novelraw Chapter 136: Can Our Great Xia Empire Really Do It?
Chapter 136: Can Our Great Xia Empire Really Do It?
"Mr. Chu, I’m here."
After the Great Xia Empire announced it was opening a fast-track channel
for citizens to renounce their Great Xia citizenship, the news quickly ignited a firestorm of public opinion at home and abroad.
It was then that a person appeared before Chu He—someone who was both a surprise
and yet, upon reflection, completely expected.
It was Shang Yifei, the woman he had met once on the Black Continent Grassland.
"I didn’t expect you to have such courage," Chu He said.
"If you knew my true identity, Mr. Chu, you might think I have even more."
Shang Yifei responded with a smile, "Do you know what my true identity is, Mr. Chu?"
"I don’t," Chu He said, shaking his head.
"I am from the Xingzhou Empire.
"Xingzhou was on the verge of having its first-ever Queen, just like the Great Jing Empire and the Great Xia Empire.
"But I followed your advice, Mr. Chu, and chose to come to the Great Xia Empire to be an ordinary citizen."
Shang Yifei gracefully sat down across from him. "I’m not telling you this to show off my status,
"nor am I trying to tell you how much I gave up because of something you said.
"Rather, I hope you’ll understand that my grasp of the situation is quite accurate,
"and I wish to be on your side."
"Then you must also know
"that the Lighthouse Empire has been secretly stirring up turbulent undercurrents against the Great Xia Empire, right?
"The White Elephant Empire is openly pressuring us,
"and has already caused hundreds of thousands of casualties in our Border City.
"Even here, within the Great Xia Empire itself, many citizens are rushing to renounce their citizenship.
"Coming to the Great Xia Empire at a time like this... don’t you regret your choice?"
Chu He asked with a faint smile.
"If I’m not mistaken, opening a fast-track channel for those who want to renounce their citizenship,
"and eliminating much of the red tape,
"was your idea, Mr. Chu. You want to ’purify’ the Great Xia Empire."
Shang Yifei replied.
"You really are quite talented."
Chu He hadn’t expected Shang Yifei to see things so clearly.
"Then I’ll be in your care from now on, Mr. Chu. I hope you’ll look out for me."
Shang Yifei knew that this single compliment from Chu He was a clear indication of his stance.
It meant that she, Shang Yifei, could stay.
"Mr. Chu, I have something to report."
Liu Yuzhu walked over, stood before Chu He, and glanced at Shang Yifei.
"Then I’ll go and gather my things first," Shang Yifei said, standing up.
"No need. Stay and listen. You’re not an outsider."
Chu He said.
Liu Yuzhu gave Shang Yifei a slightly surprised look,
as this was the first time she had ever met her.
’Back when I was trying to poach Chu He, I investigated his personal connections inside and out. I could have sworn I knew everyone he had ever interacted with.’
’After all, the only way to lure him from the Great Jing Empire to the Great Xia Empire was to find his weakness. That was my only mission, so of course, I had to be thorough.’
’So there’s only one possibility for this Shang Yifei: Chu He must have met her after he came to the Great Xia Empire.’
’For him to trust her so completely after such a short time... he doesn’t even know what I’m about to report, yet he’s letting her stay and listen. He must trust her to an incredible degree.’
But Liu Yuzhu was no longer responsible for other matters; she only handled communications between Chu He and Lu Yinxing.
Otherwise, she probably would have recognized Shang Yifei.
"To open the fast-track channel for citizens renouncing their Great Xia citizenship,
"we specifically mobilized many reserve personnel and members from other departments with lighter workloads to assist.
"We also made it clear to the public in every city across the nation that they only had three days.
"Today is the third day. The number of people renouncing their citizenship has already begun to drop off a cliff.
"We estimate that the process will be mostly complete within these three days."
Liu Yuzhu continued, "However, the White Elephant Empire has also given us a one-week deadline.
"They demand that the Great Xia Empire give them an explanation within a week,
"or else the White Elephant Empire will retaliate against us with its full might."
Chu He slowly closed his eyes.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke. "Extend the citizenship renunciation period by one more day.
"Issue a notice that will cover the entire Great Xia Empire.
"Inform all citizens of the Great Xia Empire, and all other empires on Blue Star,
"that we will absolutely not let the hundreds of thousands of casualties caused by the White Elephant Empire go unanswered.
"The Great Xia Empire will unite as one and declare all-out war on the White Elephant Empire.
"And if the Lighthouse Empire dares to get involved, we will strike them down as well."
"What? Alright, I understand. I will report this to Her Majesty as soon as possible."
Liu Yuzhu was shocked. ’I can’t believe Chu He is so audacious! He not only wants to attack the White Elephant Empire, but he’s even willing to fight the Lighthouse Empire if they interfere.’
’Across all of Blue Star, no empire has ever dared to threaten an attack on the Lighthouse Empire.’
’Once this news spreads through the Great Xia Empire, the number of people renouncing their citizenship, which was just starting to decrease, will probably surge again. Especially the wealthy—they definitely don’t want a large-scale war with the White Elephant and Lighthouse Empires.’
But Liu Yuzhu was well aware of her duty. She was merely a liaison;
the decision-making power was not in her hands.
Liu Yuzhu relayed Chu He’s words, and just as expected, she received Lu Yinxing’s full support.
"Lu Yinxing really trusts you."
Shang Yifei said, somewhat astonished.
Although Shang Yifei had already decided to bet on Chu He,
Lu Yinxing’s actions were on another level—she was staking the entire Great Xia Empire on him.
She was following his every word.
If it were her, Shang Yifei felt she could never do such a thing.
’It’s just too risky.’
Once you truly mobilize for war, there’s no turning back.
Lu Yinxing’s decisiveness left Shang Yifei deeply impressed.
The Great Xia Empire’s aggressive response once again sent shockwaves across Blue Star.
Just as many had predicted,
the moment the announcement—which fearlessly declared war on both the White Elephant and Lighthouse Empires—was published,
the number of people renouncing their Great Xia citizenship immediately surged.
"According to rumors, in just over three days, no fewer than thirty million people have renounced their Great Xia citizenship."
"Over thirty million people? That number is staggering."
"I actually think it’s better that these traitors are leaving. It saves us the trouble of them becoming two-faced backstabbers and selling out the Great Xia Empire’s interests if we really do go to war with the Lighthouse and White Elephant Empires."
"I didn’t choose to renounce my citizenship, but are we really going to war with the Lighthouse and White Elephant Empires? Can the Great Xia Empire actually win?"
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