The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Li Chengfeng put down the memorial in his hand and rubbed his eyebrows.

It was getting dark outside the window, and candles were lit in the palace, making his figure look particularly slender.

Another day passed, he thought so.

I didn’t feel that way when I was playing the game, but when I really got here, I couldn’t help but sigh more than once: being an emperor is so tiring.

"Your Majesty, it's time for dinner."

Little Liuzi walked in quietly and placed a bowl of ginseng soup on Li Chengfeng's desk. "You haven't eaten much all day. You won't be able to handle it if you continue like this."

Li Chengfeng picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip. A faint bitterness spread across his tongue.

No matter whether it’s a psychological effect or not, it doesn’t taste very good anyway.

He put down the soup bowl and asked, "Is there any news from Feng Rusi?"

"Your Majesty, the Hidden Dragon Guards have just sent news."

Little Liuzi replied respectfully, "Lord Feng has successfully subjugated Cheng Qitian's former subordinates. Now their morale is high and they are actively preparing for war."

"Oh?"

Li Chengfeng raised an eyebrow and waved his hand to have dinner cleared away. "Tell me in detail."

Little Liuzi remained calm and didn't dare say anything about this behavior. It was common for the emperor to not want to eat after being busy.

He reported all the information the spies had gathered to Li Chengfeng, including how Feng Rushi used words to inspire morale on the training ground and how he used both kindness and force to win people's hearts.

Li Chengfeng listened with great interest, a smile of appreciation appearing on his face.

"This Feng Rusi is truly a talent."

After hearing this, Li Chengfeng sighed, "I was originally worried that he, a mere scholar, would be looked down upon by those uncouth men in the army. I didn't expect him to have such a skill. It seems I underestimated him."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Little Liuzi also chimed in with a smile, "I heard that Lord Feng's words on the parade grounds made the soldiers' blood boil. They can't wait to rush onto the battlefield and kill all those pirates to enhance our nation's prestige!"

"Hahaha, good!"

Li Chengfeng couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I really wasn't wrong about him. This Feng Rusi is brave and resourceful, and he has a lot of my style back then!"

Song Yuwei, who was standing by, smiled and shook her head after hearing this. She said, "Your Majesty, aren't you boasting too much?"

"No matter how powerful Lord Feng is, he is just a rookie. How can he compare with you?"

Li Chengfeng turned to look at Song Yuwei. She was wearing a crimson official uniform, with her long black hair tied up with a white jade hairpin. She looked heroic, yet with a hint of charm.

He couldn't help but feel moved, and said with a smile: "Yuwei, what you said is true. Haven't you also seen Feng Rusi's ability?"

"Or is it that Yuwei is afraid that Lord Feng will steal your limelight?"

Song Yuwei's cheeks flushed slightly, and she scolded, "Your Majesty! You're making fun of me again!"

"Hahaha!"

Li Chengfeng was in a good mood and laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, enough joking. I just think that Feng Rusi is a talented person with great potential. Given time, he will surely become a pillar of our Qian Dynasty!"

"I also think Lord Feng is very capable."

Song Yuwei nodded. She had never thought about stealing the limelight. She was happy for Li Chengfeng from the bottom of her heart.

"He's a weak scholar, new to the military camp, yet he was able to come up with such a clever way to win over the people. His courage and strategy are truly admirable."

"Yes."

Li Chengfeng agreed. "I chose him to be the Admiral of the Four Counties' Navy because of his talent and courage. Now it seems that my choice was indeed correct."

"only……"

Song Yuwei frowned slightly, seeming a little worried. "Those pirates have been entrenched in Nanzhou for many years, and their power is complex and intricate. Lord Feng has just arrived, so I'm afraid..."

Li Chengfeng understood what she meant. He reached out and held her hand, comforting her, "Don't worry, Yuwei. Trust your people. With Feng Rusi's ability and the navy of the four coastal counties, he will be able to provide a lot of support."

"I don't believe I can't take down a bunch of these little bandits."

"Besides, Feng Rusi is not fighting alone."

"Many of Cheng Qitian's former subordinates are veterans who have experienced hundreds of battles. With them, I believe Feng Rusi will be able to win the first battle and quell the chaos at sea!"

In just a few days, Feng Rushi had completed the training of this group of ragtag men. Although they could not be said to be good at fighting, they at least had some of the appearance of a military unit.

The team set out for Nanzhou, and after a tiring journey by boat and carriage, it was already sunset when they arrived.

Li Changqing, the governor of four counties, had been waiting at the dock early. Seeing the fleet slowly approaching from afar, he couldn't help but wonder in his heart: Is this the new admiral of the navy?

Why does he look younger than his son?

Feng Rushi was dressed in a blue shirt and had a sword at his waist. He walked down the deck with steady steps, followed by a group of soldiers.

When he looked up, he saw a middle-aged man in official uniform, nearly fifty years old, and slightly wealthy, looking at him with a smile. He must be Li Changqing, the governor of the four counties.

"I've met Mr. Li."

Feng Rushi bowed and spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone.

Li Changqing hurried forward, offering a small helping, his face beaming with joy. "Lord Feng, you've come so far and must have worked hard on your journey. The Emperor has already issued a decree, ordering me to ensure the proper accommodation of Lord Feng and all the soldiers."

"Lord Li, you are too polite. It is my duty to wipe out the pirates and restore peace to the people along the coast."

Feng Rushi said lightly, obviously not interested in the greetings. His eyes swept around intentionally or unintentionally, taking in the situation at the dock.

Including Li Changqing's attitude.

Li Changqing looked enthusiastic, but Feng Rushi still caught the contempt and suspicion in his eyes.

Obviously, he didn't trust this young man very much.

Feng Rushi understood in his heart that this was understandable. After all, at his age, in the eyes of those old foxes, he was probably still not weaned.

"Lord Feng must be tired from the long journey. I have prepared some food and wine to welcome you."

Li Changqing made a gesture of invitation and welcomed Feng Rushi into a gorgeous sedan chair.

"Lord Li, your hospitality is so kind that I would be remiss if I refused."

Feng Rushi did not refuse and got into the sedan directly, but he sneered in his heart: This Li Changqing really knows how to enjoy himself. No wonder he is indifferent even though the pirates have come to his doorstep.

The Governor's Mansion was a place of exquisite luxury, decorated with carved beams and painted buildings. Li Changqing welcomed Feng Rusi into the hall. The banquet had already been prepared, and the table was filled with delicacies from land and sea. The aroma was so fragrant that it made one salivate.

"Master Feng, please take a seat!"

Li Changqing made a gesture of invitation with a smile on his face.

Feng Rushi was not polite and walked straight to his seat and sat down. He glanced at the dishes on the table and just smiled faintly.

"Lord Li, you are so kind. I would be disrespectful to refuse your offer."

"However, I am a newcomer, and I have important matters to discuss later, so I am not suitable to drink. I hope Lord Li will forgive me."

Li Changqing was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Master Feng is really a quick-witted man!"

"Alright, I also think that drinking alcohol can cause trouble. Let's have tea instead of wine today!"

After saying this, he ordered his servants to remove the wine and replace it with fragrant tea.

The two men ate and chatted. Li Changqing was quite enthusiastic towards Feng Rushi, the new boss. He raised his glass to offer tea from time to time and was quite complimentary in his words.

Feng Rushi naturally understood what Li Changqing was thinking. He just wanted to find out his background.

He didn't point it out, but just followed Li Changqing's topic and chatted with him idly.