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Chapter 286: Our Great Nation, You Were Beaten by Bugs
Chapter 286: Our Great Nation, You Were Beaten by Bugs
A few days later, Wang Cheng happily presented the 0.21 version of the Crimson Arsenal design plans, offering them as if they were a precious treasure. Emperor Shenyou was very pleased, even though he couldn't understand what the detailed annotations and diagrams meant. The sheer density of the notes and the complexity of the designs indicated that this weapon was extraordinary.
He had also witnessed its power and had a clear understanding of its capabilities.
Any opponent from the middle three realms would die if hit in a vital spot, and even those from the upper three realms would be significantly threatened.
With sufficient munitions, they could suppress the number of alien demon bugs.
He hadn't expected Wang Cheng to actually manage to obtain the plans, but the lack of the secret techniques was a bit awkward.
As for the less-than-honorable means of acquisition, Emperor Shenyou chose to turn a blind eye. As long as it was beneficial, he didn't care about Wang Cheng's methods.
"With this batch of military equipment, our Great Shenyou will surely sweep across the land," Emperor Shenyou said, feeling unusually happy. If they couldn't produce it, that would just mean the Ministry of Works was incompetent.
"Your Majesty, urgent news from the Western Regions," a eunuch rushed in, holding a battle report.
Emperor Shenyou's good mood immediately vanished. Such urgent reports were never good news; victories and triumphs rarely required urgent dispatches.
He quickly opened the report, almost suffering a stroke from the contents.
The merchants are truly despicable!" Emperor Shenyou's fury reverberated through the palace, causing the servants, eunuchs, and guards to freeze in fear, even their breaths held in trepidation.
However, Emperor Shenyou soon calmed down. Anger was futile; a moment of venting was enough.
"Summon the cabinet ministers," Emperor Shenyou said, suppressing his rage.
A eunuch, who was a Ninth Realm Sorcerer, left the room at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Soon, the cabinet ministers, all Eighth Realm Sorcerers at the very least, were summoned. They were not ordinary people, so their speed was naturally fast.
"Ministers, take a look at this urgent report from the Western Regions," Emperor Shenyou said, tossing the report over.
The ministers passed the report around, and their expressions changed as they read it. They had not expected this at all.
"Fort Tiger Victory was breached by the alien demon bugs. Although we managed to retake it, a group of demon bugs has penetrated deep into our territory, dispersing throughout the Great Shenyou. This hasn't happened in ten thousand years, ten thousand years! What do you have to say about this?" Emperor Shenyou was genuinely furious.
All eyes turned to Wang Cheng, the Chief Minister, because they knew Emperor Shenyou wanted to ask why the alien demon bugs had access to military equipment from the Demon Land.
Wang Cheng, feeling his scalp tingle under the scrutiny, steeled himself and said, "Your Majesty, this must be the result of the Demon Land secretly supporting them. Only the Demon Land can produce Crimson Arsenal equipment. We must issue a letter of inquiry to the Lord of the Demon Land, demanding an explanation for this act of treachery and calling for a united response from the world."
His words were eloquent but empty.
"Wang Minister, didn't you say you had control over the Demon Land's merchants? Why would they risk everything to sell military equipment to the demon bugs?" Emperor Shenyou's tone was calm.
This calmness did not mean he was no longer angry; rather, it indicated he was already thinking about how to respond.
"Your Majesty, merchants seek profit and care little for the nation. I believe this must be the work of someone acting behind the Lord of the Demon Land's back. We need the Lord of the Demon Land to give us an explanation," Bai Lu interjected.
This caught not only Wang Cheng, who was about to speak, by surprise but also Emperor Shenyou, who was taken aback by the sudden change in Bai Lu's stance. After all, Bai Lu had always been praising the Demon Land.
However, Emperor Shenyou quickly understood Bai Lu's meaning. This was an opportunity to use moral leverage to obtain the secret techniques they needed.
"Very well, very well. Minister Bai's words are wise. The Lord of the Demon Land must give us an explanation," Emperor Shenyou said.
Everyone in the room was intelligent. When they heard the word "explanation," they understood that Emperor Shenyou intended to use moral righteousness to pressure the other party.
Since they learned that the Lord of the Demon Land was a person, many things became much simpler.
"Let's have Minister Bai handle this matter. After all, you have met the Lord of the Demon Land before."
Emperor Shenyou's gaze swept past Wang Cheng and settled on Bai Lu. Wang Cheng had done well, even obtaining the design plans for the Demon Land's military equipment, but he had failed to control the situation, leading to this outcome.
