You're Not A Lord Of The Apocalypse Chapter 676: Collecting Debts, Eliminating Rats - Novel Cool

Chapter 676: Collecting Debts, Eliminating Rats

Chapter 676: Collecting Debts, Eliminating Rats

"Speak up if you have something to report, or leave if you don't!"

In the imperial court, Gufu Jing, the spirit creature, was playing the role of a eunuch, while Qin Muye sat on the dragon throne, bored out of his mind, contemplating how to continue tormenting these people.

Since he was idle anyway, and with Hu Fu Xing being escorted by Ji Shan, he wasn't worried about anything going wrong.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report." She Xi, with a blank expression, stepped forward.

"Go ahead, what is it?" Qin Muye wasn't the least bit concerned; he knew this dog wouldn't spit out anything useful.

"The Grand Canal requires an additional three million taels of silver, and I don't know how to proceed with this matter." At this moment, it had to be about money; what else could possibly give Qin Muye a headache?

However, Qin Muye paid no attention to this and waved his hand. "It's a minor issue, speak to the Minister of Revenue."

"..." Su Shu, the human-faced rat, felt that this Emperor of Qi was being too unfair. How could he just pass the buck like that? I'm not even your subordinate.

"Your Majesty, the imperial treasury has only three thousand taels of silver left, which is not even enough to cover a fraction of the required amount." Su Shu added.

"That's your problem. How can you manage the construction of the Grand Canal with no money in the treasury? Of course, if you can't do it, you can resign, and you won't have to worry about this matter anymore." Qin Muye said with a sardonic smile.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged!!!" Given his previous experience, Su Shu certainly wouldn't directly resign. If he lost his position, he was sure that this Emperor of Qi would act against him immediately.

So, he could only cry out in injustice, hoping to buy some time.

"No, you are not wronged at all. Either you fill this gap at today's court session, or you will be dismissed from your position." Qin Muye said slowly.

She Xi, the snake person, had come to cause trouble, and Qin Muye directly shifted the blame onto Su Shu, the human-faced rat. Today, Qin Muye was determined to remove Su Shu from his position as Minister of Revenue.

Now, it all depended on whether She Xi would protect him. Qin Muye's complete disregard for court rules made things very difficult for She Xi.

These alien races had been navigating the imperial court for many years. While they seemed to be in control, they had also been somewhat assimilated by the court, thus bound by its rules.

"Please understand, Your Majesty, the imperial treasury has always been short of silver, and the past years have been plagued by droughts and floods."

"Wait a moment. Where were these disasters, and why have they been annual occurrences? In your memorials, the empire is described as peaceful and prosperous, with a strong and wealthy nation where people don't need to lock their doors at night. If that's true, could it be that the cabinet has been withholding some information?" Qin Muye narrowed his eyes. You all claim everything is fine, but now you're telling me there's a major disaster, thinking I'm as naive as the previous Emperor of Qi, believing your lies?

She Xi was taken aback. It was a hasty move, as they usually deceived in this manner. But today, to protect Su Shu, they had resorted to a desperate plan, assuming Qin Muye wouldn't know about these matters. They tried to play the victim, but Qin Muye called them out on their lies.

Otherwise, this matter would have been glossed over, but now it was hard to lie outright.

"This old minister is terrified, please hear me out. The droughts and floods occurred before the New Year, and the local governments concealed this information to maintain their performance records. This is why the imperial treasury has no income. I have already ordered the arrest of those responsible and they are being brought to the capital, awaiting..."

She Xi rambled on, trying to shift the blame away from them, claiming that local officials had hidden the information for their own political gains, making them victims as well.

"Is that so, but how does this relate to the Minister of Revenue filling the gap?" Qin Muye countered.

"Because of these droughts and floods, the imperial treasury is empty, and the three million taels required for the Grand Canal are insufficient." She Xi tried to reason with Qin Muye.

But Qin Muye had no intention of listening: "I understand. The same rule applies: either Su Shu fills the three million taels, or he will be dismissed today. How can a promise made in the court be changed?"

"..." The other alien races were speechless. How could he survive being so unreasonable? Why hasn't anyone beaten him to death?

