Lin Zixiao is preparing to attack the Lin Family Army

It was as if a sudden clap of thunder exploded right above Ren Tianye's head.

For a moment, he was completely stunned.

What the hell?

Such incredibly powerful firearms were actually possessed by Yunjing City systematically and on a large scale?

Was that even still Yunjing City?

That had to be the most impregnable city in the world!

It should be known that after experiencing so many things in the capital, Ren Tianye had made plans. He intended to personally lead an army to conquer Yunjing City after dealing with the Lin Zixiao incident.

And then he would sweep across the entire country with his army.

But now...

Hearing these words, Ren Tianye felt quite terrible.

Damn it, if Yunjing City was really this fierce, let alone having three hundred thousand troops in his hands, what if he had five hundred thousand?

As long as they could train fifty thousand elite soldiers proficient in using firearms, his chances of winning would be slim.

And...

Since Yunjing City could possess firearms systematically and on a large scale, it was obviously not achieved overnight. It must have undergone years of development.

It was almost certain that Yunjing City had soldiers strictly trained in firearms.

"Damn it, the difficulty of truly conquering this world has increased exponentially."

Ren Tianye cursed inwardly.

His understanding of Liu Ruyan from the Tongxin Alliance deepened even further.

This woman was not just Great Emperor Ruyan.

She was also a woman of science and engineering.

And she was so damn career-driven!

To have created so many firearms!

However, upon further thought, Ren Tianye felt something was amiss.

If Great Emperor Ruyan was career-driven, why did she establish the Tongxin Alliance?

This Tongxin Alliance didn't really seem like a serious enterprise!

At the very least, from his perspective, it was quite problematic.

"General Ren, what's wrong?"

Seeing Ren Tianye dazed, Lin Zixiao quickly asked, "Could it be that Her Majesty is unwilling to use these firearms?"

"Then, please, General Ren, you must advise Her Majesty. Such firearms are vital weapons of the state, and absolutely must not be easily discarded!"

Ren Tianye's heart was boiling with a thousand waves, but his expression remained completely unchanged. At this moment, he even smiled and said, "For such a major matter, I alone am certainly not enough."

"Your counsel, Brother Lin, is also needed."

"Come, let me take you to see Her Majesty."

Lin Zixiao grew excited, yet also a bit nervous. His body was even trembling slightly as he quickly agreed.

Immediately after, Ren Tianye affectionately took his hand and led him toward the palace. Along the way, Lin Zixiao kept muttering to himself, seemingly memorizing something.

Ren Tianye heard him loud and clear, but aside from wanting to laugh, he truly felt no other emotion.

Because,

Lin Zixiao was rehearsing what to say when he met the Empress!

It was exactly like a boy preparing his lines for the first time he meets a female internet friend!

Ren Tianye very considerately did not interrupt him.

They soon arrived at the grand hall.

Empress Xiao Mingzhao had dragged her physically weak body to sit on the dragon throne. Although her complexion did not look great and her vitality seemed average, she still appeared quite tough.

This left the royal physician who had diagnosed Empress Xiao Mingzhao completely baffled.

Logically speaking, after he had inserted so many needles to stimulate her potential, she should be completely exhausted by now.

But,

Xiao Mingzhao simply was not!

Absolutely not!

She could be called the ultimate survivor!

However, to Ren Tianye, her current state was more beneficial than detrimental. She was entirely under his control, and he was quite happy to see this.

"Your Majesty, your guilty subject Lin Zixiao pays his respects!"

Lin Zixiao fell to his knees with a thud, without the slightest hesitation. Stuttering with excitement, he expressed his loyalty: "This guilty subject has sinned. I should not have led an army to bear down on the city and endanger Your Majesty."

"It is my fault, it is all my fault."

"I should not have..."

On the dragon throne, Xiao Mingzhao grew somewhat impatient and interrupted, "Alright, I understand what you mean, my beloved subject. I have also issued you an edict of self-reproach. I believe you understand my intentions as well."

