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

The bell tolled as the court adjourned, and the civil and military officials left the hall like a tide.

Zhao Yu and Prince Qian Zhentian of Zhennan walked side by side, chatting and laughing as they exited the palace gate.

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, a palace maid hurried up to him and curtsied.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has prepared a banquet in the Imperial Garden and has sent me to invite Your Majesty and the Prince of Zhennan to attend."

A smile appeared on Zhao Yu's face as he turned to look at Qian Zhentian beside him.

"Uncle, Mother invites you; shall we go together?"

Qian Zhentian grinned, revealing his large teeth.

"Haha! I'm really hungry. I've been craving your mother's Monkey King Wine Chicken for ages."

He patted Zhao Yu's shoulder with his large, fan-like hand, with considerable force.

"Let's put aside your mother for now and talk about you. You did well today; you finally looked a bit like an emperor."

"Compared to three years ago, he's become both courageous and resourceful; he's practically transformed!"

Zhao Yu smiled modestly and offered a polite, business-like compliment:

"Hehe, Uncle, you flatter me. Compared to you leading a million troops and dominating the world, my little tricks are nothing but child's play."

The two exchanged a smile and remained silent for a moment.

Just then, Wei An quickly caught up from behind and reported:

"Your Majesty, Old Gan Qing requests an audience."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Qian Zhentian's eyes, but he didn't show it on his face. He then burst into laughter again.

"Since you have important matters to attend to, I will go to the Imperial Garden to see your mother first, and I will not disturb your reign as emperor."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and strode away with a powerful and steady gait.

Zhao Yu looked at his broad back and laughed loudly.

"Uncle, go ahead, I'll be right there."

The smile on Zhao Yu's face gradually faded as the figure disappeared around the corner of the palace wall.

I won't disturb your reign as emperor.

Was this a casual remark, or was it meant to imply something?

Based on his years of experience in acting, his intuition told him that there was something hidden in those words.

But Qian Zhentian's rough and straightforward appearance didn't reveal any flaws.

If he really realized that he was a fake emperor, why didn't he react on the spot?

Based on the information he had gathered, the relationship between the Prince of Zhennan and Zhao Yu was so close that he would never tolerate an imposter sitting on the throne.

Or is it just my imagination?

Is it because of too much pressure that I've become overly sensitive?

Or perhaps...

Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes, a terrifying hypothesis forming in his mind.

Is this Prince Zhennan's acting skill superior to mine?

That he could be better than the acting skills honed in the 20th century is an absurd conclusion.

Zhao Yu shook his head gently, no longer wanting to delve into it.

If you can't figure something out, don't waste your energy on it.

No matter what, he will be on guard.

"Send him to the side hall to see me."

Zhao Yu gave Wei An an instruction, then turned and walked towards the side hall.

The side hall was simply furnished, yet imposing.

Just as Zhao Yu sat down on the dragon throne, that familiar voice came from outside the hall.

Tap, tap, tap...

Soon, Gan Qing appeared at the palace gate, leaning on his cane. His hair was completely white, and he had lost much of his former sharpness.

No one would imagine that such a person was once the leader who cornered the emperor and commanded the civil service.

Gan Qing approached Zhao Yu and slowly knelt down.

"No need for such formalities, Elder Gan. We're all family here."

Zhao Yu quickly descended the steps and reached out to support him.

Gan Qing straightened up, thanked him, but looked unusually nervous.

"This old minister has come today to ask Your Majesty for some tasks to perform!"

In the end, Gan Qing had to bow to life's hardships. He had no choice but to rely on himself; otherwise, it was inevitable that the Gan family would fall out of the top five families.

Zhao Yu smiled, knowing that the time was almost right.

Ever since he forced that old fox to sell the Howling Moon Golden Saber and submit a "pledge of allegiance" last time, he has been ignoring him and ignoring him completely.

This old guy finally couldn't sit still any longer.

He returned to the dragon throne and slowly began to speak.

"I know Gan Lao's loyalty. There is indeed something that requires the Gan family's help right now."

Gan Qing's spirits lifted, and he immediately bowed.

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty!"

"I want you to set a good example in the matter of recruiting soldiers."

Zhao Yu's tone was calm and even, but to Gan Qing, it was like a thunderclap.

"Not only should we recruit soldiers according to the rules, but we should also increase the Gan family's investment in military strength, so that the other four major families can see the Gan family's 'intentions' and follow suit and increase their investment as well."

Gan Qing was completely stunned.

He had heard about what was happening in the court before he arrived. His Majesty had actually delegated the power to recruit soldiers to the five major families, which he found unbelievable at the time.

Now, His Majesty actually wants him to take the lead in increasing investment?

Isn't this handing a knife to the five major families, allowing them to sideline us in the future?!

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he couldn't help but speak.

"Your Majesty, if... if we do this, the major families will probably be able to raise an army of their own in less than two months."

"At that time, even if His Majesty wants to take back military power, the five major families probably won't agree, and might even... might join forces to put pressure on His Majesty."

Gan Qing spoke with extreme caution, carefully considering each word.

"At that time, will Your Majesty truly be confident in resolving this issue?"

Zhao Yu looked at him and suddenly smiled.

He then leaned forward slightly and asked a question in return.

"Has Old Master Gan ever seen me suffer a loss?"

A simple sentence struck Gan Qing's mind like a lightning bolt, leaving him frozen in place.

He subconsciously recalled it.

After the banditry began, His Majesty's temperament changed drastically. He began to employ one scheme after another, manipulating the five major families, the Wolf Kingdom, and the hearts and minds of the people in a dazzling manner.

Even he, who prided himself on being a shrewd strategist all his life, was manipulated by him and forced to come here to surrender with nowhere else to go.

Gan Qing looked up at the unfathomable Zhao Yu, and a chill suddenly ran down his spine, making his scalp tingle.

Suddenly, I felt that even though I had lived most of my life, I was still not as good as this young man in his early twenties!

Gan Qing dared not think any further and immediately bowed.

"Your Excellency understands. Within a week, we will ensure that each of the major families is more eager than the last to increase their investment."

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

After saying that, he said no more, leaned on his cane, turned around and left.

However, the "thump-thump" sound seemed to be a bit heavier than when they arrived.