"Everyone, is this place not bad? It is already the most luxurious place to have fun in the Holy City." In the hall on the third floor, an old nobleman raised his wine glass: "Come on! To welcome you, let me
Let’s drink this cup to the full!”
An older governor quickly picked up his glass and responded. It seemed that he should be a representative elected by the governors: "Thank you for your warm hospitality. I am really sorry to receive such care from you when I first arrived in the Holy Capital."
"Your Excellency, what you said is obvious. Although we are inside and outside the Holy Capital, nobles are all prosperous and suffer losses. Since the rebellion war, we have rarely had the opportunity to meet. Today, we finally met. Let's entertain you.
It's a matter of duty." The old nobleman smiled and put down the wine glass in his hand: "Anyway, let's have fun here today."
"That's right." The governor who was talking to him put down his wine glass and glanced at the beautiful woman accompanying him: "But..."
"Don't worry, Your Excellency, you are all noble nobles, and we will naturally do our best in entertaining you. These women are all from our mansion. There is no worry about our conversation being leaked, so you don't have to be restrained." The old nobleman knew.
The governors were worried, so they explained with a smile: "As you all know, His Majesty the Emperor has just pacified the empire. If you rashly invite you to our residence, there will inevitably be criticism and may cause trouble to you sirs."
"We understand." The governors nodded repeatedly.
"Please refill the wine for all your lords!" the old nobleman ordered the women who were accompanying the wine: "I must make all your lords happy today."
The beauties sitting with them agreed and delicately brought the wine glasses to the governors' mouths.
"Well, this is quite a big deal." Cohen in the attic was holding a wine glass and paying attention to every move below: "Kelly, who are these people below?"
"Look at you acting like an emperor. You don't even know your own officials." Kelly was angry and funny. She stretched out her hand and pinched Cohen's arm: "Do you know you are wrong?"
"I know I was wrong." Cohen laughed: "Okay Kelly, please introduce it to me!"
"You should pay attention to that old nobleman. He is the elder figure of the noble faction in the Holy City, Count Siga. He has great influence and fled abroad during the war." Kelly showed a victorious smile and introduced the main characters to Cohen: "
And the governor who answered him was also a very famous figure. He had a position in the army in his early years, and his name was Wei Lun."
"Velun..." Cohen recalled the information he had read a few days ago: "I remembered that last time he did not respond to Luman's request to send troops to attack the Dark Moon. He is a far-sighted person. Yes, Grandpa Martin also
Mentioned this person before."
"Thank you for remembering." Kelly rolled her eyes at her husband: "What do you think they are going to say? They haven't talked about the topic for so long. It's really annoying."
"Just wait slowly, they always have to say something." Cohen smiled slightly: "Besides, we haven't been alone together for a long time, wouldn't it be nice to use this time to talk quietly?"
Kelly has a different personality from the others. She is much more straightforward in comparison. After hearing what Cohen said, she smiled and sat closer: "So you still know! I thought you had forgotten me!"
The two people in the attic chatted and joked for a while, but the floor below was already filled with music and dancing. The beauties in the room kept urging them to drink. Most of the governors and a dozen nobles had their faces flushed with alcohol. Only a few leading figures expressed their gratitude.
Just sip the red wine in the glass and stop.
Earl Siga stood up, picked up the wine glass and started drinking wine one by one, and finally came to sit down next to Governor Velen, and did not leave after drinking.
"There's something going on." Cohen smiled slightly and kissed Kelly on the cheek: "Pay attention."
"Governor Velen, you all have come a long way and it's been a hard journey." Count Xiga waved his hand and asked the beautiful women around him to leave: "You should have seen some of the scenes in the Holy City on the way, right?"
"The Holy City is more prosperous than before." Governor Velen is not a simple person. He pushed back without knowing the other party's intentions: "Under the leadership of His Majesty Emperor Cohen Keda, I believe that the empire will become more and more prosperous."
The better."
"Of course, His Majesty Cohen is a rare talent in the world, and his ability to command the army is unparalleled. And in terms of government affairs, there are three princes and four internal affairs supervisors to help us. It is difficult for our empire to develop even if we don't want to."
Earl Siga smiled: "Please forgive me for being presumptuous, I would like to ask you, do you have any thoughts on your trip to the Holy Capital?"
Although the singing and dancing continued, the ears of the governor and nobles present stood up.
"What aspect does Count Siga refer to?" Governor Velen looked confused: "His Majesty the Emperor ordered us to come to the Holy City to attend the enthronement ceremony. He didn't say anything else. We came here with infinite humility to share.