"Your Majesty, you are forcing me to my death. Today, I will die by crashing into this hall to uphold my loyalty and righteousness!" Su Shu knew that this was a real attempt to take his position, and he could not afford to lose it.

So, he resorted to a risky move, feigning self-sacrifice.

The others in the hall immediately understood and quickly pulled Su Shu back, using this as a reason to plead with Qin Muye, dragging him back by force.

"Don't hold him back. Let him crash. If he dies, we'll replace him, and he won't have to worry about the three million taels of silver anymore." Qin Muye, enjoying the spectacle, completely ignored the others' pleas and urged them to let Su Shu crash.

For a prestigious 8th-rank human-faced rat alien like Su Shu, if he could really die by crashing into the imperial court, Qin Muye would be truly amazed.

This remark made Su Shu's expression stiffen. Who would have thought that Qin Muye, amidst the commotion, would not just play along but would actually encourage the spectacle?

Even if he did crash, he definitely wouldn't die, and whether he would even get a bump on his forehead was questionable. Thus, the atmosphere became momentarily tense.

"What? Don't want to die anymore?" Qin Muye spoke again.

"Your Majesty is forcing loyal officials to their death, this is—"

"Scram!"

A human censor couldn't bear to watch and stood up, apparently a protege of the human-faced rat Su family, and immediately jumped to protect him. However, before he could finish his sentence, Qin Muye cut him off.

"Strip him of his official robes and throw him out." Qin Muye ordered, and the palace guards, played by spirit creatures, immediately stripped the censor and threw him out of the imperial court, rolling like a tumbleweed for several turns before coming to a stop.

The censor, who had intended to say more, saw the guards' hands on their scabbards and realized they would cut him down if he dared to speak. He could only slink away, having failed to protect his master and now without any support, he had no choice but to leave. Otherwise, he would really have to confront them head-on.

"Alright, Su Shu, are you going to solve the issue of the three million taels of silver or are you prepared to be dismissed from your post?" Qin Muye asked once the court had quieted down.

Su Shu looked at She Xi, silently imploring for help. If they couldn't protect the human-faced rat family, who would dare to serve him?

Everyone was just trying to survive. If he could sacrifice the human-faced rats now, could he not also sacrifice ghouls or succubi later to protect the snake people?

"The old minister believes that there might be hidden circumstances. We should retain Su Shu's position but temporarily imprison him and let the Minister of Justice investigate." She Xi took a step back, meaning that Su Shu's position should be retained, but he should be detained for now.

"Nonsense! How can a prestigious Minister of Revenue be imprisoned? What would this do to the dignity of our Great Qi?" Qin Muye angrily rebuked.

The alien officials felt a sense of relief, thinking that the matter was finally over. It seemed that this had touched on a line, the dignity of Great Qi, and things would smooth over if they continued to argue and minimize the issue.

"Therefore, Su Shu will be dismissed from his position as Minister of Revenue, imprisoned, and the Minister of Justice has three days to uncover the truth. Otherwise, you will also be dismissed to keep Su Shu company." Qin Muye made a firm decision and even threatened the worm-walker Minister of Justice.

"Dismiss the court. I am tired today." Qin Muye, having set his trap, decided to leave. Staying might invite more trouble, so the best course of action was to leave.

His words were effective, and the national fortune burst forth, causing fear to flow from Su Shu's eyes. An invisible pressure crushed him, making his internal organs groan in pain.

"Old Minister... save me," Su Shu said with great difficulty as he was dragged away, looking very pitiful.

Because he was 8th-rank, he had not yet transformed, but he wouldn't last much longer. At most, he had two days before he would die.

Unless he could find a position of the same rank as Minister of Revenue to shield him, he was doomed.

Moreover, the entire human-faced rat clan, now without the protection of official positions, was exposed to the national fortune. Many had already died, and those who were outside were also on the brink of death, their lives hanging by a thread.

She Xi stared intently at Qin Muye as he left. Everything had happened so suddenly that even he hadn't reacted in time, and the matter was already decided.

As for Su Shu and the human-faced rat clan, She Xi could do nothing to save them. They were as good as dead.

Who could blame him? They had made a mistake, and Qin Muye wasn't playing by the rules of the court, leading to this outcome.

"Let's go," She Xi said, turning and leaving as well.

(End of Chapter)

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