Backlash?!
Chen Yu, leaning against the rattan chair, grew a little interested.
This was indeed new.
Chen Yu knew very well that the Chief Financial Officer was still doing his best to support the eldest among the royal family, with the kingdom's funds being heavily tilted towards the eldest through him.
With the influx of funds, and with Chen Yu secretly providing grain.
The number of his subordinates increased.
The eldest son, who had been in decline within the royal family, had also become much more assertive recently.
The entire Tatu Kingdom's old monarch lay ill in bed. The two major powers were held by the Chief Financial Officer and the Imperial Advisor. Without the Financial Officer's support, Old Seven would not dare to backlash against the Imperial Advisor.
"Where did he get the guts?"
Taking a sip of juice, Chen Yu chuckled softly.
"All the cities within Fengqi City are controlled by the Imperial Advisor's subordinates. He has no money, no grain. Does he dare to split from the Imperial Advisor? Without the Imperial Advisor's support, wouldn't Old Seven just get bitten to death by him?"
They were competitors, evenly matched, and lived in peace.
If either of them fell into decline, the other would definitely try their best to trample them underfoot, ensuring they could never rise again.
Old Seven had been in power for so long; he should understand this principle.
The Imperial Advisor was his only reliance. To abandon him would either mean his brain was malfunctioning or he had found someone more powerful to support him.
In the Tatu Kingdom, could he find someone superior to the Imperial Advisor?
"Could it be an act?"
After considering for a moment, Chen Yu murmured.
"Honestly, my father and I did consider this possibility." Liya said with a frown, "We wondered if the Imperial Advisor and Old Seven were deliberately putting on a show to make us let down our guard. However, after observing for a long time, my father personally confirmed that there were indeed problems between them."
"Did the Chief Financial Officer say it himself?"
Liya nodded.
Although Chen Yu had never met the Chief Financial Officer, anyone who had managed to climb the ranks in the royal family for so many years and held a high position must possess extraordinary abilities. Moreover, from Liya's education, one could feel the Chief Financial Officer's caliber.
If these words came from the Chief Financial Officer, their credibility would be much higher.
"If that's the case, I don't understand." Chen Yu slowly raised his hand, signaling the magical chefs to retreat. He then straightened up in the rattan chair, leaning slightly towards Liya. "What right does Old Seven have to do this? You've been watching him closely, and he has no real backing."
"My father is also baffled."
Liya spread his hands in confusion.
"Don't mention me, I'm baffled too. My father thought about it for a long time and couldn't figure it out. Old Seven, from top to bottom, inside and out, is monitored by my father and me. All his activities escape our eyes. To put it this way, if we wanted to know how many hairs he had on his body, we could know."
"Yet, such a person dares to fall out with the Imperial Advisor," Chen Yu said.
"It's not exactly a falling out, though." Liya chose his words carefully, "You could say he has the thought of backlash. Recently, in court, Old Seven has repeatedly voiced opinions contrary to the Imperial Advisor's. Their private meetings have also become less frequent. When Old Seven returns to his residence, he does nothing but indulge in pleasure."
Leaning back in the rattan chair, Chen Yu remained silent for a long time.
Something was wrong!
Old Seven had persevered for so long; it was impossible for him to suddenly give up his position and indulge in pleasure to numb himself. Moreover, the competition between him and the eldest had not reached a decisive point.
It was still unknown who would win.
Even with the strong support of the Chief Financial Officer and Chen Yu's covert assistance, the eldest could not exert such pressure on Old Seven.
"He just indulges in pleasure and does nothing?"
"Does nothing." Liya shook his head solemnly. "He lives a life of constant revelry and completely neglects his duties. His subordinates are also very lax, a complete change from half a year ago."
"That's the problem!"
Chen Yu tapped the armrest of the rattan chair with his finger.
"Half a year ago, he was still so passionate about the throne. His sudden abandonment of it is too bizarre. Has your father not found any clues? Or perhaps you could try to investigate the Imperial Advisor?"
"My father has tried investigating the Imperial Advisor, but that old dog's place is impossible to infiltrate."
"Indeed..."
How could an Imperial Advisor who could contend with the Chief Financial Officer for so long be easily infiltrated? If infiltration were possible, the Chief Financial Officer would have dealt with him long ago.
"I was wondering why things have been so peaceful lately."
Leaning back in the rattan chair, Chen Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured.
"Old Seven has indeed degenerated to this extent, but I always feel that the problem is not that simple. When something unusual happens, there's always a reason. Old Seven would not give up the throne; he must be plotting something."
Liya nodded in agreement.
The royal throne held a fatal attraction for anyone. Countless people were eager for it. Old Seven was one of the most advantageous contenders. For him to give it up would be unbelievable even to a dog.
Everyone knew there was something fishy going on, but not knowing the scheme was the most troublesome part.
"In that case, we seem to be in the open now." Chen Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "The enemy is in the shadows. We must be cautious during this period, lest we be struck at our vital points. What I need to do is defend Fengqi City, which Old Seven covets. As for you..."
"Within the dynasty, there will be no chaos!" Liya stated firmly.
"That's enough then."
In the end, the core of the competition was Fengqi City and the royal throne. The Chief Financial Officer held control within the dynasty, and Chen Yu was firmly seated in Fengqi City.
No matter how Old Seven schemed, he could not stir up any significant trouble.
The core position was stable.
Even if there were some minor losses around, they were not worth worrying about.
"Alright, Old Seven has already started sending us smoke signals. You should hurry back to the royal city and keep a closer eye on things." Chen Yu frowned slightly and said, "After the matters in the Tatu Kingdom are settled, if you like Fengqi City, you can live here for the rest of your life, and no one will mind."
"My lord, I have another idea."
"What idea?"
"You mentioned that the Batu Federation has been spreading news about attacking the Tatu Kingdom for over a year, so why haven't they made a move yet? If the Batu Federation attacks, do you think it would be better for our situation? You don't care about the royal throne, and neither does our Chief Financial Officer's clan. The Batu Federation's invasion of the country concerns Old Seven and the others."
"That's the Batu Federation's business; what can we do about it?"
If he was curious, Chen Yu was more curious than anyone. He had sold tens of millions of sets of equipment to the Batu Federation, enough to equip them with the power to conquer a nation.
Su Zhan had also told him about the impending war.
This was enough to prove that the Batu Federation's declaration of war was a foregone conclusion.
Yet, the Batu Federation had still made no move.
It was as if the talk of war had vanished.
The most turbulent period for the Tatu Kingdom was nearing its end. Internal strife within the cities had been resolved, and new city lords were in charge.
If they didn't attack soon, it might be too late!