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The heads of state from various nations, including their entourages, were either King of Knights or Duke-level Vampires.
Though their titles differed, their strength was at least that of a Golden Body Grandmaster, with the sa indistinct sensing ability.
At that mont, all these world-class powerhouses were nervous in the presence of Lu Yao!
President Lincoln even recalled when he was still an "apprentice vampire hunter," he followed his teacher to train at Mount St. Helens.
Facing Lu Yao felt exactly the sa as facing an imminent volcanic eruption!
At this point, everyone realized—the yellow-skinned powerhouse from the Far East was even more troubleso than anticipated!
Just then, a man of East Asian descent clad in a suit quickly approached Lu Yao and said respectfully:
"Great Yi Dynasty's Minister to Arica—Wu Tingfang, has co to pay respects to the Celestial Lord! Having lived here for a long ti and being familiar with the local customs, I am willing to offer my humble services."
This person was neatly dressed and spirited, giving off a very favorable impression.
Lu Yao nodded with a smile, "I appreciate it."
Wu Tingfang, greatly encouraged, imdiately stood beside Lu Yao and began to introduce, "Please allow to introduce the heads of state to you..."
"That won't be necessary, I've seen them in the newspapers."
Lu Yao walked up leisurely and nodded to the heads of state from Arica, France, and England, "I've long heard of you, eting in person for the first ti."
His gaze first swept over President Lincoln, who was in a wheelchair, and the axe on his lap;
Then moved past the Pri Minister of France and the eccentric woman with a hood behind him;
Only at the end did he glance at Pri Minister Chamberlain.
In Lu Yao's eyes, only the representatives from these three nations barely mattered. The others were too weak to consider.
This overly casual deanor made the heads of state increasingly displeased.
Chamberlain's voice was cold as he spoke, "Mind your attitude, you should feel ashad of being late!"
Lu Yao pointed to a distant clock tower and laughed, "Pri Minister, it's still early, I am not late."
Chamberlain gave a cultured smile and uttered one word, "Barbarian."
As the atmosphere grew tenser, President Lincoln, as the host, spoke up at the right mont.
He first politely said, "Welco to your arrival, Mr. Lu Yao."
Then he announced to everyone, "The eting will soon begin, please enter."
Without another word, everyone entered the White House Conference Hall amid the intense flashes of caras.
~~~~~~~~~~
The eting's long table, made of black walnut, and the heads of state from nine nations took their seats in turn.
President Lincoln sat in his wheelchair, speaking first:
[Good morning. Representatives, ladies and gentlen, I am honored to speak here as the 26th President of the Federation.]
After a round of enthusiastic applause, he continued:
[In this historical period, we are facing great challenges. For the justice and prosperity of the entire world, we must take firm and bold actions!]
...
These highly inspiring words were broadcasted worldwide at that very mont, and the Arican people swelled with pride, soaking in it.
But Lu Yao was too lazy to listen any more platitudes.
While distracted, he suddenly sensed two murderous intents directed at him and turned his head to see, amused.
Intentional or not, right opposite him was the leader of the Izumo Exile Governnt—Pri Minister Hirobumi Ito.
His entourage included "Wind Demon Kotaro," who had once ambushed Er Ya.
As n of a defeated nation, they made no effort to hide their hatred for Lu Yao, staring straight at him.
```
Lu Yao ignored the defeated dog and discreetly adhered to the etiquette of a guest, remaining quiet during the eting.
The first item on the agenda was "Naval Disarmant".
Lincoln, seated in his wheelchair, spoke eloquently, his words sotis mild and at other tis vehent. With the cooperation of England and France, the charter was quickly established.
The three countries of England, France, and Arica strictly limited the tonnage of their respective main battleships to 35,000 tons, and the caliber of the main guns to no more than 16 inches.
This was insignificant; the real revelation ca at the end—the total tonnage of other nations' navies could not exceed 20% of any one of the three partners!
Wu Tingfang quietly explained, "This not only saves our own funds but also restricts the developnt of other countries' navies—a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy."
