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墨書 Inktalez
The Crown Prince grew anxious. "Doesn't the royal residence have its own income? If you urgently need money, the palace can lend it to you temporarily. We cannot touch the National Treasury; that is simply unacceptable."
What followed was a lecture filled with righteous indignation, discussing how resources taken from the people should be used for the people, and how officials' salaries are funded by the state. He went on about how the Emperor would never allow it and how the Court Officials would never agree to such nonsense.
Xu Lie listened with one ear and let it out the other until Old Eunuch shouted that His Majesty had arrived. Only then did the Crown Prince cease his lecture. All the court officials stood respectfully in place, waiting for the Emperor to take his seat on the dragon throne before they spoke in unison, "We pay our respects to Your Majesty."
Several keen-eyed officials noticed something unusual about Tian Huang Di; although his appearance had not changed, his complexion was rosy, and his eyes sparkled with vitality. He seemed to have shed a decade of age.
The Emperor was in high spirits; since entering, he had not stopped smiling. At his age, being burdened by an aging body, feeling lighter was a delightful experience. Even after a late-night session of work, he felt no fatigue and had eaten two extra bowls of breakfast.
Once one has tasted the wonders of rejuvenation, there is no way the Emperor would wish to return to that old and weary state. The desire for longevity had seeped deep into his bones.
Without needing a eunuch to inquire if any Court Officials wished to speak, the Emperor himself initiated the court session: "My dear Aiqing, heaven has blessed our Da Qian! Yesterday, my Qilin Child ventured into the vast ocean and found Xian Island, bringing back an elixir! Their contributions cannot be overlooked!"
With many Xian Islands overseas and numerous Barbarians present, I have decided to build ships and set sail. This will allow us to seek out these celestial opportunities while also protecting Da Qian and spreading our influence to educate the Barbarians.
The Emperor's words sent shockwaves through the court, creating a tumultuous uproar. "No! Your Majesty! Such tales of immortals are merely fables; how can we take them seriously?"
"Your Majesty," others pleaded, "setting sail will burden the people and waste resources. I implore you to reconsider!"
In Xu Lie's eyes, the current court resembled a childhood memory of tossing firecrackers into a pigpen—causing chaos among the pigs.
Some officials worried that the Emperor might be deceived by Fang Shi or Alchemy; others directly opposed setting sail while invoking concern for the common people. The opposition was more vocal than those who remained silent.
Those who feared deception spoke softly but sincerely; those who opposed most vehemently were not necessarily concerned for the people but were certainly worried about how this expedition would affect their own interests.
The Crown Prince and his companions suddenly realized something, and the Crown Prince hurriedly looked at Xu Lie. "Is it you that Father Emperor spoke of?"
"Silence!" The Emperor roared as he rose to his feet, and the eunuchs lining the hall echoed his command, shouting for silence. This immediately quelled the chatter among the officials.
As the Emperor, who stood at the pinnacle of power in the feudal dynasty, he had no need to compromise with the court officials. The group of Civil Officials was indeed powerful, but they were not a united front. The Emperor was no fool; over the years, he had mastered the art of division and alliance, skillfully balancing power among them.
Moreover, the most crucial force, the Da Qian Army, remained firmly under the Emperor's control.
"I have made my decision!" The Emperor's eyes flashed like a sick tiger awakening, exerting pressure over the entire assembly. The officials finally sensed that the once lenient monarch had returned.
There would be no room for discussion or evasion!
"Ri Jian Kai Hai Si, Fu Tong Xiaowei, you are fully responsible for this matter. You will temporarily serve as the Commander with a rank of Third Grade. The court will support you wholeheartedly!"
Additionally, "Second Prince," for retrieving the elixir, your contributions cannot go unrewarded! I bestow upon you the Imperial Sword and grant you the right to act first and report later!"
Xu Lie felt a surge of joy within him. What was there to fight over in terms of power? What was there to waste time on in a struggle for succession against the Crown Prince's faction? He had directly forged a path to seize control from the Emperor at the pinnacle of feudal power—what could possibly stand in his way now?
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