Xu Zhiqiong rode a carriage and went to the palace with Mo Chi.
On the way, Mo Chi warned him again and again: "My brother Qiao has just returned from a victorious battle. This man is used to being domineering. He may want to say some unpleasant words. You must not provoke him."
"Victory?"
Mo Chi sighed: "It can be considered a victory. In April, when the grain was ready, the Gu Zhong came to snatch the grain. Jiong Gang led an army of 20,000 people and went to meet the enemy. They fought for more than a month and drove back the Gu Zang.
.”
"Being able to win the battle shows that your brother is really capable."
Mo Chi shook his head and said: "He doesn't have to go to the battlefield. He just sits in the tent, hugging the girl, drinking wine, and waiting for news.
Moreover, it is not easy to say that this battle will be won. Of the 20,000 troops he brought, only more than 7,000 were left."
"We have lost more than half of our army, but have not yet caused a rout. How can we still win the battle?" Xu Zhiqiong expressed deep doubts about this.
Mo Chi said: "That's because Fanxiao Kingdom is holding back the west. If Fanxiao Kingdom sends troops against the Gu clan, the Gu clan will inevitably retreat."
"That means the eldest son of the emperor is lucky this time."
"It's not all luck. Let's take a look at our luck today. Let me tell you one more thing. No matter what extraordinary things you have just done, you must not argue with him."
Something out of the ordinary?
How outrageous can it be?
While talking, the carriage arrived outside Yuhua Gate, which is the main entrance of Yuxian Palace.
The two got off the car and entered the palace.
The huge palace, like all the buildings in Yu Xianguo, has no courtyard.
Xu Zhiqiong followed Mo Chi, passed through five front halls and four long corridors, and finally arrived at the main hall of the palace.
Emperor Yu Xian sat on the throne, with ministers on his left and right.
Princess Yanghuan was also among them. She looked at Xu Zhiqiong and smiled slightly: "Marquis Yun, how did you sleep last night?"
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said, "I slept very well."
Princess Yanghuan asked again: "How well do the male servants in the house serve you?"
Waiter?
Why did she ask this?
Xu Zhiqiong said with a smile: "Those male waiters rested early, but there is a girl named Yingzhu who takes good care of her."
Princess Yang Huan was stunned: "Yingzhu? What a coincidence. There is a girl in my family also named Yingzhu."
She was provoking, and she was waiting for Xu Zhiqiong to raise an army to hold him accountable.
She believed that Xu Zhiqiong would definitely fall out, and when the time came, she would use the topic to her advantage and kill Xu Zhiqiong.
Xu Zhiqiong pretended to be surprised: "What a coincidence. The girls named Yingzhu must be beauties. I'll trouble the princess to introduce them to them someday."
Yang Huan covered his mouth and smiled: "Marquis Yun is so playful, but one Yingzhu is not enough?"
"With such stunning beauties, why not have a few more?"
Yang Huan's smile was still there, but he didn't speak any more.
She was very surprised. She didn't expect Xu Zhiqiong to say nothing about what happened last night.
Xu Zhiqiong looked around the court, at the ministers, and then at Emperor Yu Xian.
The atmosphere in this court is good.
The emperor hasn't spoken yet, but the princess can talk to anyone at will.
According to this posture, it is very likely that we will be besieged by the ministers today.
Xu Zhiqiong was too lazy to argue with them. What the ministers thought was not important, what was important was the emperor's attitude.
"Marquis Yun, this is the first time I have come to Dayu. I must have missed my homeland very much." Yu Xianhuang finally spoke.
Xu Zhiqiong saluted and said: "Feeling homesick is inevitable, but your country's warm treatment of each other shows the sincerity of the two countries' alliance."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dadianke Juliang suddenly laughed loudly.
Mo Chi frowned and said, "Why are the guests laughing?"
Ju Liang stopped laughing and sighed: "It's good to say that the two countries are in an alliance, but for this alliance, do you know how much I, Dayu, have been deceived? Needless to say, food and money, even the good man I, Dayu, sent to me, are all
I was driven back by you, Emperor Xuanguo,
But you Xuanren took advantage of everything, and I, Da Yuerlang, returned home in disgrace and embarrassment. After a slight delay, my life was not saved, but I asked what is the benefit of the alliance between the two countries?"
Mo Chi said: "The new king of Daxuan has succeeded to the throne and has sincerely reconciled with me, Dayu. Why should the Dadian guest bring up the old matters again?"
Ju Liang said: "Let's not mention the old things, let's talk about the new things. Your Highness Mo Chi, you promised to give Xuanguo 10 million taels of silver, but within three days you sent 5 million taels. The Xuan people promised you 100,000 taels.
Where is the ordnance? Where is the 30,000-strong army? Where is the sincerity that His Highness said?"
Mo Chi said: "Daxuan sent Marquis Yun as an envoy to come to me, Da Yu, from a thousand miles away. The guests at the ceremony have not seen this sincerity?"
