Chapter 405: Chapter 399: Xiao He’s Gossip_1
「Imperial Capital!」
「Inside the Imperial Study!」
Qin Wudao, Zhuge Liang, Xiao He, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Li Ru, and others gathered, their faces filled with joy, unspoken pleasure seeping from their countenances.
"Your Majesty, the ruling clans have been annihilated. We have averted a potential future crisis, a cause for universal rejoicing indeed!" Zhuge Liang spoke with a smile. He experienced a rare surge of emotion stemming from the fall of the ruling clans, as he had reviewed the records of their numerous crimes. Many clans had behaved in ways worse than beasts: engaging in villainy, acting tyrannically, and killing for sport. Beneath their glamorous facade, the clans were rotten to the core. Those magnificent buildings were all built upon the suffering of outsiders.
"Though we have neutralized the clans, we should not underestimate their strength. Take the Taiyi Saint’s Court, for example; it is a nation built by a clan, where clan power is dominant!" Qin Wudao’s smile faded. "Setting aside our court’s power, the East Border is also dominated by clans and sects, which are important sources of power. By eliminating the clans, we have, in a way, also weakened the strength of our nation!"
His years as a monarch had endowed him with sharp instincts, allowing him to perceive the disadvantages of annihilating the clans. Undeniably, a major portion of the nation’s strength came from the clans. With their exclusive Cultivation Techniques and martial arts, along with plentiful resources, clans could nurture formidable Martial Artists—something far beyond the reach of commoners. For instance, among the Emperor-rank Martial Artists within the Qin Dynasty Saint’s Court, besides those summoned by Qin Wudao himself, there are only nine. All of them emerged from clans; not one hails from a humble background.
"Your Majesty, rest assured," Xiao He said with a smile, respectfully submitting a memorial. "I have already distributed the clans’ Cultivation Techniques and martial skills to local academies. We are fully supporting the expansion of these academies to ensure a constant supply of new strength for the Qin Dynasty!"
As a seasoned advisor, Xiao He always planned several steps ahead. While formulating the plan to eliminate the clan hierarchy, he had already begun preparations for expanding the academies to fill the power vacuum left by the clans’ disappearance.
"Replacing clans with academies aligns with my thoughts. It appears I’ve been worrying unnecessarily!"
Upon hearing Xiao He’s idea, Qin Wudao was momentarily stunned, then somewhat dispirited. He had only realized this problem after the clans were eliminated and had spent several days pondering a solution. He was just about to proudly present his own idea... but, to his surprise, Xiao He had already devised a complete plan.
Feeling a bit deflated, Qin Wudao opened the memorial. After reading it carefully, he nodded frequently, clearly very satisfied with its contents.
While Qin Wudao read the memorial, the others, confident he would consent, began discussing the implementation plan.
"Prime Minister Xiao, since you proposed the academy expansion plan, why don’t you oversee its execution?" Zhuge Liang said with a smile, fanning himself gently.
Xiao He rolled his eyes. He’s trying to dump work on me again! I’m not falling for that. "Prime Minister Zhuge, you are the Chief Prime Minister. Prime Minister Guo and I are your deputies. So, the academy expansion task should naturally be yours!" He cleverly allied himself with Guo Jia, forming a united front.
"Indeed!" Guo Jia, understanding instantly, chimed in with a mischievous grin, "The expansion of the academies concerns the long-term prosperity of the Qin Dynasty. Such a monumental task will surely require your dedicated attention, Prime Minister Zhuge!"
The academy expansion plan sounded grand, but in reality, it was a mountain of tedious work: constructing new buildings, investing vast resources, recruiting teachers, enrolling students... In short, whoever took on this project wouldn’t get a moment’s rest for several years!
"You two are too much!" Zhuge Liang could no longer maintain his composure, huffing, "Have you no conscience? Especially you, Prime Minister Guo! For the six months after your revival, I covered all your duties. Is this how you repay me? Doesn’t your conscience bother you at all?"
A critical hit! Guo Jia’s mouth fell open. He wanted to retort but couldn’t find the words. He deflated like a defeated rooster.
Having dealt one blow, Zhuge Liang turned his fiery gaze to Xiao He. "And you! Last time you were in secluded cultivation, I covered your duties too. And what did you do after your breakthrough? You went off to enjoy the pleasure quarters! How are you going to compensate me for that?"
Xiao He blushed and averted his gaze, only to meet Guo Jia’s eyes, which were gleaming with wicked delight and brimming with curiosity. "Pleasure quarters, you say? Who were you with?" Guo Jia pressed, his interest piqued.
Among the three of them, Zhuge Liang was always buried in work, with no time for romance. Guo Jia, on the other hand, was a notorious rake who frequently visited courtesans. Only Xiao He maintained an image of impeccable propriety, untainted by any scandal.
"Yes, Prime Minister Xiao, who was it? We can help you assess her!" Qin Wudao, seated on the imperial throne, also leaned in curiously, his eyes shining. Jia Xu, Li Ru, and the others watched intently.
"Well... um..." Flustered by all the staring eyes, Xiao He stammered, "Your Majesty, matters of state are paramount! Perhaps we should continue discussing the academy expansion project?"
"No need for further discussion. The plan is excellent. The task is yours!" Qin Wudao waved his hand dismissively, his curiosity about Xiao He’s affairs very much alive.
Hearing that the task was now his, Xiao He felt like crying. If only I hadn’t tried to be clever! I should have just taken it from the start.
"Your Majesty, this story begins about a year ago..." Under the relentless ’interrogation’ from the group, Xiao He had no choice but to confess. It was a story filled with both sorrow and warmth.
「That year...」
An hour later, Qin Wudao, thoroughly satisfied with Xiao He’s tale, finally let him off the hook and concluded the meeting.
Xiao He fled the study, terrified of being cornered by Zhuge Liang and the others with their incessant questions. But how could one man fend off so many?
"Your Majesty, save me...!"
Soon, Xiao He found himself being playfully dragged away by Zhuge Liang and three other imposing figures—Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and Li Ru—his anguished cries echoing. He was truly in an impossible situation.
Qin Wudao watched them leave with an amused smile. Only after they were completely out of sight did he retrieve another memorial from his imperial desk. This one was from Wang Jian of the Ministry of War, detailing the major battle at Jiange Pass.
The Qionghua Holy Land and Zixiao Holy Land are truly ruthless, using innocent people as bait to lure out the beasts in the forest! After reading the memorial, Qin Wudao’s brow furrowed in disgust. In his opinion, using defenseless civilians as bait was an utterly unrighteous act. He would never issue such an order himself.
Moreover, the situation at Jiange Pass was different. It wasn’t simply a conflict between factions of the same race; the Thousand Demon Saint’s Court was also involved. What infuriated him most was that this plan—to use human lives as bait—had been proposed by the Water Bear Emperor.
"Issue a decree denouncing the barbaric actions of the Thousand Demon Saint’s Court, the Qionghua Holy Land, and the Zixiao Holy Land!" Qin Wudao commanded in a stern voice.
A eunuch stepped forward and recorded his words.
"Also, instruct the Ministry of War to draw up an expansion plan..." Qin Wudao’s gaze grew profound. Once the Kylin Holy Land falls, the Thousand Demon Saint’s Court, Qionghua Holy Land, and Zixiao Holy Land will likely attack the Qin Dynasty Saint’s Court. Even if they don’t launch a direct assault, they will undoubtedly try to constrict our territory. In these chaotic times, we must strike first!