Chapter 140 - Rank 10 Revealed, Confident In The Top Three, Aiming For Rank 1
[National Power Ranking – Rank 10]
[Southern Song Dynasty]
[Territory: Three Stars]
[Population: Four Stars]
[Military: Three Stars]
[Expert: Three Stars]
[Economy: Four Stars]
[Public Sentiment: Three Stars]
[Overall National Index: Three Stars]
[Reward: Ten years added to the Emperor's lifespan, five million taels of silver, five million bushels of grain, ten thousand fine horses]
What?
The Southern Song Dynasty, of all nations, actually made it into the top ten?
Is this a joke?
Countless people across Nine Provinces looked on in disbelief.
The Southern Song Dynasty was nearly annihilated by the Yuan Dynasty.
They had lost nearly half of their territory, and yet they still made the ranking?
If even the Southern Song Dynasty could make the ranking, didn't that mean their own nations had a chance too?
Especially the nations from the grasslands.
They were beaming with joy.
The Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom in particular were brimming with confidence.
In their eyes, the Southern Song Dynasty was as weak as a lamb on the prairie.
Easily slaughtered.
If even they could rank, then surely these stronger nations would too.
==========
Southern Song Imperial Palace.
"Hahaha, I am young again! I really feel younger, hahaha..."
Emperor Zhao Gou felt a surge of energy and quickly grabbed a mirror.
Upon seeing that his reflection clearly looked several years younger, he became overwhelmed with joy and burst into laughter.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on receiving the Heaven Dao Reward and gaining ten more years of life!"
Qin Hui offered his congratulations with a smile, though inside he was filled with envy.
He wished nothing more than to take the Emperor's place.
How unfair of the heavens.
How could such a useless Emperor receive a Heaven Dao Reward?
"Reporting to Your Majesty, large quantities of silver, grain, and fine horses have suddenly appeared outside the palace!"
A eunuch came in with the news.
Zhao Gou came to his senses and rushed outside.
Upon seeing the mountains of silver, the strong, tall horses, and the endless supplies of grain, he became ecstatic.
These would surely help relieve the current crisis.
"Men, move everything into my personal treasury!"
"Your Majesty, the frontlines are in urgent need. Should we send this silver, grain, and horses to support the war effort?"
A minister quickly stepped forward with the suggestion.
Zhao Gou's face immediately darkened.
He had just received these treasures and now they wanted him to give them away? No chance.
"We shall discuss this matter later!"
He turned and quickly retreated into the hall.
The minister wanted to speak again, but the Emperor was already gone.
Shaking his head in disappointment, the minister sighed.
The borders were on the brink of being overrun by the Yuan Dynasty.
The dynasty was about to fall, and the Emperor still clung to these worldly possessions?
Were silver and gold more important than the throne?
This Emperor was simply too short-sighted.
With a huff, the minister stormed off, determined to resign.
He refused to be a minister of a fallen nation.
==========
Yuan Imperial Tent.
Temujin looked at the ranking in the sky, unable to believe it.
The Southern Song Dynasty, which he was just about to conquer, had made it into the top ten?
Was the ranking giving them too much credit?
If the Southern Song Dynasty could rank, then surely the Yuan Dynasty would rank even higher.
With the strength of his armies, they should at least be in the top three.
He was not afraid of even the Qin Dynasty cavalry.
As for the Ming Army?
He sneered.
Aside from Zhu Houzhao's unmatched personal strength, Temujin did not regard the Ming Dynasty military seriously at all.
And when he saw that Heaven Dao had rewarded that child Zhao Gou with ten extra years of life, his eyes nearly turned green with envy.
If Yuan Dynasty ranked, wouldn't he receive even more?
Even Temujin himself could not help trembling with excitement.
==========
Northern Grasslands.
Liao Kingdom Royal Palace.
King Yelu Hongji looked at the Southern Song Dynasty on the ranking with a look of disdain.
It seemed the Liao Kingdom's opportunity had arrived.
If the frail and pitiful Southern Song Dynasty could take Rank 10, then surely the Liao Kingdom would rank even higher.
"Qiao Feng, where do you think the Liao Kingdom will rank on the national ranking?"
"This... Your Majesty, I truly do not know."
Qiao Feng hesitated.
It was clear that national ranking was based on more than just military strength.
Territory, number of cultivators, and public sentiment were all taken into account.
The Southern Song Dynasty may have had a weak army, but they clearly outclassed the Liao Kingdom in other areas.
There was no guarantee that the Liao Kingdom would make the ranking.
But Qiao Feng could not say that aloud.
If he did, knowing the king's temper, a massacre would surely follow.
"Qiao Feng, you are still too cautious. My Liao Kingdom will definitely be in the top three."
"In all of Nine Provinces, only Temujin's cavalry could rival us."
"If Temujin can destroy the Southern Song Dynasty, then my Liao Kingdom can surely eliminate the Northern Song Dynasty as well."
"The audacity of the Jin Kingdom to challenge us... they must be seeking death!"
"Once I wipe out the remnants of Queen Dowager Xiao, I will not only crush the Northern Song Dynasty but also destroy the insolent Jin Kingdom!"
Yelu Hongji spoke with fury.
Originally, all power in the Liao Kingdom was in the hands of Queen Dowager Xiao.
Unfortunately, when the Phoenix Nest emerged, she left with several cultivators of the Land Immortal Realm to investigate.
In the end, she died at the hands of Zhu Houzhao, who was guarding the Empress.
This gave Yelu Hongji the opportunity he needed.
With Queen Dowager Xiao not returning, he moved swiftly to purge all of her forces.
And with that, full control of the Liao Kingdom fell into his hands.
Because of internal matters, he had missed the perfect chance to attack the Northern Song Dynasty.
The Jin Kingdom took advantage and reaped the benefits.
However, the Liao King would never allow the Jin Kingdom to enjoy those spoils alone.
The Northern Song Dynasty would now have to face not only the ravenous Jin wolf but also the ferocious Liao tiger.
Hearing all this, Qiao Feng was full of worry.
He wanted to return to the Northern Song Dynasty immediately to warn the court and prepare for the threat.
==========
Qing Imperial Palace.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"
"Heshen, you're here. Tell me, do you think my Qing Dynasty will make the ranking?"
"How high can we place?"
Qing Emperor Hongli's face lit up upon seeing his favored minister.
He could hardly wait to hear the flattering words he longed for.
Heshen never disappointed.
With one sentence, he made Hongli beam with joy, as if the Qing Dynasty had already been ranked.
"Your servant congratulates Your Majesty!"
"Oh? And why should I be congratulated?"
"Your Majesty, I believe the Qing Dynasty can easily place in the top three."
"Even the number one spot is not out of reach."
"Hahaha, Heshen, it seems you truly understand the strength of our Qing Dynasty!"
"Indeed, we may very well claim Rank 1!"
"Then I must congratulate Your Majesty even more. If the Qing Dynasty takes Rank 1, the Heaven Dao may reward you with the Elixir of Immortality. From then on, you shall live forever."
"Qing Dynasty will also unify all of Nine Provinces."
"Qin Dynasty and Ming Dynasty will never be a match for us."
"They will merely be stepping stones on Your Majesty's path to becoming the Nine Provinces Emperor."
"Heshen, you always understand me so well!"
"I truly did not misjudge you!"
The two of them, one daring to flatter and the other eager to believe it, exchanged glances and laughed together.
Their laughter carried a strange and ironic undertone.
However, what happened next instantly froze the smiles on their faces.
The two of them looked like nothing more than a pair of ridiculous clowns.
Not long after, the ranking in the sky refreshed again.
[National Power Ranking – Rank 9]