Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse

The corners of Gu Changsheng’s mouth lifted slightly, and he couldn’t help but reveal a smile.

Empress Dowager naturally noticed it. Her face showed restrained anger, and her eyes narrowed, with a faint hint of killing intent deep within them. She no longer had the mind to continue attending court.

Originally, she had planned to control Gu Changsheng, using him as a puppet emperor to secretly manage the Great Zhou Dynasty.

But Gu Changsheng’s tactics and everything he revealed made her feel a sense of crisis.

Her face remained unchanged, but inside, her killing intent surged. She planned to find an opportunity to eliminate Gu Changsheng.

Then, she would replace him with another prince to inherit the throne of the Great Zhou.

Gu Changsheng’s expression stiffened as he suddenly sensed the killing intent emanating from the Empress Dowager beside him, and his heart sank slightly.

It seemed that his recent actions had already stirred her murderous intent.

However, Gu Changsheng wasn’t worried.

The Empress Dowager would still hesitate to act as long as she hadn’t fully figured out his hidden strengths. She wouldn’t strike too quickly.

During this time.

It would be his chance to develop his power.

With a playful look in his eyes, Gu Changsheng stared deeply at the Empress Dowager before sweeping his gaze over the officials, his expression stern as he said:

“Not long ago, Chen Zhan, the commander of the city defense force, disobeyed the imperial decree and was executed for his rebellion!”

“The position of commander of the city defense force cannot remain vacant.”

“I issue my decree: from today onward, Lu Tao will serve as the commander of the city defense force!”

As soon as this decree was issued, the court officials looked surprised, but many seemed to have expected it.

Chen Zhan had defied the imperial decree and was executed by the Emperor!

Lu Tao, being the deputy commander, naturally ascended to the position of commander of the city defense force.

This was, something that none of the court officials had any significant objections to.

However, with this imperial decree.

It also hinted that Lu Tao might have secretly aligned himself with the Emperor.

Would the Empress Dowager allow the Emperor to easily take control of the military power of the city defense force?

For a moment.

The court officials were deep in thought, and many of their eyes shifted toward the Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty, in the military, strength has always been respected.”

“The position of commander of the city defense force is of great importance. With Lu Tao’s level of skill, I fear he may not be up to the task.”

The Empress Dowager’s lips curled into a cold smile as she spoke righteously.

Upon hearing this, the court officials remained silent, quietly observing the dynamics within the court.

It appeared that there would be another conflict between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in the court today.

But who would ultimately control the position of commander of the city defense force—the Empress Dowager or the Emperor?

“Oh!”

“According to the Empress Dowager, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?”

Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, expressionless. He narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the Empress Dowager, his voice low and deep.

The Empress Dowager remained indifferent and nodded:

“General Liu Yu, the Loyal and Brave General of the Great Zhou, is highly skilled and adept in military strategy. He is well-suited to be the commander of the city defense force.”

“However, in the military, strength is paramount.”

“If Lu Tao can defeat Liu Yu, and take up the position of commander, I believe the court officials would not object.”

“What does Your Majesty think?”

“Liu Yu?”

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager mention this name, Gu Changsheng pondered and immediately recalled Liu Yu’s background.

Liu Yu, the Loyal and Brave General of the Great Zhou, was the son of the right minister, Liu Wu.

Most importantly, Liu Yu, despite his young age, had already reached the eighth stage of the Great Expert Realm in terms of cultivation.

On the other hand, Lu Tao’s cultivation had barely reached the seventh stage of the Great Expert Realm.

The difference in their realms was one full stage.

For Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu, there was little chance of success.

The Empress Dowager’s intention was clear.

She aimed to have Liu Yu defeat Lu Tao and take the position of commander of the city defense force.

This would nullify all the efforts Gu Changsheng had made in recruiting Lu Tao.

Gu Changsheng furrowed his brows slightly, realizing he had underestimated the Empress Dowager’s tactics.

The control of the city defense force was of critical importance, safeguarding the entire imperial city. It could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Empress Dowager.

However, Gu Changsheng knew this was an open plot by the Empress Dowager.

His only way to break the deadlock was for Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu and justifiably assume the role of commander of the city defense force.

At that point, none of the court officials would have any reason to object.

But with Lu Tao’s current cultivation, the chances of him defeating Liu Yu were slim.

As Gu Changsheng pondered, the Empress Dowager’s face showed a faint sneer, and she coldly asked:

“Your Majesty, have you made up your mind?”

“In my opinion, the position of commander of the city defense force is best suited for General Liu Yu.”

Upon hearing this, the court officials nodded in agreement, supporting the Empress Dowager.

Liu Yu’s cultivation was indeed superior to Lu Tao’s, making him a more fitting candidate for the role of commander of the city defense force.

“Empress Dowager, that’s not true!”

“In the military, strength is indeed respected. Therefore, let Lu Tao and Liu Yu engage in a duel. The winner shall become the commander of the city defense force.”

After some thought, Gu Changsheng made his decision, smiling as he spoke.

It was impossible for him to allow the Empress Dowager’s ally to control the tens of thousands of soldiers in the city defense force.

Otherwise, all of his previous efforts would have been in vain.

Moreover, just now.

Gu Changsheng had opened the system’s shop and found a way for Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu.

[Realm-Breaking Pill: When consumed by a cultivator, it can greatly enhance one’s cultivation, with a seventy percent chance of breaking through the current realm. Only effective for those in the Great Expert Realm!].

Price: 20,000 plot points!

Seeing the price, Gu Changsheng frowned slightly. A single pill costing 20,000 plot points seemed a bit steep.

Currently, he had just accumulated 20,000 plot points.

However, to resolve the current crisis.

His only hope was for this pill to help Lu Tao enhance his cultivation and defeat Liu Yu, thereby thwarting the Empress Dowager’s scheme.

Plot points could be earned again but the control of the city defense force must not fall into the hands of the Empress Dowager.

With an expressionless face, Gu Changsheng glanced over the court officials and said in a cold tone:

“Proceed to the martial arts arena!”