"Marquis Yun?" Ju Liang laughed again, "May I ask this Marquis Yun, which branch of the Daxuan royal family are you?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "Xu is not from the Daxuan royal family."
"Since you are not a member of the royal family, may I ask what rank your official residence is?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "Xu is in charge of a thousand households in the yamen, and his official position is fifth grade."
"Fifth rank, everyone has heard it, this is a fifth rank official!" Ju Liang laughed again, Princess Yanghuan also laughed, and the surrounding courtiers also laughed together.
Mo Chi said: "Marquis Yun is the Marquis of Daxuan. He does not hold important positions after being granted a title. This is the rule of Daxuan."
Ju Liang added: "Since he has been granted the title of Marquis, Marquis Yun must come from a prominent family."
Mo Chi was speechless.
It seems that the Dianke put a lot of effort into it, and every word he said focused on Xu Zhiqiong's weaknesses.
Xu Zhiqiong didn't seem to mind these sarcastic words, and always had a slight smile on his face.
Emperor Yu Xian said to Xu Zhiqiong: "I am not like King Da Xuan. There are not so many rules. It is my practice in Da Yu for monarchs and ministers to speak freely in the court. Don't mind, Marquis Yun."
Xu Zhiqiong smiled and nodded slightly.
Ju Liang put away his smile and said with a straight face: "To be honest, before Marquis Yun came to me, I also inquired about Marquis Yun's details in Wang'an City. If I remember correctly, you should be born in a commoner family."
Xu Zhiqiong nodded in agreement.
Ju Liang lowered his face and said: "Xuanguo sent a commoner to confront me, Prince Daxuan. This is clearly intended to humiliate, but how can you say you are sincere?"
Mo Chi's expression was gloomy, and Ju Liang was aggressive, which made him a little annoyed.
Yan Huandao, the former eldest uncle and current da Fengchang (the highest official in charge of ceremonial affairs in the ancestral temple) said: "Marquis Yun is highly regarded by the monarch, and the two of them treat each other as brothers in private. I can testify to this."
Princess Yang Huan sneered: "Da Fengchang, you have been back home for many days, but you are still thinking about Xuan Guo in your heart. You have not even forgotten the little things that happened to Emperor Xuan Guo in private."
The big hat was put on, and Yan Huan couldn't speak anymore.
Mo Chi said: "It takes time to build ordnance, and it also takes time to assemble soldiers and horses. It will not be too late to make a judgment when the agreed date is reached!"
Ju Liang shook his head and said: "Wait until the promised date? Ask me how many times Da Yu has waited for the promised date? But when did Da Xuan fulfill his promise? Your Highness Mo Chi, you have also suffered a lot of losses, how can you pay back?
Can you believe Xuanren’s lies?”
A military general said in Yu Xianyu: "If we want to say that our true ally is Fanxiao, they will support us from the west when we fight. They have never made us wait."
Xu Zhiqiong couldn't understand what Yu Xian said, so Mo Chi roughly translated it next to him.
A group of Yu Xian's ministers then began to discuss:
"Fan Xiao really didn't lie to us."
"Every time there is a war, they send troops!"
"Even if we don't fight those Gu species, we can still scare them away."
"What I'm saying is that in terms of sincerity, how can Xuan Guo compare with Fan Xiao."
Xu Zhiqiong couldn't understand, but he could guess a thing or two by looking at their expressions and tone of voice.
After Mo Chi roughly translated it, Xu Zhiqiong finally understood the situation.
The group of ministers headed by Princess Yanghuan and Dadianke opposed Yu Xian's alliance with Daxuan because they had lost trust in Daxuan and found a new ally for Yu Xian. This ally was the Fanxiao Kingdom in the Western Regions.
Another group of ministers, led by Ji Mochi and Yan Huan, supported the alliance with Daxuan.
But what is their reason for forming an alliance with Daxuan?
Compared with Fan Xiao, Daxuan had done almost nothing for Dayu. Combined with Daxuan's past credibility, even Mo Chi couldn't think of a reason to convince everyone.
But even so, he still trusted Daxuan more.
Because he knew that Fan Xiao was behind it and had given the Gu clan a lot of support.
"Father, Daxuan and I, Dayu, have been in a good alliance for generations. Fanxiao's heart is still unpredictable, so father should consider it carefully."
Emperor Yu Xian sighed and said: "If it is said that Fanxiao's heart is unpredictable, when the rebels sent out troops, Fanxiao repeatedly responded. I am so depressed that I cannot forget this friendship."
Xu Zhiqiong looked at Yu Xianhuang, he seemed more inclined to form an alliance with Fan Xiao.
Mo Chi said: "Father, Fanxiao has two sides and has provided a lot of support to the Gu rebels. You must not be fooled by his false intentions."
"You're impudent!" A man shouted at Mo Chi.
He stood at the top of the list of ministers.
From the time Xu Zhiqiong entered the court until now, I haven't seen him speak.
His appearance is somewhat similar to that of Emperor Yu Xian, and his figure is taller and stronger than Mo Chi's. It seems that he is Emperor Yu Xian's eldest son, Yaogang.
