"As long as I, Mao Sui, can be of any use, do not hesitate to ask. I, Mao Sui, will not hesitate to give my life if needed,"Mao Sui said with a smile.
To Mao Sui, the skills he had acquired were meant to be used externally—to create value and benefit for Great Yi, to achieve objectives without bloodshed. That was the essence of his training. As the Minister of Rites, he was naturally responsible for diplomacy and receiving foreign guests.
If he could once again help expand Great Yi's territory, it would undoubtedly be a monumental contribution.
"We cannot directly sell food and supplies to other human factions. However, we can offer them as gifts—but only if Great Yi delivers them personally. No intermediaries. This gives us a reason to enter these factions' territories. In these times of disaster, it's the perfect opportunity to win hearts and minds."
Zhuge Liang smiled and said,
"The reason the Yellow Turban Army managed to sweep across the land in such a short time and nearly shake the foundations of the Han Dynasty was because the people were already living in despair. It was the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao who gave them faith, hope, and spiritual refuge. That's what made them unstoppable."
In times of peace, who would rebel? It's only when people are truly desperate that they cling to even a glimmer of hope—willing to risk their lives for it.
And now, under this catastrophic disaster, countless people within human territories were in conditions even worse than the late Han era. Death could come at any moment.
If, in such conditions, someone could offer them a chance at survival—even a better future—countless people would flock toward that light, offering everything they had.
Even powerful local factions with great prestige would not be able to stop the tide of human desire.
Without drawing a single sword, Great Yi could subdue numerous human forces. This was a win-win scenario.
Of course, executing such a plan required capable individuals—and Mao Sui was the perfect choice.
If successful, Great Yi wouldn't just gain population, but entire new territories. These factions already held village establishment tokens. With just a bit of transformation, their towns could be upgraded into immortal cities, accelerating Great Yi's expansion.
"Now is the best time to expand. The entire realm is suffering under disaster. No one has the strength to expand outward, and many have been devastated, unable to resist Great Yi's momentum—even if they know what we're doing,"Jia Xu said resolutely.
Clearly, he and Zhuge Liang were already focused on seizing this opportunity—an opportunity to leap forward.
While other races were plagued by disaster, Great Yi could still expand. And these races couldn't stop it—they needed Great Yi's food. Their losses were too heavy to resist.
"Very good. Disaster or not, the path of Heaven moves forward. A noble person is strong and tireless. Where others cower before calamity, Great Yi shall rise against the tide. Whether Great Yi can soar depends on all of you,"Yi Tianxing nodded with satisfaction.
This court meeting wasn't just about trade with other races. It was about laying the foundation for Great Yi's future.
Even disasters could be turned into opportunities—the difference was who could seize it.
"Your Majesty, outside of Great Yi, a human faction—the town of Gourd Town—has sent its mayor, Lu Wenjun, to request submission. He wishes for Gourd Town to join Great Yi as one of its territories,"Heshen reported.
The moment the words left his lips, everyone in the hall brightened. This was an auspicious sign—they had just decided their strategy, and an unexpected submission had arrived.
"Such a thing?"Yi Tianxing smiled."Where is this Lu Wenjun now?"
"He's in Xuanhuang City, Your Majesty. If you wish, you can meet him immediately," Heshen replied.
"Good. Summon Lu Wenjun to the court. Since he has come to us willingly, we must not treat him poorly,"Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
Soon, Lu Wenjun arrived.
He wore a green robe, his face lined with age and hardship—clearly a man of rich experience who had weathered difficult times. Most notable was the green-yellow gourd hanging at his waist.
The origins of Gourd Town traced back to Lu Wenjun himself. The town was named for the gourd vines that covered the area when it was first settled. These gourds were of exceptional quality, with some containing spiritual energy. Occasionally, they would mutate into spiritual gourds—capable of being crafted into magical artifacts.
Gourds had always symbolized vast capacity, and those refined into magical items could become storage tools—or even formidable weapons.
Gourd Town had thrived through gourd-based trade, eventually growing into a bustling town. These gourds were a source of pride and prosperity.
Lu Wenjun's gourd was a spiritual gourd.
However, no matter how many gourds they had, they couldn't be eaten. With food supplies dwindling, starvation loomed. Desperate, and hearing of Great Yi's reputation, Lu Wenjun made the decision to surrender. Great Yi had never been known to abuse other human factions—its reputation for honor had spread far and wide.
"Lu Wenjun of Gourd Town pays respects to the King of Yi!"
He looked up at the throne, feeling a spiritual pressure so strong it made his eyes sting. He quickly looked away. Along his journey through Great Yi, he had been awed again and again—by its power, wealth, and stability.
Even amidst disaster, Great Yi remained prosperous.
"Mayor Lu, there's no need to stand on ceremony,"Yi Tianxing said kindly."Your arrival is a blessing. Great Yi has never turned away any human force willing to join. Once you do, Gourd Town will be transformed into Gourd City, and you shall become its governor, holding a third-rank noble title, with luck and fate gathered upon you."
There was no need to speak in riddles. This was not a mortal court but a destiny-based dynasty. Directness was best.
"I… Your servant, thanks the King!"Lu Wenjun was stunned, then overjoyed.
To go from a mere town to an immortal city—that was a transformational upgrade, bringing countless benefits. He had seen Great Yi's cities with his own eyes. There was simply no comparison.
"However, the news of Gourd Town joining Great Yi must not yet be made public,"Yi Tianxing added.
"Why…?"Lu Wenjun asked, puzzled.
"To use a metaphor: casting a brick to draw out jade. Your Gourd Town shall serve as that brick. Revealing the truth at the right time will create the greatest effect. Consider this an achievement for your town,"Yi Tianxing said calmly.
A fragrant wine still needs promotion. Only with a clear example could they ignite a larger wave of change.
Once the strategic value was explained, Lu Wenjun felt a mixture of shock and admiration for Great Yi's foresight—and relief at having submitted early.
He respectfully presented the spiritual gourd at his waist.