Armipotent

"Isn't it better to include them too, Your Majesty?" Marshal Alton had a different idea than Tang Shaoyang, "They are not outsiders, and they may feel left out if we don't include them in the tournament. I believe the sub-region also wants to earn your recognition just like my subordinates."

"Hmmmm," Tang Shaoyang rubbed his chin as he considered Marshal Alton's words. He could not deny what Marshal Alton said. The sub-region was not an outsider of the empire but a branch of the empire. If he did not include them in the big event like the tournament, they might really feel left out. However, that would defeat the purpose of holding the tournament if the sub-region also joined. Choosing the participants for the Earth Tournament and the assimilation of the Lukan people and the Earthling.

"That should not be an issue. We can hold another tournament that includes the sub-region," Kang Xue shared her thoughts, "We exclude the sub-region from the sparring fight, and the sparring fight tournament doesn't need a reward. That will help to create a bond amongst our people and select the fighter for The Earth Tournament. Then we hold the big tournament that includes the sub-region with a prize too after that."

"In fact, the second tournament with the sub-region complements the first tournament and also has more benefits than that. The easiest way to unite our people is to make a common adversary for them. In this tournament, the sub-region is the adversary. Regardless of who will represent us in the tournament, our people will cheer for them, right? That will strengthen the bond of our people, no? On top of that, we need the second tournament to show off our power to the sub-region's factions. We need to show the sub-region what we are capable of so they don't have a funny idea against us. We need to remind them constantly that they survived under our mercy."

Tang Shaoyang's eyes shone with Kang Xue's ideas. He never thought about that, but this idea was excellent. It was a soft reminder for the sub-region factions, so he did not need to make an example of one faction to remind the other factions. On top of that, he gave them a chance to get the carrot as well. The prize for the tournament was something the small factions desired.

"We will plan the tournament for later, but you can tell your people about the sparring tournament to prevent the unwanted clash," Tang Shaoyang looked toward Marshal Alton, "We have the highest priority. First, we need to clear the first ten floors of the Dimensional Tower within a year or even less than a year for the best. I want to contain the battle inside the tower instead of bringing the battle to Earth to minimize the damage. Second, we need to clear China from the zombies as soon as possible. I don't want some random zombie empire or kingdom to appear that will endanger our people. That's our priority!"

Tang Shaoyang told them what happened to one of the expansion teams that encountered Epic Rank Zombie and also Immortal Dynasty that took his people's lives. He emphasized quickness to secure the territory from the strong zombie, then he planned to build the wall at China's border. He wanted his country to be the base of his empire and may be expanded further after that. He had not thought further yet.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Kang Xue, Zhang Mengyao, and Marshal Alton replied simultaneously. Marshal Alton and Kang Xue left the room after that as the meeting was over, but Zhang Mengyao stayed. Her hands were held together as she looked down. From his absurd sense, he could pick up the concern and guilt of his woman. Tang Shaoyang's mind spun, trying to think what concerned his Supreme Commander.

He could think of various reasons behind those feelings. The casualties on the expansion team because she brought all the main force might be one of them. The discontented knights from Lukan about her position, her planning on the second floor, and the thought thinking she might not be the right person to be the Supreme Commander. The doubt piled up on her, and she might think of giving up her position. Those are the things that came up in his mind.

"Silly girl," Tang Shaoyang came over and hugged her. He stroked her back, comforting her, "You are the person I trust the most. We may make mistakes, but who doesn't make mistakes? We just need to learn from the mistakes and improve."

"But people die because I brought the main force into the Dimensional Tower," Zhang Mengyao buried her face in his neck and replied. A pang of guilt hit her when she heard two Epic Rank Zombies destroyed one of the expansion teams. She felt like that would not happen if she did not bring the main force with her.

"It's not your fault, but our fault. We are underestimating the zombies far too much and don't expect them to grow that fast. Even if you did not bring the main force, we still could not rescue them in time. Kairu, Wen, and Pride did not follow you, but they still came late."

"Don't you think Marshal Alton will do a better job than me?" Zhang Mengyao whispered in a low voice as her voice started to crack. She was on the verge of crying.

"I don't think so," Tang Shaoyang answered instantly. There was no hesitation when he answered her, "In fact, it may be worse because I don't trust him as I trust you. You are basically my right hand, and The Empire will be crippled without you."

That was his honest feeling. If he was alone, he did not think that he would be able to grow his empire this fast. They worked together from just a few hundred survivors to hundreds of thousands, and now, they had millions of people, including the people from Lukan.

Zhang Mengyao did not say anything again afterward. They stayed in the same posture for another ten minutes, and Tang Shaoyang sensed her concern slowly disappeared, but the guilt was still there. It would be hard for her not to feel guilty after what happened to the expansion team. But the guilt was not a bad thing as that would be a push for her, so she did not make the same mistake.