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

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the "Defense of the Capital: Marrying and Taking Concubines" mission.]

[How could a great emperor of all time be without concubines? The host has taken a crucial step and gained a chance to draw a prize. Do you want to/do you want to draw a prize?]

As Chen Shao stood atop the city wall, a starry sky slowly unfolded in his mind.

The scene this time is a simple camp.

Inside the tent, a middle-aged man with arms that reached past his knees was holding a baby in swaddling clothes, his face full of heartache.

A general in white robes and silver armor was kneeling on one knee in front of him; it was none other than Zhao Zilong of Changshan.

Liu Bei lifted the baby high and slammed it down to the side.

Tears streaming down his face:

"For this brat, I almost lost one of my greatest generals!"

Chen Shao's eyelids twitched as he watched.

Liu Bei was the best man to raise A Dou.

I wouldn't give myself such an entry, would I?

Could dropping a child save the life of a general?

Given the nature of the system, this is very likely.

If that were truly the case, having more children would seem like a good thing.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn the Emperor Card and obtained the entry: Abandoning wife and children.]

[Abandoning wife and children: When you are in dire straits and need to escape, you can randomly sacrifice one of your concubines in exchange for a chance to escape.]

When people are extremely speechless, they can actually laugh.

Chen Shao stood on the city wall and laughed heartily.

But the smile was somewhat ferocious, and rather bitter.

I should really talk to the system more often when I'm unhappy; maybe it'll make me laugh.

He did know that story.

Liu Bei lost his wives quite a few times throughout his life.

This is a tradition in the Liu family.

What the hell do you mean?

Is he planning to take on a large number of concubines in preparation for any eventuality?

How could I possibly be that kind of person...

The key issue is that I don't have the means to take so many concubines. If I can't get past this hurdle, I might end up being taken as a concubine by the Northern Mang men.

Let's get practical, buddy!

What about a meteor falling from the camp? What about the Chang'an Dance King? At the very least, it would be nice if the Jiajing Emperor himself went offline.

Just as I was making plans, I heard Yu Qi'an's voice from behind me.

"His Majesty!"

He leaned closer to Chen Shao and whispered:

"Your Majesty, the people from Black Wind Stronghold have arrived. They want to discuss a horse trade with us."

"Black Wind Stronghold?"

"They are mountain bandits who have been entrenched outside the city for many years. They have channels to obtain horses."

The imperial court was doing business with mountain bandits... Chen Shao had heard Yu Qi'an mention this once.

But when you actually encounter it, you can't help but gasp in astonishment.

Chen Yuan, how did you manage to raise such a large force in the capital region, right under the emperor's nose?

If they can get their hands on horses, wouldn't they be able to march on the capital at any time?

"Your Majesty, let's play along and talk things out after we've secured the city."

Yu Qi'an noticed the strange look on his face and whispered a reminder.

"Can't we just take it down directly?" Chen Shao asked, puzzled.

"Black Wind Stronghold has been a formidable force for many years, and the imperial court has repeatedly attempted to suppress it, but all attempts have failed."

"It's all because there are two extraordinary people in their village. One is their leader, who is said to be extremely skilled in martial arts and is rarely seen. The other is their second leader, who is incredibly resourceful and has a knack for coming up with brilliant ideas."

"Now that they dare to enter the city alone, they must have made thorough preparations."

"If we push them too far, they might defect to the Northern Mang army, which would be a catastrophe for us."

"Is it that serious?"

Yu Qi'an sighed, "Although I don't want to admit it, it's true."

"I will personally go and meet them."

Yu Qi'an nodded without hesitation.

"That is precisely why I have come. I have a short temper and I fear I might not be able to resist overturning the table. But Your Majesty is quite meticulous in your work, and I believe you are far more capable than I am in matters of negotiation."

......

In a private room on the second floor of the teahouse.

The two had been waiting for a long time.

When Chen Shao entered, the first thing he saw was a woman dressed as a man, standing with her hands behind her back by the window.

