The imperial palace was no stranger to these governors, but it was their first time to attend a banquet held in the harem, not to mention that the banquet was held on a small island in Xixin Lake. In the past, it was a place exclusive to the royal family.
The treatment given by His Majesty Cohen was not low, and Prince Lecque was sent to receive the governors. The kind-hearted prince took them directly to Xixin Lake in the Imperial Garden, and finally took a boat to the island in the middle of the lake.
Seats have already been arranged in a pavilion near the water. There are colorful lights everywhere around the island. The pleasant scenery inside and outside the pavilion, plus the soft summer night breeze blowing by, make the governors relax a lot... This place
, no matter how you look at it, it is used to entertain friends, not like a place to deal with opponents.
Not long after, a burst of hearty laughter came from the path in the distance.
"The Emperor is here." Prince Lek greeted the governors and stood up. Then he tilted his head slightly, only to find that Governor Velen beside him stood up earlier than him. Prince Lek smiled slightly, and felt more confident about this man's mind.
Got some points.
A group of people appeared at the corner of the path. The chamberlain standing outside the pavilion immediately cheered up and announced loudly: "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived..."
"Good night, His Majesty the Emperor!" The governors hurriedly knelt down on one knee: "The guilty ministers are waiting to see Your Majesty Cohen. I wish your Majesty good health and the prosperity of our empire!"
Cohen looked towards the standing eldest brother. Prince Lectra glanced at Governor Velen and pointed out this person's status among the governors. Cohen nodded slightly.
"This is a very ordinary banquet. You don't need to be too formal. I just want to see you all." Cohen walked to his seat: "Everyone, please get up and sit down!"
The governors did not get up, but turned around one by one, keeping their heads towards Cohen, and shouted: "Your Majesty has not forgiven the sins of the ministers, and the guilty ministers dare not get up."
Only Cohen has always cheated on others, and no one else has cheated on Cohen. Today is the first time that the emperor has experienced other people's rogue methods, and it feels very novel.
"Okay, okay." Cohen laughed loudly: "Since you don't want to get up, just raise your heads, straighten your back and speak."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Although the emperor did not promise to forgive him, the governors knew from the emperor's tone that he was in a good mood, so they did not panic. They straightened their backs one by one, looking pitiful.
He looked at Cohen eagerly.
"I'm happy today. I didn't want to mention those things in the past, but you have already mentioned them, so I will say a few words to save you from lying on the ground and refusing to get up every time you see me." Cohen picked up the items calmly.
He took a sip from the water glass: "I know that you are all men of great reputation. If you have such a knot in your heart, of course you will have trouble sleeping and eating. Okay! I will untie this knot for you today..."
Cohen kept talking, but the governors did not understand what was going on. Among the people present, only Prince Lek knew that the emperor's delay was just to ask them to kneel for a while longer.
"... As nobles, of course everyone knows that they have to be responsible for what they have done. Although it takes a long time to talk about this matter, and you and I will feel uncomfortable, it is best to talk about it." I feel that the nonsense has been said,
After the knees of the governors had fully enjoyed the hardness of the ground, Cohen changed his words and got to the point: "You have worked under Luman before, raising supplies for him to train the army, and some governors have sent troops to attack.
I know all about the Dark Province."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Governor Velen lowered his head again: "Please forgive our sins."
"Don't rush to apologize, I haven't finished talking about your faults yet." Cohen waved his hand: "Are you Governor Velen?"
"My name is Velen."
Cohen looked at Velen and said calmly: "In the early days of Luman's rebellion, you were not in a hurry to change the flag. Luman sent special envoys three times to lobby, but the results were all in vain. Except for my Keda family,
You are one of the few provincial governors who persisted until the end, is this you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Governor Wei Lun had put his head on the ground and said sobbingly: "Luman sent a hundred thousand troops to surround my main city, but I only had more than ten thousand troops, and there were even more refugees in the city.
More than 100,000 people...and even the temples jumped in front of me to spread the rumors...I had no choice but to make a big mistake."
"I know this too." Cohen smiled slightly and said something that others didn't understand: "If you don't surrender tomorrow, our army will slaughter all the residents in the city, and your family will be in ruins..."
