Chapter 924

The whole thing was a bolt from the blue, striking the old ministers of the Sui Dynasty until they were scorched and disheveled, each one dumbstruck and unable to speak.

The Feng royal clan had everything stripped away, which was entirely justified.

They have already abdicated the throne; what do you want with those powers and wealth? Honestly live as ordinary commoners—that's the best way to preserve your lives and property.

But……but……but……

The new emperor, Wu Tie, the Martial King of Wuguo, actually issued an edict stripping everything from all civil and military officials of the old Sui Dynasty, except for the Xiahou clan and the other three martial houses.

All the lords of the fiefdoms were reduced to commoners.

All dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts, and barons were reduced to commoners.

All the lands of the fief lords and nobles were taken back by the state; all their fixed assets, except for those luxurious, huge mansions, estates, summer villas, etc., were reclaimed—fields, pastures, forests, medicinal mountains, grasslands, fisheries, mines, etc. —and turned into state property.

All former fief lords and nobles reduced to commoners were strictly forbidden to keep slaves, to purchase maids, guards, etc.; like the Feng royal clan, they had to do everything themselves, and hiring workers was strictly prohibited.

Of course, if they had legitimate businesses—such as pharmacies, wineries, restaurants, etc. —they could normally hire pharmacy doctors and assistants, winery brewers and servers, restaurant chefs and waitstaff.

However, those hired must be paid according to Wuguo's wage standards, on time and in full, and are strictly forbidden to provide extra, unnecessary services beyond their job duties for their employers.

For example, if you run a restaurant with a waiter and a cleaner, they may only serve inside your restaurant. If you let these employees enter your own residence to provide cleaning services, that's a violation and will surely be severely punished.

As Wu Tie put it—commoners ought to have the appearance of commoners.

As soon as the edict was issued, the entire Sui Dynasty elite circle almost exploded.

Evaluations such as 'muddled' and 'tyrant' spread like a plague in certain circles.

When tens of thousands of the old ministers of Sui Dynasty were driven out of the imperial city of Martial Capital by the five-element spirits wielding spears, it is said that several old ministers cried out hoarsely, their wails like a cuckoo bleeding blood.

Does the Martial King not fear that this move will cause turmoil across the world?

Seated in the Heaven Martial Hall, Wu Tie was happily ordering a banquet to celebrate the entry of Xiahou Wuming together with the Xiahou clan and the three great martial houses, while preparing to greatly enfeoff meritorious officials and promote the original civil and military officials of Wuguo, when he immediately heard the complaints of those old Sui ministers.

Wu Tie's mocking voice spread throughout Sui Du on the wind, and after being empowered by the Primordial Origin Divine Bell, it rolled like thunder, reaching every city and village within a radius of billions of miles.

Without you, will the Sui Dynasty become unstable?

Ha, how funny—now the Sui Dynasty is in great chaos, the Nine Princes are rebelling; isn't that already enough turmoil?

In other words, whether you're here or not, there will be instability; what do I want you fools for? Just to eat your salaries?

Compared to you, I trust more those old ministers who have followed me all the way, coming from Wuguo across the sea… they have toiled for years and deserve adequate rewards.

The tens of thousands of old Sui ministers were left breathless by Wu Tie's words.

Yeah, regardless, with the Nine Princes rebelling, the Sui Dynasty's world is already unstable; so what's the point of keeping these old ministers in the court?

Even so, Wu Tie simply ordered their noble titles abolished and their lands confiscated—what could they do about it?

"Venerable-rank!" an old minister gritted his teeth, pointing out this most vital key.

The Great Array of Fire Transmission was fully controlled by Wu Tie; the state-protector artifact, the Primordial Origin Divine Bell, was in his hand; he had around three hundred Venerable-rank experts at his side, and in the former four directions, most of the Venerable-rank old monsters from the demonic spirits and enemy nations had become Wu Tie's hounds.

Wu Tie wielded the strongest military force in the world.

Who would dare defy?

Who would dare rebel?

Above Martial Capital, the huge light gate remained open, and black warships like evil sharks continually glided out. Countless giant god-warriors hovered in midair, their gazes gloomy like crimson ghostfire; above Sui Du, at least tens of millions of giant god-warriors stared at them with cold, menacing gazes.

These Sui ministers had all witnessed the terrifying power of the giant god-warriors' twin-eye laser barrage.

If tens of millions of giant god-warriors attacked simultaneously, only Venerable-rank beings could barely resist; for these Sui ministers, whether they were called 'heavenly gods' or 'royal gods,' death was certain.

Within Martial Capital and its surroundings, in the territories directly controlled by Wu Tie's army, each prefecture, each county, and the lords of the fiefdoms all, under Wu Tie's intimidation, disbanded their private troops, released their guards, and honestly curled up their claws and fangs.

