Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 980 - 940: How About You Step Down First?

Minister Chen, with a surname that Chen, found himself secretly gleeful, confident in his astute move that effectively targeted Prince You’s vulnerability.

A quick scan of his fellow ministers revealed hints of regret on their faces, a sight that amplified his inner satisfaction.

This brief moment of self-congratulation, however, quickly passed as his gaze returned to Lin Yi, and he spoke with practiced sincerity:

"Your Majesty, your presence graces us, and it is indeed time to make this crucial announcement to the entire realm.

Prior to this morning’s court assembly, I made a special visit to the Office of Celestial Observance to consult on propitious dates. They have confirmed that tomorrow presents an exceptionally auspicious occasion."

He allowed a beat of silence to hang in the air before turning his attention to the other five ministers, inquiring with measured caution:

"Shall we proceed with organizing your coronation ceremony for tomorrow?"

The five ministers, sensing his inquiry, visibly relaxed, their earlier discomfiture melting away.

Internally, they acknowledged his thoughtfulness, appreciating that he was not monopolizing all the advantages, which eased their previous discontent.

Furthermore, his inclusive gesture began to erode their initial plan to present a united front against him.

Minister Chen let out a slow exhale. Though this was his first time holding such a prominent position, the intricate dance of court politics was far from foreign to him; he had navigated these treacherous waters for years. Despite the intoxicating rush of his recent elevation, his pragmatic mind urged him to avoid isolation, lest his future career path become fraught with peril.

With little hesitation, the other five ministers voiced their concurrence, affirming that they too had consulted with Minister Chen at the Office of Celestial Observance and had finalized the matter of auspicious timing.

They further assured the throne that the preparations for the coronation ceremony were nearly complete, awaiting only Lin Yi’s final decree to commence.

This harmonious alignment was precisely what Lin Yi had hoped for, and a sense of contentment settled upon him.

He was pleased by their understanding of his intentions and their recognition of his desires.

It was understood that the coronation ceremony’s accouterments had not been conjured overnight by these newly appointed ministers; rather, they were the fruits of earlier labor by the six former ministers and the two chancellors.

Even with their demotion, the preparations had fortunately not been halted.

Moreover, the six newly appointed ministers treated this undertaking with utmost priority, approaching it with an even greater fervor than their predecessors.

Upon hearing their assurances, Lin Yi casually gestured, indicating his delegation to the ministers:

"Such matters of detail are best left to your capable management, my esteemed ministers. I shall not interfere."

In unison, all six bowed, endorsing his decision, an action echoed by the great many officials present who offered their respectful assent.

Despite their veteran status and mastery of political maneuvers, aware this was a choreographed exchange between Prince You and them, none dared to act foolishly; each was a practiced hand in the theater of statecraft. Thus, they displayed deference and aligned with Lin Yi’s wishes, understanding implicitly that the art of politics was heavily reliant on presentation.

Within this established harmony, the matter was concluded, and the court’s attention shifted to the subsequent item on the agenda.

From his dragon throne, Lin Yi’s gaze briefly met Leng Yu’s before he addressed the assembly:

"Let the Minister of the Ministry of War step forth to provide his report."

A robust figure among the six ministers stepped forward, bowed deeply, and addressed Lin Yi:

"This humble servant, Minister of War Chen, Wu Guang, greets Your Majesty."

Lin Yi responded with a simple wave, a gesture to set aside formalities, and then inquired:

"Wu Aiqing, what is the current status of our Border Army? Are soldiers from the Yan Country still posing a threat?"

"Your Majesty, the dispatches from the front lines indicate that eleven of our cities have experienced incursions by soldiers from the Yan Kingdom. However, our forces are engaged in a valiant defense. As of yesterday’s report, our fierce resistance has successfully repelled the Yan soldiers from three of those cities.

Consequently, only eight cities remain under direct threat, though significant repercussions are not anticipated in the immediate future."

This account markedly diverged from the one previously rendered by the former Minister of War.

Lin Yi was inclined to trust this latest report as the truthful version, suspecting the former minister’s statements had been tinged with exaggeration.

The previous minister's insistence that those cities were on the verge of collapse, coupled with his urgent appeals for reinforcements and supplies, clearly hinted at a hidden agenda.

For instance, the suggestion to deliver vast quantities of grain raised questions about whether such resources would truly reach the soldiers or if the sheer volume was even manageable.

Clearly, such expectations seemed improbable.