One Piece: Kaido the Beast Playing House.

Chapter 736: Flower Kingdom Palace

"How is it? How is it?"

Inside the royal palace in the capital of the Kingdom of Flowers, King Ramen was anxiously questioning his ministers. He was a man who did have some abilities, but was definitely not up to the level of being the ruler of a country. If his eldest brother had not died of illness, he would never have been the king. However, such a big thing happened just a few days after he ascended the throne.

"Your Highness, the situation is still a little unclear. Six of the Eight Treasures Navy are clearly on our side. Only the Second Treasure Navy and the Eight Treasures Navy are a little wavering. But please rest assured, Your Highness. Even if these two navies really join the villain, victory will definitely be ours."

In response to Ramen's question, the courtiers in the hall looked at each other, and finally an old minister with a white beard came out and spoke.

"My dear ministers, it's not that I don't trust you, but this thief who came from nowhere actually claimed to be the son of the remnant of the previous dynasty. Now people are in panic, and the Ministry of Industry is unable to produce weapons for a while because of the previous turmoil. What should we do if this continues?"

Ramen also knew that they still had the advantage in numbers, but sometimes things weren't calculated that way. Although he was not a qualified emperor, he was also very clear that his family's ascension to the throne was not glorious. It could be said that they had stolen the country in reality. It was the World Government that secretly pushed them to the throne. Without the help of the World Government, they would never have been able to come to the throne. So after they came to power, they wiped out the royal family of the previous dynasty and their cronies. Even among the people, anyone who mentioned the previous dynasty would be sentenced to death.

However, although these methods helped them to temporarily secure their throne, they also indirectly caused them to be unpopular. This is why the Eight Treasures Navy was established like pirates, or in other words, pirates, because they did not come to power normally and did not have sufficient foundation, so they could only win over these soldiers as much as possible and give them great power. Moreover, except for a small part of the property they plundered at sea which was given to the court, they were allowed to keep all the rest for themselves. This also led to the fact that, in name, the Eight Treasures Navy belonged to the court of the Kingdom of Flowers, but in fact, they were completely military governors, and their power was terrifyingly great.

"Your Highness, don't worry. Although those bandits may appear powerful on the surface, they actually have no foundation at all. They only have a few dozen ships, no supplies, and no reinforcements. We can easily outlast them!"

At this time, another guy with a hairstyle very similar to Ramen, wearing a suit of iron armor, walked out from the team of courtiers and said that this person was Ramen’s cousin and the current leader of the King’s Army of the Kingdom of Flowers - Chaomen.

"Yes, Brother Chao Mian is right. It makes sense. Indeed, those traitors have no backup or supplies. All we have to do is hold them back!"

Upon hearing what Chao Mian said, Ramen was overjoyed. That's right! Those guys only have a few ships. If they hold on, they will starve to death in less than half a year. As long as they leave, the crisis will be solved, and then he can ask the World Government for help.

"I dare not. This is an idea that Your Highness has already had in mind. I am just helping to express it."

A gleam flashed in Chaomian's eyes, but he didn't show anything wrong on the surface. After bowing, he returned to the court. However, from the eyes of the people around him, he knew that his goal had been achieved. If the king's Ramen family could sit, then why couldn't Chaomian's family sit? As long as this matter was over, everyone would know that it was Chaomian's strategy that won this battle. By then, he would force the emperor to abdicate with great momentum, and the country would definitely fall into his hands!
"No, no, no, meritorious service deserves a reward, but I haven't decided what reward to give yet. Besides, it's not appropriate to give a reward when we are facing a powerful enemy. After the thieves retreat, I will definitely reward you. Then, you nobles, follow your brother's plan and continue to win over the Erbao and Babao navies. At the same time, strengthen the isolation strategy. Except for the Babao naval forces, no one is allowed to go to sea! Let those traitors starve to death at sea!"

Ramen said, trying his best to look confident of victory.

"Your Highness, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

At this time, an old minister came out and said.

"I love you, but it doesn't matter."

