Chapter Nine: Striving with Utmost Effort

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Luodu, the courier inn.
"Miss, the master is urging you to return again."
Yue Yao slowly set down the letter in her hand.
"No hurry. I plan to stay a while longer."
"What’s the point in staying? As you said, the current Great Zhou is really controlled by the vassal kings and nobles. From where I stand, the emperor is no more than a puppet. It’s surprising you still look up to her as an idol."
Yue Yao sighed softly.
"Great Zhou has endured the legacies of five generations and flourished as it has today. Every reigning empress was a paragon among mortals... Could it be that with this male emperor, its glory is destined to fade?"
...
Imperial City, Tianyuan Hall.
Reducing the power of the vassal kings?!
Li Chen’s words thundered like a sudden storm, instantly shaking the hearts of every minister present.
Can such words be spoken so casually?
They had thought the new emperor had awakened to reality, yet things were only escalating.
Ouyang Yu’s face turned pale, and he threw down his dragon-headed staff, immediately kneeling.
"Your Majesty! Absolutely not! The vassal kings have contributed greatly to Great Zhou. How can you reduce their power? If this is carried out, the nation will plunge into chaos. Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"
Li Chen chuckled secretly. Perfect—just as you said, I want chaos throughout the realm...
But before he could ponder further—
Clamor!
The ministers knelt and echoed the sentiment.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister speaks the truth. We must never reduce their power! Since the founding of Great Zhou, the vassal kings have been loyal and beloved by the people. Such an act will surely incite rebellion. Our realm will fall into irreparable ruin!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty, why reduce their power when the dynasty is at its peak? Such action will spark conflict. Please reconsider!"
...
"Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"
Listening to the ministers’ urgent pleas, Li Chen’s heart swelled with joy.
Recalling Zhu Yunwen from his previous life, who lost everything due to a failed reduction of the vassals, he thought:
If the ministers are right, and the vassal kings rebel, sparking endless wars and the people's grievances... wouldn’t Great Zhou’s fate be sealed swiftly?
The more he thought, the more excited he became.
Ignoring the ministers’ opposition, Li Chen bellowed angrily,
"Silence!"
Suddenly, the hall fell silent.
"It’s just reducing the vassal kings’ power. Are you really this agitated? What chaos are you talking about? Do you think the empire can’t exist without them?"
"Besides, do you believe I’m doing this for selfish reasons? Am I unaware of the vassal kings’ and nobles’ contributions to Great Zhou?"

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"Of course I know! Precisely because I know how much the vassal kings and nobles have sacrificed over the years, I think it’s time for them to rest. Those who should prosper will prosper; those who should enjoy life will enjoy it. Isn’t that wonderful?"
At this, the ministers were horrified.
Such a monumental matter spoken as if a trivial jest?
Prospering or enjoying life...
Which emperor in Great Zhou’s history would say such shocking words?
Disregarding the nation’s prosperity, acting on a whim—this is the hallmark of a foolish ruler!
The hall erupted again...
"Your Majesty, this must not be!"
...
The ministers wailed, shouting hoarsely, hoping to change the emperor’s mind.
"Enough, enough, the matter is decided. Later, I will hand over the draft; you shall carry it out accordingly."
Having spoken, Li Chen prepared to leave for the palace.
Seeing the emperor’s indifferent attitude, the ministers’ eyes filled with disappointment.
As a veteran minister of three reigns, Ge Siwang’s whole body trembled.
From this day forward, this man should never have ascended the throne of Great Zhou.
He shakily stood and walked to the front of the ministers, straightening his back with a passionate and resolute air.
"Your Majesty!"
Hearing the call, Li Chen turned and halted.
"I have served Great Zhou through three generations. Now, in my twilight years, I have witnessed its rise from the beginning to its present glory."
"This is no alarmist warning. Your Majesty’s actions will surely drag Great Zhou into disaster."
"It was no small feat for Great Zhou to prosper as it has. If Your Majesty insists on reducing the vassal kings, I shall strike my head against this dragon pillar this very moment!"
The old man seemed frail, yet he was bold.
As soon as he spoke, he bowed his head and charged toward the pillar.
Had a military officer not swiftly intervened, Ge Siwang would have spilled blood on the spot.
Though unsuccessful, this act instantly stirred a fierce reaction among the ministers.
"Your Majesty, if you insist, I am willing to follow Lord Ge in death!"
"Your Majesty, even if you kill me today, you cannot make such a decision!"
"Do not stop me! I am ready to die, so Your Majesty may understand wisdom!"
...
Inspired by Ge Siwang, many ministers expressed their willingness to die for the cause.
Li Chen was stunned.
Not because he was frightened by their passion.

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Good heavens, so many oppose me?
Fine, if I insist on this, wouldn’t I be the perfect foolish ruler, and the nation’s fortune plummet precipitously?
Just as Li Chen was about to stand firm in his decision,
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Warning! Your Majesty’s actions will trigger widespread rebellion and may threaten the security of your throne. Should your reign be compromised, the system will no longer be able to execute the task of lowering the nation’s fortune.]
Damn!
You’re telling me this now, when I’m about to lose my pants?
The national fortune had risen due to the Song Kingdom’s affairs, and now I wanted to shake things up big time. I didn’t expect it to the point of threatening my throne.
This can’t be, that can’t be—how am I supposed to be a foolish ruler then?
Li Chen was displeased with the system’s warning.
But the system’s voice returned.
[Your Majesty, the system only issues this warning based on your current behavior. However, if this act succeeds, it will trigger a critical hit in lowering the national fortune, granting you a reward that will absolutely satisfy you!]
Li Chen suddenly understood.
The decision was sound; it was just that he had acted too hastily...
Thinking of the system’s mention of a critical hit reward—
That was tempting enough... and it promised to absolutely satisfy him?
Alright! Alright! Alright!
Then I can take my time with it.
Amid the ministers’ furious outcries, Li Chen sat back on the dragon throne, a determined look of deep thought crossing his face.
"Silence!"
After a while, the hall gradually quieted.
Li Chen smiled meaningfully.
"Your loyal ministers speak truly. The matter of reducing the vassal kings requires careful consideration. Therefore, after thorough thought, I have decided not to reduce their power."
The ministers immediately breathed a sigh of relief, their faces slowly relaxing.
However, the experienced Ouyang Yu sensed that the matter was far from simple.
Sure enough.
Before the ministers could fully calm down,
Li Chen spoke again with a tone of compromise.
"In that case, I won’t reduce the vassal kings, but lowering taxes—is that acceptable?"