Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1737 - 709: Qiu Tu: My Will Is the Law

The potency of fear is boundless when the consequences remain unknown.

However, an absolute absence of established rules can lead this unchecked authority to utterly crush those beneath it.

Qiu Tu shed light on his reasons for the executions, instantly establishing a clear demarcation for all the remaining leaders present:

Qiu Tu had eliminated those whose allegiance was divided, those plotting his downfall.

Therefore, so long as they maintained their fidelity to Qiu Tu and abstained from betrayal, their lives would not be arbitrarily forfeit.

With this realization dawning, the loyalty of the leaders, which had plummeted due to their fear of Qiu Tu, began to ascend.

Yet, this was not the end of Qiu Tu's magnanimity. His demeanor softened, and he casually announced, "I may have instilled some fear in you all earlier. To compensate, their territories shall be distributed amongst you."

"You may deliberate amongst yourselves on the division and then submit your proposals to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

If Qiu Tu had previously merely appeased the anxieties of the surviving leaders, he was now actively winning their devotion.

At that precise moment, a spark ignited within all the surviving leaders.

With barely sixty to seventy leaders present at the banquet, a fifth of their number had been summarily executed. This presented a substantial opportunity for gain. Everyone would receive a share, allowing them all to "feast" sumptuously.

Earlier, they had heard whispers of Qiu Tu's benevolent treatment of his subordinates, and now, having just pledged their allegiance, he demonstrated such extraordinary generosity. His reputation was indeed well-earned.

Consequently, Qiu Tu once again observed a gratifying surge in the loyalty increase notifications appearing before him.

'Truly... regardless of the world or the era, the tactic of wielding both the whip and the carrot remains the universal method of a sovereign.'

Musing on this, Qiu Tu surveyed everyone in attendance before calmly issuing the command, "Serve the dishes."

With the remnants of more than a dozen top factions forming the main course, the banquet proceeded without a hitch.

Perhaps due to their newly forged common interests, as the meal progressed, the camaraderie amongst everyone deepened significantly.

Even amidst the ongoing banquet, leaders, grouping according to their established circles, were already engaged in discussions regarding the distribution of spoils from the eliminated factions.

Such an atmosphere was virtually nonexistent during the era of the four Divine Kings.

In this manner, punctuated by the clinking of celebratory glasses, time gradually flowed onward.

Qiu Tu remained at the banquet for a full two hours, until 10 p.m., bestowing upon everyone the respect they were due before slowly rising to depart.

As he made his exit, all present set down their chopsticks and glasses, stood, and bowed in solemn farewell.

Within the span of a single meal, Qiu Tu perceived a notable enhancement in his Divine King's domain of "Politics."

The political "chessboard" within his consciousness appeared to undergo subtle alterations as well.

However, no sooner had he stepped beyond the confines of the banquet hall, and before he could even survey his surroundings, Doris emerged from the moonlit night and followed closely behind.....

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Even during the banquet, these leaders, realigning with their established factions, commenced discussions on how to partition the assets of the recently vanquished forces.

This collaborative spirit was entirely absent in the epoch of the four Divine Kings.

Thus, amidst the resonant clinking of glasses, moments slowly unfurled.

Qiu Tu graced the banquet with his presence for a comprehensive two hours, concluding at 10 p.m., thereby affording each attendee due deference before gracefully rising to leave.

Upon his departure, all eyes were fixed on him as they set down their cutlery and goblets, rose to their feet, and bowed in unison to bid him adieu.

In the brief duration of this single meal, Qiu Tu sensed a significant advancement within his Divine King's "Politics" acumen.

The intricate political "tapestry" unfolding in his mind seemed to undergo a discernible transformation.

Yet, as he exited the grand hall, prior to any opportunity for observation, Doris appeared, bathed in moonlight, and trailed in his wake..