Chapter 8: Shen Lang’s Poisonous Plot, the Tu Family!
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Seeing Shen Xiao’s fury, Shen Lang remained neither humble nor overbearing, saying, “Your humble servant believes that relief spirit stones should be distributed first to soothe the people and demonstrate Your Majesty’s benevolence!”
“Rubbish!” Shen Xiao’s aura grew increasingly terrifying. Meanwhile, officials like Song Changhe and Xing Wenlong instinctively furrowed their brows. Especially Song Changhe, who looked at Shen Lang with suspicion, unable to understand why Shen Lang was so obedient today. Could it be that Shen Canghai had warned him about the deep waters here? Had he also felt fear?
Just as these thoughts crossed their minds, Shen Xiao exploded, “You accepted my call for talented men and yet came up with such a rotten idea? What use is a strategist like you to me?”
Shen Canghai’s heart leapt to his throat. Just as he was about to step forward and admit fault on Shen Lang’s behalf, Shen Lang spoke first, “Your Majesty, do you now acknowledge that your humble servant is your strategist?”
Shen Xiao was momentarily stunned by the question, but soon realized she had been outwitted. Shen Lang was not without plans; he simply sought benefits or perhaps her attitude. With this clarity, Shen Xiao’s face turned cold as she said, “That you are still alive means I have preliminarily accepted you. But a strategist of the realm must still be carefully considered regarding the foundation of Great Qin!”
“If you satisfy me today, you shall receive an answer. If not, I shall keep your eyes for you!”
Having secured what he wanted, Shen Lang ceased provoking and turned serious. “Since Your Majesty has spoken thus, your humble servant indeed has a plan that will ensure all cities pay their taxes, and no one will dare evade the imperial dues again!”
“Speak!” Shen Xiao nodded, finally satisfied.
“Exterminate all bearing the surname Zhao!” Shen Lang declared. “If Your Majesty executes every Zhao within Great Qin, better to kill those who might be innocent than allow any to escape, it will deter all tricksters and scoundrels.”
The hall erupted in shock. Even Shen Xiao looked at him incredulously. She believed herself ruthless enough, but compared to Shen Lang, her severity seemed mild. To slaughter all with the surname Zhao was to root out the entire lineage of the old monarch’s faction.
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Naturally, no one would dare defy her after such an act. Yet, was this not too extreme? Would those named Zhao consent to death? Would those with vested interests accept such a fate?
While these thoughts swirled, dozens of officials burst forward, faces blazing with anger, shouting, “Your Majesty, this Shen Lang is deliberately undermining you!”
“Great Qin faces turmoil both within and without. Though the Zhao lineage is a remnant of the old monarch’s faction, they still contribute to the stability of our realm.”
“If you kill them all, not to mention potential rebellion, who will stand by Your Majesty when enemy armies approach and monstrous hordes descend?”
“We boldly beseech Your Majesty to execute Shen Lang and restore peace to Great Qin!”
“We boldly beseech Your Majesty to execute Shen Lang!”
“We boldly beseech Your Majesty to execute Shen Lang!”
...
Seeing that eighty percent of the officials had united to denounce Shen Lang, a glimmer of understanding flashed in Shen Xiao’s eyes. Shen Lang had deliberately said this to reveal how many in court were connected to the Zhao clan. If she truly wanted to solve the tax issue, she could not voice it publicly; otherwise, the Zhao remnants would learn of the plan immediately after the meeting, and no spirit stones would be collected!
Recognizing Shen Lang’s intention, Shen Xiao’s gaze turned icy. “Such a cruel plan will not be adopted. However, Shen Lang is but a strategist. To offer such a plan for my realm is his duty, and he is not at fault.”
“Everyone here should reflect upon whether you have been worthy of your positions!”
“Dismiss!”
“Shen Lang, stay!”
Seeing that Shen Xiao spared Shen Lang and even kept him behind, the officials immediately realized they had been outplayed. Shen Lang’s proposal to exterminate the Zhao clan was never meant to pass; it was a trap to expose those connected to the Zhao faction.
Recalling the way Shen Xiao looked at them when speaking, the officials turned their furious gazes toward Shen Lang internally cursing, “This man is truly venomous!”
[Notification: Resentment value from Xing Wenlong +100]
[Notification: Resentment value from Zhao Bin +100]
[Notification: Resentment value from Fang Qiong +100]
[Notification: Resentment value from He Xiufei +100]
[...]
Hearing the system alerts, Shen Lang glanced at the ravenous officials and smirked with amusement. If he did not make them suffer in the political arena, he would have wasted his long experience in the bureaucracy of his past life.
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An incense stick’s time later, only Shen Lang remained in the Taiji Hall. Shen Xiao, noticing the faint smile on his lips, relaxed her imposing aura and smiled, “You are quite impressive. You have made me see you in a new light!”
Hearing the praise, Shen Lang immediately waved it off. “Your Majesty is too kind. Serving Your Majesty and sharing your burdens is the duty of your humble servant!”
Noticing how heavily he emphasized “your humble servant,” Shen Xiao was both annoyed and amused, finding him somewhat childish. But understanding the Shen family’s current plight, she also understood why Shen Lang acted so self-interested.
She nodded immediately. “Rest assured, I will not be stingy with my own.”
As she spoke, a token symbolizing a Great Qin official’s rank slowly descended from the void. Shen Lang instinctively caught it but frowned slightly upon seeing it bore the mark of the seventh rank—a very low official grade in Great Qin.
Seeing his expression, Shen Xiao said calmly, “Great Qin’s official system promotes according to merit. Promoting you recklessly now would only harm you.”
“You must have noticed how those in court looked at you today.”
“Even if I wanted to promote you, they would likely oppose it!”
Understanding that Shen Xiao was reminding him of her limited control over the court and that to gain higher power he must strive harder himself, Shen Lang pocketed the token and straightened his attire.
“Your Majesty, the very act of demanding taxes was mistaken from the start.”
“Oh?” Shen Xiao asked, puzzled. “Where is the mistake?”
“As long as the Zhao clan survives, you cannot fully control Great Qin. Expecting to extract resources from their hands to support Your Majesty is a fool’s dream.”
Shen Xiao’s face grew cold. She was well aware of this, hence her eagerness to find a strategist capable of governing the realm. Now that Shen Lang had openly stated this, she asked in turn, “Then, in your opinion, what should I do?”
“I dare to ask, does Your Majesty wish to make a quick profit and leave Great Qin, or do you desire this empire?”
“Of course, I desire the empire, but I am short of resources!” Shen Xiao admitted.
Seeing that she desired both, Shen Lang narrowed his eyes and spoke deliberately, “If so, I have a plan that can shift the stars and exchange the Big Dipper, which can lend Your Majesty a powerful hand!”