"I... I understand, I understand everything."

"It is good that you understand," Xiao Mingzhao said.

Having been the Empress for many years, her aura of majesty was still quite substantial. Every movement she made carried the oppressive weight of a ruler who held the power of life and death.

"It is not that I lack the capacity for tolerance. Since I have expressed that I will let bygones be bygones, I naturally will not blame you anymore."

"Furthermore, you have Duke Ren to vouch for you."

"Even if I don't do it for your sake, I will do it for his and pardon your crimes."

Pausing, Xiao Mingzhao's eyes looked at Ren Tianye with tender affection, as if her gaze was begging for praise, hoping that Ren Tianye would be satisfied with her performance.

Unfortunately, Ren Tianye's gaze remained fixed on Lin Zixiao; he did not even spare her a second glance.

This disappointed Xiao Mingzhao a little, but it actually stimulated her emotions even more.

"With that said, you ought to be grateful to Duke Ren."

"If it weren't for him, it would have been impossible for me to forgive you in such a short amount of time."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zixiao quickly stood up and then bowed deeply to Ren Tianye.

"I, Lin Zixiao, thank you, Your Grace."

"Ah, you are too polite." Ren Tianye's face was wreathed in smiles. "We are brothers, why make such distinctions?"

"However, if you come to surrender all by yourself, even though Her Majesty is willing to let bygones be bygones and I can speak on your behalf, the civil and military officials of the court might not tolerate you."

"That army of two hundred thousand you brought has made the entire court quite uneasy."

Lin Zixiao immediately said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, Your Grace."

"As long as Her Majesty gives the order, I will immediately take my men out of the city, recall the two hundred thousand troops, and hand them all over to the imperial court."

Ren Tianye glanced at Xiao Mingzhao.

Xiao Mingzhao immediately said, "That is excellent."

"This matter is of the utmost urgency."

"There must not be the slightest delay. Since you possess such loyalty, there is no time like the present. Go and bring the troops back right now."

Ren Tianye chimed in, "If Brother Lin brings those two hundred thousand men over, it will not only resolve the crisis in the capital but also expand the Great Yu's military forces. In my opinion, when the time comes, Brother Lin should be bestowed the title of Marquis."

Xiao Mingzhao said like a marionette, "Alright."

"If Duke Ren says it's alright, then I think it's alright."

Overjoyed, Lin Zixiao fell to his knees again with a thud: "Your subject, Lin Zixiao, thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace."

"I will go right now and bring back the two hundred thousand troops."

Ren Tianye reminded him, "Brother Lin, if you go back, please be sure to pay attention to your own safety. Although you have a loyal and courageous heart, the two hundred thousand troops under your command may not all share the same sentiment."

"If they still stubbornly insist on rebelling, tie you up, or even kill you, then if this root of trouble is not eradicated, no matter how loyal your Lin family is, it will still result in a great disaster."

"I'm afraid that even if your father, Lin Yi, knew of this in the netherworld, he would not be able to rest in peace."

"Therefore, if things go wrong, I'm afraid you will need to deal with them personally."

These words truly hit Lin Zixiao where it hurt most.

His expression immediately turned solemn as he said, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Grace."

"I still have some confidence."

"Of course, if things really turn out as Your Grace says, then..."

Lin Zixiao's eyes sharpened. "Just as I gathered them together back then, I can also crush them now!"

"I will absolutely not let them pose a threat to the capital!"

Ren Tianye nodded in great satisfaction.

This way, the worst possible outcome would merely be internal strife within the Lin Army. No matter how things played out, he stood to profit—to profit immensely!

Xiao Mingzhao nodded in agreement.

As long as it did not bring trouble to Ren Tianye, all was well.

Just as he was about to dismiss Lin Zixiao, Lin Zixiao suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, your subject has a few private words he wishes to say to you."

"I beseech Your Majesty to grant your subject this opportunity!"

...