But in places where Wu Tie's army could not yet exert control, some fief lords, prefecture chiefs, and other notables gritted their teeth, stomped their feet, and directly defected to the rebelling Nine Princes, joining forces with them.

But just in one night, while Wu Tie was feasting with many officials of Wuguo in the imperial garden, a Venerable-rank old monster launched a surprise attack; the rebelling Princes Sanding, Sanshou, Sanshing, and the nine great princes, from top to bottom, their entire families were wiped out by these Venerable-rank old monsters.

The nine rebel princes were publicly executed, their innate spiritual light shattered, their souls and spirits completely scattered, with no chance of reincarnation.

All the relatives of the nine rebel princes were demoted to government slaves, their cultivation sealed, and thereafter they had to labor in state-run workshops and workshops to atone.

Under the shock of the Venerable-rank experts, the armies under the Nine Princes all laid down their weapons and quietly awaited the arrival of Wuguo's imperial forces to be incorporated.

What awaited them was strict identification and punishment.

Any rebel soldiers who had participated in massacring cities, regardless of origin or rank, would inevitably receive a slash to the neck.

Those soldiers with lesser offenses would be conscripted into Wuguo's auxiliary forces to assist the main army in combat.

And those civil and military officials and local strongmen who followed the Nine Princes in rebellion would naturally be prosecuted one by one by officials led by Huang Lang; regardless of the severity of their crimes, they would certainly be stripped of all power and wealth—major offenders beheaded, minor ones exiled, not even a scrap of property left to them.

The actions of the Venerable-rank old monsters directly calmed the restless hearts.

The Nine Princes were executed, and the common folk no longer feared war.

The four-direction enemy nations were destroyed, and the borders instantly grew tranquil.

The original aristocratic system was completely destroyed, and Wu Tie further ordered the abolition of all old debts of lending; the people of the former Sui Dynasty, now citizens of Wuguo, inexplicably felt their burdens lighten considerably.

Perhaps in the future, those 'superiors' above us will treat us better?

At the very least, it won't be harder than before.

With the four-direction enemy nations all destroyed, meaning we no longer need to tightly serve border military duty; our men need not worry that going to the borders means never returning; our little grandsons need not fear that one day they might never see their fathers again.

Not having to fight means various taxes and corvée will become much easier.

Although the original Sui Dynasty was quite prosperous, the lives of the lower-class commoners were, frankly, just average. After all, constantly battling the demons and monsters on the four borders, the consumption of supplies was staggering.

These consumptions were originally borne directly on the shoulders of these commoners.

But after Wu Tie pacified the four-border enemy nations, those demons and monsters were utterly eradicated; the supplies that would have been consumed on the battlefield can now be used for the common people.

Household expenses can become considerably more ample.

With ample expenditures and abundant supplies, one can wholeheartedly expand one's lineage and propagate descendants.

Thus the population will increase.

With a thriving populace, there will be enough hands to open up more land and increase output.

As long as Wu Tie and his civil and military subordinates aren't foolish enough to impose excessive taxes and drain the populace, the newly merged Wuguo will have prosperous days that are about to become lively.

In the rear garden of the imperial capital of Wuguo, Wu Tie raised his wine cup high, smiling as he offered a toast to the officials of Wuguo.

He chuckled, looking at those familiar faces.

Zhao Tuo, Li Guang, Xiang Feiyu, Xiang Feixie, Huang Yu, Li Ergouzi…… plus Li Xuangui, Yuan Qilin, Kong Chengxi, Meng Buyan, Mo Yun……

Originally the aristocratic military clans of the Great Jin, originally the noble houses of the Great Wei, plus the civil and military officials of the Great Wu who had surrendered……

Ah, back when Wu Tie was in the lands of the Three Kingdoms, he had once thought of sweeping away those originally high-and-mighty military clans and noble houses, abolishing them all in one fell swoop.

But at that time, where would Wu Tie have such power?

At that time, Wu Tie, wanting to pacify the old lands of the Three Kingdoms, still had to rely on the power of those military clans and noble houses.

Everyone had to compromise, to negotiate, to cautiously probe each other's limits, ultimately achieving the conditions for the unification of the Three Kingdoms; it was Wu Tie, the most suitable choice, who plucked the final fruit.

Only the Sui Dynasty—this colossal entity—was founded by Wu Tie relying entirely on his own strength and his own fate.

Therefore, Wu Tie could do as he pleased with the former officials of the Sui Dynasty.

Therefore, Wu Tie could, following his own wishes, freely depict the originally vast Sui Dynasty.

From top to bottom, except for Xiahou Wuming and the other three martial clans, all civil and military dignitaries were abolished…… Wu Tie was willful, but he had the confidence and power to be willful.

