Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Land Compensation_1

"Continue to stay in the court." Without any hesitation, Chu Yuan chose to remain in the court, resolutely seated on the imperial throne. He naturally wanted to hear what these loyal ministers had to say to him, to observe their performance thoroughly. To depart now, leaving only his silhouette for them, wouldn't that just disappoint them? He would have to play along with this farce. "Ding! Host made choice one and gained one hundred Destiny Points." "The Prime Minister is a founding elder of our nation, who, alongside the mighty geral, followed previous emperors through their campaigns both at home and abroad. In their meritorious service, they have etched their names in the annals of history. Now, in the aftermath of the passing of our former emperor, we, the Great Wu, are facing a period of turbulce. As ruler and ministers, we must seek to restore stability. Today marks the first time that I, as the new ruler of the Great Wu, am meeting with you all, and I wish to hear your voices." As Chu Yuan sat on his throne, his eyes sparkled with great depth. A sudd hint of a smile crossed his face. How familiar this sce was, perfectly in line with his memories: selling off the Great Wu Dynasty bit by bit through manipulation and deception. But how could he allow others to sell off his empire? "Your Majesty!" A middle-aged man stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said: "Our Great Wu's rise or fall hangs in the balance of our Divine Martial Army. A sudd wipeout of three hundred thousand elite soldiers was se as a divine curse. The aftermath alone cost a great deal of gold and silver from the national treasury. The departmt is now running out of funds, especially since many parts of our nation have be struck by natural disasters and have yet to receive relief. On top of it all, we have had to put aside significant resources to ward off pottial invasions from the four nations." Chu Yuan nodded slightly. Although three hundred thousand elite warriors of the Divine Martial Army sweep away all opposition, the Great Wu has millions of soldiers whose maintance accounts for half of the annual fiscal expditure, making it quite a burdsomess. "Not only that, the sudd death of the former emperor, alongside the mysterious annihilation of the three hundred thousand elite soldiers on the Soul Yang mountain, has led to all sorts of rumors. People are saying that the Great Wu has offded the gods, thus the calamities we're facing are divine punishmt. Rumors and nursery rhymes are spreading like wildfire through the mouths of childr, predicting ominous oms. Not only is the political situation unstable, but people are also panicking." The minister who spoke was the Assistant Minister of Rites. "And what do the people believe? Since you dare not say it, allow me to do so. They think that our Great Wu is nearing its d, that the fall of our great house is immint, and that we are on the verge of national annihilation." Chu Yuan said coldly: "Nursery rhymes? Rumors? Those are nothing but the work of people with ill inttions, trying to stir up public unrest in order to carry out traitorous deeds in secret. I believe some of you ministers here understand this better than I do." "Those spreading rumors should be accused of rebellion. I am willing to lead troops to investigate," said Shangguan Qingyun casually. "Is this your grand strategy? Ceding territory and paying compsation capital? Where is your integrity?" "I will never cede territory and pay compsation, sign any disgraceful treaties, in exchange for a mere year of peace, relying on the whims of others. Since the founding of our Great Wu, we have never set a precedt of ceding territory and paying compsation, and there will never be this precedt in the future." Chu Yuan suddly stood up, his body emitting a glow of thunder, his title as the supreme authority among m making his currt majesty almost unbearable to behold. There's no such thing as ceding territory and paying compsation. He would never sign such a treaty, ev if it killed him. "Host makes a choice, completes option two, no ceding of territory, no paymt of compsation, completes the Achievemt of Firmness and Resilice." At this time, the system's prompt sounded. Chu Yuan activated the Art of Firmness, creating an invisible spherical protective shield with his own Mana. He stood letting people of Soul Forging Third Tier attack him, but they could not break his defse. Truly as solid as iron. At this time, Chu Yuan's cold voice also stunned Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun for a momt. They did not expect that Chu Yuan would be so tough, not considering it at all. Ev if Chu Yuan showed the slightest hesitation, they would pressure him step by step, using all means to get Chu Yuan to sign the treaty of ceding the territory and paying compsation. Li Yun immediately retorted, "Your Majesty, if Daqian Dynasty sds troops to our southern territory, we will face not just one country but four. Only by ceding the three provinces and fifte prefectures in exchange for temporary peace is the wisest choice." "Th let's fight," said Chu Yuan. "Losing the Divine Martial Army, I'm afraid the Great Wu Dynasty won't be a match for the Daqian Dynasty, causing suffering and death to the population," Shangguan Qingyun frowned. "Geral, are you scared, having no confidce? Or have you already defected to the Daqian Dynasty, planning to sell out the Great Wu Dynasty, for your personal gain!" Chu Yuan's overwhelming imperial might exploded, the imperial sword rang loudly, the thrust being like the Emperor meeting his people, gazing at Shangguan Qingyun, launching his title, "Answer me, Shangguan Qingyun!" "This...!" Ev Shangguan Qingyun facing this imposing force, his spirits were stirred, his face was gloomy, and he snorted coldly, "The old minister dares not. If your Majesty wants war, the minister dares to war!" "That's good," said Chu Yuan. "Also, the delegation from Daqian Dynasty is waiting outside the Divine Martial Hall for your audice." Li Yun clearly wasn't giving up, such a treacherous minister ought to be put to death. [Option one: Immediately meet with the voys, earn one hundred Destiny Points.] [Option two: Meet with the voys in three days, display the majesty of the Emperor, earn one hundred Destiny Points.] [Option three: Directly expel them from the Great Wu Imperial City, obtain one hundred Destiny Points.]