Socially anxious people transmigrate to another world; living in seclusion is too difficult.

On the Delin Kingdom's side, because it is closer to the island, it can always receive news about the island faster than other countries. At this time, King Huangfu Yan was discussing all the intelligence received with Prime Minister Shangguan Wang, Minister of War Nie Congwu, and Wang Ming, the Assistant Minister who had just returned to the capital and was also the Director of the Human Affairs Department.

"Lord Wang, were you away from the capital when you were inspecting the various prefectures?" Huangfu Yan's imperial authority was quite imposing, and his words were full of pressure.

"Your Majesty, I did indeed go to inspect the various prefectures," Wang Ming replied without batting an eye.

"Did you find anything?"

"There were no real gains; we simply resolved some issues concerning governance and military preparedness in various counties."

"Alright, the main reason I called you all here today is to hear your opinions on some current intelligence." After saying that, Huangfu Yan waved his hand, signaling his attendants to distribute the intelligence to the three ministers.

After reading the intelligence, the three ministers looked at each other in surprise. Shangguan Wang and Nie Congwu were genuinely surprised, while Wang Ming was pretending. After all, they had orchestrated this whole thing, but they had to act surprised so as not to expose themselves in front of Huangfu Yan. Huangfu Yan was known for his ruthlessness, yet he was also incredibly wise, as if he possessed all the wisdom in the world.

Shangguan Wang spoke first: "Your Majesty, can we set aside the matter of the attack on the Tianyun Empire's cargo ship for the time being?"

"allow."

"In my opinion, the claim that our garrison killed City Lord Yin Tianbao is a complete frame-up. The conspiracy is nothing more than the Tianyun Empire. Given Chu Jingwu's personality and methods, sacrificing Yin Tianbao is no big deal to him. He is using such despicable tricks to prevent us from successfully taking over the island and to shorten our term of office," Shangguan Wang truthfully stated his opinion.

“If he can’t shorten our term, what’s the point of doing this? The Sage’s Cult is on our side,” Huangfu Yan continued.

"He can complete the handover first, then use the pretext of investigating the truth to suspend affairs on the island for a year or two. We won't be able to do anything about it. Damaging our interests is just letting him profit. Or, he could go even further and use the pretext of humans killing humans to force the Holy Church to stop interfering. Then, he could reconvene the joint meeting. Once the Holy Church can't interfere, they can promise benefits to the Holy Beast Kingdom and the Slivia Empire. If they win the vote, they can kick us out," Shangguan Wang added.

"In that case, it is indeed possible," Huangfu Yan said thoughtfully, then asked Wang Ming, "What does Lord Wang think?"

Wang Ming found Shangguan Wang's analysis amusing, thinking, "Let these people speculate wildly. It would be best if they started fighting." Just as he was enjoying himself, Huangfu Yan asked a question, and Wang Ming immediately replied, "I believe that what Lord Shangguan said is absolutely right. According to the report from the garrison on the island, Yin Tianbao does have some minor conflicts with our garrison. The Tianyun Empire may use this as an excuse to join forces with the other two countries to confirm that our garrison killed Yin Tianbao."

"Oh? What's your basis for that?" Huangfu Yan asked.

“Lord Nie should be aware of this matter,” Wang Ming said, posing the question to Nie Congwu, the Minister of War.

Seeing that the problem had come to him, Nie Congwu quickly said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case, and conflicts often occur between us."

"Hmm... In that case, this matter is rather tricky. Do you have any solutions?" Huangfu Yan then looked at Shangguan Wang.

"Your Majesty," Shangguan Wang said after a brief pause, "I suspect these two intelligence reports have already reached other countries. However, the news of the skirmish between the garrison on the outlying islands hasn't arrived yet due to the distance. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to send letters to both the Tianyun Empire and Slivia, explaining the facts to the Tianyun Empire, offering them benefits, and stating that we will unite with them to demand compensation from Slivia. This would both ease tensions and sow discord between the Tianyun Empire and the remaining two countries, preventing a renewed joint meeting." Perhaps due to his advanced age, Shangguan Wang paused for a moment before continuing:

"The letter to Slivia will show that we firmly believe that they did not attack the cargo ship and are willing to stand with the Slivia Empire to face the questioning of the Tianyun Empire and advance and retreat together. With this communication between the two sides, no matter which side wants to cause trouble, they will have to include us. At this time, the initiative will be in our hands. As long as we hold on until the new city lord completes the handover and officially takes over the island, everything will be fine."

After listening to Shangguan Wang's strategy, Huangfu Yan nodded in satisfaction: "Lord Shangguan is truly resourceful. This plan is excellent. We will proceed as you have suggested."

Wang Ming cursed inwardly, "You old fox, you're so cunning! You've fooled both sides. If you succeed, we won't be able to complete the Chief Commander's mission." But Huangfu Yan had already agreed, and he couldn't openly oppose it, so he could only silently think of ways to sabotage Shangguan Wang's plan.

"Regarding the recent friction between the troops stationed on the outlying islands, what are your thoughts? Minister Nie, please speak first." Huangfu Yan then brought up the recent friction between the troops stationed on the outlying islands.

"Your Majesty," Nie Congyun said, "I believe that the cause of the current troop friction is still unclear and the reasons are complex. If we act rashly, we may give others something to talk about. It would be better to replace the troop commander. The current troop commander is impatient and prone to causing trouble. Replacing him with a more composed commander would help us stabilize the situation on the island."

“Hmm, that makes sense. According to the intelligence, we really can’t know the reason for the conflict. And what did the garrison commander report? It was all about requesting to fight. Who recommended this person?” Huangfu Yan was somewhat displeased.

“Your Majesty, this man is known in the army for his impatience. He previously had a conflict with the Kingdom’s cavalry commander, who suggested that he be transferred to an outlying island to temper his temperament,” Nie Congyun replied.

"Oh, I had forgotten about this. It seems he hasn't made any progress in these past few years. How can such a general be suitable to lead troops? As you said, transfer him back. After he returns, remove him from his military post and keep him in your Ministry of War as an insignificant civil servant." With a single sentence, Huangfu Yan decided the fate of a general.

"But regarding the candidates to succeed the city lord and the garrison commander, are there any suitable ones?" Huangfu Yan asked the three of them, recalling that the finance minister who was originally slated to become the city lord had fallen ill.

At this moment, Wang Ming spoke first: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Finance was originally recommended by me, but now he has resigned due to illness, which is truly unavoidable. I should not continue to recommend him. For the sake of the kingdom, I will only recommend him for the position of garrison commander. I wonder if Your Majesty will approve?"

"Approved. Whom does Lord Wang intend to recommend for the position of garrison commander?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I recommend Zhang Feng, the commander of the Third Imperial Guard of the Kingdom, to serve as the commander of the garrison on the outlying island," Wang Ming said loudly.

"But what is the reason?"

“Your Majesty, although General Zhang is old, he has led troops for many years and is very experienced. Moreover, he is calm and composed, and can handle any situation without panic. At this important moment of handover on the island, he is capable of shouldering great responsibilities!” Wang Ming said firmly.

"Well, what does Lord Nie think?"

"I second that proposal," Nie Congwu echoed.

"Alright, it will be as you say. Starting tomorrow, Lord Shangguan will begin to implement the established plan. Lord Nie will inform General Zhang to pack his bags today and head to the outlying island in two days to take over as the garrison commander. All of you may leave." Huangfu Yan made the decision immediately and issued the order.

"Your Majesty, we obey the decree," the three knelt and shouted.