Chapter 253 - An Unexpected Achievement, Li Shimin's Ambition, Indecisiveness, Sowing Discord? Rank 4 Revealed

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, we have just received secret intelligence. The outcome of the battle between the Yuan Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty has finally been revealed!"

Zhu Houzhao's expression shifted upon hearing the report.

He had already learned the details of this battle through his puppet body stationed far away in the Vast Sea Dynasty.

In fact, this battle had been secretly orchestrated by him.

"The 300,000-strong army of the Yuan Dynasty led by Temujin has once again been completely annihilated."

"The newly gathered troops from the Yuan Dynasty heartland, along with those under the command of Prince Ruyang, were all wiped out in this battle!"

"If it weren't for a mysterious and terrifying cultivator emerging on the side of the Yuan Dynasty, even Temujin himself would have perished in this war."

"Have you found out who this mysterious figure is?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, not yet. It is likely the final trump card of the Yuan Dynasty."

"Who would've thought that the Yuan Dynasty also possessed a God Demon Realm cultivator!"

Zhu Houzhao had not anticipated this.

"It seems I'm not the only one who hides his strength well. The other Emperors are no less cunning."

In Zhu Houzhao's view, those dynasties that appear to lack God Demon Realm cultivators may very well have them hidden in secret.

"Tell me the course of events!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"In this battle, the greatest credit goes to the two grand marshals, Yue Fei and Han Xin."

"It was thanks to their coordination and multiple strategies that Temujin was completely trapped within their plans."

"Every move Temujin made fell within their calculations."

"This ultimately led to the complete annihilation of his forces."

"However, there is one more person whose contribution was equal to that of the two grand marshals."

"It is the man who just entered the Renowned Minister Ranking at Rank 5, Zhuge Liang."

"Not only does he possess the power to control wind and rain, but he is also proficient in a formation called the Eight Array Diagram."

"With this formation deployed, Temujin's offensive was entirely dismantled."

"After that, the forces of the Vast Sea Dynasty picked off the remnants one by one!"

"This man is simply too formidable!"

"He practically has abilities beyond comprehension, akin to a God Demon Realm!"

"If he is so powerful in military formations, his skills in governance must be even more remarkable!"

Immediately after, Dark One recounted the detailed events uncovered by the Dark Guard.

Zhu Houzhao nodded frequently.

The information largely matched what he had heard through his puppet body.

Only some minor details were missing.

He nodded secretly in appreciation.

It seemed that the effort spent on Zhuge Liang had not been in vain.

Finally, it had borne fruit.

Perhaps in the future, as Zhuge Liang matures, the returns would be even greater!

==========

Not only did Zhu Houzhao receive the news.

The other dynasties also received it without delay.

Due to this battle, the reputation of Han Xin and Yue Fei as renowned marshals of the Nine Provinces grew even more.

At the same time, a previously unknown young man made a name for himself across the entire world.

Zhuge Liang.

He proved with solid achievements to all of the Nine Provinces:

He, Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kongming, secured the Rank 5 on the Renowned Minister Ranking entirely by his own merit.

There was absolutely no element of luck.

==========

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng below the throne with mixed emotions, both pleased and conflicted.

Even before being ranked among the renowned ministers, this man had been extremely "arrogant," often making things difficult for him.

Now that Wei Zheng was officially recognized as a renowned minister, his days would only become more difficult.

Li Shimin wasn't sure whether he should be happy about Wei Zheng's inclusion or distressed.

Looking at Zhuge Liang's name on the ranking and hearing of his impressive achievements, Li Shimin's face was full of envy.

How wonderful it would be if such a minister belonged to him!

The despicable Vast Sea Dynasty had stolen all the talent across the Nine Provinces.

Truly hateful!

When one thought about it, the Vast Sea Dynasty's renowned ministers and renowned marshals, were they not all forcibly taken from other dynasties?

If these people served under him, how could the Tang Dynasty not flourish?

Who else but him would be worthy of ruling over the Nine Provinces?

"Your Majesty, we have just received word via an urgent message sent over 800 miles. Marshal Li Ji has successfully defeated the Turkic Army!"

"Even the Turkic Qaghan, Jieli Qaghan, was personally slain on the battlefield by the Bad Marshal."

"Henceforth, the northern Turkic Kingdom will completely fragment and fall into chaos."

"For at least the next ten years, our Tang Dynasty will be free from the threats of the northern nomads."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Li Shimin, finally hearing some good news, broke into a joyful smile.

That troublesome Turkic force was finally dealt with.

Li Ji did not disappoint.

The most critical figure was Jieli Qaghan.

That ambitious man had once caused him immeasurable humiliation, nearly costing him face before all the Emperors of the Nine Provinces.

Now, that man is dead.

If not for his sense of reason, he might have ordered the corpse of Jieli Qaghan to be ground to dust on the spot.

"Now that our internal affairs are resolved, it's time to begin planning against the Sui Dynasty."

Last time, Yang Guang had the audacity to send the worthless Yuwen Chengdu to invade Tang Dynasty Territory, unforgivable.

If not for Yuwen Chengdu being too incompetent, Tang Dynasty might have suffered a real disaster.

Li Shimin had never forgotten this grievance.

He would not be a worthy Emperor if he did not avenge it.

Moreover, the relationship between Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty was one of destined enmity.

They could not coexist.

Only one could survive.

Looking at the high sky where the Golden Ranking hovered, Li Shimin was filled with anticipation.

Among the remaining four names, he was certain one would belong to the Tang Dynasty's Changsun Wuji.

Even if he was slightly lacking, it was still better than nothing.

The benefits would not be few.

In Li Shimin's eyes, Changsun Wuji was far superior in ability to Wei Zheng and the rest of the ministers.

