The treasury officer took the I.O.U., studied it carefully, and immediately frowned.
"This seems quite old, from the year 1798 of the Longhua Empire? That would be over a thousand years ago...bringing such ancient debt to exchange, are you jesting with us?"
As the officer spoke, Xiao Jie had no reaction, but his team members who came with him were immediately upset, as they didn’t have much on them and were hoping to exchange it for some silver to spend.
"Team Leader, what do we do now?"
"Team Leader, isn’t this going south?"
"Stay calm, why worry when I am here," Xiao Jie said in a deep voice, understanding full well that many decisions in this game were very flexible, and the subjective actions of the player often had a significant impact on the outcome.
"Just because it’s old, does it become worthless? The State Governor-selection mechanism in Fengyin State seems to still be using the rules from the Longhua Empire era. Could it be that these don’t count anymore? I’m curious about the current rules for the State Governor—maybe you can enlighten me, I might just try to become a State Governor myself."
The treasury officer was momentarily stunned and said helplessly, "Please don’t make this difficult for us; we’re just doing our jobs.’
"If you can’t decide, then report it to someone who can make the decision."
"In that case, I must report this matter to the State Governor. Please wait here a moment."
The officer turned and left, while the team members were quite astonished, never expecting the game could be played this way.
"Team Leader, will it work?"
"Heh, we’ll know soon enough."
After a while, the officer returned. "Sir, the Lord Governor requests your presence."
Xiao Jie nodded at his fellow team members, "You all wait here, just watch my performance."
Xiao Jie followed the officer into the government office, took a turn, and entered a side hall where Governor Liu was seated, drinking tea and studying the I.O.U. closely.
"Please have a seat."
Xiao Jie didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly.
After a while, Governor Liu raised his head.
"This hero, your face looks familiar to me."
Xiao Jie responded, "I had the honor to meet you before when I accompanied the guild leader to the nation-establishment ceremony after slaying the Dragon."
Governor Liu nodded in recognition, "Ah, I see, indeed a hero from the young generation. It’s rare to have such a Hero among the Returning Villagers. May I ask where this I.O.U. comes from?"
Xiao Jie was about to answer when a dialogue box appeared before him.
Xiao Jie immediately felt solemn and read it carefully. Typically, when a dialogue box appears, it signifies a turning point in the storyline, requiring careful selection.
Option 1: I found this item at the village chief’s house in Liushudi Village.
Option 2: None of your business—debts must be paid, exchange it quickly, or else—heh heh, I’ll show you (Threaten).
Option 3: It was entrusted to me by an old friend who wishes to exchange it (Deceit).
Xiao Jie thought to himself that if he chose wrong, he might not be able to exchange the debt, but that makes sense—it’s an I.O.U. from centuries ago, after all.
Threaten... that’s definitely not going to work. Even contemplating it shows its impracticality. He isn’t rash enough to threaten the Lord Governor.
Deceit?... He observed Governor Liu, his expressionless face concealing depth, a strand of long beard, looking underfed but cunning—an appearance typifying a crafty old man. It seemed impossible to fool him.
Better to tell the truth, then.
"I found this item at the village chief’s house in Liushudi Village."
"Oh? What is the current state of Liushudi Village?"
"The villagers have all turned into Demons, the village itself is long desolate, and there was even an Evil God of vile trees bringing calamity to the world, but I have slain it," Xiao Jie recounted.
The corners of Governor Liu’s mouth twitched slightly, "A young hero indeed, capable of defeating an Evil God. However, that raises my confusion—if Liushudi has been destroyed, then on what grounds do you claim the right to exchange this I.O.U.?"
Option 1: On the fairness of the State Mansion government office and the integrity of the Lord Governor.
Option 2: Just answer whether you will exchange it or not. If not, I will make you regret it (Threaten).
Option 3: The village chief entrusted me with this I.O.U. in a dream before he died (Deceit).
Option 4: I have something to say, please listen attentively, Lord Governor [Please enter what you wish to say here] (Persuade).
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jie decisively chose option 4. Options 2 and 3 were clearly unreliable, and option 1 seemed less likely to succeed as well.
It was better to improvise.
"I have something to say, my Lord Governor, please listen attentively."
"Oh? I wonder what words of wisdom the young hero has to share?"
"The events of yesterday are lessons for tomorrow. In times past when Fengyin State faced dire troubles, the villagers of Liushudi devastated their homes to aid the State Mansion’s army, leaving no grain behind, men, and women scattered, leading to the ensuing tragedies.
Though these are old events from a millennium ago, the karma ultimately falls on Fengyin State.
If the I.O.U. cannot be honoured today, would the Lord Governor not fear that when Fengyin State faces misfortune again, no one would be willing to defend their country?
Yet, if this I.O.U. was redeemed, it would demonstrate the dignified legitimacy of the State Mansion, honouring even a thousand-year-old commitment. Thus, the people of Fengyin State, from top to bottom, would have a heart of reverence, and the masses would follow.
Governor Liu wore a hesitant expression on his face but did not reply immediately, lost in thought.
Xiao Jie thought to himself that if this didn’t work, it was time to up the ante.
"Furthermore, I have recently begun to recruit refugees at Liushudi, taking back the village of Liushudi to rebuild its governance. Soon Liushudi Village might once again thrive with new life, and these one thousand taels of silver are the capital needed for the refugees to rebuild their homes.