Chapter 516: with translation of chapter title

Although harsh, these are all honest words.

After all, if there's even a shred of recourse, who would want to cooperate with a bunch of untrustworthy outsiders?

Including Eleanor herself, she truly couldn't find a direction for development, so she threw caution to the wind and mixed with the Pioneers.

As for the other side, whether due to their own history or Yangyue experiences, the impression nobles left on players is utterly terrible.

Bullying men and women, imposing harsh levies, colluding with evil gods—they are simply a bunch of pure-born vermin, as standard as vermin can be.

Mutual dislike, players and nobles have an irreconcilable conflict, so Ji Ming didn't answer his question at all, but instead asked.

"Your Highness the Prince, let's speak plainly."

"You nominated Fiya to be princess; besides not wanting your sister to suffer as a brother, there must be other reasons, right?"

"Um..."

Seeing Philip feigning contemplation, apparently still unwilling to lose face, Ji Ming shook his head and had no choice but to smash the window as well.

"Or rather, you!"

"Why did you exert all your effort to pass the assessment and become a prince?"

Actually, this question doesn't need Philip to answer; anyone could know the answer, so Philip could be sure Ji Ming suddenly asking such a stupid question must have another meaning.

After pondering a moment, he sighed, then spoke more openly, probing.

"Because I... want to become the next king?"

"Exactly, because you're too eager to advance!"

Ji Ming raised his voice.

"So at least in your own eyes, you should already regard yourself as the future king, right?"

Philip froze, clenched his teeth, and nodded firmly.

"Of course!"

"Good, very spirited!"

Ji Ming echoed with a sound, then continued.

"Then I heard that forty years ago in Brilliance, during the reign of the Two Saints when the Emperor and Empress were vigorous, orders from the palace could reach any corner of the kingdom, with no one daring to question or defy them."

"Even twenty years ago in Brilliance, they could withstand opposition from countless great and small nobles, contribute manpower and resources, rally the nation's forces, and fully support the Changge Marquis's defensive war."

"But now? I'll say something disrespectful: in this era where the Emperor and Empress are aged and their control has slipped, two dukes who can't even get into the royal court dare to collude, forcing the king to concede!"

"What does this indicate?"

"This shows a strong king cannot possibly fear his own subjects!"

Now not only Fiya, but even Philip, who usually tricks others, is left bewildered.

He even felt... yeah, I'm the future king, why should I endure this trash's nonsense!

Damn!

His blood surging, he even gave Ji Ming a small salute before speaking loudly.

"Divine Select! Speaking of shame, these days I've felt dizzy and unsettled, as if my mind were blocked; hearing your words today truly cleared my confusion!"

After speaking, he poured a cup for Ji Ming and himself, then, like a rough bar patron, casually clinked and gulped it down.

But excitement aside, he quickly calmed down afterward.

He gave a light cough, then spoke seriously.

"Divine Select, I truly want to become king; will you support me?"

"Um..."

"Without exaggeration, regarding the nine feudal lords who have successfully tribulated in Brilliance's royal court, Ji Ming has enough confidence to push any of them onto the throne."

"Since this can include theoretically ineligible Eleanor, it naturally includes Philip, who wields great power and could be called a minor strategist of another world."

"But in terms of closeness, Eleanor is an ally from the start and practically a half-relative, so her priority is definitely highest among the nine."

"Ji Ming seems to have no reason to skip her and support Philip, who ranks second... unless he is a 【Data Lost】."

"Yet throughout history, whether in Yangyue or Earth, there's never been a shortage of madmen who crave the throne to the extreme and are willing to give everything for it."

"But if one studies monarchs' lives in detail, one would know this is absolutely one of the world's most bitter, difficult, and nauseating occupations."

"For example, the First Lionheart King Giuseppe, hailed as Yangyue World's emperor of all ages, quelled the chaos at the end of the Holy Tree era and founded the Shen Lin Wang Guo."

"He, who styled himself after Tang Taizong and Han Wu, hadn't even enjoyed blessings before meeting a fate like Song's ancestor—dying amid intrigue and deceit."

"Again, for instance, with a powerful transmigrator as a partner, he could fully display his abilities and even once become the restorer emperor Anton VI."

"In the end he still suffered utter defeat, losing his beloved daughter, exhausting affection, and could only drunkenly dream away in the inner chambers—a miserable ending."

"Alas, since the path to kingship is destined to be like walking on thin ice, how could the immature and unequipped Eleanor possibly reach the opposite shore?"

"Moreover, she is basically a good person—this good person... conscience of heaven and earth, can a good person be king?"

"With good luck, only self-destruction; with bad luck, hehe, the whole Brilliance will perish!"

"Therefore, even if Eleanor volunteers, Ji Ming will spare no effort to stop her from becoming king—that is a friend's duty and responsibility."

