The morning tour came to an end with the crash of the “Manba”, and everyone left the National Academy of Research, boarded the carriage, and returned to the palace.
After returning to the palace, everyone made the most of their time to rest, as Qin Yu and Lysieltine still needed to discuss sending troops to aid the Boermai Empire in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, the snow finally stopped, and everyone sat upright around the conference table in Xuanzheng Hall.
Xuanzheng Hall was located behind Xiande Hall, and served as the workplace for the emperor and members of the Imperial Secretariat.
However, compared to Xuanzheng Hall, Qin Yu still preferred Weiyang Hall, because the towering Xiande Hall in front of Xuanzheng Hall blocked the scenery from the entrance of Xuanzheng Hall.
But since Weiyang Hall didn’t have such a large conference table for everyone to gather and discuss state affairs, the afternoon meeting could only be held in Xuanzheng Hall.
The two parties took their seats on opposite sides of the table.
On the Chengji Empire’s side were Qin Yu, Luo Shangyu, and members of the Imperial Secretariat, the Grand General, the ministers of the Three Departments, the Vice Ministers; the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Six Ministries; as well as directors from Honglu Temple, the Court of Judicial Review, and other departments.
Of course, only Qin Yu, Luo Shangyu, the officials of the Three Departments, and the Grand General were allowed at the table; the others could only sit on the small benches at the side and listen in.
Compared to the bustling crowd from the Chengji Empire, the delegation from the Saint Roppu Empire was much smaller.
Lysieltine and Lumia Kriat sat at the head of the table, with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Speaker of the Upper House, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and then the Minister of the Army beside them.
The hall was silent as everyone prepared themselves for the topics soon to be discussed.
Yesterday’s exchange had made everyone fully aware of Valya’s strength, and each person carefully considered what they should say.
“Let’s begin!”
The bell rang outside; it was three in the afternoon, and Qin Yu announced the start of the meeting.
“I’ve thought about it carefully. We really should send more troops to the Boermai Empire. Valya’s militarism is indeed a great threat to us,” Qin Yu stated her view.
“We think the same. However, what I find strange is that Valya has been Grand Duke for nearly a thousand years, and the royal family of Boermai Empire has been unpopular for so many years. Why did Valya choose to rebel now of all times?” Lysieltine voiced her concern.
“Maybe it has something to do with the Oriental States,” Luo Shangyu responded, “The Oriental States have always been at odds with our three countries. It’s possible they incited Valya’s rebellion.”
“Perhaps…” Qin Yu nodded, then asked in confusion, “But is Valya really that easy to provoke? Would she rebel just because of a few words from others?”
“They must have offered her something she couldn’t refuse,” Saintess Lumia Kriat explained Qin Yu’s doubts, “According to our church’s records, in the era of the God King, there was an Old One-level monster that was sealed by the Dragon King in the east of the Southern Continent.”
She continued: “That monster has slumbered for hundreds of millions of years and will not die. Moreover, according to the contract of the Dragon King’s seal, that monster would absolutely submit to the Dragon King.”
“But the Dragon King has fallen, and the contract is broken. Based on our church’s study of this history, it’s basically certain that whoever releases the seal can become its new master.”
“The Old One’s… master?” This was the first time Qin Yu realized such a thing could have a master.
“Yes,” Saint Lumia affirmed, “Actually, just being its master isn’t too bad, since it’s said the monster’s power is only about ninth tier. What’s truly frightening is, if Valya were to refine and absorb that monster… she could become a tenth-tier True God, perhaps even the strongest True God alive today.”
This was the first time everyone had heard such shocking news.
They exchanged glances, their faces full of disbelief.
“Is this true?” Qin Yu asked those on her side.
“It is,” Luo Shangyu confirmed.
Yin An nodded in agreement as well.
With the two most experienced people both confirming, it seemed there was no doubt about it.
“Maybe the Oriental States wouldn’t offer such a great reward…” Qin Yu tried to console herself.
“Then what else could persuade Valya?” Saint Lumia countered.
“Well…” Qin Yu scratched her head and thought hard, but couldn’t think of anything else that could sway Valya.
“You should accept this reality,” Luo Shangyu whispered to Qin Yu.
“But!” Qin Yu suddenly caught a loophole, “But the premise of offering the Old One is that the Oriental States used this as a condition to incite Valya’s rebellion. What if Valya acted on a whim, or it was some other country urging her on?”
“That’s true…” Luo Shangyu began analyzing for Qin Yu, “Our three countries are in the west of the continent, and though our relationship with the Oriental States is bad, both sides are evenly matched, which basically maintains the stability of the Southern Continent of the Illusory Realm.”
“In such a stable state, other countries can avoid external wars, which is in their best interests. But if the royal family of the Boermai Empire is completely eliminated, our three countries will inevitably weaken, and the Oriental States—who are always restless—will definitely seize the opportunity to attack us.”
“If that happens, war will inevitably spill over to other countries, so there’s no reason for other countries to incite Valya to rebel and destroy the peace of the Fantasy Realm.”
