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

Li Hong's words instantly stunned He Yongren.

One is at sea, and the other is on land. How can we keep them here?

They actually backed out voluntarily? Is that even possible?

At least He Yong knew that Wu Zhao Kingdom did not have a single ship that could compare with the Chu Kingdom's navy. The cruise ship they had seen at Haizhou Port alone had already left the entire Wu Zhao navy helpless.

So he subtly reminded him, "Your Majesty, the Chu fleet is too fast; our navy simply cannot keep up with them."

Li Hong remained silent, his cold eyes fixed on He Yong, making He Yong feel a chill run down his spine.

After a long silence, Li Hongcai said calmly, "So, according to you, we're just going to let the Chu warships patrol and harass the local people in the waters near Wuzhao?"

He Yong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. That's not what I meant. I think that Chu must have its own intentions in making such a large-scale mobilization. The most urgent thing is to understand what Chu is trying to do."

Li Hong then withdrew his intimidating gaze: "You're right. Throughout history, the Chu state has mobilized such a large army, with even its ruler coming in person. They must have something of great importance to ask for."

"Make your preparations. Tomorrow you will depart for Haizhou to personally meet with the Empress of Chu and inquire about her true desires. If possible, invite her to Shengjing so that I may speak with her in person."

He Yong: "This servant obeys the decree."

With a solution in hand, Li Hong continued to watch the show with great interest.

"However, it is still necessary to dispatch an army to Jiankang to assist the local garrison in defending against the Chu army's invasion."

As for Haizhou, a combination of carrot and stick tactics must be used to put pressure on the Empress.

"Also, transfer the two thousand military officers and soldiers from Quanzhou to Monk Qinlin, first reclaim Haizhou, and then discuss the matter properly with the Empress."

"The slave obeys the order."

After hearing Li Hong's instructions, He Yong breathed a long sigh of relief.

Just then, Qian Feng rushed to Li Hong and shouted, "Your Majesty, urgent report from Jiankang! The Chu army fleet is approaching the waters off Zhenzhou and intends to besiege Zhenzhou!"

After speaking, he handed an urgent report from Zhenzhou to Li Hong.

His voice instantly silenced the entire Wanfu Tower, and all the officials and foreign envoys turned to look at Li Hong.

Li Hong's face was practically dark. This Qian Feng really had no sense at all. How could Li say something like this in such a situation?

But he still accepted the report with a cold face, glanced at it, and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "This birthday celebration is truly unique."

After saying this, he stood up and left his seat, leaving behind the officials and guests, and returned to the Imperial Study alone.

Feng Chun hurriedly followed, and He Yong and Fu Lin'an hesitated for a long time before also following.

"You, sigh~"

Before leaving, He Yong looked at Qian Feng with a disappointed expression, pointed at him and sighed before quickly following Li Hong.

Upon returning to the Imperial Study, Li Hong immediately began to examine the memorials in his hands, reading them carefully.

"Bastard thing!"

He threw the memorial to the ground.

"Zhenzhou is Jiankang's most important land and water defense line. If Jiankang falls, the entire tax revenue of Southern Zhili will be cut off."

Even the Western Phoenix Kingdom couldn't get within thirty li of Jiankang back then, but now, the Chu Kingdom's navy is approaching the gateway to Zhenzhou.

Are the naval officers and soldiers along the way just eating grass? This is infuriating!

Feng Chun arrived just in time to see Li Hong in a fit of rage. She didn't dare to breathe loudly, immediately poured a cup of tea, and tremblingly handed it to him.

"Your Majesty, please calm down."

"roll!"

Li Hong raised his hand and knocked over the teacup in Feng Chun's hand.

"The State of Chu is about to conquer Jiankang, and I will lose half of my country. How can I possibly vent my anger?"

Feng Chun knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word.

Li Hong is currently in a fit of rage and is capable of anything; he doesn't want to follow him and invite trouble.

Just then, Fu Lin'an and He Yong arrived at the Imperial Study.

"All of you, come in here."

"Yes."

The two hurried into the imperial study and knelt before Li Hong, awaiting his instructions.

Li Hong paced back and forth in front of his desk for a long time before turning to Fu Lin'an and saying, "Fu Chang'an, immediately convey my imperial edict to your younger brother Fu Lin'an, instructing him and Xue Dongluo to lead six thousand military officers and soldiers to Zhenzhou. Under no circumstances should the Chu army be allowed to threaten Jiankang."

"If Jiankang is lost, the loss of my face is a minor matter; more importantly, the taxes from the southern Wuzhao region will not be collected from the court on time."

Fu Chang'an: "This servant will go and inform my elder brother immediately."

He dared not delay for a moment and immediately got up and left the imperial study.

Li Hong thought for a moment, but was still a little uneasy, so he shouted outside again, "Go and fetch Zhang Gui for me."

Before long, Zhang Gui arrived at the imperial study: "Your Majesty, what important matter do you wish to discuss with me?"

"See for yourself."

Li Hong simply threw the report into his hands.

"The Chu fleet has repeatedly violated our territorial waters. I must punish them severely. Zhang Gui, who do you think is suitable to be stationed in Jiankang?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gui replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive my frankness, but the key to Jiankang's stability lies in Zhenzhou."

If Zhenzhou is safe, then Jiankang is safe; therefore, strengthening reinforcements to Zhenzhou is the best course of action.

Li Hong: "I have ordered Fulin'an to rush to Zhenzhou's aid. As long as the garrison in Zhenzhou holds out for ten days, the siege of Zhenzhou will surely be lifted once the reinforcements arrive."

Zhang Gui: "But I am worried about what to do if the Chu ships continue northward."

Li Hong: "If the Chu state dares to set foot on land, my iron cavalry can crush them all immediately!"

Zhang Gui cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, please allow me to go to Zhenzhou to oversee the army. I will absolutely not allow Zhenzhou to fall."

Li Hong nodded: "I have the same idea. Zhang Gui, you grew up with me, we are like brothers, don't let me down."

Zhang Gui clasped his hands in a solemn manner and replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will definitely block the Chu army outside Zhenzhou City."

After saying that, he strode out of the Imperial Study and headed towards the Martial Guard Camp.

Li Hong could finally relax a little.

He still had a lot of confidence in Zhang Gui.

Seeing that the matter had been mostly resolved, Li Hong finally smiled again.

"He Yong".

"The slave is here."

"Come back to Wanfulou with me. Don't let these trivial matters spoil everyone's fun."

"The slave obeys the order."

The emperor and his minister walked out of the imperial study one after the other and returned to Wanfu Tower...

Meanwhile, in the Jiankang sea area, outside Zhenzhou city, Shen Lang's fleet had already surrounded the city.

Now, the Chu army and soldiers are just waiting for an order to bombard Zhenzhou City.

Shen Lang sat leisurely in the command room, holding a book of erotic pictures he had found at the Minzhou Naval Office, looking at it with great interest.

"Hehe, I didn't expect the spiritual lives of these naval officers and soldiers to be so much richer than I thought. A set of erotic works like this would probably cost at least ten silver dollars."

After making his rant, he tossed the erotic picture aside and took out his pocket watch to take a look.

At this moment, only half an hour remained before the ultimatum to Zhenzhou was issued, but Zhenzhou had yet to respond.

"Is it really that difficult to submit a letter of credence? It seems I might have to personally march to Shengjing and have Li Hong take over in person."