Puppet Emperor 011

"Come, Your Majesty—no, Fang Zhiyi, let me offer you a toast!" Grand Commandant Yi was elated. Having brought down Teng Shuchang, he could truly hold absolute power from now on. "That Teng Shuchang actually wanted to impeach us. If it weren't for Deputy General Ah and the others, we would have been placed in a very passive position."

Fang Zhiyi also smiled.

Little Hei shook his head. "These people... even now, they don't realize they've fallen into your trap. But I am a little curious, how do you plan to break out of this? You must know they still just see you as a tool."

Seeing Fang Zhiyi remain silent, Little Hei muttered to himself, "But even if you flee to the south, you'll have a massive headache. Not only has your son taken the throne, but your reputation alone is enough for the historians to write half a book about. A disgraceful emperor, hahahaha."

Fang Zhiyi downed his wine. "It's fine. The original owner's reputation wasn't much better anyway."

"Even though the original owner was a puppet emperor, he didn't actively surrender like you did! Hanging out with these people all day, tsk tsk."

"Your Majesty."

A man with disheveled hair knelt before Fang Zhiyi, his forehead touching the ground.

"My mother has died. No matter what others say about you, you truly gave my mother a period of good days. From now on, I will hold your horse and stirrups to serve you faithfully."

Dexiang looked at the beggar before him, somewhat surprised. He actually came back? After all, the Emperor did good deeds all day long; many people were ungrateful, and some just took the money and ran. This was the first one to ever return.

Fang Zhiyi stepped forward and helped him up. "You're being too formal. If you have nowhere to go, just stay here with me. From now on, whatever I eat, you will eat."

The man nodded heavily.

To Dexiang's surprise, in the following days, several more people returned here. Without exception, Fang Zhiyi let them all stay. Since Teng Shuchang's imprisonment, no one was monitoring Fang Zhiyi anymore, and he was happy to not have to explain himself to anyone.

Dexiang vaguely guessed something, but he didn't dare speak of it.

Fang Zhiyi remained the same as before; besides making money, he just ate and drank with the officials of the Mang Kingdom, maintaining a very harmonious relationship with them.

Teng Shuchang was, after all, a former Great General. Now that he had fallen to this state, ignoring him would inevitably invite accusations of ruthlessness. Moreover, the ruler of the Mang Dynasty had also grown curious about Fang Zhiyi. Was there truly an emperor in this world who did not care for his empire? He had heard many reports about Fang Zhiyi, all claiming he was a talent wholly dedicated to submitting to the Great Mang.

Furthermore, after changing the Great General, the southern expeditionary army still hadn't advanced an inch. The ruler was growing anxious. War cost money, after all, and the money Fang Zhiyi made was supposedly used to subsidize military pay; the ruler himself had received no substantial benefits.

Soon, the ruler of the Mang Kingdom decided to make a southern tour. He wanted to meet Fang Zhiyi, this puppet emperor, and also Teng Shuchang. He was genuinely curious about this thing called a bank. If Fang Zhiyi was willing to abdicate, he could legitimately incorporate half of the Li Kingdom's territory under the rule of the Great Mang. As for the remnants in the south, they could be slowly encroached upon later.

Upon hearing the news, Grand Commandant Yi and his faction did not panic too much. After all, Teng Shuchang killing people was a fact, and he had killed commoners. Moreover, they had already colluded with the military brass to prepare evidence against Teng Shuchang.

The only problem was that Fang Zhiyi knew too much. Everyone here had taken a lot of money, much of which came from the bank's profits.

They felt a complex mix of emotions. They had made money just by eating, drinking, and having fun with Fang Zhiyi, but those good days would soon be over. However, no one said anything. After all, if the ruler gave the order, who would be crazy enough to object?

"When the time comes, do not let him speak. Just..." Grand Commandant Yi made a throat-slitting gesture.

"It's for the best if he dies. Considering how many bribes we've taken from him, only his death will put an end to all our troubles."

"Hehe, that emperor is still playing around every day like a fool."

"The ruler has ordered us to ensure his safety until his abdication. Do you understand?" the officials conspired.

"Understood! Rest assured, what the ruler wants is legitimacy, and what we want is for him to stay silent forever."

Fang Zhiyi seemed to know something as well. He had dismissed all the idle staff in his courtyard early on. Only Dexiang refused to leave, but Fang Zhiyi handed him a letter. Dexiang was one of the few eunuchs who could read. After reading the letter, he knelt before Fang Zhiyi for a long time, wiping his tears, before finally leaving.

It was after this day that many spies once again surrounded Fang Zhiyi, watching his every move.

Everyone knew that the ruler wanted Fang Zhiyi to abdicate legitimately, so nothing could happen to him.

On the day the sun slowly rose, Fang Zhiyi once again donned his dragon robes and sat properly upon the dragon throne.

He glanced at the spot where Xie Wanyuan was supposed to be, but someone else was already standing there. It was Fang Zhiyi himself who had spoken to Grand Commandant Yi about it. When Grand Commandant Yi heard that Xie Wanyuan had disrespected the God of Wealth, he immediately drove Xie's entire family out of the capital.

As the drum music played, a group of people slowly walked into the grand hall.

Fang Zhiyi looked down from his high vantage point at the ruler of the Mang Dynasty. The original owner had met him too; back then, the ruler's face was full of contempt.

Of course, it was still contemptuous now, but mingled with curiosity.

"Fang Zhiyi, as agreed, hurry up and come down," Grand Commandant Yi urged in a low voice.

Fang Zhiyi stood up immediately, seeming impatient to get down. The officials were already familiar with his mindset, and some couldn't help but laugh. Sitting on the dragon throne was like torture for this guy.

The guards beside the ruler stepped forward, and Fang Zhiyi instantly froze in place, as if frightened.

The ruler smiled and waved the guards back. "You must be the Emperor of the Li Kingdom, Fang Zhiyi?"

Fang Zhiyi wore a respectful expression. "Yes, yes. Greetings, Ruler."

There were still people from the Li Kingdom among the officials. Their eyes were full of disdain. How could such a person become emperor?

"Today, my Mang Dynasty and the Li Kingdom can become one..." The ruler began his speech.

Fang Zhiyi bowed and scraped as he walked forward. Many people watched this scene; some were heartbroken, some enjoyed the spectacle, some were excited, but even more were worried. They were afraid Fang Zhiyi would blurt out their secrets.

Only Fang Zhiyi was counting in his heart. Five steps, four steps, three steps...

He suddenly raised his head. The fawning look vanished from his eyes, replaced by a completely different emotion.

"Finally... you fell for it..."

Looking at him, the ruler of the Mang Dynasty suddenly had a bad premonition, but he hadn't finished speaking: "The culture of my Mang Dynasty and the people of the Li Kingdom..."

Fang Zhiyi erupted with a speed no one had ever seen from him before. His hand formed a claw, and in an instant, it clamped onto the throat of the Mang Dynasty's ruler. "Well said. Don't say it next time."

With a mere squeeze, the ruler's pupils instantly flooded with blood. By the time the guards rushed forward, he had already collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

The sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded with shock.