After three rounds of wine and five dishes, all parties scrambled forward to offer their blessings.
At this time, Eastern Lu suddenly let out a long sigh, looking very distressed.
"Your Majesty, today is the Grand Tutor's housewarming banquet. It's a joyous occasion, and all the vassals have gathered to celebrate with the Grand Tutor and Your Majesty. Moreover, there are sects and great sects that have come to offer their congratulations, and tens of thousands of countries have come to court.
Fang Jinlong hurriedly asked from the side.
Eastern Lu shook his head and sighed.
"If it weren't for the assistance of the great clans of the ministers back then, there wouldn't be the Eastern Empire today, and I wouldn't have my current position. But you don't know that being an Emperor also has its difficulties. Sometimes, I feel that being an Emperor is better than being a vassal. Being a commoner is more carefree! To tell you the truth, I haven't had a good night's sleep ever since I inherited the throne! "
Jiang Tian chuckled and said, "Brother, I don't like what you're saying. Apart from the carefree hidden sects, who doesn't envy the Emperor's position under the heavens? "
Eastern Lu laughed bitterly and said, "Yes, who doesn't envy this position? Who doesn't covet this position? "
Fang Jinlong seemed to be startled and hurriedly knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, why do you say such things? Now that the Purple Marquis has rebelled and has been suppressed by the Grand Tutor, the world is at peace. Who would dare to be half-hearted towards you? "
"I naturally know of your loyalty! Do you think I don't trust you? "
Eastern Lu swept his gaze over the vassals and said in a low voice, "However, there are bound to be those who covet riches and honor among your subordinates. In their eyes, only when you are the Emperor can they become Vassals and Great Commanders. They insist on draping the Imperial Jade Seal over your shoulders and stuffing it into your hands. Even if you don't want to do it, can you? "
Seeing this scene, apart from Crown Prince Yachang and those in the know, everyone was shocked.
Everyone present was shocked as tempestuous waves rose in their hearts. They already understood the meaning behind Dongfang Lu's words.
"This Big Black is too deceitful!"
The Duke of the Northern Frontier, Bai Xianlin's expression changed drastically. Many thoughts flashed through his mind at lightning speed. He involuntarily glanced at Blackie, who was standing beside Jiang Tian, and secretly clenched his teeth.
You can eat so much, eating so many of my Dendrobium Heavenly Pills, making me bleed, but I didn't expect that what you gave was fake news!
And he even said something about reforming the Hidden Dragon Trials! How could it be so simple?
Dongfang Lu's words clearly implied that he wanted to abolish the feudal system!
However, Duke Bai Xianlin of the Northern Frontier hesitated and did not immediately express his opinion.
Of course, he wasn't willing to hand over his fief, but he knew that he had no other choice. He didn't have any bargaining chips, and he wasn't prepared enough …
As for the Proud World Sect's Sect Master, Xu Zhe, his eyes narrowed as a cold light flashed past.
Crown Prince Ya Chang gently fanned himself with a calm expression. A faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth, as if he had nothing to do with this matter.
Hall Master Xing of the Ancient Medicine Hall scanned the surroundings warily. His gaze swept past the experts one after another, as if he was calculating the strength of both sides.
Fairy Qingjue's magic power began to fluctuate, and a Holy Weapon that resembled the wings of a cicada appeared in her hand!
While the Duke of the Northern Frontier was hesitating, Lin Hanqing had already left his seat with Lin Yang and Fang Gouyu. He knelt on the ground and cried, "Your Majesty, this subject is stupid and crude. I didn't think of this. Your Majesty, please show this subject a bright path."
"Sigh! Your Majesty, although the ancestors of the feudal vassals have made great contributions to the empire, everyone knows that only the Eastern Empire truly bestowed titles and fiefs. It can be said that everything the feudal vassals have is given to them by the imperial family. If the imperial family takes it away for the sake of the empire's development, of course we will cooperate. We are duty-bound! "Fang Jinlong also expressed his opinion once again, with tears in his eyes.
Even Lin Yang's acting was not bad.
He said vehemently.
