WK Chapter 87

“I just pushed him a little!”

 

Duke Lu said: “And who are you anyway?”

 

The people of Great Zhou were simply endless, coming one after another like locusts.

 

Xu Tingfeng didn’t look at him directly. After checking Qu Dubian’s pulse, he handed him to Xia Fuyang: “Young Master Xia, please take Xiao Qi and go into the palace to find an imperial physician.”

 

“Make way, make way!!”

 

Zhiyi pushed through the crowd, “Brother!”

 

Xia Fuyang immediately carried Qu Dubian on his back and rushed out, saying to Zhiyi: “Follow me!”

 

With words like “imperial physician” and “return to the palace” being mentioned, even the most foolish person would realize that the child from earlier had another identity.

 

Duke Lu’s eyelid twitched inexplicably, and a subtle bad premonition rose in his heart.

 

Xu Tingfeng didn’t follow them. He stayed behind, had Xue Letian buy out the courtesan Yinlan’s contract, and told the madam to return Duke Lu’s money.

 

“According to Chunfeng House’s rules, only by purchasing the contract does one truly buy this lady. Duke Lu, now the money has been fully returned, and the matter of Yinlan no longer concerns you.”

 

Duke Lu: “Transactions have their order of precedence. Who do you think you-”

 

“Now, let’s discuss another matter,” Xu Tingfeng directly interrupted him, his calm words containing sharp coldness, “Duke Lu, as an envoy, your country was defeated and came to our Great Zhou to negotiate peace. Yet Duke Lu has severely injured our Great Zhou’s Seventh Prince. Is this your country’s way of negotiating peace?”

 

Xu Cheng, who had been watching the commotion nearby, was dumbfounded: “That was the Seventh Prince??”

 

The Seventh Prince was also related to the second branch of their Xu family! But dressed like a common citizen, who could recognize him?

 

He immediately beat his chest in regret. Damn it, he had really missed a good opportunity. If he had curried favor with the Seventh Prince, wouldn’t his father look at him differently?

 

Duke Lu widened his eyes, doubting his ears: “Who did you say he is?”

 

Not far away, a well-trained squad of soldiers dispersed the crowd.

 

Ye Xiaoyuan led Commander Zuo Tianlang, pointing at Duke Lu: “It was this man!”

 

Zuo Tianlang pressed his hand on the scabbard at his waist. He had originally come to Chunfeng House to catch the Seventh Prince but encountered Ye Xiaoyuan who was about to call for help from the Capital Prefecture. So he directly brought his men here.

 

In terms of intimidation, the Prefect was no match for the Imperial Guards.

 

Zuo Tianlang made a gesture of invitation to Duke Lu: “Please come with us to the embassy, Duke Lu. We will report this matter to His Majesty and await his imperial decision!”

 

Even if he was stupid, Duke Lu knew he had probably caused trouble.

 

He scanned the Imperial Guards behind Zuo Tianlang, then looked at the cripple in the wheelchair who had startled him earlier. Maintaining his dignity, he flicked his sleeve and left.

 

He hadn’t used much force; how could he be blamed?

 

–

 

Zichen Hall.

 

Emperor Chongzhao had just received news that negotiations between Nanning and Great Zhou had been suspended.

 

He closely monitored the situation at the embassy and quickly learned about Prince Yu Ruo being pushed and injuring the back of his head, as well as his weak pulse.

 

Today, Master Fang and the ministers of the Six Ministries were all in Zichen Hall with the Emperor, so they could respond quickly to anything that happened at the negotiation table.

 

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat silent.

 

The Minister of Rites said: “I believe it was probably deliberate on the part of the Nanning envoys.”

 

Master Fang stroked his beard: “The purpose is simple-they want Great Zhou to save face by voluntarily conceding some benefits, such as reducing the amount of silver they have to pay in compensation or ceding less territory.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “The method is simple and crude, but effective.”

 

Master Fang: “Whether it’s effective or not still depends entirely on Great Zhou. They are ultimately the defeated country.”

 

If His Majesty decided to be shameless and simply didn’t respond, pressing the Nanning delegation to their limits, the other side would have no recourse. However, in his view, although His Majesty himself was sometimes shameless, he still cared quite a bit about Great Zhou’s face.

