Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess

During the time Jiang Shouzhong and Li Guanshi were "cultivating," the world outside was full of turmoil, with many significant events occurring.

Under the trample of the Snow Domain Divine Soldiers led by Yelü Miaomiao, some remaining resisting forces of Nanjin Country were completely eradicated, and the neighboring tribes surrendered one after another.

Of course, during this period, the Heshan Tribe led by Liao played a significant role.

Back when Jiang Shouzhong and Xiao Lingqiu stayed temporarily at the Heshan Tribe, they helped resist the Desert Bandits and supported Liao to become the Clan Leader. It can be said that this piece was already laid down by Xiao Lingqiu.

Now, some tribes of Nanjin Country were able to submit smoothly, thanks to Liao acting as an intermediary.

Otherwise, more unnecessary wars might have been launched.

With the demise of Nanjin Country, it signifies that this nation has thus been wiped out from the river of history.

Meanwhile, within Dazhou, waves of unrest were rising as well.

First, the news of the death of the legitimate Crown Prince Zhou Yin spread, causing severe splits in the armies that originally supported him, with two of them even openly rebelling.

At the same time, the performance of the Jiang Family Army on the battlefield was remarkable.

The Jiang Family Army triumphantly reclaimed the lost territories occupied by Yanrong, making the name Jiang Shouzhong gradually become a god of war figure in the hearts of Dazhou's people.

What impressed the people most was the army's extremely strict discipline, never harassing the people, and actively helping them rebuild their homes after reclaiming the lost lands.

In addition, with some secretive propaganda by Yeying, rumors continued to spread that Jiang Shouzhong was the person favored by the heavens.

Some even claimed that a mysterious Holy Stele was unearthed at the border of the Yellow River, with the words "Heavenly Destiny Jiang Shouzhong" boldly carved on it.

More astonishingly, one night, a particularly dazzling star suddenly appeared in the sky, its light extraordinary.

In the following days, the saying of the "Emperor Star" spread like wildfire in the streets and alleys.

Various omens seemed to suggest that Dazhou was about to experience a change of dynasty.

Of course, for the cunning and seasoned bigwigs, these tactics could hardly escape their eyes.

But, as fate would have it, the momentum of the Jiang Family Army was unstoppable, coupled with the one-sided public opinion favoring them, causing more and more armies and ministers in the court to waver.

Gradually, some armies chose to join the Jiang Family Army and raised the "Jiang" banner.

During this time, aside from Yeying and Zhuge Xuanji, another figure was quietly operating behind the scenes.

This person was Ye Zhuchan, the last Empress of the former dynasty.

Do not underestimate the assets left by this last Empress; after all, she was once universally recognized as the "Human Emperor."

Ever since the founding of Dazhou, all emperors desired to claim this title but never received acknowledgment, not even from their own ministers, which shows the influential power of the former dynasty.

Additionally, another event occurred.

Prince Zhou Kang, who had seized power in the Capital after the death of Zhou Chang, suddenly fell seriously ill for unknown reasons, unable to handle state affairs.

Reluctantly, Empress Dowager Luo Wanqing had to assume regency.

After a few days, someone in the court proposed to promote Jiang Shouzhong with higher titles.

Ultimately, Luo Wanqing issued an Imperial Decree.

The Imperial Decree highly praised Jiang Shouzhong as a man blessed by Haotian, ruling over all lands, loyal and diligent to the state, with outstanding achievements and deeds written in history.

Following this was a series of jaw-dropping rewards: bestowed the position of Grand Sima, titled Kingdom Town Duke, granted lands to support ten thousand households, which could be passed on to heirs, and even awarded the Nine Rites.

Jiang Shouzhong was also specially authorized to enter the court without haste, receive homage without name-calling, enter the hall with sword and boots, and participate in important military and national affairs.

Such honors were unparalleled.

It's estimated that Jiang Shouzhong could talk about ideals directly in the court with the Empress Dowager, and no one would dare say anything.

Because with Luo Wanqing, the legitimate Empress Dowager, holding the fort in the Capital, some forces harboring objections or even those who had mobilized troops for rebellion could only weigh the pros and cons and helplessly accept reality.

This created a comical scene.

Jiang Shouzhong did not want to become Emperor, but those around him pushed him toward it. Many people had not even met Jiang Shouzhong but already began to pledge loyalty.

Of course, Jiang Shouzhong's mysterious aura further mythologized his rumors.

Human beings always harbor some awe for the unknown.

The less you show yourself, while your influence grows immense and your displayed abilities become stronger, the more people hold you in reverence.

However, although everything seemed favorable, there were still forces unwilling to cooperate.

Among them, the most striking was Dazhou's God of War, Li Kuanglan.

This renowned general, who served Dazhou loyally for several generations and remained faithful to the Zhou Family's Royal Family, refused to participate in any activities promoting Jiang Shouzhong, even after Zhou Yin's death.

No matter whether it was the envoys sent by Empress Dowager Luo Wanqing or the intermediaries arranged by Yeying in secret, Li Kuanglan drove them all away.

This left Luo Wanqing and Yeying extremely exasperated.

If not for the need to rely on him to defend Lion Blood Pass against the Yanrong army, along with the immense prestige the Li Family held among the people and in the military, Luo Wanqing would have long dismissed him from the position of Great General.

Other forces not yet submitted were also quietly observing Li Kuanglan's attitude.

After all, Li Kuanglan held significant military power, crucial to Dazhou's military affairs, practically holding half of the military's life.

If he acknowledges the Jiang Family Army's status and the wealth and titles granted to Jiang Shouzhong by the Capital's Empress Dowager, other forces are bound to follow suit and submit, daring not to act rashly.

On the contrary, if Li Kuanglan staunchly disagrees, even if Jiang Shouzhong succeeds in usurping the throne and becoming Emperor in the future, he will undoubtedly face numerous challenging problems and messy situations.