Evergreen Immortal.

Chapter 650 Why is it another one surnamed Yuan?
"Strategic alliances?"

Li Rui smiled slightly as he looked at the secret letter that had arrived from the capital.

This approach by the Prime Minister Zhang was quite in line with his wishes.

He had already heard about the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty.

as expected.

It is all too common for first-rate immortal dynasties to exploit second-rate immortal dynasties.

It was a power struggle within the dynasty.

As long as it doesn't come to the point of annihilation, Baiyujing won't care at all. If Dayu and Fenxin Immortal Dynasty were to have a conflict, Dayu would definitely suffer the loss. Therefore, it is necessary to unite with other immortal dynasties to strengthen its power.

"What a vicious mind."

Nie Siming spoke in a deep voice.

The document was not only sent to the Great Yu Dynasty, but also to several surrounding immortal dynasties, including second-rate and third-rate ones.

The amount of money that needed to be offered as tribute was never less than what was owed.

The Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty was designed to drain the blood of the surrounding immortal dynasties. It had already made it extremely difficult to maintain the status quo by offering up half of its fortune in one go, let alone develop to the point of threatening the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty.

Not only that, the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty can also earn a massive amount of fortune for free.

It's practically no different from raising hogs.

That's absolutely vicious.

Yuan Xiong also spoke up: "The Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty is powerful and cannot be offended. We can only seek help from outside. Chief Minister Zhang's four words, 'forming alliances and counter-alliances,' are very ingenious."

To think that the Yu Kingdom alone could stand against the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—a delusional and wishful thinking.

Therefore, it is necessary to bring in enough allies.

As a result, even the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty would have to be somewhat wary.

of course.

This concept of alliances and counter-alliances should be viewed in two parts: first, alliances, which unite the weak to attack the strong; and second, counter-alliances, which serve the strong to attack the weak.

In the current situation...

The general idea was to unite with those second-rate immortal dynasties to negotiate with the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty, and then seek the protection of the Qian Yuan Immortal Dynasty, so as to resist the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty, which was like a raging flood.

I heard that the imperial court has already sent an envoy.

As for the results, we'll have to wait and see.

Li Rui didn't speak, but listened quietly to their argument.

Suddenly.

He glanced at Pei Yao, who was standing silently to the side.

"Mr. Pei, what's your opinion?"

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Pei Yao.

In terms of seniority, Pei Yao was a senior to everyone in the hall. When Pei Yao was already roaming the martial arts world, they had only just begun to practice martial arts.

Even the most unruly Nie Siming held this female warrior in high esteem.

This was another of Li Rui's objectives.

Pei Yao can win the hearts of the people.

Otherwise, if it were any other celestial being, even if his brothers outwardly agreed, they might not truly be convinced.

Pei Yao said calmly, "With the situation still unclear, we should first consider our options."

Only she could say that.

Otherwise, it would be seen as cowardice, just like Du Ming and Chu Hu standing to the side.

But she was Pei Yao, who had once led her troops deep into enemy territory, killing the barbarian high priest, before retiring to her hometown and returning to the martial world. So no one would think she was afraid.

Li Rui laughed heartily: "Mr. Pei's words are exactly what I was thinking."

Unlike the Yu Kingdom's homeland, which is far away in Jinting Island, the six prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Governor's Office are right under the nose of the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty. If the negotiations break down, this place will be the first to suffer.

Once the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty's army marches south...

Having a way out becomes crucial.

Li Rui immediately ordered: "The grand formation of the Eastern Capital Prefecture is imminent. Brother Nie and Brother Yuan, you two will assist Mr. Pei in going to the three southeastern continents to investigate taxes. You must achieve results."

Upon hearing the words "tax investigation".

Du Ming and Chu Hu's eyelids twitched violently.

Tax audit?

They clearly wanted to extort money from those powerful families in the southeast, or even confiscate their property.

