Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 1189: Chapter 97: Pacify the Southern Frontier! Shou Zhe Advances to the Purple Abode (Seeking Monthly Votes) _4 Chapter 1189: Chapter 97: Pacify the Southern Frontier! Shou Zhe Advances to the Purple Abode (Seeking Monthly Votes) _4 Wang Shouzhe was resolute on this matter and conveyed a message to the Saintess Dai and the Barbarian Gu elders through several indirect hints.

If they couldn’t accept this condition, then everything would have to revert to the way it was before, and the martial conquest would proceed as necessary.

In the end, as the conditions for the Southern Frontier became increasingly favorable, Saintess Dai grew more trusting of Wang Shouzhe and ultimately capitulated to his will.

There were over a hundred various clauses in addition, many of which were quite beneficial for the Southern Frontier County, such as the “Daqian Meeting” allocating funds every year to lead the development of various industries in the county.

For example, if the South Border Semi-Autonomous County faces natural disasters or human calamities, Daqian would provide manpower and even military support. However, if Daqian goes to war, the military forces of the Southern Frontier must also heed the call to arms.

There are many other clauses that I won’t go into detail about here.

Once the agreement was signed, Emperor Longchang couldn’t help feeling both elated and utterly dejected, a bundle of contradictions.

The submission of the Barbarian Gu Clan of the Southern Frontier to Daqian and the resolution of many potential future problems were naturally grand achievements and a glory of his reign, which would undoubtedly be prominently recorded in the history books.

But in reality, he, the emperor, was merely going through the motions, completely unaware of what went on in the middle. By the time he found out, all he had to do was sign his name and affix his seal…

That was just by the way.

If it weren’t for his thick skin coming over to join in the excitement, Wang Shouzhe probably would’ve waited until everything was done, and then had Emperor Zi’an bring the agreement back for him to stamp and that would be that.

“Your Majesty, Xiao Limo and Prince Dexin have been detained in the central army,” Wang Shouzhe kindly reminded him. “One is a prince, the other is a grand marshal. It’s best if you deal with them personally.”

“Shouzhe, you are the most competent minister I’ve ever seen. Why don’t you handle it all for me?” Emperor Longchang’s tone was tinged with the desolation and dissatisfaction of having his authority usurped.

The implication couldn’t be clearer.

You think you’re so capable, don’t you? Why should I have to clean up after you?

If you’re so capable, go and chop off Dexin and Xiao Limo’s heads! Whichever way you handle it, you’re going to offend countless people.

“That’ll do, Your Majesty. Just grant me a decree allowing me full authority to handle the matter,” Wang Shouzhe seriously contemplated before responding. “I will handle it completely in accordance with Daqian Law, showing no favoritism.”

Emperor Longchang paused.

Shouzhe, you daredevil.

But the moment Wang Shouzhe dared, Emperor Longchang didn’t dare any longer.

He had thoroughly experienced Shouzhe’s capabilities, and the key was that the young man was quite lazy and not overly ambitious.

If Emperor Zi’an had Wang Shouzhe by his side to offer guidance and assistance from time to time, Daqian might just have a chance to ascend to an Immortal Dynasty.

Such a person, Emperor Longchang must cherish when necessary. If, due to making too many enemies and becoming distressed and troubled, he simply throws in the towel and retires, that would spell disaster.

“Let me deal with Dexin and Xiao Limo,” Emperor Longchang waved his hand. “Once this matter is finished, let’s head home early. I’m quite nostalgic for the casual days at your Wang family, sipping morning tea, playing mahjong, and playing ‘Landlord’.”

The Great Emperor’s skill at chess was “too superior,” and he felt bullying Shouzhe had become boring over time. Fortunately, there were plenty of card games at the Wang family—mahjong, Landlord, ‘Eighty Points,’ ‘Competing for Dominance,’ and the like, all simple yet refreshingly new.