Absolute strength brings absolute power.

At this moment, in the vast Wuguo, Wu Tie truly can do as he pleases!

Having drained the fine wine in his cup, Wu Tie smiled and nodded.

In the eyes of Wuguo's officials, he saw conviction, submission, and the most wholehearted loyalty.

The former officials of the Sui Dynasty, including the rebellious Nine Princes and their civil and military ministers, were all just fat, plump, powerful chickens.

The officials of Wuguo were like mountain monkeys that were still a bit restless, perhaps harboring some distractions.

When those fat chickens that were stronger, more domineering, and with deeper foundations than these mountain monkeys were slain before their eyes, the monkeys became obedient and compliant…… They suddenly realized that the Wu Tie of today is no longer the Wu Tie of the past.

Now, having Wu Tie assisted by them is certainly good.

But without their assistance, Wu Tie remains a lofty, unshakable martial king.

More than three hundred entities of the Venerable level…… are enough to maintain Wu Tie's rule over the entire Wuguo.

Therefore, including the Dao clan, the most rebellious among the hundred noble houses of the former Great Wei, they all lowered their heads in obedient submission, dispelling the last lingering reluctance and unwillingness in their hearts.

In the rear garden, the aura of Wuguo's numerous civil and military officials suddenly shifted.

They were like a sword embryo taken from a furnace, glowing red-hot, suddenly plunged into the ten-thousand-year cold spring water—with a 'hiss-la' sound, all impurities and distractions were washed away, leaving only strands of pure, flawless thought.

Strands of pure thought seeped from the hearts of these civil and military officials, attaching themselves to Wu Tie.

Wu Tie suddenly felt something wonderful: the civil and military officials of the entire court seemed like an extension of his limbs, which he could move as easily as using his fingers to drive them.

With just a thought from him, these officials could unleash the greatest strength and resolve of their lives to carry out any of Wu Tie's orders.

There would be absolutely no discount, absolutely no hesitation.

At this moment, they had become utterly loyal to Wu Tie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this splendid land, we shall share it…… this splendid humanity, we shall protect it!"

Wu Tie rose to his feet and raised his wine cup again.

The civil and military officials of the court all rose, each with clear eyes and hearts free of distraction, raising their wine cups and solemnly returning a salute to Wu Tie.

Two female officials in tight uniforms, with swords at their waists, stepped over quietly and whispered a few words into Pei Feng's ear.

Pei Feng's pretty face turned slightly cold as she leaned in to whisper a few words into Wu Tie's ear.

Wu Tie stared for a moment, then smiled and nodded to the civil and military officials in the rear garden: "Your Majesty has pressing matters to attend to; officials, I have already drafted your promotions and rewards, which Pei Feng will announce to you one by one…… I will temporarily leave the gathering; please enjoy yourselves and return happily."

Having laughed and drained the fine wine in his cup, Wu Tie patted Pei Feng's hand, his body flickered, and he vanished without a sound or trace.

In the rear garden, the officials of Wuguo all bowed deeply toward Wu Tie's seat, saying: "Long live the Emperor!"

The next moment, Wu Tie arrived at a great hall in the northwest corner of the imperial capital.

On all sides, experts of the Divine Realm from the Five Elements Spirits guard this place impenetrably; outside, large groups of Wu Tribe elites patrol, and moreover, more than ten Venerable-level Wu Tribe Elders lie in wait in the shadows.

The Grand Dao Furnace stood silently on the roof; at this moment, this hall is the eye of the Great Array of the Eternal Flame, and any outsider who tries to approach will suffer the frenzied assault of that array—even a peak Venerable will have their strength suppressed to that of an ordinary Divine Realm cultivator.

Such defensive power is truly the strongest defense Wu Tie can muster at present.

Inside the hall, Mist sat chuckling on a large chair, legs crossed, gazing at the twenty-odd people slumped limp on the ground.

Among the twenty-odd people, eighteen were extremely handsome youths, and nine were beautiful, charming maidens.

Each of them looked at Mist with a mix of shock and anger, cursing him vaguely.

Wu Tie strode into the hall, his eyes cold as he looked at the men and women: "Your Highness Mist, are these the emissaries of the Wisdom God Tribe who have descended as avatars within the Sui Dynasty? Heck, aren't they stealing your credit?"

Mist hastily rose from the chair and performed a respectful salute to Wu Tie.

"Your Majesty, you have come…… they are indeed my kin…… each one a belly full of wicked schemes, not a single good thing…… you need only strike them down with dark means; killing them will benefit me alone, with no harm."

Mist laughed happily: "Your Majesty, all the avatars of my Wisdom God Tribe on this continent are gathered here."