 

The Minister of War said: “It’s winter now, and the tribes in the Northern Frontier lack food, making them prone to raiding southward. General Xia Hong has already returned to the Northern Frontier. If war breaks out again, Nanning will surely resist with all their might, and the fighting will be fierce, making it difficult for the common people to find peace.”

 

The Minister of Revenue also said: “Indeed, gradually consuming Nanning is Great Zhou’s strategy. We certainly can’t completely break relations with them.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao thought for a moment: “During the negotiations, what territories did our side demand they cede?”

 

Minister of Revenue: “In response to Your Majesty, it was the six cities of Youyun and the twelve cities of Jiangzhou.”

 

Their original maximum expectation for compensation was the six cities of Youyun and six cities of Jiangzhou. The extra six cities were just room for the other side to haggle.

 

Emperor Chongzhao pondered, then said after a moment: “Let two cities go.”

 

Master Fang nodded: “That’s about right.”

 

The ministers of the Six Ministries also nodded, feeling it was acceptable, though they couldn’t help but feel a bit pained-although the territory hadn’t been officially ceded, weren’t they in the middle of negotiations?

 

They had already considered it their own territory, and now it felt like giving away their own land to others.

 

In two words: it hurt.

 

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Eunuch Bao came tumbling in, “Terrible news! Terrible news!!”

 

Head Eunuch Yu behind Emperor Chongzhao reprimanded him lightly: “You fool, speak properly.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “What is it?”

 

Eunuch Bao didn’t even pause to catch his breath: “The imperial physicians, all the imperial physicians have gone to Shunning Palace! The Seventh Prince just returned from outside, and Young Marquis Xia said the Seventh Prince was severely injured by Duke Lu and has fainted!”

 

Bang!

 

Emperor Chongzhao stood up abruptly, the chair behind him crashing to the ground.

 

Master Fang’s hand trembled, and the tea lid fell on the edge of the bowl: “What exactly happened? Tell us in detail.”

 

Xia Fuyang had told Bao Youfu about the incident in front of Chunfeng House, and now Bao Youfu recounted it in full, speaking with tears in his eyes, as if he had personally witnessed how their Seventh Prince was bullied by the ferocious Duke Lu:

 

“Just now, the Seventh Prince was moved to Shunning Palace. This servant took a look, and the Seventh Prince had blood on him! It was so frightening!”

 

Emperor Chongzhao slammed his palm hard on the table, furious: “Despicable small country! Do they think Great Zhou has no one to stand up for it?!”

 

“Where is Zuo Tianlang?!”

 

Eunuch Bao said: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Commander Zuo has escorted Duke Lu back to the embassy.”

 

Emperor Chongzhao: “Have the Eastern Depot surround the embassy. The superintendent from the Inspection and Transport Department should also keep watch. Have them thoroughly inspect all items belonging to the Nanning envoys. Tell them, as long as the Seventh Prince remains unconscious, the Eastern Depot will surround the embassy. Since they have no shame, I won’t leave them any face!”

 

Eunuch Bao: “Yes! This servant will see to it immediately.”

 

He wiped away the sweat that had formed despite the winter cold and ran out of Zichen Hall again.

 

The charcoal brazier in the hall crackled.

 

Master Fang put down his teacup, his expression calm, inconspicuously using his sleeve to wipe the tea from his fingers, “Does Your Majesty still plan to cede two cities?”

 

Emperor Chongzhao laughed coldly: “Cede?”

 

Minister of Rites: “Not only can Great Zhou not cede anything this time, but we must also make them give up even more.”

 

What’s the issue? Everyone has emotions, and during negotiations, if feelings run high, some minor scuffles are perfectly normal.

 

Your Nanning prince was accidentally injured during negotiations, but our Great Zhou’s Seventh Prince is just a child! Bullying such a young child like this, does Duke Lu have any shame?

 

Emperor Chongzhao couldn’t help but clench his palm, but finally said: “Ministers, please remain here. I will go to Shunning Palace to see.”

 

After speaking, he hurriedly left.

 

That little brat had been sickly since childhood, and now who knows how he is.

 

–

 

North City Gate.

 

Inspection and Transport Department.

