At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

In the imperial city of Daqian, the residences of civil and military officials were bustling with activity.

The urgent imperial edict resounded throughout the entire official street, summoning all court officials to the Golden Palace for an immediate meeting, with no one allowed to be absent.

This sudden and urgent summons instantly made all the civil and military officials uneasy, and they all put down their affairs and rushed to the palace in a hurry.

The ministers walked side by side, their steps hurried, their expressions solemn. Along the way, whispers rose and fell, and people were filled with unease.

"Your Majesty, what urgent matter has led you to summon all officials today?"

"It's most likely that the situation in the East China Sea has been resolved! Apart from that, there's nothing else that could prompt His Majesty to suddenly convene a court meeting!"

Someone offered a guess, but as soon as they finished speaking, others shook their heads in disbelief.

"No, absolutely not!"

"General Su and Prince Xiao Jingyu led an army of 300,000 across the sea on their expedition, which took no more than twenty days at most!"

"In a mere twenty days, the army has traveled all the way to the East China Sea, crossed the vast ocean, and barely reached the coastline of the Eastern Barbarians. How could they possibly send back battle reports so quickly?"

"Such hasty news is definitely not good. In my opinion, it's not good news, but rather a devastating disaster!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of all the ministers around him darkened, and a deep sense of unease and fear rose in their hearts.

Everyone echoed this sentiment, and their suspicions grew even stronger.

"That makes sense! The Eastern Barbarians have dominated the East China Sea for a century, possessing a formidable navy. Their soldiers have fought countless battles on the vast ocean, their naval experience unparalleled in the East China Sea. They are truly the maritime overlords!"

"In contrast, our Great Qian Navy has been neglecting naval warfare for many years. The new Youlong warships were hastily built, and the naval officers and soldiers have only undergone a few months of intensive training, never experiencing a true cross-sea battle!"

"Even with an army of 300,000, being valiant on land doesn't guarantee victory at sea!"

"The odds of victory are slim when facing a formidable force with newly recruited soldiers, or a hastily trained army against a seasoned naval power!"

Some people sighed deeply, their faces filled with sorrow.

"Although the Dragon-Warship has won a battle, its construction was rushed and it has never been tested in actual combat. Its true power and any potential hidden dangers remain unknown!"

"A message returned in just twenty days; only a crushing defeat and an urgent plea for reinforcements would warrant such haste! In normal warfare, there's no reason for such a rapid dispatch!"

The ministers turned pale, filled with fear and unease, each imagining the tragic scene of the East China Sea army's crushing defeat.

"If the 300,000-strong navy were to suffer a crushing defeat in the East China Sea, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"After their victory, the Eastern barbarian bandits will surely press their advantage and invade our Great Qian territory across the sea!"

"At that time, the coast of the East China Sea and the fertile lands of Jiangnan will once again be ravaged by war, people will be displaced, and the country will be in grave danger, truly doomed to eternal damnation!"

Everyone lamented, everyone was worried. At this moment, the hearts of all the civil and military officials were shrouded in the gloom and suspicion of defeat, and no one dared to think of a great victory.

Behind the crowd, Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng, dressed in a brocade court robe, walked slowly, his face cold and his eyes deep. He listened quietly to the discussions and suspicions of the officials in front of him, with a hint of barely perceptible expectation and secret joy hidden deep in his eyes.

He had always regarded Su Mu and Xiao Jingyu as thorns in his side and coveted the position of crown prince. He feared that Su Mu's achievements would overshadow the emperor and that his third uncle, Xiao Jingyu, would have too much power and threaten his position in the Eastern Palace.

If Su Mu is defeated in this campaign in the East China Sea and his 300,000-strong army is lost, it will be the biggest failure of Su Mu's life.

When that time comes, he will surely lose the emperor's favor and all his power, which will be the best opportunity for him to completely eliminate his greatest threat!

……

At this moment, Lin Huaiyuan, the Minister of Revenue, quickly stepped away from the crowd, bowed, and walked to the Crown Prince's side, lowering his voice: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"His Majesty has urgently summoned the court today, causing widespread panic. Your Highness, residing in the Eastern Palace, are you aware of the situation? Is this urgent summons due to a major defeat in the East China Sea campaign?"

Xiao Yunfeng glanced at him sideways, feigning profundity, and spoke in a low voice, probing in the opposite direction: "Father is far-sighted and unpredictable, and his actions are always swift and decisive. This Crown Prince has no way of knowing him."

