National Guardian's Gone and We're Done-Chapter 78: Ten Billion a Year? Isn’t This Blatant Robbery?
Distraught, Ji Shengyue suddenly raised her head. Her sharp gaze swept to the door, a trace of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
She looked at the secretary standing by the door and asked, "You... say that again. Who is requesting an audience?"
Sensing the tension and surprise in Ji Shengyue’s tone, the secretary immediately replied, "Reporting to Her Majesty the Queen, it is an envoy sent by the Lighthouse Empire.
We have carefully verified the envoy’s identity and confirmed that he is undoubtedly from the Lighthouse Empire.
But when we asked the purpose of his visit, he claimed that only Her Majesty the Queen was qualified to know and that we had no right to inquire."
As he spoke, a flash of anger from being disdained appeared on the secretary’s face, but he quickly suppressed it.
He had to swallow his anger when facing an envoy from the Lighthouse Empire.
After all, the Lighthouse Empire was now the unparalleled hegemon on Blue Star, a power to which even a nation like the Great Jing Empire had to bow.
"Let them in."
Ji Shengyue quickly tidied the urgent documents on her desk and carefully covered them with a pad, fearful that the envoy from the Lighthouse Empire would discover the Great Jing Empire’s current sorry state.
’This meeting will affect the future of the Great Jing Empire. I have to handle it with care.’
A short while later, several blond-haired, blue-eyed men walked in from outside the office.
Their ages varied. The youngest was barely in his twenties,
while the oldest was nearly forty.
The man leading them was the one who was nearly forty. He had light stubble on his face, and his eyes glinted with arrogance.
"Esteemed Queen of the Great Jing Empire."
The middle-aged man gave a slight nod and spoke in fluent Imperial, "I trust my men have already informed you of who I am.
I am an envoy from the Lighthouse Empire, and I am also an expert of the Emperor Realm."
As he stated his identity, his tone betrayed an ill-concealed sense of superiority.
Even when facing Her Majesty the Queen of the Great Jing Empire, he showed not the slightest bit of respect.
His attitude caused a flash of displeasure in Ji Shengyue’s heart,
but she knew the Lighthouse Empire was too powerful for her to offend lightly.
Ji Shengyue suppressed her displeasure and did her best to remain calm as she asked, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Envoy?"
She hoped to glean some useful information from him, to secure a chance of survival for the Great Jing Empire.
The blond, blue-eyed middle-aged man beamed at Ji Shengyue,
his sharp gaze catching the faint dark circles under her eyes and her slightly pale complexion. His voice held a hint of pity. "Her Majesty the Queen, my name is Robert.
The leadership of our Lighthouse Empire has been closely monitoring the Great Jing Empire’s situation. We are aware of your current predicament and difficulties.
I imagine you haven’t had a peaceful night’s sleep in many days."
Ji Shengyue frowned slightly. She understood Robert’s intentions, but at this moment, she was more interested in hearing something of substance. "Mr. Robert, if you have something to say, please get straight to the point."
Her voice carried a hint of coldness, yet it also betrayed a trace of resignation.
Robert nodded, his smile growing even brighter. "The leadership of our Lighthouse Empire truly cannot bear to see the beautiful Great Jing Empire reduced to a battlefield ravaged by Evil Spirits, nor to see it wantonly destroyed by that sickening fellow, Xiao Cangqing.
Therefore, we are willing to extend a helping hand to help the Great Jing Empire through this crisis."
"The Lighthouse Empire will dispatch elite forces to establish a Martial Artist Base on the territory of the Great Jing Empire and conduct comprehensive security operations.
This way, the Great Jing Empire will receive powerful protection and no longer be plagued by Evil Spirits and Xiao Cangqing."
Robert continued to outline their plan as if it were already a done deal.
Ji Shengyue’s heart stirred. She knew this was a rare opportunity.
If the Lighthouse Empire truly followed through with this plan, the Great Jing Empire might be able to escape its current predicament.
However, she was also well aware that the Lighthouse Empire would never extend a helping hand for no reason. They were bound to have their own agenda.
"So, what do you want in return?"
Ji Shengyue finally asked the crucial question.
Robert smiled faintly. "Her Majesty the Queen is as astute as they say.
The Lighthouse Empire naturally has its own interests to consider.
But rest assured, we are not coveting the Great Jing Empire’s territory or resources. We sincerely wish to help you overcome this crisis."
According to our investigation, the Xiao Cangqing who is aggressively devouring the Great Jing Empire’s territory is a powerful Emperor Realm expert who also wields some sort of strange power.
Even a pure-human Emperor Realm expert would not necessarily be able to defeat him easily.
And your Great Jing Empire, aside from the departed Chu He, doesn’t seem to have a second Emperor Realm expert who can stand up and challenge him."
A wave of complex emotions washed over Ji Shengyue.
She of course understood the meaning behind Robert’s words.
The Lighthouse Empire was willing to provide protection, but the Great Jing Empire would have to pay a corresponding price.
At this point, she had no other choice. "Very well. Tell me your specific terms."
A shrewd glint flashed in Robert’s eyes as he began to speak at a leisurely pace. "We will dispatch a Martial Artist force powerful enough to protect the Great Jing Empire, and we will also construct Martial Artist Bases on your land.
Naturally, this will require a considerable investment.
However, we at the Lighthouse Empire have always believed in fair trade. The Great Jing Empire need only pay us ten billion a year."
Upon hearing this, Ji Shengyue’s brow furrowed in anger. "Ten billion a year? This is blatant extortion!"
She was infuriated, feeling like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
Robert, as if having anticipated her reaction, calmly replied, "Her Majesty the Queen, please calm down.
You must understand that the Great Jing Empire is in a precarious state. If you don’t agree to our terms, I’m afraid it will soon fall completely under Xiao Cangqing’s control.
At that point, forget ten billion—you won’t be left with a single penny." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Though his tone was calm, every word was like a needle piercing Ji Shengyue’s heart.
Ji Shengyue took a deep breath, struggling to quell the anger in her heart.
She knew Robert was telling the truth, but she still couldn’t accept such harsh terms. "Are there any other conditions?"
Robert nodded and waved a hand, signaling his aide to present a contract. "The other conditions are all in this document.
If Her Majesty the Queen agrees, we can sign the contract immediately.
Once the contract takes effect, the Lighthouse Empire will, in short order, dispatch a Martial Artist force of world-renowned power to protect the security of the Great Jing Empire."
His words were laced with unshakeable confidence.
Ji Shengyue took the contract and carefully read its terms.
She found the terms to be far harsher than she had imagined.
In addition to the annual payment of ten billion, the Lighthouse Empire also demanded the right to freely choose locations within the Great Jing Empire to establish Martial Artist Bases, without needing the approval of the Great Jing Empire’s leadership or relevant authorities.
What was even more outrageous was that they could also directly requisition local resources.
These terms were, without a doubt, a severe violation of the Great Jing Empire’s sovereignty.
Just as Ji Shengyue was hesitating, she received an urgent message on her personal phone.
The message stated that Xiao Cangqing had just conquered another city in the Great Jing Empire.
Her heart sank at the news.
She realized that if she didn’t make a decision now, the Great Jing Empire would be pushed past the point of no return.
At this thought, Ji Shengyue hesitated no longer.
She picked up a black fountain pen, signed her name on the contract, and solemnly stamped it with the royal seal of the Great Jing Empire.
This decision would likely provoke controversy and dissatisfaction,
but she knew it was a choice she had to make for the future of the Great Jing Empire.
[This bonus Chapter is sponsored by reader 2024071334_dE’s generous 15,000 Book Coin donation! Thank you for the incredible support!!!]
