World's First Traitor System (447)

Chapter 447 - Restarting the Alliance

It was a sleepless night. Xiang Ning remained constantly by Fan Li's side, watching him review memorial after memorial, which were then taken away by Fan Manor servants.

These so-called servants each possessed at least Golden Core cultivation and carried Fan Li's special tokens. With these tokens, the Fan Manor servants could enter the offices of the highest ministers, even their private residences, to deliver the reviewed memorials directly into the designated hands. Such was the absolute efficiency that came with absolute power.

Xiang Ning suppressed her surprise and did her utmost to assist Fan Li. Even if it was just serving him tea, fetching water, spreading paper, or grinding ink, she did so willingly.

Ten years had passed. Xiang Ning had been confined in Great Ci, and the hardships were self-evident. But she had ultimately neglected matters of state, and even if she wished to govern diligently now, she lacked the immediate ability.

In contrast, Fan Li, in those ten years, facing pressure from Empress Yao Guang, had still ensured Great Chu's prosperity and had even secretly founded his own kingdom. Though the Great Jin kingdom was small, it was well-organized, and its national strength grew daily. Even without counting the number of Great Vehicle realm experts, its national strength had already surpassed the three states of Wei, Han, and Wu.

"Phew!" By the time Fan Li finished the last memorial, dusk was falling, and night approached once more. He let out a long breath and only then noticed Xiang Ning gazing at him, her face full of admiration.

"What is it, Your Majesty?" he asked curiously.

"I discovered... I truly cannot be without you," Xiang Ning said in a very serious tone.

Fan Li paused. Was this a confession? It seemed inconsistent with the current atmosphere.

Xiang Ning realized her slip of the tongue, and her face instantly flushed red. "Ruling the country! I meant ruling the country! My talent for governance is far from sufficient; I truly need the ministers' assistance, especially yours!"

"Oh." Fan Li nodded. "Your Majesty exaggerates." His reply was somewhat absentminded. After all, from Fan Li's perspective, he was merely handling trivial administrative matters that required little real skill. He wondered about Han Yue behind the jade screen; had she been standing there all night? Was she alright?

"The memorials are all reviewed."

"We... cough, you should rest now, right?" Xiang Ning corrected herself. She had wanted to say 'let's rest,' but realized state affairs were almost entirely handled by Fan Li alone, while she watched like a student, offering no real help. Without contribution, how could she claim fatigue?

"Rest?" Fan Li shook his head. "There is still much work; I cannot rest."

"Still more!?" Xiang Ning wore an expression of disbelief. "But, aren't all the memorials finished?"

Fan Li smiled. "Only the trivial matters are finished. The real state affairs are just about to begin."

Trivial matters? Real state affairs? Xiang Ning felt a little dizzy. She knew matters of state were complex, but she hadn't realized the sheer volume of work involved! Had he always worked through the night like this? Treacherous minister? It turned out that whether an enlightened ruler or a treacherous minister, as long as one sat in the highest seat of power, they had to concern themselves with the affairs of the world and dared not indulge solely in pleasure.

"Fan Li!" Xiang Ning declared. "No matter how much more there is, I will stay with you!" Saying this, she felt her cheeks grow hot again.

"Even if... I can't help you much." She realized she truly was useless! Could it be that the so-called 'sage emperor ruling effortlessly with folded arms' recorded in history books was actually because capable ministers like Fan Li did all the work for the emperor?

"Your Majesty is too modest," Fan Li smiled. "There is one major affair that requires Your Majesty's personal involvement, which will give me more confidence in achieving it."

"Really?!" Hearing she could help Fan Li, Xiang Ning, who had been somewhat drowsy, immediately roused herself with full alertness. "Quickly tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"Uh..." Just as Fan Li was about to explain, a Fan Manor servant came to report. The people he was waiting for had arrived.

"Liu Chan of Great Han."

"Cao Huan of Great Wei."

"Sun Hao of Great Wu."

"Pay respects to His Highness King Jin."

Fan Li looked at the three old acquaintances before him. Although they stood formally, they kowtowed to him with the etiquette due from nephews. Clearly, when they departed from their respective countries for Chu, they had received prior instructions.

With Fan Li enfeoffed as King, the three kingdoms needed to openly display their regard for him, no longer just the previous tacit understanding. Therefore! Such heavy etiquette actually reflected the attitude of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan.

Today's major matters can be discussed, Fan Li thought.

"Have the three esteemed envoys not yet met my Majesty?" Fan Li smiled, gesturing towards Xiang Ning beside him. She wore the regular court attire of the Chu Emperor. Though not the dragon robe and crown, it was still exceedingly noble. Only, unlike her past disguise as a man, her stunning beauty now overshadowed her imperial majesty.

Liu Chan and the others, caught unaware and having never seen Xiang Ning before, assumed she was his favored concubine.

"The three esteemed envoys may dispense with the formalities." Xiang Ning hadn't expected Fan Li's 'major affair' to actually be receiving envoys from the three kingdoms, and crown princes at that. She became nervous for a moment and spoke carelessly. "King Jin and I were working through the night, so our attire is slightly disheveled. We apologize for this slight to the three esteemed envoys."

Hearing this, Liu Chan and the other two quickly exchanged glances.

The rumors are indeed true! they thought. Fan Li welcomed back the former Emperor, ostensibly for justice, but also for personal reasons.

No wonder before leaving, Father Emperor repeatedly instructed me to respect King Jin with the deference due to an elder. I was initially displeased; after all, King Jin is of similar age to me. Why should I be considered a generation lower? Now it seems King Jin truly holds the power of a dynasty, yet manages to achieve harmony between ruler and subject. On the grand chessboard of the world, King Jin is indeed qualified to be a player, unlike myself, who is still merely a piece.

Liu Chan's thoughts were also those of Cao Huan and Sun Hao. They were thoroughly impressed.

"Your Highness King Jin," Liu Chan cupped his hands. "May I ask what matter Your Highness summoned us here to discuss?"

"Just one matter." Fan Li held up one finger. Seeing this, the three sat upright, ready to listen attentively. Xiang Ning also held her breath, watching Fan Li nervously.

They heard him speak eloquently: "Since Great Ci's destruction, the Five-Kingdom Alliance against Ming, coordinated by Yao Guang, exists in name only. Although Great Chu's relationship with the three kingdoms is close, facing the current situation, we remain directionless, our aims unclear. This King invited the three kingdoms for talks today solely to facilitate one major event!"

Fan Li tapped the table, making a rhythmic drumming sound. Everyone's attention was heightened once more.

"This King wishes to re-establish a Four-Kingdom Alliance."

"The Alliance has one, and only one, goal: destroy Ming."

"Until this goal is achieved, the lands, armies, populations, finances, and everything else of the four kingdoms shall be shared, establishing a Great Alliance Community."

"And in the form of an [Alliance Council], it shall supersede imperial authority."

"As long as it aligns with the goal of [Destroying Ming], the [Alliance Council] has the right at any time to mobilize any resource of the four kingdoms and issue economic, civil, or even military directives, which even imperial power must obey."

"The [Alliance Council] will have only five members."

"Namely, the Emperors of Chu, Wei, Han, and Wu, and this King."

"The [Alliance Council]'s institution will be established in Peng City."

"Excluding the Emperor of Chu, please have the Emperors of the three kingdoms dispatch representatives to convey all the voices of your esteemed sovereigns to the council."

"This King will serve as the Supreme Speaker of the [Alliance Council]."

After Fan Li finished speaking, his gaze swept around. He took in everyone's astonished expressions. Regarding this, Fan Li had only one question: "Who agrees? Who opposes?"