Chapter 96 Five (1/2)
As Zhou Yuan’s voice resounded within the great hall, Liu Hou became ashen faced and unable to speak for some time. After all, no one would have imagined that Zhou Yuan would actually obtain the support of Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King.
A flash of understanding struck everyone as they recalled Zhou Yuan’s earlier words. No wonder Qi Yuan did not dare to linger in Great Zhou City, he had already known all of this information regarding Zhou Yuan.
It was indeed true that Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King working together was enough to ensure Qi Yuan was unable to leave the city.
Zhou Yuan calmly said, “In Blackwater, Qi Yuan sent Qi Hao to vie with me for the Fire Spirit Grain. They ultimately failed, Qi Hao lost his life at my hands, and I obtained the support of general Wei and the Black Venom King. Qi Yuan was forced to rebel because he knew this.”
Everyone was dumbstruck. After all that had happened, it turned out that king Qi had been forced into rebelling by Zhou Yuan.
But this made sense once one started to think about it. With the aid of Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King, the royal clan’s power had practically multiplied and there was no way that they would continue to tolerate Qi Manor’s existence. If king Qi did not want to sit and wait for death, the only option he had was rebellion.
“But… just how did he do it?”
The hearts of the many ministers and military leaders shook as they looked towards Zhou Yuan’s rather young face. To think that the Wei Canglan issue that had troubled Zhou Qing for numerous years had been so easily resolved by Zhou Yuan.
It was really inconceivable.
Liu Hou’s heart was akin to a churning sea as he gazed at the calm face of the young man. A sliver of regret suddenly arose within him, regret due to the marriage Zhou Qing had proposed between Zhou Yuan and his daughter Liu Xi.
Though nothing had come out of it due to Liu Xi’s vehement disagreement, it must be said that at that point in time, Liu Hou himself was not optimistic about the future of the royal clan and Zhou Yuan.
Thus, he ultimately allowed and made use of Liu Xi’s objection to refuse the marriage.
Yet, the one whom they had not been optimistic about had undergone an almost magical transformation in less than a year. Not only had he defeated Qi Yue, taking the number one spot in the Great Zhou Institute’s class ranking exam, he had now even managed to gain the support of Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King through some unknown method.
How could an ordinary person achieve such feats?
In the great hall, Zhou Qing finally returned to his senses after a period of shock. He immediately looked towards Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King and said, “Please rise. With your help, the Great Zhou Empire will definitely eliminate the rebels!”
The originally low morale that had blanketed the hall soared at this moment as the many military officers began to volunteer themselves one after another. It seemed that their morale would be rather high for some time.
With the support of great general Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King, the Great Zhou Empire’s power now surpassed Qi Manor.
Upon seeing that the morale had recovered, Zhou Qing’s face looked much better. His gaze swept across the great hall as a strong voice rang out, “From today onwards, the Great Zhou Empire begin to prepare for war. The imperial guard will take charge of Great Zhou City and send out scouts to observe every movement of those rebels Qi Manor!”
His eyes fell upon Liu Hou before he continued in an icy voice, “As for Liu Hou, you will not be allowed to leave your residence over this period of time.”
It was obvious that he intended to confine Liu Hou. Moreover, it was easy to imagine how Zhou Qing would begin to purge the Great Zhou Empire of Qi Manor’s spies, some of whom were currently present and would likely not be able to escape.
Liu Hou’s face was deathly pale. He knew that it was all over for the Liu family.
Zhou Qing’s decisiveness and ruthlessness caused the atmosphere in the great hall to become somewhat heavy.
“All other military officers will guard their current allocated areas. We will not allow the Great Zhou Empire’s land to be taken!” Zhou Qing’s solemn voice boomed in the hall.
“Understood!”
A series of respectful responses emerged within the hall.
After he had given his instructions, Zhou Qing allowed everyone to leave while making sure to send someone to prepare accomodations for Wei Canglan and the Black Venom King.
The hall suddenly became rather empty. Zhou Qing and Zhou Yuan were the only ones who remained.