"Your Majesty..." Governor Velen was stunned on the spot, because what Cohen just said was the ultimatum Luman gave him when he was besieged that day. The emperor was thousands of miles away, but he actually knew this!
But what surprised the governors was still to come. His Majesty Cohen named the people one by one and told them everything they had done during the rebellion, including the contents of the letters exchanged with Luman, and even many unknown things.
Everything was told by the emperor, and everyone was so frightened that they broke out in cold sweat... If the emperor really wanted to pursue the case, some people would die ten times.
"Look, I know it all!" His Majesty Cohen said calmly: "In the justice's office, you have a cabinet full of files. Many people asked me to punish you severely, but I have never done so. Everyone knows why.
?"
"I am stupid, please make it clear to your majesty." How dare the governors talk nonsense at this time?
"Because everyone sitting here, after all, you helped me at the last moment of the war and prevented the war from spreading to the whole country." Cohen stood up: "Although I also had the strength to attack various provinces that did not surrender, what can I say?
What, I think this war ended in the Holy Capital, and you all contributed. This is the blessing of the empire and the blessing of the people. Therefore, your contribution can be regarded as just right."
Hearing what the emperor said, the governors could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"It is precisely because of your performance that I will let you come to the Holy Capital as a witness to the coronation ceremony." Cohen walked around the table, walked slowly among the governors, and said emotionally: "From another aspect
Tell me, you are all officials who have been in office for many years. Naturally, you have a lot of experience in governing. This is also the wealth of the empire. So I hope to meet you. I hope to discuss major plans with you. I hope you will support me. Cohen Keda
Govern the country!”
"Your Majesty..." The emperor's words were so shocking that the governors looked at Cohen and almost lost the ability to think. This was not the rogue governor before. Only His Highness Fichet could say such words!
"Don't you believe it? I've been very surprised at my own changes recently!" The emperor bent down and helped Governor Velen up first, but when he was grabbed by the emperor's hand, Velen had no room to resist: "For this decision of mine,
, the ministers are not without objections, and honestly speaking, their worries are somewhat justified... Thanks to the persuasion of several princes, the ministers in the imperial court agreed with my views."
Looking at the emperor's attitude and thinking about the agreement they signed with the nobles yesterday, the governors felt another kind of uneasiness in their hearts.
However, the emperor helped the governors up from the ground one by one, and joked: "...You are Governor Durand Sissot. Your two daughters once visited my house and became good friends with my wives.
, are they okay?"
"Ah! Return to His Majesty the Emperor. They are all well. They are in the Holy Capital now." Of course, Durang Hisoka would not miss an opportunity to get closer to the Emperor: "They are all clamoring to come see His Majesty. I am afraid of His Majesty's troubles."
If it’s too much, I won’t agree.”
"I invite them to attend my coronation ceremony. After not seeing each other for many days, these sisters will definitely become even more beautiful." Cohen was amused in his heart, but he still solemnly said to the governors: "I invite all your family members, as long as they can make it
Come, I will send an invitation immediately..."
"Your Majesty the Emperor." Governor Velen standing behind finally made up his mind. He mustered up the courage to interrupt Cohen's chat: "Your Majesty, please listen to what I have to say."
Cohen turned around to face him and said kindly: "Of course."
"We are all sinners. Thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor, we were called to the Holy Capital to discuss state affairs." The corners of Governor Velen's mouth twitched, and he slowly knelt down with a heavy expression: "But after I came to the Holy Capital, I did not know how to repay the Emperor.
, but he was deceived by rumors, so that he privately speculated about His Majesty the Emperor’s intentions. This is a heinous crime - please punish Him severely!”
With him taking the lead, the governors knelt down again, but this time they knelt down, which seemed to be different from the previous time. At least they all showed some sincerity.
"You mean." Cohen touched his chin and pretended not to know anything: "After you came to the Holy City, did you take any action?"
"Yes!" Governor Velen knew that if he missed this opportunity, people like himself would be in real danger, so he became worried and said, "Your Majesty, please punish me severely!"
"Will your actions hurt the lives of some people?" Cohen asked in a low voice, "Or will it affect the rule of the empire?"
"No... Even though I'm a bastard, I still have some conscience. And we can still find a way to save this matter!" Thinking of the scene of signing the agreement, Governor Velen couldn't help but curse himself for being stupid.