The glory of the royal family!"
"This is a good statement, but ah! Governors, please listen to what I say from the bottom of my heart..." Earl Siga played with the gemstone ring on his hand and said softly: "No matter how brilliant the royal family's face is, it has its limit. It cannot be everyone's.
Everyone has a share!”
"What do you mean?" Governor Velen was determined to pretend to be confused.
"We are all smart people, so I won't beat around the bush when I say it." Count Sija felt that the time was ripe and defeated the opponent: "His Majesty the Emperor does not hold you accountable for your past actions. This is your luck, and it is also the aristocratic class.
You are so lucky, and I am happy for you. But His Majesty has a lot of people ready to be promoted, all of whom are civilians who relied on brute force to get up during the war... Don't you think this situation is very troublesome? Your positions,
It’s all shaky now.”
"We came to the Holy Capital, on the one hand, to congratulate the emperor on his enthronement, and on the other hand, to repent to the emperor." Governor Velen stared at the old fox in front of him, and answered in a flawless manner: "At present, we can only ask the emperor to forgive us for our past mistakes.
It's my fault that I dare not ask for anything more from His Majesty the Emperor. We don't seem to have the qualifications."
"Why do you need to be so sure? Are the qualifications of those stupid people higher than those of the nobles? You are worrying too much." Earl Siga shook his head and said: "No matter how the world changes, the nobles will always stand, the Sibia Empire said
After all, it is the nobles who are supporting us, and His Majesty the Emperor cannot fail to consider the legitimate demands of the nobles, and the common people will always be ranked behind the nobles."
Governor Velen smiled awkwardly: "We are sinners..."
"His Majesty the Emperor has forgiven you. You surrendered to the Emperor at the last moment and avoided a larger-scale war, which is a meritorious service to the empire." Count Siga tapped his fingers on the table: "I am in the Holy Capital.
The information is relatively well-informed, and with recent contacts, we understand that His Majesty Cohen is a benevolent emperor, and since you have avoided the spread of the war, His Majesty Cohen naturally has something in mind."
"Please forgive my ignorance." Governor Velen lowered his eyes: "What is the emperor thinking...?"
Before Count Siga downstairs could answer, Kelly in the attic had already started to curse: "What aristocratic governor, these two people are not good people, let me go down and overturn their tables!"
"Hey..." Cohen hugged Kelly around the waist and said, dumbfounded: "Have you forgotten where this is? How will you explain it after you get down?"
"Is it okay if I ask someone to lift it?" Kelly said angrily: "You really can sit still, they are trying to plot against you!"
"It's not clear who is plotting who, don't worry." Cohen hugged Kelly and said, "Let's see what else they say."
Cohen coaxed and persuaded, and Kelly finally calmed down, and the conversation downstairs became more in-depth.
"... According to the information we have gathered so far, regarding this promotion, His Majesty the Emperor has prepared three plans for the nobles." Earl Siga said softly: "In the most generous plan, your treatment is to be upgraded to one level, plus additional bonuses.
There will be certain rewards; in the second plan, all officials will be reinstated; in the worst case, you will be dismissed from office, your title will be taken away, and you will be reprimanded by the emperor."
"Will His Majesty the Emperor issue a reprimand?" Even after spending his whole life in officialdom, Governor Velen still panicked when he heard this and almost couldn't hold the wine glass in his hand: "That doesn't mean that we... want us all to commit suicide.
To thank the Empire? Your Majesty really intends to do this?"
"Don't be anxious! It's all still a plan. It may not be truly accurate, but it will never be groundless." Earl Siga said solemnly: "According to our opinion, His Majesty the Emperor has not made a decision yet, and we still have time.
…”
Several governors nearby gathered around: "What are we going to do? We have done our best to support the emperor, and the emperor cannot treat us like this!"
"Don't worry! You are all members of the nobility, and we will not sit idly by." Seeing that the governors had taken the bait, Earl Siga lowered his voice, and the expression on his face became more cautious: "This matter is crucial.
It depends on your attitude."
"What's our attitude?" Several governors looked at each other: "This is a matter decided by the emperor. What's the use of our attitude?"
"It's very simple. His Majesty the Emperor needs to hold the coronation ceremony smoothly now, so the empire must remain stable." Earl Siga calmly spread the net and slowly lured the governors into taking the bait: "His Majesty the Emperor is going to do something
The purpose is to balance the various forces. In other words, the emperor does not want the power of the common people to increase greatly, nor does he want us to be in power."