Like Su Ruolan, the skills of women disguising themselves as men in this era were really hard to compliment. You could tell the difference just by looking at them from behind. What man has such a rounded bottom?

The key point is that everyone else seems to be blind and can't see it.

The person involved might even feel smug: "This disguise technique is brilliant, isn't it?"

It was Qin Ling Shuang, the leader of Black Wind Stronghold.

"We are deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Chief Qin, in person."

Chen Shao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

The woman turned around, and she was completely different from the burly, hairy woman Yu Qi'an had described.

She wore a green dress, her face was as beautiful as jade, and she had a slender figure with a precious jade pendant hanging from her waist.

He looked elegant and refined, more like a spoiled young nobleman.

Name: Qin Ling Shuang.

[Military Strength: 146, Domestic Affairs: 80, Intelligence: 79, Ambition: 108.]

Holy crap... Chen Shao finally realized what gave her the confidence to act so recklessly.

146 combat strength...

He originally thought Bai Bingbing was invincible, but now this freak has appeared.

Next to him was a man who was almost skin and bones, with a long, thin face, prominent cheekbones, and triangular eyes.

Xiang Tian, ​​the second-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold.

Chen Shao thought to himself, "This guy doesn't seem to have any talent at all; he just has the demeanor of someone with extraordinary talent."

Anyone who didn't know better would think that Jia Gui from the underground transportation station had also traveled through time.

[Name: Xiang Tian]

[Military Strength: 88, Domestic Affairs: 82, Intelligence: 91, Ambition: 110.]

Qin Ling Shuang looked Chen Shao up and down, raising a brow with her phoenix eyes.

"Your Mightiness?"

"This is our Emperor," Yu Qi'an said in a deep voice.

Qin Ling Shuang bowed slightly, her tone hardly respectful.

"I've heard so much about you. We're here to do business, so we're all equal in terms of status."

Chen Shao was not annoyed. He lifted his robe and sat down, then suddenly sighed:

"Before we discuss business, let me make this clear: even if a deal falls through, we should maintain good relations. Let's not let a failed negotiation ruin our friendship, shall we?"

Qin Ling Shuang's expression remained unchanged.

He was utterly astonished.

No... he's an emperor, why would he negotiate peace with Black Wind Stronghold?

This little emperor is quite interesting.

But then Chen Shaodao said:

"Since we hit it off so well today with the Chief, why don't we become sworn brothers?"

"???"

Qin Ling Shuang was stunned.

The second-in-command was dumbfounded.

Yu Qi'an was stunned.

The Black Wind Stronghold underlings waving outside were even more bewildered.

Did I hear that right?

The highest-ranking government official wanted to become sworn brothers with the highest-ranking bandit leader.

Was this emperor kicked in the head by a donkey?

definitely is!

I heard that this person even rode a donkey to the battlefield.

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

Qin Ling Shuang frowned and asked, sensing that the young man had ill intentions.

Chen Shao slowly shook his head.

"Let's not beat around the bush."

"Now that the Northern Barbarians are powerful, I have no confidence whatsoever in defending the capital."

Just as Yu Qi'an was about to speak, Chen Shao quickly gave him a look, signaling him to shut up.

"Once the city falls, I don't know what will happen to others, but I'm doomed."

"Before I die, all I want is to make more friends."

"After all, being alone is too lonely, and besides, all men are brothers under heaven."

He spoke in a low, self-pitying tone, like a dying emperor entrusting his son to a dying emperor.

Qin Ling Shuang suddenly felt a pang of pity; after all, becoming brothers wouldn't hurt.

He nodded slowly.

"Then we shall do as Your Majesty says. From now on, you and I shall be brothers, and the entire Black Wind Stronghold shall belong to Your Majesty."

...And bicycles? Chen Shao was overjoyed.

Today, our safety is assured.

But he was still a little worried.

Feigning surprise, he slammed his hand on the table.

"Serve tea! I'm in a good mood today, I'll drink ten bowls!"