I Don't Agree to the Terms
Chapter 547 - 299: Extinguish Yan, Conquer Xi_2

Chapter 547: Chapter 299: Extinguish Yan, Conquer Xi_2

The more expressly forbidden an item is, the faster it spreads in secret.

"You’re saying that item could lead to impotence?" Gu Shanhai pondered, considering that to exterminate a species, you could say it boosts virility, and to put an end to a certain nuisance, claiming it causes impotence could work. As long as it’s related to that, everyone would definitely take notice.

"..." Listening to Gu Shanhai’s unreliable talk, Jiang Lu was speechless. If it were truly that simple to solve, there wouldn’t be so many troubles.

Moreover, those who specialized in the "Dragon Tooth Military Technique" would certainly test it out for themselves since they had real combat experience, not merely craftsmen with skills.

Having become a leader of soldiers, how could they possibly lack opponents in actual combat?

"You think it’s unreliable? What about saying that the fighting lasts only three seconds?" Gu Shanhai thought for a moment, then changed his statement.

"Teacher, you are very reliable when it comes to being unreliable," Jiang Lu indicated disbelief about those claims.

"Who cares if they believe it or not? Once it’s spread, whoever practices it will be unable to hold their head up. It’s not something one would prove, right? After all, these are gentlemen we’re talking about, not someone who will prove it in public." Gu Shanhai gave a hint.

Whether it has an effect or not is one thing. First smear the martial method, and as long as its reputation is ruined, even if you specialize in it, you wouldn’t dare to reveal it. Those brave enough to expose themselves wouldn’t be believed either.

At first glance, it certainly doesn’t seem very proper, but the greatest unfilial act is dying without offspring. Those who want to serve it would also waver for sure, thinking if the leaders are such, what about the Daoist Soldiers under them? What to do if there are no descendants in the future?

The aim is to attack and kill the spirit.

Another point is that once such rumors spread, they become synonymous with the lowest of the low. Any sensible person, given better choices, would surely not opt for a martial technique associated with impotence and a tarnished reputation.

With time, it would naturally fall into disuse. When the time comes for cleaning up, it would be much simpler.

"We could try, but don’t keep your hopes too high," Jiang Lu understood Gu Shanhai’s intention. Compared to demonizing it, stigmatizing it was even more effective.

Demonizing still signifies that it possesses certain strengths, but stigmatization directly plunges it into the mire.

"Zhou Country is of little concern, let them make a fuss. We can deal with them later when we’re free. How’s the situation in Xi Country?" Gu Shanhai inquired further.

"The situation is clear-cut. After winning five provinces in a row, the adversary has virtually no power to resist. Under our pressure, the noble families and Luo Chuan have formed a deeper bond. It is obvious they understand that only within Luo Chuan’s Xi Country can they enjoy wielding power over the land," Jiang Lu reported with a smile.

There were many Xi Country noble families ready to defect previously, which Jiang Lu deliberately delayed. However, some wise ones clearly saw that if these noble families truly joined the emerging Dalong, being skinned alive would be the least of their problems. More seriously, they themselves might be doomed.

Hence, under such circumstances, they fully supported Luo Chuan, desiring wealth but also their lives, thus they had no choice but to make a last-ditch effort.

"They’ve just been fattened up by Luo Chuan. Without the Nine-Grades Law, the noble families of Xi Country wouldn’t have become so arrogant," Gu Shanhai stated unequivocally.

However, Luo Chuan’s current power has not declined but increased. External pressures have forced the noble families to cease their strife with Luo Chuan, and even the infighting among the noble families has somewhat cooled down. Continuing to fight would only accelerate their demise, not securing any real benefits.

As for escape?

Where could they flee to? The steppes are home to barbarians. Even if defeated, the barbarians do not play the noble family games; they simply behead you and seize your wealth, wives, and daughters.

Overseas scenarios were even less likely. It would be feasible in Yan Country with the appropriate technology. In Xi Country, the level of technology was a bit better than Zhou Country, but they lacked the shipbuilding technology necessary for setting sail.

Under these environmental conditions, when pressured to the limit, their hidden potential was also unleashed.