"We understand this. We have no ulterior motives. We can just maintain the status quo..." Before Governor Velen could reply, another anxious governor had already spoken.
"But you haven't considered one thing, that is, the current civilian power has greatly increased. Since Tiff Lorenzo became the military discipline supervisor, he has completely surrendered to the civilian power. Therefore, at this stage, there are many cases of civilians reaching out to ask for power.
Did you hear that? A few days ago, His Majesty the Emperor was so angry that he beat a bunch of civilian officers until their teeth..."
"Didn't you say that you also beat noble officers?"
"That's a cover-up. If you don't say this, how can civilian officers be convinced? If we really beat the nobles, how can we be comfortable in the Holy Capital?" Earl Xiga smiled slightly: "In front of the calls of civilian forces, the emperor cannot come forward.
Objection, after all, civilians have great influence in the army. If they are allowed to outshine the nobles, we will have nothing to do, but you will have to go home and eat your own food."
This sentence really touched the flesh of the governors and made them feel the heartbreaking pain.
"What else can we do?" Governor Velen tried his best to stay rational: "At this juncture, if we make trouble, we might lose our heads immediately."
"Not necessarily? It depends on how you make trouble." Count Siga rolled his eyes: "If you dare to oppose the emperor, the first one who cannot tolerate you will be the nobles."
"Of course, of course, we will never oppose the emperor." The governors immediately expressed their feelings.
"That's good! It's normal to have different political opinions. Our demands are not high. We need the emperor to issue a commendation to commend everyone for finding their way back at the critical moment! This is normal... Even if His Majesty Cohen
If you don't consider issuing a document to commend you, then His Majesty will only take a step back, and your official positions will be saved." Count Siga smiled and continued to encourage the governors: "If you don't even speak up, then His Majesty the Emperor will be forced by civilian forces.
The pressure can only free up your position, but you are implicated. I am afraid that the civilian forces will press harder and harder, and it is hard to say what will happen then..."
The governors looked gloomy, and for a moment no one knew what to say.
"If we make trouble and our personal safety is not guaranteed, we won't be the ones to benefit, right?" Seeing that his companions were already in deep trouble, Governor Velen could only say: "The one who benefits the most is probably Your Excellency."
"Wrong, it is the entire aristocracy that benefits." Earl Siga confessed righteously: "We will not be idle when you speak, and we will also make corresponding suggestions - don't worry, in order to protect you, our voices will be louder than
You guys are much tougher and we will target certain people directly."
It was obvious that the governors were already interested, and in the blink of an eye, their heads were getting closer and closer, and they began to discuss the details.
"Greedy people! They are so stupid." In the attic, Kelly sighed heavily: "They have been given the opportunity, but when others encourage them, they will get confused. Husband, why not arrest them first?
!”
"No need." Cohen was also upset by this situation. He shook his head and lay down: "Let me think about it - if I arrest these governors, I must let those nobles go. We can't oust all these people.
, if you do that, it will cause panic among the nobles, and the empire will also be in chaos."
"Don't worry." Seeing Cohen in trouble, Kelly was also very worried. She held Cohen's hand and comforted her softly: "Let's go back and tell our sisters, they will definitely come up with a solution."
"No!" Cohen shook his head again: "The burden on Feilin and the others is already very heavy. Let me solve this matter."
"But, is this okay?" Kelly asked in a low voice: "The relationship between the governor and the nobles has always been very complicated."
"Well, I'm just thinking about it." Cohen closed his eyes and said, "Let me hug you. I have a hunch that I can figure out a solution as soon as I hug you."
As usual, Kelly would glare at each other, but after thinking about it, she still blushed and lay in Cohen's arms: "Don't move around, otherwise I won't spare you."
Just as Cohen was about to answer, the sound-transmitting paper shook violently, and Governor Velen's voice came out: "Okay! Let's do it like this, sign the receipt!"
"Sign the document?" Cohen's eyes widened: "Will the nobles agree to sign the document?"
But the next development was beyond Cohen's expectation. Count Siga only declined a little, and then readily agreed to Governor Velen, and asked someone to bring a pen and paper. The two of them wrote an agreement on joint advancement and retreat in full view of the public.
, and then signed and stamped it. This scene made Cohen feel very strange... The nobles should have asked the governor to go forward, how could they leave evidence? With such a document, if anything goes wrong, everyone will be unlucky.
.