Although the blame did not lie with him, the impression of his capabilities had taken a significant hit.
"Your Majesty, this matter must be personally addressed by you. We are simply powerless. What if the Lord of the Demon Land has no sense of honor?" Bai Lu interjected, trying to avoid the task. If he went, he might never return.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Shenyou fell silent. Indeed, sending a weaker person to question a stronger one would be an act of insult. Moreover, if the other party had no sense of shame, they could easily downplay the issue. Therefore, he would have to go himself.
However, the problem was that the Lord of the Demon Land had no intention of leaving the Demon Land. He was like a turtle hiding in its shell, never coming out.
Emperor Shenyou could not leave the Great Shenyou Dynasty either. Once he left, without his divine consciousness, the Three Spirit Demons would instantly overwhelm the entire Great Shenyou Dynasty.
Therefore, the best outcome would be for the Lord of the Demon Land to come and meet him.
But was that possible? It was impossible. If the roles were reversed, no one would comply with such demands.
So, this was a significant problem.
"Does anyone have a way to make the Lord of the Demon Land leave the Demon Land?" Emperor Shenyou asked.
"Your Majesty, why not issue an imperial edict, summoning the Lord of the Demon Land to Ding'an Capital to explain his treachery? We could then place him under house arrest, eliminating the threat from the Demon Land," Wang Cheng suggested.
Emperor Shenyou gave him a withering glance and said, "The Lord of the Demon Land is neither a vassal nor a subject of the Great Shenyou Dynasty. How can he be expected to comply with an edict?"
He had seen through Wang Cheng's lack of judgment. Summoning the Lord of the Demon Land for an audience and placing him under house arrest?
If he could do that, why hadn't he summoned the Overlord of the Demon Bugs or the Three Spirit Demons and placed them under house arrest?
If any of them came, the Great Shenyou Dynasty would likely become a wasteland.
"Our Great Shenyou is a prosperous and mighty nation, rich in resources. The Demon Land is nothing but a barbarian territory. Though it has some wealth, it cannot compare to the strength of the Great Shenyou," Wang Cheng said with pride.
For a moment, Emperor Shenyou was unsure whether to be pleased or angry. He was pleased that the Chief Minister was praising him, but he was also angry that the Chief Minister lacked perspective. He sighed inwardly; the years of stability and prosperity had fostered a sense of superiority throughout the Great Shenyou Dynasty.
Everyone believed they were invincible, that no force could match them.
This arrogant attitude needed to be curbed quickly. Some officials had even submitted memorials advocating the extermination of external enemies.
Did they really think these three major threats were weak? They were only being suppressed by him.
"Your Majesty, we cannot heed Wang Cheng's words. The Demon Land is strong and well-equipped. If we truly insult them, the consequences will be severe," Bai Lu, who had witnessed the strength of Qin Muye's territory, interjected. He did not want to risk pushing the Lord of the Demon Land to the point of rebellion.
"Scholar Bai, you are only boosting their morale. Have you been bribed?" Wang Cheng was not one to back down from a verbal confrontation.
Seeing the two about to argue, Emperor Shenyou intervened.
"Enough. I will handle this matter. Chief Minister Wang, you are advanced in years. These affairs are taxing. You should take some time to rest and recuperate," Emperor Shenyou said.
On the surface, he was mediating, but it was clear to everyone that he was siding with Bai Lu. The situation was even more severe, as Wang Cheng was effectively being removed from the cabinet.
Wang Cheng froze upon hearing this, clearly not expecting the situation to escalate to this extent.
"Your subject, thanks Your Majesty for your grace!" Wang Cheng's voice was hoarse. He did not understand why, despite his best intentions, he had ended up in this position.
It seemed he was highly skilled in internal political maneuvering but completely lacked respect for external threats.
After saying this, Wang Cheng looked as if he had aged ten years. His former vigor and confidence were replaced by a sense of profound weariness.
"Since there is nothing else, we will adjourn. Quickly eliminate the demon bugs that have infiltrated our territory to prevent further trouble," Emperor Shenyou concluded.
As for resistance, who could resist? All the power in the Great Shenyou Dynasty was in his hands.
'It seems I have protected them too well. They need to understand the gravity of the situation. Otherwise, they will continue to be arrogant and overconfident,' Emperor Shenyou thought, preparing to gradually change his administrative policies.
(End of Chapter)
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