The court was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. No one could figure out what Di Xin wanted to do, and naturally, no one dared speak out of turn.
A thousand-foot-tall tower, built by a hundred thousand slaves—though it appeared imposing, it was actually of no concern to them.
The land belonged to Di Xin, as did the money, grain, and slaves. It would not affect their interests at all, much less shake them to their foundations.
They simply did not know what Di Xin was ultimately trying to accomplish with this chain of events. They could no longer understand Di Xin. That was the most dangerous sign of all!
"Great King, the Grand Tutor is still fighting Yuan Futong in the North Sea. With Chaoge building on such a massive scale, is that not a little..."
Inappropriate.
Royal Uncle Bi Gan spoke first. The atmosphere in the great hall eased once more, and all the officials seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as they watched the two men intently, afraid of missing even the slightest useful bit of information.
"Royal Uncle Bi Gan, do not be impatient. I will ask only one question: if this thousand-foot tower and a hundred thousand slaves can bring the Grand Tutor a great victory and a triumphant return, will it be worth it?"
Di Xin asked with complete confidence.
"Worth it! Let alone one tower—even three or five! Even if all two hundred thousand slaves worked themselves to death, it would still be worth it!"
Bi Gan answered with absolute firmness!
The common people and soldiers were the foundation of Yin Shang. Slaves... were merely property!
In the Nine-Room Hall, aside from a handful of people, no one would regard slaves as human beings. Trading a pile of property for victory in a war was simply too worthwhile!
"Exactly. I intend to use this tower to exchange for a great victory in the North Sea!"
The Kongtong Seal vanished from Di Xin's hand. He swept his sleeve, descended the jade steps from the elevated platform, and headed toward Qingxian Hall without the slightest hesitation.
After Di Xin left, the civil and military officials looked at one another, completely unsure what to do. At that moment, a court usher stepped forward and shouted:
"Court dismissed! Royal Uncle Bi Gan, Prime Minister Shang Rong, King Wucheng Huang Feihu, and Grand Tutors Fei Zhong and You Hun, go to Qingxian Hall to discuss state affairs!"
"Yes!"
Inside Qingxian Hall, Di Xin stroked the Kongtong Seal, his thoughts racing in all directions.
If this succeeded, it would accomplish three things with one stroke!
The first was to gather extraordinary people from across the realm and put them to use for the state.
The first target was Kong Xuan, the Peacock Great Bright King. If the Western Lands could have him, then Chaoge could have him too!
The second target was the slaves. Once the Star-Gathering Pavilion was built, the hundred thousand slaves would become commoners—a preliminary effort to free the slaves and observe the results.
And the third target was Yuan Futong of the North Sea. He had forced Wen Zhong to campaign against him for years. Di Xin wanted to see who was really behind him!
"Everything is proceeding in an orderly fashion. The general momentum cannot be changed? Then I will use the small to move the great momentum and see whether it can truly remain unchanged!"
"Great King, Royal Uncle Bi Gan, Prime Minister Shang Rong, King Wucheng Huang Feihu, and the two Grand Tutors, Fei Zhong and You Hun, are waiting outside the hall."
"Let them in. Grant them seats!"
"Yes!"
Before long, everyone entered the great hall. They clasped their hands before them and bowed in thanks before taking their seats on either side.
"May I ask what matter the Great King has summoned us to discuss?"
Royal Uncle Bi Gan looked at Di Xin, confusion on his face. Everything had already been settled. What else could there be to discuss?
"Royal Uncle, do not rush. It is still a matter concerning the Star-Gathering Pavilion."
Di Xin laughed, dispelling everyone's concerns before continuing:
"The Star-Gathering Pavilion is currently Yin Shang's foremost undertaking, and its implications are extraordinary. Therefore, I am not at ease entrusting it to anyone else."
"Then what does the Great King intend?"
Fei Zhong's eyes lit up. So that was it? We were here to divide the cake and skim off some oil. This is what I'm best at!