There was a saying in the ancient Guniu Immortal Dynasty: "Of the ten bushels of wealth in the world, nine bushels are held by the southeast."

A vast portion of the world's wealth is controlled by the powerful cultivation families of the southeast. As for why the emperors of the former Guniu Immortal Dynasty never investigated taxes, it's simply because the Gao family was the most powerful among the southeastern families.

Both of their families also live in the southeast.

Their family's assets have all been handed over to the royal treasury, but a large amount of money is still scattered among those small families.

This tax audit will likely wipe out even this small amount of wealth.

Unlike the emperor of the Guniu Immortal Dynasty, Li Rui had no connections whatsoever and wouldn't care about the cost at all.

The reason we didn't kill them before was precisely for this moment.

The morning meeting is adjourned.

Du Ming and Chu Hu jogged away from the Prince's Mansion and hurriedly sent messages to the elders of the Southeast Clan.

Of course, it's not about cheating or being cunning.

Instead, it should be a 100% distribution.

Who is Pei Yao?

If they angered them, it was entirely possible that they would wipe out the entire Manchu ethnic group with a single shot.

Never mess with them.

Li Rui watched Du Ming and Chu Hu leave, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He had always harbored the idea of ​​taking over the powerful families of Southeast China.

Now is the best time.

If any powerful family dares to resist, it is considered a violation of national interests and a disregard for righteousness during a time of national crisis; they should simply be wiped out.

And he is really short of money right now.

He intends to set up the Nine Dragons Sealing Heaven Formation in the Eastern King's Mansion, which requires a massive amount of spirit stones and divine objects. He has no money in the armory, but he has money in the southeast, so he will not be polite.

With the Nine Dragons Sealing Heaven Formation as its foundation, even if a large army is pressing in, at least there is the confidence to save one's life.

Li Rui walked to the palace.

With a single thought, the person vanished in an instant.

When they reappeared, they were already in a secret chamber deep underground in the Prince's Palace, where nine brand-new dragon pillars stood.

these years.

Aside from cultivation, Li Rui spent the rest of his time setting up formations.

The Nine Dragons Sealing Heaven Formation is now taking shape.

The only thing missing is spirituality.

Spirituality can only be obtained by throwing away a massive amount of spiritual stones and treasures; there is no other way.

Otherwise, why would those sects only activate their protective mountain formations in critical moments? It's because every time they activate them, a massive amount of spirit stones are burned.

It really hurts.

Li Rui walked to the center of the nine dragon-carved pillars, closed his eyes, and sat cross-legged.

The celestial energy transformed into countless fine threads, connecting with the coiled dragon pillar.

Suddenly, a great burst of divine light appeared.

"Yuan Xiangang, the newly promoted second-place scholar of the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty, has been sent as an envoy to the Heavenly Rock Immortal Dynasty. The ruler of the Heavenly Rock Immortal Dynasty has already agreed to pay tribute in annual gifts."

Du Ming said.

Yuan Xiangang?
Upon hearing the name, Li Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

New runner-up
It is well known that the top scorer is not necessarily the best, but the runner-up is definitely not bad.

After all, the top scorer might be involved in too many things, and might be someone with connections, but the second-place scorer usually has real talent.

To the surrounding countries, the Burning Heart Immortal Dynasty is a fierce tiger.

But for the envoys who went on these missions, these celestial dynasties were nothing less than dens of dragons and tigers.

How could a newly appointed second-place scholar so quickly manage to subdue a third-rate celestial dynasty?

That's quite a skill.

Ning Zhongtian, standing to the side, felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

The Yu Kingdom seeks to form alliances and unite smaller nations, which is a crucial element. However, the fact that the Tianyan Immortal Dynasty has taken the lead in paying tribute will put even greater pressure on other immortal dynasties, who may follow suit.

This is not good news.

A strange thought arose in Li Rui's mind.

"Why is Yuan Xiangang another person with the surname Yuan?"

(End of this chapter)