Sun Moon Empire.
"In just one night, such huge losses were caused! What exactly are you all doing!?"
In the imperial court, Xu Tianran was furious!
At this moment, he no longer hid his cultivation; the aura of a Titled Douluo was revealed without doubt. The overflowing destructive aura made many civil ministers tremble with fear, not daring to speak at all. Because the vast majority of civil ministers did not know what had happened; they only knew that after waking up from sleep, the entire Mingdu had changed completely!
The old emperor died, a new emperor ascended; the Sun Moon Imperial Palace was mostly destroyed; the underground warehouse, armory, and Mingde Hall within the palace were stolen from; the legions stationed in the east, west, south, and north were attacked, and even a legion commander who was a Level 9 Soul Tool Master died… Counting it all up, only the suspension of the Soul Dueling Tournament was the smallest matter.
Anyway, right now, all the ministers related to the occurrence of these bad events were silent as cicadas in winter, fearing the new emperor would grab them to be scapegoats.
Of course, there were also some people who knew part of the inside story and gradually became slightly dissatisfied with Xu Tianran, this newly ascended emperor. If not for your flashy operations, how would the empire's situation have reached this point?
On the dragon throne, Xu Tianran took in the expressions of all the ministers at a glance.
But the imperial court was dangerous at every step; every minister was walking on thin ice. So even if there were ministers or princes who were dissatisfied, they would not show their expressions on their faces, otherwise, it would be earning their own death.
Xu Tianran took in everyone, speaking not a word.
The ministers also lowered their heads tightly, not daring to meet his gaze.
Just like this, Xu Tianran's eyes became more and more dangerous. Until Kong Deming returned, breaking the dull atmosphere of the court.
"Your Majesty."
"Old Kong, what is the situation?" The fierce light in Xu Tianran's eyes converged entirely, and a trace of expectation couldn't help but reveal itself in his tone.
Joy and anger not showing on the face,
For him now, this did not exist at all.
However, Kong Deming's head shake caused Xu Tianran's heart to sink to the bottom, and it was the kind that could not be fished out no matter what.
"At that time, although we blocked them, in the final moment someone summoned heavenly lightning, causing our ambush to fail at the last hurdle."
"In other words, those soul tools and fixed-set soul tool projectiles of our Sun Moon Empire were all safely taken back by them?"
Kong Deming nodded, then closed his mouth and spoke no more.
At this, Xu Tianran's heart died completely.
This represented that at least within ten years, they absolutely could not start a war. And within fifty years, if a war was started, the Sun Moon Empire and the Three Great Empires would fight each other to mutual destruction.
In other words,
To return to the previous favorable situation, a hundred years would be required.
But a hundred years!
If he, Xu Tianran, could really live that long, he would already be half his body in the grave! And Old Kong, this Sun Moon Empire's stabilizing pillar who was closest to a Level 10 Soul Tool Master, also had exhausted his life span. Who in the empire's next generation could inherit his mantle? No one!
But looking at the Three Great Empires in contrast?
With their Sun Moon's "gift," they, who were beginning to value soul tools, would absolutely advance by leaps and bounds. Plus those soul spirits…
Upon the tournament, he, Xu Tianran, saw clearly.
If allowed to continue developing, forming a huge scale, plus cooperation with soul tools, it would be enough to completely surpass them!
Most importantly, it was still the Three Great Empires' next generation.
Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Shrek Academy, Body Sect!
How many Limit Douluos using soul tools could emerge?
How many Super Douluos using soul tools could emerge?
Simply thinking about it, Xu Tianran dared not think further.
Thinking of this, his eyes suddenly became sharp!
No matter what, war must be initiated!
Besides not being able to see the Sun Moon Empire's future, there was also the fact that he did not want to leave the merit of unifying the continent to later monarchs!
If truly unable to achieve it…
Then not seeking to leave a good name for a hundred generations, he would rather leave a stench for ten thousand years!
Thus, "Transmit my decree, from this day forward, all commercial associations in this empire may vigorously develop military industry, but all manufactured soul tools and fixed-set soul tool projectiles must be sold to the empire."
"Your Majesty, this is not feasible! If commercial associations are allowed to develop armaments, although losses can be replenished quickly, if the empire does not control it, it will inevitably cause…"
Xu Tianran had just finished speaking the first clause when a minister had already rushed out to oppose this decree about to be issued.
But Xu Tianran didn't even finish listening, directly waving his hand.
"Drag him out, behead him!"
In an instant, the entire court was horrified!
Although the ministers knew this was the new emperor killing the chicken to scare the monkey, but…
He just opposed, without even a crime name, and he was beheaded!?
Your Majesty, are you being too arbitrary as emperor!?
However, Xu Tianran only glanced lightly, "This person exaggerated things to hear, intending to curse the empire into chaos. I shall kill him!"
Intending to, what a good "intending to."
The ministers lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
"Secondly…"
Xu Tianran's words paused slightly, then he spoke as usual.
