Chapter 491: Ministers Ready to Face Death
If the ministers had never been to Han Shi or tasted its dishes, asking them to go out of their way every day to a distant place just to eat—while also telling them that a Titled Douluo-level expert might be watching them and could strike at any moment—would naturally make them unwilling. In that case, Xu Haolong's suggestion would have perfectly suited their wishes.
But after tasting Han Shi's food, telling them not to go there anymore—how could they possibly agree?
Yes, there was a Titled Douluo-level expert there. But in the ministers' minds, as long as they disguised themselves well and went merely as ordinary diners, the other party wouldn't just attack them, right?
So while Xu Haolong believed the ministers were walking straight into danger, in their own minds, it was a completely different story.
However, the emperor's word was law. Since Xu Haolong had already spoken, the ministers couldn't exactly say, "I'm craving the food, please let me go." So they all hesitated, saying nothing, hoping someone else would step forward first.
And then, someone really did.
"Your Majesty, I want to keep going!" Zhao Zhiyuan immediately objected upon hearing Xu Haolong's words.
At noon, he had eaten Han Shi's Dongpo Pork Knuckle, and the incredible flavor had instantly conquered him. Not only that, the dish could temporarily increase cultivation speed—it was truly a treasure. He wished he could have it every meal.
Now that the emperor was telling them to stop probing, didn't that mean he could never eat it again?
Of course, while Zhao Zhiyuan might be a bit simple, he wasn't stupid. He certainly wouldn't reveal his true reason. After a quick thought, he said, "Your Majesty, I am a level-nine spirit engineer. They won't be able to do anything to me. I am willing to continue going and monitor every move of Han Shi!"
Seeing Zhao Zhiyuan step forward, Ye Changhong quietly let out a sigh of relief.
With this fool taking the lead, things would be much easier.
There was a dish in Han Shi—the Ginkgo Biloba Dish—that could enhance spiritual power. Ye Changhong found it just as impossible to give up.
Although he had always been at odds with Zhao Zhiyuan and the Terrorclaw Spirit Engineer Legion, this time he stood on the same side. "Your Majesty, I am also a level-nine spirit engineer. I do not fear those sneaky individuals from the Douluo Continent."
Glancing at the other ministers, Ye Changhong had a thought and added, "With Commander Zhao and myself, two level-nine spirit engineers, stationed there, the opposing Titled Douluo would certainly not dare act rashly. If any other ministers are willing to go, we are prepared to ensure their safety. We are all citizens of the Sun Moon Empire—standing together in times like this is only right."
Feeling the grateful gazes instantly cast toward him by the other ministers, Ye Changhong was overjoyed.
He had made the right gamble!
Although he included Zhao Zhiyuan in his words, since he was the one who proposed it, the ministers who wanted to go were clearly more grateful to him.
The Evileye Tyrant Spirit Engineer Legion had been established more recently and lacked deep roots in court. By earning the goodwill of the ministers now, the benefits in the future would surely be significant.
With Ye Changhong providing a way out, the ministers immediately followed.
Though they lacked the strength of level-nine spirit engineers, Commander Ye had already said he and Commander Zhao would protect them.
At this point, how could they not seize the opportunity?
One after another, the ministers began their impassioned performances, portraying their desire to dine at Han Shi as if they were ready to sacrifice their lives for the empire. Each wore an expression of fearless resolve, as though they wished to charge straight to Han Shi and keep a close watch on those infiltrators from Douluo Continent for the emperor.
Xu Haolong: "…"
This escalated… rather suddenly.
He had never expected that his well-intentioned suggestion for the sake of the ministers would meet with such fierce opposition. Looking at the officials before him, each wearing an expression as if they were ready to die for the country, Xu Haolong found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Among such loyal, patriotic ministers… could there really be a traitor?
He even began to doubt his earlier suspicions.
Glancing across the crowd, his eyes landed on the one person who hadn't spoken along with the others and whose expression seemed rather strange—the Prime Minister, Zhou Yuan. Xu Haolong's heart stirred.
"Prime Minister Zhou, what do you think?"
Standing at the very front of the ministers, Zhou Yuan did not respond immediately. Instead, he cast Xu Haolong a subtle look.
Back when Xu Haolong was still a prince, Zhou Yuan had already been his most capable strategist. Having supported him for so many years, Xu Haolong naturally understood the meaning behind that glance.
He had something to report in private.
As expected, there was another reason behind the ministers' behavior.
Xu Haolong gave a nearly imperceptible tap of his finger on the table, signaling his understanding.
Only then did Zhou Yuan speak. "Your Majesty, this matter need not be mentioned again. Our visits to Han Shi for probing and surveillance are entirely voluntary. How can we retreat simply because of a Titled Douluo?"
"Then in your opinion, what should be done?"
"Your servant believes we should proceed according to the plan discussed during the morning court," Zhou Yuan said after a moment of thought. "However… further probing is no longer necessary. From now on, it is sufficient to ensure that Han Shi remains constantly within our line of sight."
"It is now certain that Han Shi comes from the Douluo Continent and is backed by at least one Titled Douluo-level expert. Under such circumstances, using force is no longer advisable. If a Titled Douluo is determined to flee, it will be extremely difficult for us to stop them. And if such a being were to wreak havoc across the Sun Moon Continent, the consequences would be disastrous. It would be far better to simply monitor Han Shi."
"Your Majesty must not forget—four months from now, the coastline of the Sun Moon Continent will be exposed to the Douluo Continent. As long as we keep a close watch on Han Shi and prevent them from leaving within these four months, whether they leave afterward will not affect our grand plan."
"…This…" Xu Haolong tightened his grip on the secret report, falling into thought.
Zhou Yuan had not yet seen the intelligence report, so he was unaware that the Titled Douluo had already discovered the identities of the ministers. Xu Haolong found it inconvenient to reveal this directly. However, one thing Zhou Yuan said was indeed correct.
In four months, everything would become clear. As long as Han Shi was kept under watch and prevented from taking other actions during that time, the cost would be far lower than engaging in a full-scale battle with a Titled Douluo.
As for what happens after four months…
There were many Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent. Keeping one or two would not change the overall situation. If they were allowed to leave then, so be it.
Two level-nine spirit engineers might not be enough. Since the ministers insisted on going, he might as well assign two more.
"Very well. From now on, I will have Liu Huguo and Li Huguo also dine at Han Shi."
These two were level-nine spirit engineers from the Hall of Consecration. With them added, four level-nine spirit engineers guarding against a single Titled Douluo should be sufficiently safe.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Though he did not understand why the emperor was being so cautious, Zhou Yuan naturally had no objections.
"Alright, the rest of you may leave. The Prime Minister will stay."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The other ministers exited the council hall in an orderly manner. Only then did Xu Haolong turn his gaze back to Zhou Yuan.
"Now, tell me, what exactly is going on?"
"Your Majesty, actually…" Zhou Yuan gave a wry smile and began to explain.
Being closer to the emperor, he had no worries about causing any friction with Xu Haolong over this matter.
After a while, an enraged roar echoed through the now-empty council hall—
"These scoundrels! Unworthy of being my ministers!"
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