It's the cyber age now, and you're still playing traditional villains?

Xu Shi smiled, "I don't deny that you are a little wrong in doing this, but when you asked me to have a talk, didn't you also mention how to minimize the impact? It's just a matter of order. What's wrong with putting yourself first?"

"Even if you really want to be a good emperor who puts others before yourself, it seems that there is no platform for you to display your talents, right?"

"More importantly, I'm a bad guy too, so I can only praise you for doing the right thing."

"...Sir, please just state your conditions directly."

Hearing him say this, Dongfang Xiao's expression became a little strange, and his words became more urgent, hoping that he would get to the point as soon as possible.

She could tell that Xu Shi's compliments came from the heart, which was quite rare... and she actually really needed to find some recognition from others so that she could feel less guilty.

In the end, they did agree, but the degree seemed a bit excessive. How could anyone really say that he is a bad person without batting an eyelid? Isn't this a bit too much?

Anyway, the little queen herself was a little afraid to continue. What else could she do? Should she admit that she was really the bad kid he called her?

Girls are thin-skinned and they can't say such words.

But no matter what, this recognition made her feel a lot more comfortable. And it should be said, this guy's voice seemed to have some kind of magic. It was calm and natural, but it carried some charm. She didn't know if it was innate or what.

Anyway, she always felt that if she continued talking, she would be unable to cope with it.

So stop bragging and talk about something practical!

"Alright alright."

Xu Shi expressed his understanding, clapped his hands and chuckled, "But before I tell you the conditions, Miss Dongfang, why don't you listen to what I can do for you first."

"First, regarding the negative impact of the Seagod Stone transaction, there is no need for the royal family to pay any price to buy back the materials in my hands. To tell you the truth, your gold and silver are worthless in my eyes, so what's the harm in giving it to you for free?"

"As for whether you want to make Cheng Gujian bleed, how much, and how to pay, that's up to you. If you need it, I can also give you some advice. You can use the extra money to replenish the national treasury or your own private coffers. I don't mind."

This condition alone almost made Dongfang Xiao exclaim in surprise.

You know, even if it is just a main city, the deficit that needs to be filled by the royal family is not a small amount. After all, almost everyone in the entire city is involved. These days, just thinking about how much money needs to be allocated from the national treasury makes her feel painful.

As a result, Xu Shi simply said one sentence and filled the entire hole.

This isn't just children's pocket money. Are you really that rich? !

Oh, your city-state does not use gold and silver... but this is not really a reason. As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. This may not matter in the City of Night Sin, but aren't you still in the territory of the Hualan Empire now?

If it were her, Dongfang Xiao would never think that she would have the courage to do so.

"Second, I am willing to regard our relationship as an alliance. Therefore, once we become allies, Miss Dongfang's enemies will be my enemies."

Xu Shi ignored her surprise and raised another finger leisurely, "For example... Cheng Gujian."

To be honest, this condition is more attractive than the first one. According to the model of the Hualan Empire, the gain or loss of money is only temporary and there will not be any major financial problems.

But the little queen calmed down after hearing this.

"…Why did you choose me?"

The rise and fall of her collar returned to normal as she asked seriously.

This is a question she has always been curious about. From an outsider's perspective, between a senior official with great power and a mascot queen with little power, it is more beneficial to cooperate with the former.

But she had noticed since their first meeting that Xu Shi seemed to always favor her, and she couldn't help but feel strange.

"Didn't I tell you that your situation is very similar to mine before."

Xu Shiqing spread his hands, "So I can understand what Miss Dongfang is thinking... Take this matter for example, if it is really handled by the royal family, I think people will be grateful to Cheng Gujian. On the contrary, if the royal court stands by and watches, people will curse you."

"If you are a hopeless person, then it would be fine. But I know very well that you have your own ideas and ambitions. It's just that there is a huge mountain pressing down on your head. Even if you have great ambitions, how much can you realize them?"

Dongfang Xiao didn't know who Adou was, but he could understand what he meant. He naturally felt uncomfortable hearing him say that, and he bit his upper lip unconsciously.

The truth is always sharp. Even if what Xu Shi said is not exactly the same as her life, it can be said to be very similar.

Her father, the late emperor of the empire, died early. She did not deny that she succeeded to the throne at a young age. Before his death, her father arranged for Cheng Gujian to assist in the administration, which was also out of his love for her.

But now she is twenty-one years old! She has been sitting on the throne for fourteen years, and her mentality is completely different from that of the past. The more she relied on Cheng Gujian before, the more resentful she is now.

Many times, her orders really could not be implemented. The other party could simply reject her ideas with a simple sentence "Your Majesty is still young and needs to be tempered". Who could stand this?

Don't say that she was not completely sidelined. For an emperor, power would make people uneasy if even a little bit of it was taken away.

But what can she do? Under the influence of many years, most people in the court trust Cheng Gujian more than her. She doesn't even dare to ask "When will the Grand Duke return to power?" Who knows what will happen if she asks?

All she can do seems to be just playing the role of a mascot as usual, acting innocently to win everyone's praise... But think about it carefully, are all the praises really from the heart? Who knows how many people are mocking her behind her back.

"Miss Dongfang, have you ever heard of canaries?"

Xu Shi seemed to ignore all this and continued to talk to himself, "A beautiful bird with shiny feathers, a sweet voice, and everyone loves it, but it can only live in a golden cage for its entire life. If it wants to see the outside world, it will end up with a bloody head."