"But a state cannot go a day without a ruler; the old sun is failing, and even with SpiritGathering Liquid to prolong life, he won't last a few days."

"Thus, even just to avoid Brilliance civil strife and let the Fourth Calamity Plan proceed smoothly, the kingdom ought to have a clear heir."

"So Ji Ming's choice is..."

"Of course, I also think you're very fit to be king!"

"Although he doesn't think Philip's ability could make him a great sage for all ages, and he might not even manage to give Brilliance a hint of revival."

"But as long as he can maintain the foundation in the coming period, this investment is sure to profit."

"Ji Ming's support naturally pleased Philip, but just as he was beaming, Ji Ming shifted his tone."

"However, my saying this doesn't count; the separation of religious and royal authority is an ancestral iron law."

"I'm just a minor Divine Select; if you want to be king, you must strive yourself."

It was merely an objective fact that Philip knew, so his smile didn't fade; he simply waved his hand casually.

Translation: "It's just an objective fact, Philip knows that, so his smile didn't diminish, he just waved his hand nonchalantly."

We need to keep "Philip" as given.

"It's natural, it's natural!"

Translation: "That's natural, that's natural!"

Since Ji Ming has already decided to support Philip's ascension, he naturally ought to provide some substantive help to this important ally.

Translation: "But since Ji Ming has already decided to support Philip's ascension, naturally he also needs to provide some substantive help to this important ally."

Afterwards he again took history as a mirror and discussed with Philip how exactly to become a qualified king.

Translation: "So after that, he again took history as a mirror and discussed with Philip how exactly to become a qualified king."

Everyone is smart, so they reached many agreements, but they disagreed on how to deal with disobedient subjects.

Translation: "Everyone is smart, so they reached many consensuses, but on how to deal with disobedient subjects, the two ended up disagreeing."

When the usually benevolent Divine Chosen answered, "If you should cut, cut; if it really won't work, just kill them all," Philip, who wanted a conciliatory approach, was dumbfounded.

Translation: "Because when the usually benevolent Divine Chosen gave the answer 'if you should cut, cut; if it really won't work, just kill them all,' Philip, who wanted to choose appeasement, was dumbfounded."

"What... what? You... what does 'exterminate the nine clans' mean?"

Translation: "What... what? You... exterminate nine clans, what does that mean?"

There's nothing to be done; they grew up in different environments.

Translation: "No way, the two grew up in different environments."

In China on Earth, that era of warring feudal lords and power struggles actually ended when the Qin dynasty was established.

Translation: "In Huaxia on Earth, that era of warring feudal lords and power games actually ended when the Qin dynasty was established."

For the thousands of years thereafter, regardless of background or ethnicity, the founding emperors of every dynasty all chose the rule of 'enfeoff but not build'.

Translation: "In the thousands of years thereafter, regardless of birth or ethnicity, the founding emperors of all dynasties all chose the 'enfeoff but not build' game rule."

Regardless of rank, the empire's nobles and officials held only empty titles and stipends, with no real land power—like rootless water, they naturally could not stir up any waves.

Translation: "Regardless of rank, the imperial nobles and officials are merely empty titles and stipends, lacking real land power—like rootless water, they naturally cannot stir up waves."

And after Emperor Hongwu took the throne, it became even more extravagant: he abolished the prime minister, the head of all officials, established a cabinet answerable only to himself, not to mention exalted imperial authority, treating officials as domestic slaves, utterly destroying the pride of the scholar-official class.

Translation: "And after Emperor Hongwu (the 'Heavy Eight Brother') ascended the throne, it became even more exaggerated: he directly abolished the Chancellor, the head of all officials, established a cabinet responsible only to himself—not to mention, he made imperial power supreme, treating officials as household slaves, utterly crushing the pride of the scholar-official class."

So in Ji Ming's eyes, what damned nobles—those who are disobedient, clueless, lazy, useless—should all be physically eliminated!

Translation: "So in Ji Ming's eyes, what damn nobles—those who don't listen, don't understand, don't work, useless things—should all be physically optimized away!"

He even said the Zhu emperors were too barbaric; they should learn from Li Zicheng, frequently holding feasts of blessing and prosperity for everyone—how wonderful would that be!

Translation: "Even saying the Zhu family emperors are too barbaric; they should learn from the Rebel King, often give everyone a few tables of blessing feasts—wouldn't that be lovely?"

But the current development of the Yangyue world, although slightly altered under the influence of the Little Lion, remains overall similar to medieval Western Europe.

Translation: "But the current development achievements of the Yangyue World, although slightly altered under Little Lion's influence, are still overall similar to medieval Western Europe."

Thus, with continual intermarriage among the great families, not to mention domestic nobles, some energetic lineages with many children could even have distant relatives in neighboring countries.

