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

"Do you think the King will ascend the throne and become emperor?"

"Who can say for sure?"

“He swept across half the country in the north, defeating rebels and the Western Regions coalition forces in disarray. It is not unreasonable for such a person to become the ruler of the country.”

People in the streets and alleys discuss important matters without any reservations.

Most people were supportive, and they even listed the various achievements of the Northern Frontier King and the foolish actions of the Southern Qian Emperor for comparison.

As a result, public support grew stronger.

This was the result of Zhuge Liang's secret instigation. When Chen Futu found out, he simply smiled knowingly and did not interfere.

He knew exactly what his trusted subordinates were thinking.

The First Emperor is too far removed from history, so it's not a bad idea to use the title of Holy Emperor for now.

Thus, with the implementation of the beneficial policies in the Northern Frontier and the instigation of some scheming individuals, in just over a month, the title of the King of the Northern Frontier quietly and gradually changed to the Great Sage Emperor. Chen Futu was only one step away from ascending the throne and becoming emperor.

Of course, the change in public sentiment in the north did not escape the notice of the new emperor south of the Milky Way. His eastern army had just suffered a defeat at the hands of the Northern Empress Wu, and he was furious when he heard that Chen Futu was about to declare himself emperor, with the title of Holy Emperor. This made him spit out a mouthful of blood, and with a trembling hand, he pointed angrily northward and wailed, "Chen Futu, I will never let you go..."

Liu Longyue occupied Hangzhou, ensuring the Northern Wu army had no logistical worries. After receiving news from the North, her beautiful eyes sparkled, "As expected of you, but I am not much inferior."

"Your Majesty, the Northern Army is powerful, and Chen Futu is about to ascend the throne as emperor. Should we do something?"

A general inquired.

Liu Longyue laughed and said, "Of course we should make a gesture. How about we kill the dog emperor and send his head to the north as a congratulatory gift?"

"I'm afraid that will be difficult."

The generals also wanted to kill the new emperor, but even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. The Southern Qian army alone had more than 300,000 troops that had retreated. Even if the Southern army was not strong enough, it was impossible to swallow them whole. Moreover, several of the most powerful vassal kings had been driven to the south of the Milky Way by Chen Futu, and had even seized a lot of territory. If they could unite with them to besiege the court, they might have a chance in the short term.

"Then let's not stand there. Let's contact the vassal kings and local rebel kings to discuss important matters together."

Liu Longyue stood up, exuding the majesty and domineering presence of a ruler, her every move resembling that of Chen Futu.

What she sought was not merely a small territory; she wanted to conquer the entire southern kingdom and establish a separate rule with Chen Futu across the river!

Time flew by and it was already mid-July.

The bandits hidden in the counties of the North were completely eradicated. Chen Futu bought a large number of high-yield seeds from the system-refreshed shop and gave them to the people free of charge. He also bought several thousand cattle and handed them over to the local government so that the people could rent cattle and farm tools to ensure that their farming would not be delayed.

Most importantly, Huang Yueying finally manufactured a musket.

The muskets have a system in place to ensure they are usable even in heavy rain, and they are not single-shot.

Chen Futu ordered the Ministry of Works to increase production and established the first musket battalion, named the Shenji Battalion, under the command of Gui Gefei, with a total of three thousand men.

The soldiers of the Shenji Battalion are composed of elite troops drawn from various legions. These elite troops are also rewarded by the system and have 100% loyalty.

As for the steam engine, once the module for textile machines was completed, the initial experiment increased textile efficiency by more than thirty times. If it were further improved and modified, it could roughly reach the level of textile machines of the first industrial revolution in the West.

Chen Futu instructed the Ministry of Works to continue the research and dispatched disciples from the Northern Frontier Academy to assist, striving to develop a module for locomotives in a short period of time.

"Your Majesty, the Western Regions delegation has arrived."

Just as Chen Futu had a moment of peace, he received news of the arrival of officials from the Western Regions in the capital.

