Ten days later, in the Jin Nation: In the royal court:
The atmosphere in the royal court was very heavy. The officials did not say a word as they looked at the emperor on the dragon throne.
A yellow-robed official in the middle of two rows of officials made a report with an unsightly expression.
"Your Majesty, the Chen Nation is now completely loyal to the Gu Residence. The entire nation has submitted to the Gu Residence. Now, Gao Xianzhi is leading the Chen Nation's army, no, the Gu Residence's army, into my Jin Nation. This time, he is coming with a strong momentum, attacking four nations at the same time. There have already been brief clashes at the frontlines.
"The Chen Nation? Chen Liangyi submitted to Gu Hai just like that? Did he not resist at all? "the Jin Emperor asked with an unsightly expression.
"No. I don't know what Gu Hai promised him, but Chen Liangyi cooperated fully. Gu Hai seems to have been preparing for this for a long time. He switched officials very frequently. Many of the Chen Nation's officials seem to have been arranged by Gu Hai long ago!" the yellow-robed official said with a complicated expression.
"Did they not resist?"
"Yes. A few of the city lords were unwilling to submit to the Gu Residence and rebelled. However, they were quickly suppressed. Immortals participated, and there was a bloody purge. There were still many voices of dissatisfaction within the Chen Nation. However, they were quickly digested. The Chen Nation no longer exists, and it belongs to the Gu Residence!" the yellow-robed official said respectfully.
"Did the citizens not resist?"
"Very few, very few, very few. The Gu Residence is the wealthiest family of the six nations. However, it has accumulated a lot of good reputation over the past few decades. It has an excellent reputation among the citizens. One year ago, the Chen Nation experienced great turmoil, and the citizens' hearts wavered. They now acknowledge the Gu Residence even more than the Chen Nation's royal clan. Hence, the citizens have a smooth transition, "the yellow-robed official said bitterly.
The yellow-robed official said bitterly, "Gu Hai is very ambitious. He wants to unify the five nations with just one residence?" the Jin Emperor said with a sullen expression.
"Your Majesty, although the Gu Residence is just one residence, its influence is no less than that of a nation. Take our nation, for example. The Gu Clan's businesses have always been the leader of the business world. It is a business empire hidden in the sixth nation of the five nations. However, it has always been known as a residence! "the yellow-robed official said with a bitter smile.
"The most important thing is that Gu Hai has now stepped into the cultivation world and has three thousand immortals under his command. Our mortal army, I'm afraid …!" The yellow-robed official said with an ugly expression.
Humph! He has three thousand Immortals. My Jin Nation still has the Dragon Pinning Sect, an immortal sect. The other nations also have the First Song Sect and the Clear River Sect. Gu Hai is angering the immortal sects. Soon, he will meet with a calamity, "the Jin Emperor said coldly.
"Reporting! The Third Prince requests an audience! "An anxious voice came from outside the hall.
"Oh? The Third Prince? The Third Prince, who entered the Dragon Pinning Sect to cultivate, has returned? "The officials immediately rejoiced.
"Let's go!" the Jin Wang shouted.
Soon, a group of guards carried a stretcher. On the stretcher lay a red-clothed man in a rather sorry state. There were bloodstains on his legs, wounds all over his body, and his hair was disheveled.
"Third Prince?" Everyone looked at the red-robed prince in surprise. Why was he being carried back?
"Son, what happened to you?" The Jin Emperor's expression changed as he stood up from his throne.
Although the Third Prince was not the crown prince, the Third Prince was more important than the crown prince in the Jin Emperor's eyes. This was because the Third Prince's future development was even greater than the Jin Emperor's. The Third Prince could cultivate to Immortal Ascension. Although the Jin Emperor was the emperor, his lifespan was limited. In a few decades, he would be nothing more than a lump of dirt. How could he compare to an Immortal Ascension?
"Imperial Father, this child had just returned when I heard the battle report from the frontlines. I did not dare to linger and immediately rushed over!" the Third Prince said bitterly.