Lu Yao nodded his head. Clearly, England, France, and Arica had joined forces; other countries had no choice but to submit placidly.
Even so, President Lincoln's eloquence played a significant role.
This man, seated in his wheelchair, had the eloquence of a poet, turning such a an affair into sothing that seed beneficial to humanity. It was as if limiting the naval developnt of other countries was indeed for world peace, leaving no room for objection.
~~~~~~~~~
However, the next topic—the issues of the Pacific Ocean and the Far East—made Lu Yao frown deeply.
Delegates from various countries took turns, in front of him, to denounce the Yi Dynasty's savage annexation of Izumo.
Pri Minister Ito was even more blunt, rebuking Lu Yao: "This rogue has acted recklessly and murdered our revered Emperor, slaughtering the Izumo People! He is a great threat to regional peace and stability! I call upon all nations of the world to unite and put him on trial for his war cris!"
Upon these words, the venue erupted into chaos. Many reporters raised their caras, snapping away at the diminutive Hirofumi Ito, capturing priceless photographic evidence.
President Lincoln, who was chairing the eting, raised a hand to calm the noise and gave Lu Yao a chance to speak, "May I ask if Mr. Lu has anything to add?"
Lu Yao didn't deliver a long speech but simply stated indifferently, "They asked for it."
"Bastard!" With just four words, Pri Minister Ito was incensed beyond control. He took several deep breaths to calm down, then spoke coldly:
"Just you wait, the one who has asked for it today is yourself!"
As if to prove his words, the three countries of England, France, and Arica each put forward their proposals—
Pri Minister Chamberlain, tall and elegant, said, "The Yi Dynasty has willfully torn up previously signed treaties and forcefully closed leased territories and trade ports. Such actions seriously breach international law and are untrustworthy. The Yi Dynasty's governnt must strictly abide by the treaties, reopening all trade ports and leased territories."
The Pri Minister of France—Clenteau—also stood up and said sternly, "On this basis, the Yi Dynasty's governnt must apologize and make reparations to all nations. Tariffs must be set uniformly by all nations, and the consular courts must have jurisdiction in the leased territories."
Upon hearing this, Wu Tingfang's face turned red with anger and he shouted, "Ridiculous! This is clearly an attempt to repeat the sa old sches!"
Leased territories, indemnities, tariff autonomy, consular jurisdiction, the great powers had well-calculated their plans.
Lu Yao looked toward President Lincoln, who had not yet spoken, and made a "please" gesture with his hand.
Lincoln likewise unapologetically said, "The Yi Dynasty must withdraw its troops from Izumo and hand over all cha and battleships. You yourself must also stand trial."
Hearing this, Lu Yao laughed out loud: "Ha, I must say... you folks are quite amusing."
President Lincoln clenched the Cherry Blossom Divine Axe in his hand, his face full of righteousness:
"Mr. Lu, our intention is to maintain peace in the Pacific region, and we do not wish to wage war. But if necessary, we will undoubtedly do so!"
"Speaking of war..." Lu Yao took out the "Declaration of War to All Nations" from his bosom, tossed it to Lincoln, and said, "Here is my response to you."
The leaders of England, France, and Arica, who were seated together, saw the declaration at the sa ti.
With the seal of the Imperial Jade Seal on it, the docunt had an extraordinary effect. Its content appeared directly in one's mind, understandable even by those who could not read.
The leaders of the three countries imdiately understood its significance. Chamberlain, both shocked and angry, exclaid, "Barbarian, you're mad!"
Soon, others who were staring at the declaration also envisioned its content in their minds, equally astonished!
The native of the Far East before their eyes was actually declaring war on multiple powerful countries, including England, France, and Arica!
Lu Yao casually chuckled, "There's plenty of blank space on the declaration. Any country that wants to wage war with can fill it in themselves."
The flashbulbs burst incessantly, and the reporters on-site went into a frenzy!
Wu Tingfang was dumbstruck, having never imagined that the mighty figure before him could be so... unrestrained!
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