Chapter 838: with translation of chapter title

Da Yu was excitedly studying the map, and from time to time he hehe‑laughed twice.

He was truly happy, completely ignoring the blackened face of Yan Yan downstairs and A Liao's astonished expression.

Ever since he let himself go, Da Yu had already become enamored of this feeling.

He even defined this matter as a rebirth.

Back when he was emperor, he felt stifled and powerless, wronged, spending all day wits and courage against those ministers; many times he couldn't sleep all night, yet in the end he had no recourse against them.

Now, after hearing Chen Wuji's complete non‑interference, he felt boundless and free, and recently he even managed to regain a bit of power.

Although these powers were better than nothing.

But compared to before, when he couldn't retrieve any power and instead saw it gradually divided among those ministers, this is a huge improvement.

"Your Majesty!" Yan Yan shouted with a stern face.

Da Yu turned back unhappily, "What are you shouting for? If you're uncomfortable, go stand outside; don't disturb my refined mood!"

He is truly elegant now, very elegant!

Chen Wuji, that little bastard, really has talent—how did he manage this in just a few months?

A mere ten thousand troops actually conquered half of India's territory in such a short time—what was all the court's previous painstaking effort worth? They would send hundreds of thousands of troops in grand array, only to return defeated.

Utterly a bunch of good‑for‑nothings!

Yan Yan's vision darkened with anger as he forcibly suppressed his fury and said, "Your Majesty, Chen Wuji mobilized troops without imperial edict, attacked a vassal state without cause—this is rebellion. This scoundrel no longer pretends; he has openly rebelled. Please, Your Majesty, render judgment soon!"

"What do you want me to judge?" Da Yu abruptly turned.

"How is Minister Chen rebelling? He is clearly expanding the realm for the state. Don't speak recklessly, spout nonsense, and slander a court minister without cause! Moreover, who said he moved troops without edict? The edict I gave—what about it?"

Yan Yan suddenly went dumbfounded; he never expected the emperor to be so shameless, openly shielding Chen Wuji.

"Old minister, haven't you seen the emperor's edict?" Yan Yan said in a low voice.

"What's the problem if you didn't see it? Do I have to report every edict I issue to you?" Da Yu boomed.

Yan Yan placed his left hand behind his back, straightened his body, met the emperor's gaze, and said, "Your Majesty, launching a war against a vassal state with such massive forces, with your edict directed straight at Chen Wuji, is unlawful!"

"And then?" Da Yu asked.

"You go issue this edict—will Chen Wuji obey it? Minister Chen acknowledges only my edict; what problem does Premier Yan see?"

Yan Yan's vision darkened again with anger.

This damned emperor!

Do you not speak any reason at all?

Just then, Da Yu shifted to a relatively milder tone: "Premier Yan, I know you find this puzzling, but you must consider the court's reality. The Lingnan prefectures now regard you and Premier Ruan as national enemies; how could they possibly trust you?"

That's them giving me a little face. Look, this assignment has been handled splendidly—in just a few months they've seized half of India's territory, seven cities! Chen Wuji neither asked the court for men nor for grain; such a loyal servant of the state—what more do you have to say?

Yan Yan nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Did he come to the hall today just to speak of this?

"Your Majesty!" he shouted anxiously.

"Enough!" Da Yu raised his hand sharply to cut off Yan Yan's words, "You needn't say more; I know what you're going to say."

"Push that Indian envoy down and behead him! India has repeatedly betrayed us, constantly infringing on Da Yu's borders—a grave internal threat! I have decided on India; if I do not conquer it, I shall be unworthy of my ancestors and ashamed before heaven and earth."

Da Yu's words were resonant and powerful, his aura grand, his gaze sharp as a sword as he looked with hands behind his back toward the outside of the hall.

Chen Wuji—this let him finally feel what it's like to be an emperor.

Although...

This is entirely his own idea.

Perhaps that little bastard Chen Wuji doesn't even regard him as emperor.

But at least, that lad is still his Nan Jun Regional Inspector Commander, his subject.

Since he is his subject, Chen Wuji's achievements are his own merits as ruler.

Later generations, when they read the histories, will surely look to him.

Thus, it is enough!

A Liao:???

He was dumbfounded, his mouth open wide enough to fit a duck egg.

What on earth is going on in the Da Yu court?

Before entering the palace, that premier certainly didn't speak to him like this—how did it suddenly become an edict of the Da Yu emperor here?

Could it be that Premier Yan is just teasing him like a dog?

Yan Yan stared fixedly at the emperor, enunciating each word: "Your Majesty, Chen Wuji's wolfish ambition is already blatant; how can you still indulge in self‑deceptive favoritism toward him? Do you truly intend to ruin the state and its legacy?"

Yan Yan's words are certainly not light.

Put bluntly, this is practically equivalent to spitting directly on Da Yu's face.

Da Yu glanced at Yan Yan with an indifferent gaze: "Premier Yan, do you know how Chen Wuji spoke to me about you all?"

He also said you are the state's termites, a malignant tumor, and that keeping you would doom the realm; yet I still retain you and entrust you with important duties. Do you know how difficult this is for me? Besides you and Premier Ruan, you are the indispensable pillars of the state, my reliance. Hearing Chen Wuji speak of you thus, I too am angry, but I can do nothing.

"Just as Premier Yan is now speaking of Chen Wuji, I too can do nothing. In my eyes, Chen Wuji is not only blameless but has rendered great merit!"

Da Yu sighed heavily: "Put other matters aside for now—Chen Wuji's achievement in expanding the realm for the state is a fact; discuss and decide on a reward. That's settled; nothing more need be said; I'm weary."

"Also, drag that Indian envoy out and quarter him with five horses. In the war between our two states, he actually came to my presence to lodge a complaint—what does that mean? Do you think I'm a useless good‑for‑nothing? Or are you coming here to insult me?"

A Liao:???

No, wait.

This… what the hell is going on?

A Liao's mind is in a tangle; right now he doesn't even know what to think.

There is a dizzy sensation as if someone had thrown him into a jar and shaken it wildly for several hours.

"Your Majesty, excessive injustice will bring about one's own downfall; you cannot be so foolish!" Yan Yan said through gritted teeth.

His words were already about to burst out of his throat, unable to be held back; that dog of an emperor, if he dies a few days later, he will surely be angered to death first.

Yu Qian's face sank instantly, "Yan Xiang, are you speaking to me?"