Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

Yuan Tiangang moved with lightning speed. In less than half an hour, ten elite members of the Bad Guys, clad in black armor and wearing demon masks, had silently assembled outside the Imperial Study. They were the most skilled assassins among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals, possessing the highest martial arts prowess, the best agility, and the greatest expertise in stealth and espionage. Each of them possessed terrifying strength at the ninth rank or higher.

"Set off."

Without further ado, Yuan Tiangang gave Li Chengze, who sat regally on the dragon throne, a deep look before abruptly turning around, his black cloak tracing a sharp arc in the air. Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and became the first to step into the interdimensional portal that exuded an unknown aura.

Ten Heavenly Generals followed closely behind, like ten black ghosts, filing in one after another.

After the last member of the Bad Guys was completely swallowed by the starry vortex, a violent spatial ripple appeared on the surface of the portal, which then slowly returned to calm, leaving only the deep starlight flowing silently.

Li Chengze watched this scene quietly until he confirmed that the teleportation portal was operating stably. Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief and lean heavily against the soft back of the dragon throne.

"The journey through countless worlds has finally taken its first step," Li Chengze muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

But soon his gaze fell on the mountain of memorials piled up on his desk, and his brows furrowed immediately.

Although the Qing Kingdom had unified the world, incorporating both the Northern Qi and Dongyi City into its territory, conquering a kingdom was easier than maintaining it. Post-war appeasement, the reassignment of officials, the suppression of rebellions in various regions, the implementation of new tax laws... these myriad administrative tasks were like mountains weighing down on people, making it hard to breathe.

Li Chengze was actually an extremely lazy person at heart. Even when he was still the second prince, he liked to eat grapes and read leisurely books barefoot in the pavilion, leaving the scheming and intrigue to his subordinates.

Now that he has become emperor and possesses absolute power, he is even less willing to waste his prime years reviewing these tedious official documents.

"I am here to enjoy the treatment of an emperor of all realms, not to be a laborer burdened with paperwork."

Li Chengze activated the system in his mind once again.

"System, open the store and filter for top-tier domestic affairs talents."

[Ding! Top-tier domestic policy talents who meet your criteria have been selected.]

Looking at the rows of historical officials shining with golden light on the panel, Li Chengze's gaze finally settled on one name.

[Zhuge Liang, the Great Prime Minister of All Time (in his mortal state)]

[Command: 98, Strength: 45, Intelligence: 100, Politics: 100, Charisma: 95]

[Special Talents: Dedication (Increases administrative efficiency by 300%, significantly boosts public morale), Prodigy (Quickly finds the optimal solution to any complex domestic problem).]

[Exchange Price: 100,000 Reputation Points]

"100,000 reputation points in exchange for a renowned prime minister who can help me manage the entire country and completely free my hands is well worth it."

Without hesitation, Li Chengze issued the order: "Exchange for Zhuge Liang!"

"Ding! 100,000 reputation points deducted. Congratulations, host, you have successfully summoned the talent of internal affairs—Zhuge Liang!"

As the system notification sounded, a dazzling light shone once again in the Imperial Study.

As the light faded, a handsome scholar, dressed in a crane-feather cloak, wearing a turban, and holding a feather fan, appeared out of thin air before Li Chengze.

His face was thin and refined, his eyes were as deep and wise as a deep pool, and his whole being exuded an air of ethereal elegance, yet also a calm and composed demeanor that seemed to control the world.

"Your subject, Zhuge Kongming, pays homage to Your Majesty. I am willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty and devotion, even unto death!" Zhuge Liang flicked his crane-feather cloak, knelt respectfully on the ground, and spoke in a clear and resounding voice.

Li Chengze was overjoyed and quickly stepped down from the imperial steps to personally help Zhuge Liang up.

"Kongming, please rise! Having you is like a fish in water for me!" Li Chengze laughed heartily, pulling Zhuge Liang directly to the mountain of memorials on the imperial desk. Pointing to the documents, he said, "Kongming, from this day forward, all the affairs of state are entrusted to you. I appoint you as the Grand Secretary, head of the cabinet, and all the ministers of the six ministries are under your command. I trust you to handle things!"