The purpose of Zhao Xier's visit was unclear. Chen Futu sent Zhuge Liang to receive her and temporarily housed the delegation at the Honglu Temple.

As night fell, the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent back a secret report: "There is a suspected sage among the Western Regions delegation."

"you sure?"

"It's confirmed, the Imperial Advisor said it himself."

The Embroidered Uniform Guards are a reward from the system; they don't speak carelessly.

As she spoke, the woman in green floated over, her face cold. "From what I've seen, the Western Regions delegation has two Saints. They are very powerful, and I'm afraid they are not here with good intentions."

"Is Zhao Xier trying to escape my control?" Chen Futu frowned.

The woman in green shook her head and said, "Not necessarily. She seems respectful to those two, but she is actually somewhat resistant. Perhaps she came here against her will."

Were you threatened?

Chen Futu strolled outside the door and looked in the direction of the Honglu Temple. "The ancient temple said before that we are only in a small corner of the world, and there is a much wider world outside. Do you think these powerful people might be from a powerful force that wants to seize the Central Plains and make us submit, so they are here to pave the way?"

Many maps of martial arts and fantasy worlds appeared in Chen Futu's mind.

Regions such as the Eastern Regions, Southern Frontier, Western Desert, Northern Plains, and Central Plains.

If that's the case, then things will get really interesting.

The woman in green said calmly, "Why should we be afraid of him? Our royal court is not without strong people. Even if we can't beat him, we still have Xiaobai, so there's no need to care."

Chen Futu agreed wholeheartedly and ordered a banquet to be held the next day to entertain the Western Regions delegation, with all civil officials and generals required to attend.

Of course, Chen Futu also notified the three beauties, telling them to prepare for battle as well.

Late at night, Chen Futu returned to the inner palace.

Li Xiuning hasn't rested yet; she's only a little over a month away from giving birth, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the birth of the crown prince.

"Ning'er, can't you sleep?" Chen Futu gently touched Li Xiuning's belly.

She shook her head and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel a little palpitated and I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen. The child keeps kicking me and is not behaving at all."

"Under the royal court's rule, in this important capital region, what could possibly happen? You're just too bored. I'll have Diao Chan accompany you for a walk later."

"I heard that the Western Regions delegation has arrived. Has Zhao Xi'er truly surrendered? I fear that once she gains territory, she may harbor rebellious intentions." Li Xiuning remained frowning.

Chen Futu was speechless. He simply held Li Xiuning in his arms and gently comforted her until she finally fell asleep.

After she had rested, Chen Futu summoned Xi Shi and said, "These next few days, you must stay by Aning's side and protect her and the child. Under no circumstances should anyone with ulterior motives be allowed to take advantage of the situation."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, with me here, even that Western Region sage would not dare to act rashly."

With Xi Shi by his side, Chen Futu felt reassured and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yang Yuhuan stepped forward to serve him and whispered, "Your Majesty, I sensed a murderous intent, seemingly coming from the Court of State Ceremonial."

"Then you must protect me well."

"Hehe, I will protect Your Majesty closely, even if I die, I will still be your servant."

"Naughty."

Chen Futu slapped her plump buttocks hard, making her giggle.

That night, Chen Futu fell into a deep sleep while holding Yang Yuhuan. In the middle of the night, he vaguely heard some noise, but he couldn't open his eyes.

The following morning, Yang Yuhuan, naked and with her snow-white body, nestled in his arms, smiled radiantly. "Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?"

"Did anyone come by last night?"

"Yes, a petty thief came, but the Imperial Preceptor beheaded him with a single sword stroke, and his head was thrown into the courtyard of the Court of State Ceremonial. It was quite frightening."

"The Western Regions sent assassins to kill me?" Chen Futu's eyes darkened.

"Who says it isn't true? But they won't admit it, and the Imperial Advisor can't very well kill your old flame, so he can only make a threat and let it go."

Yang Yuhuan sat up, stretched, and displayed her magnificent and proud figure without reservation.