Chapter 756 - 348: Youthful Valor

Chapter 756: Chapter 348: Youthful Valor

After several council members echoed the sentiment, no more joined in. Chen Rutang glanced at the calmly seated Ji Mingyue and couldn’t help but frown; is history about to regress?

It seems somewhat crude. This level is insufficient to stir any waves, and truthfully, it tarnishes one’s reputation.

Boom~~~

Ye Shidao slammed both hands hard on the table, "Of course, I, Ye Shidao, am unworthy! The Black Iron Guard, after days of investigation, found many clues pointing to the Potter Family, even possibly the Lot people. Over these years, the Lot people, with less than one-twentieth of the population, have plundered eighty percent of the Li Long United Kingdom’s wealth, making the Beijing people, Saxon people, and all others effectively their slaves. And now, to break the limits of the rules, they’ve formed an alliance with the Nalan Family through marriage, paving the way for Nalan Jingguo, preparing for their descendants to take over the entire Kingdom. They are now assassinating opponents at any cost! I may step down, but the Li Long Kingdom belongs to everyone, not the Lot people, and especially not the Potter Family. We are not slaves; we are the free citizens of Li Long!"

At this moment, Ye Shidao’s old passion resurged as it had in his youth. Back then, Ye Shidao had earned his council membership through passionate oratory, yet over the years, people seemed to have forgotten how fervent Ye Shidao once was.

Everyone immediately looked at the Potter Family. The matter was well-known: even the special limitations set by Luthor in the past couldn’t prevent the Potter and Nalan families from forming Nalan Potter, a maneuver everyone understood, but no one wanted to be the scapegoat.

"As the Grand Governor mentioned, the Potter Family and the Marking Clan hold a majority of Li Long’s wealth, living lavishly while countless citizens are in dire straits. Even the Royal Family relies on them to maintain appearances, it’s utterly disgraceful."

For a moment, everyone was stirred with a sense of shared enmity, especially since most present were Beijing people. It’s impossible not to harbor some resentment towards the Potter Family. The Lot people have been particularly cautious about this over the years, but some things are inherent; the Beijing people are the rightful ones.

The Duke of Potter and the Duke of Marking exchanged glances, seeing the mutual apprehension. This was their greatest fear; the reason they desperately supported Nalan Jingguo’s rise was because they knew how much wealth they possessed.

"I, Ye Shidao, have held this position for so long without making any noteworthy contributions. Today, I propose restoring the Royal Family’s rule, by having Princess Ji Mingyue ascend as the Empress of the Li Long United Kingdom!" Ye Shidao’s voice resounded through every corner of the council.

Instantly, everyone’s heart was in suspense, weighing the pros and cons; if redistributed, what would they get?

Everyone looked at Duke Potter and Duke Marking. If it was redistributed, the families of Beijing present would undoubtedly gain a share, and that share could well satisfy them.

Duke Potter laughed heartily and clapped, "Ye Shidao, such a clever plan, you want the Princess as a puppet and yourself as Regent King, merely a change in appearance. The Potter Family is part of Li Long, the Lot people are part of Li Long, your instigation towards civil war is the most insidious in nearly a century. In Li Long, private property is sacred and inviolable. Today you slanderously accuse us, tomorrow you could defame and plunder anyone. To be emperor, you need to prove yourself worthy!"

"Whether worthy or not is not for you or me to decide. I want a resolution to restore the Royal Family’s rule, supporting Princess Ji Mingyue as our Empress to lead us to a new era of glory and make the Li Long United Kingdom a fair, civilized, and free nation." Ye Shidao looked at Ji Mingyue, laying the groundwork to this point; the stage was now set for Her Highness.

Ji Mingyue stood up, calm yet elegant, looking around at all the council members, and everyone felt an invisible pressure.

"Back then, Luthor said that for Li Long’s unity, the Royal Family must make sacrifices. My ancestors agreed. Now, Grand Governor Ye Shidao says for Li Long’s stability and development, I need to stand out again. It’s a weighty responsibility; I, Ji Mingyue, am willing to take on this duty." Ji Mingyue’s voice was soft but very powerful, each word struck the council members’ hearts, especially the Beijing people who have longed to rise again.

The Ji Family is an emblem of the Beijing people, even after abdication holding high prestige and status, also very persuasive at this critical time. But ascending the throne isn’t just about these factors; one misstep, and Li Long could plunge back into chaos.

