706 Brotherly Love

Eunuch Liu was horrified, thinking to himself, 'These Imperial Guards are His Highness's trump card. They are all carefully selected at great expense, and most of them are chosen from the lowest ranks or from orphans who were once subordinates of the Holy Emperor.'

Utterly loyal!

Eunuch Liu's face turned deathly pale, but he dared not hesitate for a moment. Forcing a smile, he respectfully agreed, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will certainly do my utmost to fulfill your expectations."

"Good, this is my good subject!" The eldest prince nodded slightly in praise, a rare hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Eunuch Liu was as if granted a pardon. He quickly got up from the ground, bowed, and withdrew.

Turning to leave, Liu Gonggong's palms were still hot with sweat, like boiling water. He waited quietly for a moment, and his inner energy circulated, slowly drying them.

Secretly pondering the orders given by the Crown Prince, he thought to himself, 'Should I really go and arrest those thugs, or find some others to make up the numbers?'

These gangs and scoundrels all have masters behind them, and they pay tribute to them at every level!

"Send a batch of prisoners from the main jail over there first. If that's still not enough, then don't blame me for being ruthless when it comes to sending more from these powerful families."

My thoughts raced like lightning, shifting rapidly in an instant, revealing the crucial points and various choices, yet it seemed as if there were no choices to be made.

There were more weeds than large trees, and even the small, sparse trees couldn't compare to the grass that was casually trampled on the ground.

Wildfires cannot burn it all; the spring breeze brings it back to life. The humble grass never makes a choice.

Eunuch Liu felt no relief whatsoever. Although he had selected some merchant families in the capital to cooperate with, money was still a tight issue, and His Highness was also building a prison.

The pressure is immense.

Whether it's arresting ordinary people, thugs, gang members, or cultivators.

Liu Gonggong felt a sense of difficulty. All expenses were costing an astonishing amount of gold and silver, and required a great deal of manpower and resources.

The expenses of the Imperial Guard, which used to be covered by the national treasury, are now like a bottomless pit, putting them under immense pressure.

This year, the royal palace's finances are in dire straits. Taxes from various regions have been delayed in reaching the capital. While the national treasury is not empty, it will be difficult to meet His Highness's needs in the long run.

This situation is truly worrying.

But what decisive measures should be taken to urge local governments to pay taxes as soon as possible?

Strengthen financial management and be meticulous in budgeting!

Make sure every penny is spent wisely!

Liu Gonggong suddenly felt a sense of unease, and was filled with anger for the Crown Prince!

Liu Gonggong was burning with anger. Thinking of that madman He Chen from Dalong Prefecture, he knew he could forget about him this year!

He couldn't help but grit his teeth in silent hatred, 'He Chen deserves to die!'

Meanwhile, the other prefectures were also waiting and seeing, using various excuses to delay payment, which was simply a blatant provocation against the royal city!

There has been absolutely no word regarding the tax payment, which is clearly a deliberate attempt to delay payment!

Thinking that he would soon have to spend a lot of money outside the city to build a prison!

He narrowed his eyes menacingly, a strong desire for revenge welling up inside him. He thought to himself, 'Do these guys really think he's easy to bully?'

He, Eunuch Liu, is no pushover; he'll make them pay the price!

And as for the expenses, I'm not going to spend a single penny this time. Let these prisoners build those cells, and if that's not enough, arrest some more.

Anyone who urinates or defecates in public, or spits in public, has to pay. Otherwise, they'll be arrested. That's enough already.

As for the eldest prince's suggestion to act expediently...

It was clearly aimed at powerful and wealthy families. Unless absolutely necessary, Eunuch Liu would never consider arresting these people!

Thinking back to the handsome young scholar who had chatted with her a few days ago, and played a game of chess with her, she couldn't help but smile slightly.

Thinking of this, Liu Gonggong's anger had not subsided, but his steps instantly became lighter.

He became radiant, energetic, and full of fighting spirit.

The prince's heart sank slightly. He thought to himself, "Don't rush, don't rush. Only after the Asura Guard is fully trained can I deal with those treacherous traitors who are half-hearted."

However, the third brother is already dead.

My second brother is away!

The other brothers are still in the capital these days, and some of them will leave after the New Year if nothing unexpected happens.

Fourth brother, fifth brother, sixth brother, you have always been very supportive of me, so I suppose you are willing to make some sacrifices for me!

Seventh brother, eighth brother, ninth brother, oh ninth brother, you are all young, yet your hearts have been corrupted by the prosperity of this era.

It's truly those江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and江湖义气, a code of honor among江湖义气) people who have corrupted you all; they're all scheming and calculating. This should have been eliminated beforehand!

As if his heart was bewitched by some inexplicable force, the Crown Prince's dark eyes now revealed ruthlessness, a hint of viciousness to kill without mercy, and an urgent desire to awaken his Holy Emperor bloodline.

A chill ran through him as he thought about his younger brothers. If they were allowed to remain in the capital, they would likely try to contact his forces and offer various benefits to win over numerous powerful families.

It will also become a stumbling block to one's own advancement, making it even more difficult to control.

However! If we let them leave, and if they grow up in the future and have more opportunities, it will be even more difficult to reclaim their bloodline. It would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains, with endless troubles to come.

They were blood relatives, brothers, yet they became cold and ruthless in this power struggle.

A ruthless glint flashed in the eldest prince's eyes. "Bloodline fusion awakens the power of bloodlines. Father, did you know this all along, but you didn't want to see us brothers kill each other?"

But there can only be one great position, and only the strong can rule this world. Although I have no shortage of precious armor, precious swords, and divine talismans, I am still lacking in strength and cultivation.

Unfortunately, time doesn't allow me to take my time!

Thinking of the beautiful faces of Meng Queyi, Yuechan, and others, and that her aunt was among the top ten beauties, a burning desire appeared in her eyes!

The closer the blood ties, the greater the possibility of bloodline fusion, and the more unexpected effects can be achieved.

Awakening the power of one's bloodline, I couldn't help but think of my aunt. 'My aunt broke through to the Martial Emperor realm overnight, without any warning.'

Has Auntie's bloodline awakened?

Or is this a characteristic inherent in my royal bloodline?

A terrifying and insidious plan, he couldn't forget.

What you keep in mind will surely come to pass!

He said softly, "Three days from now, on the night of the full moon, the brothers should get together!"

All the younger brothers gathered at the palace to chat and talk, seeing each other off. I imagine no one felt lonely!

A cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips, as if he were completely unaware, and as if he never cared!

Below the main hall, expressionless and with a calm, still voice, he whispered, "Someone, issue the order tomorrow: three days later, in the inner courtyard of the palace, I wish to gather with my brothers."