Cuju (ancient Chinese football)
race?
Are you having so much fun?
Nan Ke frowned. Something was clearly wrong. Could it be that Great Liang wasn't paying attention to this, which was why they were messing around and letting themselves go?
If that's the case, then that's quite interesting.
Is this a continuation of the war against the Frostwest Empire?
He took a deep breath and muttered, "No, we absolutely cannot be careless, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
If we are careless, we could face destruction.
He quickly made a decision, saying in a deep voice, "We must immediately begin conscription within the country, and at the same time, we must destroy all the surrounding small countries. We must strengthen our own power in order to better confront the Great Liang."
Furthermore, we need to send people into the Frostwest Empire and the Great Liang. We need to truly unite with the Frostwest Empire against the Great Liang Empire, while also trying to win over the Great Liang.
The Great Liang is currently very powerful, so I need to curry favor with him. But once he starts fighting the Frostwest Empire, don't blame me for taking back my investment with interest.
I'll give you a good spanking then, and you'll be crying your eyes out.
"Your subject understands!" Zan Rihong nodded; at this moment, this was the only option.
The other side's intentions are unclear, but we can't afford to take it lightly, or people will die.
Compared to the tense atmosphere elsewhere, Great Liang is currently filled with joy.
A banquet was held at Chengtian Gate to celebrate with the people!
When the news spread throughout the capital, the entire Yong'an City was in an uproar, and the people flocked to the streets outside Chengtian Gate, waiting eagerly.
The entire Vermilion Bird Avenue was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, adding a festive touch to this already bustling street, and everyone's eyes were drawn to that one gate.
The area inside Chengtian Gate is the Imperial City, which is only accessible to high-ranking officials and members of the royal family. It was previously kept strictly secret from them, but unexpectedly, the Emperor has opened this gate this time.
" Chengtian Gate has been a forbidden area for commoners since ancient times. Your Majesty has broken the ancestral rules."
"It is said that because of the great victory in the Western Regions, coupled with the recent positive development of the Great Liang, the Emperor is in high spirits and has decided to hold a banquet for all officials at Chengtian Gate. He will also share the joy with the people, and there will be many performances!"
"That's Chengtian Gate, the actual location of the imperial city. The Emperor has actually opened it to the common people. This is wonderful for us!"
"Nonsense! The Emperor himself said he wanted to share joy with the people. What kind of joy is it if they're locked up? Of course, the people should feel warmth and comfort."
The locals were all in high spirits, bringing their families to watch the show. The vendors also seized the opportunity, bringing their small goods over one by one, knowing there were plenty of customers here.
Among the crowd, Jiang Li and the others watched all of this quietly, as if it were all a dream.
In just over a month, Lin Yi went from sweeping across the All Under Heaven, unifying the North and South, and establishing the Great Liang Dynasty, to now utterly destroying the Jackal Kingdom and the entire Western Regions. This is simply a myth.
He couldn't help but murmur, "The current emperor is truly a divine being!"
The twenty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, which had existed for hundreds of years, were now wiped out by the current emperor. At first, he couldn't even believe the news.
But thinking of the Jackal Kingdom he had previously encountered, he accepted it.
After all, even the Jackal Kingdom, the little bully of the plateau, was swatted like flies. Although there were more countries in the Western Regions, they would only be swatted a few more times.
Beside him, Li Siyuan couldn't help but sigh deeply, saying softly, "Now I'm starting to believe that the Emperor is the reincarnation of the Great Emperor Zhenwu. His strength is truly outrageous! My uncle Li Anlan really overestimated himself back then!"
Why!
This person is no match for others.
A Mao, standing beside him, was somewhat displeased. He frowned and said, "Father-in-law, we voluntarily surrendered to Great Liang, and even if we haven't made any great contributions, we have certainly put in a lot of effort. But the emperor is giving us all sinecure positions, which is a bit too much!"
He was, after all, the son-in-law of the Grand Elder of the Southern Tusi (chieftain), yet he only received a minor official position. This was utterly unacceptable to him; it felt like bullying.
"What do you want? You still want to be prime minister?" Jiang Li's eyes narrowed immediately, looking at his son-in-law with a strange expression. This kid is getting a little arrogant.
As for his status, he, as a surrendered official, did not have excessive demands.
After joining the Great Liang, Jiang Li received the title of Marquis of Marquis of Carefree Wanderings, and then became a local governor, a far cry from his former position of being above ten thousand others.
Although he has recently been sidelined by Li Ru, he is already content. At least he hasn't been discarded like a used tool; the Emperor has been quite lenient.
Compared to Hulan Chanyu Hulan of the Jackal Kingdom, this was simply bliss!
Upon hearing this, A Mao smiled wryly and said, "Father-in-law, now that Great Liang has conquered so much territory, it will surely establish more governor's offices. We should go and try to win them over, otherwise, others will get all the benefits!"
"Brother-in-law, I think you're the one who wants to be the governor, aren't you?"
Jiang Tao, Jiang Li's only son, saw his brother-in-law's eyes turn unfriendly and sneered, " A Mao, remember one thing: what the Emperor gives you is yours. You want to be the governor of Great Liang? Do you think you can do it?"
Holy crap!
One sentence enraged A Mao, his face turning green instantly. He snapped, " A Tao, are you crazy? I'm your brother-in-law! We're family! How can you talk to me like that?"
To tell someone to their face that I can't do it is utterly humiliating.
"Hmph, I didn't want you to court death, but you're the one who's looking for it, you know that?" Jiang Tao glanced at him and sneered.
He currently works at the Court of Diplomatic Reception, and his superior is Zhang Fei (Zhang Yide). Naturally, he knows the strength of the Great Liang, which is absolutely ruthless.
They talk about peace with foreign powers and winning people over with Win People Over with Virtue, but if they go against the will of the Great Liang and the current Great Emperor Zhenwu, they are simply courting death.
The last to say this were the five kingdoms of the Western Regions. They wanted better treatment. It was only after Jiang Tao personally witnessed Grand Master Zhang Fei winning people over with his Win People Over with Virtue while carrying a spear that he realized how fortunate they were.
What the hell is this talk of Win People Over with Virtue? Both civil and military virtues are decided by the emperor. If you don't submit, he'll just beat you into submission.
If the southern chieftains hadn't surrendered earlier, they would probably be following Li Anlan by now.
My brother-in-law has gotten a bit arrogant lately. He's been a minor official for a few days and is already satisfied. He actually wants to use his surrender to get promoted to a higher position. Isn't that just asking for trouble?
Does the emperor care if his southern chieftains surrender?
They don't care at all; they're just swatting a few more flies.
"You!"
A Mao's expression changed drastically. He pointed at Jiang Tao, but seeing Jiang Li's gloomy eyes, he immediately shrank back and whispered, "Father-in-law, I'm not feeling well. I'll go back and rest first."
After saying that, without waiting for Jiang Li's reply, he turned and left.
As they watched his retreating figure, the arena fell silent.