We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Huang Jin inexplicably felt that this scene was somewhat familiar.

More than two months ago, when Li Che was crowned king, didn't he stand before His Majesty and openly say such shocking words?

At that time, Huang Jin thought that Li Che would die, but he didn't expect that he could change the emperor's mind with his eloquence and successfully become a vassal in Ninggu County.

I didn't expect that the roles would be reversed and I would be the one questioning him like this.

When these words were spoken, Qiu Bai, who was standing by, was startled and subconsciously tightened his grip on the sword at his waist.

As long as Li Che gave the order, he would behead the man without hesitation, even if he was an envoy of the court and a close companion of His Majesty.

Isn't rebellion the essential job of members of the Lao Ninggu Army?

Li Che remained indifferent. He picked up the paper in his hand, looked at it carefully, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Qiu Bai."

Swah——

Qiu Bai drew his sword and pointed it at Huang Jin's back: "I'm here!"

Li Che looked at him in surprise: "Why are you drawing your sword?"

"I am willing to do it for Your Highness... Hmm?" Qiu Bai was about to chop down with his sword, but he stopped in mid-air and looked at Li Che in a daze.

Li Che handed over the blueprint in his hand: "I want you to send this blueprint to the Gongzheng Institute and have Wang Chongjian make one."

Qiu Bai put away his sword and stepped forward to take the blueprint.

But there was a picture on it of something that looked like a hand drum, tied with two ropes, each with a small ball.

There are three words written on it: Rattle.

"Go ahead and make them make it stronger. Don't let it break while you're playing with it." Li Che instructed, "You have nothing to do here."

Qiu Bai glanced at Huang Jin and bowed helplessly: "I'll take my leave."

Thus, only Li Che and Huang Jin were left in the lobby.

"What did Oban see?" Li Che turned around and asked Huang Jin with a smile.

Huang Jin took a deep breath, his eyes full of horror.

After a moment, he slowly said:

"This old servant saw an army fully equipped with armor, powerful bows and crossbows, and countless horses, totaling 40,000 men. Among the army were remnants of the previous dynasty, Mohe barbarians, and even Korean captives!"

"I saw the Crown Prince's fiancée, the legitimate daughter of Duke Zheng, who was rumored to be missing, leading a group of women to the city's Chinese medicine clinic to treat the people!"

"I also saw that the blast furnaces in the city were continuously producing iron ingots, which were then crafted into more weapons and armor by the blacksmiths!"

"Seeing the people of the entire city, they are all grateful to Your Highness and respect Your Highness as their Lord!"

Huang Jin closed his eyes and said sternly:

"What I saw was a Chaoyang City that only knew the Prince of Ninggu, not the imperial court, His Majesty, or Daqing!"

Li Che nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, you looked carefully enough."

Huang Jin felt powerless when he saw this, and was terrified when he thought about it.

He wanted to laugh, laugh at the entire court, laugh at his former self, and even laugh at His Majesty...

None of the smart people in the court could see Li Che's true face.

This is not some kind, weak prince with no sense of existence. This is clearly a demon with deep thoughts, deep intentions and has been dormant for a long time!

Huang Jin bowed to Li Che and said, "Your Highness, do you intend to silence this old servant in exchange for his life?"

"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Although I'm afraid of death, I also know the emperor's great grace. I would never deceive His Majesty on behalf of Your Highness!"

If Li Che were still in the imperial capital and he knew his terrifying true face, he would definitely join him without hesitation and become a die-hard member of the Sixth Prince's party.

But the situation is completely different now. Li Che is now a border vassal king who has nearly 50,000 elite soldiers and can mobilize an army of 100,000 or even 200,000 at any time.

Even if Huang Jin died, he would never dare to hide the truth for Li Che.

Hearing Huang Jin's words, Li Che finally smiled.

"Hahaha, you old dog are so loyal. No wonder you can always stay by my father's side."

Without waiting for Huang Jin to reply, Li Che continued to smile and said to himself, "But, you are mistaken about me."

"I will not allow you to lie, but I will ask you to tell my father exactly what you saw and what I said."

"That's all you need, and I won't mention the assassination anymore. How do you do that?"

Li Che's words were like a bell ringing in the soul, making Huang Jin suddenly realize and feel as if he was in the clouds.

"What...what do you want me to convey?"

Li Che said calmly: "Tell my father that I privately manufactured weapons, recruited soldiers, and took in the troops of the previous dynasty, but I am still loyal to him and to Daqing."

Huang Jin widened his eyes in disbelief.

Li Che also knew that he was a little outrageous. What's the difference between this and the later saying "Although I smoke, drink and have tattoos, I am a good girl"?

So he explained:

"Only after this did I realize that Ninggu County is fraught with danger. Various factions are eyeing it covetously. It's impossible for me to survive here with only 1,500 personal soldiers and the banner of the county prince."

"And what does His Majesty want me to do here?"

"Three years, Your Majesty, give me three years. After three years, I want to see a Ninggu County that can support the logistics of the expeditionary army to Korea!"

Li Che sighed, "I used to be ambitious, but after arriving in Ninggu County, I realized that I couldn't even control this city with just the troops I had, let alone conquer the nearby barbarians."

"So, I began recruiting soldiers, repairing the city defenses, and forging weapons. This was how I was able to wipe out the nearby barbarians and even send troops to Liaodong to rescue the former dynasty's army."

"Although this may seem rebellious, it is the only way to have a glimmer of hope."

Seeing Huang Jin was stunned, Li Che smiled:

"Now, laying out these matters before Otomo is the same as laying them out before my father. I believe that my father, with his vast and unwavering ambition, will understand my actions."

"Huang Daban, what do you think?"

Huang Jin's body was stiff and he was unable to answer for a long time.

After a moment, he revealed a wry smile and then said, "I don't know, but I admire your courage and spirit."

"If Your Highness truly has this intention, I am willing to convey it to His Majesty. I will never tamper with a single word Your Highness has said. I believe Your Majesty should be able to understand Your Highness's filial piety."

Huang Jin spoke from the bottom of his heart, but did not receive a response from Li Che.

In his peripheral vision, the hem of the king's robe passed by the edge of his vision.

Li Che's voice sounded behind him, gradually fading away: "The dinner is still as scheduled. Huang Daban, go change your clothes and don't be late."

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hall and gradually faded away, but Li Che's voice still echoed in Huang Jin's ears.

Huang Jin sat down on the ground and pulled at the clothes on his back, which were completely soaked with sweat.

He looked up suddenly and found that the hall was empty.

A tiger cub was lying under a pillar not far away. Feeling Huang Jin's gaze, it yawned at him nonchalantly.