The Incompetent Great King Isn't Bad Either!

In Longde Hall, many court officials were eagerly awaiting.

"My esteemed ministers, what significant event has occurred that necessitated the use of the morning drum?"

Di Xin sat steadily on the dragon throne, looking at the crowd below.

The ministers exchanged glances, then looked up at the Great King. A hint of surprise showed on their faces as they thought to themselves, What happened? Don't you know yourself, Great King?

Prime Minister Shang Rong, as the head of all court officials in the hall, stepped forward first and said, "Great King, there is a widespread rumor in Chaoge that yesterday, you were captured within a magical artifact by people from the Daoist sect. Initially, your humble servant and others did not believe it, but after sending people to investigate on the streets, we confirmed it to be true. Your Majesty is of golden stature; how can you leave the palace so easily? If..."

Di Xin knew that the rest of his speech would be akin to a curse, so he interrupted before Shang Rong could finish, replying, "Yesterday, this King went to the streets for an unannounced visit to understand the suffering of the common people. Unexpectedly, I was caught in the crossfire. This King will not leave the palace so easily in the future."

"Understand the suffering of the common people?"

Shang Rong pursed his lips, finally suppressing the rest of his words. He could ascertain the situation on the streets, and naturally, he also knew about the matter between the Great King and Gun Juan.

"That's right. Are all my esteemed ministers satisfied now? If there is nothing else, then we shall adjourn court!"

As Di Xin spoke, he prepared to rise.

Shang Rong quickly stepped forward, "Great King, the main business has not yet been discussed. I heard that yesterday, those people disrespected Your Majesty and placed you in danger. Your Majesty's safety concerns the foundation of this dynasty. Our court is not without capable individuals. I request Your Majesty to issue a decree to dispatch personnel to protect you."

"As you wish!"

Upon hearing this, Di Xin raised an eyebrow and immediately nodded.

The court officials exchanged glances, feeling both amused and exasperated. How afraid of death is this Great King? He agreed without even asking who would be dispatched?

Shang Rong's mouth twitched a few times, and he suppressed the urge to complain. He continued with the main business, "I petition for Grand Tutor Wen Zhong to return to the capital. For the pacification of the North Sea rebellion, I recommend King Wu Cheng of Zhenguo to take over."

Di Xin stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. "In this King's opinion, let's not pacify those seventy-two feudal lords, and Minister Huang need not go either. This will avoid wasting resources and manpower, and prevent the loss of too many soldiers."

As soon as he said this, everyone was stunned.

Great King, are you joking?

Eight hundred towns of Yin Shang, and seventy-two feudal lords have rebelled. If you don't quell the rebellion, more lords will likely revolt. By then, with flags of rebellion everywhere, it will be impossible to suppress them.

Is he just going to give up?

"What is it? Is something amiss?" Seeing everyone staring at each other without speaking, Di Xin surveyed the crowd below and asked.

Huang Feihu immediately stepped forward and submitted, "Great King, if we do not quell the rebellion, and the rebels grow powerful, it will be too late to regret it!"

Di Xin smiled dismissively, "Minister Huang, no need to rush. It has not reached that severe a stage. In the past, you repeatedly submitted memorials requesting a reduction in the annual taxes for the populace. At that time, due to certain special circumstances, this King did not approve. Now, this King approves. We shall reduce the annual tax by thirty percent. With this, the people of the seventy-two feudal states will surely request a reduction, leading to internal strife. This is how to subdue the enemy without fighting."

"Your Majesty is wise! We, on behalf of the myriad people, thank Your Majesty for your great benevolence!"

As soon as Di Xin finished speaking, the court officials, led by Shang Rong, immediately knelt in Longde Hall.

Previously, due to the heavy burden of imperial taxes, the court officials had repeatedly requested reductions, but King Zhou had refused. Now, he had proactively proposed this matter, which was truly beyond everyone's expectations.

"Alright, alright, no need for thanks. All ministers, hurry and carry out the orders. Remember to have Grand Tutor Wen return to the capital overnight and arrange defenses. Bring back as many troops as possible to protect us!"

Di Xin waved his hand kindly.

The court officials couldn't help but exchange glances again.

They had initially thought that the Great King had finally embarked on the path of virtue and love for his people, only to discover that it was all for more troops to return to the capital to protect him.

For a moment, everyone felt a slight disappointment, but the reduction of taxes for the populace was, after all, a tremendous good thing.

"Is there anything else? If you have something to report, speak now. If not, we shall adjourn."

This time, Di Xin surprisingly preempted the eunuchs and spoke directly.

"Great King, there is one small matter to report to Your Majesty!" At this moment, Bi Gan stepped forward, holding his tablet, "Yesterday, Your Majesty ordered us to thoroughly investigate the crimes of Fei Lian and E Lai. We have confirmed the charges. Not only are they true, but they are also more serious than imagined. They not only embezzled a large amount of imperial funds and disregarded human lives, but they also perverted justice for personal gain. They deserve death. It is a pity that those two treacherous officials already hanged themselves last night out of guilt."

"Hanged themselves?"

Di Xin looked at Bi Gan with an expression of disbelief.

Bi Gan tilted his head back and looked directly at Di Xin, "Yes, they indeed hanged themselves!"

Di Xin sighed, "Alas... hanging oneself must be painful. Slitting one's throat is more straightforward. Since they are dead, this matter ends here. Apart from confiscating their property, do not involve their families!"

Bi Gan and the others breathed a long sigh of relief. They hadn't expected this matter to be so easily glossed over. As for how Fei Lian and E Lai died, they knew best.

Judging by the Great King's words, it seemed they could go a step further... to confiscate property?

"As you command, Your Majesty is wise! We have nothing else..."

Bi Gan quickly bowed and retreated, even reminding Di Xin, lest the Great King come to his senses and retract the order to confiscate property.

However, on the other side, before Bi Gan could finish speaking, Di Xin had already risen and left Longde Hall, passing through the screen.

He left behind the many ministers in the hall, all feeling fortunate. The Great King's foolishness didn't seem like a bad thing!

After adjourning court, Di Xin went to the site of the Imperial Study. You Hun was directing the Imperial Guards and artisans who were busy working.

He took a casual look, expressed his concern for this important project of the Royal Palace, and then leisurely departed.

Next, he went to the Imperial Garden, inhaling the fragrance of the plants, and reread the Immortal Yuan Records multiple times.

After careful consideration, he still did not take the Spirit Pill, which could provide the equivalent of ten years of cultivation.

The situation outside was still unclear, and he did not know the whereabouts of Zhao Gongming, Yang Jian, and the others.

He had not sent anyone to inquire either; being too concerned might arouse suspicion from others.

The Spirit Pill could be taken at any time to increase cultivation by ten years, so there was no rush.

According to his thoughts, the entire Chaoge City was likely under the surveillance of those Qi Cultivators, and it was even possible that the Royal Palace was included.

If he were to substitute himself for any one of them, he knew he wouldn't let this matter rest.

One day passed without incident.

In the evening, to avoid attracting attention, Di Xin lay in his bedroom in Shouxian Palace, pretending to be asleep, while actually examining the treasures within the System's space.

The Sky-Howling Dog gnawed on one item, then another.

It completely ignored the Pine Wood Sword gifted by Yun Zhongzi, pushing it far away. It was clear the sword had some effect on the Sky-Howling Dog as well, though perhaps its profound cultivation limited the impact.

It was a pity he couldn't use it yet; otherwise, he would have had some means of self-preservation.

As he observed, a chilling sensation suddenly arose, and immediately after, two lines of text appeared before his eyes.