The old God of War was currently immersed in a gentle embrace, unable to extricate himself. Chu Chen, with no other option, could only grant the old God of War another half-day.
Although the old God of War readily agreed, he clearly hadn't taken it to heart.
Chu Chen could only pray that the Empress wouldn't meet with trouble too soon, otherwise, he wouldn't have time to react.
Li Xinyue also arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion. Besides her, many other ministers also came, hoping to forge connections with Chu Chen.
However, Chu Chen sent them all away.
Some people were reluctant to leave, so Chu Chen glared at them and said, "Do you have too little official work? Would you like me to add some to your burden?"
Upon hearing this, the officials scattered, not daring to linger.
Seeing their hasty retreat, Li Xinyue couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile.
"These people are truly afraid of you. As soon as the Empress left, they came to curry favor with you. Prime Minister Chu, you hold great power now."
Chu Chen shook his head helplessly and said, "Your Highness Princess, please don't mock me."
"I am currently worried about His Majesty's affairs. With His Majesty gone, the court has lost its backbone."
"I understand the intentions of these ministers as clearly as if they were written on my palm."
Li Xinyue raised her eyebrows curiously, "Is that so? Then tell me."
Chu Chen shook his head, "This matter is truly strange. Could it be that these fellows also have a premonition?"
Li Xinyue paused, "Chu Chen, are you saying they are also worried about the Empress's safety on this trip?"
"I think they are just trying to flatter you normally. After all, until the Empress returns, the entire court and Yun Yue Kingdom are under our control."
Chu Chen shook his head, still feeling that the whole matter was somewhat peculiar.
"No, they must have sensed something. Your Highness, please return quickly, and let us each attend to our duties."
Li Xinyue paused, confused, "Go home? What can I do?"
Chu Chen smacked his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Of course, you're to handle state affairs."
"If there's anything you don't know how to handle, you can send someone to ask me, but these matters must pass through your hands."
Li Xinyue nodded, "Then I will do so now."
With that, Li Xinyue got up and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, she turned back to look at Chu Chen, saying with some concern, "Chu Chen, is there going to be a war?"
Chu Chen smiled at the princess and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, even if there is a war, I will protect you."
Li Xinyue's expression softened slightly. She nodded and then left quickly.
Chu Chen felt that he couldn't delay any longer and had to summon the old God of War.
He rushed directly to the backyard and into the old God of War's room.
At the same time, the old God of War was still busy. Besides him, there were three or four beauties in the room.
Seeing the scene, Chu Chen gasped and then turned to leave the room, closing the door.
The old God of War hadn't even noticed Chu Chen enter and was engrossed with the three or four women in the room.
Hearing that the activity in the room showed no signs of stopping, Chu Chen couldn't care less if it affected the old God of War's physical and mental state and shouted.
"Old God of War, come out quickly! The situation is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer."
Hearing this, the sounds in the room abruptly stopped. Then, several women walked out of the room, bowed to Chu Chen, and left.
Chu Chen was dejected. He had brought these women to win over the old God of War, not to let him become addicted.
After another moment, the old God of War's voice came from inside.
"Prime Minister Chu, you may enter. I am ready."
Chu Chen's face twitched.
However, the situation was urgent, so he couldn't afford to hesitate and walked in.
The room was in disarray, with remnants of the previous scene still visible.
Chu Chen's lips twitched, "Old God of War, why don't we go to the council hall?"
The old God of War waved his hand and pursed his lips.
"Let's discuss it here. I need to rest. Prime Minister Chu, please speak."
Chu Chen, with no other choice, said, "Old God of War, I can only ask you to come out of retirement now."
"The Empress has already departed. We cannot be careless at this time. I believe those ministers have sensed something unusual."
"To prevent any changes over time, it would be best for the old God of War to quickly find people for me to place in important positions."
"At the same time, we must send them to lead troops out of the city to fight. Only then can we ensure everything is foolproof."
Hearing this, the old God of War's eyes lit up, and he immediately regained some of his vigor.
"So there was such a development. Prime Minister Chu, you should have said so earlier."
"Here's what we'll do: find me ten people and send them to the specified locations immediately. They are to come to the Prime Minister's mansion."
"Tell them it's my request, and they will surely give me face."
"Oh, and bring me a brush."
After speaking, the old God of War chuckled and waved his hand.
"Never mind, bring me a brush. I don't feel like writing now. Find someone who can write, and I'll dictate."
Chu Chen nodded and immediately went to find people according to the old God of War's instructions.
About fifteen minutes later, all the people were arranged in the old God of War's room.
"Old God of War, I have found the people," Chu Chen said to him with a smile.
Huo Qing did not hesitate and directly listed about ten names along with their corresponding addresses.
"Alright, quickly go and find these names and addresses. Your Prime Minister Chu needs them urgently."
Chu Chen waved his hand at them, and they all left.
The entire day passed. All the dozen or so people the old God of War wanted to find arrived at the Prime Minister's mansion at the agreed-upon time in the evening.
Chu Chen and the old God of War received them together in the reception hall.
The old God of War looked at these generals he had once favored, their faces weathered by time, and felt a pang of emotion.
"When you followed me back then, you were still young. I never expected you to have truly become great generals now."
"I retired earlier, and you didn't have the chance to display your talents. But now it's good. Prime Minister Chu is giving you an opportunity, and you must seize it."
Hearing this, the dozen or so burly middle-aged men all turned to face Chu Chen and knelt on one knee.
"We, your humble servants, obey the old God of War's command and will help Prime Minister Chu with all our might, even unto death."
Just as Chu Chen was about to praise them, the old God of War beside him intervened.
"What are you saying? I told you to diligently serve Prime Minister Chu, not to obey my command. You must obey the Prime Minister even more than you obey me, understand?"
Upon hearing this, the dozen men replied in unison.
"Yes, old God of War, we understand."