"If we can launch an expedition early, then we can issue a hero's invitation to rally heroes from all over the world to aid in the battle."
"Perhaps we can even recruit a group of true heroes and expand the strength of Yunyue Kingdom."
"With the current development momentum of Yunyue Kingdom, once the skilled cultivators arrive, they will not leave."
The Empress nodded. What Chu Chen said made a lot of sense. She naturally understood the benefits of taking the initiative.
"Your Majesty, if you wish for Yunyue Kingdom to remain in peace, you are thinking too simply."
"Those people will not give Yunyue Kingdom the opportunity to choose such a path."
"As other nations grow stronger through war, Yunyue Kingdom, which seeks to remain isolated, will become a lamb to the slaughter. At that time, they will be the knife and we will be the fish."
"The outcome will be obvious."
The Empress nodded upon hearing this. She naturally agreed with some of what Chu Chen said.
"How can I not know what you are saying? Since that is the case, then let us prepare for war."
"To prepare for war without being noticed is not an easy task. Since we are preparing for war, we must do so with full effort."
As soon as the Empress finished speaking, her entire demeanor changed.
Even Chu Chen felt the Empress's formidable presence.
The Empress was indeed the Empress. Even though she had thrown Yunyue Kingdom into disarray, in terms of personal cultivation, she was absolutely top-tier.
Just a slight display of her aura put immense pressure on Chu Chen.
Chu Chen respectfully asked, "Your Majesty is correct. However, have you decided which country to deal with first?"
The Empress replied without hesitation, "Of course, it's Chen Kingdom. Destroy Chen Kingdom for me first."
The Empress had never had a good impression of Chen Kingdom's Empress, Chen Xinmei.
Perhaps it was due to the inherent animosity between strong women. A powerful woman would naturally look down upon another equally powerful woman.
Chu Chen couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.
"Your Majesty, why did you choose Chen Kingdom specifically?"
The Empress raised an eyebrow.
"What, is Chen Kingdom not suitable for attack?"
Chu Chen quickly waved his hand and said, "It's not like that, Your Majesty. It's just that we have a better method to subdue the enemy without fighting."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes lit up.
"Is what you're saying true? Are you trying to deceive me just to gain my praise?"
Chu Chen quickly replied with trepidation,
"Your Majesty, how would I dare? Please allow me to explain."
The Empress nodded. "Then tell me, why is that?"
"If you can't give me a clear explanation, be careful, I won't marry Xin Yue to you."
Chu Chen was stunned for a moment.
He hadn't expected the Empress to use this as a threat.
Chu Chen hesitated for a moment, but decided to reveal the matter of Zhu Wushi. Otherwise, if the Empress truly attacked Chen Kingdom, his previous arrangements would be in vain.
"Your Majesty, Chen Kingdom currently has a Grand Preceptor who is said to have extraordinary abilities, capable of extending life and even achieving immortality. Have you heard of him?"
The Empress was taken aback and said, "I have heard of him. Spies from Chen Kingdom reported that the Empress of Chen Kingdom is so infatuated with this Grand Preceptor that she truly believes this so-called Grand Preceptor can concoct elixirs of immortality."
Chu Chen cupped his hands and asked, "Your Majesty, do you think this news is true or false?"
The Empress pondered for a moment and said, "The news is definitely true, but I don't believe this fellow can truly create an elixir of immortality. I just don't understand why the Empress of Chen Kingdom would believe such absurd claims."
Chu Chen smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this was my doing."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's gaze suddenly focused on Chu Chen, her face showing a hint of disbelief.
"What did you say? You did this?"
Chu Chen nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. This Zhu Wushi was someone I specifically found to deceive the Empress of Chen Kingdom. Originally, I didn't expect this fellow to be so successful."
"Now, Chen Kingdom is already in a state of chaos because of him. Even if we don't deal with them, they are likely to fall into disarray. Why are you in such a hurry?"
The Empress couldn't help but glance at him, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice. "Chu Chen, you were the one who proposed launching an expedition, and now you're telling me not to be hasty. What exactly do you want?"
Chu Chen's face reddened slightly. "Your Majesty, these are not contradictory. The best strategy is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Wouldn't it be even better if the enemy could be subdued without a battle?"
The Empress thought for a moment and then sat back in her seat.
"That makes sense. Since that's the case, then you take action. I will approve any proposals you have."
The Empress had great confidence in Chu Chen's methods of warfare. This young man seemed to be born for the battlefield.
He could even come up with ideas like using hot air balloons to transport soldiers into enemy cities and capture them. What else couldn't he think of?
Even if he were to be killed by her in the end, he would undoubtedly leave a significant mark on the military history of the various nations!
Having received the Empress's approval, Chu Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This way, he would have no worries and would not have to hold back when taking action.
By leveraging the opportunity of conquering various nations, he could develop his own strength. By then, even if the Empress truly wanted to kill him, he would be able to handle it!
"Since Your Majesty has agreed, I am relieved. I also plan to check the yield of the various crops in the fields. Perhaps I can lure out those Xiongnu experts."
The Empress nodded. "Good, then you go. Remember, if you can capture them alive, don't kill them."
Chu Chen smiled and said, "Your Majesty is truly thoughtful. I believe the Old War God will be able to do it."
After leaving the grand hall, Chu Chen saw the Old War God Huo Qing again and a smile appeared on his face.
"Old War God, I really have to thank you for supporting me during the debate with the officials this time."
Huo Qing, however, pouted. "Kid, you don't really think I was supporting you, do you? I just happened to agree with going to war, that's all."
Chu Chen was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand. "That's not important. What's important is the result."
"By the way, come with me to the fields. I suspect those Xiongnu experts have already arrived and are just looking for an opportunity to deal with me."
The Old War God's face immediately broke into a smile. "Really? That would be great. Let's go."
The two of them walked out of the imperial city together, strolling around the imperial city as the Old War God usually did, only this time with Chu Chen accompanying him.
The two of them played chess, drank wine, and watched operas, attracting enough attention before they left the vicinity of the imperial city and headed to the fields on the outskirts.