madnovel Chapter 34: Initiating the Complete Transformation of the Ash Knights
Chapter 34: Initiating the Complete Transformation of the Ash Knights
The contents of the reparations list for the eight foreign tribes are more and more "horrifying" than the last!
The first column is from the Goblin Tribe, which is a "lion's horns" demand: 100 million young female population + 500 million gold coins + 10 medium-sized towns.
The second column is from the Slime Tribe, which also has very high demands: 600 million gold coins + 5 medium-sized human towns + 100 million catties of high-quality tin clay.
The third column is listed by the Gray Dwarf Tribe, whose appetite is also huge: 400 million catties of iron ore + 100 million catties of copper ore + 100 million catties of aluminum ore + 8 medium-sized towns.
The fourth column is listed by the Succubus Tribe. Their requirements are a bit special: 50 strong adult males + 300 million gold coins + 4 medium-sized towns.
The fifth item is the requirements for the Rust Monster Tribe: 3 million gold coins + 800,000 plants that are at least 10 years old;
The sixth column is the needs of the ghoul tribe, which is quite peculiar: 100 million people (regardless of age or gender) + 1000 million chickens/ducks/geese + 400 million cows/sheep/pigs + 200 million gold coins;
Li Ang then looked around and found that the biggest demands came from the Serpent People and the Night Spirits!
The Serpent People tribe is directly listed as having: 10 medium-sized towns + 3 large towns + 1000 million gold coins + 50 able-bodied slaves;
夜灵部族作为唯一的上等种族，这一次是最贪婪的：2000万金币+20万人类工匠+1000个具有魔法天赋的幼童+10个大型城镇+100万奴隶人口+20万斤暗影矿石；
Tester was still trying to persuade Leon to agree to the conditions of the eight alien races.
"Your Majesty! The barbarian army is already poised to strike at the eastern border! Please sign the treaty immediately!"
Leon glared at Tester: "Tester, do you think the kingdom, given its current situation, can accept such harsh conditions from a foreign race?"
Tester, however, said nonchalantly, "Your Majesty, although the alien races' conditions are harsh, they can at least force them to retreat! If the eight alien races advance unimpeded and conquer the eastern border, the next step will be the capital! At that time, the capital will be destroyed, and the thousand-year foundation of the Grant Kingdom will be ruined. What will we do then?"
Therefore, Tester offered Leon a suggestion: "If Your Majesty is worried about not being able to raise the enormous sum, we can increase taxes! The kingdom has so many commoners and merchants! If the money is insufficient, we can increase the taxes ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now!"
"As for the population, there's even less to worry about! Your Majesty, the capital city is overflowing with slaves! When commoners can't pay their taxes, they'll willingly sell themselves off cheaply and become slaves!"
"And then there's the matter of ores. We'll just forcibly conscript slaves and laborers to mine endlessly! We don't care if they die from exhaustion!"
"The towns are the least noteworthy! Our Kingdom of Grant is vast; a few dozen towns are nothing!"
Tester's words were cold and ruthless, showing no regard for slaves, commoners, or merchants as human beings.
Li Ang suppressed his anger. He originally wanted to tear up the list, but when he caught a glimpse of Tester's "traitorous" appearance, he had a new idea in an instant.
"Tester, go and tell the foreign envoy that I am considering it! However, the reparations are far too large, so please grant me some time!"
Li Ang said coldly.
Tester frowned. "Your Majesty, the envoys have been pressing us relentlessly! It was precisely because we didn't agree sooner that the reparations increased so drastically! I fear things might get complicated if we delay!"
Li Ang retorted directly, "Even if it's a conscription, it takes time! Such a huge sum of money can't be recovered so quickly!"
Tester was still unwilling to give up and suggested a more tactful solution: "Your Majesty, would you mind signing it?"
Li Ang wasn't about to become a "traitor for all time," so after a moment's thought, he said, "Tester, you are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the kingdom in negotiations with foreign tribes. I grant you full authority to sign!"
Tester hadn't realized that this was a trap!
He also felt that the fact that the treaties originally required the king's signature, but were now being delegated to him, the cabinet's foreign minister, to sign them, showed that the king valued his abilities!
Li Ang stared at Tester as if he were looking at a "dead man".
Little did Tester know that Leon had already begun to "dig a pit" for him!
The cabinet of the Kingdom of Grant wields immense power.
Every cabinet minister wields immense power and comes from a very powerful family, wielding significant influence in the kingdom's officialdom.
The process of legitimately "removing" a cabinet minister is extremely complicated, involving political intrigue and power struggles with various factions.
Li Ang naturally had no patience to slowly eliminate Tester and his faction officials.
A massive net has been cast against "Tester".
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your humble servant is willing to sign on Your Majesty's behalf! I will certainly not fail in my mission and will be able to reach a peace treaty with the foreign envoys!"
Tester said with great enthusiasm.
Li Ang smiled faintly: "Very well, I will issue a notice in the capital—no, throughout the entire kingdom—granting you the right to sign! You will have full authority over negotiations with the foreign tribes! I will not interfere!"
Tester nodded excitedly, "Yes, Your Majesty! Your decision is absolutely wise! I will also use my influence to ensure this news spreads throughout the country as quickly as possible!"
Tester was already "imagining" himself signing in place of the king, reaching the pinnacle of power and prestige!
After all, under the previous King Gudroni, all treaties involving foreign powers that exceeded 100 million gold coins required the king's signature. The Minister of Foreign Affairs only had the power to negotiate and consult, not the authority to sign directly.
.....................
After Tester left, Leon went to the backyard of the palace.
Edmund summoned all two hundred Ash Knights.
To be precise, these knights of the Ash Knights are not yet "legendary knights" in the true sense, but merely prospective knights.
The court warriors, on the other hand, transported the various advanced biological organs that the Ratmen Merchant Guild had brought over.
Li Ang activated the "Golden Godhood Faith System" and redeemed 20 [Medical Servant] per 90-minute usage rights in one go!
The "Legendary Knight" transformation for all members will begin soon!
Twenty experimental iron beds were also firmly nailed to the palace.
Li Ang said with utmost solemnity, "Edmund, have the knights divide into more than ten small teams! The first team will go first, and the rest will proceed in turn!"
Edmund is a "legendary knight" who has personally undergone "organ modification" and successfully changed his profession!
I know all too well the pain and hardship involved!
However, Edmund was also aware of the kingdom's current predicament, and his many words coalesced into a resounding cry: "Knights! Now is the time for you to demonstrate your loyalty to His Majesty! Be brave, fearless, strong, and loyal! Any suffering is merely a test before dawn!"
"Hold on for His Majesty the King! The glory of legendary knights belongs to the victors!"