Chapter 471: This guy was clearly set up by capital! (Please subscribe)

Eunuch Cui was definitely a very sensible person; if it wasn't a very critical matter, he couldn't possibly disturb Li Chen at this time.

Hearing this, Li Chen's brows furrowed, but he quickly returned to calm.

He turned to Li Meng and said softly: "You go with Consort Jiang to see the Xixia Palace first; if you need anything, just say it. I'll be back soon."

Li Meng nodded obediently; although she was a bit uneasy in her heart, there was more expectation for the future.

She watched Li Chen's departing back, then looked at the gentle Jiang Rong beside her, suddenly feeling that this sudden change of identity didn't seem so scary after all.

Jiang Rong took Li Meng's arm and said cordially: "Sister, don't worry; His Majesty will be back after handling state affairs. I'll take you to the Xixia Palace first; the Southern Frontier snacks you like have already been prepared..."

Inside the Imperial Study, Li Chen unfolded the military report, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

The Eternal Day Empire mobilizing troops at this time—it seems that rumor really made the Pope unable to sit still.

To be precise, it was the Pope who gave Charles Shi Dan enough pressure.

During this recent period, Li Chen had also checked many intelligence reports about the Eternal Day Empire.

Combined with the things he had chatted about when he accidentally met Charles Shi Dan last time, plus the recent rumors...

In order to prove to the Pope that he wasn't colluding with the May Tian Ce Dynasty, Charles Shi Dan definitely had to make some gestures, such as taking military action against the May Tian Ce Dynasty.

If you're already fighting a war, then the Pope can't say I'm colluding with Li Chen, right?

Li Chen felt that Charles Shi Dan was truly miserable as an Emperor.

Actually, it wasn't just Li Chen who felt this; Charles Shi Dan felt it himself.

Eunuch Cui was still the same old way—only conveying opinions, not expressing any views.

No matter if Li Chen asked him intentionally or unintentionally, he would say "This old servant is dull" or "Your Majesty decides."

This was a smart person; anyway, his status was here, and as long as he didn't make mistakes, he could enjoy his old age in peace.

"Call the Minister of War and Guo Guo Po Yun over."

Hearing Li Chen say this, Eunuch Cui responded and rolled up his trouser legs, preparing to leave.

This efficiency was indeed very fast.

But Li Chen stopped him, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, and continued: "Order Yun Xu to deploy according to the contingency plan. Also, have the Ministry of Rites prepare a 'Flower Viewing Invitation' and invite the Emperors of the Southern countries to attend the Myriad Flower Assembly."

Since the Eternal Day Empire wanted to play, Li Chen would play with them properly.

Although Eunuch Cui didn't understand Li Chen's intention, he knew deeply that he only needed to faithfully convey the decree.

He bowed and took the order, walking away quickly with steady steps, his robes fluttering as he disappeared outside the hall door.

Before long, Grand General Guo Guo Po Yun and the Minister of War hurried to the Imperial Study.

Both had solemn expressions, clearly realizing from Eunuch Cui that the situation was urgent.

"Your Majesty." The two saluted in unison.

Li Chen handed over the military report sent by Yun Xu: "My two dear ministers, look at this first."

The Minister of War took it with both hands and read it carefully side-by-side with Guo Guo Po Yun.

As their gazes moved across the paper, their brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

The Eternal Day Empire wasn't an ordinary small country; it was a superpower with billions of people, countless peak Sage Realm experts, and well-equipped military—one of the few formidable enemies of the May Tian Ce Dynasty on the continent.

Bang!

Guo Guo Po Yun punched his palm and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, the Eternal Day Empire dares to invade; this subject is willing to lead the Southern Army personally, ensuring they have no return!"

It seemed Guo Guo Po Yun really wanted to fight this battle; if he could win, it would definitely be a heavy stroke on his resume.

The Minister of War also said solemnly: "Your Majesty, this subject feels this battle is unavoidable; if we show weakness, the Southern countries might lean toward the Eternal Day Empire."