"What happened? Who injured you to this extent? Weren't you at the Dragon Pinning Sect? "the Jin Emperor asked in shock.
"The Dragon Pinning Sect? Ha! It's gone! "the Third Prince said bitterly.
"Gone? What do you mean? Your Dragon Pinning Sect has thousands of disciples. Why is it gone? "the Jin Emperor asked in shock.
"Gu Hai went to the Dragon Pinning Sect. Nearly everyone in the Dragon Pinning Sect, including the sect master, died. Only a few dozen survived. This child survived and managed to escape," the Third Prince said bitterly.
"What?" the officials immediately exclaimed.
"Gu Hai? How can that be? Didn't he just start cultivating? How could he make an enemy of your Dragon Pinning Sect? "the Jin Emperor said in shock.
"So what if he makes an enemy of my Dragon Pinning Sect? Imperial Father, you still do not know, right? After Gu Hai returned, he first destroyed the Great Feng Mafia Family. Then, he destroyed the Clear River Sect. Then, he destroyed the First Song Sect. Not long ago, he destroyed my Dragon Pinning Sect! "the Third Prince said bitterly.
The officials: "…!"
The Jin Emperor: "…!"
He destroyed four large immortal sects in succession? The hall fell deathly silent.
"That's impossible. Is Gu Hai that incredible? Didn't he just reach the Innate Realm? Just now? "the Jin Emperor said in disbelief.
"I heard that the First Song Sect disciples died the most miserable deaths. Gu Hai alone slaughtered five thousand-odd First Song Sect disciples!" the Third Prince said bitterly.
The Jin Emperor: "…!"
The officials: "…!"
The hall fell deathly silent again.
"Report!" A messenger rushed into the hall.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is news from Gold Border City. We lost Gold Border City to Gao Xianzhi's army!" the messenger reported as he knelt.
The officials: "…!"
The Jin Emperor: "…!"
The Great Feng Mafia Family? The Clear River Sect? The First Song Sect? The Dragon Pinning Sect? The four large immortal sects?
Gu Hai slaughtered them all, one after another? No wonder he wants to rule the world. No wonder he dares to rule the world. Even the Jin Nation's backer is destroyed?
"Gu Hai! Gu Hai!" The Jin Emperor showed a sullen expression as he clenched his fists. However, he felt powerless to resist. Dong! Dong!
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Drum beats came from outside the hall.
"What's going on?" The Jin Emperor looked outside.
Soon, a guard rushed into the hall and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Gu Residence's Merchant Association's manager, Tang Chu, requested an audience with Your Majesty. However, he was stopped, so he beat the Heaven Shaking Drum to request an audience with Your Majesty!"
"The Heaven Shaking Drum? Only those with great grievances would strike the Heaven Shaking Drum, which can reach the heavens. No matter what the grievance is, those who strike the Heaven Shaking Drum will be flogged eighty times to show their dragon might. Then, the Gu Residence's first manager is striking the Heaven Shaking Drum? "the Third Prince exclaimed in shock.
At this moment, no one would mention not being flogged eighty times.
"Summon him!" the Jin Emperor ordered.
"No. Assistant Minister of Rites, go and receive him!" the Jin Emperor immediately ordered.
"Yes!" An official immediately left the hall.
The atmosphere in the hall turned heavy.
As the Third Prince was carried to the side, he showed an incredibly complicated expression.
Soon, the Assistant Minister of Rites led a white-haired old man over. Although this old man had white hair, he looked very spirited. His eyes were extremely sharp. Two black-robed men followed behind him, looking like they were protecting him at all times.
"Manager Tang, please!" the Assistant Minister of Rites said extremely politely.
Manager Tang smiled faintly, and a feeling of exaltation flashed in his eyes. Back when he was in charge of the Gu Residence's businesses in the Jin Nation, many people looked down on him. All the officials here looked down on him in the past. Aside from liking his money, they all looked down on him.
Now, the country was about to change. How could Manager Tang not be in a good mood?
After entering the hall, Manager Tang did not greet the Jin Emperor immediately. Instead, he looked at the two black-robed guards behind him.
