I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 532 - 292: Proclaiming the Emperor, The Ironclad Warship at Sea

Chapter 532: Chapter 292: Proclaiming the Emperor, The Ironclad Warship at Sea

Emperor Long’s abdication in favor of Luo Chuan still occurred three months after Gu Shanhai obtained the Three Emperors Tripod of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Although everyone was already aware, actually going through with it still inevitably caused some shock.

Luo Chuan changed the state name to Xi and declared himself Emperor Xi. After this caused an uproar throughout the land, Jiang Lu also promptly issued a protest. Subsequently, under the pressure of the Three Emperors Tripod provided by Gu Shanhai, he too was "compelled" to declare himself emperor, but he did not take the title of Emperor of Liang State; instead, he inherited Long’s title and continued to be known as Emperor Long.

Following that, Zhou Ding, Prince Yan, also produced the Ancient Mysterious Bird Seal, a symbol of sovereignty, and declared himself emperor. The name of his state was Yan, and he took the title of Emperor Yan.

Gu Shanhai thought it would stop there, expecting the other six lords to play dead, as they lacked the strength to declare themselves emperors.

The fact that Luo Chuan, Jiang Lu, and Zhou Ding could declare themselves emperors was because they possessed enough strength and needed some reasonable excuses. Even if Jiang Lu wished to take such action, he lacked a good enough reason to make his move, requiring someone else to crown him.

But unexpectedly, among the lords there was one who was particularly bold and actually went on to declare himself emperor as well.

Xu Bu, with the state name of Zhou, proclaimed himself Emperor Zhou. He practiced the Dragon Tooth Military Technique. Previously, this King Zhou wasn’t considered a high-ranking figure among the six great lords, only above average at best. It was unforeseen that he would harbor such grand ambitions.

As such, it was evident that he had deep mastery of the Dragon Tooth Military Technique.

However, the outcome was predictable.

The remaining five lords formed an alliance to gang up on this new Emperor Zhou.

Jiang Lu and the others did not mind Xu Bu, considering him a mere clown.

The Dragon Tooth Military Technique might be formidable, but it was merely superior. Each of the three great powers possessed King-level Military Strategies and were not on the same level.

After proclaiming themselves emperors, the entire situation became tense, requiring just a slight pretext to start a war.

Everyone was thinking about unification, as no one wished to share power with others.

Gu Shanhai thought this was good; it spared him the annoyance of a prolonged struggle that could last thirty or fifty years.

However, precisely how to fight the war required careful consideration.

With Luo Chuan’s ascension through the abdication of the Emperor, his claim could be considered legitimate, and Jiang Lu’s succession was also legitimate as it was an inheritance. The most awkward position belonged to Zhou Ding’s Yan Country. If he were to lose, he would indeed become a rebel.

As for Xu Bu, this new Emperor Zhou, no one took him seriously.

"The upcoming battles are sure to be chaotic, at least a three-way melee, with secondary forces likely to be either dead or wounded."

"However, looking at their situation, it’s very likely they will pursue ’securing internal stability before repelling external threats’."

That probably meant dealing with the six troublesome lords first and then battling it out amongst themselves to prevent others from gaining an advantage.

Such actions would not only expand their power but also eliminate future threats, killing two birds with one stone.

"So... Xu Bu is in for some bad luck," Gu Shanhai thought of the person most likely to be targeted first.

Three days later, his thought was confirmed. Jiang Lu, waving the banner of suppressing rebellion, sent his forces directly toward Xu Bu. Likewise, Luo Chuan took action, and though Zhou Ding was too far to reach the conflict, he too published a lengthy denunciation.

The main content was, of course, denouncing Xu Bu for his improper claim to the throne. Everyone else had clothed their claims to imperial authority with symbols of legitimacy: Luo Chuan used the Emperor Seal, Jiang Lu the Three Emperors Tripod, and Zhou Ding the Ancient Mysterious Bird Seal. Only Xu Bu claimed the throne without any such symbol, presenting a flaw that others ruthlessly exploited.

Jiang Lu did not lead the campaign in person but instead sent Zhang He with his troops. Having become emperor, naturally, he could not readily take to the field, lest his face be easily struck.

He would only personally take action when the time came for a grand battle between the three nations.

Gu Shanhai, now retired from the forefront, had become increasingly low-key and even started to ignore some matters.

Mainly because after his ascension, Jiang Lu inherited Long’s title, thereby attracting many patriots, while Luo Chuan lost a lot of his reputation and followers. However, there were also quite a few who came to serve him.

With an abundance of talent, they no longer needed to be as frugal as before, relying on Zhan Yan for everything, and Gu Shanhai naturally followed suit in enjoying his leisure.

Jiang Lu did not ask Gu Shanhai to leave Xuanzhou and return to Liang State; he knew Gu Shanhai’s temperament and that he wouldn’t budge without a significant reason.

Gu Shanhai considered deploying the Heart Demon Dao Soldiers for training, but the timing was not right.

In the eyes of all forces, Gu Shanhai’s Heart Demon Dao Soldiers were Long Country’s ultimate weapon. Their appearance would signify full-scale war.

The reason for such a reputation was the spread of exaggerated tales, tales of their ruthlessness, not even blinking while consuming humans or spitting out bones.

Such stories had reached the level used to frighten children. Gu Shanhai had not come forward to refute them because the rumors were true, and not even the full truth at that, so he didn’t dare declare them to be nonsense.

As for those who had witnessed the Heart Demon Dao Soldiers, each one of them remained silent, not wanting to reveal a word, merely suggesting that one would understand upon seeing them.

Jiang Lu’s placement of Gu Shanhai in Xuanzhou also bore the intent of entrusting him with safeguarding Long Country’s treasury, for Gu Shanhai was both capable and reliable. Otherwise, in these times, he would have to approach Gu Shanhai, asking, "Teacher, what should I do?"