Chapter 434

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure erupted like mountains and seas, accompanied by an endless, disdainful imperial aura, crushing down toward Gao Yang.

If this terrifying momentum were directed at an ordinary person, they would have knelt long ago, but Gao Yang remained expressionless.

Shangguan Wan'er also spoke up, "Lord Gao, watch your words!"

Her gaze carried a warning.

Withstanding Wu Zhao's gaze, Gao Yang said without changing his expression, "A general's success is built upon ten thousand withered bones; how much more so for a monarch? The path to the heavens for an emperor is destined to be paved with piles of white bones!"

"Your subject is merely stating a very cruel, yet existing reality."

"If Your Majesty had not shouldered the infamy of killing the captives for me, I would not be speaking these heartfelt words."

"If Your Majesty wishes for Da Qian to grow strong and pioneer a foundation for ten thousand generations, you must balance the forces of the world. The commoners, the noble clans, and the powerful families must all be treated equally. You must view all of this from a perspective that looks down upon life with indifference."

"Only then is it the Dao of governing a nation!"

Wu Zhao's eyes fell silent.

She stared at Gao Yang, as if contemplating his words.

As she did not speak, the Imperial Garden naturally fell into a period of tranquility.

After a long while, Wu Zhao spoke slowly.

"Gao Aiqing, I do not agree with these words of yours."

Gao Yang suddenly noticed that when Wu Zhao said this, her tone was very firm, as if nothing could shake it.

"I wish to hear Your Majesty's profound insights!"

"I admit that what you say makes sense, but I feel more that the monarch is the boat and the people are the water; the water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it!"

"In my understanding, the relationship between the emperor and the commoners is by no means simply that the emperor receives the Dao of Heaven above and rules the myriad people below!"

"If a man in this world can be emperor, I can be emperor too. If I can be a good emperor, this is enough to prove that there is no great difference between men and women. Then, what essential difference is there between the dignity of an emperor and the so-called lowly commoners?"

"I can be the greatest noble clan under heaven, but in the end, I must stand more from the perspective of the commoners!"

"Otherwise, even without the participation of noble clans, a massive uprising of the commoners would be enough to erupt with the power to destroy a dynasty!"

Once these words were spoken.

Gao Yang's face was moved.

He immediately said with a face full of admiration, "As expected of Your Majesty, my judgment of people is truly accurate!"

"Actually, I have been thinking the same thing in my heart; I have always viewed the commoners as my own flesh and blood!"

Wu Zhao: "..."

Shangguan Wan'er: "..."

Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful eyes glanced at Gao Yang, choosing to treat these words as if she hadn't heard them.

Wu Zhao even gave a snort of annoyance: "Lord Gao, this 'Slash-a-Knife' game of yours has played the commoners of the entire city in the palm of your hand."

"Aren't these words a bit insincere?"

Wu Zhao strolled leisurely through the Imperial Garden. Her bright yellow dragon robe, with golden threads shining under the sunlight, radiated a brilliant glow, and her phoenix eyes were bright.

Gao Yang looked serious, "Your Majesty is mistaken; the commoners can also benefit from this 'Slash-a-Knife' game!"

"Oh?"

Wu Zhao looked unconvinced.

Gao Yang said, "Your Majesty, imagine this: when those merchants and Lady Lu feel there is profit to be made, they will frantically pull people to 'slash a knife,' even approaching madness in the end. But they are total strangers; why would the commoners help them slash a knife?"

"This is human nature!"

"These merchants inevitably pay money to pull people in—even a mosquito is meat, no matter how small. Furthermore, with such an unprecedented event, once crowds gather, some peddlers and laborers can also earn money."

The corner of Wu Zhao's mouth twitched.

The angle of Gao Yang's explanation was truly impeccable.

"Enough, let this topic end here. But I understand what you mean. I will not target any one side based on my own preferences. The matter of uniting the noble clans to form a noble clan interest alliance will be left to you."

