didn't believe that this so-called Master Ulge could compare to himself.

It's just the Saint Realm, who isn't?

Tuoba Zhen was considering whether he should go there in person.

At the same time, additional messengers were dispatched to the capital at an urgent speed, requesting assistance, outlining the predicament at the front, and asking Emperor Ivan to quickly send provisions and supplies, and to severely punish Sergei.

Sergei was also filled with anxiety when he made the decision to cut off the supply.

He remembered expressing his concerns to Li Chen: "Master, Tuoba Zhen has a violent temper. If he is cornered and fights back at all costs, how should we deal with it?"

At the time, Li Chen simply smiled easily and said confidently, "Don't worry, he won't be able to get here."

Sergei was skeptical, but now it seems his master had anticipated this.

Although Tuoba Zhen was furious, he did not immediately lead his troops north, which made him even more respectful of Li Chen's plans.

However, instead of receiving help from the capital, Tuoba Zhen was met with an overwhelming offensive from the Tian Ce Dynasty.

Just as the morale of the Southern Army of Da Luo was low due to the disruption of logistics, the sound of war drums shook the heavens and the earth on the border of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

The long-brewing Tian Ce army finally bared its ferocious fangs. One and a half million regular troops, tempered by the blood and fire of the north, surged across the border like an iron torrent, officially launching a full-scale attack on the southern territory of the Da Luo Dynasty.

The morale of this army far surpasses that of the defending troops during previous border clashes.

Banners blotted out the sun, swords and spears stood like a forest, and soldiers marched with uniform, heavy, and powerful steps, each step seeming to tread on the heart of the earth, raising dust that blotted out the sky.

The heavily armored cavalry formation resembled a mobile steel fortress; sunlight shone on their cold armor, reflecting a chilling light.

The massive siege engines, propelled by countless demonic beasts, moved slowly forward. The enormous figures of the catapults and ballistae foreshadowed the impending storm of destruction.

In the air, tamed flying beast cavalry circled and scouted, their sharp eyes scanning the Great Luo army's defenses.

A chilling aura, a mixture of steel, sweat, and killing intent, permeated the entire battlefield, making it hard to breathe.

Faced with such a terrifying military force, the pressure on the Southern Army of Da Luo, which was already in a state of panic due to the supply cut, increased sharply.

The front-line fortresses were engulfed in flames, and urgent reports of reinforcements flew like snowflakes to the heart of the Great Luo Dynasty, the imperial capital.

Inside the magnificent royal palace council hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed to drip water.

Emperor Ivan of Great Luo sat on his high throne, his brows furrowed.

Below, civil and military officials stood in two rows, completely silent.

"With an army of 1.5 million, Tian Ce is serious this time."

Ivan spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

He surveyed his ministers: "My esteemed ministers, how should we respond to the current situation? Has Tian Ce concealed its strength, or have we underestimated our opponent? A full-scale war will be a contest of national power, a war of attrition, a protracted war, potentially lasting for years, even decades."
Even if we ultimately win, our Great Luo will be severely weakened. Will those covetous kingdoms in the west seize the opportunity to take advantage of us? I am weighing this cost.”

At this point, those who understood His Majesty's meaning realized that His Majesty Ivan felt the price was too high.

The peace faction, led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and several elderly dukes, seized the opportunity to step forward.

The Finance Minister spoke earnestly: "Your Majesty, you are wise! Tian Ce has come with the entire nation and his momentum is unstoppable. The southern army is in dire straits at the front. Although Tuoba Zhen is brave, his logistics have been cut off by Sergei, and he may not be able to hold out for long. Once the southern defense line is breached, the flames of war will spread into our rich heartland. At that time, the people will suffer greatly, and the national treasury will be greatly depleted. This is certainly not a blessing for the dynasty!"

Another senior minister chimed in, “Your Majesty, I think we should proceed according to the original plan. Although Tuoba Zhen’s southern expedition has made some progress and his former subordinates have responded to some extent, the progress is slow and does not meet our expected gains. Therefore, we only need to let Andrei bear the blame for this.”

Ivan's gaze sharpened, and he asked knowingly, "Then what should we do?"

Because he couldn't say it himself, he obviously lacked the courage, so he could only have his subordinates say it.

The old minister lowered his voice: "Your Majesty, you may issue an edict listing the crimes of Grand Duke Andrei in colluding with Tuoba Zhen, initiating border conflicts, and bringing disaster to the country and its people. Strip him of his title and honors, and hand him over to Tian Ce for judgment. At the same time, strictly order the southern troops to immediately cease hostilities and retreat a hundred li."

This would demonstrate our dynasty's sincerity and give the Tian Ce Emperor a way out, perhaps quelling his anger and averting this great war.

(End of this chapter)