Zhan Long

Zhu Hai's body was shaking in rage and he had lost his mind. He knelt down and started to bow and the only thing he didn't do was to slice his intestines out to show his loyalty to Lochlan.

What was worse was that he even cried. Zhu Hai wiped off his tears while staring at me. He pointed at my nose and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I spent all my effort helping the empire, but this Li Xiao Yao… He uses his achievements to ally with Situ Xin, Lin Qiong, Huyan Li etc. This person is arrogant and doesn't care about your majesty. You see that Li Xiao Yao has huge troops in his hands, when the time comes, he can even rebel against the empire. Your Majesty, please make a wise decision!"

Lochlan sat on the throne and smiled, "Ocean Duke, what is the point of that?"

"Your Majesty, you?" Zhu Hai looked at Lochlan in shock.

Lochlan stood up from his throne and said, "I once listened to such things and removed Master Li's powers but in the end he is still the one that protected the empire. If he is unloyal then he would have been the person sitting here. He doesn't have to go through such humiliation and listen to you malign him right?"

His expression changed and he knelt down once more, "Your Majesty is wise. I have never maligned him and my words are the truth!"

"Shut up!"

Lochlan said, "Ocean Duke, you have a firm grasp of the empire's population, resources and land and you are my right hand. Master Li is my sword and my teacher. You don't want to get along with him and go against him, what is the point of that"

Zhu Hai's body shook, "Your Majesty… Your Majesty, I am wrong… Please… Forgive me!"

Lochlan said calmly, "On the count that you are an old official I won't dwell on the matter. But you must remember not to taint Master Li if not you will be punished!"

Lochlan slashed and a corner of the table fell to the ground. This kid's cultivation had improved again.

……

It was time for me to speak. I cupped my fists and said, "Your Majesty, Zhu Hai is powerful and is in charge of the economy and officials. I heard that he is corrupt and that has angered the people. I hope your majesty can investigate and if that is true, punish him severely. If that is the case, send me to punish him, I am good at that."

Lochlan nodded, "I will send someone to investigate, don't worry Master Li."

Huyan Li laughed, " heard that Ocean Duke has 17 wives and the youngest is 15. He eats and wears expensive items. The empire has always been at a war and is lacking in resources so how did Ocean Duke get so much money. I heard that he spent three years of our military expenditure on his Jiuli City manor, I am not sure if that is true? General Lin Qiong, you were once a general there and should know the situation, is it true?"

Lin Qiong was stunned and then nodded, "The manor took 7 years and it was indeed expensive."

Zhu Hai was furious and his eyes were about to spit out flames, "Lin Qiong, I have treated you well so why are you betraying me and colluding with an outsider. What has Li Xiao Yao given you for you to be so loyal to him?"

Lin Qiong cupped his fists and his clear eyes were firm, "Ocean Duke, I don't mean anything but after following The Executor, I know that a general needs to be loyal to the country and not be a dog. After following him, I am able to fight wars and enter Green Rock City. I attacked Moon City and fought the Hybrid Demons all within a year. I think I have done what a general should do. This year is more than what I have done before!"

Guards Army General Situ Xin was pumped up and said loudly, "Well said. Generals should serve the country. We follow The Executor to fight for the country, that is the greatest honor for a warrior!"

Lochlan was a cultivator so how could he handle such a situation, his face turned red. He waved his robe and said, "If I am not wearing this, I would be willing to follow Master Li to battle. My dream life is like that, generals, sometimes I envy all of you!"

Lin Qiong smiled, "Your Majesty is joking, we wish that the world would be at peace one day. As a cultivator, I will farm, grow flowers, fish and slack all day."

Lochlan looked at me, "This… Does Master Li have the same thoughts?"

I laughed, "No, I don't have such goals. I don't belong to this world. After helping Your Majesty unify the kingdoms, I will hand over all power. It wouldn't be going back home to farm but I will just be very free."

Han Yuan held his sword and smiled, "When the time comes, I will follow you wherever you go!"

Long Xing and Xia Ye nodded, "We too!"

Situ Xin smiled, "The seven kingdoms aren't unified yet so let's not talk about this if not Your Majesty would be nervous. If all of you do so, who will help the empire?"

Lochlan nodded, "Right!"

……

Zhu Hai didn't seem like he wanted to give up and said, "Your Majesty, during this battle, Li Xiao Yao messed up and a total of 470 thousand people froze to death. The south camp was sneak attacked and ten thousand people died. The Royal Army defended Blade Mountain and Azure killed tens of thousands of them with one blow. Li Xiao Yao made a mistake and close to 500 thousand troops died, are you not going to question his commanding ability?"

Lin Qiong frowned, "Ocean Duke enough, why must you be so stubborn?"

Zhu Hai frowned, "Shut up you homeless dog!"

Lochlan smiled and his attitude was really gentle, "Ocean Duke do you really think Master Li's commanding was the reason for all this? Do you think I should take his power away?"

Zhu Hai said, "The empire's law is like gold. Since his mistakes caused this then how can we let this slide?"

"Enough!"

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Lochlan slapped the table and caused the entire hall to shake, "Right, the empire lost troops in this battle but so what. We defeated them and crushed his army. Let me ask, apart from Master Li who else can lead the Tian Ling Army to such a victory? Who can ensure that they won't get wiped by Azure's army?"

Lochlan said, "Ocean Duke, I hope that this is the last time you say such a thing."

Zhu Hai stood rooted to the spot and he looked lost.

……

This time Lochlan gave me face.

Yan Zhao Warrior was promoted to Chang Feng Army General. He would continue to buy troops and expand. The other generals were rewarded too. Even Fang Ge Que and Q-Sword were given land but it wasn't of any use. Actually, they would just get some taxes and it was around ten thousand gold a month. As for me, I would get 100 thousand gold a month, around 10 thousand RMB. En, the army system finally gave me income!

"Thank you Xiao Yao!"

Yan Zhao Warrior looked at the general badge and was excited. He kept on thanking me and that made me a little embarrassed. As for Q-Sword and Ye Lai, they spoke to me politely. The rough meaning was for me to take care of them and if they had an opportunity, for me to help put in a good word.

It was good for players to be generals and it would make commanding things much easier. But that wasn't good for me. Commanding NPCs was easy but players were harder. Luckily most of the generals were friends so it wouldn't be too difficult.

When everyone was about to leave, the attendant left me and told me to meet the emperor in the back garden.

……

Lochlan was sitting on a stone and smiled, "Master Li you aren't angry with Zhu Hai right? You are magnanimous so don't fight with such an old man."

I nodded, "It is fine, your majesty thinks too much, why will I lower myself to his level."

"Right…"

Lochlan picked up a stone and tossed it into the lake, "Zhu Hai is indeed powerful and he has many allies. Jiuli City and Tian Ling City have many high ranked people that are close to him. You are good at fighting battles but in terms of ruling cities, land and making weapons, we need to rely on him. The reason why I am still keeping him is because of his logistical support. If Tian Ling City doesn't have him, our horses, weapons and grain will be reduced by 20%."

I smiled and didn't say anything.

Lochlan looked at me uneasily, "Master Li don't just smile, say something, you are making me scared…"

I smiled, "Nothing, I smile because you really grew. You know how to weigh pros and cons and balance their power and position. Of course, apart from me. Today in the hall, everyone can see that you are protecting me. Next time you can reduce my salary to shut them up."

Lochlan clenched his fist and said, "No, since father and sister died, I decided that I won't let the successful officials suffer!"

I looked at him, that tender face was more and more mature.

This emperor was indeed growing day by day.