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

......

After the court session ended, all the officials returned to their respective positions.

Whether it was because Chen Shao's killings established his authority or because they felt a real sense of crisis due to the approaching army, in any case, their work efficiency doubled.

The six ministries that used to dawdle, the Ministry of Revenue allocating grain, the Ministry of Works transporting weapons, and the Ministry of War mustering troops, no longer dared to shirk their responsibilities or pass the buck.

At least on the surface, they appear to be united in their hatred of the enemy.

Even Han Cao was constantly busy running around.

The next day at dawn.

Chen Shao and Yu Qi'an had already appeared on the city wall.

Preparations for defending the city have been made in every possible way.

The rest is not something anyone can decide at will.

In the center of the city gate tower, Master Guo was setting up the altar.

The altar has three levels, with eight black and yellow flags planted on the bottom level according to the eight trigrams.

The incense burner, bronze mirror, and peach wood sword in the center are all present.

Various talismans were hung everywhere.

Master Guo, dressed in a crane-feather cloak, held a jade ruyi in his hand, and performed the Yu Step, chanting incantations.

It looks quite professional.

He has a rather otherworldly and ethereal appearance.

Chen Shao and Yu Qi'an watched him show off quietly from the side.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind.

Shen Qingci lifted her skirt and rushed up the city wall.

Her delicate, round face flushed slightly from walking quickly.

As soon as she stepped onto the city wall, she looked up.

Sure enough, an old Taoist priest was performing a shamanistic ritual there.

Shen Qingci almost fainted.

Why is His Majesty acting so strangely, sometimes like a ghost and sometimes like a demon?

"His Majesty!"

Shen Qingci's pretty face turned fierce: "What are you up to now!"

"I'm appointing you as a wise ruler, not a charlatan!"

"You've got this quack Taoist priest performing rituals on the city walls, with the whole city watching. Do you think your reputation as a tyrant isn't resounding enough?"

Chen Shaozhen had seriously considered this question.

In an era devoid of science, supernatural phenomena and superstitions became the spiritual refuge for ordinary people.

Even emperors from past lives would give themselves a resounding title.

For example, Emperor Jiajing was known as:

[Supreme Great Luo Heavenly Immortal, Purple Extreme Longevity, Sacred Wisdom, Illuminating Spirit, Unifying the Three Primal Elements, Proving Response, Jade Void, Supreme Master of the Five Thunders, Great True Man of the Mysterious Capital Realm, Emperor of Ten Thousand Years of Longevity]

Yes, that's how cool it is.

Emperor Huizong's official title was also:

[Jade Capital Golden Palace, Seven Treasures Yuantai, Purple Star Spiritual Treasure, Supreme True Jade Palace, Bright Emperor, Great Dao Lord]

Emperors like Tuoba Tao, Li Longji, Zhu Houzhao, and even the Yuan Dynasty's foreign emperor Shundi, all gave themselves a title:

[Jade Palace Pavilion, Adorned with Jade Flowers, First Cave, Misty Fairy]

This is called the integration of military, political, and moral principles!

If they can do it, why can't we?

Chen Shao did not answer her, while Yu Qi'an, who was standing next to him, tugged at the sleeve of the hot-tempered imperial tutor.

"Mr. Shen, please stop asking."

"Why don't you ask? Have you been brainwashed, Yu Qi'an, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes?"

"It's not that we've been brainwashed, it's that His Majesty... he's really good at it."

Shen Qingci's eyes widened.

She could hardly believe her ears.

She scrutinized Yu Qi'an several times, confirming that he hadn't been possessed, but her suspicions only grew stronger.

"If I didn't know what kind of person you, Yu Qi'an, were, I would have already started cursing. What's going on? What are you two up to?"

It's hard to say about Chen Shao, but Yu Qi'an is definitely not the kind of person who acts recklessly.

Shen Qingci's tone also softened considerably.

Yu Qi'an was about to explain.

Suddenly, a rumbling thunderclap echoed across the northern land.

No, it's the sound of horses' hooves!

Everyone looked north.

But on the horizon, a long black wall was slowly advancing.

The Northern Mang army, with 50,000 iron cavalry, rolled in.

The first banner, a scarlet one, embroidered with a golden wolf howling at the moon, was the royal banner of the Northern Mang Empress.

