Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 1184: Chapter 96 Shou Zhe! How many cards do you have up your sleeve? (Requesting monthly ticket)_4 Chapter 1184: Chapter 96 Shou Zhe! How many cards do you have up your sleeve? (Requesting monthly ticket)_4 “Damn it, damn it—puh!”

Prince De Xin finally couldn’t hold back, spewing a mouthful of blood, nearly fainting.

Not only had he been thoroughly outmaneuvered by Wang Shouzhe from start to finish, but even his trusted aides had secretly pledged allegiance to Wang Shouzhe.

In such a situation, how could he not lose? Not losing would be a true anomaly.

“Sigh~~” Xiao Limo sighed deeply, “Master Shouzhe’s strategies are profound and his insights into human nature are keen; Prince De Xin’s defeat is well-deserved.”

“Shouzhe once studied the military strategies of the Grand Marshal, and he held him in high regard, unfortunately…” Wang Shouzhe said with regret, “One wrong move leads to another, and soon the whole game is lost. It truly is lamentable.”

“It’s not lamentable, reaching this point today is all down to my own faults, blaming others is unreasonable.” Xiao Limo shook his head, “It’s because I lacked the courage to accept reality, and my selfishness was too narrow, not wanting the Military Xiao’s to fall into disgrace because of me, and therefore I was willing to be coerced by De Xin.”

“As for the affairs of Great Marshal Xiao, it’s beyond my control, let His Majesty worry about it.” Wang Shouzhe shook his head.

“Hmph!” Emperor Longchang glared at Wang Shouzhe, “You are indeed cunning, but perhaps not cautious enough? Aren’t you afraid that the Personal Guard Brigade will rebel along with Xiao Limo? You should have informed me earlier. Thankfully, I followed here, just in time to deliver the final blow, intimidating everyone present.”

“Your Majesty, have confidence in yourself, the military families you’ve built during your reign possess a high sense of honor and loyalty.” Wang Shouzhe calmly stated, “There are hundreds in the Grand Marshal’s Personal Guard, tied to dozens, even hundreds of military families. After fully understanding the situation, how many would forsake their family’s honor and loyalty to rebel?”

“We are loyal to the Great Emperor, with no second thoughts towards Da Qian, please discern this clearly, Your Majesty,” soldiers from the Marshal’s Royal Guard promptly responded in unison upon hearing this, “We were merely deceived by Xiao Limo.”

Seeing this, Emperor Longchang’s mood finally improved slightly; at least the army’s loyalty was still intact, vindicating his millennia of governance.

He waved his hand, “Although you were deceived by Xiao Limo, choosing to hesitate when Emperor Zi’an gave the order means your capital crimes are spared, but minor ones are not. After this incident, you all are assigned to the Cannon Fodder Camp for three years to atone.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grand mercy.”

The members of the Personal Guard Brigade responded in unison.

This punishment wasn’t severe, but the Cannon Fodder Camp was extremely dangerous, and even a short time there carried the risk of death.

“Your Majesty.” Seeing this, Wang Shouzhe was moved and offered his advice, “The Da La Canal excavation project has entered its final phase, and many mountainous and rocky areas are difficult to work on, perhaps they can be sent to perform labor there… This could speed up the completion of the Grand Canal and produce economic effects.”

Using Tianren realm cultivators for labor was already an extravagance, akin to using human-shaped excavators, let alone when three of the Purple Abode Realm cultivators among them would improve efficiency, making them as effective as human-shaped Godzillas.

Yet, upon hearing Wang Shouzhe’s words, the members of the Personal Guard Brigade instead glared angrily at him.

These were top-tier personal guards, whose future was in the military’s upper echelons. Fighting demons was their duty, and dying in this cause was honorable, but digging and laboring… that was an insult!

“This is the elite army I carefully nurtured.” Emperor Longchang also expressed his annoyance, “And you want them to perform hard labor.”

“Either way, it’s a punishment, and completing the Grand Canal sooner can only help Da Qian’s economy become more robust.” Wang Shouzhe argued his case, “With more money, we can develop a stronger and more formidable army. Our Da Qian has been poor for too long; we need to develop rapidly.”

Mentioning the economy time and again, Wang Shouzhe’s implication was clear: accusing Emperor Longchang of only spending money without earning it. Quite infuriating!

Yet, there was some reason in Wang Shouzhe’s words.

Emperor Longchang frowned with impatience, “Fine, then do as you say. You, Personal Guard Brigade, will be deployed to dig the canal, under the command of Wang Zong’an, and work for ten years to atone for your sins.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Despite their resentment towards Wang Shouzhe, the soldiers of the Personal Guard Brigade dared not defy the Emperor’s order.

“Are you satisfied now? If there’s anything else, speak now.” Emperor Longchang’s mood today was extremely poor, nearly driven to collapse by anger, yet still manipulated by Wang Shouzhe.

He really shouldn’t have come to the Southern Frontier to spectate! Most importantly, he hadn’t even figured in Wang Shouzhe’s plans as a trump card.

“This time with the Southern Frontier joint expansion project, since Your Majesty is present, we might as well conduct a ceremony to formalize the new and old generations’ pact, making it more solemn.” Wang Shouzhe suggested, then called out, “Jing’er, please bring Saintess Dai over here.”

“Yes, Brother Four.” Wang Luo Jing responded and gracefully left.

Not even a dozen breaths later.

Saintess Dai and Wang Luo Jing gathered at the venue.

Upon seeing the emperor, Saintess Dai also respectfully saluted, then stood with her hands tied.

“We must also thank Her Highness, the Saintess, for supporting Shouzhe’s plan.” Wang Shouzhe bowed and said, “Previously, you and Emperor Zi’an prepared a submission agreement with Da Qian, if there are no objections, we might as well sign it now. Since Your Majesty is here anyway…”

Emperor Longchang rolled his eyes again.

What meant ‘since you’re here already’? You’re just taking advantage of the situation, right?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com