"What do you think? Are you satisfied with My grace?" Emperor Jiajing looked at Fan Li with interest, the smile still on his face.
Satisfied? This kind of grace was as insulting as giving alms to a beggar. If not for the huge disparity in their strength, Fan Li really wanted to kill him with a sword!
Sitting high up on the pillow, Emperor Jiajing didn't care at all about Fan Li's thoughts. Or perhaps he believed that Fan Li would surrender to Great Ming today, which was already set in stone.
"Unifying the realm is just a small goal of Mine. Within a hundred years, I will transcend the tribulation and ascend, by then I will pass the throne to the Crown Prince. You are still young. As long as you serve the new monarch well, you might have the chance to become Prime Minister of Great Ming." Emperor Jiajing muttered to himself, as if everything was under his control.
Fan Li almost laughed upon hearing this! Damn, how badly would he be treated in Great Ming?
After surrendering, not only would he be relegated to the lowest position in the cabinet, but in the entire Jiajing court he would never become Prime Minister?
Awesome!
Jiajing was truly awesome!
A complete expert in reverse negotiation!
Fan Li had been worried about Lü Chunqiu being recruited by Great Ming, but seeing Emperor Jiajing's conduct, his worries seemed unnecessary.
Just as he was mocking Emperor Jiajing in his heart, Zhang Juzheng who was guarding outside suddenly entered and reported to Emperor Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, General of the Left Liu Bei, General of the Cavalry Sun Quan, Minister of Works Cao Cao, the three of them have arrived."
Fan Li was shocked! Jiajing had that big of an appetite? Not only did he want to recruit Fan Li, but even Han ministers too? Moreover, right here in Lü City?
Extremely arrogant! He completely dismissed Liu Xi and Xiang Ning!
A string of steady footsteps sounded before three figures stood still to the right behind Fan Li.
When Cao, Liu and Sun saw Fan Li, they also felt very surprised!
They were very aware of their own standing. Instead of standing side by side with Fan Li, they kept a step's distance, only standing behind Fan Li to show their respect for this powerful minister of Chu.
"Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Quan?"
Addressing them directly by their names was very impolite. But with Emperor Jiajing's status, it seemed justified.
"We pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Ming." The three men bowed with folded hands, but did not kneel.
Seeing this, Emperor Jiajing's brows slightly furrowed as displeasure showed on his face. He could allow Fan Li to not kneel, because after all Fan Li was the de facto ruler of Great Chu, so even Emperor Jiajing was willing to forgo ceremony to show respect.
But these three before him, although they were all first-rank ministers in Great Han, their actual power was very limited!
Emperor Jiajing had originally planned to recruit Dong Zhuo, but unexpectedly Dong Zhuo didn't accompany the Han Emperor here. As a fallback option, these three also had reputations for ability far and wide, so Emperor Jiajing was barely willing to try recruiting them.
Emperor Jiajing felt that bestowing such great favor from his lofty position, yet the three didn't kneel, was very disobedient.
He was somewhat fed up with Cao, Liu, and Sun. But still keeping his temper in check, he said, "You three are surrendering to Great Ming today. I will confer titles on you. Cao Cao is conferred Marquis Guiming, Liu Bei conferred Marquis Shuntian, Sun Quan conferred Marquis Zhiming. As for actual official appointments, I will reconsider that later."
Guiming (Return to Fate)
Zhiming (Know One's Fate)
Shuntian (Go Along with Heaven)
Upon hearing these three marquis titles, Fan Li almost burst out laughing. If Cao Liu Sun still had any face left, they would certainly refuse Emperor Jiajing's recruitment.
Indeed!
None of them were ordinary folk!
The previously somewhat awe-stricken expressions vanished from their faces in an instant, leaving only the unyielding defiance and anger of heroes in adversity!
Among the three, Cao Cao was the eldest. He spoke up first.
"Your Majesty misspoke. Us three are ministers of Han who eat Han's salary all our lives. We will loyally serve the Han Emperor till death without betraying him. So how could we betray our former lord to surrender to a new one?"
Emperor Jiajing was slightly stunned, but he wasn't angry. He only asked, "With My Great Ming's power and strength, if I attacked Great Han, would you rather fight to the bitter end and perish alongside the Han Emperor?"