 

Wen Xiaochun changed into his dark blue superintendent’s uniform and was adjusting his collar. After a moment, he pushed open the door.

 

Outside stood ten skilled workers from the Inspection and Transport Department.

 

Eunuch Bao was also nearby: “Superintendent Xiaochun, are you ready? Let’s go then. The Eastern Depot is probably already on the way. When you arrive, both groups can work together.”

 

Wen Xiaochun nodded, scanning them: “Is this the inspection kit you’re bringing?”

 

The Inspection and Transport Department had several sets of inspection tools. The most meticulous set would practically tear everything apart and crush it for inspection-the most thorough, and also the most face-losing for those being inspected.

 

The deputy superintendent cautiously said: “Superintendent, we thought, since they are envoys after all…”

 

Wen Xiaochun said calmly: “Switch to the most detailed set. I’ll count to fifty. Anyone who hasn’t switched by then can get out of the Inspection and Transport Department.”

 

The ten people immediately ran to change their tools. Everyone in the Inspection and Transport Department knew that Superintendent Xiaochun was usually easy to talk to, but when his face showed no expression, one absolutely must not defy him-that would be no different from seeking death.

 

They changed the tools within the specified time.

 

Wen Xiaochun tilted his head: “Pardon me.”

 

Eunuch Bao: “Not at all. Please go attend to your duties. Thank you for your hard work.”

 

Wen Xiaochun: “May I ask, how is the Seventh Prince now?”

 

Eunuch Bao: “Alas… it’s unclear, but when he was brought in, he couldn’t be awakened no matter how they called him.”

 

Wen Xiaochun nodded and asked no more.

 

–

 

Embassy.

 

Yu Ruo sat on the bed, covered with a blanket, pressing his throbbing temples.

 

He had been pretending to be ill-the back of his head had bled from the fall, but it was just dizziness, nothing serious. But now he genuinely felt his head was about to explode with pain.

 

When people are extremely suppressing their anger, they might laugh: “You went to Chunfeng House and injured Great Zhou’s Seventh Prince?”

 

Duke Lu sat on a stool, pouring himself a cup of hot water.

 

“I told you! I didn’t hit him, I just pushed him a little, and before I pushed him, I didn’t know he was a Great Zhou prince. He was dressed no differently from the commoners around him, and he didn’t have his name on his head.”

 

He became increasingly self-righteous as he spoke, “Besides, didn’t they hit you too? That makes us even.”

 

“When both sides are even, surely Great Zhou can’t keep harping on it.”

 

“…”

 

Yu Ruo closed his eyes, his body trembling. After a while, he suddenly threw off the blanket, walked barefoot to Duke Lu, grabbed his collar, his eyes faintly reddened:

 

“You fool, have you forgotten that Nanning is the defeated party this time! Only parties of equal status can talk about fairness. What do you think we’re here for? To receive gifts?”

 

“What do you think I staged this act for? I did it so that Nanning would have to give up less territory, so that fewer Nanning citizens would feel abandoned by Nanning!”

 

“You, you…”

 

Duke Lu broke free from his grip: “Let go of me!”

 

“Oh my, why are you so anxious? I really didn’t hurt him. On the way here, I heard that their Great Zhou’s Seventh Prince has been weak and sickly since childhood. He’s probably dying and they’re trying to frame us.”

 

“You can pretend, and they can pretend too. Just tell those Great Zhou people to let our doctors go into the palace to examine the Seventh Prince.”

 

Yu Ruo looked at Duke Lu’s somewhat panicked but not too panicked face, and felt a sense of suffocation.

 

He leaned on the table and took a deep breath.

 

Nanning’s defeat wasn’t just due to the commanders’ mistakes. He could already smell the faint stench of decay emanating from the dynasty’s roots.

 

Looking at Great Zhou in comparison, a nine-year-old prince was willing to block an enemy’s whip in public to defend a Great Zhou citizen.

 

The gap was simply too great.

 

The room fell into silence.

 

But soon, the sound of soldiers lining up came from outside.

 

A sharp, thin voice coolly drifted in:

 

“Are Duke Lu and Prince Yu Ruo here? This one has come with the Eastern Depot on orders to inquire about some matters. May we meet?”

 

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