Yama Rising

That’s the thing he’s truly looking for!

But who do they trade with?

Unfortunately… the only ones who were open to the idea of trade routes were only Yu Qian and Yang Jiye.

This was because the twelve envoys knew full well that trade would bring about the opportunity for the new Hell to develop rapidly, and this was something that not even those who were neutral and sitting on the fence were willing to have. After all, the only reason why they could remain neutral observers was precisely because Hell wasn’t strong enough. Was there any room for neutrality once Hell grew powerful?

Shk… He gently snapped shut his golden folding fan. His heartbeats accelerated, and he was somewhat surprised by the thoughts going through his mind. That said, something told him that this was indeed the true purpose of the new King Yanluo of Hell!

Negotiations generally required compromise on both sides. If Liu Yu couldn’t even agree to a proposition as yesable as the port city trade route, then he would truly be seen as being unreasonably stubborn. Moreover, the current request was only that of a trade treaty at an open port, and they would be given free reign as to the goods that they would be curating for export. Thus, Zhou Yu was practically certain that Liu Yu’s faction would most certainly agree to the compromise.

As soon as you agree, the consequences are going to be dire!

Whoa!

It was too late.

The most powerful armaments card was played at the most opportune time. He was essentially telling everyone that the new Hell was prepared to exclude the four feudal officials who were bent on independence. If they wanted new armaments, they would have to agree to open up sea trade. There weren't any other alternatives for their consideration.

It was checkmate.

“He looks like he’s throwing out a whole bunch of unreasonable, ridiculous conditions, but the truth of the matter is that everything is tightly strung together like the links of an iron chain. He had spent dozens of minutes determining the fate of the new Hell for the next hundred years. Outstanding. Truly outstanding…” Zhou Yu closed his eyes and sighed with great emotion. Wang Meng was somewhat stunned, “What do you mean?”

“I agree.” As soon as Zhou Yu finished speaking, Liu Yu responded in the exact same manner as Zhou Yu predicted, “Let’s have some representatives come together to draw up the specifics of this treaty. But let me make this clear - there can’t be any quota or restrictions. I’ll have the final say as to what I want to export.”

Zhou Yu smiled and fanned himself gently with his folding fan. You’ve played right into the palm of his hands. Liu Yu… you still don’t understand his true purpose for these negotiations. I can almost guarantee his agreement on these incidental requests you’re making.

As expected…

He’s truly terrifying…

Time passed quickly. Then, when Qin Ye’s final proposal of a military alliance was summarily rejected, it was already midnight once more.

Both parties had made their compromises, and also stood to benefit from the arrangements. Then, there were some that only benefited Liu Yu. However, Qin Ye couldn’t care less. As soon as the sea port city was up and running… he would show these feudal officials just how much influence he actually held over these officials without them even realizing it.

“Certainly.” Qin Ye smiled and cupped his hands back at Liu Yu. With that, everyone took their leave and returned to their temporary residence, where they promptly tossed their dockets into the cabinets and slumped onto the bed at once.

The short imperial court meeting had finally come to an end.

And it wasn’t so much physically tiring as it drained their spirits.

No… there’s still some loose ends to tie up…

Now that this has finally been set in stone, the external demand would be able to stimulate their internal industries, thereby propelling their economy with an endless virtuous cycle. Supplies would pour in endlessly… and he would even be able to begin reaping the Yin spirits who would enter Hell through the sea port city! The thought of these things caused his heart to thump wildly.

“Then… let’s settle all of these once and for all…” After resting for half an hour, he sat up, completely rejuvenated, and took a deep breath. Then, he raised his hand and pressed gently on his chest, causing Hell’s Record to fly out in an instant. He grabbed at the air, and a brush appeared.

As he continued to flip through the pages, he saw that every single page was filled with darkened names, almost as though it spelt the fall of an entire dynasty.

His fiery heart had already calmed down by now. Having looked through the extent of Hell’s Records, he soon realized how much the new Hell had to go before it could even be considered in the same light as the old Hell.

Whoosh… After flipping for another ten minutes, he finally saw the records of Liu Yu, Ma Fubo, Gao Changgong and Chaghan Temur. All of their names were crimson as blood.

I’m afraid that the next time we meet is most likely going to be on the battlefields…

A soft nethergale swept across the room, gently tousling Qin Ye’s clothes and hair.

This… settles all of the loose ends.

Clatter… Meanwhile, Liu Yu and the other feudal officials who were bent on declaring independence soon noticed the bolt of netherflames that burst straight into their room. It went just as quickly as it came, and yet the four men remained completely still, like wooden sculptures.

The obverse side of the wooden token was etched with their names, while the reverse side was… completely blank.

“That’s… where the words ‘Emissary of Hell’ used to be located…” Ma Fubo glanced out of the window and into the dark night sky as he sighed wistfully. After some time, he let out a soft chuckle that was clearly laden with complex emotions, “Let’s go… it’s all over… we’ve managed to get what we’ve come for…”

“From now on… there’s no longer the Lord of Bagan, the Lord of the Bamboo Region, the Lord of Hanyang and the Lord of Jiaozhi. Instead, there are new nations - the state of Bagan, the state of the Bamboo Region, the state of Hanyang, and the state of Jiaozhi!”

Three other streams of nethergale soon followed. These were undoubtedly Liu Yu, Gao Changgong and Chaghan.

They also didn’t think of bidding farewell to the Yanluo of Hell. After all… they were now each the emperor and master of their own lands as well! None of them were willing to see themselves as an entity subservient to such a weak Yanluo.

“Men.” Liu Yu had at some point already changed into a golden dragon robe replete with an emperor’s crown. He waved his long sleeves and declared, “We return to the Great Song Dynasty!!!”