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

I've stacked up all the buffs for you, I don't believe you can escape my grasp!

After the guests and hosts were seated and several rounds of tea were served, they began to discuss business.

"How many warhorses can you get?" Chen Shao asked bluntly.

"How much does Your Majesty need?"

"Of course, the more the better; money is not an issue."

Qin Ling Shuang stretched out one hand:

"In the short term, at most 5,000 horses."

Chen Shao's gaze, however, fell on her hands.

Can't you at least be a little more professional when dressing up as a man? I don't expect you to hide for years like Zhu Yingtai, but at least make your hands look a little rougher.

This is so delicate... wait, where's your middle fingernail?

Chen Shao nodded: "Five thousand horses may be a bit few, but given the current situation, every little bit helps."

On battlefields without firearms, cavalry is a game-changer, a key troop type that can determine the outcome of a war.

The Northern Barbarians were few in number, but they swept southwards with unstoppable momentum, relying on the advantage of their cavalry.

Chen Shao's system is unreliable; he can't draw training cards. Otherwise, he would have shown them what high-speed, deep penetration is and what it means to prey on the enemy.

With 5,000 horses, plus the 3,000 we already have, and some more to buy in the capital, we can gather 10,000 cavalry.

They also gained some strength to fight against the Northern Barbarians.

He suddenly changed the subject:

"Chief Qin, aren't you afraid I'll use your horses to build a cavalry and wipe you out?"

Qin Ling Shuang laughed heartily.

"Your Majesty should get past this hurdle first. Besides, Black Wind Mountain is a famous mountain, not Black Wind Plain. Cavalry in the mountains are just sitting ducks."

Chen Shao also laughed loudly:

"We were just joking around."

Name your price.

"Now that it is wartime, the price of horses has skyrocketed, to eighty taels a horse."

Before Chen Shao could speak, Yu Qi'an's expression changed drastically.

He angrily said:

"You've gone too far! A horse normally costs only forty taels of silver. This is outrageous! There's a limit to taking advantage of someone's misfortune!"

"This is profiteering from national disaster!"

Qin Ling Shuang smiled faintly:

"Has Lord Yu forgotten who we are? We are all wanted criminals by the imperial court. Is it not excessive for us to profit from the national crisis?"

"Moreover, whether it's profiting from a national crisis is another matter. Normal times are normal, but now is now."

"Most horse farms are in the north, and the north is full of scouts from the Northern Barbarians. There are also gold-plated roads along the way. Your various vassal kings are also taking advantage of every opportunity. Eighty taels of silver is already a rare commodity."

Yu Qi'an was about to argue further when Chen Shao waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Chief Qin, now that we are brothers, could you give me this batch of horses as a token of friendship?"

???

Everyone looked at Chen Shao in surprise. This guy was really... like a rat biting a cow's butt, eating the cow's udder.

The second-in-command next to him chuckled:

"Why doesn't His Majesty offer the capital region to our Black Wind Stronghold as a gesture of friendship?"

Yu Qi'an's expression changed drastically, and his hand was already on the hilt of the knife.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shao suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"Well said!"

"Why can't I give you the capital region?"

"Of course I can!"

Then he sighed.

"Now that foreign tribes have invaded, I admit my inadequacy."

"If there are any heroes in this world who can shoulder the responsibility of the country and save the people, then we should take the land and rivers for our own use."

"If your Black Wind Stronghold can rise up unexpectedly and drive out the Tartars, why shouldn't I give you this capital, and even the entire Great Yan kingdom?"

"Forehead..."

His words caused everyone in the private room to gasp in shock.

The indoor temperature dropped eight degrees instantly.

What does this mean...?

No, what's wrong with this emperor? He's so abstract.

Telling these things to the bandits...

Qin Ling Shuang was stunned for a long time.

It took me a moment to come to my senses.

She gave Chen Shao a deep look, realizing that this kid had completely disrupted her rhythm.

I'm talking to you about money, and you're talking to me about principles?

There's no such thing as "righteousness"!

"Your Majesty, please just tell me whether you want it or not. Even if the deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. This empire is too heavy a burden for me to bear."

Chen Shao's expression changed instantly: "Just now..."

Qin Ling Shuang waved her hand to interrupt, "Stop joking around and just get to the point."

"How about this, I'll make a bet with you, Chief. If you win, I'll grant you any request, even if you want me to abdicate the throne. If you lose, these warhorses are yours."

"Oh?"

Qin Ling Shuang looked at him with great interest.

It seems like they want to peel him away layer by layer.

Xiang Tian leaned closer and whispered:

"This man seems very cunning; the chief must not be fooled."

...I'm no pushover either, Qin Ling Shuang glared at him.

eventful!

"What does Your Majesty wish to bet on?"

"Simple. I've heard that Your Majesty's martial arts are unparalleled, that you're invincible. I'll bet you this: a fair one-on-one duel!"

The people of Black Wind Stronghold looked at each other in bewilderment.

It was as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

They all burst into laughter at the same time.

"His Majesty wishes to duel with our chief?"

"Brothers, did you hear that? Someone wants to fight the boss one-on-one!"

"I've been in this underworld for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen someone so eager to die."

Qin Ling Shuang also found it amusing.

From south to north, from Wudang to Shaolin, she has never met her match.

Is it possible for a pampered emperor like Chen Shao to stage an accident?

But she is, after all, a person of status, and she is a professional at managing her expressions.

"Is Your Majesty certain?"

"I'm sure. If you don't believe me, we can put it in writing, or even announce it to the world."

"Good! His Majesty is much tougher than Emperor Qing'an."

A glint of light flashed in Qin Ling Shuang's eyes.

"You are the Emperor of Great Yan, so I don't think you'll go back on your word. We'll skip the written agreement. If you lose, I don't want your throne. I just want you to behead that dog of an official, Han Cao, and display his head to the public."

...This is practically tantamount to demanding my throne," Chen Shao's expression turned serious.

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!

Just do it.

Both parties stepped back, clearing an open space in the center of the private room.

Yu Qi'an and Xiang Tian stood on either side.

Coincidentally, both of them had the same confident expression.

The people of Black Wind Stronghold thought their leader was invincible.

Yu Qi'an knew that even brutes like Chen Shaolian and Helian Xiong could be dealt with in one move.

To show off her muscles, Qin Ling Shuang stood with her back to Chen Shao, hands clasped behind her back, exuding an air of superiority.

"Don't say I'm bullying you, I'll give you three moves."

"He's a true brother." Chen Shao confirmed again.

Enough with the chit-chat, let's take a step forward.

He had never practiced martial arts; he was just a lowly Karami with a martial arts level of 60, and he didn't know any moves at all.

A straightforward, unadorned straight punch was delivered.

It looks quite ordinary.

Xiang Tian scoffed, "This is it... Holy crap!"

His smile froze on his face.

Because he saw his invincible boss, like a piece of wood, neither dodging nor avoiding, getting punched flat on his face.

Qin Ling Shuang staggered forward several steps in an instant.

Tengtengteng—

It smashed into the henchmen who were huddled together at the door.

Instantly, people and horses were thrown into chaos.

"Chieftain!!!"

He suddenly darted out.

Chen Shao picked up the teacup on the table and leisurely began to blow on it.

Qin Ling Shuang was completely stunned.

"pain."

"It hurts so much."