Doomsday Code

Everyone knew the matter was urgent, so no one tried to dissuade them. After the discussion was nearly finished, Chen Cheng announced the adjournment of the meeting.

However, just as everyone was leaving, Chen Cheng called out to Chikuwa, who had been standing in the background the whole time.

"His Majesty."

Chen Cheng nodded, then gestured for him to speak:

"Master Chikuwa, please have a seat."

"Now, according to the plan, the pace in the Northern Wilderness will inevitably have to slow down. With all his skills now idle here, the master must be itching to use them."

Chen Cheng said with a smile.

He wasn't just making this up. Alchemists are called sorcerers because they are more persistent than ordinary potion-making mages.

Ordinary mages may become complacent after achieving some success, but warlocks are different. After achieving their goals, they set themselves an even bigger goal and will spare no effort to achieve it.

Therefore, they all belong to the category of mad scientists.

Upon hearing Chen Cheng's words, Zhu Lun knew that Chen Cheng must want him to do something.

He wasn't stupid; he immediately thought of the current situation in the newly liberated Northern Territory and realized that Chen Cheng probably wanted him to go there.

"If Your Majesty has given a command, we will certainly do our utmost to fulfill it."

Seeing that he had already expressed his opinion, Chen Cheng stopped beating around the bush and told him his own thoughts.

"This northern border is located in the far north, and it is a bitterly cold place. The daily necessities needed by the people living here are transported by inland caravans."

The North is now isolated from the outside world, and even the most basic necessities within the North, though used sparingly, won't last much longer.

Therefore, I hope that the master can lead his disciples and followers to the North and transform that white desert into a paradise like Jiangnan.

Returning to one's original profession, especially one related to the foundation of one's enlightenment, is of course perfectly acceptable for bamboo skewers.

He had previously worried that with the current development of Beihuang, where would he find the extra resources to transform the vast desert into an oasis?

Even if Chen Cheng had promised, this old man might never see it in his lifetime.

Now Chen Cheng has chosen a new place for him. Although it is much simpler than this desert in terms of difficulty and other aspects, it is also an opportunity for him to practice alchemy.

Even if one ultimately fails to attain enlightenment, the accumulated technology will allow one's disciples and grandchildren to return here a hundred years later and fulfill their wish to achieve enlightenment using the accumulated technology and experience.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Chen Cheng quickly helped the bamboo wheel up and said:

"It's not you who should thank me, but me and all the creatures of the North who should thank you."

"When you head north this time, I will give you a map. Follow the map and you will be met by the commander of the Great Wall Army."

Once you reach the North, you can ask for any manpower or resources you need, and they will do their best to meet your needs.

Zhulun bowed to Chen Cheng again and then said:

"Then I will go and make preparations. I happen to have a few remaining alchemy plates here, which I will take with me. We can test them in the Northern Territory to see if this alchemy plate designed for the Great Desert is feasible."

Seeing that Chikuwa quickly got into work mode, Chen Cheng didn't keep him any longer and let him leave.

Shortly after Zhu Lun left, the Prince of Pingbei entered, carrying a food box and lifting the curtain.

"You've been traveling all day, haven't you? Stop what you're doing and have some food."

Although the matter had been handed over to Dean and his team, they still brought back the official documents they had processed, which Chen Cheng took the opportunity to quickly review.

This can also be considered a check on their work.

"Uncle."

Chen Cheng put down the documents in his hand, smiled, and stood up.

"It smells so good! This must be from Sister Xisha."

"This was made by your sister Hisa. When she heard that you had suddenly returned, she knew that you wouldn't be staying for long, so she rushed to buy groceries and made this meal."

This is a military camp, she can't come over, so she asked me to bring her food.

The Prince of Pingbei took out the food and served Chen Cheng a bowl of rice.

"I can do this myself."

Chen Cheng took the bowl and chopsticks from the Prince of Pingbei.

"By the way, Uncle, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Sit down and eat with us. And next time if Sister Xisha cooks, just call me back to eat."

"No, Uncle, I ate before coming. Besides, you're so busy with official duties, I was just afraid of disturbing your work."

Chen Cheng was genuinely hungry, and although Hisa was a princess, she was a princess who could grace a grand hall and cook in the kitchen.

The dishes she cooked were all Chen Cheng's favorites.

After a swift and thorough meal, Chen Cheng cleared away the bowls and chopsticks before inviting the Prince of Pingbei to sit down and discuss matters concerning the northern border.

"According to our original plan, Uncle, you and Zhulun were supposed to go north together. Although the northern border has been recovered, there are still many problems inside."

Originally, I wanted you, Uncle, to go and quell the situation so that the Northern Territory could smoothly get through this turbulent period.

But the situation is different now. The Northern Wilderness is of paramount importance for next year's military operations. I'm truly uneasy if there isn't a mature and prudent person here to oversee things.”

"Therefore, I urge you, Uncle, to remain in the Northern Wilderness and oversee all affairs there."

If Chen Cheng had made such a request in the past imperial era, it would have been considered extremely inappropriate.

This is similar to how ancient emperors in his previous life asked vassal kings to leave their fiefdoms and not return, and the message conveyed was—to weaken the power of vassal kings.

However, the situation is urgent and requires expediency. Most of the people in the Northern Wilderness follow the King of Pingbei. If he leaves, without his command, Chen Cheng is genuinely afraid that other mistakes will occur if the Northern Wilderness is to become a thorn in the enemy's heart.

However, if a mistake is made, it cannot be said that the whole game is lost; it can only be described as a cornered beast fighting desperately.

If the Prince of Pingbei were still a young boy, he might have objected to this.

But now he is an old man with graying temples, and he has his own principles to uphold.

Therefore, even after Chen Cheng left, he never thought of coveting the power in the Northern Wilderness.

For him, restoring the country and eliminating the rebels was his greatest wish in life. As for fighting for power and profit, he would never do such a foolish thing.

"Old minister, take your orders."

The Prince of Pingbei bowed and said.

"With Uncle's words, I can finally rest assured."

"Don't worry about the Northern Wilderness. But you have to be very careful while you're out there alone. You absolutely must use the art of disguise. Even if you have to endure some physical pain, you can't expose yourself."

The Prince of Pingbei also gave Chen Cheng careful instructions as if he were his own nephew or son.