After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

"Why not wait until the end of the year when General Qin returns, then you can find an opportunity to get things done, give birth to your eldest son, and everything else will be easier," Liu Bowen suggested.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

Chen Futu was very uncertain. Given Qin Liangyu's obsession, she would definitely only marry him after the steppe Tartars were wiped out. However, having a child didn't necessarily mean the marriage would have to happen first; they could have the marriage certificate later...

Furthermore, Li Xiuning might get a kill in one shot.

It was already very late when Liu Bowen left.

Chen Futu met Mo Lan, who was still awake, and she was not in a good mood.

Chen Futu scoffed, "I agree to your request. Mo Cang can go to the academy from now on."

"really?"

Mo Lan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Given her relationship with Chen Futu, Mo Cang will definitely entrust her with important responsibilities in the future.

Chen Futu pulled her into his arms and said with a smile, "Of course. When he has completed his studies, I will promote him to a high-ranking official position. I have other plans for the Mo Clan."

Chen Futu's words were veiled, and Mo Lan was taken aback before realizing Chen Futu's fear of the Mo Clan's influence in the Western Regions. So she turned to a gentle smile and said, "Why don't I serve the young master well tonight? If I give birth to a child, he can take over the Mo Clan in the future and do his part for the Northern Frontier."

As soon as he said this, a flash of coldness crossed Chen Futu's eyes.

As expected, that old fox Liu Bowen guessed correctly. She wanted more, and even coveted the position. She wanted to take advantage of the fact that no woman was competing with her for favor and give birth to the eldest son as soon as possible.

She's saying nice things now, like letting the child take over the family, but it's all a lie. She'll change her mind the day the child is born. Chen Futu won't make such a basic mistake.

Chen Futu stayed overnight at Mo Lan's place that night, and he took all necessary safety precautions.

Mo Lan's expression was extremely unpleasant; even in her sleep, her brows were tightly furrowed.

When Chen Futu woke up the next day, he realized that he had stood Yan Qing up again.

As the saying goes, once is enough, twice is bad, but a third time is not. I reckon that woman is about to lose her temper.

After finishing his official duties, Chen Futu took Consort Ge to the Yan family residence in Pingkang Ward. Consort Ge took a look and replied, "Your Highness, the Yan family has moved here. I went to see Madam Yan, but the people in the mansion said she was busy."

"Hey, that woman has quite a temper."

Chen Futu shook his head helplessly. Suddenly, Liu Longyue came over and said, "Young Master, a great Confucian scholar has come to Longcheng."

"who?"

"Ji Wendao from Jiangzhou and Cui Shanwu from Guangyuan are said to be followed by other Confucian scholars who will sit down and discuss philosophy with the Crown Prince."

Liu Longyue recounted the whole story. These people had just arrived in Longcheng and didn't have a place to stay yet.

Chen Futu pondered for a moment, then instructed Ge Fei, "Go find Zhang Liang to receive them, and arrange for them to stay in the garden of Pingkang Ward."

"Here."

After Consort Ge left, Liu Longyue said rather maliciously, "Your Highness, these people have come with ill intentions. Why don't we kill them all?"

"If you want me dead, just say so."

Chen Futu rolled his eyes.

He didn't take the Great Qian Dynasty seriously, but these great Confucian scholars were not to be underestimated. If he were to kill them, he would be condemned for all eternity.

Qin Shi Huang was condemned for burning books and burying scholars alive for thousands of years, and his reputation only improved slightly in modern times. In addition, Zhu Di, who executed Fang Xiaoru's ten clans, also suffered a major stain on his record. Chen Futu would never make such a mistake.

【Ding! 】

[Detection detected: a coalition of Confucian scholars attacking the host]

[Criminal Charge 1: Killing Surrendered Soldiers in the Western Regions]

[Criminal Charge 2: Treason and Attempt to Usurp the Throne]

[The tide is turning; please make your choice, host.]

[1. Choose to leave those Confucian scholars to their own devices and let them leave Dragon City. Host will be silenced for one month.]

[2. Choose to sit down and debate with them until they are speechless. The host will be rewarded with the wisdom of Zhuge Liang.]

[3. Choose to eliminate them, earn a ruthless reputation, and be rewarded with 10,000 elite Qin soldiers, the commanding general Bai Qi (the God of Slaughter), and a peak Grandmaster rank.]

Zhuge Liang, the Crouching Dragon, understood the timing of heaven and the advantages of earth; his strategies were flawless, and his wisdom bordered on the supernatural.

Bai Qi, the God of Slaughter, fought in over seventy battles, large and small. He was the most ruthless man in the world, having killed over a million people in his lifetime. He dared to call himself the Butcher of Men.

"Click! Zhuge Liang or Bai Qi, how am I supposed to choose?"

Please make a choice as soon as possible, otherwise the system will select randomly.

"Don't you dare use random selection again! Last time you used it on Zhao Xier, I almost died in the Western Regions..."

Chen Futu muttered to himself, then looked Liu Longyue up and down strangely.

What's wrong with this woman?

The system gave her exceptionally good rewards as soon as she appeared. Could she really be the chosen one of this world?

[Countdown begins...]

"I choose Zhuge Liang."

In fact, Chen Futu had no choice. He was severely lacking in civil officials, and besides, it wasn't wartime. If he chose Bai Qi, Bai Qi would have to sit on the sidelines with Guan Yu and the others. Anyway, there probably wouldn't be any large-scale battles until next year.

[Successful choice. Zhuge Liang and Huang Yueying will arrive at the East Gate of Longcheng in one hour.]

"Who?"

Chen Futu suspected he had misheard; why was Huang Yueying being sent as a gift?

Huang Yueying: A member of Zhuge Liang's family, skilled in ingenuity and the study of things; many of Zhuge Liang's inventions originated from this virtuous wife.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Seeing Chen Futu standing there in a daze, Liu Longyue waved her hand.

Chen Futu then snapped out of his daze and excitedly pulled Liu Longyue into the carriage, saying, "Come on, I'll take you to see a great sage."

"Great Sage?"

Liu Longyue didn't understand.

What kind of virtuous person could entice the Crown Prince to personally receive them, and judging from their eagerness, they must be someone of extraordinary stature?

"Imperial guard, go to the military camp and summon Guan Yu and Ma Chao to the east gate to see me."

After the guards left, Liu Longyue was even more shocked. This was far too much of a spectacle. Even when Zhang Liang and Liu Bowen came, Chen Futu wasn't this excited.

"Your Highness, how does this great sage compare to Mr. Zhang and Mr. Liu?" Liu Longyue asked the crucial question.

Chen Futu pondered for a moment and said, "Each has its own strengths."

Whether it's Zhang Liang or Liu Bowen, they weren't from the same era as Zhuge Liang, so comparing them is meaningless.

Moreover, according to the system's description, this Zhuge Liang is a bit strange, because the system's evaluation is no longer "Zhuge Liang who divided the world into three kingdoms," but "so wise as to be almost demonic," seemingly embodying the personality from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. If that's the case, then it's really quite exaggerated.

With Zhuge Liang in command, the Northern Frontier could easily crush the Great Qian Dynasty.

When the carriage arrived at the East Gate of Longcheng, Chen Futu found a teahouse nearby and sat down. Moreover, to ensure safety, Chen Futu also increased the number of Longcheng guards to maintain order.

This incident had a great impact, especially on those great scholars who had just arrived in Longcheng. They heard that the Crown Prince not only did not receive them immediately, but instead took Princess Beiwu to the East Gate, making a big show of welcoming some great talent.

They were very unhappy, so some scholars couldn't sit still and insisted on going to the East Gate to see who this so-called great sage was.