If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, I would be arrogant.

"Uh... Your Majesty, please wait a moment!"

Just as everyone saw Lan Qizhan's resolute statement and knew that the situation was beyond change, and was preparing to leave the main hall, a voice made everyone, including Lan Qizhan who was about to return to the palace, stop in their tracks!

The one who spoke was none other than General Zong Ze, the newly appointed Marquis Zong!

"Oh? Little Zongze, do you have any other requests? Speak them all, and I will grant them all!" Lan Qizhan had seemed a little annoyed when he interrupted Fox earlier, but upon hearing Zongze's voice, his face instantly lit up with a smile, and even his voice became much gentler!

"Uh... Your Majesty, you left before I could finish speaking?" As the former heir of the Prince of Pingnan and a wandering immortal who had lived for over five hundred years, Zong Laomo lacked the fear and dread that others had towards Lan Qizhan, the supreme ruler of the empire!

"This..." Lan Qi thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "Yes, yes, it was my fault. I was just too excited. General Zong, please say whatever you want, I will listen to everything you say!"

“Your Majesty, I have nothing to say!” Zong Ze scratched his head. “It’s just that I’m only thirteen years old, and I’m just a student at the Imperial Academy. You suddenly want me to be a general and give me the title of marquis. I’m afraid I can’t bear it!”

"What's there to be unable to bear?" Lan Qizhan's expression turned serious: "The entire Luen Empire belongs to me. I can bestow titles and rewards upon whomever I wish. What, are you afraid that someone will dare to speak ill of you behind your back? Didn't I give you the power of life and death? Don't forget, you are surnamed Zong!"

Hearing Lan Qizhan say that even someone with the surname Zong had offended him, Zong Ze regretted his quick tongue, but he couldn't refuse anymore! If he refused again, not only would Lan Qizhan be angry, but his grandfather and father would also lose face.

However, you, Lan Qizhan, are being too petty. Although I am young, I am not someone to be trifled with. Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve, so it is not unreasonable for me to become a general at the age of thirteen. You gave me a title but did not even give me a soldier. What kind of general am I?

Generals at least command an entire army corps, but I don't have a single soldier. It seems like I've been given a sword of authority, but it's utterly useless. It can only scare the common people. If I were to actually use this power to kill Fox, you'd probably be furious with me!

Thinking of this, the old demon Zong stopped being polite and said in a carefree manner, "Since Your Majesty trusts me, this humble subject will naturally devote himself to Your Majesty until his dying breath!"

Although he didn't understand Zong Ze's last sentence, he knew that Zong Ze had agreed and pledged his loyalty, so Lan Qizhan's face was naturally beaming!

"However!" Zong Ze changed the subject, "I have one more request and two suggestions!"

"Speak!" Lan Qizhan waved his hand. "I've said it before, whatever you ask for, I will grant!"

“Your Majesty, building our empire’s air force is not something that can be done in a short time, and the manpower and resources required are not something that can be obtained in a short period of time. I believe Your Majesty has no problem with the resources, and if necessary, I can consult with Lord Fox. But as for the manpower…”

"What's so difficult about that?" Lan Qizhan was taken aback: "How many skilled craftsmen do you need? I'll grant them all!"

"Your Majesty!" Zong Ze said with a serious expression, "These so-called skilled craftsmen were my first suggestion! I imagine that our plan to build an air force will eventually become known to other countries. Once they make a move, our air force will soon become the air force of the entire continent!"

"Excellent!" Lan Qizhan was also excited at this moment, and he had complete trust in Zong Laomo, who could build his air force: "Since you brought it up, you must have some good suggestions! Tell me!"

"Hehe, it's not really a suggestion!" Zong Ze rubbed his nose: "First, strictly order everyone in the main hall today to keep the matter discussed in the main hall absolutely confidential, not even their wives and children are allowed to know! If it is leaked, their entire family will be executed!"

“That’s natural, but what do you mean by ‘exterminating nine generations’?” Lan Qizhan asked, puzzled.

"Oh, I have seen this punishment when I was reading ancient books. Although it is cruel, it is very useful in today's matter. The so-called punishment of exterminating nine generations means that if one person commits a capital crime, his nine generations of relatives will also be executed!"

“Although this punishment is brutal, it is very effective!” An old man in the court suddenly spoke up. Zong Ze knew this man; he was the chief judge in charge of the imperial penal code. Although he was a bit dull and not good at socializing, he was extremely upright. “However, how should we define the nine generations?”

"Judge Tongxing asked a good question!" Zong Ze nodded in approval. "The so-called nine clans are actually just a general term. In reality, it's not nine clans, but three: the father's clan, the mother's clan, and the wife's clan. The reason it's called nine clans is to prevent any oversights who might have connections with the criminals, besides these three clans!"

"Hiss!" Upon hearing Zong Ze's words, Lan Qizhan, Zong Xiaozhang, and the others couldn't help but shudder: "This little brat is too ruthless. It's one thing for one person to make a mistake and the whole family to suffer, but this guy is going to kill everyone!"

It should be noted that in the Rune Empire and even the Holy Word Continent, many nobles have territories, and some lecherous nobles even retain the right of first night in their territories. If their entire family is implicated, the entire territory may be wiped out.

"Isn't this... a bit too cruel!" Chief Judge Tong Xing frowned. "I'm afraid it will cause tension and panic among the nobles!"

"What's there to be nervous about!" Zong Ze said nonchalantly. "First of all, although this punishment of implicating nine generations of one's family is too cruel, it is only limited to the people in our hall, and only to the matter of building the Imperial Air Force. As long as you don't talk about it, I don't talk about it, and no one talks about it, this punishment is as good as non-existent!"

“I think General Zong is absolutely right!” Another minister stepped forward to show his support for Zong Ze. It was none other than the current Chancellor, Flort: “This punishment sounds very cruel, but it is very effective. Moreover, since it is limited to the empire’s development of an air force, it can effectively ensure that everyone keeps it a secret!”

“That’s right!” Old Freud also stepped forward: “I once heard Xiao Ze say something like, ‘In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary!’ Although we are not in times of chaos now, building an air force is indeed extremely important. What we fear is that if word gets out while we are building it, we may become the target of the entire continent!”

"Teacher is right!" Lan Qizhan pondered for a moment, then made up his mind and said, "I approve Zongze's first suggestion. All matters concerning the Imperial Air Force shall be kept secret. Anyone who leaks information will have their entire family executed!"