Since even Wei Zheng could make the ranking, there was no reason Changsun Wuji couldn't.

Li Shimin was full of confidence.

==========

Northern Song Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, with this defeat of the Yuan Dynasty, it means that the entire Southern Song Dynasty Territory will now be completely absorbed by the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Once they have fully digested the Southern Song Dynasty."

"With their ambition, they will undoubtedly set their sights on us, the Northern Song Dynasty."

"Compared to the Vast Sea Dynasty, our current threats from Liao Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, Western Xia Kingdom, and Great Li Kingdom are nothing."

"Your Majesty, we must act quickly to eliminate all these invaders and rebellious forces."

"Moreover, our Northern Song Dynasty has long been in chaos, and among those captured disrupting us from the shadows, there are confirmed spies from the Vast Sea Dynasty."

Huang Shang's face changed as he looked at the secret report in his hand.

He tried to persuade Zhao Ji to muster some determination.

They could not continue to remain locked in this stalemate with Liao Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, and the others.

The longer it dragged on, the greater the danger that loomed for the Song Dynasty.

Listening to Huang Shang's advice, Emperor Zhao Ji's face was full of panic.

But he was not a competent Emperor.

Perhaps in the realm of calligraphy and painting, he was among the finest across the Nine Provinces.

But when it came to politics and military affairs, he was utterly lost.

Determination?

A literary artist at heart, his character was rooted in weakness and avoidance, how could he possibly understand?

Especially in times of great crisis, he became completely indecisive.

What's worse, his most trusted advisor, Cai Jing, had recently betrayed him, leaving Zhao Ji increasingly paranoid.

Even though he knew Huang Shang wouldn't betray him.

He still couldn't help but be suspicious and doubtful.

He dared not trust Huang Shang fully.

He had to involve all ministers in discussion.

Only when everyone reached consensus would he decide.

But this process of deliberation would again waste valuable time.

And the treacherous officials in the Imperial Court?

All they did was argue.

When it came to real decisions, they all hesitated, none could take responsibility.

So, everything just kept getting delayed.

If this went on, the Northern Song Dynasty would inevitably follow the Southern Song Dynasty into oblivion.

Looking at the Emperor on the dragon throne, still full of hesitation and unable to decide, Huang Shang silently shook his head.

He was deeply disappointed.

Once the Vast Sea Dynasty fully stabilized.

It would truly be over.

Moreover, it was said that the Tang Dynasty had also defeated the northern Turkic Kingdom, and would no longer face any external threats.

It wouldn't take long for the Tang Dynasty to develop rapidly.

Catching up with the Qin Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and the Vast Sea Dynasty was no longer impossible.

In contrast, the Song Dynasty had not only failed to make progress, it was rapidly declining.

And its Emperor and ministers remained exactly the same.

Was there really no hope left?!

==========

Qin Imperial Palace.

"Yue Fei, Han Xin, Zhuge Liang, each one is a talent no less than our General Wang Jian!"

"And the yet-to-appear Li Jing, Zhou Yu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, just how much is the Vast Sea Dynasty hiding?"

"Temujin's reputation for warfare resounds across the Nine Provinces."

"Yet even he suffered such a miserable and complete defeat before the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"If we were to face them with our Qin Dynasty's iron cavalry, what would be the outcome?"

Ying Zheng's face was somber, his apprehension toward the Vast Sea Dynasty growing once again.

"Prime Minister, now that the Vast Sea Dynasty has annexed the Southern Song Dynasty, what do you think the chances are of provoking them into conflict with the Ming Dynasty?"

"Instigating a conflict between the Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty?"

Prime Minister Li Si was slightly startled.

He pondered for a moment and finally shook his head.

"Your Majesty, the Ming Dynasty and Vast Sea Dynasty are both among the most powerful in the Nine Provinces, with deep national strength, countless powerful individuals, and equally strong militaries."

"If they were truly to clash, the outcome would be uncertain."

"But even if one side emerged victorious, both would suffer heavy losses and be unable to compete for dominance in the Nine Provinces afterward."

"With the wisdom of Emperor Zhu Houzhao and the mysterious Vast Sea Emperor, they will undoubtedly see through such a ploy."

"They will never allow us, Qin Dynasty or Tang Dynasty, to reap the benefits as bystanders."

"The situation in the Nine Provinces will only become more complex from now on."

"Let's not speak of Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Even the Tang Dynasty is likely to rise soon."

"Currently, all of Tang Dynasty's internal and external threats have been resolved."

"With Emperor Li Shimin's ambition, his next move should be targeting the Sui Dynasty."

"If he succeeds in eliminating the Sui Dynasty, then the Tang Dynasty's national strength will catch up to, or even surpass, the Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty."

Prime Minister Li Si had a crystal-clear understanding of the situation.

His analysis was calm and logical.

The Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty were indeed the Qin Dynasty's future enemies.

But that was the future.

If the Qin Dynasty couldn't even resolve its current issues, let alone the future.

Its survival was already in question.

"Your Majesty, the Qin Dynasty's most urgent priority is not to concern itself with the Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"We must first eliminate the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and destroy Xiong Qi. That is the absolute foundation."

"If we cannot resolve such fundamental problems, how will we survive the even greater threats to come?!"

Not only was Ying Zheng anxious.

Even Li Si was deeply worried.

He still wanted the Qin Dynasty to conquer all the Nine Provinces, he longed to become the sole prime minister of this land!

As for the Rank 1 on the Renowned Minister Ranking, he desired and anticipated it greatly.

"Your Majesty, the ranking board is updating."

"A new name will soon appear, who could it be?!"

As the golden light burst forth from the high-altitude ranking board, Li Si looked on with anticipation.

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 4]