Securing a Direct Berth in the Finals

At the Star Luo Emperor's question—

The entire Imperial Study fell silent for a while, and not one prince stepped forward to answer first.

The quality of their answers would determine which team could skip the preliminaries. They had to consider it carefully.

The Star Luo Emperor was in no hurry either. He returned to his dragon throne and quietly watched his sons.

After several minutes, the Second Prince spoke first.

"Father Emperor, your son believes we should not go to war for now.

"The cost of a campaign would be too great, and the losses would outweigh the gains. I believe we should instead send envoys to negotiate peace, offering wealth and a marriage alliance.

"That would buy us a period of peace in which to rest and recuperate. We could use that time to strengthen our military.

"Once an opportunity arises for our forces to crush them with ease, we can send out our troops and wipe them out in one stroke."

After hearing the Second Prince's words, the Star Luo Emperor said nothing. He looked at the other princes and asked,

"What are your answers?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Dai Weisi stepped forward and said confidently,

"Your son believes we must send out our troops!

"Not only must we send them out, we must assemble our strongest army, crush the enemy in a single battle, and root out the threat forever!

"Only by doing so and displaying Star Luo's might will we ensure that no one dares provoke our Star Luo Empire again.

"If we sue for peace as my second brother suggested, we will only make these enemies more and more brazen.

"That is all your son has to say."

After hearing Dai Weisi's words, the Star Luo Emperor nodded slightly.

Next, the Fourth and Fifth Princes each gave their answers. The Fourth Prince favored war, while the Fifth Prince favored peace.

Their answers merely made slight adjustments to those of their eldest and second brothers, offering nothing new.

In the end, Dai Chengqian was the only one who had yet to answer.

Seeing that Dai Chengqian still had not answered, Dai Weisi felt that he probably had no good answer either.

The answer to this question amounted to nothing more than favoring war or peace.

Judging by His Majesty's expression, he leaned toward war.

Dai Weisi had already been the first to advocate war, presenting clear, orderly arguments. Whatever Dai Chengqian said afterward would, at best, only match his answer.

At that thought, Dai Weisi looked at Dai Chengqian and said with a laugh,

"What is it, sixth brother? You still haven't answered. Is Father Emperor's question that difficult?

"Isn't it simply a choice between war and peace?

"If you really can't decide, why not just pick one at random? Hahaha."

Casting a glance at the smug Dai Weisi, Dai Chengqian looked at the Star Luo Emperor and said,

"Father Emperor, my answer is neither simply to wage a decisive war nor simply to sue for peace."

"Bullshit! How is that an answer?"

At Dai Chengqian's words, Dai Weisi immediately grew agitated. He felt that Dai Chengqian was trying to get away with a slippery answer.

Dai Weisi hurriedly addressed the Star Luo Emperor.

"Father Emperor, your question was whether we should pursue war or peace. Sixth brother chose neither. He's clearly exploiting a loophole in your question. He..."

The Star Luo Emperor raised a hand to interrupt Dai Weisi and said,

"What's the rush? Be quiet and listen to what your sixth brother has to say next."

"Yes, Father Emperor."

Dai Weisi had no choice but to swallow the rest of his words and turn a cold gaze on Dai Chengqian.

He wanted to see just what answer Dai Chengqian could offer that was better than his.

Dai Chengqian continued,

"First, we must reinforce our border fortresses and offer small-scale resistance against the barbarians who come to harass us, but under no circumstances should we launch a distant campaign.

"Second, the barbarian tribes in the northeast are not a solid slab of iron. We should open border trade and allow peaceful tribes to trade with us.

"That way, we can divide the enemy, winning some over while striking at others.

"Third, once we have accomplished the first two points, we will have ample time to build up our national strength and wait for internal strife among them or another opportunity.

"When the time comes, whether we choose war or peace, the initiative will be in our hands.

"Remember, we are not the barbarians' only enemy. By then, those barbarians might even come back to beg us for help."

"Good! Well said!"

The Star Luo Emperor was immensely pleased with Dai Chengqian's answer.

Before asking this question, he had never expected any of his sons to offer such an answer.

He rose to his feet, looked at his sons, and said,

"Each of your answers has its merits, but only your sixth brother's answer truly satisfied me.

"Eldest, fourth, you two are too eager to fight and prove your fierceness. You failed to consider the consequences of exhausting our national strength through reckless militarism.

"Second, fifth, you two are far too weak.

"Only your sixth brother understood how to judge the times and weigh the situation. He considered everything thoroughly and even offered a concrete plan.

"This direct berth in the finals will go to him."

With that, the Star Luo Emperor waved a hand and said,

"All right, all right. You may all leave.

"The tournament begins in a few days. I will be watching your performances throughout, so do not disappoint me."

After leaving the Imperial Study—

Dai Chengqian patted Dai Weisi on the shoulder and said with a smile,

"Eldest Prince, your little brother has advanced to the finals first. You're not angry, are you?"

Dai Weisi gave a smile that never reached his eyes.

"Sixth brother, spare me your barbed remarks.

"Getting into the finals early doesn't mean you've won the championship.

"There will be thirty-three teams in the finals. Don't get eliminated by another team before you even face me."

Dai Chengqian waved a hand indifferently.

"No rush, no rush. The finals are still a long way off.

"I'm planning to go have some fun in Heaven Dou with Sister Zhu Yun for a few days and learn a little about our opponents in the finals while we're there."

Having used Zhu Zhuyun to needle Dai Weisi, Dai Chengqian was in excellent spirits and hummed a tune as he headed out of the palace.

Watching the pleased Dai Chengqian, Dai Weisi felt deeply frustrated.

He had thought his answer was already excellent, but he had never expected Dai Chengqian's to be even better.

He had never heard of Dai Chengqian having a talent for statecraft or proposing strategies before. It was as though he had seen a ghost.

Dai Weisi stared coldly at Dai Chengqian's retreating figure and thought viciously,

Dai Chengqian, I'll let you strut around for a few more days. Once we reach the finals, I'll show you what despair means.

After returning to the Imperial Prince's Residence, Dai Chengqian immediately sent someone to tell the women that they would not need to participate in the preliminaries.

Then Dai Chengqian went to Zhu Zhuyun's room first.

Zhu Zhuyun had been meditating and cultivating. Upon seeing Dai Chengqian, she immediately came forward and hugged his arm.

"Your Sixth Highness, you're amazing! Since we don't have to enter the preliminaries, we can use this time to cultivate more and improve."

Feeling the softness against his arm, Dai Chengqian nudged it, then pinched Zhu Zhuyun's fair, tender chin and said with a smile,

"Yes, and we can use this time to play a few more games together."

Zhu Zhuyun lightly thumped Dai Chengqian's chest and chided him coquettishly,

"The tournament is almost here. Your Highness must show restraint!"

"All right, I'll definitely show restraint next time."

Zhu Zhuyun was scooped up around the waist and tossed heavily onto the bed.

Two hours later, Dai Chengqian successfully raised his connection level by one.

Lying face down on the disheveled bed, Zhu Zhuyun looked at Dai Chengqian and complained,

"Your Highness, you were too rough.

"Ever since your soul power increased, your body has been growing stronger and stronger.

"I think it's time to find a little sister to share some of the burden."

Hearing Zhu Zhuyun's words, Dai Chengqian felt that she had a point.

Among all his red luans, Zhu Zhuyun was currently the only one with whom he could raise his connection level.

Of the other red luans currently bound to him, Zhu Zhuqing had the highest affection. It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to make a breakthrough.

With that thought, Dai Chengqian said goodbye to Zhu Zhuyun and went to Zhu Zhuqing's residence.