Chapter Fourteen: Urgent News from Lin City

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Capital City, Chancellor’s Residence.
Minister of Revenue, Bai Lian, snorted coldly.
“Hmph, he truly thought the emperor had changed, becoming a wise ruler, but it turns out he remains so foolish.”
Another minister chimed in agreement.
“Indeed, driving the refugees into the Tang Kingdom was absurd from the start. And now, because of this matter, to provoke enmity with Tang—since the founding of Great Zhou, when have we seen such disgrace?”
Hearing this, one minister immediately showed righteous indignation.
“Exactly! Especially that Cai Jing, daring to suggest that His Majesty reprimand the Tang Emperor—it’s nothing but pouring oil on the fire. The worst part is, His Majesty actually agreed with him.”
The ministers murmured discontentedly, expressing their dissatisfaction with the emperor’s actions.
At this moment, Ge Siwang suddenly spoke up.
“Not so. In my humble opinion, perhaps His Majesty has deeper intentions.”
“After all, driving refugees into another country, yet still making the Tang willingly send money and grain to Great Zhou—such a feat is hardly the work of an ordinary man.”
Bai Lian sneered.
“Hah, that was mere coincidence, hardly a masterstroke. Mark my words, it won’t be long before the Tang Kingdom sends us a declaration of war.”
At these words, the ministers sighed heavily.
Ouyang Yu took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
“No! The late emperor entrusted the new sovereign to us. As ministers of the realm, we cannot stand idly by and watch Great Zhou fall into peril.”
“At tomorrow’s court assembly, I shall lead the charge. I implore all ministers to join me in petitioning His Majesty to change his mind!”
As several ministers agreed, a voice interrupted.
“Lord Ouyang, I beg to differ.”
“Has everyone forgotten how, at a previous court meeting when His Majesty sought to reduce the power of the regional lords, he accused us of forcing him—there is already resentment in his heart. We must not rashly petition him again.”
“In truth, regarding this matter, I hold one view: though young and seemingly irrational, His Majesty is not insane. Take the issue with Song Kingdom as an example—didn’t you all say he was foolish? And what was the outcome?”
At these words, the assembly promptly refuted Ge Siwang’s opinion.
Suddenly, a palace guard rushed in.
“Reporting, Lord, urgent dispatch from Lin City.”
The room fell silent immediately.
Ouyang Yu took the letter, opened it, and read swiftly.
Moments later—
Bang!
Ouyang Yu slammed his hand on the table and shouted loudly,
“His Majesty is truly wise!”

...

Capital City, Danyang Palace.
“Your Majesty, your foresight is truly profound. I never imagined that by relocating the refugees, Tang would not only send us money but also grain.”
“More importantly, you saw through the Tang Emperor’s plot at a glance. If it were me, I doubt I could ever figure it out.”
“By the way, Your Majesty, I suppose your sending Cai Jing with the letter to the Tang Emperor was part of a clever plan as well?”
Li Chen chuckled.
“Of course! But that’s a secret for now—I cannot share it with anyone.”
“Then... your desire to meet those three treacherous ministers must also be part of a scheme, right?”
Li Chen’s eyes gleamed as he lightly patted Wan’er’s rear.
“You’re quite perceptive, young lady, to have noticed that.”
Wan’er beamed with pride.
I actually guessed it! Heh, it seems under His Majesty’s influence, my intelligence is also growing...
Li Chen, however, paid no heed to Wan’er’s mood; he was quietly pleased.
Just then, the system’s voice sounded.
[Congratulations, Your Majesty, you have received a reward: 100 bottles of Joyful Water, stored in your ring and available at any time.]
Ha ha, wonderful.
Who would have thought that in this ancient time, I could still drink modern Joyful Water?
The next rewards require a choice:
[1. Immediately receive 300,000 bushels of grain, usable for disaster relief.]
Forget that. Disaster relief? That would make me a benevolent ruler; no thanks.
[2. Curse of Hatred: upon use, it will cause one nation’s resentment toward Great Zhou to peak, with a high chance they will declare war. (Note: this skill can only be used once.)]
Seeing this reward, Li Chen clapped his hands excitedly.
Excellent! Perfect!
I was just worried about these neighboring states making no moves—now here’s the chance!
After selecting the second reward, Li Chen wasted no time and immediately activated the skill.
He took a deep breath.
Ha ha ha, now I just wait for the declaration of war. Then I’ll deliberately send incompetent generals.
With one defeat after another, won’t my task of being a foolish monarch be completed in no time?
But just as Li Chen was rejoicing,
The system suddenly issued another alert!!!
[Your Majesty has acted as a wise ruler, increasing Great Zhou’s national fortune by 600 points; 7,550 points remain.]
[Friendly reminder: according to the current increase, this converts to 0.6 points of misfortune. Current misfortune is 2.1. When misfortune fills, Your Majesty will undergo the Nine Days Thunder Tribulation!]
Damn it!
What’s going on? What’s going on?
Could it be because I just used that skill?
After a few seconds of thought,
No way. Even if I used the skill, it would only max out another nation’s hatred. At worst, that’s not the behavior of a wise ruler.
Could it be...
“Send for Ouyang Yu at once!”

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...

In just a moment,
Ouyang Yu hurried into the imperial study.
As he entered, Li Chen anxiously asked,
“Lord Chancellor, has something happened?”
Ouyang Yu was stunned.
“Has His Majesty already learned of it?”
“Learned what? Hurry and tell me! What exactly is going on?”
Seeing the emperor’s restless demeanor, Ouyang Yu thought to himself,
Could it be that His Majesty is truly a master strategist, already foreseeing such events...
Sigh... Ge Siwang’s words seem justified. Though the emperor appears foolish, he is in fact profoundly wise. The Tang issue surely hides a grand plan. Well then, I have nothing to worry about.
Then, Ouyang Yu knelt slowly.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Truly congratulations!”
“I intended to report it to you tomorrow morning, but it seems you already know.”
“Just now, urgent dispatch arrived from Lin City. Remember when you appointed the local bandit as the city governor? Unexpectedly, this bandit leader has governed Lin City with great order, resolving all outstanding cases in just a few days.”
“Now, the people are praising the new governor and are worried that such a good official might be transferred away. Hence, the entire populace petitions Your Majesty to allow this bandit—no, this official—to remain in office long-term.”
Ouyang Yu’s words struck Li Chen’s heart like a heavy hammer.
Li Chen clenched his fists tightly, his voice trembling as he said,
“You... you... you say a bandit became a good official? And the people petitioned for him?”
Ouyang Yu nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty, this act has greatly won the hearts of the people! If the entire realm knew, they would undoubtedly praise you lavishly.”
Li Chen leaned back, lamenting quietly,
“Praise me for what? Why must I suffer so?”
Ouyang Yu saw this and thought,
His Majesty is truly humble. Though not a grand achievement, for a new emperor this is enough to earn the title of a wise ruler. No need to despair so.
Great progress indeed. Late Emperor, you may now rest in peace beneath the earth.
Bang!
Ouyang Yu’s heart tightened.
He suddenly saw the emperor rise abruptly, knocking over the chair behind him.
“Ouyang Yu! Quickly! Bring me those three traitorous ministers who harm the country!”
“Now! Immediately! At once!”

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