LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 13
Two of Xia Kingdom’s key ministers left with faces full of disappointment.
At this time, the news of Lin Beifan cracking down on speculation and profiteering and the killing of nobles and merchants from noble families spread quickly throughout the land, naturally reaching the Mo Kingdom and coming to the knowledge of the Mo Kingdom Emperor.
The Mo Kingdom Emperor was shocked and dismayed: “Has this young Emperor gone mad? These merchants have the backing of noble families, with considerable power; even I dare not offend them, and yet he… he has killed them all?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, when I received this information, I too could hardly believe it. To commit such a heinous and insane act! It can only be said that when the heavens wish to destroy him, they first make him mad!” the ministers said with a laugh.
The Mo Kingdom Emperor nodded in agreement: “That’s true! Only a madman could do something so crazy!”
At this moment, the generals spoke out loudly: “Your Majesty, this is a heaven-sent opportunity, we could…”
“No need to rush, no need to rush…”
The Mo Kingdom Emperor said with a smile, gesturing with his hand as if holding all the wisdom: “That young Emperor has already gone mad with killing. The noble families behind the merchants will certainly not rest until they have their revenge, sticking to him like glue until that ant is dead! We might not even need to lift a finger; the Xia Kingdom might destroy itself, haha!”
“Your Majesty’s words are most astute!” the officials said in unison.
“We continue to prepare, but we can wait a bit to rest and bide our time for the noble family to make the first move! When the Xia Kingdom collapses and can no longer hold on, we will send our troops and take down the Xia Kingdom in one fell swoop! Haha…”“Your Majesty speaks very wisely!” The officials once again echoed in unison.
The nobles of the noble family, far away in the dynasty, were also aware of this matter now, and they were fuming with rage.
They had not expected that an emperor of a small kingdom would dare to kill their merchants and plunder their goods. This was a complete provocation, a total disregard for their status!
Such behavior was despicable and absolutely could not be tolerated!
Otherwise, everyone would think that the nobles of the noble family were easy to bully.
So, they immediately took action, uniting to blockade the economy of the Xia Kingdom, cutting off all commercial trade between the Xia Kingdom and the outside world.
Should anyone act willfully and continue to do business with the Xia Kingdom, they would be opposing the influential noble families.
Such punishment was extremely lethal.
Because the Xia Kingdom was small in population, with barren land and scarce resources, they relied heavily on imports for many things. Once cut off from the outside world, even securing food became an issue, and the country would quickly collapse.
People shook their heads one after another.
“The Xia Kingdom is really finished. This is what happens when you offend the influential noble families!”
“They strike at the vitals with speed and ruthlessness!”
“That young Emperor, after all, has paid the price for his foolishness!”
“This time, not even the gods can save him!”
The Xia Kingdom was in a state of chaos.
Many citizens of the Xia Kingdom saw no hope and, not wanting to become cannon fodder in the war, quickly fled.
Many merchants, seeing Lin Beifan’s cold-hearted treatment of their kind, had long since lost heart. Observing the economic blockade and realizing there was no business to be done, they naturally fled as well.
The streets became much less populated and fell into decline.
Even in the court, many officials had started to flee.
One time, when Lin Beifan attended the imperial court session, he noticed that nearly a third of the civil and military officials were missing.
In response, Lin Beifan just gave a faint smile: “It’s better that these useless cowards have run away, saving me the trouble of having to clean them out!”
The situation in the entire Xia Kingdom could be described in one word: chaos.
Amidst this turmoil, Lin Beifan continued to lead a life of luxury, spending his days in pleasure with his newly taken consort, Wang Xiangjun, living a carefree life.
Consort Wang Xiangjun, filled with remorse, said, “Your Majesty, it is all my fault!”
Lin Beifan was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”
Wang Xiangjun, on the verge of tears, said, “I am fated to be the Heaven’s Doom Star of Destruction! It is my arrival that has brought so many troubles and disasters to His Majesty. It’s all my fault…”
Clearly, she blamed herself for everything.
Lin Beifan laughed and took Wang Xiangjun’s small hand. “My beloved consort, don’t think too much. None of this has anything to do with you; it was all done on purpose by me! As the saying goes, there can be no construction without destruction. How can we welcome a new era without first collapsing the old state?”
“Your Majesty, are you speaking the truth?” Wang Xiangjun blinked, somewhat confused.
Lin Beifan declared loudly, “My words are as precious as gold and as pure as jade; how could I deceive you?”
“Your Majesty, then I am at ease!” Wang Xiangjun leaned into Lin Beifan’s embrace.
Greedily feeling the warmth of the man’s body, she breathed in his scent, filled with infatuation.
Although others said her man was a tyrant and a foolish ruler.
To her, however, this man was exceedingly good to her, providing her with support and also a warm home, the man she would follow for her entire life.
She made a secret decision in her heart: If His Majesty were to pass away, she would not live alone!
At that moment, from the eaves not far away came the crisp sound of silver bells.
“You little Emperor, enjoying such a carefree and romantic life! The country is in chaos, a complete mess, and here you are, cozying up with a beauty! Everyone says you’re a ruler who loves his beauty more than his realm, and now Yaoyao truly believes it, giggle…”
The nearby Imperial Guard’s face changed color: “Who is it?”
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