"How has the Great Shun Kingdom beco so impoverished?" the Empress Dowager asked, pointing to the morials one by one, sighing, "How is it that there's not even money to repair a garden?"
Everyone Focused Spirit to look, and they were all morials from high officials in the Imperial Court, requesting the cessation of the Sumr Palace's construction.
Emperor Yong'an promptly replied, "The Empress Dowager has toiled for the nation; enjoying a nice garden is only right, there's no need to mind this clamor, your son will make sure you get your wish!"
The Emperor's mind was now filled with the desire to complete the garden, so that this enchantress could "return to politics."
"The Emperor is indeed filial," the Empress Dowager said with satisfaction, nodding her head, then continued,
"Minister Li Zhongtang, hasten the military campaign, lest it delay the celebration, let the fleet set forth."
Li Zhongtang bowed to take his leave, but was worried about where the money would co from.
The Empress Dowager went on, "Neither the garden nor the longevity feast can be stopped, this old body has little else to look forward to. After these two matters are settled, I intend to retire peacefully; do not add to my troubles."
Li Zhongtang hesitated for a mont, then said, "Then this old minister bravely asks for two generals to support the campaign and contend with Izumo's land and naval offensive."
He was asking the Imperial Court for two experts to hold the fort, a characteristic of warfare in the Otherworld, to guard against enemy assaults by powerful adversaries.
The Empress Dowager rubbed her forehead and said, "Those below the Golden Body Realm you may appoint at your discretion. I'm tired, let that be all for now. Rember—swift battle, swift resolution."
"This servant obeys the decree."
~~~~~~~~~
After the eting had adjourned, Li Zhongtang inwardly lanted—the Great Shun Dynasty was declining year by year.
This ti with the military support, those in the Golden Body Realm were simply beyond command, several Great Grandmasters hadn't even attended the Imperial eting, leaving only the Innates as options.
But the Innates were no easy targets either, each one acting high and mighty, as if they were the center of the universe.
Who could they find to willingly take on such a grueling task on the battlefield without significant perks?
To employ these individuals required tangible benefits, out of the question were hollow promises of promotions and titles.
As he was worrying, a man with a round, smiling face approached him.
"Minister Li, are you troubled about whom to choose?"
"Prince Li, what advice do you have for ?"
The newcor was none other than Li Ze, who had replaced the fallen Prince Gong and had just been appointed as Minister of Military Affairs—Prince Li.
Prince Li said with a beaming smile, "Have you heard of Yu Yani, the Innate Grandmaster known throughout the Imperial City—the Moonshadow Sword? Fast as lightning, her swordplay as stunning as a wild goose in flight. She's perfect to command the battleships."
Li Zhongtang looked intently at the man before him. Prince Gong's residence still maintained a semblance of dignity, thanks to the presence of Grandmaster Yu.
If sothing were to happen to her, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe for Prince Gong's family.
The man before him, eager to eliminate future troubles, was ready to kick his kinsman when he was down, his thods much harsher than outsiders', pulling the rug out from under them—ruthless indeed.
It seed Prince Li was keen on having Grandmaster Yu die on the battlefield. Commanding a battleship was among the most dangerous jobs; hundreds of kilograms of cannonballs whizzing by, never knowing when you might be blown to bits!
Prince Li added, "Grandmaster Yu is very fond of her sole apprentice and is sure to obey. Minister Li might want to consider this well; Sir Alexander would also thank you for it."
Li Zhongtang, expressionless, bowed and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Prince Li. This old official will go and request the decree imdiately."
~~~~~~~~
No sooner had the whispers started around the Imperial City, than Lu Yao received a phone call informing him, directly from Du Wenlan.
[Young Master Lu, there's trouble at Prince Gong's Residence! Grandmaster Yu has suddenly agreed to command the "Zhiyuan" warship for a sea campaign. This is extrely dangerous, and there seems to be coercion at play in the court.]
"Thank you for letting know, Minister Du! I owe you a favor."
Du Wenlan: [Think nothing of it. However, I still must advise you, Young Master Lu, not to put all your eggs in one basket. Be adaptable—that's the key.]
~~~~~~~~~
Being stationed on a warship was incredibly dangerous. Three to four hundred-pound cannonballs zipped past, particularly those with a caliber of 300MM ; if one landed within 5 ters, obliteration was guaranteed.
Moreover, naval guns preferred to be in double or triple mounts, firing salvos that would deplete half a health bar from soone in the Golden Body Realm if hit directly.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Yao sighed, "If the tilines of the two worlds align, then Yu Yani is truly in danger. If she dies, Li Pei will be heartbroken, and life will beco even harder."
"It seems I need to make a trip there! Fortunately, I already have a contingency plan."
Lu Yao went to the storeroom to grab two bags of money, then returned to Blue Star.
~~~~~~~~~
Lu Yao had to leave imdiately without even staying two days in the newly purchased villa on Blue Star.
Although the two worlds were largely similar, so details differed. Who knew when the battle in the Yellow Sea would start, so speed was essential.
First, Lu Yao contacted Li Lei, asking her to take the two bags of cash away and invest it all into the laboratory!
Since Li Zhihang was capable, Lu Yao didn't care about the money; whatever could increase the speed of his cultivation was worth discussing.
Next, he dialed Alexander's number, who was far away in Yukolun.
Upon connection, a warm voice ca through: [Ha, dear Lu, I'm delighted to receive your call. Do you have another order?]
"Indeed, is this line secure?"
[Rest assured, after all, we were once the largest military factory of the Iron Alliance; there won't be any issues with confidentiality. In fact, I'm calling you from an underground nuclear bunker.]
"That's good to hear. I need a Rainbow military drone, the kind that Xia Country just developed and is now selling hot. Help order one; I'll co to pick it up."
[...]
There was a mont of silence on the other end, then a hearty laugh:
[Ha, dear Lu, Rainbow drones are not difficult to acquire, but I need to deal with a bunch of officials and get clearance to import one, which isn't cheap. The drone's original price is thirty million dollars, and I charge a five million dollar commission.]
"That's fair, but this money won't be easy to earn. I need to see the rchandise by tomorrow night; can you do it?"
[Don't worry, I will et all of the client's demands. I will contact the Rainbow drone sales team right now and guarantee you won't be disappointed.]
~~~~~~~
After hanging up, Lu Yao breathed a sigh of relief.
The item he intended to buy—was the Rainbow-5 "Reconnaissance-Strike" drone.
This was no toy but a military-grade product capable of carrying missiles and aerial bombs.
It was Xia Country's latest military drone, popular in over twenty countries and regions worldwide. Many nations, so poor they could only afford AKs, could now have an air force for a modest sum of money, to everyone's delight.
Lu Yao had thought it through clearly; he wouldn't be of much use in a large-scale naval battle, and it was far too dangerous.
The top priority was safety, and if he wanted to cause trouble, it would have to be from over 100 kiloters away.
This military drone, which didn't require satellites and could operate over 200 kiloters relying on ground stations alone, was perfect!
~~~~~~~~~
Li Lei had co to take the money shortly after he hung up.
She was very obedient, sensing that Lu Yao had sothing to attend to. She refrained from staying to play despite her desire and simply gave a hug.
Lu Yao rushed to the airport and chartered a flight to Yukolun.
Not long after the plane took off, the Foreign Affairs Bureau received information about the flight!
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