r18novel Chapter 81 The Emperor's Foresight
Chapter 81 The Emperor's Foresight
Chapter 81 The Emperor's Foresight
The Sun and Moon Continent is populous, vast, and possesses a relatively advanced civilization, unlike the other two continents on this planet. However, according to the course of this world's development, it won't be long before the Sun and Moon Continent collide with the Douluo Continent, becoming a major threat to it.
Now, even across the vast ocean, the machinations of the Sun and Moon Continent have already reached out. If the problems on the Sun and Moon Continent are not resolved in time, the consequences could be dire.
"In my opinion, there is no need to rush to resolve the issue of the Sun and Moon Continents far away in the ocean. After all, according to you, it is estimated that the collision of the two continents will take at least a thousand years."
The First Emperor spoke slowly in Zhongli's mind.
As one of Zhong Li's martial spirits in this world, the First Emperor has now been able to materialize his own form, which can be considered one of Zhong Li's trump cards.
"If it were me, I might consider building a Great Wall defense line around the sea, waiting for the day when the continents collide. At the same time, it could also guard against enemy invasions and harassment across the sea before the continental collision, protecting the people. It would be killing two birds with one stone."
I don't think so.
This time, Zhong Li shook his head and put his hands behind his back.
"Building a Great Wall is a waste of resources and manpower, yet it may not necessarily stop the enemy. In my world of the past, the ancient dynasties, guided by the Sky Isles, built walls to defend against the mythical beasts of the mountains and the enemies from the abyss. But in the war between the demon gods, how could they truly stop the iron hooves of the immortals? There is no Great Wall on the land of Liyue today. I, Morax, have no need for a Great Wall!"
Zhongli's voice carried a hint of arrogance, which made the First Emperor pause for a moment.
"In truth, building the Great Wall to protect oneself is a cowardly, agrarian mindset. The immortals, however, think differently. Rather than relying on the sheepfold for protection like sheep, they would rather be like the wolf of the north wind, taking the initiative!"
Zhong Li's usually calm voice now carried a hint of iron-bloodedness, as if he had returned to the era of the war between demons and gods.
"You mean instead of building walls for self-defense, we should relentlessly pursue and eliminate the enemy from beyond our borders?"
The First Emperor's eyes gradually brightened, and he spoke.
"Indeed. That makes perfect sense. Building the Great Wall is a waste of resources and manpower, and requires a lot of manpower and resources for long-term maintenance. It would be better to use that energy to strive for progress, expand territory, and unify the land. Wherever the Thousand Rocks Army's battle flag goes, that is Liyue territory, without distinction between the human world and beyond."
Zhong Li nodded, his amber eyes holding a rock-like calm as he spoke.
"Such ambition, good, good, good. I'll wait and see the day when all races are united."
The First Emperor sighed softly and said no more.
At this time, the Snow Emperor also sent a report, informing Zhongli that the Star Dou Great Forest had officially submitted to the Tianli Empire, and that the sleeping Silver Dragon King had personally delivered a letter of surrender.
Zhong Li nodded. The Star Dou Great Forest boasts even more powerful individuals than the far north. With the formal submission of the Star Dou Great Forest, only the Demon Forest on the Sun and Moon Continent remains to be conquered. The Immortal Army can then undergo another major expansion, more than enough to make up for the previous losses.
In the far north of Douluo Continent, numerous camps began to be set up and supplies were stockpiled in preparation for the conquest and attack on Sun Moon Continent.
From the very beginning, Zhong Li rejected the plan to attack the Sun Moon Continent by sea. First, because of the coastal evacuation order, the entire western coast of the Douluo Continent had been abandoned, lacking the conditions to build warships; second, the ocean was vast, and there were too many sea spirit beasts on the sea. If they were to cross the ocean, there would be too many dangers and difficulties, and the sea would not be conducive to the performance of land spirit beasts that were only familiar with land combat.
