Chapter 312: Is Qian Renxue Trying to Destroy the Douluo Continent?
There was a reason the nobility had been able to rule for so long.
When Tang San used the grain-cutting strategy, his strength had already reached the level of a Titled Douluo.
His companions were equally powerful.
The so-called "masterstroke of the ages" was really just a trick to fool the naïve…
The nobles weren't stupid. At the time, Tang San was their pillar—if they didn't coax and flatter him, how else could they succeed?
"Xue'er, taking these kingdoms and duchies without bloodshed is incredibly difficult."
"No noble is willing to give up their current life. The nobles of those kingdoms and duchies will definitely oppose it."
"But you can start by inviting their kings to Tian Dou City!"
At that, Kong gave a devilish smile.
Once the people came, wouldn't it all be easy?
And if they refused to come—then don't blame the Tian Dou Empire for being ruthless!
If you have no thoughts of rebellion, then why not accept the invitation?
Hearing this and seeing Kong's expression, Qian Renxue had a sudden realization.
"Kong, you mean to invite them here, then kill them and impersonate their kings?"
Qian Renxue asked, puzzled.
Kong glanced at her, his mouth slightly open, about to speak but stopping himself.
Xue'er… is your only tactic the 'switched-at-birth' kind of plan?
It could work, sure—but it would be far too easy to expose.
Impersonating someone convincingly was incredibly difficult.
"Kong, what's wrong?"
"Did I say something wrong?"
Qian Renxue blinked, looking confused.
"No, no…"
"It's just that… our thoughts differ slightly."
Kong shook his head and continued, "Once they're in Tian Dou City, you can meet with them one-on-one."
"Those willing to surrender their thrones can be kept around. Those unwilling—you try to get their command tokens. If you can't—go to war."
"Even those who say they'll surrender might just be playing along until they stab you in the back. You have to be cautious."
"Collect their command tokens before letting them go."
Command tokens were used to mobilize armies. Most troops followed the token, not the person.
As long as the empire controlled those forces, the kingdoms and duchies wouldn't be able to stir up any serious trouble.
In fact, there was an even more direct approach—curtailing feudal power.
And issuing the Order of Enfeoffment.
Curtailing power was more straightforward, but the moment you did it, you'd likely have to fight.
After all, if they hadn't done anything wrong, why would they willingly surrender their military authority?
As for the Order of Enfeoffment, it required absolute strength as a foundation before it could be enforced.
That would be a long and uncertain road.
Kong's method was essentially like the famous "banquet of wine to disarm the generals." If they wouldn't hand over their tokens, then they'd have to be eliminated.
Go to war.
The Tian Dou Empire had no fear of these kingdoms or duchies. Even if they joined forces, they wouldn't be able to defeat Tian Dou.
Just the Royal Knights—fifty thousand strong—could sweep through all of them.
However, that would come at a heavy cost.
Countless would die.
"So in the end, we still have to fight…"
Qian Renxue sighed. Even with Kong's method reducing much of the bloodshed, war seemed inevitable.
Not all kings were spineless. Some would rather die than give up their power.
Without land, who could they claim to rule?
"In the end, it still comes down to strength—and the conflict of interests between nobles and commoners."
Kong thought to himself.
According to how the original story unfolded, after the founding of the Spirit Empire, it gained massive support among the common people.
Why did the nobles fight to the death?
Because if they lost, those mud-legged peasants…
If the Spirit Empire fell, it would mean the fall of the common people too.
This was also why, ten thousand years later, it became so difficult for commoners to awaken a spirit.
The nobles didn't want to see another Spirit Hall rise again.
They cut off the problem at its root—so long as no one helped the commoners awaken their spirits for free, by the time they awakened on their own, it would already be too late.
Lose one step, and every step after is lost.
If Huo Yuhao hadn't been born in the White Tiger Duke's mansion, whether he could've successfully awakened his spirit would've been uncertain.
Jiang Nannan was only able to awaken her spirit because her mother worked herself to exhaustion, saving up enough gold spirit coins to afford the ceremony.
And even then, she got lucky—she caught the eye of a "young master from a rich family," which allowed her to save her mother later on…
"Xue'er, those who achieve great things do not fuss over small details."
If his will soars to the heavens, why should he fear being mocked by Huang Chao?
Qian Renxue nodded. She didn't have a better way either. If it came to it, she could only use force.
"Alright, I'll head back and start preparing."
After saying this, Qian Renxue gave Kong a gentle kiss on the cheek before walking toward Raiden Shogun.
Before leaving, she had to at least say goodbye to "Sister."
Kong was stunned, then gave a wry smile.
Qian Renxue was still just as impatient.
There were advantages to that… and disadvantages.
"Hmm… should I visit the palaces of those kingdoms and duchies ahead of time?"
Those "great nobles" still held reverence for gods. But if that reverence threatened their rule, it would quickly turn into something else.
What did it matter if someone was a god?
If killing the god was the only way to maintain the status quo, then kill him they would.
And even if that god died, there were still countless nobles—their interests were united.
In the end, it would still come down to battle.
"Forget it, I'll decide when the time comes. If they'd rather die than yield, things will only get more troublesome."
In the original story, even after Qian Renxue became a god, these people still refused to surrender, choosing death instead.
To protect their own interests, they naturally wouldn't submit.
Qian Renxue returned to the other three.
Shui Yue'er and Shui Bing'er looked at her with confusion. They were dying to know just what this woman named Qian Renxue had been talking about with Kong.
What kind of matter needed to be discussed so secretly?
Qian Renxue didn't mind their gazes. She simply turned to Raiden Shogun and said, "Shogun Sis, I'll be heading back now. It may be a long time before we see each other again."
"I'll leave Kong in your care, Shogun Sis."
Raiden Shogun nodded, her expression unchanged. "If you ever need help, you may come to me."
Qian Renxue was briefly stunned. She hadn't expected this "sister" to offer help on her own initiative.
Wait a minute…
She and Kong had spoken so far away from Raiden Shogun—did she hear all of that?
It seemed this Shogun Sis's strength was far greater than she'd imagined.
Well, of course—being able to cut down a Titled Douluo-level fallen one with a single strike, even her grandfather Qian Daoliu would have trouble doing that.
How could she possibly not be strong?
Naturally, Qian Renxue wouldn't turn down her goodwill and quickly said, "Xue'er thanks Shogun Sis!"
"If that time really comes, I will ask for your help!"
That made the approaching Kong look completely dumbfounded.
Ask Raiden Shogun to step in?
Was Xue'er trying to destroy the Douluo Continent?
(End of Chapter)
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