Dragon's Origin

“Just that simple?” The Emperor was stunned again, this being the third time he'd been stunned today. Not only that, but cold sweat instantly poured out of his forehead.

“Of course!” Wang Sheng was still smiling: “Zhu Xingsheng just likes to play self-defeating games like that. You're so wise and brilliant, you wouldn't repeat his mistakes, would you?”

The Emperor was an intelligent man, especially this Emperor, who had managed to run the capital into its current state under heavy suppression from all sides. It could be said that the current Emperor was definitely an intelligent man with great ambitions. He could understand what was good advice and what was bad. At this time, the Emperor had not yet gained power, and he could still understand.

Wang Sheng had already made it very clear that having powerful weapons was desirable, but the most important thing was that Zhu Xingsheng had crippled himself. Letting those protecting him kneel while he stood, such an obvious target, Wang Sheng could have taken him down with a heavy sniper crossbow even without a mysterious weapon. So, what mysterious weapon to use was secondary; the important thing was to protect oneself.

The three Grand Eunuchs were now all at the tenth level of cultivation. If there really were assassins, who could break through their three layers of protection at once?

The Emperor was indeed the Emperor. After pondering for a while, he understood what Wang Sheng meant. He immediately instructed Steward Zhou: “Old Zhou, issue an order that from now on, your three Grand Eunuchs are not to kneel when you see me. Also, guards on duty are not to kneel at any time while on duty.”

“This servant thanks His Majesty for his grace!” Steward Zhou stood up without saying a word and knelt down to the Emperor. Just as the Emperor was about to frown, Steward Zhou said loudly: “Please allow this servant to kneel this once! To thank His Majesty for his heavenly grace!”

With three loud thuds, Steward Zhou finished kowtowing, stood up, and turned to Wang Sheng, bowing respectfully: “This servant thanks Duke Chang Sheng for his guidance!”

This time, Steward Zhou did not kneel to Wang Sheng. Just kidding, he wouldn't kneel to others if he didn't even kneel to the Emperor! Bowing to Wang Sheng was already the limit, a great courtesy!

However, Steward Zhou was really grateful to Wang Sheng for giving the Emperor a sufficient lesson in time. Although this was not aimed at the Emperor, but at Zhu Xingsheng, Zhu Xingsheng's fate could also serve as a warning to the Emperor.

Recently, the Emperor had indeed become a little inflated. Seeing the various forces in chaos, while the royal family was taking the opportunity to grow stronger, he couldn't suppress his inflated mentality. Not only the Emperor, but even Steward Zhou and the other two were like that.

Steward Zhou, Chief Eunuch Li, and Old Eunuch Shen were in the midst of the situation, and sometimes they couldn't see clearly themselves. Moreover, the three of them had just broken through to the tenth level, and they thought that they were the only ones in the world besides Lingxu Old Daoist. Among the heroes of the world, how many could they still see in their eyes?

Wang Sheng's words made the Emperor aware of the crisis he might face when he was high above, and also made Steward Zhou aware of their previous arrogance and carelessness. If Wang Sheng really had the intention to attack, even if the three of them were guarding, they might not be able to defend against Wang Sheng.

“That's right!” Wang Sheng smiled and returned the salute to Steward Zhou, then turned back and continued to smile at the Emperor: “To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. As long as you don't make mistakes and slowly increase your strength, what does it matter how powerful outsiders are? If there really are unbelievably strong ones, you can't stop them anyway. But at least those who aren't strong enough can't do anything to you, can they?”

“Right!” The Emperor also became happy. Although he didn't get the real secret from Wang Sheng's mouth, and Wang Sheng guaranteed that he wouldn't be able to use it in the future, he still got a verbal lesson from Wang Sheng, which made him realize that he had indeed been a bit mentally unbalanced recently.

The Emperor took the initiative to pick up the wine glass and toasted Wang Sheng. Wang Sheng was not polite and generously accepted the Emperor's toast. After drinking, Steward Zhou next to him diligently refilled it.

To have the Emperor toast and have Steward Zhou, one of the three Grand Eunuchs at the tenth level, pour wine, this honor, I'm afraid, had never been given to anyone other than the Emperor and the Empress. Wang Sheng enjoyed it here with peace of mind.

“What are His Majesty's plans next?” After drinking, Wang Sheng asked the Emperor in return.

“As you said, sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.” The Emperor was in a good mood and smiled a lot: “Do whatever you usually do, just write the blank edicts with names on them and wait. Whoever comes to report will first be given a small title and rewards to the meritorious officials of each family. By the way, leave me a batch of tickets for the Grandmaster's performance, and I'll use them as rewards.”

“Okay!” Wang Sheng agreed unhappily: “Anyway, the gold coins will be deducted from your dividends. How about giving them a special performance? One hundred million gold coins will do.”

“That's fine!” The Emperor's eyes lit up: “Just give them a special performance. Give them titles and special performances. Let's see how much territory these families are willing to give up?”

Enfeoffment, enfeoffment, is to separate the assembled families. The more titles and territories are enfeoffed, the smaller each large principality is divided, and the more dispersed the power becomes. This is what the Emperor likes to see, and he can't wait for those guys to occupy a few special performances! Thousands of small fiefs are much easier to deal with than the eight great princes.

If the eight great princes can be split up just by using some other people's territory and illusory titles, then the Emperor doesn't mind adding more himself. A special performance is only 100 million gold coins. Does the Emperor still care about 100 million gold coins now?

Now that the conversation had reached this point, it could basically be said that the Emperor knew everything he wanted to know, and Wang Sheng still didn't let him know what he didn't want him to know, but it was already considered satisfactory. The purpose of this meeting was more than fulfilled, and the Emperor was very happy.

That's why he pulled Wang Sheng to drink, and the Emperor hadn't drunk so recklessly in a long time. Steward Zhou didn't dissuade him and took the initiative to help Wang Sheng and the Emperor pour wine, until the Emperor was drunk.

“Duke, thank you!” When the Emperor was drunk on the table, Steward Zhou took the initiative to thank Wang Sheng again.

The Emperor had been working hard these days and hadn't had such a relaxing rest in a long time. Today, with Wang Sheng's help, he not only recognized and reflected on his previous mistakes, but also didn't have to consider the conspiracies and tricks in the court, and had a reckless drunk, which was of great benefit to the Emperor's body and spirit.

Therefore, Steward Zhou thanked him. He was truly loyal to the Emperor, especially since the Emperor had just issued an order not long ago to exempt the three Grand Eunuchs from kneeling when they saw the Emperor. This supreme honor made Steward Zhou feel a sense of loyalty willing to completely give his life to the Emperor.

“You're welcome.” Wang Sheng replied with a smile: “Have a drink!” He picked up a glass of wine and waited for Steward Zhou.

Steward Zhou hadn't touched a drop of wine before, but at this moment, he didn't say anything, picked up the overturned wine glass in front of him, filled it up, and clinked glasses with Wang Sheng.

“When I go back, I plan to let the beauties of Grand View Garden live in the inner residence of my Chang Sheng Duke's mansion.” Wang Sheng said to Steward Zhou with a smile: “From now on, no one else is allowed to enter the inner residence without permission. I'll tell you in advance, you tell your people, don't break the rules, if you accidentally enter, you will be killed.”