Zhao Depu was indecisive.

Offer my loyalty?

If I offer my loyalty to the Zhong Family, what will happen to the Shen Family?

Can I split my loyalty in half?

"Lord Zhao, you should understand. Loyalty that's not absolute is equivalent to absolute disloyalty." Princess Phoenix, as if knowing what Zhao Depu was thinking, spoke with a voice like thunder, shaking Zhao Depu to his core.

According to practical psychology analysis, when faced with difficult choices, people habitually procrastinate and avoid.

Evidently, Zhao Depu hopes to become a 'fence-sitter.'

He's an old man about to retire, let his successor face this complex situation.

While drinking just now, he thought about retiring next year and felt a bit regretful and reluctant.

Someone suggested helping him operate things on the Shen Family's side, and he didn't refuse outright...

Now he's thinking, hurry up and let me leave, my backside is almost on fire.

"If I remember correctly, you became the City Lord of Phoenix City in the year 278 of the Phoenix calendar, right? At that time, my father summoned you to Phoenix Palace for a talk."

"He advised you to fulfill the position of the City Lord of Golden City well. Golden City is located at the Northern Border, the first magnificent city seen after opening the northern gate of the Empire, with a very important geographical location... He also told you that the City Lord must have both the duty of pacifying the populace and the responsibility of defending the territory."

"I imagine, at that time, Lord Zhao must have nodded repeatedly, agreeing continuously, right?"

"..."

Zhao Depu's face showed embarrassment, but also some annoyance.

When the Emperor charges you with a task, can you not nod and agree?

Do you want to leave or not?

Princess Phoenix continued observing Zhao Depu's facial expressions and subtle changes in his eyes. After noticing some shame in his gaze, she seized the opportunity and said sternly:

"Lord Zhao, matters have reached this point, I would like to ask... My Zhong Family still stands high in Fengming Palace, my family's people, though persecuted by powerful ministers, remain unyielding, ready to make a comeback at any moment."

"The rightful line is still in place, the nation's cornerstone is not lost. How can you serve traitors and shut the true masters of the Empire out?"

"As a key minister of the Empire, shouldn't you rise to alleviate the sovereign's worries and remove the traitors for the country? Given the King's great favor towards you, is this how Lord Zhao intends to repay it?"

"If that's the case, then in a hundred years, how will history record the name of Lord Zhao? How will people evaluate your life? A reputation of ingratitude is inevitable, isn't it?"

Princess Phoenix, as the Empire's Eldest Princess, wielded the rod of orthodoxy and justice, striking Zhao Depu's forehead left and right.

Zhao Depu felt drenched in sweat, almost falling.

This woman was eloquent, her words were indeed too sharp, making it difficult for him to respond.

"Lord Zhao, it's not too late to mend your ways." Princess Phoenix revealed her dagger, speaking out: "Withdraw Golden City's defenses, open Golden City's gates. I swear by my honor as the Empire's Eldest Princess that if the Righteous Army enters the city, they will not harm the citizens within one bit."

Zhao Depu still hesitated.

"Lord Zhao, you should understand, if we wanted to use force, we would have attacked just now... Considering the ferocity of the Barbarian Clan and the ruthlessness of the Sky Wolf Army, Golden City would suffer heavy losses, wouldn't it?"

"We cannot bear the mass slaughter and civil strife, hence stopping fifty miles outside of Golden City. Lord Zhao, the decision to fight or negotiate rests in your hands. This decision also affects the fate of nearly ten million people in Golden City."

"..."

Zhao Depu was under immense pressure.

He looked at Princess Phoenix and spoke: "Your Highness, as the City Lord of Golden City, my main responsibility is pacifying the populace. As for defense, there's General Minghui... He's preparing for battle in the Military Mansion... If he disagrees, there's nothing I can do."

In the Phoenix Empire, military and government are separated; the City Lord is in charge of the economy, development, and people's well-being.

While the army handles defense, safeguarding national peace.

Although the Military Mansion and City Defense General are subordinate to the City Lord's Mansion, they possess considerable autonomy...

Meaning, the City Defense General doesn't have to respect the City Lord, and the City Lord can't help it.

He was preparing to throw Yuan Minghui under the bus, sharing the enormous pressure with him.

There's no choice, better the daoist friend suffers than oneself...

Two people sharing the burden together... Even if Shen Wuxiang blamed him later, he could say he's just an old man with no strength to bind a chicken, what can he do?

Thus, Yuan Minghui would be dragged down and beheaded.

Princess Phoenix's heart rejoiced, knowing Zhao Depu had wavered, the advantage leaning towards her side.

Tang Fei, Qin Jianyi, and Lu Siyu exchanged smiles, knowing that capturing Golden City without force would be incredibly beneficial, setting a good example as leaders.

Seeing Golden City surrender directly, other cities would naturally follow suit.

Who wants to fight a war, anyway?

Qin Jianyi greatly envied Tang Fei for having such a wonderful wife; indeed, he was very fortunate.

No wonder countless people once pursued Princess Phoenix; even the Shen Family's darling, Shen Xinglan, was no exception.

Princess Phoenix was not only beautiful and graceful but also possessed a brilliant mind.

She offered so much more...

With her status as the Eldest Princess of the Empire, who wouldn't be dazzled?

If he and Tang Fei had stepped forth to persuade surrender, people would have started cursing.

One being a remaining member of the Tang Family, the other a rebel of the Qin Family... Would they even be given a chance to speak?

Without legitimacy, words lack force.

Neither he nor Tang Fei had ever been the masters of this Empire.

Lu Siyu thought... this woman is truly eloquent.

She really knows how to speak.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.