Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Immediately issue orders to all regions of Shu Commandery to recall all troops deployed at the front lines back to the capital."

In addition, please notify Bazhou and Yizhou.

"Move all the local troops to the capital as well. I'm going to fight Shen Lang to the death!"

Jiang Chong's current mood can be described as one of extreme anger and frustration.

Cao Meng immediately accepted the order: "Your Highness, this humble general will make the arrangements immediately. Once the army arrives, we will simply settle things with Shen Lang."

Li Ye immediately objected: "Your Highness, please reconsider. If we mobilize the army now, war will break out in all the prefectures of Shu, and the people will suffer."

Cao Meng was furious upon hearing this: "This was all done by that scoundrel Shen Lang. Even if there were rivers of blood, it was the Empress who forced it. If she had returned the throne to the Prince, the people of Shu would not have suffered such a calamity."

Li Ye was utterly stunned by Cao Meng's absurd logic.

The Empress rightfully ascended the throne, so how can there be any talk of returning it to the throne?

"My empire is about to crumble, why should I care about these things?" Jiang Chong said in a deep voice. "Cao Meng is right, it's all because of my precious imperial sister, it's all her fault, it's his fault!"

He appeared somewhat deranged and began to speak incoherently.

"That throne should have been mine all along! She stole everything that should have been mine!"

"Even if the land of Shu is turned upside down now, it's all her fault!"

At this moment, no one dared to approach Jiang Chong.

His distorted face was filled with resentment and frustration.

"Cao Meng! Immediately send men to Yizhou and Bazhou to bring over all the troops that can be mobilized."

"Jiang Chong hasn't lost yet! He hasn't lost yet!"

Just as he was screaming at the top of his lungs, ready to fight Shen Lang to the death, Shen Lang stepped into the main hall of the palace carrying a bolt of silk.

"What? You haven't lost yet?"

Ignoring Jiang Chong's murderous glare, Shen Lang waved the Shu brocade in his hand at him and then sat down on the guest chair.

"Your Highness, is this the silk brocade you're preparing to hand over to the palace? How can you even bear to present silk like this?!"

As he spoke, Shen Lang threw the silk in his hand fiercely in front of the group.

Jiang Chong's face twitched as he looked at the blue brocade spread out at his feet.

"Shen Lang! How dare you treat me like this!"

"Then how do you expect me to treat you? Jiang Chong, I advise you to face reality. His Majesty is determined to reclaim the direct control of Shu."

Even if it causes rivers of blood to flow in Shu, I'm willing to pay. If you know what's good for you and stop now, you can return to the capital and live a leisurely life as a prince, enjoying all the riches and honors you deserve.

"But if you continue to be so stubborn, then don't blame me. After all, Her Majesty is my wife, and it's only right that I deal with you on her behalf."

Jiang Chong clutched his chest, feeling a surge of pent-up frustration filling his entire chest cavity, making him feel suffocated.

"Shen Lang! Let me tell you, even if I die, I will never grovel before her!"

"If I had known it would end like this, I should have had Mother strangle this scourge from the start!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and his left hand instinctively reached for the dagger hanging behind his waist.

But he quickly calmed down and realized that now was not the best time to get rid of Jiang Chong.

Moreover, killing him like this would draw criticism from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice. It would be a small matter if it affected me, but it would be a much bigger sin to cause trouble for Jiang Mengxuan.

After suppressing the urge to bleed Jiang Chong from the neck, Shen Lang immediately changed the subject.

"Alright, let's not talk about anything else then, but the matter of procuring silk for the palace must not be taken lightly."

“It’s already mid-August, but 30,000 bolts of silk have been found to be substandard. How can I face the consequences of such poor quality?”

Your Highness, what should we do about this? There's not much time left for delivery, and the penalty for late delivery is huge.

Jiang Chong chuckled dryly upon hearing this: "Shen Lang, do you think I'm stupid? That I'd be so easily fooled by you?"

At a time like this, how dare you bring up Shu brocade and silk? Actually, your real purpose with her wasn't Shu brocade at all!

"But it's my life, Jiang Chong's life, and the control of Shu! Stop this charade!"

"Your Highness, you should consider the consequences of failing to deliver goods on time and mocking the imperial court."

Shen Lang glanced at Jiang Chong, then looked around at the group of so-called henchmen and confidants, shook his head almost imperceptibly, and calmly left the palace.

"I haven't lost yet, don't be so smug!"

Jiang Chong shouted at Shen Lang's back.

"Immediately proceed to all parts of Shu County and gather all troops!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ye advised again, "Your Highness! Please reconsider! The army is currently short of food. Even if we gather everyone together, where will the food come from?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Meng flew into a rage: "Li Ye, you have repeatedly obstructed the Prince. What sinister intentions are you harboring? Shen Lang has humiliated the Prince so much. Are you going to tolerate and back down, and let them flaunt their power?"

Li Ye: "Can a mere mortal shut up? What do you know?"

"I don't understand. All I know is that Your Highness has been wronged, and someone wants to make him homeless."

Since they've dared to bully us, we have no choice but to fight back, until they dare not daring to cause trouble again!

Then he bowed to Jiang Chong and pleaded, "Your Highness, this humble general is willing to be the vanguard. Once the army arrives, I will personally lead the troops to charge into battle and bring Shen Lang's head to you!"

Li Ye: "Your Highness, you mustn't! Even disregarding everything else, we saw with our own eyes the weapons that the imperial soldiers were carrying today. How can we possibly defend ourselves against such formidable weapons?"

"It's nothing but a fancy trick. When my sword energy is unleashed, these chickens and dogs will be terrified!"

Cao Meng spoke with great confidence; his mid-stage Innate Realm cultivation level made him feel that he could look down on everyone.

Li Ye tried to persuade him again, but Jiang Chong sternly stopped him.

"Don't try to persuade me anymore, my mind is made up!"

"I, Jiang Chong, will never fawn over Shen Lang! If you want to fight, then fight!"

Cao Meng nodded vigorously at Jiang Chong, his face beaming with excitement.

"That's right. A true man should not live a life of mediocrity under the heavens and earth. He should accomplish great things to make his life worthwhile."

This humble general is willing to pave the way for Your Highness, clearing away all demons and monsters in your path!

Li Ye wanted to say something more, but Jiang Chong stopped him again.

"Don't say anything more. From now on, you are no longer a staff member of my royal court, nor the governor of Shu County."

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"

"You are free. From this day forward, whether you choose to serve the imperial court or revitalize your family business is none of my concern."

"Go wherever you want, but leave the palace now. You are no longer needed here."

Li Ye burst into tears, wanting to ask for advice, but he couldn't say anything when he opened his mouth.

He's in his forties, but looks like he's in his seventies or eighties.

He never imagined that selling off his ancestral property and following the King of Shu would end up like this.

"Your Highness, take care!"

Knowing that Jiang Chong's decision would not be changed, Li Ye bowed deeply to him one last time before leaving the palace in a daze.

After Li Ye left, Jiang Chong immediately ordered: "Cao Meng, you immediately gather the troops from Qidao and rush to the capital to assemble."

Although I do not have many troops at my disposal, the 200,000 men of Qidao are still under my control!

Cao Meng: "This subordinate obeys!"

"Lin Xuan'an!"

"The general is here!"

"Notify the rest of the troops to assemble in the capital immediately. Once the two armies converge, it will be time to fight Shen Lang to the death!"

Lin Xuan'an clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I accept your command!"