If Ramen has any merit, it is that he listens to advice. He knows himself well and knows that he is not a qualified leader, so he always respects what others say, especially those of the old ministers.

"That's right, Your Highness. Although General Chaomian's strategy is indeed very good, we cannot help but prevent the other party from taking desperate measures. In my opinion, we still cannot stop purchasing weapons from the underground world. We have too few weapons now, and the weapons in the Babao Navy will not be willing to support us, so we must be prepared."

After the old minister finished speaking, he looked at Ramen, hoping for an answer, but before Ramen could say anything, another minister got angry and walked out and said something.

"Your Highness, General Chaomian's strategy is enough for us to survive this crisis. The Ministry of Revenue no longer has enough Baileys. The reason why we tried to buy from the underground world several times before was fruitless is because those greedy guys are ready to blackmail us. If we continue to buy, I'm afraid people's livelihood will be unstable!" "Nonsense! Our Flower Country is vast and rich! There are mountains of gold and silver! Did your Ministry of Revenue take kickbacks?"

Before the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue finished speaking, the Minister in charge of the Ministry of War came out and shouted.

"Don't talk nonsense! All the officials in the Ministry of Revenue are honest and dedicated to their work. How can we allow you to slander us?"

When the Minister of Revenue heard what the head of the Ministry of War said, he immediately spoke angrily.

"I'm talking nonsense? Humph! Everyone knows that the officials in your Ministry of Revenue are all fat and bloated! Let's talk about it. As the Minister in charge, can you see your feet if you look down now? Your Highness, my Ministry of War is in charge of weapon manufacturing. It was indeed my Ministry of War's responsibility for what happened back then. But now the country is in crisis and soldiers cannot be without weapons. Your Highness, please put the country first and never stop purchasing weapons!"

The head of the Ministry of War made a few sarcastic remarks and turned to Ramen.

"Your Highness! Do not listen to what this reckless man says! The Ministry of Revenue really has no more money! If you don't believe me, Your Highness can go to the national treasury and take a look. The national treasury cannot take out a single cent except for the last bit of gold that was kept in the bottom of the box to prevent any problems. This year's annual salary is even a problem!"

The Minister of Finance also spoke to Ramen.

"Sour scholar! Who are you calling a reckless man?"

The head of the Ministry of War was a military man, and he had never been on good terms with other civil servants. What's more, he hated being called a reckless man with no courage or strategy, so he immediately pointed his anger at the head of the Ministry of Revenue.

"I'm talking about you! The money we used to purchase things in the underground world before was Heavenly Gold! Do you know what this money is used for? Do you still want to touch it? Now that there is a better solution, the Heavenly Gold must not be touched! Don't forget! The reason why we are in this situation now is because we didn't pay enough Heavenly Gold last year, and the World Government was dissatisfied with us, so there was no navy to help us. Do you still want to continue? Do you want to make the Flower Kingdom completely lose its position as a member of the World Government? Do you know how big a sin this is!"

After all, the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Revenue was a scholar, and was far inferior to the Minister in charge of the Ministry of War in terms of military power. However, as the saying goes, civil officials kill people with their mouths, and with just a few words he put a big hat on the Minister in charge of the Ministry of War, leaving the Minister in charge of the Ministry of War speechless when he pointed at him.

"you you you!"

"Alright! Stop arguing! This is the court! This is not the place for you to quarrel!"

Chao Mian came out and shouted at this time. After all, Chao Mian was a royal relative and also a person who held military power. After he said this, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War naturally could not say anything more.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, what the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of War say makes sense. How about we take both measures at the same time? We should continue to purchase in the underground world, but we should not make any move unless the price is right?"

Yamcha said to Ramen.

"This is a brilliant plan. Chao Mian is indeed my loyal minister. Let's do as General Chao Mian says. Let's adjourn the court."

After saying this, Ramen turned around and left. This court meeting really made him feel painful and happy. Although he had a solution to the current situation, the quarrel among these people really gave him a headache. He decided to go back to the harem and have a rest.

(End of this chapter)