NOVEL WEB Chapter 31
Chapter 31: Once the Red-Eye Special Effect is Activated, the Whole Family is Ignored
The Beast Lion, who had been kneeling outside, also heard Qin Bei’s words.
He was still puzzled about when he had ever communicated with Qin Bei that he was willing to pay ten times the price to buy it?
But he quickly realized what was going on.
Qin Bei was clearly saying this for his ears only.
“I know you really want this map. I can give it to you, but you need to pay ten times the price.”
Isn’t this a forced sale?
The problem was, he really didn’t want to buy it, but after failing to snatch it, he couldn’t just give up. Besides, the sect could still accept a tenfold price.
So… he found himself successfully blackmailed by Qin Bei.
…
“This Red Blood Heart is very effective, so I won’t be showing you how I emerged from my bath; you can just imagine it yourself.”
Qin Bei set down the jade slip, and with that, the image vanished.
“The Red Blood Fruit is fine, the map is fine, and the sword talisman I purchased is not only at market price, but it’s also a means of self-preservation. None of these are extravagant! So there’s only one result: the Heavenly Silkworm Sleeve! This is indeed where I went overboard, so I admit my fault.”
“Father, I am at fault, but I believe many ministers have Heavenly Silkworm Sleeves at home, so I hope you will give me a task to rectify this extravagant trend and atone for my mistakes!”
Well, now everyone finally understood why it felt ominous.
Turns out they were waiting for this moment!
“So how do you plan to rectify it?”
“It’s simple. Let me take the lead and reclaim all the Heavenly Silkworm Sleeves. The Minister of Revenue said it well: ordinary people in the borders of Great Xia have a tough life and need the money. Those ministers who erred will use a decade’s worth of salaries to help the border folks. This will serve as a punishment for extravagance.”
“This…”
The ministers around were speechless.
How did admitting your mistake drag us into this?
Besides, no one even intended to punish you; you’re clearly punishing yourself!
Why pull us along?
“Your Majesty, I believe…”
The Minister of Revenue panicked, wanting to salvage the situation. If this really happened, he, who had reported Qin Bei the most, would be the target of future resentment.
“Alright! Prince Bei is right, but there’s no need to reclaim the Heavenly Silkworm Sleeves to avoid embarrassing the Great Xia court.”
“As for the officials who own Heavenly Silkworm Sleeves, they will be fined for twenty years.”
Emperor Xia made the decision without hesitation.
Gasp!
All the ministers were frozen in shock.
Is this matter really settled?
Is Emperor Xia being too hasty?
We genuinely didn’t intend to punish Prince Bei; we merely wanted him to reflect!
In this situation, some ministers began to suspect that Qin Bei and Emperor Xia were in cahoots.
Just to give them a wake-up call.
Twenty years’ worth of salary wasn’t too much or too little, but it was obviously a severe warning from Emperor Xia.
“Father! You fined the ministers, you fined your son, and there are still many of my brothers, sisters, and especially your favorite, Princess Ling’er. I’ve heard she’s quite extravagant! She needs heavy penalties!”
Gasp!
The entire hall fell silent again.
Everyone looked at Qin Bei in terror.
They all wanted to ask, how dare you?
Even Emperor Xia was momentarily taken aback.
“Yes! My son is right; they should also be penalized, just like you, and they will no longer partake in the royal family’s distribution!”
At this point, if Emperor Xia didn’t impose penalties, it would raise eyebrows.
“Father!”
“Don’t say another word!”
Qin Bei attempted to speak, but Emperor Xia cut him off directly.
“Father! I want to mention your concubines, many of whom also possess Heavenly Silkworm Sleeves, including my mother! They should all be penalized!”
Emperor Xia: …
Well, now that’s something.
Many ministers didn’t even dare to glance at Qin Bei, let alone speak.
They feared that even a single glance might lead Emperor Xia to resent them, branding them accomplices.
Silence engulfed the place.
Everyone merely dared to think in their hearts.