“Your Majesty, heading home early is possible,” Wang Shouzhe looked at Emperor Longchang and said pensively. “It’s just a matter of when you will issue a decree to have the national treasury and the Imperial Family Mansion settle your retirement funds. Our Wang family’s business is small…”

“Hadn’t we just settled that?” the emperor glared fiercely, his presence commanding, as he attempted to make a preemptive complaint. “Are you planning to extort retirement funds from an aged emperor, Shouzhe? Is it easy being an emperor? In this lifetime, I’ve bled for Daqian, for the Human race…”

“Your Majesty, that’s not how the accounts are to be settled, each matter must be addressed on its own merits,” Wang Shouzhe interjected. “I heard from Ruolan that you find playing mahjong unrewarding if there’s no money involved. Your insistence on decreeing gambling winnings and losses has led to gambling away three years’ worth of pension, all of which is still owed. The cost of the therapy sessions that Xian’er and I provided for you can be considered a filial tribute, but shouldn’t the gambling debt be made up for somehow?”

Within the Wang family, gambling was prohibited; family members who played cards could only make small stakes. Yet Your Majesty seemed unsatisfied and always sought ways to satisfy your cravings, else it would damage the Wang family’s customs for no good reason.

“This… it’s not appropriate to ask for the gambling debts from the national taxes or the Clan House… let’s find another way to repay,” the Great Emperor’s tone weakened suddenly, blinking innocently at Wang Shouzhe.

“Do you still have any private assets left in your name, Your Majesty?” Wang Shouzhe pressed, looking ready to bleed the Emperor dry.

“None left, it’s all been divided among my children and grandchildren,” Emperor Longchang spread his hands helplessly, “What does a lonely old man like me need those for? Don’t worry, I won’t issue decrees to raise money through mahjong anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shouzhe was not angered but delighted, suddenly pulling out a stack of documents from his Storage Ring with a smile on his face, “Your Majesty, would you like to take a look at the project list for developing the territories beyond… This task looks promising, there’s a large top-grade Spirit Vein that even Tianhe Enlightened One’s divine skills cannot extract…”

“…” Emperor Longchang.

… Time swiftly passed by.

In the year 3260 of the Longchang Calendar, spring.

It had been two years since the pacification of the Southern Frontier and the resolution of hidden dangers such as those posed by Prince Dexin.

Wang Shouzhe, now one hundred and thirty-four years old, had a large number of descendants.

On a nameless small island situated two thousand leagues from Ice Sha Island, Wang Shouzhe sat quietly cross-legged atop a small hill.

Behind him was a giant tree reaching dozens of feet tall.

The thick trunk stretched out in all directions, supporting an expanse of huge green canopy like an umbrella. The lush leaves rustled as green glows burst forth, centering around the giant tree to create a massive energy shield.

It enveloped Wang Shouzhe beneath it, providing him with a space of absolute safety.

Naturally, this giant tree was Wang Shouzhe’s Life-bound Spirit Plant, Wang Lixian.

Over the years, with the catalysis of Wang Shouzhe’s Mysterious Energy, Wang Lixian had advanced to Level Seven. When at the Wang family, to respect the father’s desire for a low profile, she intentionally minimized her size.

Now, her true form unfolded, almost rivaling the old Changchun tree of Changchun Valley in size. In terms of strength, she was hardly less formidable.

At this moment, this man and tree were here for no other reason because Wang Shouzhe was about to ascend to the Purple Abode Realm.

Since his Bloodline Talent had transformed to the Innate Spiritual Body Level, Wang Shouzhe’s already exceptional cultivation speed had further accelerated. In less than twelve years, he had completed the accumulation and refinement of Mysterious Energy, meeting the standards to ascend to the Purple Abode Realm.

At present, he was undertaking the final polishing and adjustments, preparing for the upcoming advancement to the Purple Abode Realm.

The thought of soon entering the Purple Abode Realm caused even Wang Shouzhe’s composed heart to flutter slightly.

A century and eighteen years had passed since his transmigration to this world; the arduous journey was vividly etched in his memory, stirring a growing surge within him.

Once one enters the Purple Abode, they become a Master, with a lifespan reaching eight hundred years!

To think, in his previous life on Earth, that would have been akin to the level of a terrestrial Immortal.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com