"Many thanks for protecting me along the way!" Manager Tang said with a slight bow.
"Manager Tang, we are here on the orders of the minister. You don't have to worry about us. Just do what you need to do!" one of the black-robed men said.
Shopkeeper Tang nodded.
Only now did the officials notice Manager Tang's two guards. These two are two of the three thousand Immortals under Gu Hai?
Using Immortals to protect mortals? At first, the officials did not understand. Then, they felt horrified. From this scene, they could see Gu Hai's determination.
"The Gu Residence's head manager in the Jin Nation, Tang Chu, greets the Jin Nation's emperor!" Tang Chu said with a slight bow.
Manager Tang used the word "greet" instead of "greet." Clearly, he was treating Tang Chu as an envoy of a nation and not an insignificant citizen of the Jin Nation.
"Manager Tang? Are you here on behalf of Gu Hai? "the Jin Emperor asked.
"Yes, it is my master!" Manager Tang said with a smile.
"Your Gu Residence has invaded my borders, yet you still dare to barge into my royal court?" the Jin Emperor demanded coldly.
Tang Chu did not fear the Jin Emperor's cold shout. Instead, he smiled faintly.
Tang Chu was the head manager in charge of the Jin Nation's businesses. He had many subordinates and naturally had his own dignity. Furthermore, once he took over the Jin Nation, he would likely become the person in charge here. Soon, he would replace the current emperor. What was there to be afraid of?
"Jin Emperor, I am not here to argue with you. There is nothing to argue about. The Third Prince is here. I believe the Third Prince has already said everything that needs to be said," Manager Tang said with a smile.
The Jin Emperor looked at Manager Tang coldly.
"Jin Emperor, various officials, there is no need to look at me like that. My Gu Residence does not owe you anything. Instead, you owe my Gu Residence countless times.
From the Jin Emperor to the various ministers, none of you have ever taken money from my Gu Residence? "Manager Tang sneered.
"Huh?" The various officials frowned as they looked at Manager Tang.
"Don't think that your Jin Nation's regime is very stable. In the past few decades, the Jin Nation had five floods and six droughts. Each time, there was a major plague. With the national treasury empty, who was it that saved the victims and did not cause chaos? It was my Gu Residence. Without my Gu Residence, your Jin Nation would have fallen into chaos long ago. Is it all because of the Dragon Pinning Sect's Immortals? Have they ever cared about you? "Manager Tang smiled.
"This year, the Jin Nation experienced a drought. There was no harvest for five thousand kilometers of fertile land. If my Gu Residence did not save you, how much grain could your national treasury take out? If the citizens had no food to eat, they would rise up and overthrow your regime, "Manager Tang said seriously.
"Manager Tang, what are you trying to say?" the Jin Emperor asked coldly.
"Today, on behalf of my Master, I'm sending a letter of surrender to the Jin Kingdom's Royal Family. I hope that you can think about it carefully and cherish this opportunity to avoid suffering a great loss of life!" Shopkeeper Tang handed over a silk scroll.
"A letter of surrender?" The Jin Emperor glared.
A commotion broke out among the various officials, and they immediately glared at each other. They all looked like they wanted to skin Tang Chu alive.
"Here is the letter of surrender. Whether you surrender or not is up to you. It is just a matter of time. Whether the citizens suffer or not does not make a difference to your outcome. Oh, right, the neighboring Cai Nation has already accepted the letter of surrender. "Tang Chu handed over the letter of surrender and took a step back.
"Jin Nation's emperor, various lords, this humble one will take his leave first. Please discuss among yourselves. Once you have made a decision, inform me. I will be staying in the Gu Residence's restaurant outside the imperial palace," Tang Chu said with a faint smile.
After speaking, Tang Chu turned around and walked out of the hall. Two black-robed guards followed closely behind.
The Jin Nation's emperor's chest heaved as he suppressed his anger. The various officials cursed angrily. However, some of them entered deep thought as a strange light flashed in their eyes.
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