Liu Bei stepped forward and answered, "When great men live in turbulent times, they should be upright and frank. Even in adversity, one should lower oneself to fulfill one's duty and await the right timing!"
Emperor Jiajing asked again, "I rarely see the Han Emperor. What kind of lord is he?"
Sun Quan stepped out to answer, "An intelligent, benevolent, wise and strategically resourceful lord."
Emperor Jiajing burst out laughing!
His laughter was like the roar of a dragon that seemed to burst through the roof and fly into the clouds!
"With Dong Zhuo controlling Han's court, Liu Xi is just a puppet. Isn't your lavish praise an exaggeration?"
Sun Quan answered, "It's not an exaggeration at all! My Han Emperor used Dong Zhuo to eliminate the Ten Eunuchs, that shows his intelligence. Appointing us three to check Dong Zhuo shows his wisdom.
Great Han has never taken the initiative to attack Great Ming and Great Chu, that shows his benevolence. The alliance of Three Kingdoms to sideline Dong Zhuo in the capital shows his wisdom.
Staying deep in the palace yet overseeing the realm, using Princess Chang Le to be near the Pure Wonderland shows his strategically resourcefulness.
Befriending the Chu Emperor while keeping Your Majesty at a distance shows my lord's strategy."
After Sun Quan finished speaking, he bowed deeply with his waist bent over ninety degrees, almost touching his head to the floor.
Fan Li almost wanted to applaud!
Cao Liu Sun indeed each had exceptional talents!
Especially Sun Quan's flexibility. First righteously praising the Han Emperor, then showing weakness with a deep bow to avoid provoking Emperor Jiajing into killing him on the spot.
Among the three, Fan Li particularly admired Sun Quan.
It was just that he was clearer than Emperor Jiajing that Cao Liu Sun would never accept subordination. They were the type of people that couldn't possibly be recruited.
"Hmm hmm... Ha.. Hahahahaha!" Emperor Jiajing first let out a strange soft laughter, then threw his head back in loud laughter. His laughter seemed carefree. For the first time, he even stood up from the pillow.
In a flash!
A powerful surge of bright golden dragon qi rushed towards the sky! Within this magnificent palace hall, the clear sound of a dragon's cry could finally be heard.
"Very good." Emperor Jiajing stopped laughing and looked coldly at the three people. "You are indeed loyal ministers of Great Han. I won't kill you today, you may all leave."
Cao Liu Sun heaved sighs of relief, as if surviving a calamity. Just as they were about to leave, they remembered Fan Li's presence and all curiously looked his way.
Emperor Jiajing also said, "Lord Fan, just you will be enough for me today. Stay for dinner tonight, keep me company."
Damn!
That sounded too awkward. It was just a meal. Please don't make it sound like staying overnight for sex!
The corner of Fan Li's mouth twitched as he said, "I'm afraid Your Majesty will be disappointed. Even these three won't betray Great Han, how could I betray Great Chu?"
With that said, he also deeply bowed to Emperor Jiajing with cupped fists. "If Your Majesty has nothing else, this official will take his leave."
Hearing this, Emperor Jiajing's expression instantly darkened. His eyes flashed with icy cold killing intent without bothering to hide it.
To kill? Or not to kill?
He had wanted to recruit these four people today, but didn't manage to recruit a single one. Emperor Jiajing only felt his dignity greatly challenged!
However, looking at Fan Li who was only at the Body Refinement Realm, his killing intent instantly dissipated without a trace.
Since ancient times, there was no precedent of an emperor at the Grand Ascension Realm killing someone at the Body Refinement Realm!
Emperor Jiajing couldn't afford to lose face like that!
"Forget it...you may all leave..."
Emperor Jiajing sat back down on the pillow and narrowed his eyes, seeming to enter a meditative state.
Fan Li finally relaxed. He couldn't help but glance at Cao Liu Sun beside him, only to discover they also had expressions of having narrowly escaped death and survived a disaster.
The four men strode out of the palace hall. Behind them floated Emperor Jiajing's calm yet murderous voice.
"What a pity. This was your only chance."
"We drank from the same golden goblet, but I won't spare your life now..."