Chapter 1242 – End of the Road for Great Zhou

“What do you hope to receive?” Ouyang Shuo asked.

When Chun Shenjun heard this question, he was stunned once more. Strictly speaking, Chun Shenjun had some predictions before the conversation. However, during this short talk, he had lost a lot of confidence.

“Can I get the same treatment as Xiong Ba?” Chun Shenjun asked probingly.

Not only was Xiong Ba a Provincial Governor, but even his family, provided that they were truly talented, could obtain an appointment in Great Xia.

There was even rumors that Ouyang Shuo would show even more trust toward Xiong Ba in the future.

“No.”

Ouyang Shuo decisively said no; to think that Chun Shenjun actually dared to say that. Xiong Ba’s submission shook the foundations of Great Zhou, directly weakening half of their strength.

It could be said that Xiong Ba’s family was worthy of such treatment, and even less was needed to be said regarding Xiong Ba’s ability.

How could Chun Shenjun’s current submission compare to Xiong Ba’s?

“Then treatment like Zhan Lang?” Chun Shenjun took a further step back.

When Ouyang Shuo heard that, he was truly impressed by Chun Shenjun’s bargaining ability. He was not going to waste any more time on this matter and directly said, “How about this, after submitting, your family and you will focus on the business region. Do not enter politics, it’s not suitable for you.”

When Chun Shenjun heard that, his face instantly turned white. After a long while, he said, “Is there no room for discussion?”

Ouyang Shuo shook his head, “You either accept it, or we meet on the battlefield.”

Seeing that Chun Shenjun was unwilling, Ouyang Shuo added, “Six years of territory running is enough to prove that your family and you are not suitable for running a territory. Going back to the business region that you’re better in, although you’ll lose game, it will be a fortunate matter in the long term.”

Chun Shenjun kept silent. Looking back at his journey as a Lord, his happiest moment should be when he quarreled with Di Chen, disbanding the Six Tyrants of Handan and building the Chunqiu Alliance.

Thinking about it now, those times seemed so far away.

That Xiong Ba had borrowed Chun Shenjun’s help to obtain a ticket to enter the game.

Now, he had already become an exceptional person.

“Six years have passed, yet I did not truly win even once.” Chun Shenjun’s face was filled with bitterness.

Eventually, Chun Shenjun’s face revealed a look of determination, “I accept your conditions.” After he said those words, he actually felt really relaxed. It was like he had placed down a huge burden in his heart.

Ouyang Shuo looked at him in surprise and smiled. Then he said, “That’s great. As payment, I will protect all of your family’s items in Great Zhou and will not touch any of it.”

“Thank you.”

Chun Shenjun thanked him sincerely. As long as he could protect the roots of the family, he would be able to answer to them.

The only thing that Chun Shenjun regretted would be agreeing with Di Chen to hand the foundations of the family to Great Song. If he knew that this would happen, he would have submitted to Great Xia then instead. He would have obtained much more than this in such a scenario.

Unfortunately, there was no way out.

At this point, Chun Shenjun said, “Can I ask, how are you going to deal with the Huitong Bank?”

Although the Huitong Bank had already lost in their battle against the Four Seas Bank two years ago, it was due to that competition that made it the second largest bank in China.

This was a huge business.

Ouyang Shuo replied, “Really simple. The Huitong Bank will take out funds and purchase back all its shares and become the fourth bank in Great Xia.”

“As payment, your family can own 10% of the shares.”

Chun Shenjun nodded. Such an outcome left him really satisfied. As the winner, Great Xia could have just swallowed up the bank until nothing was left.

Obviously, Ouyang Shuo knew how to achieve a win-win situation.

“Then that’s decided.” Chun Shenjun looked at Ouyang Shuo. His eyes were filled with a complicated expression. He took in a deep breath before solemnly bowing, “Your majesty!”

Ouyang Shuo nodded.

At this very moment, Ouyang Shuo was basically witnessing the passing of an era. Although there were remnants of this era, it was destined to end, and no one had the ability to change this inevitability.

…

Surprised but not surprised.

5th month, 21st day, with Chun Shenjun’s instruction, the Pill Sun legion corps surrendered and handed over Peng City.

During this period, Di Chen was unwilling and wanted to make his chess pieces in the Pill Sun army start a riot. However, they were unable to cause many waves and were quickly drowned out in blood.

The next day, Ludong Province fell into the hands of Great Xia.

The destruction of Great Zhou was a locked in scenario.

The next day, Sun Bin left the 5th legion to keep an eye on the Pill Sun legion corps. Following which, he ordered the four legions to go up north toward Jingdu Province to form a three way pincer.

…

Jingdu Province, Handan City.

After getting the news that Chun Shenjun had betrayed the country, Di Chen was so furious that he did not have any energy left. He did not even bother killing off Chun Shenjun’s family members in Jingdu Province.

After all, he had to leave a way out for his family.

With the situation reaching such a stage, he had to leave a way out for himself. The future Di Family might have to rely on these traitors to continue to survive in the game world.

After learning about the China situation, the Dawson family had contacted Di Chen and said that they were willing to accept the Di family.

However, Di Chen was not willing.

Even if he was, his grandfather definitely would not be.

Jack seemed to be offering this out of goodwill, but what he was planning was hard to tell. With the relationship between their two families, if they really went, who knows what he would do to them.

Di Chen had often played such tricks.

The only ones that could save Great Zhou were Qin, Tang, and Song.

Unfortunately, when the war started, Great Song had clearly expressed that they would not send help to Handan City. That was because Great Song was facing the threat of the Imperial Palace Guards and the Xiangjiang legion corps. They could not even protect themselves, so how could they assist Great Zhou?

On the other hand, Qin and Tang had intended to send 100 thousand troops.

Both countries were confident about defending against one legion corps with 400 thousand troops. Qin Shuhuang and Tang Taizong both knew that saving Great Zhou would be the same as saving themselves.

However, the war situation had developed simply too quickly.

First was the unexpected large-scale riots in Ludong Province, which made the Great Xia Army proceed unopposed. They did not need to worry about their grain path being intercepted.

Next was Chun Shenjun’s compromise and the Pill Sun legion corps surrendering.

In a short half a month, Great Zhou had lost an army and only had half a breath left. Facing the attacks of three Great Xia legion corps, even if Qin and Tang sent 200 thousand reinforcements, it would not be of much help.

Abandoning Great Zhou was an expected choice.

‘Da, Da, Da!’

Juedai Fenghua walked into the Imperial Reading Room. She had represented Great Zhou to discuss with the envoys of the three countries about them sending reinforcements.

Di Chen raised his head and asked, “How was it?” He himself did not have much hope.

As expected, Juedai Fenghua silently shook her head.

Di Chen had reached a truly despondent stage; he could not see a single shred of hope. However, he was oddly calm, getting up to look out the window and stare at the clouds. He muttered, “Since that’s the case, send someone to talk to Great Xia and see what we can achieve.”

“Ok.” Juedai Fenghua nodded before turning around and leaving.

Behind her back, someone asked, “Do you think the old fox would discuss with us?”

Juedai Fenghua paused. She did not turn around and simply said, “He will.” Her voice was filled with certainty. Following which, she walked out of the Imperial Reading Room and disappearing from Di Chen’s sight.

Within the quiet Imperial Reading Room, a long sigh spread out.