They cursed, but they had no choice but to start preparing for the situation they might face next.

Judging from the current situation, if they were to continue feigning compliance and not use their real skills, they would be criticized behind their backs.

"I really don't know what kind of wrong medicine that guy took; he's so much more clever now than before."

"Exactly. Now, even if several of us join forces, we can't seem to gain anything from dealing with him alone."

The thought of being led by the nose by Jiang Chen like this filled their hearts with resentment.

It could be said that in recent days, not only had they not gained any advantages from Jiang Chen, but they had also invested a lot of capital.

"Damn Jiang Zuo King, why won't he come out when there is such a good opportunity to win people's hearts?"

Thinking of the Jiang Zuo King they had fully supported, who now seemed to have disappeared like a tortoise retreating into its shell, everyone present was furious.

To support the Jiang Zuo King, they had taken out many treasures, but after receiving the supplies they had sent, the Jiang Zuo King mysteriously vanished, which was tantamount to throwing a meat bun to a dog with no response.

"Send a few people to contact Jiang Zuo King and the remaining rights organizations to prepare for the upcoming Northern Expedition."

"We will inevitably have to fight those Huns. Once we defeat them thoroughly, we will have the leverage to coerce them. At that time, as long as we can collude with the Huns and Jiang Zuo King, why should we worry about not being able to get rid of Jiang Chen?"

While they were making such preparations, the letters they sent to contact Jiang Zuo King were presented on Jiang Chen's desk. Looking at the matters discussed within, Jiang Chen was left with endless sneers in his heart.

These aristocratic families no longer regarded him, the emperor, as important. In their eyes, they would only support those who aligned with their interests to ascend to the throne.

"Jiang Zuo King, ah, Jiang Zuo King, you spent so much energy to win over these people, but in the end, you became a pawn in their hands to seek their own interests. How truly pathetic."

Thinking of Jiang Zuo King's fate, Jiang Chen sighed helplessly.

Meanwhile, Noble Consort Shu was also doing her best to help Jiang Chen prepare.

Although the inner palace was no longer as chaotic as it once was, undercurrents still often surged.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely manage this inner palace for you properly."

Just as Noble Consort Shu and Jiang Chen were nestled together, a eunuch hurriedly knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened! The Huns have reinforced their troops again! The Hun army has now reached 300,000 strong!"

"According to the news from the rear, they may continue to send more troops. The front line is likely to be in imminent danger!"

This urgent intelligence instantly made Jiang Chen stand up. If he could have surrounded and annihilated the vanguard troops by dividing his forces into three routes, now that the Huns had reinforced their troops again, continuing with the previous strategy would surely lead to the annihilation of the entire army.

Moreover, the Huns seemed to have other tricks up their sleeves, which made Jiang Chen have to be extra cautious.

"Summon the court officials to discuss countermeasures against the enemy. This time, the situation is no longer a joke like before."

As he said this, veins bulged on Jiang Chen's face.

The initial unfavorable situation was being quickly alleviated under the plan of He Wei from Jiang Chen's dark forces, but at this most critical juncture, such a mistake occurred, which made Jiang Chen feel a surge of anger in his heart.

"This time, it seems that the Huns are not just trying to plunder like before; they probably want to drive straight to the capital."

Glancing at the map hanging on the wall, Jiang Chen's heart was filled with anger. It was precisely because he had been too lenient with these Huns in the past few years that he had fostered their arrogant arrogance.

"Since you dare to invade on a large scale, then I will let you understand what true majesty is."

After placing the brush on the map, Jiang Chen looked at the heavily inked spot.

This was the most crucial place for the Huns to advance south. If this pass were to fall, it would mean that the Huns would be able to gallop freely across this plain as if it were no man's land.

Faced with those overly agile cavalry, all the countermeasures had always been to defend based on terrain. Once the natural barrier was lost, there would really be no room for maneuver.

When Jiang Chen rushed back to the court, countless people were already waiting in full battle array. Those family heads who had always held different opinions from Jiang Chen were now also gathered together very seriously. They understood that this was related to the survival of all of them, the Huns' aggressive momentum.

Had already explained their thoughts. Now, even if they wanted to contact the other party and collude with each other, they would only end up with nothing.

"Your Majesty, the military situation is critical. Relying solely on our brave warriors, I am afraid it will be difficult to stop the enemy's aggressive offensive. If possible, I hope you will personally lead the expedition."

"Your Majesty, all the young generations of my family are fully prepared. With just a call from you, they can resist the Huns."

Seeing these guys who were all ready to shed their blood, Jiang Chen couldn't help but sneer. The fiefdoms of those who were now the most vehemently opposed to him were located just behind that pass.

If the defensive line were broken, their families would surely suffer, and all the wealth accumulated over the years would vanish in an instant.

Because of this, the heads of these families who only cared about their own interests were unprecedentedly united, and no one dared to have any thoughts of disobeying Jiang Chen.

In fact, they had been waiting for a long time before they came here. Jiang Zuo King's response and Jiang Zuo King seemed to have evaporated from the world, ignoring their requests at this moment, which forced them to focus their energy on Jiang Chen again.

Regarding these guys below who were frantically requesting to send troops as soon as possible, Jiang Chen seemed very indifferent at the moment, as if it was not his country that was being invaded.

"How do I remember that there were quite a few of you who claimed that you didn't want to send troops in this matter no matter what? Why do you suddenly want to resist the Huns now?"

Jiang Chen's understated words made many people break out in cold sweat. Although they had long expected that Jiang Chen might settle the score later, they never expected that this day would come so quickly.

However, they had already thought of their own countermeasures for this.

"We were blinded by villains before. Now that we finally have the opportunity to abandon the darkness and turn to the light, we naturally support Your Highness and all the decisions you make."

"Your Majesty, after this turmoil subsides, no matter how you want to punish this old minister, I will have no complaints, but before that, the Huns are our greatest hidden danger."