Translation: "Thus, with continuous intermarriage among the major families, not to mention domestic nobles, some energetic households with many children might even have distant relatives in neighboring countries."

Now it's a fine mess—everyone you look at is a relative; how can the king freely execute traitors? After all, if you implicate too many, you might even end up killing your own mother in the blade!

Translation: "Now it's fine—lower your head, raise your head, everywhere are relatives; how can the king freely execute traitors? After all, if you implicate too heavily, even your mother could be caught in the blade!"

The best example of this is Mount & Blade.

Translation: "The best example of this is Mount & Blade."

For those common soldiers recruited by lords from villages or towns, you can arrest, imprison, sell, release, or even execute them—though the game may lack that function—there's no problem.

Translation: "Like those civilian soldiers recruited by lords from villages or towns, you can capture, imprison, sell, release, even execute—though the game lacks that function—there's no problem."

But would you dare to move a single finger of a captured noble?

Translation: "But do you dare to move a single finger of a captured noble?"

Hey, let me tell you: even if he's ruthless enough to repeatedly plunder your fief seventy or eighty times, you still have to feed him well, waiting for his relatives to come ransom him.

Translation: "Hey, let me tell you: even if he's ruthless enough to repeatedly plunder your fief seventy or eighty times, you still have to feed him well, waiting for his relatives to come ransom him."

Why? Because if you grit your teeth and kill him, not only will foreign nations turn against you, but even your own lords' favor toward you will plummet!

Translation: "Why? Because if you grit your teeth, harden your heart, and kill him, then not only will foreign states, but even domestic lords' favor toward you will plummet!"

There's no way around it—this is a lord, a lord… can a lord even be killed?

Translation: "No way, this is 'old master,' old master…… can old master also be killed?"

This is also one reason why the old-timers Xiaoguang and Ligang dared to speak loudly to the king: they were certain the old sun wouldn't dare do anything to them.

Translation: "This is also one reason why the pair of old-timers, Xiaoguang and Ligang, dared to speak loudly to the king: they were certain that Old Sun wouldn't dare do anything to them!"

Having grown up in such an environment, Philip naturally contracted this indecisive habit; when it comes to nobles, he just can't bring himself to be harsh.

Translation: "Having grown up in such an environment, Philip naturally caught this indecisive habit; regarding noble matters, he just can't bring himself to be ruthless."

However, Ji Ming didn't rush; he shook his head and decided to supplement with talk therapy.

Translation: "However, Ji Ming wasn't in a rush; instead, he shook his head and decided to supplement with talk therapy."

"Your Highness, I heard that when you first received your fief, your very first act was to reduce the peasants' tax rate while raising that on merchants—is that correct?"

Translation: "Your Highness Prince, I heard that when you first got your fief, your first act was to reduce peasants' tax rates while raising taxes on merchants—is that correct?"

Philip hesitated a moment: "... Yes."

Translation: "Philip hesitated a moment: '... Yes.'"

"Exactly! What can poor people have in their hands? Earning money from the rich is the right way; I really appreciate your wisdom and kindness!"

Translation: "Exactly! How many coins can a miserable wretch have? Earning money from the rich is the right way; I really appreciate your wisdom and kindness!"

Having first praised to then criticize, since he'd already lauded him to this point, Ji Ming naturally shifted his tone.

Translation: "First praise then suppress—since he'd already praised to this point, Ji Ming naturally shifted his tone next."

"But kindness must be applied in the right place!"

Translation: "But kindness also needs to be used in the right place!"

"Look, the nobles in the eastern and northern borders have grown disloyal to the royal family, yet you're still wondering whether there's a gentler way to solve the problem—that's just not smart!"

Translation: "Look, the nobles of the eastern and northern borders have already harbored disloyal intentions toward the royal family, yet you're still thinking about using gentler means to solve the problem—that's really not smart!"

The map previously spread on the table hadn't been put away, so Ji Ming naturally began to gesture on it.

Translation: "The map previously spread on the table hadn't been put away, so Ji Ming naturally gestured on it."

"Look at this land: back then, the defeat of the Ironclad Legion caused the Glorious forces to almost completely withdraw from the western border; twenty years have passed, have the Forest People really not come up with any more ideas?"

Translation: "Look at this land—back then the defeat of the Ironclad Legion caused the Huiguang forces to almost completely withdraw from the western border; now twenty years have passed, have the Deep Forest people really not come up with more ideas?"

"I saw at least three Forest masters on Mount Yunshen; since they've already lurked nearby, who can guarantee they haven't developed more allies within Glorious territory?"

Translation: "I saw at least three Deep Forest experts on Fallen God Peak; since they've already lurked near us, who can guarantee they haven't developed more allies within Huiguang territory?"

"Your Highness, think: if we continue to let these bad apples among the nobles keep wreaking havoc, when the Forest People arrive, with internal collusion and external pressure, the territory we Glorious may have to cede will likely increase—perhaps even all of it!"