"As you said, if I want to accomplish great things, I should indeed unite more forces!"

After Wu Zhao spoke, Gao Yang hurriedly bowed and said.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

In truth, he had only spoken up because he realized Wu Zhao's hostility toward the noble clans was too great.

Since Wu Zhao understood his meaning, he naturally didn't need to say more.

"Additionally, I have received news that the Zhao Kingdom delegation will arrive in Changancheng soon. It is not just the Zhao Kingdom delegation; the Chu Kingdom delegation and the Yan Kingdom delegation are also on their way to Changancheng."

Wu Zhao suddenly said.

Hearing this, Gao Yang looked surprised.

He asked with excitement, "I have been waiting for this for a long time. Does Your Majesty know who the representatives of the three kingdoms' delegations are?"

The corner of Wu Zhao's mouth twitched.

Gao Yang's excited appearance was just like seeing three big fat sheep arriving!

Who knows what devious scheme he is plotting again!

"The Chu Kingdom delegation is currently unknown, but having suffered such a great loss, they likely come with ill intent. The Zhao Kingdom delegation is led by the Zhao Kingdom's First Imperial Prince, Zhao Yuheng, in person. He is the legitimate eldest son of the Zhao Emperor and the Zhao Empress. The Zhao Kingdom is showing great sincerity this time; it seems Zhao Gao's plan has worked!"

"Furthermore, I have heard that the Zhao Kingdom not only brought many gifts but also specifically brought you a peerless beauty, with a beautiful face and a perfect figure!"

When Wu Zhao said the last part, her face was full of strangeness.

It really is a long life to see everything.

This 'Living Yama' dealt the Zhao Kingdom an extremely vicious poison scheme, and as a result, the Zhao Kingdom is kept in the dark and is even rushing to send Gao Yang a beauty with a beautiful face and a perfect figure!

Even Wu Zhao felt the terror of such a poison scheme!

"Is the Zhao Kingdom this thoughtful?"

"I have a share too?"

Gao Yang was instantly shocked.

He could still hold his own against women, but a beauty with a beautiful face and a perfect figure—who could resist that?

Wu Zhao's face darkened, her voice extremely calm: "Gao Aiqing is very excited?"

Gao Yang hurriedly said righteously, "Your Majesty, you know me; I have always had no interest in gold, silver, or beauty. I just feel a bit troubled."

"You have no interest in gold, silver, or beauty?"

Wu Zhao laughed; as expected of a capitalist, this kind of skin is thicker than a city wall.

"Tell me, where are you troubled?"

Gao Yang stared straight at the fullness arched by Wu Zhao's dragon robe, his face serious.

"I am a subject of Da Qian; how can I accept gifts from the Zhao Kingdom!"

"It's just that if I don't accept, it will inevitably make the Zhao Kingdom suspicious, and even make the Zhao Kingdom's First Imperial Prince furious. If that delays Your Majesty's great affairs, then I would truly be guilty of a crime that ten thousand deaths could not redeem."

Wu Zhao stared at Gao Yang; there wasn't the slightest hint in Gao Yang's words, yet they were filled with hints everywhere.

Shangguan Wan'er also turned her beautiful eyes to other parts of the Imperial Garden.

"I am not that petty. Since this is a setup, the setup must be done completely. How much you can fish from the Zhao Kingdom's First Imperial Prince is your own ability. Whether it is the hundred officials or me, you need not worry!"

"I am just reminding you not to forget your original intention!"

Wu Zhao said, carrying a reminder.

Gao Yang's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly bowed, "Your Majesty can rest assured, I will never forget that!"

"But is Your Majesty's word true? How much I can fish is my own ability?"

Wu Zhao felt a bit unnatural; Gao Yang's words made her feel some fear.

But since the words were out, Wu Zhao could only bite the bullet and nod, "This is naturally true."

Hearing this, Gao Yang felt settled in his heart.

"I will ask one more thing: does Your Majesty know the character of this Zhao Kingdom First Imperial Prince?"