I am a living immortal.

What Su Shen said was unprecedented, truly unparalleled in history. Of course, Chen Dong hadn't thought that far yet. He would gradually clarify his own path in the tasks entrusted by the emperor. Only then would he truly become the core of the Han Dynasty and the Han Dynasty's imperial preceptor.

"I am willing to accept this identity."

The emperor finally smiled at this moment: "You are fine!"

Seeing the two men agree without paying attention to anyone else, the civil and military officials looked at each other, not knowing how to persuade them. They should have thought that the emperor would listen to advice and had a broad perspective, but he was also the emperor, and what he believed could not be changed.

Even if the whole world says that this is wrong, it will not be shaken in the slightest.

Just as when he was the crown prince, he was destined to be the next emperor, the next ruler of the Han Dynasty. The previous emperor had no intention of deposing the crown prince, and his brothers and sisters were no match for him. Despite this, upon returning from his fourth tour of the country, the crown prince resolutely launched a rebellion, despite everyone's opposition.

He cleared the court of evildoers despite the consequences of being extremely unfilial and unjustifiable.

This was unprecedented in all dynasties. At the time, the only person standing by his side was Su Can, the Prince's Grand Tutor. However, facts proved that his choice was the right one. This time, he did not kill the previous emperor, but imprisoned him, completely shifting from being the Crown Prince Regent to seizing the entire country's power and claiming the title of Emperor.

Then came the horrific massacre.

Three hundred people, from the three dukes and nine ministers to the eunuchs and palace maids, no one knew what the prince saw during his four tours of the world.

But after this, all opposition ceased, for they were all in the King's Defender's Pit. The name itself speaks volumes: drastic measures for a serious case—this was the Crown Prince's approach. Fortunately, the Han Dynasty wasn't completely rotten, and after this piece of rotten flesh was cleanly and decisively removed, some unrest naturally ensued. This was inevitable.

The Xiongnu and Baiyue also took advantage of this opportunity to launch a war.

They naturally understood the simple truth of "killing while you are sick." Just when all the pessimists thought that the Han Dynasty was finished.

The emperor, who had been in office for only a hundred days, once again ignored the opposition of his ministers and led the army in person.

The result was good. With the bonus brought by the emperor's personal expedition and the cooperation of the border troops stationed in various places, the Huns were first expelled, the border was pushed outward by 300 miles, and a youcheng was established here.

Then he went straight to Baiyue.

Relying on his fearlessness and courage to fight, he frightened the Baiyue monarchs of the time and they sent envoys to ask for peace.

After his head was chopped off and hung at the city gate, the Baiyue people were completely silent, not even daring to make a single condemnation. His actions were brutal, quick, and surprisingly effective.

This imperial expedition lasted five years.

In five years, he completely subdued the Zhenbei Army and the Zhennan Army and built them into powerful and feared armies.

After that, the army returned to the capital. During these five years, the court had undergone countless changes, but in the face of military power and tens of thousands of elite troops, any conspiracy and trickery could not withstand a blow.

It was impossible to dethrone an emperor who controlled the military. These elite soldiers who returned to the court were the predecessors of the Imperial Guard. The transfer of power upon his return was natural.

Furthermore, with Su Can in control of the court, there was little chaos. Those with ulterior motives could only hide their hidden thoughts. With the external threat resolved, internal worries would follow.

This change took a hundred years. Unlike external invasions, internal reform was a long process. From a dying Han Dynasty to the current powerful Han Dynasty, it took a hundred years.

No one will forget what a ruthless man this emperor was. It can be said that in the current Han Dynasty, small matters are generally decided by the ministers, while big matters are often decided by this one person, who is often stubborn. Once he makes a decision, almost no one will change it.

This was also why, at this moment, all the ministers, whether opposing or agreeing, fell silent, as if tacitly accepting the situation. This was the result of a century of mutual understanding; they all knew exactly when to object and when not to. His Majesty's temper had improved considerably; in the past, a few deaths would have been a real blow.

These are all lessons learned through blood.

The ministers fell silent, and Chen Dong's position as Imperial Preceptor was finally confirmed. From a commoner, he suddenly rose to the status of one of the Three Dukes, a feat unprecedented and unparalleled. But for the emperor, this was just one of many absurd events.

They are all used to it.

The emperor was relieved to see no one stood up to oppose him. Turning to Chen Dong, he said, "You've seen how hard I've fought for this position. I fought so hard to get it for you. You mustn't let me down."

"The matter I mentioned earlier is still left to you to handle."

"What's the matter?" Chen Dong asked.

The emperor gazed at the dome of the hall and said slowly, "You've heard before that your arrival will bring about changes to the Han Dynasty. This change is both an opportunity and a disaster. At this point, the Han Dynasty has reached the pinnacle of its empire. It must either decline or break free from these shackles."

"And I will not allow the Han Dynasty to weaken. The only way is to break this shackle."

"You are the key. I and the entire Han Dynasty are willing to take a gamble on you."

"Are you willing to work with me to re-establish a Han Dynasty that transcends any dynasty?"

These words echoed throughout the hall, their voices resounding and deafening. Chen Dong felt the pressure, but he still held his head high and said, "I do!!!"

"Hahaha."

The heavy atmosphere was completely dispelled by the laughter: "You don't have to be so nervous. To be honest, you are not qualified yet. There is no need to feel pressured. Just let nature take its course. You don't have to think that these changes are all caused by you."

"Of course not. You just happened to appear at this critical turning point. If it weren't for you, the Han people would still choose to break free from this shackle. This is an inevitable process."

"To break this shackle, the great man must face it with the most perfect attitude, and that's what you have to do."

"From time to time, the Zhenbei Army and the Zhennan Army will launch a full-scale war against the Xiongnu and Baiyue. This war has dragged on long enough, and it is time to end this farce. Those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. Can you do it? Wang Xu."

"I accept the decree!"

The middle-aged man who had previously asked Chen Dong to do something took a knee to receive the order. He didn't say anything like "I will definitely live up to your trust." Just three words revealed his confidence and composure, as if the matter was incredibly simple.

It was only then that Chen Dong realized that this person was the Divine Martial General Wang Xu that the deputy supervisor had mentioned.