Everyone looked at Mier, the overly handsome secretary of the Moon God’s Court. Mier smiled slightly, "The Church Court always adheres to the Epoch Laws and does not interfere in the transition of Royal Authority."

With those words, everyone knew the stance; the Church Court sided with the Royal Family and Grand Governor Ye Shidao. Otherwise, Mier wouldn’t be present today, representing Farson the Red-robed Archbishop, currently the most senior Red-robed Archbishop of the Moon God’s Court.

But it’s heard that Archbishop Farson is closely connected to the Potter Family?

"I, Ye Shidao, state my position: fully support Princess Ji Mingyue’s ascension. In the name of the current Grand Governor, I issue the final vote: restore the legitimate Royal Authority of the Ji Family!"

The council suddenly shifted, essentially the entire intrigue revolved around power struggles. Now it transitioned from Ye Shidao and the Potter Family to Ji Mingyue. Naturally, if Ji Mingyue ascends, Ye Shidao and the Beijing people will rise with the tide; Ji Mingyue will necessarily rely on Beijing people for governance.

Over these years, the Royal Family maintained connections with various Beijing families through Ji Sheng’s Dragon Fortune Association and significant wealth circulation.

"Now, voting begins. MPs who agree to restore the Ji Family’s ruling position, stand up!" Ye Shidao announced.

Following his words, over a dozen council members stood up, soon followed by others. More and more MPs stood; switching rulers means reallocating wealth. For Beijing MPs present, having sovereignty is far preferable to being subordinates, especially after enduring years of oppression by Lot people. This is, after all, the Beijing people’s Dragon Capital, how did they become masters?

Under this mindset, an increasing number of Beijing MPs stood, though many remained seated, knowing council decisions hold little weight in reality, especially given the significant military investments by the Lot people, led by the Potter Family.

Figures like Chen Rutang knew Ye Shidao’s truth; if she gains power, what would change? Though the Potter Family is dangerous and detestable, the Blood Origin Cult is even more perilous.

As people stood, roughly half arose, and Ye Shidao decisively concluded, "Very good; more than half the MPs support. I announce Princess Mingyue officially becomes our Li Long United Kingdom’s first Empress!"

Supporting council members immediately cheered, having chosen to stand, they resolutely backed Ji Mingyue, and this atmosphere spread, prompting more Beijing MPs to join in the cheer. The momentum had built, albeit late, but still representing the Beijing faction, even Chen Rutang couldn’t object.

The Duke of Potter and others were taken by surprise, their expressions dark, though initially less than half supported, the process became irrelevant; this was Ye Shidao’s method.

At this moment, someone unexpectedly walked out from the center of the council chamber, "I have something to say!"

Everyone’s eyes fixed on the young council member; it was Lu Shuai.

On the one hand, Lu Shuai represents Beijing people, yet Ye Shidao seeks to overturn the system established by Governor Luthor.

What does he intend to say?

If it were someone else, nobody would care, but Lu Shuai’s recent performance and reputation compelled council members to quiet down, focusing on him.

Ji Mingyue and Ye Shidao also looked at Lu Shuai; his words would profoundly impact the resolution and his own fate, determining survival.

If Lu Shuai supports, it would solidify the resolution indeed—his identity speaks volumes, implying Governor Luthor’s descendant endorses the progressive move.

If he opposes, the Potter Family has leverage for counterattack.

At certain pivotal moments, a small figure can change everything.

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Lu Shuai struggled internally; the Lot people are tumors, but they have maintained Li Long’s stability. Ye Shidao differs; if he, the Blood Origin Cult’s Sect Hierarch, gains absolute power, the nation’s fate plunges into an unknown hell.

No perfect solution exists in this world; choices are often sacrifices.

As Lu Shuai stepped out, he became resolutely firm, "Fellow council members, before the council executes this resolution, there’s a critical message everyone must know!"

Instantly, the room buzzed with confusion over Lu Shuai’s intentions. Ye Shidao’s pupils constricted, sensing a vague unease. Just as he was about to interject, Lu Shuai continued, "Our Grand Governor Ye Shidao holds another identity, that of the loyal servant to the Bloodthirsty Monarch, formerly the Blood Origin Cult’s Hierarch who wreaked havoc in Dragon Capital killing many innocent civilians!"

Suddenly, dead silence enveloped the venue, every gaze trained sharply on Ye Shidao.

"I, Lu Shuai, swear by the ancestors of the Lu Family and my life, every word I speak is true!"