Chapter 767: The Strategy of the Civils

"The Grand Tutor and others are already waiting in the chamber." The emperor scoffed. "Summoning the few of you is but for the assurance of the military morale. Not an issue when such talk spreads among the people, but it mustn't spread in the army! All of you should understand this point."

The group rolled their eyes.

'Of course, we do.'

'However, for you to see us first, I'm afraid it's not for the reason you've stated so overtly!'

'The unspoken factor must be because you want to lash out with your fury first to vent your frustration!'

In spite of this, it did not seem to be a big deal for His Majesty to actually release his rage before moving to the discussion.

"Hurry up and ask Supreme Cloud to return discreetly," the emperor said standing up with his eyes trained on the sky and earth, just not at Yun Xiaoyao, as if he was talking to the air, "The fate of the western line is set. He has nothing better to accomplish there. Instead, this headache in the capital is of utmost importance. It needs a living legend like him to come back and handle it!"

"Yes." Yun Xiaoyao agreed from the back. He was the only one who could promise such a matter anyway!

The emperor sneered once again before leaving with a flap of his sleeves.

It was worth mentioning that the civil officials truly had countless approaches in dealing with scheming, tricky ploys like this. At the very least, His Majesty was pleased listening to them.

This was most probably the quintessential part of their profession.

"Your Majesty, we mustn't be reckless in facing this situation. We can try to divert the focus, disperse the cause and effect."

"How do we split it up and break them apart?"

"The School of Kismet State has set up an intricate ploy. The general picture is already painted by now. Not only will it be ineffective if we try to tear through it by force, but we'll also only make a mess out of ourselves, our efforts in vain. Why don't we go the opposite route and select a few of those leading in singing praises of the school - the higher the reputation, the better, and appoint them official titles, applaud their works... This is how we divert their attention..."

"The civils and scholars have always looked down upon each other since the beginning of time. There's also the saying that one isn't afraid of poverty but the disparity of wealth. They'd definitely fight internally as the few who were commended and benefited from it will persuade the others in protecting their profits. At the very least, they'll make sure they won't lose what they've gained. After all, this is their very aim or at least one of it."

"That sounds reasonable. What about the next one?"

"The next one is to focus our oppression on a certain group of people based on this premise, especially those who are exceptionally loud in their 'support'. We can herd them into a corner, bring harm to their family and extended clan. This will cause their loved ones and supporters to leave them, crushing their motivation. Then, we use them as an example to warn the others and to make those who received imperial court titles feel lucky. The controversy will be triggered and aggravated naturally to the point of no return."

"That makes sense."

"Thirdly, task the portion of people who've entirely submitted themselves to the imperial court to follow-up on this matter. The bestowment of official titles has never been for nothing - it's only righteously appropriate for them to put an end to this issue! They've already chosen to betray their original stance; they would be more than brutal to their original stance - they would go to the extremes..."

The emperor's heart lurched, but he hummed a sound of agreement faintly and said, "How deep the favor runs indicates how intense the grudge will be - however dense the gratitude that is felt, however endless the resentment can be..."

"Other than these, the waves of rumors should be treated as lightly as possible. They don't have to be given profits or ministerial positions. We only have to dissuade part of the idle talkers."

"If it's necessary, we can snip right where the bud is. Spreading rumors among the civilians... such an action... we can call it... rebellion..."

"The whispering campaign will unavoidably break apart, some intensifying while some will leave. The crime pinned on those at the lowest level will be too heavy, so it's predictable that the tales will greatly reduce..."

"Then, there's only the official intervention by the officials left. We shall catch some of the targets directly under the crime of damaging the national hero's name - I don't think we won't yet be able to lock down those conspiring ones... Even if there were to be mistakes, that'd be on them!"

"That's right. Lord Supreme Cloud is the hero of our empire. For this group of people to jump out and call out Supreme Cloud's identity, it's basically placing our hero right under the enemy's blade. This is rebellion! This is an act of betrayal! The intention alone is worthy of execution!"

"Then..."

The civil officials were eloquent, already listing out hundreds of executable plans within a short while.

It could be said that if the School of Kismet State did not direct the incident behind the curtains, perhaps the commotion could have been destroyed within a night, should the series of actions be carried out. Even with the school's intervention and support, the combined tactics would have sufficed to disorient them, burning both ends of their candles!

His Majesty nodded as he listened to the officials' discussion, an odd feeling rising within him.

These strategies went straight for human nature, targeting their humanity. They were selective and brutal, going to the extreme, but they were terribly effective, immediately reaping the results.

'If one were to compare the skill of killing without spilling blood, these civil ministers are the real talent - the exemplars...' The emperor mused with a squint, sitting on his throne.

'As an emperor, it's a real challenge to master the skill of a ruler, to take rein of people's hearts... The martial practitioners are straightforward, their nature easygoing; with the correct approach, their loyalty will be gained to be used. However, the civils... for such ideas to be spouted from these brilliant ministers... how fluent and consistent of them...'

'If the practitioners intend to rebel, maybe an army is all it takes to overcome it. If the civils were to rebel though, one wouldn't notice it in three years...'

His Majesty was alert and watched the civil officials with through the corners of his eyes, internally heaving a deep sigh.

"All of you are insightful and wise. You're adequately farsighted and meticulous in scheming, preying upon human nature, but... it's a pity that despite your ideas, no one mentioned the most important part. Now that Supreme Cloud's identity has been exposed, how do we guarantee Supreme Cloud and his family's safety?"

"While the commotion can be chaotic for now, it can be resolved easily. Yet, if Supreme Cloud is sacrificed due to this, do you think there will be a second Residence of Nine Supremes?"

"That's the very foundation of our empire!"

"If it's the extinguishing team I'm looking for, why should all of you be enlisted with high ranks and salary? It would seem that the direction of selecting the country's administration talent needs to be adjusted..."

The emperor's gaze was grim; many thoughts had already flitted past him at that very moment.

...

Yun Yang rushed to the western battle line to personally witness Yutang's army achieving victory after victory. He was quickly rid of his worry, losing the thought to materialize and strike.

In all honesty, the western line army's morale would be greatly boosted if he had presented himself and even assisted with his manifestation powers. However, would that be beneficial?

His departure was certain - Yutang had to gradually get used to being independent of the Nine Supremes' assistance and to overturn a critical battle! It was not that the empire needed to - they had to!

Both elders Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou were idle, thus they followed him to the battlefield. In spite of this, the masterly experts were speechless upon witnessing the situation.