Having traversed countless realms, can you possibly be as clever as me?

The sound was an absolute silence, as if emptied by some invisible force; even the crackling of the burning oil lamp had disappeared.

Tsugumi blinked; he really hadn't expected Nero to treat him so well.

However—it was inevitably a bit reckless.

-

P.S.: There will be a big release early next month, so please save your votes if you have any to support me.

Changing styles doesn't change anything, it's still all about killing! : 156. What will we eat if you leave?

The consul's position in the Roman Empire was roughly equivalent to that of the left and right prime ministers in the Chinese court. Although their status and authority evolved over time, there is no doubt that only a very small number of people could hold the position.

In the Republic era, this role was typically filled by the two most outstanding and powerful senators nominated by the Senate, while the consul was already the highest position. In the Imperial era, although it became an honorary title, it still represented the pinnacle of imperial power.

However, the emperor also had the authority to nominate candidates for this position directly.

After all, the Senate had greatly diminished in both reputation and power since the assassination of Caesar. The nobility began to waver between the emperor and the Senate, and the feudal imperial power, relying on centralization, began to overwhelm the original deliberative republican system.

In short, Nero's promotion of Tsugumi can no longer be described as a meteoric rise.

That's utterly ridiculous.

“Your Majesty! This…this is absolutely impossible! The consul must be a Roman citizen, must be a member of parliament, must—” An elderly senator with white hair and beard was the first to stand up in opposition, and Purple-edged Toga trembled with rage.

“It must be my decision!” Nero interrupted him, a dangerous glint in her emerald eyes. “My aesthetic is law! My will is tradition!”

Another nobleman rose, his posture slightly more respectful, but his words were equally sharp.

“Your Majesty, even disregarding tradition and law, this man's origins are unknown, and he knows nothing about Rome. How can he govern the empire? Consuls are not gladiators; what is needed is not martial skill, but wisdom and experience—”

"Wisdom?" Nero retorted with a cold laugh.

"Is your so-called wisdom to let Rome's granaries go empty day after day? To let commoners fight over a loaf of bread in the streets? I have heard that many slaves have starved to death on the banks of the Tiber, while you gentlemen drink the finest wine produced in the year of the Falles. Is this your wisdom?"

The explicit opposition ceased because what Nero said was indeed true.

Rome's current food source was not yet the future Egyptian colony in North Africa. Although Rome had been cultivating the land there for a long time, internal rebellions and wars in Egypt prevented the Nile River from becoming the empire's largest granary.

Today, Rome's largest source of food is still the vast farmlands of Sicily and Sardinia, but for more than a year, wheat harvests have been poor, and the priests of the Pantheon have held many ceremonies without success.

Therefore, for nearly a year, this famine affected almost every social class in Rome, from nobles and senators to citizens and slaves, all of whom suffered greatly.

In the Roman Empire, where there was no concept of "interaction between heaven and man," there was no way to blame such natural disasters on the emperor. Instead, the Senate had to bear the pressure of being unable to solve the problem.

Suppressed murmurs filled the hall, like the buzzing of bees. Opposition festered in the silence. Though no one openly refuted the emperor anymore, the intertwined gazes, tightly pursed lips, and exchanged glances formed an invisible wall—a wall of rejection more solid than any words.

Tsurugae stood at the boundary between light and darkness, sensing it all. He saw the mixed emotions in the nobles' eyes: astonishment, anger, contempt, calculation, and the deepest rejection and fear—fear of the unknown, fear of the broken order and rules in their hands.

It must be said that Tsuruga really dislikes these political games.

But he just doesn't like it; it's not that he can't play it.

Dongjiang took a step forward and immediately activated the power of desire within him. With just one step, he drew everyone's attention back to him.

"Your Majesty," his voice was not loud, yet it pierced through all the noise, "may I have a word?"

Nero raised an eyebrow, her expression expectant: "Speak, Lord Tsugumi!"

Tsuruga turned to the hall full of nobles, his gaze sweeping over each face. He showed no anger at being offended, nor did he rush to defend himself; instead, he spoke as if he were engaging in a street debate.

"Your doubts are understandable. How can someone from out of town, who has not accomplished anything, be appointed to a high-ranking position?"

The noble elders sneered.

“So,” Tsugumi said casually, “give me three days.”

"Three days?" someone asked, repeating in confusion.

"Within three days, I will resolve Rome's food shortage and provide enough food to feed the entire city for a hundred days," Tsurugi said confidently.

These words immediately caused an uproar. Did he know how many people Rome had? A full million!

Even if he had some extraordinary ability, how could he possibly transport such a large amount of grain to Rome?

Just because those ignorant folks flattered you a bit, do you really think you're the son of Jupiter just because you know a few priestly tricks?

"Your Majesty, esteemed elders, if you will tolerate this man's unbridled behavior here, then please allow me, Titus, to retire and return to my hometown!"

A nobleman dressed in a pale white tagasa stepped forward, pointed at Tsurugi, and said indignantly, making a move to leave.

"Wait!" Tsuruga raised her hand to stop him, then stepped forward with a smile.

"You are Rome's grain supply officer, in charge of Rome's grain harvest. This is of utmost importance. How can you just leave like this?"

"What will we eat if you leave?"

"What should we eat! Yes, yes, what should we eat?" A chorus of agreement arose from the noble group.

