She is better at solving problems with Thunder action—she has been plotting for years to seize power (such as poisoning Xue Ye ), and she never hesitates to deal with any force that stands in her way. When facing an enemy force that has amassed a powerful army, military conquest is the most efficient method in her eyes.
However, this war of unification will bear a distinct " Spirit Hall imprint": she may mobilize the Spirit Hall's Soul Master to assist in the battle, and after the war, she will firmly grasp control of these regions in her own hands (and the Spirit Hall's confidants), essentially transforming the Heaven Dou Empire into a "vassal unified entity" of the Spirit Hall.
Thinking of this, Yu Tianheng stepped forward. "Your Majesty means..."
Xue Qinghe turned around, a sharp glint in his eyes. "What I want is not rivers of blood, but for them to understand who the true masters of the Heaven Dou are. Issue my decree: starting tomorrow, deploy the Imperial Guards to the border fortresses of the five provinces bordering the Heavenly Battle. At the same time, send imperial envoys to the various kingdoms and duchies to investigate taxes and replace the officials appointed by the Empire."
He paused, his tone growing even more somber. "If they know what's good for them and relinquish their autonomy, I can guarantee them wealth and honor; if they dare to resist..." Xue Qinghe's gaze swept over the deep golden area on the map, "... slaughter them without exception."
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the map, as if foreshadowing an impending power reshuffle. The consolidation of the Heaven Dou Empire was finally about to begin.
Inside the imperial study, Yu Tianheng frowned and slowly shook his head after listening to Xue Qinghe's plan to mobilize troops for the campaign.
Seeing his expression, Xue Qinghe's face darkened slightly, and she put down the vermilion brush in her hand. "What, do you think my idea is unfeasible?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Yu Tianheng bowed and said, "I fully understand Your Majesty's desire to unify the empire, but forcibly sending troops will ultimately lack legitimacy. Although those kingdoms and duchies are regional powers, they are still nominally vassals of the empire. A sudden military action may make the world think that Your Majesty is bloodthirsty and warlike even after ascending the throne."
Xue Qinghe tapped her fingertips on the table, her tone tinged with impatience. "Then what's your opinion?"
"In the name of the new emperor's ascension to the throne," Yu Tianheng raised his eyes, a glint of light in them, "His Majesty has just assumed the throne and should announce it to the world, summoning the vassal kings from all directions to pay homage. If we can invite the kings of the four kingdoms and that duke to Heaven Dou City, we can then place them under house arrest and use them to command their territories. In this way, we can regain power without losing a single soldier."
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "You're thinking too simply. They've been entrenched in their territory for decades; they're all old foxes, not three-year-old children. Why would they easily leave their own land and come to Heaven Dou City?"
He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the bustling scene outside the palace. His tone turned cold. "How is this any different from letting them walk right into a trap? It would be truly foolish of them to dare come."
Yu Tianheng showed no sign of panic. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, following Xue Qinghe's lead, his tone steady yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Your Majesty is absolutely right. They may not come. But what if they don't come?"
Xue Qinghe turned to look at him, a hint of inquiry flashing in her eyes.
"If they make excuses not to come, or simply ignore His Majesty's edict," Yu Tianheng said clearly, "Then that would be defying the imperial decree. For a new emperor to ascend the throne, it is already a great disrespect for vassal states not to come and offer their congratulations; to further defy the imperial decree would be no different from open rebellion."
He paused, then emphasized, "At that time, when Your Majesty launches another military campaign, it will be with a legitimate cause—not to annex vassal states, but to punish rebellious officials who defy imperial orders and uphold the laws of the empire. In this way, the people of the world will only praise Your Majesty for your strict enforcement of the law, and the subjects of those kingdoms and duchies will have nothing to say."
The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment, with only the scent of sandalwood wafting slowly through the air.
Yu Tianheng's words were like a sharp sword, completely cutting away any concerns about "lack of legitimate cause," leaving only a seemingly roundabout but actually more secure path.
As soon as Yu Tianheng finished speaking, Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up instantly, and his previous indifference vanished.
He sat back on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tracing the armrests, a meaningful smile curving his lips, "Well said, 'Disobeying imperial orders is tantamount to rebellion.' General Yu, this move was brilliant."
He looked up towards the outside of the hall, his voice suddenly turning stern. "Guards!"
The eunuch entered in response and bowed to receive the order.
"Draft an imperial edict," Xue Qinghe said in a deep voice. "Issue my decree that the Kings of the Balak Kingdom, the Silves Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Floran Kingdom, and the Kingdom of the Heavenly Eagle Kingdom, as well as the Duke of the Holy Spirit Duchy, shall depart within three days to pay homage to the new monarch in Heaven Dou City. Any delay will be considered disobedience."
The imperial edict was sent to the five locations by fast horses, and the air in Heaven Dou City seemed to tighten as a result.
However, the three-day deadline passed quickly, and only a few politely worded replies arrived at the Imperial Study.
King Barak stated that he had "suddenly fallen seriously ill and feared he would be unable to attend the court ceremony; he will depart immediately upon recovery."
King Silves declined the offer, citing "unrest on the border and the need for his personal command."
The two kingdoms of Floran and Heavenly Eagle didn't even bother with a perfunctory reply, leaving the envoys stranded at the post station.
The Duke of the Holy Spirit Duchy was even more straightforward, simply sending a servant to convey the message that "the Duchy is busy with affairs and cannot spare the time," and then there was no further communication.
Xue Qinghe tossed the perfunctory reports onto the table and sneered, "Just as I thought." These people seemed to have their own explanations, but without exception, they were all pretending to be ignorant, none of them willing to step into the "trap" of Heaven Dou City.
Xue Qinghe crumpled the evasive reports into a ball and threw them into the brazier beside him. The flames licked at the paper balls, and they quickly turned to ashes. His eyes were as cold as ice as he said to the eunuch in a deep voice, "Draft another imperial edict and send it by express courier."
"Tell those kings and dukes," Xue Qinghe's voice was devoid of warmth, each word like a sharpened blade, "That I have given them a chance. A new emperor's ascension to the throne and the coming of tribute from all directions are the proper imperial rites, yet they have made all sorts of excuses, treating my edicts as if they were nothing."
He paused, then his tone suddenly became more serious. "Let them think it over carefully—they must appear in Heaven Dou City within three days. If they still dare to make excuses and not come, then they are openly disregarding the majesty of the Empire and challenging my bottom line."
"At that time," Xue Qinghe tapped his fingertips heavily on the table, making a dull sound, "Don't blame me for being impolite. I will immediately order the mobilization of the Imperial Guards and the Royal Soul Master Legion, and their territory will be their target. When things reach that point, with swords drawn and rivers of blood flowing, don't blame me."
The imperial edict was issued again, this time with no hint of leniency, only naked threat and determination. The air in Heaven Dou City seemed to freeze instantly; a storm was brewing.