"Getting fatter is quite good for us. When the time comes to enter Si Li Province, Yong’an, whatever they’ve consumed, they’ll have to spit it all back out," Jiang Lu spoke calmly, yet his tone carried an icy edge.

The world had already been turned upside down; there was no need to keep these noble families around.

Indeed, noble families can’t be completely cut off, but Jiang Lu could choose the families that are advantageous to him, allowing his three sworn brothers, Zhan Yan and Li Yu, among others, to become the new supporters of his power. Isn’t it better to fortify his rights that way? Why choose a bunch of snitches who might stab you in the back at any moment?

"Makes sense!" Gu Shanhai also knew about the wealth of the noble families and, after a round of looting, he too would be able to obtain a considerable amount of resources.

...

"He’s dead, how could he be dead." Luo Chuan’s expression was somewhat ferocious, his eyes filled with rage.

Not long ago, he had just sent an envoy to Zhou Country to sign an alliance with Xu Bu, but look what happened - the envoy still hadn’t returned to Yong’an, and Xu Bu had gone and died.

How could he accept this?

After the destruction of Yan Country, he had also witnessed Jiang Lu’s brutality, the shockingly high number of soldiers and Daoist Soldiers slaughtered painting a clear picture of his ruthlessness, resulting in a restless Xi Country from top to bottom.

Even though this time it wasn’t Jiang Lu personally leading the campaign, the deeds of the Long Army had already struck deep into people’s hearts.

Otherwise, would these noble families have so decisively sought refuge? They all were afraid; if not, they would have already pledged allegiance to Long Country by now.

"Dammit, dammit!" Luo Chuan was venting his fury incessantly.

The ministers below were as silent as cicadas in winter, daring not to speak.

Only after venting for a good while did he settle down, and then he said, "Does any of my loyal ministers have a good strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Luo Chuan spoke, but no one answered.

A good strategy to defeat the enemy? If there were any, they wouldn’t have lost five states to Long Country.

Oh, there actually was one: simply surrender. But the noble families would never want that; they kept pushing Luo Chuan forward.

If Luo Chuan surrendered, his fate would likely be not to die but to be imprisoned for life, never to leave his residence, essentially being provided for.

The noble families, however, wouldn’t receive such treatment. After all, Luo Chuan’s position was acquired through abdication, which still had a sense of legitimacy. Therefore, surrendering with the excuse of returning power might possibly grant him the title of Anle Duke to enjoy a life without worries about food or clothing.

"None at all?" Luo Chuan’s expression darkened. He could surrender, but he also did not want to; at least, there was still a chance.

"Your servant has a plan," a military chief stood up and said.

"My minister, please speak," Luo Chuan replied, his expression not improving. Who knew if the proposal would be a terrible idea.

"We could circle northward and then head to Linhai, leaving the Central Plains behind. This would ensure that the people are unthreatened and allow us to lie low for a time, waiting to make a comeback." The other side spoke in pleasant terms, talking about the people and making a comeback, but what he really meant was let’s flee; the route was already outlined.

"But setting out to sea is not easy; we have no ships," said Luo Chuan, somewhat tempted but also aware that they didn’t have the necessary ships to guarantee their escape by sea.

"Your servant has learned that many remnants of the Yan Country have entered our lands; from them, we can acquire ironclad warships, ensuring our safety," the other party said again.

Hearing the words "ironclad warship," the ministers’ eyes lit up. The ironclad warships of Yan Country were indeed extraordinary. Although they were wiped out by Gu Shanhai, there must still be some left in the shipyards. As for the ones Long Country had seized, that didn’t matter; they could buy them. As long as they kept their identities hidden, once they got the ironclad warships, they could absolutely run away.

"This is an excellent plan, for the good of the world’s common people. Let my minister carry out this task," said Luo Chuan, his mood improving slightly, finally receiving some constructive suggestions.

"Yes, Your Majesty, but we are short on funds; we should..." the minister replied, hinting that since they planned to escape, they should gather all the wealth and not leave anything behind for Long Country to pick up.

"Brilliant!" Naturally, Luo Chuan agreed. Why leave behind resources to aid the enemy? Of course, take everything with you.