Everyone around jumped in fright!
The imperial guards hurriedly rushed forward to protect Qin Xiao, but it was already too late!
The moment the dagger was about to pierce Qin Xiao's throat, a ferocious smile appeared on the old eunuch's face.
Qin Xiao suddenly moved!
His figure blurred!
Bang!
The old eunuch's head was violently smashed against the wall, blood and brain matter splattering in all directions!
Even in death, his bloodshot eyes still held a look of utter confusion and disbelief!
It was clearly a fatal strike. How could Qin Xiao possibly dodge it, let alone kill him in return!
You piece of trash! How dare you try to assassinate me?
Qin Xiao snorted coldly and turned to look at the civil and military officials gathered in the hall.
What are you all just standing around for!
Drag out every single member of this dead eunuch's family! I shall execute his nine generations!
The officials in the hall were as quiet as winter cicadas, cowering as they dropped to their knees and kowtowed.
Your subjects obey your command!
Only then did Qin Xiao nod in satisfaction.
To Qin Xiao, executing nine generations had become a regular occurrence.
He was going to make this world, which reeked of female-oriented romance tropes, welcome the arrival of a true male-oriented fantasy emperor!
Suffering bullshit grievances? That simply wouldn't exist!
All he cared about was pure, unadulterated satisfaction!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission! Displaying the demeanor of a tyrant and striking fear into the world!]
[Reward: One Hundred Thousand Great Snow Dragon Cavalry! (Stored in the system space, awaiting your summons)]
The voice of the little loli system rang out in Qin Xiao's mind.
Qin Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up into a playful smile.
With these one hundred thousand Great Snow Dragon Cavalry...
He could slaughter that bullshit King of Qi on the spot!
Qin Xiao stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, feeling that just doing that would not be satisfying enough.
While mindless slaughter was fun...
It still felt like something was missing.
Qin Xiao paced back and forth across the imperial court.
As he walked past the group of officials, they kept their heads buried firmly against the floor, not daring to look up.
Suddenly, Qin Xiao's eyes lit up and he clapped his hands together.
He knew exactly what was missing!
That was... breaking their spirits!
As for how to go about it, Qin Xiao already had a plan.
It had to be said, a person's brain worked incredibly fast when plotting wicked deeds.
Doesn't the King of Qi's army of half a million arrive at the capital in three days? All of you, drop whatever you are doing immediately. Go and bring the parents of those half a million soldiers to the capital.
I want to let those half a million soldiers reunite with their families!
Qin Xiao's tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable air of absolute authority!
The officials shuddered in unison, exchanging bewildered glances.
None of them had expected this tyrannical, bloodthirsty Qin Xiao to actually have such a kind heart!
It was truly baffling.
What was going on?
Had this tyrant suddenly changed his nature?
Or perhaps...
Prime Minister Cai Kun looked ecstatic. His body trembled slightly as a wave of excitement washed over him.
He is scared! This tyrant is definitely scared!
Qin Xiao bringing the families of those half a million soldiers here must be an attempt to negotiate peace and win the King of Qi's favor!
After all, not even the gods could stop an army of half a million marching upon the city, let alone Qin Xiao!
At this thought.
Cai Kun stepped forward and bowed deeply.
Your Majesty, I am willing to offer my services to you!
He shouted loudly, his voice firm and resolute!
It was as if he were the Great Qin Dynasty's most devoted subject, the greatest loyalist standing behind Qin Xiao, ready to give his all and serve until his dying breath.
The civil and military officials froze in shock.
Wait a minute, bro.
You, the dignified and incredibly cunning Prime Minister, are actually offering to serve this tyrant?
Aren't you afraid of being publicly beheaded when the King of Qi returns?
Everyone knew exactly who Cai Kun was. He appeared honest and simple, but in reality, he had a kind face and a wicked heart.
Qin Xiao looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
He had a very deep impression of this Prime Minister Cai Kun.
Dressed in a crimson official robe embroidered with hundreds of beasts, his face was old yet spirited, and his mind was filled to the brim with schemes and trickery.
Especially that pair of black claws, oh, wait, hands, which were the subject of many bizarre folk tales.
Of course, more importantly, Cai Kun had a daughter!
This was a female-oriented world, so it was only natural for there to be a female lead, right?
Cai Kun's daughter was that very female lead.
Having been here for some time, Qin Xiao knew that he had transmigrated into a novel.
And into a female-oriented romance novel at that.
The book was titled I Am the Ultimate Female Lead, Simp Princes and Crazy Psychos Fight Over Me out of Jealousy.
The story followed the female lead, an illegitimate daughter, who mingled with various princes, kings, and generals. Relying on their power, she climbed her way up step by step until she ascended the throne, becoming a world-renowned Empress!
When Qin Xiao had accidentally stumbled upon this novel in the past, he had read just three chapters before laughing out of sheer anger.
Relying on men to succeed, yet still calling herself an independent female lead?
And then there was that group of male supporting characters.
Why did every single one of them act completely brain-dead, rushing forward recklessly just to simp over the female lead?
