Li Hong makes three requests — each one a test of how much autonomy you'll surrender. The petition to depose you as Empress is rising, and your response will de…
Li Hong makes three requests — each one a test of how much autonomy you'll surrender. The petition to depose you as Empress is rising, and your response will define the empire's future. Multiple prerequisite conditions from earlier chapters determine which options are even available.
Resilience + — You align with Li Hong's vision
Ambition +, Resolve + — Recommended; you assert independence
Strategy + — You defer to the emperor's authority
Ambition +, Resolve + — Recommended; you resist encroachment
Resilience + — You accommodate
Resilience + — You yield completely
Ambition +, Resolve + — Recommended; disagreeing to all three triggers a differential scene
BE 104 — Ambition +, Resolve +, but suppression creates martyrs
BE 105 — Resilience +, but retreat equals surrender
Strategy + — Main path; sacrifice a piece to save the whole
BE 106 — Sacrificing your strongest advisors leaves you defenseless
Prerequisite required: Scene 132 chose 'Thank you, Your Majesty' + Scene 134 chose 'Keep them' — this option only appears if both conditions are met
Resolve +, Prestige + — You eliminate the threat permanently
Resilience + — You show mercy even in strategic retreat
Ambition + — You try to save an ally
Resilience + — Needed for Ch36 main path; letting him go strengthens your position
Ambition + — Chapter complete; you reward loyalty
Strategy + — Chapter complete; needed for Ch36 main path
You need both: (1) At Scene 132, chose 'Thank you, Your Majesty' and (2) At Scene 134, chose 'Keep them'. If either condition wasn't met, this option won't appear and you're forced to choose Ji Huaizhong & Li Yifu, which leads to BE 106.
For the main story path, DON'T plead for him. This choice, combined with sending the political enemy's memorial, sets up critical options in Chapter 36. Pleading for him locks you out of the best Ch36 path.