The defending troops on the city wall were thrown into disarray, but fortunately, Qi'an was experienced and managed to stabilize the situation with a few words.

Chen Shaodu was so nervous that he subconsciously clenched his fists.

He had never seen anything like this before.

Only Master Guo on the altar had a calm and unwavering expression, like a gentle spring breeze.

Chen Shao even wondered if this guy might actually have some skills.

Or perhaps he got too caught up in the role and fooled himself?

The Northern Mang cavalry stopped an arrow's throw from the city wall.

Fifty thousand men reined in their horses, their hooves almost forming a single line.

The strict discipline demonstrated Helian Yunni's skill in leading troops.

In the central army formation, a pure white Liangzhou steed slowly stepped forward.

The rider on horseback wore silver armor and had a high ponytail.

The scarlet cloak fluttered in the morning breeze.

His chest was stretched taut by the silver armor.

She held the reins in one hand and a gun in the other.

His narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed slightly.

I looked up and gazed at this majestic city.

At this moment, Helian Yunni was filled with boundless pride.

The capital of the Great Yan Dynasty is right before our eyes.

He is about to establish an unparalleled achievement for the entire grassland, one that will be unprecedented and unmatched in history.

With Emperor Qing'an in hand, and 50,000 invincible iron cavalry, plus the fact that the Great Yan Dynasty was already corrupt.

And there's that altar standing high atop the city wall...

This ancient city, which has stood for thousands of years, is already hers.

Helian Yunni's gaze finally settled on Chen Shao.

Ah, the scene of fleeing in a sorry state in a donkey cart that day comes to mind.

"I never expected that this kid could actually ascend the throne, and do it quite well."

Helian Yunni sighed inwardly.

Then, he shouted:

"Listen up, Chen Shao!"

"I have come by the mandate of Heaven. The Great Yan royal family is cruel and inhumane, slaughtering loyal and good people. They have long lost the virtue of Heaven."

"The collapse of an army of 500,000 in an instant is a clear sign of Heaven's will."

"The reign of the Great Yan Dynasty has come to an end; the Mandate of Heaven rests upon me!"

"I will spare your life because you are young and ignorant. If you surrender today, I will ensure that your ancestral temples are not destroyed and that the lives of the people in the city are saved."

"If you remain obstinate, after the army breaches the city, I will not sheath my sword for three days!"

Fifty thousand iron cavalrymen struck their shields with swords in unison, the sound like thunder, shaking the banners on the city walls.

Chen Shao leaned against the arrow emplacement, looking down at the Northern Mang Empress.

I really want to say, "Open the door and let Shen Qingci out."

But that's not quite right.

He should be the one doing the cursing.

I wonder what kind of person this Northern Mang Empress is.

It turns out it's nothing special, just a couple more pounds on the chest.

"Helian Yunni!"

Chen Shao shouted sternly:

"I originally thought that the Empress of Northern Mang, the phoenix of the grasslands, must possess great ambition and strategy to dare to launch an invasion southward."

"Who would have thought that what I heard on the battlefield today was nothing but the shameless ramblings of a wolf in sheep's clothing!"

"You barbarians beyond the Great Wall live by following the water and grass, eat raw meat and drink blood, are ignorant of etiquette and do not respect the sages."

"For three thousand years, the Central Plains have been a land of refined manners, with poetry and books passed down through generations. You merely seized power on the frontier during our dynasty's internal strife, yet you dare to claim the Mandate of Heaven? How laughable!"

"A woman from a foreign tribe dares to speak ill of the fate of the Central Plains nation on the battlefield? Do you even know the meaning of the word 'shame'?"

"Today, the emperor and his subjects of the Great Yan are united as one, and the people are filled with righteous indignation against the enemy. This capital city will be your burial ground!"

"Traitor!"

"Retreat your troops immediately, and you may still save your life. If you remain obstinate, I will personally behead you and hang your head at the North Gate to inform the world!"

Yu Qi'an tugged at Chen Shao from the side.

whisper:

"Your Majesty, that's enough. Helian Yunni is calm and composed; trying to provoke her will probably not work."

"Now we should let Master Guo appear and lure them into attacking the city."

That's not necessarily true.

It depends on how you insult them.

Chen Shao then added a sentence to Helian Yunni.

"Helian Yunni, you idiot!"