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As soon as Bai Yu finished speaking, everyone present frowned, because they didn't understand why they would help Tian Dou in the form of mercenaries.
Ignoring the expressions on the faces of those around him, Bai Yu continued:
"The so-called mercenaries are those who provide as many people as you pay. As long as you can afford the cost, the Spirit Hall can provide support from Soul Masters to Titled Douluos."
"It's not impossible that you could even be ruthless enough to empty your coffers and get Spirit Hall to help Tiandou destroy Star Luo."
"hiss!"
After Bai Yu finished speaking, a collective gasp swept through the room. They hadn't expected Bai Yu to be so outspoken.
Spirit Hall has gone mad to destroy Star Luo! Even if Star Luo is destroyed, it won't benefit the Spirit Hall at all, will it?
However, regardless of whether Spirit Hall has gone mad or not, Bai Yu's suggestion is still quite tempting.
After all, once Star Luo is destroyed, Tiandou will be the only empire on the continent, and those in power will reap many benefits.
"Your Holiness, we do understand what you mean by mercenary."
"However, Your Holiness, please clarify whether your Spirit Hall only intends to use this method to help Tiandou, or whether Star Luo can also borrow people from you in the same way?"
"If they were all the same, then it would be a loss."
A minister of the Tian Dou empire frowned and asked Bai Yu with a slightly hesitant tone.
Bai Yu waved his hand, signaling the Tian Dou group to relax, then chuckled and said:
"Hehe, that's not true. Spirit Hall never intended to get involved. The reason they're helping in this way is just because they're giving me face since I have a good relationship with Brother Qinghe."
"Besides, neither you Tiandou nor Star Luo are fools. If Spirit Hall really makes such a decision, you and Star Luo can weigh the pros and cons and maybe make peace."
"After all, Spirit Hall is making a fortune from the war, which I believe neither of your empires wants to see. So, isn't this exactly what you want?"
A hint of embarrassment flashed in the eyes of the Minister of Tian Dou, but it immediately disappeared. He picked up a glass of wine and toasted Bai Yu with a smile.
Face is worthless in the face of self-interest. What difference does it make if you throw it on the ground and stomp on it?
He had already realized that Bai Yu was right. If Spirit Hall wanted to have its cake and eat it too, the result would be that it would get nothing from both.
Bai Yu drank a cup of wine, placed the cup on the table, and then stood up and said:
"Everyone, I have said what I needed to say. As for the specific plans, that is up to you. Brother Qinghe, I will take my leave!"
"Brother Bai, please take care. If there are any results, Qinghe will immediately send someone to inform you."
When Xue Qinghe saw Bai Yu about to leave, he stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Bai Yu.
After Bai Yu left the main hall, Xue Qinghe looked at the assembled ministers of the Tian Dou empire, tapped his fingers on the table, and said in a deep voice:
"My esteemed ministers, please speak freely. What are our plans for the Tian Dou Empire?"
"Should we pay Spirit Hall to intervene and launch a counterattack against Star Luo, or should we try to negotiate with Star Luo and end the war?"
As soon as Xue Qinghe finished speaking, Grand Marshal Ge Long of the Tian Dou Army stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to Xue Qinghe.
"Your Majesty, peace talks are not an option. Star Luo launched an attack on Tiandou right after Your Majesty ascended the throne. They are truly treacherous and ambitious."
"If we negotiate now, Star Luo will definitely make exorbitant demands. Not only will Tiandou lose face, but it will also leave the continent with the impression that we are weak and easily bullied."
"It would be better to use this money on Spirit Hall. Since Spirit Hall dares to act as mercenaries, it will not give anyone a reason to criticize it. It should do its best to help Tian Dou attack Star Luo."
Upon hearing Ge Long's words, 'Xue Qinghe' did not respond, but instead turned to the others, signaling them to share their opinions.
After all, hiring Spirit Hall requires money, and the Tiandou royal family simply cannot afford to pay that amount.
We still need to rely on these ministers to step in and contact nobles in various regions so that everyone can contribute together.
After pondering for a moment, one of the leading ministers stood up, bowed, and said:
"Your Majesty, what are your plans? If you hire Spirit Hall, to what extent do you intend to fight?"
"Furthermore, the Holy Son, Bai Yu, just now did not mention the hiring fee. Does Your Majesty know how much it costs to hire Spirit Hall?"
A glint flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, then he nodded and sighed softly.
"My dear minister asked me how far I want to fight. To be honest, I want to destroy Star Luo and make Tiandou the only empire on the continent."
"After all, such an achievement is the wish of my Xue family for generations. It would be a great fortune if it could be accomplished in my hands!"
"However, the cost of hiring Spirit Hall is indeed a problem. Brother Bai mentioned it to me in a letter before. It's not too high, though."
"If all that is needed is to repel Star Luo, the cost will only be one-fifth of the annual tax revenue of Tiandou. You could say that Brother Bai is just giving me face by asking for a small amount."
"But if we want to destroy Star Luo and start a full-scale war on the continent, then it's not a matter of saving face."
"If Spirit Hall were to participate in a war of this magnitude and guarantee victory in the Battle, not only would the national treasury and the royal family be emptied."
"Even the money from the general public will probably have to be used up by two-thirds."
After Xue Qinghe finished speaking, everyone in the hall had a flicker in their eyes.
They all understood what Xue Qinghe said, and at the same time, they thought to themselves, no wonder their emperor was never in a hurry.
It turns out that defeating Star Luo was really simple. That Holy Son of Spirit Hall had already made a guarantee: just find an excuse to shut up the mouths of the major powers on the continent, get some things from Tiandou, and then you can step in and help.
But people are inherently greedy. Since the attack from Star Luo was no longer a concern, and Spirit Hall had opened a breach to help Tiandou, the situation became dire.
Why not seize this opportunity and wipe out Star Luo in one fell swoop?
Although it is painful to empty their wallets, the benefits they can obtain will more than double as their territory expands in the future.
Besides, this time it was the Holy Son of Spirit Hall who had connections with their Emperor, so they sent a mercenary to help in a roundabout way.
What about next time? Relationships are finite; if you miss this opportunity, you might not get another one!
The ministers exchanged glances, each seeing the desire in the eyes of the others.
"Your Majesty, with such a powerful ally from Spirit Hall, we have the perfect combination of timing, location, and popular support. It is all within our grasp at Tian Dou. If we do not seize this opportunity, we will suffer the consequences!"
"We beseech Your Majesty to order the confiscation of all wealth in the land to aid the Empire in its destruction of Star Luo. We will also do our utmost to contact kings and nobles in various regions and persuade them to lend Your Majesty a hand!"
The leading minister rose and bowed, beginning to advise Xue Qinghe. The others followed suit, all standing up as well.
"Your Majesty, we second that proposal!"
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