"I think my situation is very similar to yours... Here, I have a small gift for you."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisitely carved bird like a magician, walked up to her and placed it in front of her desk.

"...Get out of here! I don't need you!"

When Dongfang Xiao saw the small ornament, he instantly lost his mind. He waved his sleeves madly, knocking it to the ground and smashing it into pieces. Other objects on the table also fell to the ground with a clang.

Xu Shi might have taken this thing out just to fit in with the occasion. To be honest, it was just a coincidence, but Cheng Gujian happened to have given her a similar "gift" before, and even the material was the same Poseidon Stone.

At this moment, she really couldn't control her emotions. The elegant and dignified little queen instantly turned into a blushing shrew.

"…I'm sorry, Mr. Xu. I lost my composure just now. Please forgive me."

After taking a long breath, she came back to her senses as if she had just woken up from a dream, "Go on."

"Ah."

Xu Shi didn't care at all. It didn't matter what the gift was, as long as the meaning was conveyed - now it seems that it was not that simple, the effect was better than he thought.

Therefore, my recent improvement is also very significant. There is some influence of "evil thoughts and entropy increase" in my words. Even if the other party is immune, it is still effective if I hit the pain point.

"It may not be enough to just help you deal with Cheng Gujian? In addition to the royal family, there is also the Holy See... As for the empire itself, you can take a look at this."

He showed a few more pictures, which were of the booming Silver Pine Island.

"I think Miss Dongfang knows better than me that the Hualan Empire needs a change, and I'm afraid only I can bring it to you."

That's right, launching an economic war just for revenge is too low-level. What's more important is to convey the more advanced concepts and technologies of Night Sin City to Dongfang Xiao. These things are more precious than mountains of gold and silver.

Moreover, there is a hint of demonstration and even threat here. If the Hualan Empire is just a remote corner, then it doesn't matter how you develop. But now that you know there are other city-states and other worlds out there, would it be a good choice to stick to your own ways?

Obviously not.

"… State your terms."

The little queen let out a long sigh of relief, sat on the chair, and nodded without much consideration.

It has to be said that she really couldn't refuse any of this combination of punches, whether it was intimidation or inducement.

The attraction is too great... To be honest, she chose to bet on Xu Shi because she valued his extraordinary ideas and his ability to change the situation at any time - perhaps these are really basic operations in their city-state, but for the Hualan Empire, these are supreme treasures.

Of course, there is also the subtle empathy between her and Xu Shi - the other party was once constrained in every way just like herself, so isn't his current demeanor exactly what she expected?

To be honest, this is what attracted her the most.

"I don't have many conditions, Miss Dongfang, don't worry."

Xu Shi smiled and nodded slightly, "First, I need to borrow your ability. My wife was mentally eroded in the battle with Poseidon. She needs the royal family's holy light ability to help heal."

Which wife of yours are you talking about... This was the first question that Dongfang Xiao thought of.

But this is not something worth worrying about, and it doesn't seem to have any impact no matter which one it is.

So she agreed without thinking for long, "Okay, if my ability can help her, I will definitely do my best to help you treat her."

"Second, since the Holy See is also our common enemy, we must face some things together."

Xu Shi extended his second finger again, "So later I need you to issue a decree to allow me to open a new sect."

"!"

The gap between one and two seemed a bit too big, and Dongfang Xiao widened his eyes again.

To be honest, of course she has always regarded the Holy See as hostile. As for why Xu Shi was so against the Holy See, she thought it was because of the various conflicts he had with Luo Yu before?

But now it seems that it is not that simple, this person's ambition is outrageous!

This is clearly an attempt to play against the Vatican! And they are so aggressive right from the start!

As for what he said about "facing it together", there is nothing to explain. If the order to open up Protestantism was issued by the royal family, it would be no different from declaring war face to face, which would tie the two parties firmly into the same boat.

"……when?"

However, this condition is also acceptable. Rather than calling it a condition, it is more like a trick Xu Shizhi gave her to deal with the Holy See... From this point of view, the little queen will certainly not reject it.

"When I need it, it won't be long."

"Okay, I promise you, is there anything else?"

"There's one more."

The smile on Xu Shi's face became more and more charming, but he didn't say it directly as if to keep someone in suspense. He just stood up slowly, walked to the desk, and looked Dongfang Xiao up and down.

"……you!"

This look is not difficult to understand, at least not difficult to understand for the 21-year-old Dongfang Xiao.

So her cheeks turned red and she moved back unconsciously, "Are you going to..."

She hadn't thought about it in this direction before, mainly because her attention was focused on Xu Shi's ingenious plan.

Thinking about it now, she suddenly realized that this guy is also a man!

And he is a very lustful man... Nonsense, if he is not lustful, how can he have so many wives and concubines?

That's why he prefers me... Isn't it true? How can Cheng Gujian, a burly middle-aged uncle, be more attractive than the beautiful young queen?

She was still very confident about her appearance, and it was hard for her to imagine any other meaning behind the other person's body language.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat ambiguous, and she herself became more and more ashamed and angry the more she thought about it - it was undeniable that Xu Shi was indeed very handsome, but his conditions also included her, this...

"Hey? What is Miss Dongfang thinking about?"

Seeing her like this, Xu Shi showed an innocent expression instead, "You don't think I'm going to use this opportunity to blackmail you into marrying me or something, do you?"

"Don't worry, how could that be possible? You think too much."

……Um?

Dongfang Xiao had been holding back the words “Isn’t it?” in his heart, and was stunned for a moment when he heard him say that.

But then she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that it wasn't the case. That was good...