Yan Gang looked at Mo Chi and said in Yu Xian's words: "What tone did you use to speak to your father just now?"
Mo Chi said: "I just stated it truthfully. Brother, I think there is something rude about me..."
Before he finished speaking, Yao just punched Mo Chi in the stomach.
Mo Chi's face turned pale, he bowed his waist and shrank his abdomen, almost falling to the ground.
Xu Zhiqiong was stunned. The court was too liberal and could start fighting directly!
Yao Gang had a cold expression and said in a low tone: "You are used to being arrogant, but you don't have any rules in front of your father. If Fanxiao hadn't sent troops this time, how could the Gu rebels retreat so easily? My father said that they would not be forgotten.
Is there anything wrong with our friendship?"
Mo Chi straightened his waist. It seemed that this was not the first time he had been beaten.
After taking a breath, Mo Chi said: "Brother, what do you mean by this? Didn't Da Yu Erlang fight this battle? Did Fan Xiao fight it for me, Da Yu? Did any of Da Yu's soldiers die in vain on the battlefield?"
Bang!
As soon as Yao raised his hand, he punched Mo Chi in the face. Mo Chi didn't stop this time and fell to the ground.
Yan Huan closed his eyes and gritted his teeth secretly.
This was not the first time he had seen this kind of thing, and he couldn't stand Yao Gang's domineering attitude, but after all, this was a matter between the princes, and it was not easy for him to interfere.
Yaogang lowered his head, looked at Mo Chi and said, "The soldiers are bleeding on the battlefield, it's not your turn to point fingers."
Mo Chi wanted to argue, but Princess Yanghuan said, "Mo Chi, don't contradict your brother again!"
Mo Chi remained silent.
Yan Gang turned to look at a minister beside him: "Do you have anything to say?"
The minister's face turned pale and he did not dare to say anything.
Yao Gang looked at the other minister again: "What are you talking about?"
Another minister lowered his head and said nothing.
When Emperor Yu Xian saw Xu Zhiqiong's look of astonishment, he laughed and said, "My son, Yan Gang, has a hot temper. Don't be offended by Marquis Yun. I have never forgotten the friendship between Da Yu and Da Xuan for many years."
Xu Zhiqiong smiled and nodded.
He now understood Emperor Yu Xian's position.
Yu Xianhuang was neither on the side of Daxuan nor on the side of Fanxiao. He was a treacherous person. He wanted to deal with the two and seek benefits from both sides.
Because Daxuan had made Yu Xian suffer before, he wanted to personally give Xu Zhiqiong a slap in the face today, and also hit the officials who advocated Daxuan's alliance, including his son Mo Chi.
Yan Gang came to Xu Zhiqiong and said with a cold expression: "Xuanren, what do you have to say?"
Xu Zhiqiong remained silent.
Yang Huan paused slightly from the opposite side and said, "Marquis Yun, let me just say something. Don't you even have the courage to open your mouth?"
Yu Xianhuang said from the side: "Marquis Yun, my son has a good heart, but his unforgiving words are all due to my lack of discipline. Don't mind."
Xu Zhiqiong nodded and said, "I don't mind."
"You don't mind?" Yaogang raised his eyebrows, "This is Dayu's territory, why do you, a propagandist, care?"
After saying this, Yan Gang punched Xu Zhiqiong in the cheek.
Yu Xianhuang did not stop him. This was the power he wanted to give Xu Zhiqiong.
Everyone was waiting for Xu Zhiqiong to make a fool of himself. Yan Huan closed his eyes again. He couldn't bear to watch.
But no one expected that Xu Zhiqiong dodged Luo Gang's fist by lying on his back, and raised his hand to punch Luo Gang in the face.
The punch came so fast that Yaogang didn't react at all, and the punch hit the bridge of his nose.
As soon as the shackles were lifted up, blood flowed like a stream between the mouth and nose.
Before he could recover, Xu Zhiqiong stepped forward and punched Yao Gang in the stomach again.
Yaogang leaned forward and fell onto Xu Zhiqiong.
Xu Zhiqiong raised his knees and pressed them against Yaogang's chin.
The upper and lower rows of teeth collided together, and one of Yaogang's front teeth was knocked out on the spot.
Everyone was shocked. They didn't expect Xu Zhiqiong to dare to beat the prince in the court!
The guards stepped forward one after another, holding spears and spears in hand, and surrounded Xu Zhiqiong.
Yan Gang looked at his father with tears in his eyes.
He has never been beaten since he was a child.
Xu Zhiqiong pulled his hair, picked up the shackles, and looked at the guards around him.
The guards did not dare to act rashly. The emperor's eldest son was in Xu Zhiqiong's hands.
Xu Zhiqiong patted Laogang's cheek: "You can't help but fight, you don't look like you have been on the battlefield."
Yu Xianhuang was furious and was about to get up when he saw Xu Zhiqiong smiling and saying: "Your son really lacks some discipline. I also have a good heart, but I won't spare anyone with my fists. I will discipline you well."