A superpower couldn't show weakness; once it showed weakness, who would dare to be a vassal? Li Chen heard this, but a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Fight, naturally we must fight. However... we must cooperate with them to fight."

"Cooperate?" The two heavy ministers looked at each other, momentarily not understanding the meaning.

In a war between superpowers, where was there any talk of cooperation?

What did this sentence mean?

Li Chen stood up and paced, saying slowly: "The Eternal Day Empire is now in a struggle between imperial power and divine power; Charles is unwilling to be suppressed by the Holy See, and this troop dispatch is nothing more than being forced by the Pope to prove his innocence."

The evil intent at the corners of his mouth grew stronger, and he continued: "We insist on cooperating with him, making him paint himself blacker and blacker."

Guo Guo Po Yun's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty's meaning is..."

"Correct." Li Chen stood with his hands behind his back, "We pretend to have been prepared for a long time, making the Pope think Charles is truly colluding with me. At that time, the Pope will inevitably apply pressure, and Charles will be caught in a dilemma..."

He paused meaningfully.

"Wonderful!" Guo Guo Po Yun slapped the table and cheered, "Let them have internal chaos and collapse without attacking!"

The Minister of War also suddenly realized, praising repeatedly: "Your Majesty is wise! Once this plan is out, the Eternal Day Empire will inevitably have internal chaos, and then we will..."

He made a gesture of encirclement.

Li Chen nodded slightly: "So this time, we must 'cooperate' with Charles to act out this play well."

This wasn't a matter of whether Charles was willing or not; he had no choice even if he wasn't.

Li Chen had calculated him to death; it would be difficult for him not to have a conflict with the Pope.

Originally, many people in the Holy See were displeased with him, plus various rumors.

Li Chen was forcing Charles to fight the Pope; unless Charles admitted defeat, there was no solution.

The Pope definitely wouldn't bow his head; this could be understood—the Pope should be a peak Sage Realm person.

People of this level wouldn't look down on an Emperor who hadn't reached the Sage Realm.

Don't ask Li Chen why he knew; if Li Chen weren't a peak Sage Realm expert, those sect experts would also look down on him.

Anyway, Li Chen wasn't in a hurry; the one in a hurry was Charles.

He looked at Guo Guo Po Yun: "If you go south, it won't be easy to end; let Yun Xu handle it himself. Remember, the formation must be large, but the engagement must be 'clever'."

"This subject understands!"

Guo Guo Po Yun took the order with a fist, a smile also appearing on his lips.

"I will tell Yun Xu the method, ensuring those divine sticks of the Eternal Day Empire think we have been colluding with them for a long time!"

The Minister of War added: "Your Majesty, I heard you are going to invite the Emperors of the Southern countries to view flowers; I will go and arrange it, letting the Emperors of the Southern countries 'accidentally' discover some 'evidence'."

It had to be said that the Minister of War was also a talent who could do some useful things in this position.

Li Chen nodded with satisfaction; if the monarch and ministers were of one heart, things would be easy to handle.

Charles also didn't expect that Li Chen would actually play a positive scheme!

The news that the Emperor of the May Tian Ce Dynasty invited the Kings of the Southern countries to attend the Myriad Flower Assembly spread across the entire continent as if it had grown wings.

This wasn't an ordinary invitation, but a decree announced publicly by Ministry of Rites officials at the morning court; the envoys of various countries immediately transmitted the news back to their countries via orbital trains, carrier pigeons, and various other means.

The first to receive the news was the King of the Tasha Kingdom.

This old King, over sixty, was having breakfast when he heard the envoy's report, and the gold bowl in his hand fell to the ground with a "clang."

The old King was so excited his beard was trembling: "Quick! Prepare the carriages! Let the Crown Prince supervise the country; I must set off immediately!"

The attendants prepared in a scramble, and the old King had already changed into his most luxurious ceremonial dress: "This is the first time the May Tian Ce Emperor has taken the initiative to summon me; I must not be late!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 472 =====