bookpub Chapter 950: Cleaning Up (III)
Chapter 950: Cleaning Up (III)
Chapter 950: Cleaning Up (III)
Li Hao looked up from the dragon throne and tilted his head at the ceiling.
“This throne is so uncomfortable, it’s too hard!” he laughed after a moment. “Whether it’s authority or position, none of that needs this thing to draw attention to them. It looks like it’s made of gold... I’ll just melt it! Ah, never mind, we can keep it around so anyone who wants to sit in it can do so!”
He kicked the dragon throne aside and waved a chair to him. this was much softer.
“Let’s leave the matters outside to the Demon Hunter Army. Come in, everyone! We’re going to have a quick meeting!”
Powerhouses quickly filed in.
“Have a seat, everyone!” chuckled Li Hao. “All of you are my seniors, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony. The imperial court is the martial world too, the martial world is everywhere. Please be at ease, seniors!”
Yuan Shuo immediately plopped down into a chair. His actions inspired the others to do the same. Although there were quite a few people in Li Hao’s group, the massive hall was much more sparsely populated than a regular day at court.
“Who would’ve thought that we’d complete our encirclement of Skystar City so quickly?” Li Hao sighed emotionally as he looked at everyone. “I’ll cut to the chase. Conquering the world is hard and keeping it is even harder. I don’t wish for the world to be shaken with unease just because we’ve eliminated the nine ministries and royal family...
“Therefore, I need everyone to help me complete a stable transition of the dynasty. Skystar City will remain sealed for the immediate future. Deputy Zhou will oversee Administration, Chen Yao will continue to manage the Inspectorate. As for Armed Forces... I will send Commander Huang Yu over as soon as possible.
“Examinations and Foreign Affairs don’t need anyone at present. We can leave Internal Affairs alone for now. The Liu father and son will stay on at Finance for a limited period of time, so we’ll need someone to take their place. This is an important post—who is up to the task?”
The group looked at each other; no one made a sound. Everyone knew that it was time to divvy up the spoils. The world was theirs, and while they hadn’t fully conquered the dynasty, taking a position at one of the nine ministries now might mean that it would be theirs in the days to come.
However, everyone was of the martial world. Few were those who could excel in these positions.
“Is no one skilled at this kind of work?” Li Hao asked with a frown. “Then let’s set it aside for now. Putting both Director Yao and Director Hou in charge of the Night Watchers is a waste. Director Yao will continue to hold down the fort at the Night Watchers, whereas Director Hou will take over at Commerce. We still need that ministry as society will not advance without business...”
Hou Xiaochen wanted to decry the young man for what was surely a joke. How come I’ve been sent to the Ministry of Commerce?? What kind of commercial abilities do I have?! Li Hao, you’re just randomly assigning people to places!
“I trust Director Hou,” smiled Li Hao. “The director is a great hand at conducting transactions. You’ll have help from others and will be primarily there to manage people. I’m not sending you to open a business. The director’s been an official for several decades—too few of us have this kind of experience. You’re it!”
“......” Hou Xiaochen felt a weariness deep in his soul.
“Also, the director has tremendous mental strength. That will be useful for tasks involving calculation and numbers. It’s a good fit!”
A resigned Hou Xiaochen could do nothing but nod in silence.
“Of course, this is just a temporary post.” Li Hao looked back out over the group. “These duties should be left to professionals in the end. We’re all laymen and this isn’t the time to relax with enjoyment. The three great organizations are still active in the world, the ancient ruins and plant spirits are still present. The three dukes have yet to be eradicated as well...
“We’ve only defeated a portion of leaders installed by the previous government. This was more of a special ops mission than anything. It will not result in peace throughout the land...” Li Hao rubbed his temples. “I’m not adept at any of this either. In fact, I’m rather lost when it comes to organizational stuff! A greater burden falls on those who are capable. Anyone who speaks up can give anything a try.”
Still, no one made a sound. They simply looked at each other. It was one thing to kill people, but to run the world... forget it.
“Ahem!” someone coughed at this time. “Director General Zhao of Silver Moon can do it! He’s overseen the province for decades and it’s always remained in good order...”
Heads bobbed through the crowd. It wasn’t like they cared much about what should happen next—or rather, they didn’t know what should happen next.
Li Hao didn’t know either. He sighed heavily. When others conquer the world, they have plenty of people who march under their banner. I... have a bunch of martial brawn. They could fight and kill, but when it came time to govern, the young man felt ready to explode.
They had a great time killing people, but after they finished the deed... who could administer the world?
“Let’s set that aside first. There’s a lot of supernaturals at the City of Supernaturals going through the registration process. There are also supernatural armies at the nine ministries and royal family that we need to swiftly take control of. Those places can’t be permitted to dissolve into discord!” Li Hao made snap judgments for people to take charge of the supernaturals. Any of his people were good at killing and setting fires.
......
After the hubbub died down and the meeting concluded, Li Hao left the palace. This cold and cheerless place was no location to linger in for long. It was strewn with bodies and a highly uncomfortable residence.
The copy of the Mirror of Wind and Cloud remained in place over the palace, keeping the area sealed off. The situation would remain under wraps for a while longer.
......
Silver Moon martial masters mobilized in all directions. Residences that held nobles were quickly seized. A great disturbance embroiled Skystar City on this night.
The Skystar Commander Office announced to the public that the three great organizations were causing trouble through a general uprising. Evildoers were being arrested, so all that citizens needed to do was remain at home.
The blockade against the eight ministries and royal family was gradually relaxed. Those not in the know thought that Li Hao was giving up on pressuring these factions.
......
Red Moon headquarters.
Ying Hongyue’s brows had been knit in a deep frown for a very long time. “Is there any word from Skystar City?” he asked slowly.
“In response to the leader, the Skystar Commander Office has temporarily given up on the eight ministries and royal family. A portion of Silver Moon martial masters have withdrawn, but the city remains under lockdown.”
Ying Hongyue lifted a tea cup; its contents had long chilled. “Summon all Red Moon members and have them retreat from the central region as soon as possible!”
His people stared blankly. Retreat? Why?
Ying Hongyue didn’t explain himself. He simply gazed into the distance and lifted his head to look at the air. There seemed to be red threads in the void; some were very fragile.
Li Hao had swallowed a few more weapons with Stellaris. Perhaps the Windchaser boots and the blade of the Zhangs were no more. Three out of the eight were gone. Under what circumstances would he do so?
He’d done so the first time against the Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Maybe he’d done so this time to move against the nine ministries and royal family.
No, not maybe. It was a certainty.
And he was still alive! So... did that mean Li Hao had won?
Ying Hongyue wasn’t certain. He knew a bit about the Skystar ruins. There were many powerhouses there, so if the young man could prevail even in such circumstances, that would make him terrifying indeed.