"Minister, you've been spending a lot of time with the Emperor lately. Perhaps you could share your thoughts?"

Upon receiving a signal from the Crown Prince, Lin Huaiyuan immediately spoke up, stating confidently, "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, it must be news of defeat!"

"The Dongyi navy dominated the East China Sea for a century, and its fighting power was fierce and unmatched."

"Our Great Qian Navy, with its new recruits and ships, hastily set out on the expedition, having trained for less than six months, how can it possibly withstand a battle-hardened foe?"

"Reports arriving in just twenty days cannot be good news; they must indicate a major setback for the army and a disastrous naval defeat!"

"Su Mu's illustrious reputation will likely be completely ruined on the vast East China Sea!"

Xiao Yunfeng's lips curled up, secretly pleased, but he remained outwardly calm and composed, about to speak.

A gentle, calm laugh suddenly came from the side.

"Your Highness, how have you been? It's been many days since we last met. Your Majesty is as dashing as ever."

The Second Prince, Xiao Yunshan, walked slowly over.

Xiao Yunfeng instantly composed himself, suppressing his secret joy. His expression returned to its dignified and solemn state as he spoke calmly, "It's merely the officials' wild speculation. The truth is still uncertain. Only by entering the palace and meeting the Emperor can we know the truth."

After saying that, he nodded affectionately, said no more, and took the lead in walking quickly towards the Golden Palace, avoiding the Second Prince's probing.

Xiao Yunshan followed closely behind and stepped into the Golden Palace.

At this moment, the Golden Palace was already bustling with noise and activity.

The civil and military officials lined up on both sides, whispering and discussing amongst themselves. The hall was filled with suspicion and fear, and the idea of ​​defeat had become the consensus in everyone's mind. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely oppressive.

Xiao Yunshan's gaze shifted to Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng, who stood before the hall. Feigning curiosity, he stepped forward and spoke softly, deliberately pressing for an answer:

"Your Highness, on our way here, all the officials and civil servants are saying that our Great Qian's Eastern Navy has suffered a complete defeat and a crushing loss. My father has therefore held an emergency court session to hold those responsible accountable. Does Your Highness know the truth of this?"

Xiao Yunfeng's gaze darkened slightly, and he adopted an upright posture of being detached and diligent in his studies, replying calmly: "Recently, the Crown Prince has been studying behind closed doors, focusing on his studies, and has not inquired about trivial matters outside the court. He is completely unaware of the war in the East China Sea."

Seeing the Crown Prince's feigned aloofness, a smile flashed in Xiao Yunshan's eyes as he pressed closer, teasingly saying in a low voice:

"I see. Then I am curious, Your Highness, what are your thoughts on this war? Do you wish for our Great Qian to win or lose?"

These words were laced with hidden barbs, deliberately setting a trap. If the answer was even slightly off, it would be considered a grave crime of disloyalty to the nation and disregard for the country!

Xiao Yunfeng's expression instantly darkened, a flash of anger crossing his eyes, and he sternly rebuked, "Second brother, how dare you!"

"As the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, you are concerned for the fate of your country and its people. Naturally, you hope that our Great Qian Iron Army will sweep away foreign enemies and return in triumph! Your question is utterly absurd!"

Xiao Yunshan quickly cupped his hands in apologetic smile, his expression humble and harmless: "Your Majesty, please calm down. It was a slip of the tongue, just a casual joke."

"We are brothers, both descendants of the Great Qian Dynasty, and naturally we are of one mind and one heart. We hope that General Su and Uncle San will achieve a great victory."

He then changed the subject, feigning a sigh, and said in a low voice, "But things are unpredictable. The Eastern Barbarian navy has dominated the East China Sea for many years, with deep roots and formidable fighting power. They are a truly formidable enemy at sea."

"Our new recruits of the Great Qian Dynasty are just beginning their campaign, and the outcome is truly unpredictable. I fear that in the end, things will not go as planned."

Xiao Yunfeng feigned seriousness, nodding slightly in agreement, but his eyes were brimming with wild joy.

He longed for defeat more than anyone else!

Just when the two princes each harbored their own secrets, and the entire court was filled with apprehension!

The loud and clear voice of the chief eunuch Li Fuquan rang out from outside the hall, piercing through the noise of the entire hall!

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As soon as the words fell, the entire hall fell silent!

The chaotic discussions ceased abruptly, and the civil and military officials instantly composed themselves, bowing their heads and standing solemnly to welcome the emperor.

