Dong Yue thought he could win Chu Chen's trust just like that and immediately stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Esteemed Marshal, what are your thoughts?"
Chu Chen nodded, not answering Dong Yue directly, but instead addressed the others, "Are there any more who wish to pledge allegiance to my army? Step forward now, it's your last chance."
"If you step forward too late, it will count for nothing."
Hearing this, the ministers exchanged glances, trying to discern who belonged to which faction.
Two more ministers stepped forward, joining the surrender faction, while more than half of the ministers remained steadfast in their original convictions.
Chu Chen was filled with admiration. These unyielding ministers were the true pillars of a nation.
Although the surrender faction outwardly submitted to their Yun Yue Kingdom, they would readily submit to anyone else who arrived here.
These people were simply spineless, utterly untrustworthy.
"Esteemed sirs, I am pleased by your loyalty to me. However, you are, after all, ministers of Wei. To so rashly pledge your loyalty to me goes against the principles of ruler and subject. I believe I cannot accept you."
Upon hearing this, the Wei ministers who had pledged loyalty to Chu Chen were stunned.
Dong Yue's lips trembled as he said, "Esteemed sir, what do you mean? Are you abandoning us? Did you not intend to accept us just now?"
Chu Chen shook his head and sneered, "Even if I were to accept, I would accept those who are loyal to their king and country, not those who are opportunistic and fickle."
"An Yong, what are you waiting for? Escort them away!"
Hearing this, An Yong, who was not far away, immediately perked up.
"Marshal, I'm here. I'll apprehend them immediately."
An Yong hurried to Chu Chen's side, gestured, and his subordinates swarmed into the hall. Under An Yong's command, they apprehended the surrendered officials.
"Marshal, I am willing to serve under you forever. Please spare me."
Dong Yue's face turned red. The situation had changed too rapidly, far exceeding his expectations.
"Marshal, I am willing to be your ox or horse, even a dog by your side, and I will be content. I only beg that you allow me to continue serving as an official."
Dong Yue's words were accompanied by tears, his humility reaching its lowest ebb.
Seeing this, the Wei ministers shook their heads, feeling it was not worth it.
"Disgraceful, truly disgraceful. And he's a Vice Minister of Revenue."
"To save his own life, he's completely abandoned all shame. Working with him was a humiliation."
At this moment, the steadfast Wei ministers began to curse Dong Yue vehemently, wishing they could devour him alive.
An Yong looked at Chu Chen, unsure of his decision. Chu Chen, however, waved his hand and said, "What are you waiting for?"
An Yong snapped back to attention and quickly replied, "Yes, Marshal."
An Yong immediately ordered his men to drag Dong Yue away. As he was dragged, Dong Yue's pleas for mercy could be heard from outside the hall, growing fainter until they disappeared.
Only then did the Emperor of Wei sigh with emotion.
He had roughly observed the ministers who had stepped forward to surrender earlier. They were mostly those who had been adept at flattering him before!
They had always appeared so loyal in his presence, yet now, in their time of hardship, they had immediately switched sides.
The ministers who had pledged loyalty to Chu Chen were all taken away and imprisoned, awaiting their fate.
After a period of hushed discussions, the people in the Wei imperial hall returned to calm.
No one had expected things to unfold this way.
Chu Chen looked at the Emperor of Wei and said with a light smile, "Emperor Wei, you must be feeling quite emotional right now?"
The Emperor of Wei managed a wry smile. Looking at Chu Chen, he no longer harbored much hatred.
Chu Chen's invasion of Wei was entirely within his duty as a subject of the Yun Yue Kingdom.
Even if Chu Chen were to conquer Wei now, it would not be out of personal vendetta, but a conflict between nations.
However, these ministers, treating him in this manner, had completely disregarded their past bonds of ruler and subject.
Especially Dong Yue, who had been the most obsequious in his presence, yet today he was the first to defect.
"I never imagined that after being an emperor for so long, this would be the first time I've been betrayed by my own ministers."
"It is also my fault for being negligent in the past that has led to today's disaster."
"I never expected that these ministers, whom I never favored, would not betray me at this critical juncture."
"It is a pity that I will likely never have the chance to be their ruler again."
The loyal ministers heard this and began to weep. Some even seemed to be contemplating drastic actions, which surprised Chu Chen.
"Esteemed sirs, there is no need for such despair. While I did consider taking action against you, I do not kill indiscriminately."
"As long as you do not resist the Yun Yue army and maintain the basic order of the Wei court, nothing will happen. Of course, you are not permitted to leave Da Liang City until I allow it."
Hearing this, the ministers felt a slight sense of relief. Their lives being spared was good news. As long as they were not pushed to utter desperation, they did not truly wish to die for their country.
"May I ask, esteemed Marshal, how will you deal with our Emperor?"
Wang Mang stepped forward, asking nervously.
Chu Chen smiled and replied, "How will he be dealt with? Naturally, he will be handed over to Shuang Yue City, to be dealt with by our Emperor."
"You ministers of Wei should be well aware of what your Wei Kingdom did to our Emperor before, shouldn't you?"
Hearing this, Wang Mang's expression turned somber, clearly finding it difficult to accept these realities.
"In fact, you should have foreseen such an outcome. The Yun Yue Kingdom and the Wei Kingdom were originally on peaceful terms."
"I don't know what went wrong with you people that you dared to harbor ill intentions towards our Empress."
"Since you harbored wicked thoughts, we can only return the favor."
"Even if our Empress, in her anger, were to kill the Emperor of Wei, you ministers would have no grounds to disobey her decision."
"I will not hide it from you: within a few years, I, Chu Chen, will conquer vast territories, and the Yun Yue Kingdom will become the sole nation on this continent."
"It is your honor to be able to pledge allegiance to His Majesty at this early stage."
"Wei Li Xuan."
Chu Chen changed the subject and called out behind him.
Wei Li Xuan was startled and quickly replied, "Yes, Marshal. What is it?"
Chu Chen said coldly, "Immediately dispatch a contingent of five hundred men to escort the Emperor of Wei to Shuang Yue City."