At the tender age of eight, he was hastily dragged out and made emperor!

Late at night.

Wan Qiu'er left the palace by order of Chu Ling, as Chu Ling had other matters to attend to that night. Li Zhong, being quite sensible, took the night watch in the palace.

Several people originally wanted to come and keep watch at night, but Li Zhong sent them away. Chu Ling didn't say a word from beginning to end; he wanted to see what Li Zhong would do.

Chu Ling was very satisfied with the result.

Those who wanted to come had to leave.

For Chu Ling, he values ​​the result, but he also values ​​the process. After all, in one's life, one will encounter many choices, which will lead to many results. However, the good or bad of the result is beyond one's control, but the process of making choices is controllable, provided that one treats it well.

Since Li Zhong has expressed his loyalty and proven himself with his actions, what Chu Ling needs to do is to receive this expression, but at the same time, to test him from time to time. The key is to make Li Zhong aware of this while also preventing him from having any other thoughts, which is very difficult.

But Chu Ling must master this art of managing people.

Otherwise, how can we break this deadlock?

How does one assume personal rule and govern the court?

The current situation is already so difficult, and there will be even more to do in the future, and the challenges and difficulties we will encounter will likely be even greater than they are now.

Anyone could back down, but Chu Ling was the only one who couldn't.

While others may retreat, there may be other paths.

But Chu Ling only has one path before him: either seize power and become the true emperor of Great Yu, or lose power and have his fate in the hands of others.

"Keep this list safe."

Sitting on the dragon throne, Chu Ling took out a list and glanced at Li Zhong, who stood with his head bowed. "I want to know the detailed origins of these noble sons' ancestors and fathers, from their various achievements in following the founding emperor to their experiences in the early days of the nation. Once you have thought it through, tell me about them one by one in the next few days."

"Here!"

Li Zhong immediately stepped forward and took the list handed to him by Chu Ling with both hands.

Under Chu Ling's gaze, Li Zhong opened the list and memorized the names written on it one by one. Li Zhong was shocked when he saw these people, but he suppressed his shock.

He's a smart person.

After about several dozen breaths, Chu Ling saw Li Zhong crumple the list into a ball and then stuff it into his mouth to chew. Chu Ling's eyes narrowed slightly.

Without a cautious and careful nature, disaster might strike at any time in the Yu Palace.

Chu Ling was very satisfied with Li Zhong's performance.

Since Chu Ling needs to gather a group of people loyal to him within the Yu Palace, he needs to find someone to do it quietly before doing so.

After all, his goal was too big.

Not to mention, they are being watched constantly, both openly and secretly.

Unless he is forced into a corner, Chu Ling will not easily step down. After all, even if he wins many times, he will lose the initiative if he loses even once. Fortunately, Li Zhong chose to pledge allegiance when Chu Ling cornered him.

Chu Ling does not yet fully trust Li Zhong.

However, Chu Ling valued Li Zhong's intelligence and prudence. After all, intelligent people know what they want.

Chu Ling believed one thing: as long as he wasn't discovered to have anything going on, wasn't restricted by the three empresses, and his situation in the Yu Palace gradually improved, Li Zhong would definitely not betray him.

After all, smart people all want to be in power.

"There must be people in this Yu Palace who are capable but suppressed."

Li Zhong's actions earned him Chu Ling's attention, so Chu Ling decided to do something special to show Li Zhong some changes.

"Have."

Li Zhong truthfully replied, "There are some people in the Yu Palace who have their own ideas, which is why they came to the Yu Palace. It's just that these people are all too impatient."

"how about you?"

Chu Ling smiled and said.

“This servant is also impatient.”

Li Zhong lowered his head and said, "This servant has also paid the price for this."

"I see."

Chu Ling revealed a knowing expression.

Judging from Li Zhong's current performance, Chu Ling guessed that Li Zhong must have experienced a lot in the past. A person's growth comes from suffering losses.

People can't teach people.

One experience teaches a person a lesson.

This is not without reason.

Only when the punishment is personally experienced, when one feels the pain and despair, will one begin to reflect.

Chu Ling was curious about Li Zhong's past.

But Chu Ling wouldn't ask.

Chu Ling wanted Li Zhong to tell him the story himself.

The relationship between Chu Ling and Li Zhong was not a simple one of emperor and servant; it was more like training a hawk. Chu Ling hoped to use his own methods to make Li Zhong completely submit to him.

Although Chu Ling didn't have many bargaining chips, they were enough for Li Zhong.

Who told Chu Ling to be the Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty?

"What you said at the Imperial Garden Training Ground has served as a reminder to me."

Chu Ling pondered for a moment before saying to Li Zhong, "There's something I need you to do next. Gather a group of people for me in the Yu Palace. As long as they meet your standards, that's fine. I need to know what's going on in the Yu Palace, especially regarding the Three Empresses. Is this a difficult task for you?"

"Disaster."

Li Zhong hesitated for a moment, then said something, but then changed the subject and said, "But as long as it is what Your Majesty wants, this servant will go through fire and water."

really!

Hearing Li Zhong's explanation, Chu Ling's previous doubts were resolved. Li Zhong must have spies planted within the Yu Palace. The reason he said that was to get Li Zhong to subtly incorporate his spies into the matters he raised, so that when he asked about the various aspects of the Yu Palace, Li Zhong wouldn't hesitate to ask whether or not to answer.

For those in positions of power, even if they have many concerns and thoughts about their subordinates, they cannot reveal them. Everything must revolve around getting things done and using them for their own benefit. Even if they know some bad things, they must learn to endure them. When they are no longer useful and a new replacement is found, they can then find a way to get rid of them. In this way, the risk can be minimized and the benefits can be maximized!

"Let's call it the Plum Blossom Inner Guard."

Chu Ling deliberately remained silent for a long time. Just as Li Zhong was feeling uneasy, Chu Ling finally spoke: "I can't give you anything now, but I will remember you all. Whoever makes a contribution will be rewarded accordingly."

"The slaves obey the order."

Li Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and immediately bowed.

Li Zhong wasn't thinking about rewards or anything like that right now. After all, he knew very well what the new emperor's situation was like, and Li Zhong valued the future!

As long as the new emperor can seize power, he will rise in status, and naturally, so will his subordinates.

"I'm sleepy."

While Li Zhong was thinking about these things, Chu Ling lay down and ignored Li Zhong. Since he was cultivating his power in the Yu Palace through Li Zhong, the name Chu Ling chose was a reminder to himself that the Plum Blossom Guards might be useful, but not entirely trustworthy. As for his true hidden forces, he would have to wait. At least until he could freely enter and leave the Yu Palace, he could then begin to build up his hidden forces.