Previously, Nan Ke might have still harbored a sense of wishful thinking.
But now he dares not gamble, because the Jackal Kingdom, the Western Regions, and now the Yamata Nation are all his examples. If he is careless, he may end up in utter ruin.
The overwhelming power of the Great Liang in its successive annihilation of three kingdoms, along with its devastating combat strength, left Nan Ke with a deep sense of unease.
This Great Liang is truly terrifying.
"Father, if we ally with the Frostwest Empire, would the Great Liang dare to touch us?" Nan Ke was somewhat unwilling. Giving up the territory and achievements they had gained was really hard to accept.
If I had secured these assets, taking over the throne would have been a sure thing. Now, this unexpected turn of events is simply outrageous.
He was already planning his future moves and how to take action against Great Liang.
"Snort!"
Nan Ke's face darkened as he glared at his eldest son, and he said in a deep voice, " The Great Liang Emperor's reign title is Zhenwu. He's no pushover. Do you think he wouldn't dare?"
He claimed to love peace, but this peace-loving man destroyed three countries after founding his own.
"Even the Western Regions, a subordinate of the Frostwest Empire, have been destroyed. Do you think he would dare not touch my Zhennan Dynasty just because he is afraid of the Frostwest Empire?"
He never believed in peace; peace was something that was won through strength.
The so-called great Western power, the Frostwest Empire, was probably just a slightly larger prey in the eyes of Emperor Lin Yi of Great Liang.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have destroyed the Western Regions.
He knew Lin Yi; he was an extremely aggressive person who had even proposed a bizarre mythological theory, claiming that the entire continent belonged to the ancient mythological history of the Great Liang.
It was within this theory that he sensed Lin Yi's astonishing ambition; this guy was definitely someone whose ambitions were higher than the sky.
It would be foolish for his own son to gamble on this, and Lin Yi would never let this opportunity slip by.
To be honest, he was somewhat disappointed in his son, because his years of invincibility on the southwestern plateau had given him some bad habits.
Innocent!
Arrogant!
These are all fatal flaws; they could ruin the entire country. This is not the qualities of a qualified successor.
Although he is several years older than Lin Yi, he is no match for Lin Yi in terms of shrewdness. Even if he inherits the Zhennan Dynasty in the future, he will probably still be no match for Lin Yi.
"Father, I..."
Nan Yiming's heart skipped a beat. He saw the disappointment in his father's eyes, and his heart sank. This was related to his future right to inherit the throne.
He wanted to explain, but Nan Ke didn't give him the chance.
"Alright, you're not allowed to go out for the time being. Stay in the palace and reflect on your actions. You've gotten a bit too cocky lately!"
Nan Ke stopped his son from speaking. He had to teach his eldest son a lesson and show him what respect was, otherwise the boy would be ruined.
If possible, he even wanted to send his son to Great Liang to let him know what it meant to be a chosen one, so that he wouldn't always be so arrogant.
A strange look flashed in Zan Rihong. The king had always favored his eldest son Nan Yiming, but he hadn't expected the king to reprimand him this time, and in a public way at that.
It seems that the pressure from Great Liang is immense.
Nan Ke looked at Zan Rihong and said in a deep voice, "Minister, now, if the Frostwest Empire isn't blind, they can all feel the pressure emanating from Great Liang, right?"
They're under immense pressure themselves, and the Frostwest Empire is probably in a bad situation too, since they're also under the Great Liang.
At a time like this, not sticking together for mutual support would be truly foolish.
"Yes!"
Zan Rihong nodded upon hearing this. Indeed, the envoys from the Frostwest Empire had been arriving quite frequently during this period, indicating that they were under considerable pressure.
He explained, "They have been communicating with us, hoping to unite with us in countering the Great Liang issue, but the two sides have not reached an agreement on border control."
kindness!
Nan Ke frowned slightly. The two countries didn't usually have much interaction, but if they joined forces, there would inevitably be a handover, which was a problem.
If the sovereignty of both sides is not properly managed, it will inevitably lead to sordid disputes, so that is indeed a problem.
But time is of the essence, and he felt that the Great Liang wouldn't give him much time, so he had to put pressure on the Frostwest Empire.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside, and a palace guard came running in, panting.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! People from Great Liang have arrived!"
"Someone from Great Liang?"
Upon hearing this, Nan Ke's face stiffened. Could it be that the enemy had already invaded? That would be troublesome.
He asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened? How many people did they send?"
"There were only a few dozen people on the other side, and they seemed to say they were there to deliver an imperial edict," the guard explained.
"Issue an imperial decree?"
Nan Ke's face immediately turned grim. His worst fears had come true; this was probably just the first move the enemy had made.
He gritted his teeth and said, "You, Lin Yi, you've gone too far! You actually dared to come to the palace of my Zhennan Dynasty to deliver a decree! Do you really think you're my masters?"
Your imperial edict from Great Liang has reached my Zhennan Dynasty. This is clearly a superior reprimanding a subordinate. Lin Yi is Zhennan Dynasty as an appendage of Great Liang.
Damn it, this young man is going too far!
"Father, should I go and drive them away?" Nan Yiming couldn't help but be furious and said in a deep voice.
Nan Ke shook his head, forcing himself to calm down, and asked the guard, "What is the content of the imperial edict? Did they explain it?"
"No, they claim that only His Majesty is qualified to receive the decree!" The guard glanced cautiously at his king and said bitterly.
Bang!
Nan Ke smashed a kettle to pieces; he was right, Great Liang's visit was hostile.
This so-called imperial edict is definitely not simple; its contents are likely unfavorable to our side. And this is the first step for the Great Liang; the next step is a massive army attack!
He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, " Zan Rihong, immediately send people to investigate whether there has been an increase in troop strength on the border of Great Liang, and send out all the spies you have."
"Yes!"
Zan Rihong dared not be negligent. The other party's intentions were not good, and he had to be careful, otherwise Great Liang would seize the opportunity to use it against him.
So here's the question: what happens to the person supposedly delivering the imperial edict?
"Let them in!"
Nan Ke's tightly closed eyes flashed with a sharp light as he directly confronted the so-called imperial edict. He sneered, "My Zhennan Dynasty is not to be trifled with. I'd like to see what tricks this brat Lin Yi is up to!"
You actually dared to read the imperial edict to me?
Soon the messenger entered, and the one leading him was none other than Zhang Fei, the Grand Master of Court of Diplomatic Reception.
Entering the palace of the Zhennan Dynasty, Zhang Fei showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he looked around with an air of nonchalance, as if he were entering his own backyard.
"How dare you!"
The head of the palace guards roared in anger; Zhang Fei was far too arrogant.
Even if you're from the Great Liang, you can't be this arrogant. How dare you be so disrespectful to the king, as if you don't exist!