Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1630 No Talents Left Behind
"How's the situation in Europe?"

[Everything is normal. The Elves are still advancing, but Rome has temporarily reduced its support for the Night Watch. Because if the negotiations with Amun-Zeus don't go smoothly, war could indeed break out. Therefore, Rome is tightening its defenses—this has slowed the Elves' offensive somewhat.]

"Hmm," Shangluo nodded.

He had just arranged things for Han Xingzhi. Keeping him hungry wasn't necessary; Shang Luo simply wanted to increase his chances of winning in court.

Because in the spirit world, what you can't get on the battlefield can actually be obtained at the negotiating table.

Amun-Zeus would not normally reveal himself.

Heleus would not normally do anything that violates justice.

However, they can only be brought together for a meeting at the negotiating table or in court.

Shangluo wanted to resolve this issue in court. Because if it couldn't be resolved in court, it might not be resolved on the battlefield either. Amun-Zeus could hide forever; Shangluo didn't even know his motives, and he couldn't hunt down someone who had no idea what he wanted.

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be a problem. But if this person wants to hide away like a hermit, then he is defying the court, defying the emperor, and defying destiny.

Whatever this hermit's intentions, his very existence in hiding was an escape from rule. And Shangluo, it was to ensure that no worthy person remained undiscovered—in every sense of the word. After all, "no worthy person remaining undiscovered" carries the connotations of both the best and worst, and Shangluo had already prepared for both.

Only when every worthy person is left out can all nations enjoy peace and prosperity. Whether they are worthy or not is actually not important. What is more important is that they are not there.

The rise of the imperial court required "purifying the vast lands and unifying the eight directions"—this needed to be ensured in every sense.

Inside the Jade Palace, mountains and rivers flow like mercury—a simulation of the earth's veins. To ensure the ascension of the Red Land, located at the center of the world, it is necessary to encompass all nine provinces. Specifically, the manipulation of the earth's veins cannot be completed without suppressing every corner of the earth.

Because the very act of "ruling" has symbolic meaning. It's like that lawsuit; some things can only be obtained at the negotiating table, because it involves casting a spell. Ordinary families consult feng shui when building houses; what the Heavenly Court is undertaking is a massive project—laying out the earth's veins using heaven and earth as a chessboard.

Overall, the court's tasks were quite arduous. If Amun-Zeus remained in exile, the stability of Egypt's rule could not be guaranteed.

"I'm thinking I should prepare a backup plan as well."

[You mean, if Amun-Zeus doesn't come, then we should prepare for battle?]

"Yes." Shangluo nodded. "My senior brother has indeed prepared a final solution, but I want to put my own final solution before that. Because if the imperial court takes action, everything will be difficult to manage."

I get the feeling that you're acting like some kind of diplomat from the Spring and Autumn or Warring States period.

"Really? How so?" [During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, many diplomats worked specifically to travel between two states, promoting mutual interests. They often gained the trust of both sides.]

“Yes, that’s a common saying,” Shangluo nodded. “I am indeed looking for common interests between the two countries—but all of this is based on the premise that Rome will perish, in order to promote the interests of both countries. In other words, I’m willing to say a few words for Rome because I want Rome to die gracefully. If Rome doesn’t intend to die, then as the mediator between the two sides, I will personally take action to make Rome die. After all, I’ve already tried so hard, if Rome doesn’t try to die, it will really put me in a difficult position.”

"So you're hastening Rome's demise, aren't you?"

“That’s how it is,” Shangluo replied. “Don’t you think that if Rome handles this on its own, they’ll definitely drag it out? Their deaths will be unsightly and messy, and I’ll have to deal with it all. Rather than that, I’d rather plan a proper way for Rome to die, so that they can enter their coffins in an orderly, peaceful, and dignified manner. That way, I won’t have to deal with all the hassle, right? I’m not here to save Rome; I’m here to solve Rome.”

[In a way, this is probably why I'm here with you—a failed past, a stagnant present, and a future that doesn't even exist; these are the three suns that Rome created.]

Amun-Zeus represents Rome's untraceable past, a past where even the Romans themselves were unaware of their own mistakes. It was precisely these flawed pasts that made Amun-Zeus a persistent nightmare for Rome.

As for Helios, this is the ossification of Rome today. The Rome of the past was far less rigid; they were far more adept at using rituals—because things had deteriorated to the point where nothing could be done without following the rules. Their initial reason for seeking help from Shangluo to resolve the ritual problem was precisely because what needed to be executed was the ritual itself, not its intended function.

Apollonia, on the other hand, represents the future of Rome—because Rome has no future, it is only natural that she ran away from Rome.

But the absence of a future does not equate to despair. While Rome itself may lack a future, it can still find its own in China.

"Well, that's about all I can arrange." Shangluo glanced at his log. "I'll go find my senior brother to do a progress report and discuss some countermeasures. For example, which of our final solutions should come first."

Shang Luo had been to Changchun Palace many times, more often than he had ever been to his own attic—after all, he had hardly ever been there since Victoria had taken over the attic.

As usual, he didn't need to report when he came in or out; he could go directly up to the second floor and knock on Zhu Xianxi's door.

However, when he got to the second floor, he found something was wrong—there were four Imperial Guards standing at the door, not just one.

When they saw Shangluo arrive, they all glanced inside and then signaled to him with their eyes that something was up inside.

"Huh?" Shang Luo lowered his voice. "What's going on inside? Is the Emperor not here?"

"No, the Emperor is here, but..."

"Is that Shangluo?" came an elderly voice from inside the door. "Then come in."

The Imperial Guards at the entrance immediately made way for him and opened the door.

(End of this chapter)