Even the original owner of his current body had fallen for her, recklessly sacrificing everything for love only to become the female lead's stepping stone.
However, the female lead had not yet returned to the capital. She was likely with the King of Qi right now, so Qin Xiao wasn't worried in the slightest.
Excellent! Since Xiao Heizi is so eager to serve the country, I shall grant you full authority over this matter!
Qin Xiao leaned forward, a playful look in his eyes and a smile on his lips, and reached out to pat Cai Kun on the shoulder.
Cai Kun: ???
Your Majesty, my name is not Xiao Heizi.
I know, Xiao Heizi.
Cai Kun's mouth twitched, but he was powerless to protest.
It is my honor to serve Your Majesty!
In truth, he had wondered if Qin Xiao was playing some kind of trick.
But on second thought, with an army of half a million at the city gates, what could Qin Xiao possibly do?
In the face of absolute power, any scheme would be useless. He could only obediently wait for death!
When the day came for Qin Xiao to surrender, the King of Qi would definitely reward him handsomely for bringing the families of the half a million soldiers to the capital.
It was the perfect method to win over the hearts of the troops!
Moreover, his daughter had been getting very close to the King of Qi lately, and it seemed a marriage between them was imminent.
Although she was only an illegitimate daughter, once she became Empress, she would rise above her station and become a phoenix.
The Cai family would also rise through the ranks and become imperial relatives.
Court dismissed!
Seeing that the matter was settled, Qin Xiao waved his hand and walked out of the True Dragon Hall alone.
Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!
Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long, long live!
The civil and military officials knelt in unison, shouting their praises.
Only after Qin Xiao was far away did they gather in groups around Cai Kun.
Lord Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this? Are you truly going to work for this tyrant?
This tyrant usurped the throne with merely eight hundred men. It would be child's play for the Supreme Emperor to reclaim his crown. Lord Prime Minister, please do not be foolish!
We beseech the Prime Minister to reconsider!
The group of officials pleaded earnestly.
Cai Kun's family wielded immense power. They had held the highest offices for four generations, and his disciples and former subordinates were scattered across the empire.
Over half of the officials in the imperial court belonged to Cai Kun's faction.
Cai Kun stroked his long beard, looking thoroughly arrogant.
Seeing that the others had completely failed to grasp Qin Xiao's intentions, he felt even more smug.
What do you know?
Why would Qin Xiao invite the families of half a million soldiers to the capital? He is preparing to surrender!
Qin Xiao knows he is no match for the King of Qi. This is his way of showing goodwill!
Use your pig brains and think for a second! Qin Xiao only has eight hundred men under his command. How many does the King of Qi have? An army of half a million!
If Qin Xiao doesn't realize the situation he's in, a single command from the King of Qi would be enough to kill him a thousand times over!
Upon hearing Cai Kun's explanation, sudden realization dawned upon the crowd.
It made perfect sense.
Qin Xiao's forces were weak and isolated right now. No matter how smart or formidable he might be, against such an unstoppable behemoth, his only path was death.
"As expected of the Prime Minister! Your intellect is so profound it borders on the supernatural. Truly extraordinary, you have our utmost admiration!"
"Hahaha, Lord Prime Minister, you are brilliantly cunning! By taking full charge and spearheading this operation, the King of Qi will undoubtedly be deeply indebted to you!"
"Once the King of Qi ascends the throne to become Emperor, he will certainly rely on you even more!"
The crowd eagerly chimed in, overflowing with unrestrained glee.
.....
Inside the imperial bedchamber.
The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across Qin Xiao's handsome face. A faint smirk played at the corners of his lips, but his eyes were entirely devoid of warmth.
"My good little brother, when the day finally comes for you to arrive, I, as your older brother, will have a grand gift prepared for you!"
Lately, the entire Great Qin Empire had been plunged into utter chaos!
Everyone knew that Qin Yu was marching upon the capital with an army of half a million men, waving the righteous banners of Upholding Heaven's Will to Quell the Rebellion and Cleansing the Emperor's Court of Corrupt Officials.
In a mere half-month, he had already breached a hundred cities.
It was absolutely impossible for him to have achieved this without treachery at play!
More than likely, the defending generals had surrendered before Qin Yu even launched an attack.
After all, Qin Yu commanded an army of five hundred thousand, while he, Qin Xiao, had a mere eight hundred men to his name.
The disparity in their strength was glaringly obvious.
Every one of those defectors wanted to secure the merit of backing the future emperor.
As a result, Qin Yu's prestige among the common folk had skyrocketed!
He was hailed as the valiant hero destined to slay the evil dragon that was Qin Xiao!
"But wouldn't it be far more entertaining if the world were to discover that Qin Yu is nothing but an imposter prince?"
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, a playful, mocking smile curving his lips.
Didn't Qin Yu love to manipulate people's hearts and parade around under the banner of great righteousness?
Very well then. He would simply invite the families of those half a million soldiers over to the capital. When the time came, he would see if that massive army was still willing to follow Qin Yu's commands!