Wearing a dragon robe, Xiao Jinghuan strode into the Golden Palace with a brisk pace and a radiant face, his joy barely concealed. He took his seat firmly on the highest dragon throne.

"All of you, rise."

The officials thanked the emperor and rose, but a huge weight still hung in their hearts, filled with unease, as they waited for the emperor to speak and hold them accountable.

Everyone assumed that what followed would be the emperor's fury and the thunderous wrath of those who had lost the war.

But the next second, an unexpected scene shocked the entire hall!

Xiao Jinghuan, who was sitting upright on the dragon throne, suddenly looked up and laughed loudly!

"Hahaha! Great!"

"What a magnificent naval force! What a fine old General Su Mu!"

The continuous bursts of laughter were bold and passionate, coming from the heart, full of excitement and ecstasy, without the slightest bit of anger at defeat, but rather overflowing with joy!

The entire court was stunned for a moment, exchanging bewildered glances, their eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng and Second Prince Xiao Yunshan froze on the spot, their hearts skipping a beat, a sense of foreboding rising within them.

Unable to contain his surprise, the Crown Prince stepped forward first, bowed, and asked, "Father, what brings you such great joy? What has made Your Majesty so pleased?"

Xiao Jinghuan suppressed his smile, his gaze sweeping over the assembled civil and military officials. His voice was loud and inspiring, resounding throughout the entire Golden Palace!

"I have urgently summoned all my ministers today to inform the world!"

"Our Great Qian's 300,000-strong army, crossing the sea, marched with unstoppable force! In just five days, they swept across the entire territory of the Eastern Barbarians, flattening the enemy's land!"

"Emperor Ito Jimmu of the Eastern Barbarians has been beheaded, all the rebellious ministers in the court have been executed, and the Eastern Barbarian kingdom has been utterly destroyed! Our Great Qian has won a great victory, and our army will soon return to the capital!"

His words struck like a thunderclap from the heavens in the Golden Palace!

The entire court of civil and military officials stood frozen in place, their minds blank, their pupils constricted, their faces filled with utter shock and disbelief!

In just five days!

In five days, they annihilated the Eastern Barbarians who had been around for a century, killed the enemy emperor, and crushed the overlord of the East Sea!

Just moments ago, everyone was still speculating about defeat and rout, and everyone was filled with fear and unease. But in the blink of an eye, news of an unprecedented victory has arrived!

The stark contrast left all the ministers completely stunned, and the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng froze, his face turning deathly pale. His initial elation and anticipation shattered instantly, and he muttered in disbelief, "Impossible... how could this be..."

"The Dongyi were the overlords of the East Sea, with unparalleled naval power. How could they have been completely destroyed in just five days..."

The Second Prince, Xiao Yunshan, also underwent a dramatic change in expression, his eyes filled with shock, and he remained speechless for a long time.

After a brief silence, the entire hall erupted in chaos, with shouts and commotion rising and falling!

"A country conquered in five days! Never before in history has such a swift and decisive victory across the sea been achieved!"

"General Su is truly a legendary war god of our Great Qian Dynasty! A pillar of strength that will stabilize the world!"

"Our previous actions were all due to our shortsightedness and unfounded suspicions leading to defeat; how laughable!"

People's hearts were completely turned upside down, and the entire hall was filled with ecstasy and awe.

Only Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng felt gloomy and chilled, filled with resentment and fear.

Su Mu's triumphant victory will surely elevate his prestige to the top of the court and the public, and the emperor will rely on him even more. His scheme to eliminate Su Mu and solidify his position as crown prince has completely failed and is becoming increasingly difficult!

Despite the shock, some ministers remained skeptical, fearing that the military intelligence was flawed and that the victory report was fabricated.

Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng forcibly suppressed the gloom in his heart, cupped his hands again, and reported in a deep voice: "Father, the annihilation of a country in five days is too unbelievable. This earth-shattering victory is unprecedented. It concerns the nation's reputation and the morale of the army. Your son begs Your Majesty to carefully verify the report and not to believe any false reports of victory, lest you become a laughingstock to the world!"

Upon hearing this, a group of cautious ministers echoed his sentiments, their eyes filled with doubt.

Xiao Jinghuan remained calm and composed, showing confidence. He did not directly refute the argument, but simply glanced at His Highness Li Fuquan and nodded slightly.

Li Fuquan understood, immediately stepped forward, and loudly conveyed the imperial decree:

"Summon General Xu Cheng, the Vanguard General, to enter the palace immediately for an audience with the Emperor!"