World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 704: Three Four Eight: Suo Lun’s rage, a river of blood!_2

Chapter 704: Three Four Eight: Suo Lun’s rage, a river of blood!_2

Ling Ao was stunned; he never expected his foster father, Gui Xingfu, to utter such words.

Gui Xingfu continued, "In fact, once Suo Lun completely annexes the Southeast Province, he will almost be in an invincible position."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Wuzhi beside him burst into laughter.

Gui Xingfu asked, "Why are you laughing, Chief Historian?"

Yan Wuzhi replied coldly, "Gui Xingfu, you are overly dismissive of others. I am the brother of the kingdom’s Prime Minister, the Chief Historian of the Governor’s Mansion of the Southeast Province, the leader of the civil officials in the Southeast Province, and one of the leaders of the Yan Party. Do you really regard me as nothing?"

Before Gui Xingfu had a chance to speak, Yan Wuzhi continued, "Suo Lun, speaking for himself, has self-appointed as the acting governor of the Southeast Province. But apart from Linhai City and Tianshui City, which county can he lay his hands on? Which district can he control? The 12,000 officials of the Southeast Province all look up to me, can Suo Lun command even one official from the Southeast Province? Even a minor clerk? Therefore, your repeated claims that Suo Lun is annexing the Southeast Province are incredibly far-fetched, as if you regard me and the ten thousand officials of the Southeast Province as nonentities."

Yan Wuzhi was almost ten years younger than his elder brother Yan Wuji.

Prime Minister Yan Wujie had a scholarly appearance, while this Yan Wuzhi in front of him was strikingly handsome and resolute, a man in his early forties with a strand of black beard, a thin face, and deep, piercing eyes.

Although a civilian official, he always wore a precious sword, and his unfriendly, cold demeanor made him look exceptionally sharp and formidable.

Indeed, he was not an easy man to deal with.

Duke Zhi Wei, although the Governor of the Southeastern Province, was after all of royal blood and lacked patience for everyday political affairs. Normally, he only controlled the military power and the general direction of the province, entrusting all other political affairs to Chancellor Yan Wuzhi.

This Yan Wuzhi was indeed talented, managing the Southeast Province in an orderly fashion. Though second in command, he was like a local emperor, with the destiny of the province’s officials entirely in his hands.

His cold and arrogant disposition made all the officials of the Southeast Province fear him, trembling with trepidation.

As a lord within Gui Xingfu’s jurisdiction, he also often dealt with Yan Wuzhi, perhaps because being in control of a province for so long made Yan Wuzhi naturally domineering, treating even a lord of the kingdom with a superior attitude.

Thus, while Yan Wuzhi was indeed talented, his flaw was his extreme arrogance, even self-righteousness.

His brother, Prime Minister Yan Wuji, despite being the kingdom’s Prime Minister and leader of the Yan Party, was not as imperiously aloof as Yan Wuzhi.

The words that Gui Xingfu just said to Ling Ao seemed more like he was persuading Yan Wuzhi rather than Ling Ao.

"Chief Historian, no family should put all its eggs in one basket, and the Yan Clan is no exception," Gui Xingfu said. "If not for Yan Tingyi’s execution, he would already be serving under Suo Lun at this moment."

Yan Wuzhi’s gaze narrowed, but he said nothing.

Gui Xingfu continued, "Right now, Chief Historian, this is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. If Zhi Li ascends the throne, the future Prime Minister can only be your nephew, Yan Tinglu, the legitimate son of Yan Wuji. But if you pledge loyalty to Princess Zhi Yan and Suo Lun, then you, Yan Wuzhi, will be the future Prime Minister. With your unmatched talent and superior temperament compared to your elder brother, you are the one suited to be the leader of the Yan Party. Are you really content with always being subordinate to others? Are you willing to take orders from your nephew, Yan Tinglu, in the future?"

Gui Xingfu was exploiting Yan Wuzhi’s arrogance and stubbornness.

Yan Wuzhi had always thought highly of himself, believing he was far more talented than his brother Yan Wuji and had no regard for the Yan Party’s successor, Yan Tinglu.

Once he saw the chance to defeat his elder brother and become the new leader of the Yan Party, Yan Wuzhi would definitely be tempted. For him, Suo Lun was almost his only opportunity.

As for the power balance between Suo Lun and Zhi Li, Yan Wuzhi could see through it without Gui Xingfu having to say anything.

Yan Wuzhi remained silent, causing Gui Xingfu’s heart to leap with joy, believing he had convinced the other man.

But at that moment, Yan Wuzhi scoffed, "Do you know what Suo Lun lacks the most?"

"Please enlighten me," said Gui Xingfu.

"Magnanimity and wisdom," replied Yan Wuzhi. "He appears invincible in battle, but it’s all based on quick wits. Look around him—do you see any outstanding talents? Yan Nai’er is his woman, Yan Yan is his father-in-law, Queen Yan Chuo is his father’s paramour, and the Ashi Liren are his concubines. Surrounded by women, not a single great talent among them. This man talking about the grand path of kingship and supremacy? He’s at best a shallow lad with a bit of cunning."

Gui Xingfu said, "It’s precisely because there are no great talents around him that you are invaluable and irreplaceable! Suo Lun also has no patience for political affairs. Once Princess Zhi Yan ascends the throne, she will likely manage nothing, and Suo Lun, as the Regent King, would probably only be interested in military training and expansion. All internal affairs will likely be entrusted to the Prime Minister. If you were at his side, wouldn’t that shore up his weakest link? Who else but you could take on the role of Prime Minister in the future?"

"Hahahaha..." Yan Wuzhi laughed. "I am a talent of the rarest kind, destined to assist the world’s overlord. Suo Lun, a shallow imp, doesn’t quite qualify."

Then, Yan Wuzhi flung his sleeve fiercely, "Suo Lun wants the Southeast Province? Fine, let him come and talk to me personally! Of course, I might not have the time, with domestic affairs to handle, playing the zither, painting, meditating. I’ll meet with him when I find the time."