.
"Then, I forgive." Cohen nodded and said something no one could have imagined: "I forgive you."
"Your Majesty the Emperor..."
"Because we have never met and don't know each other well, that's why you are suspicious of me." Cohen sighed: "This is human nature. You can get up. I promise you not to pursue this matter anymore.
."
"We will remember your majesty's great kindness and will repay your majesty with all our heart from now on!" The always smart Governor Velen could not find a more suitable way to express his feelings at this time, so he had to roll up his sleeves and bite his fingers on his left arm.
I drew a picture of the family crest of the Keda family: "From now on, I, Velen, will be your servant. If I have any different intentions, I will be abandoned by both humans and gods!"
Governor Velen swore resolutely, making the others stunned. But since Velen, as the leader, had done this, it would be unwise for the other governors not to follow suit, so they all followed suit.
.
"Get up! I already understand your intentions, so stop talking nonsense." Cohen got up as Governor Lavelon and whispered to him: "I'll give you one day to resolve this matter. Can you do it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! I will do my best to save this ending."
"Okay, everyone, sit down - serve the wine! Tonight, you all have to get drunk for me!" Cohen laughed again, and then turned to the chief chamberlain: "Go and tell the secretariat, just tell the governors to drink
I’m drunk, so I’ll adjourn the meeting for the day tomorrow!”
Prince Li Ke was amused in his heart, but in order to make the play better, he immediately gave someone a look.
"I wish His Majesty the Emperor and his family good health, and I wish our Empire of Sbia to prosper." After receiving the hint, Durang Hisoka hurriedly raised his glass: "Cheers, everyone!"
"Cheers!" Everyone present shouted in unison and drank the wine in one gulp.
The old grudges were cleared and the host and guest enjoyed themselves. The banquet ended two hours later. The governors were staggered by the emperor's intoxication and had to be helped away by the chamberlains.
Knowing that he had solved a difficult problem, His Majesty Cohen was in a good mood. He had just seen off his eldest brother when he turned around and found Princess Feline standing behind him, looking at him with a smile on his face.
"Why are you here?" Cohen stretched out his hand: "I came here especially because I didn't want to disturb you."
"You're still talking about it!" Feilin, wearing a light green dress, gently fluttered in the evening breeze. She brushed her hair that was flying around her ears, and put her hand into her husband's palm: "You guys are fighting for wine so loudly, even across the room.
You can hear it across the lake, and my mother asked me to come and have a look."
"Since you're here, just take a walk with me. Of course you have to find someone to share such a beautiful scenery." Cohen took Feilin's hand and walked towards the lake. He turned back and told the guard: "Stay away."
"How was tonight's dinner?" Feilin asked softly: "Judging from my husband's character, if nothing happens, he is unlikely to invite strangers to dinner!"
Cohen smiled and recounted what happened between the governor and the nobles.
"Cohen, you should have told us about this earlier." After hearing this, Feline said: "We are familiar with these people, so we can solve it faster."
"Of course I know this, but since it happened to me, I should handle it." Cohen stopped: "Besides, you have been busy with the matter of ascending the throne these days, how can I bear to make it more difficult for you?
Although I am not a capable person, I can help as much as I can!"
"Who said you can't do it!" Feilin patted her husband on the shoulder, feeling happy for her husband's change in her heart: "What was the result of meeting these governors?"
"These governors!" Speaking of these governors, Cohen couldn't help but shook his head: "The situation is not good."
"What?" Feilin asked in surprise: "Aren't they willing to terminate the agreement with the nobles?"
"The agreement is all trivial, and they also promised me to resolve the matter tomorrow. I mean, their behavior is too unreliable." Cohen took off his cloak, spread it on a bluestone by the lake, and sat down first.
, and then made a "please" gesture to Feilin: "Originally, I wanted to give up my prejudices and get to know them better, but through this meeting, I finally know their true colors - if there is a chance, they will not hesitate.
betrayed me."
"Are you so sure?" Feline sat next to Cohen: "Didn't even a slightly better person find out?"
"Judging from their performance, no one is worth using, especially that Velen, who looks loyal on the outside, but is actually a very smooth and speculative person. For him, loyalty is just a high-sounding excuse." Cohen sighed.
