Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

There was a moment of silence inside the tent, followed by a burst of laughter.

"I thought he was a hero, but he turns out to be a coward!"

"How can a ruler of a country be so spineless and incompetent?"

"You know, there's a saying in the Central Plains: 'Those who understand the times are heroes,' and he certainly is one of those heroes."

Despite the various taunts and sarcastic remarks that lingered in his ears, Chen Yuan seemed oblivious.

It still stood there, upright and straight.

This attitude has really angered some people.

"Hmph! A king who lost his country, a fool who ruined an army of 500,000, still dares to be so arrogant! Your Majesty, allow me to kill him with one stroke!"

Suddenly, a general rushed over, making a move to cut off Chen Yuan's head.

puff-

This time it seemed like they were serious, and Chen Yuan knelt down without hesitation.

"No...don't kill me, let's talk this out..."

"People like you are a waste of food!"

"No, no, no, I am useful, I am useful!"

"What use are you?"

"I...I can persuade the court to surrender, I can...help you overcome all obstacles..."

As soon as Chen Yuan finished speaking, he suddenly felt a burning pain in his mouth.

???

The pain was so intense that his mouth swelled up into sausage lips at a visible speed.

Then the pain spread throughout his body, and Chen Yuan felt dizzy.

Everything went black, and he fell backward.

"Um?"

Helian Yunni frowned, and with a light leap, appeared in front of Chen Yuan.

"It wasn't an act."

"Oh no! He's been poisoned! We must save him quickly! This person is very important to us!"

The entire tent was thrown into chaos.

The accompanying imperial physicians hurriedly began to treat him.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

"What...what's wrong with him?"

"Look at what he said, even God probably couldn't stand it anymore and punished his mouth."

"Oh, right, it's quite something that the emperor of a country could utter such words."

"Alright."

Helian Yunni waved her hand to interrupt.

"Disperse. Once the army has finished celebrating, we will immediately march south."

It's only 300 kilometers from Shuangmu City to the capital of Dayan.

A light cavalry raid could bring the city to its gates in a day and a night.

Even with baggage, a normal march would only take five or six days.

"Helian Xiong, you will lead five thousand cavalrymen and serve as the vanguard."

"The people of the Central Plains believe in diplomacy before resorting to force. You must quickly reach the capital of the Great Yan, display the might of our emperor, and force them to come and negotiate."

"The rest of you, each perform your duties: manage your troops, allocate provisions, and prepare for a possible siege!"

"Have the spies report every hour, providing intelligence on the Great Yan."

As the Empress issued her orders, the entire Northern Wilderness, riding the wave of its great victory, doubled its efficiency.

......

"Young master, you..."

Su Ruolan couldn't understand why her poison had no effect whatsoever.

The other party is still full of energy.

Wouldn't that be like losing both your wife and your army?

He risked his life for this assassination attempt.

And they endured so much humiliation and torture!

What exactly is going on?

She was completely baffled.

Chen Shao was completely unaware of it.

Seeing that it was getting dark, he decisively pulled up his pants.

While getting dressed, he kept praising it.

"As expected of the top courtesan, you really know your stuff. What's your number? I'll order you again next time."

"What number...?"

After confirming that the other person was alright, Su Ruolan felt like dying.

The mission failed...

"What's your name? Never mind."

Chen Shao looked at the other person's chest, which was not fully covered by the brocade quilt.

"This is easier to recognize than the name."

He shook his head and was about to push the door open and leave.

"etc."

Su Ruolan called out to her.

She was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

"No, don't you feel anything at all?"

"It feels pretty good."

"No, it's a bad feeling..."

Chen Shao thought for a moment, "That's true to some extent. My legs feel a bit weak right now, and my mind is blank, without any desires or wants. Does that count?"

Screw you, Sage!

Su Ruolan grabbed Jinbei and completely covered herself up, then fiercely reflected on where the mission had failed.

Everything was going so smoothly.

......

The night is getting darker.

The two headed towards the Northern Garrison Prison.

"Your Majesty, you just came out, and you're already going to patronize a prostitute?"

"She didn't ask for money, so it doesn't count."

Chen Shao gave a perfunctory reply, then said with deep concern:

"Old Wei, Wang Zheng is imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, which must be a top-prisoner. The guards must be very tight. How can we sneak in unnoticed?"

"His Majesty."

Eunuch Wei shook his head. "This old servant should say something I shouldn't, but you've overestimated the Embroidered Uniform Guard these days."

"What do you mean?"

"Nowadays, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is almost entirely composed of spoiled brats and thugs who bought their way in."

"They are opportunistic and self-serving, outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant of the emperor, obsessed with money and abusing public power for personal gain, with no bottom line whatsoever in their handling of cases and their pursuit of personal enrichment!"

"As long as you pay enough, you can see whoever you want."

"They are eager to accept bribes but slow to harm others; this is their current situation."

Chen Shao frowned.

He had another purpose for coming out this time: to see if he could win over the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

He now has some wealth.

If what Eunuch Wei said is true, then it is indeed unusable, unacceptable, and ineffective!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the emperor's personal army, responsible for patrolling, arresting, and monitoring officials; it was the sharpest knife in the emperor's hand.

But judging from what Eunuch Wei said, the knife seemed to have already broken.

...

It's August, and the night breeze is most intoxicating, warming your face.

But Chen Shao's heart turned cold.

Ministers abused their power, the Empress Dowager disrupted the government, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard was rotten to the core.

The regional princes held their own armies, managed their own finances, and obeyed orders but not summons.

The Northern Barbarian cavalry are eyeing the south, ready to seize the dragon at any moment.

A sign of national ruin!

These terms are getting more and more abstract. How can we possibly turn the tide?

Whether he can save the country or not is irrelevant; he has to save his own life first.

Within the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the two had already appeared at the deepest part of the imperial prison.

Just as Eunuch Wei said, it was only a matter of ten taels of silver.

Chen Shao kept his head down and walked through the passageway, past the tight guards, until he met the super eunuch.

Wang Zheng!

He was huddled in a corner, disheveled, his gray hair obscuring his face.

Staring blankly at the wall.

Hearing the commotion behind him, he simply said:

"Are they sending our family on their way?"

Chen Shao didn't rush to speak. He squinted his eyes, and a panel appeared above Wang Zheng's head.

Name: Wang Zheng

[Strength: 58, Domestic Affairs: 20, Intelligence: 86, Ambition: 118]

[Status: Utterly despondent, awaiting death...]

Impressed!

Chen Shao felt that the world had gone completely mad.

Throughout the entire Great Yan Dynasty, each country was weaker in internal affairs than the last, yet their ambitions were higher than the last!

A eunuch, whose ambition has soared to 118, what is he planning to do?

However, having ambition is a good thing.

It's easier to cooperate with people who have a need.

"Wang Zheng!"

Chen Shao suddenly shouted.