The people downstairs have reached an agreement and are now raising their glasses to celebrate each other. Cohen snorted a few times in deep thought, and a faint smile spread across his face.
"What?" Kelly asked obediently: "Cohen, have you thought of a way?"
"There is no solution yet, but I understand their strategy." Cohen whispered: "There is a problem here..."
"Of course there is a problem." Kelly curled her lips: "Otherwise, why are we here?"
"I'm not talking about their meeting, I'm talking about their agreement." Cohen looked up at the ceiling: "I'm sure that the nobles will never let this evidence remain. They don't have the guts to come up with something bigger than the governors.
Strong opinion - these governors are scapegoats."
"Then why did they sign the agreement?"
"I think they will then bribe Governor Velen and ask him to destroy this document and let other governors come to me to die!" Cohen thought for a moment: "Or perhaps Governor Velen himself is a member of their group, and they are putting on a show for other governors.
People watch.”
"I don't think so." Kelly shook her head: "If Governor Velen doesn't speak, then the opinions of the governors will basically have no influence. Do you think the opinions of other governors will cause trouble to you?"
"This is what I haven't figured out yet. There's something wrong with this... Let me think about it again."
Kelly looked at her husband intently, but the feast downstairs was coming to an end. The nobles were making the decision, sending the beauties accompanying the wine to the governors one by one. Of course, the governors accepted it generously... After that, a group of people came
Say goodbye to each other.
Cohen turned his head towards the door: "Bai Ying."
Bai Ying walked in.
"I want the things they used when signing the document. Please help me think of a way." Cohen pointed his hand downward: "Paper, pen, ink, one piece of each."
Bai Ying nodded and walked out. After a while, the things used by the nobles to sign the agreement were placed in front of Cohen.
"Is there anything strange?" Cohen picked up a quill and observed it carefully: "Is there anything special about these things?"
"No." Bai Ying shook his head: "I have looked carefully. There is nothing wrong with the ink, paper, and this paper. If there is a problem, it will definitely be discovered."
"This is very strange." Cohen dropped the pen in his hand: "If someone wants to tamper with the documents, what can they do?"
"If you want to commit fraud without being discovered on the spot, it is best to use a special kind of ink. The words written with this kind of ink will become blurry after a certain period of time." Bai Ying explained: "But this kind of
The ink is very rare and can be called a priceless treasure, and the color is different from ordinary ink when it is first written. The governors must have checked it when signing the document."
"That means you can't write in person?" Cohen stood up and walked around the room twice: "I understand... Who made such a strange thing?"
Kelly replied: "I don't know who made it, but the temple is selling it."
"I know..." Cohen nodded: "Let me think about what I would do if I were a noble."
After returning to the palace, Cohen did not tell anyone else about the incident. He also told Kelly not to tell anyone, and then went to the main palace hall alone. When passing by the secretary's office, Cohen also asked the secretary to bring in the information about the governors of each province.
Room.
The secretaries all felt strange because the emperor had not come to work for several days, but since it was the emperor's order, of course all the information would be prepared as soon as possible.
His Majesty Cohen took the information from the secretary, turned around and told Shi Yan: "Ask the liaison officer to come to me, as well as the general staff officer."
After the two high-ranking officials arrived, His Majesty the Emperor held a secret conversation with them for a quarter of an hour, and then announced that he would entertain a banquet on the next night for several governors who had surrendered at the end of the war.
This is not something that needs to be kept secret. As long as someone wants to know, the news will reach his ears the next day.
Of course the emperor would not invite people to dinner for no reason. The nobles who had planned everything were a little uneasy. The people they sent began to run around again, trying to find out the emperor's intentions. But this time the facts were difficult to find out. Think about it.
Also, who the emperor wants to invite to dinner is his own business. If someone shows too much concern, others will become suspicious.
The governors were also a little strange. Didn't His Majesty the Emperor agree to wait until the third day to receive him? Why did he invite him to dinner the next day?
Faced with the questions of the governors, His Royal Highness Prince Leke Keda responded this way: "What's so strange about this? The third day was a formal meeting, and the eighteen governors received it together. His Majesty the Emperor felt that you were right at the beginning.
I decided to have a banquet first because of my choice. The emperor wants to know more about you."
Because there was an agreement with the nobles, the prince's words had no effect, and the governors were very worried. Others didn't know it, but they knew it in their hearts. His Majesty the Emperor must have known that he had met with the nobles!
With such a mood, the governors made preparations early and entered the harem at dusk for the banquet. (To be continued)