"Shang Rong, Huang Feihu, You Hun, heed my command!"
Di Xin's tone changed, and the atmosphere instantly grew solemn.
"Your subjects are here!"
The three ministers rose and saluted, awaiting Di Xin's decree.
"The construction of the Star-Gathering Pavilion will be overseen by Prime Minister Shang Rong, assisted by Grand Tutor You Hun. Huang Feihu will lead five thousand soldiers to guard the site. As I stated in the great hall, select a hundred thousand slaves and begin work immediately! I have only one requirement: all one hundred thousand slaves must remain alive!"
"Great King, this..."
The five men present were all stunned by Di Xin's words. Even Shang Rong found it hard to believe. Build a palace without any slaves dying? How was that possible?
"Were you about to say it is impossible? I want one hundred thousand able-bodied slaves. Anyone who dares play games with me over this matter will lose the heads of his entire family!"
Di Xin's gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on You Hun. His words were like the bitter winter wind, chilling everyone to the bone.
You Hun shuddered. Feeling Di Xin's gaze on him, he raised his head with difficulty. The instant he met Di Xin's sharp brows and star-bright eyes, cold sweat broke out all over his body.
It's over, it's over. Is he talking to me? This isn't a good assignment at all—it's a deadly one!
"Your subject Shang Rong accepts the decree!"
Di Xin had spoken with such finality that Shang Rong naturally would not contradict him again. Recalling what the guards had said outside the door earlier, he also formed a few guesses.
If this succeeded, it would be an undertaking that would last for ages. No wonder the Three Sovereigns of antiquity had all favored Di Xin!
"Your subject Huang Feihu accepts the decree!"
"Your, your subject You Hun accepts, accepts the decree."
You Hun accepted it with trembling fear, but he hardened his heart. If this succeeds, I can certainly push Fei Zhong aside and monopolize the Great King's favor. I will never have to share his favor with Fei Zhong again! Since that is the case, I cannot be blamed, You Hun. Whether you are a royal prince, a high minister, or a feudal lord, you will all hand over the strongest slaves in your households! Even if I die, I will drag you down with me!
"Then go and make preparations for this matter first."
Seeing the viciousness hidden in You Hun's eyes, Di Xin nodded in satisfaction. This was precisely why he had let You Hun participate!
Shang Rong and Huang Feihu were both upright men. They could not carry out this kind of "good deed" that would incur the wrath of Heaven and humanity. You Hun, however, did not care about such things. He would muddy the waters first, making it easier for Shang Rong and Huang Feihu to act, while allowing Di Xin to see clearly who was thinking what.
"Yes!"
The three men saluted and withdrew, leaving the puzzled Bi Gan and Fei Zhong behind.
"Great King, what if someone among the hundred thousand slaves dies of illness?"
Royal Uncle Bi Gan still felt that Di Xin's actions were unconscionable. Was this something a human being should do?
"Your temper is growing more impatient by the day, Royal Uncle. Hahaha!"
Di Xin laughed and shook his head, but deliberately continued:
"There are extraordinary people among You Hun's retainers. If anyone falls ill, have them treat the patient. That is no great matter. The truly important matter is what I need you and Fei Zhong to do!"
Important matter? Building the thousand-foot Star-Gathering Pavilion without a single death among a hundred thousand slaves was not important? Then just how important was the matter going to be?
Fei Zhong was secretly alarmed. He was more flustered than anyone because he could no longer fathom Di Xin's intentions. For a villain, there was nothing more fatal than that!
"What sort of important matter could make the Great King so solemn?"
Bi Gan asked curiously.
"That important matter is the General of Sanshan Pass, Kong Xuan! Royal Uncle, take my royal edict and go with Fei Zhong to Golden Rooster Ridge to invite him to Chaoge!"
As Di Xin spoke, he took out the Kongtong Seal, activated the Human Race Destiny, and gently pressed it onto the silk!
Within Yin Shang, the only thing that could move Kong Xuan's heart was the profound Human Race Destiny!
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