There was nothing unusual in the beginning. As always, the little rascal's words were somewhat unruly, but filled with warmth and familiarity. Occasionally, a few sweet flattery slipped in to coax his mood.
Emperor Xuanwu's furrowed brows gradually eased. For a moment, he even forgot he was in the Xuan Zheng Hall. In that instant, he was no longer a sovereign, but simply a father reading a letter from his cherished daughter. Even the smile lines at the corners of his eyes were softened with affection.
He turned to the next page.
"Your Daughter has read the letter of surrender from the King of Annan. In Your Daughter's opinion, we must set an example. Let the other minor kingdoms know that if they choose to surrender willingly, they, too, can live in peace and prosperity.
Therefore, the King of Annan should not be executed.
However, after observing his conduct and making inquiries, Your Daughter finds him lacking in ability and unfit to govern the affairs of Annan.
A ceremonial and idle title should suffice for him.
As for the administration of Annan, if no other suitable candidates are available, General You Yu may temporarily oversee its governance."
Emperor Xuanwu: "???"
He could understand that Xiao Wu held the King of Annan in disdain, believing him inept.
But to suggest that man surnamed You as a replacement? What was she thinking?
Even if only for the short term...
That man was hardly more reliable than the King of Annan.
Only moments ago, he had been grateful that someone like You Yu was not the Supreme Commander of Great Tian Sheng. And now, just like that, Xiao Wu wanted to place an entire province under his charge?
Absolutely not. He would have to consider this matter carefully and appoint a proper official.
While deliberating over who might be best suited for the post, Emperor Xuanwu continued reading.
"The situation in Annan has largely been resolved. Soon, Your Daughter will join General Wei Yuan on the next battlefield.
Annan's surrender without a fight was unexpected.
The upcoming battles may grow ever more brutal.
This war must not be allowed to drag on."
This was sound reasoning.
Fortunately, the Simulation Life Selection System had already revealed that the war would not last long. The campaign across all seven kingdoms would conclude within three months.
There was little cause for concern.
Emperor Xuanwu raised an eyebrow, his gaze moving to the next line, where he saw the reason for such a swift victory:
"In truth, Your Daughter has pondered deeply and may have devised a method to swiftly end this war.
Your Daughter has conceptualized a new kind of weapon—one with far greater destructive power than catapults and other such devices.
If its development succeeds, not only could it annihilate the seven kingdoms, but even seventeen might fall with ease.
However, this weapon is simple to produce. Your Daughter fears it may fall into the hands of those with ill intent, bringing calamity upon the world.
There is also concern that neighboring states, driven by fear, may spark conflicts like the one with the Seven Kingdoms.
Caught between such grave concerns, Your Daughter seeks Father Emperor's judgment."
A new weapon?
The kind that could sweep across the realm?
If no mishap occurred, Xiao Wu would likely use it to unify the land in the future.
Emperor Xuanwu's breathing grew heavier. Yet when his gaze returned to the line stating "the weapon is simple to produce," his brows knit once more.
Indeed, as Xiao Wu had said, it would be ideal if such a powerful weapon remained solely in the hands of Tian Sheng's imperial family. But should it fall into the wrong hands...
Emperor Xuanwu's thoughts stirred.
[Simulation Life Selection System at your service.]
[Please choose your next course of action.]
As expected, the light screen appeared.
Good. Things were back on track.
Feeling reassured, Emperor Xuanwu lifted his gaze toward the light screen.
[A. Reject Yun Shu's development of the new weapon.
B. Fully support Yun Shu in developing the new weapon.
C. Offer verbal support, but no tangible assistance.]
The last choice reeked of unreliability.
But based on past experience, it was often the most seemingly unreliable option that proved to be the correct one in the end.
The corner of Emperor Xuanwu's mouth twitched involuntarily before he calmly selected the first option.
[You chose A. Upon receiving your reply, Yun Shu weighed the consequences and temporarily abandoned the weapon's development. The battle of Ningzhou proved difficult.
After a month of grueling warfare, Tiansheng secured victory at the cost of fifty thousand lightly wounded, ten thousand severely injured, and seventy thousand dead.]
Though the outcome was still a victory, the casualties were staggering.
Emperor Xuanwu sighed in silence and turned his attention to the second option.
[You chose B. With your full support, Yun Shu swiftly led a team to produce large quantities of the new weapon. Its power was staggering, as though blessed by heavenly force.
General Wei Yuan wielded its might and conquered Bagan in less than an hour.
Among Tian Sheng's entire army, only one soldier suffered an injury—he sprained his ankle from sheer excitement.]
Less than an hour!
Just moments ago, he had read of a month-long struggle that ended in over 100,000 casualties.
Now, here was a stunning reversal—half an hour to take the city, with only a single careless injury?
How could Emperor Xuanwu not be moved?
No wonder even the Simulation Life Selection System described the weapon as possessing power akin to the divine.
But then...
Reading further, his excitement began to wane.
[However, the weapon's overwhelming power shocked surrounding nations. Many dispatched deathsworn agents into Tian Sheng to uncover its secrets.
Although the core development team and their families were placed under strict protection, some soldiers in the army could not withstand bribes or coercion.
Fragments of information leaked, and within five months, the Nia Kingdom produced a weaker replica.
A month later, three more kingdoms followed.
One year on, Nia allied with thirteen other nations and launched a war against Tian Sheng.
The conflict lasted two and a half years.
Though Tian Sheng ultimately emerged victorious, uniting fourteen nations under its rule, both sides suffered devastating losses.]
As Yun Shu feared, the weapon's design was indeed too easy to replicate.
Even if the developers themselves were protected, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who had witnessed the weapon in action could not all be silenced.
They may have known little, but even fragmented insights were enough. Within five months, someone had managed to recreate it.
Emperor Xuanwu dared not imagine how catastrophic the Simulation Life Selection System's phrase "devastating losses" truly was.
Without hesitation, he clicked the third, seemingly most unreliable option.
[You chose C. Because you merely offered verbal support without any material aid, Yun Shu and her team of craftsmen, stationed in the military camp with limited resources, could only produce a small batch of new weapons.
She dispatched the Dragon Shadow Guard reservists under her command to carry the new weapons into battle alongside General Wei Yuan.
At a critical juncture, the weapons were unleashed.
Within half a day, Bagan fell.]