153: Chapter 153 Did the beautiful Chinese really cooperate?

Use up all the Ancient Book Fragments in one's hand and those sent by Chen Aoyun.

Russia was already leading the Romans by 46 points of Favorability with the [Abbot], and there were only 43 Ancient Book Fragments remaining. Even if all of them were in the hands of the Sakura Country people, the Russian [Strategist] did not need to worry that Rome would overtake them with the help of the Sakura Country.

Knowing full well that their popularity was not great, and that the alliance against the Dragon Kingdom initiated by the Sakura Country had abandoned them at the last moment, the Russian [Strategist], who was originally somewhat depressed and even furious, now smiled and looked at Chen Aoyun, saying:

"I owe you a favor. I won't take these Ancient Book Fragments for nothing. I swear in the name of a [Strategist] that for the next few acts of this Game of National Destiny, I will absolutely not cooperate with the Sakura Country to target your Dragon Kingdom again. No matter what benefits the Sakura Country promises, this is my final word!"

Face.

Russia was also a powerhouse in the Game of National Destiny, and they also cared about their face.

How could the Russian [Strategist] be content after being schemed against by the Sakura Country people like this?

When they say they will swear, they swear. It is hard to say much about other qualities of the Russians, but their straightforward nature has remained the same, both in the Old Era and the New Era.

After finishing the oath toward Chen Aoyun, the Russian [Strategist] turned his gaze, which felt like the cold winds of Siberia, toward Saku Kenichi.

It seemed that merely swearing not to target the Dragon Kingdom was not enough to eliminate his anger. This Game of National Destiny was still long, and he would let the Sakura Country people know what kind of price they would pay for offending Russia!

Saku Kenichi felt somewhat helpless. Scheming against Russia was a last resort; who told the Prussians to be so lucky as to obtain two seeking worthy orders, and who told the Russian people to have such poor popularity? The USA, Britain... most of the great powers in the Western world all had grudges against them.

Daring to scheme against Russia, Saku Kenichi had long been prepared to become an enemy with them in this Game of National Destiny. In fact, Saku Kenichi did not lose out by trading enmity with Russia for deeper cooperation from other countries.

But the situation, which was originally not a loss, became completely different after Chen Aoyun gave away all the Ancient Book Fragments in his hands!

"The more you scheme against others, the more you need to be wary of the backlash of your own schemes! You guaranteed that the Romans would obtain a Heroic Spirit quota, and now that you have failed to do so, presumably after this Game of National Destiny ends, you will have to pay an even higher price to make up for it, otherwise you would be breaking your oath!"

Chen Aoyun smiled, a very bright smile.

"By doing this, I won't even offend the Romans, because the Romans might actually prefer to receive compensation after losing the Heroic Spirit quota, who knows!"

The Roman [Strategist] kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, remaining silent. He also wanted to laugh, but he held it back.

What is a Heroic Spirit quota worth?

If you get the Heroic Spirit quota, can you secure first place in the first act?

If you get first place in the first act, can you win this Game of National Destiny, which is divided into several acts?

Obviously not.

Compared to obtaining the Heroic Spirit quota, the compensation from the Sakura Country people was actually more tempting to the Romans.

However, hindered by the oath and agreement reached with the Sakura Country, he could not actively sabotage Saku Kenichi's plan to seek greater benefits.

But now it was fine. Now, Chen Aoyun's flashy operation had made it impossible for him to obtain the Heroic Spirit quota that he should have received, so the compensation from the Sakura Country must be delivered!

Chen Aoyun was absolutely right. He really did not hold any grudge against Chen Aoyun at all; in fact, on some level, he even had to thank Chen Aoyun.

Saku Kenichi of the Sakura Country had treated him, Chen Aoyun, like a monkey, so how could this little price be enough? Obviously, it was not enough!

Chen Aoyun strode over to the left side of the compass.