Looking at the mountain of memorials, Zhuge Liang showed no fear whatsoever; instead, a glint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He bowed slightly, his feather fan gently waving: "Your Majesty, I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude. Rest assured, Your Majesty, within three months, I will surely bring peace and prosperity to the land, and the national treasury will be overflowing."

With Zhuge Liang, a super "workaholic," taking over the administration, Li Chengze was finally completely liberated.

In the days that followed, the young Emperor Zhaowu lived the extravagant life he had always dreamed of.

He no longer had to attend court every day from dawn till dusk. Zhuge Liang handled the affairs of the court in an orderly manner, even a hundred times better than if he had handled them himself.

Those old ministers who had previously outwardly obeyed but inwardly resisted the new emperor were completely subdued by Zhuge Liang's almost supernatural political skills and strict laws, and dared not act recklessly in the slightest.

Li Chengze then spent his days entirely in the inner palace.

Li Chengze then spent his days entirely in the inner palace.

Every day, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and fine wines and delicacies were served in an endless stream. Li Chengze reclined on a soft couch, eating grapes brought as tribute from the Western Regions, watching the graceful figures of the women in the palace, and enjoying the supreme power in the world. .

Occasionally, he would dismiss his attendants and go alone to the secluded palace deep within the palace grounds—Guangxin Palace.

The days passed by in this extravagance and tranquility.

About a month later.

It was the 18th day of the 12th month of the first year of Zhaowu, late at night.

As Li Chengze was resting in his palace, a sharp system notification suddenly rang in his mind.

[Ding! Energy fluctuations detected in the interdimensional portal. Your subordinates, the 'Bad People,' are requesting to return!]

Li Chengze suddenly opened his eyes, a chilling glint flashing in them. He pushed aside the sleeping Fan Ruoruo beside him, and without even putting on his outer robe, he vanished from the palace in a flash.

The next second, he was already inside the heavily guarded imperial study.

In the center of the Imperial Study, the enormous interdimensional portal was pulsating violently, and the star vortex was spinning several times faster than usual, emitting a deep rumbling sound.

"Buzz—"

A black figure covered in blood staggered out of the vortex and fell heavily onto the blue brick floor of the Imperial Study.

Upon closer inspection, Li Chengze recognized him as one of the ten Tiangang Captains who had accompanied Yuan Tiangang to the other world, codenamed "Tian Sun".

At this moment, Captain Tiansun looked extremely miserable.

His black armor was tattered and covered with sword marks of varying depths and wounds from some kind of sharp weapon.

His left arm was severed at the root, and a strange, icy blue aura lingered at the wound, constantly eroding his life force.

But he still gritted his teeth and used his only remaining right hand to pull a specially made metal cylinder soaked in blood from his pocket, raising it high.

"Your Majesty... the Commander-in-Chief has ordered... to risk everything... to deliver the intelligence back..."

The voice of Captain Tiansun was so weak it was like a whisper. After saying those words, his head lolled to the side, and he completely lost consciousness.

"Someone! Summon the imperial physician! Use the best medicine to save his life!" Li Chengze shouted, and the eunuch Hou outside the door immediately scrambled to deliver the decree.

Li Chengze strode forward and took the metal cylinder from the Captain of the Heavenly Loss. The cylinder had a secret lock unique to the Bad People. Li Chengze applied slight force with both hands, channeling his true energy, and with a "click," the cylinder opened.

What was poured out was a map drawn on some kind of unknown animal hide, and several pieces of silk covered with densely written, tiny characters.

Li Chengze walked to the imperial desk, spread out the silk scroll, and began to read it word by word by the bright candlelight.

As Li Chengze read on, his previously calm expression began to change.

His brows furrowed and relaxed at times, and finally, his eyes narrowed slightly, and an irrepressible, excited smile appeared on his lips.