Darkstone Code

Chapter 1271 - 1270: The Emperor Who Supports the King Slayer

Within Gafura, the only force capable of opposing the Noble Group, which has lost the Imperial Family’s suppression, are the commoners.

So next, the Prime Minister will certainly announce various policies to enhance the commoners’ ability to participate in politics, while reducing the nobles’ voice in political matters.

It is even possible that future Prime Ministers may not emerge from the Secretariat, but from the people’s elections.

Some people can ruin a country for personal power.

But there are also those who will do seemingly selfless things for the rise of a country.

Encountering such people is truly headache-inducing.

Even if the subsequent developments may not align with Lynch’s considerations, at least pleasing the public is not a wrong move.

The night passed without words.

After a brief rest, the Eldest Prince must undergo public trial again. It’s a torment for him as the Prime Minister and the nobles are determined to thoroughly examine his issues.

They cannot let him hide anything unclear.

Although it appears to be a trial of the Eldest Prince, it is actually a trial of the Emperor, the entire Imperial Family.

The face of the Imperial Family has finally been heavily thrown to the ground, shattered into pieces.

After a long trial, the Eldest Prince returned to the Imperial Palace by car. Upon returning, he began smashing things, whether precious artworks, collectibles, or ordinary items—even the most ordinary items in the Imperial Palace are not cheap.

All these things were smashed by him. He wielded a silver lamp post, frantically smashing everything in sight.

After venting for a full half hour, someone finally knocked on the door, brought him to wash up, and changed into a new set of clothes.

The Emperor wished to see him.

After venting, the Eldest Prince appeared graceful and composed again, with no trace of the previous brutality. After paying his respects, he sat to the left of the Emperor.

"I heard they humiliated you again today..." he asked casually while peeling fruit.

He didn’t watch the live broadcast. Such programs aren’t worth watching. In the end, it’s about shattering the public’s perception of the Imperial Family.

Watching such things is agonizing, and he isn’t inclined to self-torture, so naturally, he didn’t watch.

The Eldest Prince nodded, clenching his fists, "Those vicious people!"

He was referring to the witnesses, many of whom had previously provided him with benefits. These people had earned quite a bit of money through their relationships with the Imperial Family and the Eldest Prince, also elevating their social status.

Now that the Imperial Family’s situation is poor, these people immediately jumped out to become eager vanguards in testifying against him, making him extremely furious!

Those who were akin to dogs in his eyes are now starting to bite him. How can he face these people calmly?

As he spoke, he looked up at his father, the Emperor of the Empire, "We can’t keep doing nothing, Father!"

His voice was so loud that even the Royal Grand Steward glanced at him, indicating he must lower his tone.

This was a conversation with the Emperor, not with any ordinary person.

The Emperor raised his hand, not allowing the Grand Steward to interfere. He looked calmly at his furious son, "What do you intend to do?"

"Or rather, what do you want me to do?"

A rhetorical question stirred all the brain cells of the Eldest Prince. After a brief contemplation, he somewhat expectantly yet nervously asked, "Perhaps we could have the military generals take a stand..."

The Emperor did not express agreement or disagreement but continued to ask rhetorically, "If they declare support for us, what do you think would happen?"

The Eldest Prince began to think again and shortly thereafter gave an answer, "Our power could stabilize, the nobles wouldn’t think of overthrowing the Yellow River’s rule, and we could cleanse the Cabinet, kick out those traitors!"

He appeared somewhat excited; this was the outcome he most anticipated, as an heir to the Imperial Family, he didn’t desire to become just a... mascot or something after ascending the throne.

He loved power, also enjoyed all the wonders power brought, unwilling to relinquish it, and wanted to fight against the Noble Group for it!

The Emperor still did not take a stand, maintaining his questioning approach, "Once certain things begin, they cannot be stopped. You know, I know, they know."

"If they give up, they’ll lose everything, just like us, which gives them the reason not to surrender..."

This statement was completely correct. If the Prime Minister compromised, he would be eliminated; first removed from current duties, then possibly stripped of his title, and then his entire family might die suddenly.

For instance, if a tourist ship sank during a family vacation, or during a family gathering with no one missing, they all got food poisoning.

There are always numerous ways to eliminate a family completely.

So the Prime Minister won’t back down, the ministers won’t back down, and the nobles won’t back down either.

