The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins
Chapter 224 - 224: Incompetent Officials and National Humiliation

"Uh..."

The minister stammered, afraid to speak, and looked towards the gray-haired elder leading them.

Seeing this, the elder let out a long sigh and took out a memorial.

"Old Buddha, Your Majesty, this is the joint memorial from the governors of each province about mobilizing troops for royal support."

The young man in the dragon robe took the memorial, but before he could open it, it was snatched by the elderly woman beside him.

However, when the elderly woman opened it and saw its contents, it was as if she was struck by lightning. She staggered and fell into the chair with a thud, and the memorial slipped from her powerless hands, falling to the ground.

Seeing this, an ominous feeling surged in the young man's heart. He quickly picked it up, and inside, there was only one sentence.

"We ministers have the duty to defend the land, but we will not follow the edict to death!"

Bang!

It was as if a thunderbolt exploded in his ears, and a single thought flashed through the young man in the dragon robe's mind.

Da Qing is doomed!

The governors of each province openly defying their orders tore down the last fig leaf covering the central authority. This meant the war was no longer an external conflict for the Qing Empire as a whole...

But solely the Man Qing Imperial Family's struggle against the eight nations, with other provinces just watching from the sidelines!

"A bunch of treacherous lackeys!"

"Eating mine, using mine, wearing mine, Da Qing has bestowed upon them kindness heavier than a mountain, and this is how they repay me?!!"

The elderly woman regained her senses and burst out into a hysterical roar again.

"They are pigs, they are dogs, they are Aqina! They are Sai Sihei!"

Watching as the elderly woman vented her impotent fury, shattering all the expensive decorations in the room, the gray-haired elder hesitated for a moment but couldn't help but advise.

"Old Buddha, I've heard the governors of each province have already signed a 'Mutual Protection Agreement' with the Westerner alliance. They definitely won't send troops for royal support."

"At this point, it might be best to plan ahead."

Hearing the minister's pointed suggestion, the elderly woman finally calmed down and sneered grimly.

"Better with foreign friends than with traitorous domestics!"

"Sell! Let everyone sell!"

The thought of selling out the country brought a sudden sense of vastness, the elderly woman's eyes widened as she sternly commanded in a low voice.

"Summon the Brittania ambassador for an audience!"

Upon hearing this, several ministers looked at each other, helplessly sighed.

"As you command."

Soon, a group of quick-footed palace maids cleaned up the porcelain fragments in the room, restoring it to its noble and elegant state.

When the Brittania Major General Seymour stepped into the study, he only saw a group of Qing Country rulers with varied expressions.

The arrogant middle-aged white man did not bow but merely stared expressionlessly at the elderly woman at the head.

"Special envoy, the purpose of inviting you here today is to discuss the terms of a ceasefire..."

The Old Buddha couldn't bring herself to lower her face to beg, so the leading minister stepped forward with a deferential posture.

But before he finished speaking, Seymour waved his hand decisively.

"You have only one choice: surrender the 'Imperial Jade Seal', announce abdication, Qing Country will perish, and its territories will be brought under the Empress's rule, becoming part of Great Britain!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.

They had originally thought it would just be a matter of ceding territory and paying reparations. After all, Da Qing's domain was vast; even giving half to the Westerners, they could still live in wealth and splendor for a lifetime!

Little did they expect that the other side wanted to swallow Da Qing whole!

"Your Excellency, with such a large appetite, aren't you afraid of choking?!"

The elderly woman laughed angrily, staring intently into Seymour's eyes.

However, Seymour merely curled his lips contemptuously, glanced around, and said coldly.

"I'm not negotiating with you; this is a notification!"

"You... How dare you!"

Ignoring the young man in the dragon robe's anger, Seymour pulled out a pocket watch, glancing at it calmly.

"The alliance will soon launch an attack. Before the city falls, if you wish to surrender, come find me."

With that, Seymour turned to leave, not bothering to regard the group of Qing Country rulers.

After Seymour left, the gathered officials exchanged glances, and they all saw the bitterness and despair in each other's eyes.

The once high and mighty elderly woman had completely collapsed, accustomed to commanding with authority her entire life. At that moment, her despair and powerlessness utterly broke her spirit, leaving her looking old and terrified, like a wild dog with a broken spine.

"My lords, what are we to do now?"

Seeing the elderly woman lost and without direction, the leading minister reluctantly stepped forward.

"Westerner forces departed from Tanggu, successively capturing strategic locations in Beicang, Yang Village, He Xiwu, and Tongzhou."

"Afterward, Westerners kept reinforcing their troops, attacking and plundering from Beijing and Jin in four directions, seizing control of the strategic points around Jingjin, south to Zhengding, east to Shanhai Pass, and west to Nianguan."

"The west, south, and east have been surrounded. At this point, the only plan is to have Old Buddha and His Majesty head north from Zhangjiakou, circumventing the outer border into Shan, seeking refuge in Chang'an!"

At this, the minister gritted his teeth fiercely.

"As long as Old Buddha and His Majesty are still around, the National Destiny of Da Qing remains."

"Chang'an, with thirteen dynasties as its ancient capital, is the land where dragons rise."

"The fertile lands of the Guanzhong Plain stretch for a thousand miles, connecting to the land of plenty to the south. Occupying this area, the Westerner's reach will fall short, and there will be a chance for a resurgence in the future!"

Hearing this, the elderly woman furrowed her eyebrows in reluctance.

Chang'an is where the Han people's dragons rise; truth be told, she still preferred to return to where the Man people's dragons rise.

But considering the Rashan people to the north eyeing them covetously, the Guanzhong Plain, situated in the inland's heartland, was safer. The elderly woman reluctantly nodded.

"Approved, summon Liu Haisheng."

Not long after, a middle-aged man in a luxurious long robe, with a treasure sword at his waist, an air of gentleness, and a beardless pale face, walked into the study, respectfully kneeling on the ground.

"Chief Eunuch Liu Haisheng, pays respects to Old Buddha and His Majesty."

"Rise!"

The elderly woman personally helped Liu Haisheng up, speaking with grief and indignation.

"The outside ministers are incompetent, losing power and humiliating the nation. The Emperor and I wish to seek refuge in Chang'an to regroup and restore the nation. We will have to rely on you along the way."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haisheng nodded gravely. "This servant will assure the safety of Old Buddha and the Emperor!"

Seeing this, the elderly woman nodded in relief.

Years ago, it was Liu Haisheng who had escorted her during an escape. Loyal throughout his life, he was the elderly woman's most trusted confidant.

"By the way, where is the Imperial Jade Seal?"

"Right here."

Liu Haisheng took out a bright yellow silk package, unveiling a beautifully ornate Jade Seal, and half-kneeling, he presented it respectfully before the elderly woman.

Seeing this symbol of the Chinese Heavenly Mandate, the elderly woman inexplicably felt a surge of confidence.

As long as she held the 'Imperial Jade Seal', she remained the sole master of this land!

This authority, even in death, she would not relinquish!

But just as she was about to seize the Jade Seal, Liu Haisheng, who was half-kneeling, suddenly raised his head, looking towards the void beside him, and roared angrily.

"How bold!"

With a backhand slash, a sharp Sword Finger sliced through the air, and the materialized Sword Qi tore open an invisible barrier, leaving a faint, almost unnoticeable blood mark on an abruptly appearing slender, pale hand.

Crack~

It sounded like glass shattering in the room, and only then did everyone notice the shadowy figure cloaked entirely under a dark hooded cloak beside them.

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