"Hmph, ignorant barbarians." Titus, the grain supply officer, looked down at Dongjiang with disdain and snorted coldly.

However, he felt Tsuruga's grip on his shoulder tighten, and by the time he felt the pain, it was too late to make a sound.

In front of everyone, under the watchful eyes of all, Tsurugi smiled as she forcefully ripped off his arms!

"Ahhhhh!!!!"

He let out a shrill and piercing scream. Without arms, he knelt on the ground, his hands gushing blood wildly, looking utterly terrifying.

The nobles and elders had not expected things to turn out so abruptly, and their expressions changed drastically. Tsurugi, on the other hand, put away his smile and tossed his arm aside.

Then, he completely changed his tune.

"You guys are really giving me a damn good time."

Tsuruga wiped the blood splattered on his left cheek, looked at these pampered noblemen with disdain, and sneered.

"The emperor appointed me, and the emperor gave me this task. Who are you? You dare to whine and beg for mercy here!"

"You're trash who doesn't even know your own worth. Anyone else have a problem with that? Speak up now!"

And you know what? A few actually jumped out.

"Barbarian, you have committed murder! Guards, where are the guards!"

"Your Majesty, this barbarian has revealed his true colors. Get away from him immediately!"

Tsurugi glanced at Nero, clearly the young emperor was at a loss in this situation, so Tsurugi decided to go all the way and teach her what legitimate political struggle was.

He appeared before the two who had spoken almost in the blink of an eye. Just as their fear was still frozen on their faces, he threw a punch, sending them flying with terrifying force and style.

In an instant, two blood-stained heads flew off and flashed in the luxurious hall.

Hey, Lion's Flying Head Fist!

A moment later, the nobles and elders, realizing what Tsurugi had done, all let out a sharp, piercing scream. Tsurugi shook the blood off his hands, and a sinister smile appeared on his face as he looked at the terrified nobles.

But just then, Nero's voice sounded behind him.

"Enough, Dong Jiangqing, stop!"

Tsugumi paused slightly, glancing at Nero who was hurrying towards her. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, a comical smile spreading across her face. She turned and called out loudly...

"Of course, of course, the First Legion will always be loyal to the Emperor."

—What First Legion? What does he mean?

Just as the elders and nobles were pondering the meaning of those words, more than a dozen heads suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Seeing the heads rolling on the ground, all the elders gasped in horror.

"The First Legion, in accordance with the Emperor's will, will purge all traitors and disloyalists."

Tsugumi stood next to the bewildered Nero, raised her hand, and shouted loudly.

Nero: Huh? Me?

“If you want evidence of their crimes, I have plenty of it! But if you want to judge me according to the laws of the Empire, then you shall see how sharp your swords are.”

Dongjiang clapped his hands, and the next moment, hundreds of fully armed soldiers, their faces blurred, surged in from outside the door and surrounded the area.

This sudden change in the Tang Dynasty caused a drastic change in the expressions of many elders and nobles, who then instantly realized what was going on.

It must be a conspiracy by that brat emperor! He plans to kill all the nobles and elders who don't support him so he can truly seize power!

That so-called First Legion must be Nero's private army, which he secretly formed. It uses the name of the First Legion after Crassus's failed expedition. Now that he's suddenly bringing it out, he's planning to overturn the table and seize power!

This is just right, it's exactly the taste!

This is the essence of a coup d'état in old Rome—authentic!

The elders and nobles, who seemed to have suddenly understood everything, looked at Nero differently!

Impressive tactics, impressive skills! I initially thought she was just a girl with a slightly dim mind, but I never expected her to be so cunning! You can't judge a book by its cover!

Nero: Huh?

Without hesitation, numerous elder nobles declared these people to be traitors and criminals, declaring them worthy of their deaths! Legal issues? Does the emperor need to consider the law when making decisions?

As for Tsurugi, they said that they would have no objection even if he were to become a ruler or even if he were to call himself a god like Caligula!

"Hahaha, well said, well said!" Dongjiang picked up a glass of wine and toasted them with a gesture as if he were changing faces in a Sichuan opera.

"Excellent! Absolutely! But my promise will not be broken; I will take care of the food problem! I'm so happy, this is the happiest day of my life! Come, let us all wish our Emperor Nero good health and continued success!"

The nobles hesitated before raising their glasses. The banquet continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed. The noble elders had lost all interest in enjoying themselves; they were all restless and wished they could escape immediately.

Finally, the banquet ended, and they all fled like the wind. Seeing that no one was around anymore, Nero angrily pulled Tsugumi away.

"What are you doing?!"

Nero's emerald green eyes widened, her cute cheeks puffed out slightly, and she glared angrily at Tsurugi.

"I will fight for your power, Your Majesty," Tsugumi said with a slight smile, one hand on her chest.

"I know that before you came to power, you promised to follow Octavian's example and build an empire that would coexist peacefully with the Senate. You must have been very reluctant to say such a lie!"

"No, I didn't..."

"No, you do!" Tsurugi stepped forward, their eyes meeting as she looked at the bewildered young empress, and seduced her with a pleasant voice.

"You are the emperor, so whatever you do is right!"

"When the emperor is angry, millions will die and blood will flow for miles! Only those who do whatever they want deserve to be called emperors!"