Chapter 861: Chapter 683: Dowager Empress Xiao Offers Up the Country (Part 2)
She was a stunningly beautiful woman. Her life was a legend. Over a hundred years, the Imperial Thrones of Great Zhou and Southern Chen changed three or four times, yet the Liaodong of the Northern Country remained in the hands of this harem woman. The Imperial Throne of the Northern Country was vacant, the Dowager Empress Xiao had been governing behind the curtain for sixty years. This shows how capable she was, worthy of being called a hero among people!
Dowager Empress Xiao walked straight ahead, and seeing this, the Dark Night Army behind Gu Changsheng quickly made way for her.
Although they did not know who this old woman was, being protected by Jiang One and others, she was presumably not an enemy.
Moreover, their son-in-law was still beside their lady, so there shouldn’t be any trouble.
Everyone stared intently at the scene before the City Gate, even those atop the city walls lowered their heads to look over.
Amidst the shocked gaze of the crowd, Dowager Empress Xiao finally stopped a yard away in front of Gu Changsheng’s horse.
At this point, it was hard for Gu Changsheng not to pay attention. He studied the old woman before him, realizing she was the ruler of the Liaodong of the Northern Country.
Dowager Empress Xiao also slightly raised her head to examine the person on the horse.
A man and a woman rode together. The woman wore a scarlet garment hidden beneath a dark red cloak, faintly showing designs of dragons and phoenixes, as if ready to soar. This woman, though not the most beautiful in the world, had extremely vivid features with an inherent arrogance. Though high-ranking, such natural arrogance wasn’t cultivated, it was a deeply ingrained foundation. Her hair had no excessive adornments, tied high with only one Ming Zhu for decoration, capturing the light of heaven, shining brightly in harmony with a touch of Holy Golden on her forehead.
A long and strong arm gripped her waist, and further back was a man like a Divine Residence.
His features seemed to be intricately carved by the creator, deep and distinct, perfectly flawless.
The Undefeated War God of Great Zhou, Zhou Mu.
Such a name flashed through Dowager Empress Xiao’s mind.
The wrinkles at the corners of her mouth slightly curled. An unparalleled hero, divinely powerful. Her Northern Country had often tasted defeat at the hands of this person.
Dowager Empress Xiao stood there quietly, holding two things representing the national fortune in her hands. Her face, full of wrinkles, was very serene, with a hint of a smile.
She was so calm, but Gu Changsheng was not.
What is this about?
Trying to watch her blossom like a flower?
"Dowager Empress Xiao, I just learned today that every country has their contingencies. There’s no need for this." Gu Changsheng spoke awkwardly, with a slight embarrassment in his eyes.
Even a single person in each country’s hidden reserves could turn the tide of battle.
Someone who has reached the Transformative Realm!
Under such transcendent military power, even an army of a million is reduced to nothing.
Gu Changsheng’s words clearly meant that since there were still cards left to play and strength to fight, she didn’t want to accept the unprovoked surrender of Dowager Empress Xiao’s entire nation.
"Indeed, each country has its aces, though they cannot change the overall situation, they can at least preserve the royal lineage." Dowager Empress Xiao said, nodding indifferently, speaking bluntly.
Gu Changsheng’s mouth twitched. "Then why surrender at all? Fight to the death, and see who rules the fate of the world, it is not necessarily a foregone conclusion."
This was seriously the plain truth, seriously!
"Your Highness jokes," Dowager Empress Xiao smiled, "those who can enter the Transformative Realm are mostly reclusive. Even if they intervene, they could protect one or two, or three or four of the royal lineage but would not appear on the battlefield to conquer enemies with cultivation power, as it would incur endless karma."
"Uh..." Gu Changsheng was taken aback by her words.
What she said wasn’t wrong...
"So you’ve chosen an entire nation to surrender?" Gu Changsheng blinked.
"Indeed, when comparing the preservation of the royal lineage to saving millions of people of the Northern Country from destruction, I, the empress, chose the latter, because the Northern Country Royal Family are also people of the Northern Country." Dowager Empress Xiao replied calmly.
Hearing this, Gu Changsheng’s mouth twitched again, paused before speaking awkwardly, "Dowager Empress Xiao, are you by chance professionally trained?"
What math you must have studied is amazing!
All calculations!
The saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there’s no need to worry about firewood!
Dowager Empress Xiao heard this, her expression puzzled for a moment, but quickly returned to normal, dragging the two objects in her hands forward as she spoke, "I entrust millions of Northern Country citizens, and make a State Document as a ruler of the Northern Country. For as long as the Southern Emperor lives, the Northern Country is affiliated, without treachery. In this way, can the Southern Emperor assure the safety of my Northern Country?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.
A State Document like this?
As long as the Southern Emperor is alive, the Northern Country is affiliated!
This...
For a moment, everyone was a bit stunned!
Even Gu Changsheng took a deep breath; the State Document is extraordinary, transferring the realm of the empire with one document!
Dowager Empress Xiao actually established such a State Document!
"Why to this extent?" After a while, Gu Changsheng finally caught his breath.
Dowager Empress Xiao smiled, "When two unprecedented heroes become companions, there are hardly any rivals in the world; fighting would only add slaughter. I have no choice. Under such circumstances, it is better for me to offer the Northern Country as a dowry, accompanying the Southern Emperor. For as long as the Southern Emperor lives, this dowry remains, whether the heirs of the Southern Emperor can inherit depends on their ability."
This was already said very openly.
It was after weighing the pros and cons that she made such an astonishing choice.
The entire nation as a dowry is truly an unprecedented, earth-shattering gift!
Gu Changsheng frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then reached out from the horse, absorbing the objects from Dowager Empress Xiao’s hands.
At this point, the Northern Country’s allegiance to the Southern Emperor was settled.
And Gu Changsheng blinked his long lashes, still somewhat unwilling as he spoke again, "Dowager Empress Xiao, I have one question: Where are the Protectors of the Clan from your Northern Country?"