"Your Majesty, the entire empire knows that I, Lin Yang, am a piece of trash. I'm the most unpromising successor of a feudal vassal, always muddle-headed. However, I've also seen the current drawbacks. The national treasury is very empty, and many feudal vassals don't pay tribute year after year. That day, in order to treat Princess Ying's illness, we went to the Ancient Medicine Hall in Icebound City to buy Sunfall Stones, but we couldn't afford it. Because the second prince couldn't transfer any money at all! A daughter of the imperial family wants to treat her illness, but has no money to buy medicine. Isn't this the biggest joke in the world? "
"The feudal vassals have control over their fiefs and titles, causing the social hierarchy to solidify. Many talented and ordinary disciples can't serve the empire, and can only join sects! Now, the empire is already in a state where it's difficult to recover from old habits. In the long run, the empire will no longer be a nation, and the people will have no way to make a living. For this, we must all take out the courage to scrape our bones and heal our wounds. It's time to test everyone's loyalty. No matter what you do, in order to save the empire, I, Lin Yang, am willing to give up everything! "
As he spoke, he put on an expression of facing death with equanimity.
"Good, Lin Yang. Although the empire says that you're a reckless person, we don't see it that way."
Eastern Lu's face was full of praise as he swept his gaze over the crowd.
"I'm thinking for you, and you're thinking for us. Hand over your military power, fiefs, and titles. If you feel that you're too old, you can retire and return to your hometown to enjoy your old age. If you still want to serve the empire, you can become a governor or general. All the heirs of the feudal vassals will participate in the Hidden Dragon Trials and obtain official positions based on their own abilities! I can even betroth my daughter to them, and we'll become in-laws. Isn't that great? "
"Your Majesty is too considerate of us!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty! We're willing to give up our titles and fiefs! "
Fang Jinlong, Lin Hanqing, Lin Yang, and Fang Gouyu all said in unison.
"Everyone, what do you think?"
Jiang Tian chuckled, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd. An enormous pressure descended from the heavens, like the weight of Mount Tai.
Instantly, the feudal vassals were pressed so hard that they almost vomited blood and knelt on the ground.
"Too strong!"
At this moment, even the Duke of the Northern Frontier, Bai Xianlin, couldn't take it anymore.
He wanted to submit because he saw the Duke of the Eastern Gorge nodding repeatedly, brewing his emotions, as if he was about to declare his position in the next moment.
He knew that the state preceptor was too strong.
With the strength of the feudal vassals, there was no way they could contend against him.
The Lin and Fang families had already made their stance clear. In addition, the Duke of the Eastern Gorge had been saved by the state preceptor, so it was very likely that he would also submit.
With so much power added together, if any of the feudal vassals didn't have the ability to resist, they would be crushed into dregs.
In reality, at this moment, apart from the truly prepared dukes like the Duke of West Ridge, 99% of the feudal vassals had the intention to submit.
No one was willing to be stripped of their titles and fiefs.
But the situation was compelling, and the state preceptor was as powerful as a dragon. If they didn't submit, only death awaited them.
And if they submitted quickly, the imperial family would also give them a chance. They could still be ministers, and their successors could even participate in the Hidden Dragon Trials …
Just as the Duke of the Northern Frontier and the other feudal vassals were filled with resentment, sorrow, unwillingness, and despair, they stood up and prepared to bow, a meaningful smile appeared on Eastern Lu's face. He looked gratefully at Jiang Tian, and Jiang Tian was also immensely pleased with himself. He threw flirtatious glances at Eldest Princess Mo Yu and Fairy Qingjue. Mo Yu and Qingjue pouted coquettishly in their hearts, but they all thought that the general situation was already set. Today, they would subdue the enemy without a fight, rewrite history, and bring about a great change that would bring about eternal blessings.
Suddenly, a cold female voice spread through the crowd in an instant —
"Your Majesty, stripping the feudal vassals of their titles and fiefs is greatly inappropriate!"
At this moment, everyone's expressions changed wildly!
No one had expected that at the final juncture, there would still be someone who wanted to reverse the situation and defy the state preceptor's might!
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
They saw Lin Dai 'er's delicate figure standing proudly, her sleeves fluttering in the breeze. Her pretty face was filled with determination, and her beautiful eyes stared fearlessly at Jiang Tian!
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