Long Live Money in Anime Crossover

The old emperor's gaze seemed to make everyone realize something, and everyone listened quietly to what the old emperor was about to say.

Sure enough, the old emperor spoke again, and this time, his voice was much louder and more powerful, as if he had become much younger.

“Throughout these years, I have constantly prayed to my ancestors and sages for forgiveness for my sins. Even if they cannot forgive me, at least give me a chance to atone. It is alright for me to suffer alone, but the Chinese Empire has hundreds of millions of children who need my guidance.”

"At least let me come up with a way to properly handle the current situation. After that, I'll accept being sent straight to the underworld."

"However, from beginning to end, my health deteriorated day by day, and no matter how hard the imperial physicians and technicians tried, they never achieved any results."

"In the end, I still believed it was a curse, a curse that could not be eliminated at all. I thought I was going to die like this, and the Chinese Empire would fall into chaos with my death. I even had the idea of ​​abdicating the throne to the emperor, so that even if I died, I could not cause any more trouble for China because of my death."

At this point, the old emperor's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he said, "But then one day, a young man told me that I was wrong. My mistake was not that I was guilty, but that I was blind."

When the old emperor's tone changed, everyone knew that a turning point was coming, but what was this turning point, and what exactly happened to the old emperor?

Who is this young man that the old emperor is talking about?

Author's Note:

PS: Thank you Charlotte for the 1500 points donation from Akira, Fengyuchen-Xiejun and Hunximengpo Gigantic for the 100 points donation each, and Binghe Shangde Guhun, QWQW and Tiantangji for the monthly ticket each.

PS2: I'll post two chapters today, and I'll make up for the missing one tomorrow. Tomorrow will be four chapters. Sorry.

093 Don't say you weren't warned.

Isn't that the young man who is now rising to fame in the Chinese Empire and whose name has become known to the whole world in an instant?

A brilliant strategist, Mo Lang of Luoyang.

This talented scholar single-handedly turned Luoyang upside down, uncovered the conspiracy of the powerful eunuchs to rebel, and ensured the safety of the emperor through his decisive action.

Many people now regard the appearance of the Qilin Talent as a blessing for the Chinese Empire. After all, the Qilin represents auspiciousness in China. Does the title of Qilin Talent also mean that this Luoyang Mo Lang is an auspicious omen for China?

Now, upon hearing the old emperor mention young people, almost everyone who knew Mo Mo subconsciously uttered the words "Qilin Talent."

However, what the emperor just said—that this young man said the emperor was blind—is an insult to the emperor. Isn't the Qilin Talent a loyal and patriotic young man?

At this point, the emperor's eyes remained serious, but a smile appeared on his lips.

“A young man who is not even twenty years old actually said that I was blind, and what happened afterward left me with no way to refute him, because what he said... was right.”

The Emperor's words startled everyone whose thoughts were racing, and their minds went blank.

The words of the brilliant strategist... are true?

If the emperor himself admits that he has no eyes, it means that he also admits that he has misjudged something. So what did the emperor misjudge?

The names of those seven dead men, whose ashes would be spurned by countless Chinese people, surfaced in everyone's minds.

The Great Eunuch!

Could it be... those powerful eunuchs?

Indeed, the seven powerful eunuchs who were favored by the emperor and entrusted with managing state affairs were a result of the emperor's poor judgment in choosing their advisors. After all, these seven did not know how to be grateful for the emperor's favor and even rebelled...

and many more!

At this moment, as everyone looked at the pain and memories on the emperor's face, an idea came to everyone's mind.

Perhaps... when the emperor said he had misjudged the situation, he wasn't referring to the powerful eunuchs' rebellion, or even just that...

The powerful eunuchs...did other things too!

Everyone looked once again at the emperor's hunched and emaciated body, and anger and shock welled up in their hearts.

In an instant, everyone seemed to understand: if the chief eunuch dared to do something as treacherous as plotting a rebellion and killing the emperor, what else wouldn't he dare to do?

If they dared to rebel and attack the emperor not long ago, why didn't they dare to do it earlier, such as ten or twenty years ago?