His plan was to wait until the vast ice sea west of the far north froze over in winter, then his army would cross the ice directly to attack the Sun and Moon Continent. If they encountered areas that were not frozen, the many powerful figures of the far north could fill in the gaps, creating a road or bridge suitable for winter marches.
"Your Majesty, we can't fight anymore. Didn't you say you wanted the entire Douluo Continent to recuperate? Why do you still have to attack that remote and desolate Sun Moon Continent? The people can't take any more of this!"
Ovilette, the former prime minister of the Tiandou Empire and now a high-ranking official of the Tianli Empire, looked at Zhong Li with a worried expression.
"Five years have passed since the unification of the continent and the pacification of the Three Sects Rebellion. If we do not act now, the enemies of the Sun and Moon Continent and the Divine Realm will no longer wait for us. As a veteran minister, you should understand the choices we must make."
Zhong Li put down his vermilion pen, which was grading the case files, sighed softly, and said.
"Under normal circumstances, this old minister would naturally support Your Majesty's decision. But things are different now! Natural disasters are striking one after another, and calamities are constantly occurring. The people are beginning to stir. The remnants of the former 'Empress' have also started to operate in secret again. If... if..."
The old minister sighed and said.
Zhongli naturally understood that what the old minister said was not unfounded.
The demise of a demon god can have a significant impact on vast lands, environments, and even the entire world. For example, the death of the Salt Demon God on the continent of Teyvat destroyed an entire region of the land.
Now, two demon gods have fallen in and around Douluo Continent: Oser and the Dream Demon God. Given the fragile environment of this world, how could it not be severely affected?
In fact, terrifying natural disasters and famines had plagued the entire Douluo Continent for three years, causing countless deaths. If it weren't for the might of the Immortal Army and the Thousand Rock Army, the entire Tianli Empire would likely have been in chaos long ago.
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Overetz, don't you understand?"
Zhong Li stood up, paced a few steps, and let out a soft sigh.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
"Do you think the Tianli Empire has too many or too few people now?"
The Rock King Emperor asked, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
"The population is indeed much smaller, far too small. When we unified the Star Luo Empire, there was much bloodshed, and the population was reduced by more than half. This was a last resort. Later, there was the Rebellion of the Three Sects, and years of famine and drought. There was also the labor commune of the immortals, which many lazy and idle people could not adapt to and suffered the punishment of being eaten by rocks. Now, compared to its heyday, the population of Douluo Continent is probably less than five-tenths."
Overetz sighed softly and said with a bitter face.
"You're wrong, you're wrong. Normally, more people means more strength. But in difficult times, it's not about having more people, but fewer people. Fewer people mean more resources can be distributed equally, making it easier to work together and overcome difficulties. Too many people, on the other hand, prevent unity and mutual support, not only failing to overcome the hardship but also creating more trouble!"
Zhong Li sighed softly and said.
"Your Majesty, this, this..."
Ovilette felt a sudden jolt in his heart, followed by a chill.
"A large population does not necessarily mean a small population. What use was the Star Luo Empire, which once covered millions of territories? The value of human resources lies in their quality, in their unity, loyalty, courage, and diligence, not in their quantity. This is especially true in times of crisis. Heaven creates all things to nourish humankind, yet humankind has nothing to repay Heaven with."
Zhongli, with his back to Overetz, spoke calmly, yet his words stirred endless ripples and a chill in the old minister's heart. However, he also understood that the Emperor was right. Some things, as those in power, they must consider rationally, rather than deceiving themselves.
There are far too many useless people in this world. These people contribute little value in ordinary times, but when times are tough, they become the sparks of unrest. They are not the masses who can drive social progress; rather, they are a malignant tumor hindering the development of social productivity and the cause of the Heavenly Li Holy War. To bestow leniency upon these people would be irresponsible towards the truly enterprising masses.
He couldn't help but recall the story the Emperor had once told him: during the most difficult time of the war between demons and gods in another world, the celestial army slaughtered the "people without food" and the "people without grain." To save the world and alleviate the suffering of all living beings, this decision had to be made. At this moment, a resolute glint flashed in the old minister's eyes.
(End of this chapter)