Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 951 911: This Is a Ruthless Man

Lin Yi's anticipation to witness the reactions of these individuals upon discovering the truth was palpable.

He mused about whether their current exuberant smiles would contort into frowns if the true nature of the object were revealed.

Would they continue to shower him with praise, proclaiming his everlasting achievements?

Truth be told, Lin Yi possessed a rather peculiar sense of humor, a touch of mischief, and a perverse delight in the impending downfall that awaited them once the truth surfaced.

Despite this, he allowed their fawning accolades to wash over him, showing no inclination to halt their flattery.

Instead, he adopted an air of profound enjoyment, which only emboldened his sycophantic audience.

They mistook his pleasure for an appreciation of their words.

Internally, they began to liken Lin Yi to the former King You, a monarch who supposedly relished such adulation.

Such rulers, in their estimation, often lacked genuine capability, relying on the effusive praise of their subjects even for the most minor of accomplishments.

This suited everyone present perfectly, as it meant their own positions of power were more secure.

These emperors, they reasoned, merely needed to dedicate a portion of their day to absorbing flattery, an activity quite separate from the real affairs of state, nor did it hold any connection to that King You.

Moreover, their ultimate goal was merely to retain their official posts; securing these would grant them access to all they desired, so why not play along?

Thus, Lin Yi absorbed their honeyed words from his elevated position with a beaming countenance, while those below grew ever more fervent in their attempts to please.

Yet, unbeknownst to Lin Yi, each individual harbored their own hidden agendas and clandestine ambitions.

Time flowed onward, and after allowing them to praise him for more than half an hour, Lin Yi finally raised a hand, signaling for an end to the eulogies. With a smile, he addressed the assembled group:

"Do you believe this item possesses any utility beyond the simple recording of my daily activities?"

This question, from Lin Yi's perspective, was a subtle probe, laced with a hint of underlying mockery.

He was convinced that the esteemed elders must have pondered its most significant application.

However, posing the question now was a test to discern if they would offer an unvarnished truth, or indeed, if they were capable of providing any genuine response at all.

Lin Yi remained uncertain, his curiosity piqued.

He was genuinely intrigued by the potential words they might utter, or if they would, like the fable of the emperor's new clothes, claim everything was fine when it clearly was not.

Upon hearing Lin Yi's query, the assembled elders faltered, their previously beaming visages freezing for a fleeting moment.

Fortunately, the Right Chancellor possessed a swift wit.

Amidst the collective pause, he was the first to break into laughter and declared:

"Your Majesty, this article, crafted from exquisite materials, offers a most pleasing tactile sensation. Aside from chronicling Your Majesty's schedule, it would serve admirably as a canvas for artistic endeavors."

His pronouncement instantly sparked the imagination of the others, and their minds began to race as they readily concurred.

"Indeed, the Right Chancellor speaks wisely. This object appears exceptionally light, delicate, yet durable, and the surface is remarkably smooth for inscription. It truly is ideal for painting."

"Precisely! Should this material be employed for the creation of portraits honoring Your Majesty, the result would be nothing short of perfect."

"Absolutely. Once painted and elegantly framed, its display in the grand hall would be an unparalleled representation of splendor."

"Indeed, without a doubt. Beyond Your Majesty, for the Empress and the esteemed consorts, commissioning portraits upon this medium would confer immense prestige; this object, a royal tribute, is cherished by all."

"Cherished, yes, and more than that, it is a symbol of elevated status."

"Exactly, precisely. Lord Lu articulates it best. For both portraiture and the meticulous recording of Your Majesty's daily routines, its excellence is undeniable. In perpetuity, this shall stand as a testament to status and imperial authority."

"Hahaha, any individual fortunate enough to receive a portrait from Your Majesty would be bestowed with unimaginable honor."

"Oh, indeed. If I were to receive such a gift from Your Majesty, even a single sheet, I daresay I would awaken laughing from my dreams."

"Pray tell, Lord Wang, what are you suggesting? What do you mean by awakening laughing from a dream? Should such a boon be bestowed upon me by Your Majesty, I would gladly forsake my position and retire to my homestead."

At these words, a ripple of astonishment spread through the assembly.

All eyes turned to the speaker, and inwardly, each man offered their silent admiration for his audacity.

Good heavens, that individual had truly taken a bold step, invoking retirement with a single utterance.

While they all recognized it was likely spoken in jest and the Emperor would not take it seriously, anyone who dared to voice such sentiments was, in their eyes, a true paragon of courage, deserving of accolades.

At the very least, they themselves lacked the nerve to utter such words.

After all, none were eager to gamble with their hard-earned official positions.

It was worth noting that the speaker was an Assistant Minister within the Ministry of Revenue.

The underlying reason for his audacious declaration was not a lack of desire for his current post.It was merely an attempt to capture attention. They had previously observed that the new Emperor found pleasure in the company of sycophants. Voicing a distinctive opinion was bound to attract the Emperor's notice, and potentially, bring him genuine delight. This tactic might even elevate their own standing. A calculated risk was undertaken, with a firm conviction that the assessment was accurate, believing Lin Yi resembled Chen Shiren in the past. The conviction was strong: after such effusive words, the fellow would surely be overjoyed. As all gazes shifted towards him, this individual even offered a smirk tinged with haughtiness, then cast a look toward King You seated above, as if anticipating Lin Yi's commendation. And just as predicted, upon concluding his speech and directing his gaze at Lin Yi, Lin Yi finally broke his silence. [To be continued...] ps: Brothers, would anyone care to leave a comment...