There are people charging ahead, whether they win or lose, they won’t suffer any losses. Why wouldn’t they charge?

The Emperor looked at the Eldest Prince, "We cannot compromise, nor can they. No one, especially no noble, will just wait for you to cut off their heads. They will definitely resist."

"Are you prepared to fight a civil war?"

With just this one question, the Eldest Prince was thrown into a dilemma he couldn’t answer. He was at a loss for words and only shook his head after pondering for about five minutes, "Maybe we can defeat the nobility quickly!"

The Emperor’s face finally showed an expression other than calmness, a smile, but it was a mocking one, "Quickly?"

"You know very well the state of our army and the state of our opponents. When Gafura’s civil war breaks out and cannot be ended in a few days, it will be a catastrophic disaster for us."

"Whether they are our friends, unfamiliar international forces, or those that are hostile, they are very interested in the proposal to dismember Gafura!"

"No one wants to have such a powerful opponent or friend; everyone wants to be the only one!"

"When the time comes and multiple forces intervene, how long do you think this civil war will last, to what extent will it need to be fought, and in what way will it end?"

The Eldest Prince had some difficulty believing the Emperor’s judgment, "I’m not questioning you, it’s just... what you say leaves me unsure of how to respond."

It was still a challenge, but the Emperor didn’t care that much, "From what I currently know, there are over a thousand potential enemies hidden in this city."

"They come from the Federation, from Peng Jieao, from..."

He rattled off the names of many countries, "Do you know why they’re here?"

Without waiting for an answer from the Eldest Prince, the Emperor provided the standard answer, "They’re waiting for an opportunity. Once a civil war breaks out, the opportunity will come."

"They will strike deals with some nobles, and ultimately the Main Island will be utterly corrupted!"

"Whether it’s the nobility or the Imperial Family, maybe neither will exist after the war ends."

"If that’s what you want, I suggest you find a sturdy rope because once the civil war breaks out, we will die, absolutely die, no one will allow us to continue to exist and live on!"

After saying this, the Emperor picked up his coffee and took a sip; he had spoken too much and needed to wet his throat.

The Eldest Prince was somewhat frightened; when people encounter unsatisfactory things, they always think about contradicting, and he had such thoughts, "Maybe things won’t be as bad..."

The next moment, the Emperor threw the coffee cup in his hand fiercely at the Eldest Prince’s head.

Coffee spilled all over his head as he looked bewildered and somewhat surprised at his father, the Emperor of the Empire, not understanding why this happened.

"You’re really too stupid. Do you think Lynch just happened to show up here at this time?"

"Do you think he’s just here on behalf of the Federation to discuss food issues?"

"No!"

"He represents the official stance of the Federation. If we make the wrong choice, the Federation will immediately support the nobility to oppose us!"

"Besides Lynch, there are more people, more hidden in the dark!"

The Emperor was angry, truly angry, doubting how his son could be so foolish.

He actually wondered more than once if it was really due to bloodlines, given that he was just a bastard, his mother’s lack of excellent genes meant his son’s excellent genes were even fewer, resulting in... such disappointment.

The Emperor stood up and paced back and forth a few steps, "Do you think I am willing to give up the power I hold now?"

"Do you think assigning generals and soldiers overseas for missions means I’ve lost my mind?"

"I’m just avoiding the outbreak of a civil war; I’m just avoiding our complete disappearance from here!"

"Maybe the current situation is very unfavorable for us, but in one way, it is good. Even if we let go of the power in our hands, we are still the Imperial Family."

"We remain high above, still enjoy some privileges. Each year they still have to spend a lot of money to keep us elevated."

"By doing this, at least... we can still live, the Imperial Family still exists."

"If you cannot defeat those people, that is your problem, not ours!"

With that, the Emperor strode away. Losing a battle against the determined Prime Minister and the Noble Group had long been within his expectations, and the "rift" between him and the Second Prince was also prepared for future matters.

Perhaps now he would lose the power he held, but his children, descendants, might still have the opportunity to reclaim authority!

Everything was too coincidental, a series of unfortunate mishaps happening at the wrong time and place, causing the situation to spiral out of control!

Now the best strategy, in reverse, was to support the Prime Minister, support the "King Slayer." It sounds a bit ridiculous, but this is the Emperor’s political acumen.

You always have to make a choice, so choose what’s best for yourself!