After Lin Yi finished drawing the sketch, he handed it to the carpenter, instructing them to carve it overnight.

There’s no denying that this group of carpenters was exceptionally skilled.

Moreover, the lines provided by Lin Yi were extremely simple. Combined together, it wasn’t long before the template for the portrait was carved out. During printing, it was as fast as lightning, one sheet after another.

Additionally, Lin Yi had already considered organizing the Dayou Bank in the near future.

Although it might not immediately involve issuing currency, the matter of the silver notes should be put on the agenda. Naturally, his portrait would be printed on those silver notes.

These are concerns for later; for now, let’s focus on the current scene.

Everyone was dumbfounded upon hearing Lin Yi’s words, especially when Lord Liu exclaimed that he was the current Emperor. The crowd was even more astonished, with the soldiers falling to their knees in fright and bowing down to Lin Yi.

Lord Liu obviously hadn’t anticipated this. Had he known this scene would unfold, he wouldn’t have acknowledged Lin Yi’s identity.

In this way, it was almost certain that Lin Yi was the Emperor, causing his inherent advantage to vanish without a trace.

Although he knew that within this city, he was the local sovereign, and even if Lin Yi came, he wouldn’t take him seriously, for those below him, the Emperor would always be greater than him, the Commander.

That’s exactly why everyone was deeply shocked upon hearing his words, and they simultaneously chose to submit. After all, none of them had any courage to battle imperial power in their hearts.

Especially with the Emperor of Dayou standing before them, they were not only afraid but also surprisingly excited.

None of them expected to see the Emperor here, and they’d heard the new Emperor was quite capable.

Indeed, the scene that just occurred confirmed their suspicions and the rumors they’d heard.

With a wave of his hand, he effortlessly repelled 30 men, demonstrating the Emperor’s formidable might.

How could they not have the opportunity to rise with such a powerful sovereign?

For a moment, everyone felt a slight thrill in their hearts.

Upon seeing this, Lin Yi found it amusing and wondered whether Lord Liu was smart or foolish. If it were him, he would never admit the other’s identity now.

Even if the other party explicitly stated they were the Emperor, he would never let outsiders know. He would definitely claim it was an impersonation to maintain his position.

But now?

It was clearly too late, and seeing the crowd’s reaction, Lord Liu seemed to have realized it as well. He couldn’t help but quickly explain:

"You truly have the audacity to impersonate the Emperor—do you know this is a capital offense?

Even if I pardon you, Dayou’s laws won’t spare you.

Someone, arrest this impersonator for me. I want to escort her personally to the Capital City for the Emperor’s judgment."

Undoubtedly, his acting was superb. As soon as he realized, he staged this scene.

And indeed, this made many start to waver—a soldier lifted his bowed head, looking at the person before him. For a moment, everyone hesitated.

It’s worth mentioning that a report hadn’t been disseminated; Lord Liu had burned it directly.

Consequently, none of those present had seen the portrait’s contents, and so they didn’t know Lin Yi’s identity.

Despite some harboring doubts about why Lord Liu’s attitude differed now, could there be something hidden?

But what Lord Liu said now isn’t entirely unreasonable; he, unlike the rest, might have seen their new Emperor, though they hadn’t.

At the very least, everyone knew that Lord Liu must have seen the new Emperor’s portrait.

Now, Lord Liu claimed he wasn’t the Emperor, so how should they handle this?

In this peculiar atmosphere, Lin Yi suddenly laughed, pointing at Lord Liu, saying:

"Haha, Lord Liu, is it? You are indeed quite adept at arguing.

But it’s ridiculous; you’re merely the City Lord of East County City, yet dare to show off before me. Who gave you the audacity?

Moreover, my identity isn’t dictated by you claiming it so or not."

Unexpectedly, Lord Liu retorted relentlessly, glaring at Lin Yi, coldly saying:

"Humph, do you think I wouldn’t recognize the current sovereign?

You dare deceive here, it’s already a capital offense. I advise you to surrender immediately so I might consider leaving you with an intact corpse; else, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

After saying this, he turned his gaze to the hesitant soldiers, commanding:

"Come, don’t listen to his nonsense, arrest this man."

This time, Lin Yi didn’t sit still or wait for them to act. He flickered, appearing beside Lord Liu, grabbing his arm and tossing him to the ground.

"Haha, regardless of my true identity, I know someone like you won’t live long.

I ask you, where is the ten-member squad sent to issue the paper?

I ask you, where are the reinforcements I sent?"

As Lin Yi threw him, the fat body fell with a thud, unable to rise.

He lay there like a dead pig for a long time, looking at Lin Yi full of resentment.

The surrounding soldiers rushed to act upon seeing this.

But recalling Lin Yi’s possible identity, they stopped in fear.

[To be continued...]