"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 general, 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 turbulence. 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 sudden hint of a smile crossed his face. How familiar this scene 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 sudden wipeout of three hundred thousand elite soldiers was seen as a divine curse. The aftermath alone cost a great deal of gold and silver from the national treasury. The department is now running out of funds, especially since many parts of our nation have been 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 potential 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 maintenance accounts for half of the annual fiscal expenditure, making it quite a burdensomeness.
"Not only that, the sudden 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 offended the gods, thus the calamities we're facing are divine punishment. Rumors and nursery rhymes are spreading like wildfire through the mouths of children, predicting ominous omens. 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 end, that the fall of our great house is imminent, 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 intentions, 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.
You're going to investigate?
Do you really think I'm unaware that those rumors are being spread by you and the Prime Minister behind the scenes? Sending you out would be like throwing a meat bun at a dog, never to be seen again.
"There will be no need. Once the situation in the Great Wu stabilizes, the rumors will collapse of their own accord." Chu Yuan waved his hand. "Prime Minister, you should have something to tell me."
"Yes indeed, I do."
Li Yun stepped forward, saying:"Domestic turmoil may be quelled in a matter of time, but external threats are not so easily resolved. The Great Yan Dynasty's army of millions is already stationed at the border of Nan County in Great Wu's territory, ready to attack and seize control at any moment. If Nan County falls, millions of soldiers will march in and reach the Imperial City within months."
Three years' worth of memories surfaced in Chu Yuan's mind, recalling the treason of the great general and the Prime Minister in collusion with Great Yan, which had left the mighty Great Wu defenseless. Chu Yuan had been forced to hold out in the Imperial City for several years, refusing to back down.
No nation would be able to break into the Great Wu easily without that.
"The Great Yan Dynasty has started to mobilize its troops, but the Great Law, Great Sheng, and Great Administration are also actively mobilizing troops. From my perspective, once the border of the southern region is breached, these three nations will be eager to attack like hungry wolves. As for the Great Wu, given our current national strength, we are simply unable to resist."
Shangguan Qingyun also stated.
The Great Wu, Great Yan, Great Law, Great Sheng, and Great Administration are five nations.
Originally, Great Wu was the strongest, but now Great Yan is the strongest. However, the Great Wu, frail as it maybe is still stronger than any singular nation.
Their current military move is out of belief that Chu Yuan's youth and fledgling Great Wu foundation is an opportunity for them to fully consume this massive empire.
"What good strategies does the General and the Prime Minister have?" Chu Yuan spoke slowly, the gleam in his eyes growing increasingly cold.
"So there is only one solution."
Li Yun cleared his throat and after exchanging glances with Shangguan Qingyun said, "A few days ago, the envoy group from Daqian has already arrived in the capital. They formally proposed negotiations, asking us in the Great Wu to cede Qingyang, Heyang, Quanyang and our fifteen prefectures including Shuohua and Anping. They also demanded compensation of three hundred million military pay. This is their letter, if your Highness refuses to cede, the subsequent letter will be a declaration of war."
"Moreover, they have promised that if your Highness agrees to the cession, Daqian guarantees that they will not move troops to our southern territory within a year."
After Li Yun finished speaking, Shangguan Qingyun immediately followed, "If we could get a year to recuperate, ceding the three counties and fifteen prefectures wouldn't be a problem, we can always reclaim them later."
[Option one: Accept the letter from Daqian Dynasty, agree to cede the three counties and fifteen prefectures, pay the compensation of three hundred million, obtain one hundred Destiny Points, and complete the Achievement of Ceding Territory and Paying Compensation. Note: Equip the Achievement of Ceding Territory and Paying Compensation. Each time you cede territory and pay compensation, it will reduce the compensation by ten percent.]
[Option two: No ceding of territory, no compensation, flatly refuse to cede the three counties and fifteen prefectures, pay the compensation of three hundred million, obtain one hundred Destiny Points, and complete the Achievement of Firmness and Resilience. Note: Equip Firmness and Resilience, obtain the Art of Firmness, directly enhancing the defense power.]
Two choices appeared again before Chu Yuan.
"Is this your grand strategy? Ceding territory and paying compensation capital? Where is your integrity?"
"I will never cede territory and pay compensation, 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 precedent of ceding territory and paying compensation, and there will never be this precedent in the future."
Chu Yuan suddenly stood up, his body emitting a glow of thunder, his title as the supreme authority among men making his current majesty almost unbearable to behold.
There's no such thing as ceding territory and paying compensation. He would never sign such a treaty, even if it killed him.
"Host makes a choice, completes option two, no ceding of territory, no payment of compensation, completes the Achievement of Firmness and Resilience."
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 defense. Truly as solid as iron.
At this time, Chu Yuan's cold voice also stunned Shangguan Qingyun and Li Yun for a moment.
They did not expect that Chu Yuan would be so tough, not considering it at all. Even 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 compensation.
Li Yun immediately retorted, "Your Majesty, if Daqian Dynasty sends troops to our southern territory, we will face not just one country but four. Only by ceding the three provinces and fifteen prefectures in exchange for temporary peace is the wisest choice."
"Then 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.
"General, are you scared, having no confidence? 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...!"
Even 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 audience."
Li Yun clearly wasn't giving up, such a treacherous minister ought to be put to death.
[Option one: Immediately meet with the envoys, earn one hundred Destiny Points.]
[Option two: Meet with the envoys 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.]