Chapter 148: A Kick to the TopChapter 1534: Controlling Hearts

Li Chen's words were spoken with force and conviction.

Within the City Lord's Mansion, there was an eerie silence, broken only by the heavy breaths of the remaining generals.

Li Chen's gaze was like electricity as he looked at Wang Dazhao, and said in a deep voice: "So you will ask, who is sure to win This palace answers you, this palace does!"

"What right do you have to ask"

"Let me tell you, if I lose this time, I'll be worse off than all of you!"

"The mountains and rivers, this palace bears the weight upon my shoulders."

"Even a million commoners, this palace can withstand."

Raising the wine jug, Li Chen poured himself a full bowl of wine. Then, with a heavy hand, he smashed the jug onto the table in the center, shattering several plates piled high with side dishes. Amidst the crisp crashing sound, Li Chen's voice reverberated from the depths of every general's soul: "Who among you is willing to fight alongside this palace and achieve an immortal feat"

Li Chen had finished speaking, and now it was the turn of the generals to state their positions.

Wu Ban Shan and Wu Qing Cang looked at each other, this time, they had to make a statement, they had to.

Wu Qingcang stood up first, raised the wine jar in the middle of the table, poured himself a large bowl, then held up his bowl and toasted Li Chen, saying: "This humble general is willing to follow Your Highness into battle."

Wu Ban Shan also quickly followed suit, filling a cup of wine and mimicking Wu Qing Cang's posture as he raised his cup to Li Chen in a toast. "This humble general wishes to follow the Prince's lead."

The remaining generals looked at each other, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. No one dared speak another word, so they all followed suit, emulating Wu Qingcang and Wu Banshan's actions. They poured themselves full cups from the wine jar in the center of the table, raising their glasses to Li Chen and saying, "We, your humble generals, vow to follow you to our deaths!"

Li Chenhao laughed heartily, raised his head and drank the wine in one gulp, let out a mouthful of alcohol, and said: "Good, with your words, this palace will definitely not disappoint you all!"

Everyone simultaneously raised their wine cups and drank deeply.

Suddenly, the air within the City Lord's Mansion was filled with the aroma of alcohol. Everyone looked at each other, and they all noticed that their eyes had lost some of their seriousness and worry, replaced by a sense of boldness and exhilaration.

From this point forward, Li Chen had complete control over the discourse at Yuèyáguān, his position unshakeable.

Over the next few days, Li Chen decided to let loose and drink with the generals, chatting about everything under the sun.

At first, the generals were a little restrained. After all, the young man before them was about the same age as their nephews and grandsons, yet he was the Imperial Prince, and the future emperor who was destined to take the throne. The vast difference in status made it difficult for them to relax.

Whether it was the half-jin of strong liquor or Li Chen's genuinely unassuming demeanor, under his guidance, the generals began to gradually let loose.

His complexion gradually flushed, his voice rising in volume. They engaged in boisterous conversation with one another, recounting their own bravery on the battlefield, even occasionally engaging in spirited debates. Each general vied for the honor of eliciting a hearty laugh or a nod of approval from Li Chen.

"Your Highness! I raise my cup to you!"

Wang Da zhao was the bravest and most open-minded. He raised his wine cup, glared with wide eyes and said: "I didn't go to school. The total number of characters I know doesn't exceed ten. Before tonight, I admired warriors who could kill enemies on the battlefield the most. I thought that was the real man. But tonight, I find myself starting to admire Your Lordship. This cup, I drink it first, you do as you please!"

After finishing his words, the rough-and-tumble Wang Dazhao raised his head and gulped down all the wine in his bowl.ssions on Xiao Tiannan and Shi Xuanwei's faces shifted from greed to shock and then to panic.He Kun uttered a single sentence, seemingly light and casual, yet it exposed a major state secret.Anyone wi...