: "This situation makes me re-examine the existing officials. Although the traditional aristocracy has many shortcomings, there are also many talents...Looking at the governor, there is really nothing to be desired."
"I agree with your view on Velen. This governor is very scheming. We won't be reassured by such a person anywhere." Feilin nodded: "But husband, if you pay attention, you should be able to find something in the governor."
Talents, after all, are people who have been working for the government for decades, so there won’t be even one person who can stand on the stage, right?”
"Why don't you tell me now." Cohen laughed: "It will save me the trouble of thinking."
"No, who told you to run away and deal with this matter alone? Only when you are in trouble do you come to me." Feilin raised her head deliberately: "Just finish it well! Husband, you will find this person."
"Okay!" Of course Cohen knew this was Feline's joke: "You can do it by yourself. Am I not going to be able to solve it?"
Feilin stared at her husband with eyes as clear as water waves, covered her mouth and smiled softly, making Cohen confused.
"Do you know that you are becoming more and more like His Highness Fichet, especially when it comes to handling government affairs? You are simply a carbon copy of him." After Felin had laughed enough, she explained: "It makes me so jealous!"
"This is different! The Sibia Empire originally belonged to Fichet. When I deal with many things, I always think about what Fichet would do if he were to deal with it..." Speaking of Fichet, Cohen
He shook his head again: "I don't think about it deliberately, I always think of it inadvertently."
"Will you accidentally think of me?" Feline leaned her head on Cohen's shoulder and asked shyly, "Will you?"
"You are pretending in my heart, of course you will think about it!" Cohen said: "And, am I still pursuing you now? My dear lady."
"Although the way your Excellency pursues you is a little clumsy, but considering your sincerity... I'll give it to you that you barely pass!" Feilin gracefully flapped her feather fan, making the traditional gesture of a noble girl accepting a pursuit.
"Just passed? I also think that my pursuit method is very novel and can quickly impress the hearts of beautiful and noble women..." Cohen's scoundrel came up again, pretending to be dissatisfied and muttering: "It seems that the woman I want to pursue must be
A traditional lady, well - I should read a poem praising her!"
With the feather fan covering her small mouth, Feilin looked even more delicate and charming. Encouraged by Feilin, Cohen cleared his throat and made a heart-raising gesture: "Oh, you are my little bird, you are my sunshine, you purify me like a clear spring.
In the air around me, my beloved is like a lily among maidens..."
Seeing the funny look Cohen made while reciting the love poem, Feilin laughed and fell into her husband's arms. Cohen opened his arms and gently hugged Feilin and continued to read, Feilin slowly calmed down and became intoxicated.
"...How sweet your caress is, your caress is sweeter than wine, my beloved girl, the most painful thing is that my thoughts are not your thoughts..."
The two of them cuddled together quietly, letting the light that escaped the shade of the trees shine softly on them.
That night, somewhere in the mountains of the Sibia Empire.
A bonfire was lit in a small clearing in the valley, and the mountain wind blew and the flames swayed.
"Will he come?" Beside the bonfire, a man covered in black robes asked his companions in a low voice: "Will he not come?"
"He will come, he will receive the message." The companion dressed similarly nodded: "Although I am not sure when, he will definitely come tonight."
"How do you know? I heard he is a very strange person."
"This is his mission, he must come... If you don't want to die, you'd better keep your mouth shut."
"Asshole! My position is higher than yours, and it's not easy to come with you. Why do you order me? Isn't he weird? Am I wrong? He is as stupid as you!"
"That's right." A third voice sounded from behind the two of them, without any emotion at all: "You are right."
The arrogant man did not answer, and his body fell limply on the grass.
"You're finally here." Another man in black robes sitting by the campfire asked in a low voice. He didn't mind at all that his companion died and didn't even look back: "I brought a letter. It's very urgent and very important.
The Lord also said that if this operation goes well, you will get what you have always wanted."
"Put down the letter and leave."
The man in black robe put down the letter as instructed and rushed out without looking back.
A man dressed all in white walked to the bonfire and picked up the letter.
"The Holy City..." After reading the letter, the man in white threw it into the bonfire: "It's very close." (To be continued)