Perhaps at that time they were still too timid to actually harm the emperor. Perhaps they could have used some underhanded methods to influence the emperor, such as using some magical medicine to make the emperor seem to have contracted a strange illness and gradually weaken.

There is only one emperor, and the emperor has no children. If the emperor really falls ill, he can only rely on the powerful eunuchs.

Therefore, as long as the emperor fell ill, the powerful eunuchs could seize power; and as long as the emperor remained ill, the power in their hands would only grow. Having tasted the sweetness of power, wouldn't these powerful eunuchs become increasingly audacious and ruthless, eventually even going so far as to deliberately keep the emperor ill indefinitely?

What's impossible?

It must be said that the people have a rich imagination; they have already sketched out the complete course of events in their minds.

Unfortunately, the old emperor was telling the story of the mysterious Britannian woman who had once captivated him and whom he had pursued. At that time, the emperor was blinded by her and fell under her Geass curse, which resulted in his current state.

The emperor should not lie, so the old emperor never intended to lie from the beginning. All he thought about was that woman, and all he talked about was that woman.

As for what the common people think, the emperor is not a god and naturally cannot control it.

As for whether the emperor deliberately guided the people... only he himself knows the answer. However, as long as the emperor doesn't admit it, no one can prove that he is intentionally distorting the people's thoughts.

"You all probably know this young man; he's my daughter's tutor, the genius Qilin. He's right. I was indeed blind back then and mistook him for someone else. Because of that, I was cursed, an inescapable curse, and gradually became the person I am today."

"Therefore, although the evil deeds committed by the Grand Eunuch during his rule over the years were actually my fault, I cannot shirk my responsibility. As for the specifics, since he is already dead, it's better not to talk about them."

Hearing the emperor's hesitant tone, almost everyone became more certain of their own ideas.

The powerful eunuchs were those who plotted against the emperor when he was young, gradually robbing him of his health, causing him to become the emperor he is today. They also continued to usurp the emperor's power, and not long ago they even went so far as to stage a mad rebellion.

It's all the fault of the powerful eunuchs!

Everyone had already accepted this, even though from beginning to end the emperor was referring to a woman, and the two were simply not on the same page.

However, the facts of many things are not important; what matters is what people are willing to believe.

The Chinese people still want to believe that the emperor is benevolent and can lead them to a good life. The guilty, greedy, and deserving of death are always the officials around the emperor who outwardly obey but inwardly defy him, using the emperor's power to seek personal gain instead of working for the benefit of the people.

After all, as long as the emperor is benevolent and righteous, there is still hope for the future of the entire country, every individual in the country, and all people.

However, even though they had figured things out, a question arose in everyone's mind: why did those eunuchs have such audacity to do these things?

Simply attributing it to greed and avarice is not enough. After all, without the emperor, the eunuchs are nothing. How dare these eunuchs rebel and become emperor themselves? Are they men or women?

He's not even a man or a woman, so what kind of emperor is he?

The emperor's next words seemed to provide the answer for everyone.

"The matter is now over. At the same time, thanks to the help of the Qilin Talent, my body is gradually recovering. Although it is impossible to regain the strength of my youth, it is still possible for me to remain in this position of emperor for ten years and watch my daughter Lihua grow up."

A kind smile appeared on the emperor's lips. At this moment, the emperor seemed to be no longer far away from everyone, and he seemed to be no different from the old people playing with their grandchildren in the streets and alleys.

"Therefore, I hereby proclaim this to the world."

“I will not dwell on the past. The rebellion was the business of the Grand Eunuchs themselves and has nothing to do with anyone else. I will not use this as an excuse to hold anyone accountable. I will not, my daughter Lihua will not, and my Jiang family will never.”

At this point, the old emperor's tone gradually became serious, and he said, "As the emperor, I hereby order the garrisons in various regions not to act rashly. Local officials should each guard their respective territories and strive for the well-being of the local people, not to reignite the flames of war. What China needs now is stability and development. The people need a better life, not to endure the pressures of war any longer!"

"Once China is stable, local officials will be rewarded accordingly. I guarantee, in the name of the Chinese Emperor, that I will keep my word."

