Chapter 1577: Just Wait to Die

Overnight, the Jiang family massacre shocked the entire kingdom.

From this day forth, one shocking piece of news after another spread completely throughout the world.

Countless discussions circulated among the common people.

"Have you heard? His Majesty has developed crops that yield forty dan per mu!"

"That's not all; I also heard His Majesty is building academies and requiring those from humble backgrounds to enter officialdom!"

"Really? Does that mean we poor folks can study too... but textbooks are so expensive."

"Hah, don't worry; His Majesty has already developed papermaking techniques, so books are now sold very cheaply."

"Is that so! Then I'd better hurry and buy a few sets!"

Ever since Xu Que slaughtered the Jiang family of the Five Surnames Seven Clans, things began to spiral out of control.

Building roads, making paper, opening trade, splitting the noble clans, raiding the Imperial Treasury...

One policy after another, as if prepared long in advance, began to be implemented step by step.

This pushed the broken Eastern Tang Kingdom toward prosperity.

After learning of the Jiang family massacre, Xuan Yuan Wanrong seemed to tacitly approve of Xu Que's methods; she no longer opposed anything, allowing him to gradually take over the entire court.

This meant that the Queen, who once held overwhelming power, was truly yielding the struggle for authority.

After all, in the end, their goals were ultimately consistent.

As long as Eastern Tang Kingdom could develop steadily without major upheavals, and the two of them could live out their days here in peace, successfully passing the trial, that would be the best outcome.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong still could not understand why Xu Que's mind always conjured up such strange ideas.

They seemed heretical, yet always achieved unexpected results, making the country better.

She even wondered: could it be that Xu Que's previous words were not mere nonsense, and he truly possessed the capability to become an emperor for the ages?

As time passed, Xuan Yuan Wanrong did not even realize that her view of Xu Que was changing bit by bit.

Time changes people most of all; in the blink of an eye, the two had been in this world for two years.

During these two years, Xu Que's various policies transformed Eastern Tang Kingdom into a powerful nation.

Although it still could not compare to Qin Kingdom, it was already worlds apart from Eastern Tang two years ago.

On this day, it was time for the court assembly again.

After the court dispersed, the two were in the Imperial Study, discussing how to develop their next steps.

"Report!"

Suddenly, a Eunuch rushed over hurriedly, knelt outside the door of the Imperial Study, and shouted loudly: "Queen, uh... Your Majesty, Qin Kingdom has sent an envoy!"

"Oh?"

Xu Que and Xuan Yuan Wanrong exchanged glances; after two years of adjustment, they knew each other well enough to read each other's thoughts.

Without needing words, they both understood: trouble had arrived at their doorstep.

"I'll handle it; you're not good at these matters," Xu Que said.

"..." Xuan Yuan Wanrong hesitated slightly before nodding, effectively giving her tacit approval.

The two stood up directly, opened the door of the Imperial Study, and strode out.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, the Qin Envoy stood among the crowd of officials, his expression arrogant, his eyes full of disdain.

The surrounding officials all had faces as dark as iron, whispering and discussing.

"This Qin Envoy is too arrogant!"

"There's no help for it... after all, Qin Kingdom has strong soldiers and mighty horses, already ruling more than half the lands of the Nine Provinces."

"This time they claim to be visiting, but who knows what intentions they are hiding!"

Hearing the surrounding discussions, the Envoy let out a Cold Smile, his expression becoming even more arrogant.

"His Majesty and the Queen have arrived!"

Accompanied by the Eunuch's shrill voice, Xu Que took his seat on the Dragon Throne, while Xuan Yuan Wanrong sat on the Phoenix Seat beside him.

The Envoy's eyes were full of disdain; he merely cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Monarch of Eastern Tang."

An Advisory Minister immediately stepped forward in anger: "Scoundrel! Paying respects to Your Majesty without performing the kowtow is gross disrespect!"

The expressions of the surrounding officials also contained hidden fury, each looking at him as if he were the murderer of their father.

Xu Que, however, waved his hand and said with a smile: "No harm done; a guest from afar is still a guest. May I ask what brings the Envoy here today?"

Xuan Yuan Wanrong glanced at him, somewhat surprised.

Although the two had already agreed on the way over that no matter how the Envoy provoked them, they must endure it.

After all, Qin Kingdom's faction was currently too powerful; if they truly fought, Eastern Tang Kingdom would be destroyed within three days.

Currently, they could not utilize even a shred of True Essence; they were purely two ordinary people, and naturally could not rely on the power of cultivators to crush Qin Kingdom.

Therefore, the only strategy now was to delay.

They needed to find a way to preserve Eastern Tang Kingdom first; with their literary strategies and martial prowess, they could completely plot slowly to overthrow Qin Kingdom.

But this required time.

Based on her understanding of Xu Que, This Lad would not be able to hold back.

At this moment, the Envoy straightened his body and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, Monarch, the Holy Monarch of Qin has sent Your Subject to your honorable country with only one decree."

He paused, looked around at the officials, and spoke word by word: "Surrender your honorable country!"

Crash!

The entire Great Hall instantly exploded into an uproar!

"What? Ask us to surrender?!"

"The King of Qin has gone too far! I'll f*** your mother!"

"Do you want to die saying that? I'll f*** your whole family!"

"Surrender before the battle even begins? Ridiculous! Even if it takes the entire might of our Eastern Tang Kingdom, we will fight this war!"

"Uh... Old Du, think clearly; we truly cannot win."

The envoy's words were too blunt, provoking the fury of the crowd.

Such behavior of urging surrender before fighting, between nations, was equivalent to declaring, "I've got you in my pocket; obey me obediently and I won't beat you."

To put it crudely, it was no different from shitting on the head of the Monarch of Eastern Tang.

Especially since these words were spoken by an envoy, it was an immense humiliation.

Unexpectedly, however, Xu Que showed no change, maintaining a smiling expression throughout.

After a moment, Xu Que waved his hand lightly to calm the scene.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong leaned close to his ear and whispered, "We can agree temporarily; currently, Eastern Tang Kingdom's national strength is weak, lacking sufficient troops to wage an all-out war."

Xu Que's expression remained unchanged: "How long do you think it will take us to match Qin Kingdom's national strength?"

"Ten... no, eight years."

Xuan Yuan Wanrong understood Eastern Tang Kingdom's capabilities: a large population, but weak military forces, compounded by outdated weaponry, which was why it had always maintained the posture of a weak nation.

Eight years would be entirely sufficient to forge it into a powerful kingdom.

By then, it would be fully capable of battling Qin Kingdom.

Xu Que nodded, the smile on his face growing even warmer.

If Duan Jiude were to see Xu Que's smile at this moment, he would surely shout: "This kid must be planning to stir up trouble again!"

"My beloved ministers, do not be impatient; the fact that the King of Qin sent an envoy shows he still possesses considerable sincerity."

Hearing the Monarch of Eastern Tang speak thus, the envoy's demeanor grew even more arrogant, assuming an overbearing posture.

"However... before making a decision, there are some words I hope the envoy can convey to the King of Qin on my behalf." Xu Que beckoned to the envoy, "Envoy, come forward; these words must not be heard by others."

The envoy sneered inwardly, thinking it was nothing but pleas for mercy, and approached the Dragon Throne.

The eyes of the court officials were nearly bursting with blood; several had already clenched their official caps in their hands, waiting only for Xu Que to announce his decision before throwing down their caps and departing.

"Monarch of Eastern Tang, what message do you have for our Holy Emperor?" the envoy asked with an air of arrogance.

Xu Que opened his mouth with a smile: "Tell the King of Qin to wash his neck clean... and wait to die!"