Qin Yu mulled this over, “Oh,”
After hearing Luo Shangyu’s explanation, she too felt that the Oriental States were the likeliest instigators.
“So, do you now realize the gravity of the situation?” Lysieltine asked Qin Yu.
“I understand. However…” Qin Yu hesitated, then continued, “As I mentioned before, Luo Shangyu and I once met Valya at Amonkote Bay…”
Qin Yu then revealed how Valya had threatened her, warning that if Chengji Empire sent troops, Valya would lead the Coalition Army to attack Chengji, expressing her fear of Chengji being ganged up on.
“Isn’t this based on the assumption she can defeat the Boermai Empire’s royal family?” Lysieltine pointed out.
“Even if you don’t aid the Boermai Empire, once she unifies Boermai, will she really not attack the Chengji Empire?”
“That’s true!” Qin Yu realized, “We will dispatch additional troops to Boermai Empire and equip them with the latest weapons.”
“And what about you?” Luo Shangyu asked Lysieltine.
“Our Army Minister will handle the specifics; let him explain.”
“We plan to send ten thousand soldiers, equipped with standard Magic-conducting Guns, and an elite force of one hundred Tier Two mages,” the Army Minister replied.
After hearing this, Qin Yu began calculating how many troops her side needed to send.
“We will send another five thousand soldiers, equipped with standard Magic-conducting Guns and heavy Magitech Cannons, plus one hundred Tier Two mages. If the National Academy of Research can deliver tanks, we’ll send fifty tanks as well.”
Qin Yu pondered for a long time, then asked her Grand General, “What do you think?”
The Grand General, surnamed Tuo Ba, named Sheng, was the highest military commander, ranking above the Minister of War.
“That’s acceptable,” Tuo Ba Sheng replied, “Including the troops we’ve already sent to Boermai Empire as a Mercenary Group, we’ve dispatched nearly a hundred thousand in total. However, Your Highness, I believe it’s best to organize the troops by recruiting new soldiers, so as not to affect our national defense. Also, I suggest we form a Coalition Army with the Saint Roppu Empire.”
“Good!” Qin Yu applauded, “Let’s do it this way!”
“Joint deployment, what do you think…”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Lysieltine agreed cheerfully.
With that, Qin Yu and Lysieltine stood up, shook hands, and together drafted an agreement, signing and stamping it on the spot.
The date for the military deployment was set for half a year later, in May of Qianyuan Calendar 12576.
With the discussions on aiding the Boermai Empire concluded, there were no more plans for the afternoon.
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu prepared to visit the head of Lingyan Pavilion.
***
Lingyan Pavilion was located to the east of Xuanzheng Hall, while the west side was occupied by the Court of Judicial Review, Honglu Temple, and other offices.
The path to Lingyan Pavilion was still covered in uncleared snow.
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu stepped through the snow to the doors of Lingyan Pavilion.
The doors opened automatically, and Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu entered Lingyan Pavilion.
Lingyan Pavilion was about twenty meters tall with only three floors.
In the first-floor hall, two Lingyan Pavilion members were on duty.
“Hello, we are…” Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu introduced themselves.
“Ah! Crown Princess, Regent, please forgive our lack of hospitality!” The two Lingyan Pavilion members jumped up and bowed to Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu in apology.
“There’s no need for that…” Qin Yu quickly stopped them, “I’m here to see the head of Lingyan Pavilion…”
“The Pavilion Master is in her room on the third floor. She said you could go straight to her anytime.”
“Alright, but please let her know we’re coming,” Qin Yu told the two members.
“It would be rude of us to just barge in.”
“Understood!”
Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu climbed the stairs to the third floor of Lingyan Pavilion.
Stepping on the heavy golden nanmu staircase, Qin Yu’s shoes echoed loudly against the wood.
“It’s golden nanmu? So luxurious!” Luo Shangyu exclaimed, looking at the stairs.
“Actually, the entire Lingyan Pavilion is extravagantly decorated.” Qin Yu pointed to the complex and exquisite bas-reliefs on the surrounding walls.
“Lingyan Pavilion has been here a long time. Its current form is the result of generations of expansion by the emperors.”
As they talked, the two reached the third floor.
Lingyan Pavilion was exceptionally well-lit.
Sunlight streamed in through the giant glass panes, making any additional lighting unnecessary.
“Which one is the Pavilion Master’s room?” Qin Yu felt dizzy looking at the many closed doors.
“That one!” Luo Shangyu pointed to the grand double doors at the end of the corridor.
“Double doors, very imposing—definitely the Pavilion Master’s room.”
Qin Yu followed Luo Shangyu’s gaze.
Sure enough, it was an impressive set of doors.
They walked up to the door.
Qin Yu reached out and knocked: “Is anyone there?”
No answer.
“Is anyone there?” Qin Yu called louder.
Still no answer.
“I’m coming in now!” Qin Yu gently turned the door handle and pushed the door open…