On the left side of the compass were three Famous Scholars who did not recommend Heroic Spirits but would provide a 'Gift': [Beast Tamer], [Bride-to-be], and [Craftsman].

Obtaining the friendship of these Famous Scholars who did not recommend Heroic Spirits did not require the use of a seeking worthy order; having the highest Favorability was sufficient, and the Favorability of these types of Heroic Spirits could not be increased using Ancient Book Fragments.

Chen Aoyun first came to the side of the [Craftsman]'s portrait.

The 'Gift' from the Famous Scholar [Craftsman] was a 'Famous Item (Blade)', and the Dragon Kingdom had the highest Favorability, so Chen Aoyun immediately established a friendship with him.

"You sent me Ancient Book Fragments, so according to my oath, I will give you the 'Gift' from the Famous Scholar [Craftsman]. You can construct the 'Gift' object yourself. Take it!"

A spherical light flew out from the [Craftsman]'s portrait and landed in Chen Aoyun's hand. Chen Aoyun turned around and handed it to the British [Strategist].

Afterward, Chen Aoyun took a few slow steps and arrived next to the [Beast Tamer]'s portrait.

The 'Gift' from the [Beast Tamer] was a 'Mount' from the stables.

Just as everyone thought Chen Aoyun was about to repeat his previous operation and hand the [Beast Tamer]'s 'Gift' to the American [Strategist], Chen Aoyun stopped beside the [Beast Tamer]'s portrait and did nothing further.

Seeing that Chen Aoyun had no intention of handing the [Beast Tamer]'s 'Gift' over to him, the American [Strategist] did not feel the slightest bit displeased. On the contrary, he was even expectant.

"I see it now. You also see that I see it. Because of your oath with the Sakura Country people, you cannot say it explicitly, nor can you even hint at it. It's okay... I understand. I will not give you the 'Gift' from the Famous Scholar [Beast Tamer]. The Sakura Country people are all about balance. The Prussians' luck is not within a controllable range, but since the British have already received a 'Gift' and you, the USA, have not, you can go and ask the Sakura Country people for compensation!"

Upon hearing this, the heart that Saku Kenichi had been holding in suspense finally sank. On the other hand, the face of the American [Strategist] beamed with joy because of this.

It was another scene that ordinary viewers could not understand, and many people in the live broadcast room were confused:

"By not giving the 'Famous Scholar's Gift' to the USA, what kind of trick is the Dragon Kingdom pulling now? Doesn't doing this count as breaking Chen Aoyun's oath?"

It does not count, of course, it does not.

The commentator York explained, "What did Chen Aoyun's previous oath say? The country that donated the most Ancient Book Fragments would receive a 'Famous Scholar's Gift' from him; the country with the highest level of cooperation in establishing friendships with Famous Scholars for the Dragon Kingdom would also receive a 'Famous Scholar's Gift' from him.

The British indeed followed Chen Aoyun's oath and gave all the Ancient Book Fragments in their hands to the Dragon Kingdom, a total of 35 Ancient Book Fragments. Unless the Sakura Country people also gave their Ancient Book Fragments to the Dragon Kingdom, Britain was the country that donated the most Ancient Book Fragments, so there was no problem with Chen Aoyun giving Britain a 'Famous Scholar's Gift'. But what about the USA? Did the USA really cooperate with the Dragon Kingdom to establish friendships with Famous Scholars?"

Did they not? They did!

Many viewers either sent bullet comments or left messages:

"How did the USA not cooperate? There are three Famous Scholars where the USA ranks high: the [Maritime Merchant], the [Dean], and the [Abbot]. The Dragon Kingdom ranked at the bottom for the other two Famous Scholars, and only for the [Maritime Merchant] did the Dragon Kingdom rank high. Isn't the USA not placing a piece on the [Maritime Merchant] a sign of cooperation with the Dragon Kingdom to obtain the [Maritime Merchant]'s friendship?"

"Is that really the case?" The commentator York in the live broadcast room shook his head gently, asking the person who asked the question to think again.