Translation: "Your Highness, think: if we continue letting these bad apples among the nobles keep wreaking havoc, when the Deep Forest people arrive, with internal collusion and external pressure, the amount of territory our Huiguang will have to cede will likely only increase—maybe even all of it!"

Having said that, Ji Ming not only made simple hand gestures, but even his words carried a rising and falling cadence.

Translation: "Having said that, Ji Ming not only made simple hand gestures, but even his words carried a bit of rising and falling rhythm."

"Your Highness, we face imminent peril—Glorious's situation can no longer tolerate our hesitation!"

Translation: "Your Highness, in this critical moment of survival, Huiguang's situation can no longer tolerate our hesitation!"

"Powerful enemies surround us; life and death hang in the balance; Glorious needs our salvation!"

Translation: "Powerful enemies surround us; life and death hang in the blink of an eye; Huiguang needs our salvation!"

"Your Highness, what do you think?"

Translation: "Your Highness, what do you think?"

By now, this is no longer mere persuasion; it's a speech in the style of Xier, whose main thrust is incitement!

Translation: "By now, this is no longer mere babble; it's a speech of the same ilk as Xier's, mainly focused on incitement!"

So the effect was significant; as soon as the speech ended, Ji Ming heard a short, powerful—"Hmm!"

Translation: "So the effect was significant; after the speech stopped, Ji Ming immediately heard a short, powerful—'Mm!'"

"Good, very spirited!"

Translation: "Good, very spirited!"

Seeing that he had successfully hooked Philip into a smug grin, Ji Ming slapped the table and was about to…

Translation: "Seeing he had successfully hooked Philip into a pout, Ji Ming slapped the table, about to……"

Hey, wait a minute—does the Prince Consort's voice really sound that clear?

Translation: "Hey, wait a minute, does Prince Philip's voice sound that clear?"

Thus, the still‑hesitating Philip and the doubtful Ji Ming turned toward the sound and discovered it was like the background of a fighting game—the long‑forgotten Fiya.

Translation: "So the hesitant Philip and the doubtful Ji Ming followed the sound and saw that it was like the background panel of a fighting game—the long-forgotten Fiya."

As the third person at this table, she truly listened to the entire debate.

Translation: "As the third person at this table, she truly listened to the whole debate."

So not only the prince, but she, having been stirred by Ji Ming's impassioned speech, is now lowering her head in thought.

Translation: "So not only the prince, but she, having been affected by Ji Ming's incitement, is now lowering her head in thought."

Ji Ming: ……

Translation: "Ji Ming: ……"

"Hey sis, I'm just trying to con your brother—why are you also getting enlightened?!"

Translation: "Hey sis, I'm just messing with your brother—how come you're also starting to grasp the Dao!?"

And only when she noticed the surroundings had suddenly gone quiet did she, in a daze, lift her head.

Translation: "Only when she noticed the surroundings suddenly went quiet did she, in a daze, lift her head."

"Why aren't we continuing? Why are you all staring at me?"

Translation: "Why aren't we continuing? Why are you all staring at me?"

"Cough!"

Translation: "Cough!"

Prince Philip gave a sharp cough.

Translation: "Prince Philip gave a violent cough."

"You… Fiya, you just said you were tired, right? I'll ask the innkeeper to get you an upstairs room—it's getting late, you should rest first."

Translation: "You... Fiya, you just said you were tired, right? I'll ask the innkeeper to get you an upper room—it's late, you should rest first."

Fiya, fired up by Ji Ming's eloquent prose, had no intention of leaving; naturally she shook her head repeatedly.

Translation: "Fiya, fired up by Ji Ming's eloquent writing, had no intention of leaving; naturally she shook her head repeatedly."

"Huh? Brother, I'm not tired at all—I'm really enjoying listening."

Translation: "Ah? Brother, I'm not tired—I'm having a great time listening."

But Philip's attitude was firm; he grabbed her and started to pull her out.

Translation: "But Philip's attitude was firm; he grabbed her and headed out."

"Adult matters—what are you, a kid, fussing about? Go on, go on, don't bother me and the Divine Chosen while we discuss serious business!"

Translation: "Adult matters—what's a kid like you meddling for? Go, go, go, don't bother me and the Divine Chosen discussing important business!"

But I'm already twenty! Why do you always… Ji Ming, speak up for me!

Ji Ming didn't really care whether Fiya was present or not; after all, it's just an extra pair of ears, but I'm the one who deals AoE mental damage.

But if saying that Eleanor cannot advance further is his disagreement, then Fiya simply cannot become king.

There's no way, with Philip, this die-hard siscon who would love to take over everything, around, Fiya has no leadership ability to speak of; getting involved would just harm others and herself.