For some reason, from then on, Xu Chu became Bai Qi's most steadfast supporter, shouting to others everywhere, "Anyone who disrespects Bai Qi is disrespecting me, Xu Chu."

This transformation, which seemed like it had been possessed, left everyone utterly astonished.

After some time, Lin Mo ordered Bai Qi to lead troops to wipe out the remaining forces of the Duosi.

There is only one requirement: "Leave no one alive!"

On the day of the expedition, Xu Chu ran up to Bai Qi with great enthusiasm, hugged him like a brother, and then laughed without saying a word.

This move completely baffled Bai Qi.

What Lin Mo needs to do next is to focus all his efforts on building the city and getting through the winter.

~~~

At this time, in the Imperial Study of the Imperial Palace in the capital.

Wei Maozhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression beyond words.

Before her stood another minister, not Li Hu.

With the Li family's Chiyan Army completely annihilated, Li Hu had lost all value and was abandoned by Wei Maozhen without hesitation.

“How terrifying!” said the Empress’s favorite minister. “They actually used their own troops as bait to create a flash flood, which slaughtered hundreds of thousands of people in one go.”

This man was named Ling Tiande, a second-place scholar in the imperial examinations. He was exceptionally handsome with delicate features. However, he was cruel and ruthless, and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"People like this will go to hell sooner or later!"

Wei Maozhen did not respond. At this moment, she was upset and her mind was filled with Lin Mo's face.

"Your Majesty, General Li Hu has been kneeling outside the palace for three hours!" the female official reminded her again.

"Let him keep kneeling!" Wei Maozhen said impatiently.

Just then, the door behind him was suddenly smashed open with tremendous force, startling Ling Tiande so much that he jumped up while cursing.

The two Imperial Guards flew across the room, crashed into the fire, and rolled into the cooled ashes, their helmets askew to one side.

Li Hu barged in, and with a snap, used his powerful knee to break the Imperial Guard's sword in two. He then tossed aside the broken sword and swaggered into the Imperial Study.

"Insolence!" the Imperial Guards behind Wei Maozhen roared in fury. "Guards, seize him!"

He angrily reached for his sword, but Ling Tiande extended two fingers and pressed them against the Imperial Guard's wrist to stop him.

The Empress looked at Ling Tiande, puzzled.

Ling Tiande walked up to Wei Maozhen, lowered his voice, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I think this man is still somewhat useful. Let him finish what he has to say."

The Empress glanced at Ling Tiande subconsciously, then said, "Alright."

Then, she turned her head. On the dragon throne, the empress's exquisite face was expressionless, and her pair of emotionless phoenix eyes stared at Li Hu, who was bowing below the stage.

"General Li Hu, have you gone mad? How dare you trespass into the Imperial Study?"

After speaking, Li Hu took a deep breath and replied, "Your Majesty, I had an extremely urgent matter to attend to, which is why I resorted to this desperate measure. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Wei Maozhen raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

As soon as those two words were uttered, Li Hu lowered his head, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.

Forcing his way into the imperial study, the Empress remained so indifferent...

The words were stuck in his throat, but at this moment he suddenly felt there was no need to say anything more.

"She's going to make a move against my Li family!"

At that moment, he felt utterly hopeless.

"What's wrong? I asked you to speak, but you don't want to anymore?" Wei Maozhen smiled faintly. "Is there anything you can't say in front of me?"

Li Hu's mind went blank. He said in a trembling voice, "News has come from Shu. Lin Mo... he used his own men as bait and killed them!"

On the dragon throne, Wei Maozhen's gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Li Hu, before calmly replying with a single word: "Oh!"

Upon hearing this word, Li Hu felt a chill run down his spine. Utterly despondent, he was unable to utter a single word.

At this moment, Ling Tiande moved closer to the Empress and whispered something to her.

After listening, Wei Maozhen raised his head, thought for a moment, and then said, "Li Hu, I remember you have three children, right?"

"Yes...yes..."

"I've also heard that your eldest son seems to be ill!" Wei Maozhen asked. "I wonder if he's feeling any better lately?"

Li Hu suddenly looked up and said to Wei Maozhen with a sad expression, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but my son is not yet fully recovered. We have tried many different prescriptions, but none of them have been effective."

Upon hearing this, Wei Maozhen couldn't help but feel sympathy for Li Hu, and said, "Someone, convey my imperial decree, ordering the imperial physician to go to the General's residence and give him a proper examination."

The necessary precious medicinal herbs can be obtained from the palace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Hu understood Wei Maozhen's meaning; this was a request for Li Hu to designate a successor.

"Being a parent is hard. They have to work tirelessly, exhausting their energy. It's hard to watch their children grow up safely and healthily, it's hard to teach them to be upright people, and it's even harder to expect them to carry on the family tradition and make a name for themselves!"

Wei Maozhen continued, "Li Hu, let me ask you, who do you think is the most capable and most suitable to serve my Great Xia among the younger generation of your Li family?"

The message has been made clear: Li Hu should choose an heir to carry on the family business.

As for you, Li Hu, you can now set off in peace.

Li Hu smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty, my second son, Li Qingsong, has been well-versed in military strategy since childhood and is willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty.”

"Then let him attack tomorrow and become my Imperial Guard to protect my safety!"

"Yes, sir!" Li Hu had no choice but to kowtow.

At this moment, Ling Tiande leaned close to the Empress's ear again and whispered some more words.

Wei Maozhen nodded, then sighed and continued, "Li Hu, I have a task for you to handle!"

Li Hu looked up and glanced at Wei Maozhen. What was bound to happen would happen eventually.

He sighed and replied, "Your humble servant is willing to go through fire and water, and even die a thousand deaths!"

"Very good!" Wei Maozhen said, "Tomorrow you will leave the capital and go to Shu to deliver a letter to the King of Shu for me."

This isn't delivering a message, this is sending someone to their death! Li Hu thought to himself.

I was asked to choose an heir and send him to the palace, supposedly to be a member of the Imperial Guard, but in reality...

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Hu said. "Your Majesty, I have something I would like to ask you."

"Ask away!"

Li Hu took a deep breath and mustered his courage to ask, "May I ask about my entire family?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Maozhen frowned and fell into deep thought.

"Let's talk about it after Minister Li has finished this matter!" the Empress said. "If there's nothing else, General Li, please return now!"

"Your humble servant takes his leave!" Li Hu slowly departed.

As Li Hu returned to the main hall, Wei Maozhen smiled and said, "Minister Ling, do you think Li Hu will willingly accomplish this?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, his whole family is in the capital," Ling Tiande said. "Unless he wants to bury his son, otherwise..."

"Then I'll leave this matter to you!" Wei Maozhen said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"