"However," the Emperor's eyes seemed to reach their sternest point, "if anyone disobeys the Emperor's orders and arbitrarily mobilizes troops to start a war, local officials in various regions can take the initiative to attack them. And any traitors who intend to disrupt the peace of China will surely be defeated by my Imperial Guards."

"I hope that those with ulterior motives will not take chances. It's not too late to pull back from the brink. Otherwise, if it really causes turmoil in China, don't blame the law for being merciless!"

The emperor's eyes seemed so sharp they could pierce through steel.

"Don't say you weren't warned!"

His voice, though weak and aged, carried an unparalleled declaration. Only then did everyone realize that the Emperor's speech at the royal press was, after all, a manifesto, and nothing more.

This manifesto is clearly a direct response to the manifesto issued yesterday by General Cao.

Moreover, the Emperor's speech today was incredibly informative. It made everyone understand that the direct cause of the Emperor's current weakness and the decline of the Chinese Federation in recent years is those seven powerful eunuchs.

In addition, although the emperor did not say it explicitly, people felt that those seven powerful eunuchs had powerful backers; otherwise, the emperor would not have said anything about forgiving past transgressions.

So, who were the powerful eunuchs' patrons?

Naturally, they are people with ulterior motives.

But who is the one with ulterior motives?

Need I say more...

They have begun to gather troops, and have even raised the pretext of "purging the emperor's inner circle," claiming that the old emperor has been held hostage by the chief eunuch and the brilliant strategist.

Does the old emperor look like he's been taken hostage?

The Grand Eunuch's rebellion failed, and he was wiped out by the combined forces of the Qilin Talent and Gao Hai. Unwilling to accept defeat, the mastermind behind the plot finally emerged, tearing off his mask and revealing his true colors, ready to fight to the death.

Even if it means using guns and running, they will achieve their goal.

Now that things have come to this, it goes without saying who they are; everyone has seen it for themselves.

So that's how it is...?

It turns out that the emperor has been tormented by some kind of curse for more than 20 years, and all of this was secretly orchestrated by someone behind the scenes. These people have ulterior motives, coveting the emperor's position and power. After plotting for so many years, are they finally going to make their move today?

"Purge the court of corrupt officials... What a fine way to say it!"

This is not purging the court of corrupt officials; this is treason!

094 A small appetizer

The emperor's speech did not last long and ended quickly. However, this speech directly stirred up a huge wave in the Chinese Empire and even the whole world!

The people now understand that the emperor's neglect of state affairs over the years was not of his own volition, but rather a result of having no other choice. Moreover, the emperor had entrusted state affairs to the powerful eunuchs, but instead of repaying the emperor's trust, the eunuchs joined forces to usurp his power and exploit the people.

Moreover, although the emperor did not reveal the truth, many people began to speculate based on his words whether there was really a mastermind behind all of this.

Conspiracy theories began to take shape in people's minds, and people instinctively connected everything that had happened since the curse on the emperor to the present.

Conspiracy theories are not unique to Easterners; rather, they can be seen as a flaw in human cognitive habits.

Humans are always accustomed to expressing and understanding the unknown using known methods. Just as humans always express newly discovered scientific principles with formulas, describe newly discovered substances with symbols, and classify and categorize newly discovered species according to existing methods.

In essence, all of this is the human method of understanding the unknown: using the known to break down the unknown, and thus to comprehend it.

The popularity of conspiracy theories ultimately stems from their ability to connect a series of seemingly unrelated and incomprehensible events into a dramatic and easily explainable narrative, thus facilitating understanding.

A conspiracy theory that can transform unknown events and dynamics into known stories, coupled with the fact that conspiracy theories themselves are unfalsifiable, makes the prevalence of conspiracy theories easy to understand, as long as there are no other reasonable explanations for the events.

The emperor said nothing, but almost everyone had a reasonable explanation in their hearts.

This is the story of a group of treacherous officials who have been plotting for many years to seize the throne.

Of course, there are also discerning people, such as politicians, who easily saw through the not-so-sophisticated tactics: emotional manipulation, fabricating charges, evasive statements, and framing others to undermine the legitimacy of the local army's war and seize the moral high ground in public opinion.

Many people believe that, given enough resources, it wouldn't be complicated for them to concoct such a scheme to control public opinion.