What audacity! This Prince Bei has gone completely bloodthirsty, utterly ignoring familial ties!
The officials who just a moment ago hated Qin Bei felt no hatred now.
They only loathed the Minister of Revenue.
What possessed you to meddle in such trivial matters? You’ve tangled with this calamity!
Now look what’s happened, he’s on a rampage! Even the majestic Emperor Xia can’t contain him!
“Punishment! It’s due! My harem’s allocations will be halved. Is this satisfactory to you, my son?”
Emperor Xia finally grasped Qin Bei’s intention.
This wasn’t about admitting a fault; he was clearly throwing a tantrum.
Yet, he also recognized the reason behind Qin Bei’s actions.
Firstly, this could indeed help him correct the increasingly severe trend of extravagance.
Secondly, it served as a warning to the ministers present: don’t mess with me, or I won’t hesitate to eliminate you without a second thought!
Arrogance! The only word Emperor Xia could conjure to describe him.
“Father, satisfaction is irrelevant. You speak as if I intend to punish them. Everything stated is in accordance with your wishes; you just need to decide.”
Qin Bei said innocently, throwing the accusation at his father like a lightning bolt.
Of course, the allocation of harem personnel couldn’t simply be canceled like those of princes and princesses.
They lacked the resources to go out and find their own, whereas the harem personnel rarely left the palace and thus depended on the royal family for support.
Halving their allocation was surely the harshest punishment.
“Alright! It’s settled. My son, you may withdraw now.”
“Yes.”
Qin Bei looked at the ministers around him, who dared not utter a sound, feeling proud within.
A bunch of good-for-nothings! I’m spending my own money, and I’ll spend it however I wish! Let’s see if you dare interfere again in the future!
“Let the folks from the Beast Taming Sect come in!”
Emperor Xia rubbed his temples as he spoke.
Punishment was easy, but how would he deal with those women in the harem?
Qin Bei had truly posed him a dilemma.
However, he didn’t intend to blame Qin Bei; rather, he was almost inclined to commend him.
The distribution of spirit stones was meant for the royal family to cultivate, whether to directly absorb the spirit energy within or purchase cultivation resources. Even if it cost millions, Emperor Xia wouldn’t bat an eye.
But some concubines had squandered millions of spirit stones just to buy a piece of jewelry. He had been meaning to rectify this extravagant lifestyle for a while but lacked an excuse.
Qin Bei had also solved a problem for him.
…
“The Beast Taming Sect’s Beast Lion pays homage to Your Majesty!”
The summoned Beast Lion could finally kneel in the hall.
“Your Majesty…”
The Beast Lion was about to explain that the competition between Beast Ming and Qin Bei was merely a friendly rivalry among juniors, but Emperor Xia interrupted him.
“Enough; you don’t need to say more. Prince Bei has informed me of everything.”
“Your Majesty! The Beast Taming Sect is undisciplined. I ask for your punishment.”
“You’re being too harsh. Conflicts among youngsters are inevitable, but I cannot tolerate a life-or-death battle. Therefore, I’ll punish you by increasing the annual tribute from the Beast Taming Sect from 200,000 monster beasts to 500,000!”
Originally, he intended to give the Beast Taming Sect just a little warning, but with Qin Bei pulling this stunt, Emperor Xia had entirely lost his patience.
“Yes!”
The Beast Lion had prepared for this before arriving but hadn’t expected Emperor Xia to have such lofty demands.
It was more than double the original tribute!
The surrounding ministers watched the scene in bewilderment, utterly confused about what had just occurred.
However, the Beast Taming Sect could accept this punishment; it must mean the situation was quite serious.
“I am tired today, so I will adjourn the court!”
With that, Emperor Xia vanished without a trace.
“Farewell, Your Majesty!”
The ministers looked at each other, and finally turned back to gaze at Qin Bei.
However, none dared approach him.
They were genuinely afraid of provoking this calamity again; even the Minister of Revenue merely shot a disgruntled glance at Qin Bei before exiting.
In contrast, the Beast Lion walked towards Qin Bei.