"I originally repaired peace tables with the Three Great Empires, promising in my name that the Sun Moon Empire will not launch a war within a thousand years, coexisting peacefully with all nations. As for the empire developing armaments, externally claim it is only to guarantee national defense. At the same time, merchant caravans will also resume mutual communication. But within the empire's borders, we must still maintain non-reliance on external resources. This non-reliance must be maintained for thirty years!"
Thirty years?
Difficult!
In the hearts of the ministers, a burst of bitterness instantly arose.
The merchant caravans communicated, yet you do not allow reliance on external resources; this would undoubtedly cause many merchants within the empire to not make big money.
People are all profit-seeking, human hearts are hard to predict.
Not earning is losing.
In this case, who would be willing?
But now with His Majesty like this, even if it's not difficult to handle, it must be handled!
After the decree was issued, Xu Tianran also began to investigate responsibility for this incident. The first thing he did was investigate Xu Guozhong's responsibility; with the armory stolen, it was hard for him to escape blame!
Thus, besides his title, he was directly stripped all the way to the bottom.
In the end, he could only be an idle prince at home.
As for other imperial relatives, it was the same. After all, the empire had such a huge incident; every imperial relative with responsibilities could be held accountable to some extent, so Xu Tianran was not polite at all, stripping them all to the bottom and dismissing them home.
Regarding such behavior, everyone knew clearly in their hearts.
Xu Tianran was simply worried that these empowered imperial relatives would generate other thoughts because of this incident, and then make a move on the throne.
Therefore, he let all imperial relatives stay idle at home.
Besides this, Xu Tianran also punished other related ministers and promoted some ministers so that positions would not be lacking. After doing all this, he announced the court dismissed.
However, he privately had Xue Chen keep Jing Hongchen behind.
"Your Majesty."
Jing Hongchen walked into Xu Tianran's study, inner heart uneasy.
Right now, he was worried about one thing.
He just hoped the current Xu Tianran would absolutely not mention it.
But unfortunately, this was not up to his wishes.
"Hall Master Hongchen…"
Xu Tianran suddenly emitted a sigh, then changed the subject.
"Do you still remember the promise you made to me?"
It's here!
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen secretly cried bitterness endlessly in his heart.
But on the surface, he pretended to be steady, "I remember."
"Mm, it's good you remember."
Xu Tianran nodded, seemingly joking.
"I thought you might not honor the account."
"Your Majesty jokes."
Xu Tianran did not reply, only asking again.
"Then where is the person you promised me?"
"Person… this…"
Jing Hongchen opened his mouth to speak, spitting out a few words before stopping abruptly, the bitterness in his heart like eating three or four bile sacs.
Where did he have time to catch people back then!?
Moreover, his previous rescue of the legion on the east side of Mingdu was also a command personally issued by Xu Tianran. By the time the rescue ended, the Shrek people had long run away without a trace; what could he do?
He wanted to say these things, but he couldn't say them.
Because did Xu Tianran know?
Of course, he knew!
But in the end, he still brought up this matter.
"You didn't catch them, right."
Jing Hongchen had no choice, only able to admit fault.
"It is this subject's incompetence."
Xu Tianran turned his head, calmly gazing at Jing Hongchen, "Since it is so, then you should also fulfill your promise."
"Your Majesty…"
Xu Tianran said: "Hall Master Hongchen, the Crown Prince at that time, the Regent King at that time, is also the Monarch now. And a Monarch speaks no idle words."
One sentence, and Jing Hongchen swallowed it back.
Of course, Xu Tianran also made a promise.
If Meng Hongchen could bear him a male child in the first pregnancy, then he would promote Meng Hongchen to Empress, and the Hongchen Family would be imperial relatives, also promised to share glory and decline with the nation.
Jing Hongchen left, walking with heavy steps.
He knew very clearly why Xu Tianran would change his mind and then make such a promise. It was nothing more than the current political situation might be unfavorable to him; he needed powerful supporters.
Kong Deming wouldn't work; the Hongchen Family became the first choice.
Because not counting the Holy Spirit Church, his strength within the Sun Moon Empire could rank in the top three; his grandson and granddaughter were also the Sun Moon Empire's geniuses. Even if he grew old, the Hongchen Family had successors.
It was just a pity that his granddaughter had become a political resource.
"Sigh—, Meng, Grandfather is sorry to you."
"Your Majesty."
After Jing Hongchen left, in the study, a figure appeared beside Xu Tianran; it was precisely Shadow Douluo Xue Chen.
Xu Tianran's eyes were cold, "How is it handled?"
"Already arranged properly."
"Very good." His killing intent seemed to surge from within his body, "No matter what, it's better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one go free!"
"Yes!"
Now that it's come to this, there must be spies among the ministers.
So Xu Tianran ordered Xue Chen to form a team with strong cultivation, equipped with the most advanced concealment-type soul tools, to monitor all ministers. Regardless of size, without exception.
Execute first, report later, specially authorized by imperial power!
Of course, he would not let go of any imperial relatives either.
It was just not because they would be spies.
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