"Your Highness has given you the compliment. How dare Shen Zhui sit down in front of His Highness? Your Highness should invite you first." Shen Zhui said flattered.
The Seventh Prince chuckled lightly and said: "There is no distinction between Your Highness and Marquis here. If you don't mind, we will treat each other as equals."
Shen Zhui was stunned for a moment, then quickly said: "Okay, that's Shen Zhui's bold move."
Ji Chen laughed, stretched out his hand again and said: "Since there is no distinction between monarch and minister, let's just treat it as guest and host. You are the guest. Brother Shen, please take a seat."
Shen Zhui thought to himself that these seventh princes were quick-thinking and quite intelligent, but could not be stubborn, so they immediately gave him the upper hand.
The Seventh Prince Ji Chen is at the bottom, accompanying him as the master. Today he is only wearing a gray jacket, which shows his elegance and chicness.
After the two sat down, the guards came to serve tea and then left. After the greetings, the two of them just drank tea for a while and were silent for a long time. Shen Zhui wanted to ask the seventh prince why he invited him alone, but he thought that the other party also invited King Jianhuang. He moved to be his lobbyist, but on the surface he remained calm and just drank tea.
Speaking of which, among all the people Shen Zhui had met, the seventh prince had the most prominent status, even the Princes of Liang and Zhao were slightly inferior.
Because of people like Emperor Tianming, there have only been fourteen princes in the past eight hundred years, but they have given birth to more than three hundred princesses!
To ordinary people, this might be just a coincidence, but when it comes to emperors, it's different.
When you reach the level of the Human Emperor, you can completely decide on your own about having children, and there is no mystery in the womb.
Which princess can give birth to a prince, either she is extremely favored, or her mother's family is powerful. Giving birth to a prince is a kind of comfort, indicating that if there is a chance in the future, the son of this princess will have the opportunity to inherit the throne. !
Of course, Anle Princess Ji Zixuan is an exception. Xuanyue Fairy Island is a female-to-male inheritance system, so Xuanyue Fairy can only be a biological princess.
Judging from the huge difference in proportions between the princes and princesses, it is enough to show the status of the seventh prince.
While Ji Chen was drinking tea, he was actually looking at Shen Zhui. When he saw that the other person looked calm and relaxed in front of him, he immediately nodded secretly.
Anyone who could meet Ji Chen would either have a strong desire to talk and want to express themselves, or else they would be trembling and speechless.
But this Shen Zhui seemed to be really enjoying the tea and was extremely calm.
In the end, Ji Chen put down the tea cup and said with a smile, "Brother Shen, what do you think of this fragrant tea?"
Shen Zhui also put down his teacup and said calmly:
"Taking tea and meditating can cleanse the soul."
"The first taste is light, the second taste is slightly fragrant, and the third taste changes from light to strong, with a bitter and fragrant aroma."
"Watching the rolling leaves of tea is nothing more than ups and downs, and the posture of drinking tea is nothing more than picking up and putting down."
"Be calm when you are sinking, and be indifferent when you are floating. No matter who you are, if you cannot withstand the ups and downs of the world, you may not be able to taste the fragrance of life."
A glimmer of light appeared in Ji Chen's eyes, and he said with some surprise: "I didn't expect Brother Shen to be so good at this? It's wonderful, it's really wonderful. It's hard for ordinary people to have such a sense of life."
"To be honest with you, Your Highness, I don't know much about the taste, but my teacher often lets me drink tea. This is what the teacher said. I just borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha to make Your Highness laugh." Shen Zhui chuckled. road.
"Uh...hahaha." This frankness made Ji Chen burst out laughing.
The atmosphere was getting thicker, and the conversation between the two was no longer as restrained as before, and gradually became more relaxed.
Although Ji Chen looks gentle and gentle, he has a lot of experience in the military before, and he has a lot in common with Shen Zhui. As a prince, his vision and knowledge are naturally extraordinary, and he can handle whatever he says. Say something, don't let it fall into the air.
Even if it was market rumors or gossip, the prince was always interested in it and picked it up at his fingertips.
Talking to him, Shen Zhui felt like a spring breeze, extremely comfortable.
As for Shen Zhui, although he didn't talk much, he could always understand the other person's meaning quickly, and even occasionally responded with witty words. Speaking of things on the border of the Nine Nether Realm, this was a place Ji Chen had never been to, and it was either thrilling or absolutely amazing. Ji Chen was very happy to hear this.
The two of them did not talk about state affairs, nor did they get involved in party disputes. They just had a casual chat, and more than two hours passed.
"Brother Shen is so funny that I didn't expect it. The briefing from the Ministry of War said that Brother Shen was decisive in killing, and the portrait of the household department also described it as ferocious. Now it seems that it is better to meet each other than to be famous. Fortunately, I am in the capital, otherwise I would probably have to I missed Brother Shen as a friend." Ji Chen said with a smile.
"His Highness didn't make me think of it," Shen Zhui said. "Originally, I thought His Highness was that kind of real god and old monster, majestic and unsmiling. Now that I see it, I'm totally wrong."
In fact, from the very beginning when he came in, Shen Zhui sensed that Ji Chen was at the peak level of a venerable, and that the dignified Seventh Prince was actually a venerable, which indeed made Shen Zhui somewhat unexpected.
When it comes to the realm of cultivation, Ji Chen also said with some emotion: "As a prince, I am busy with worldly affairs. In recent years, I have spent less and less time on cultivation. More than four hundred years have passed, and I am still only at the peak of the venerable. Not as good as a genius like Brother Shen."
"Your Highness is just joking. You are right, the eighty-year-old magical power, the hundred-second young master. Your Highness just took some time out of his busy schedule to reach the current state, which is already very good." Shen Zhui said.
Indeed, for the prince, it is too late to break through the supernatural realm at the age of eighty.
After all, with the powerful bloodline of the Human Emperor, and the fact that their mothers are also masters, some princes will develop their own inner fire and reach the innate realm as soon as they take action. When they are seven or eight years old, they will start to practice formally, and they will soon be able to break through to the Spiritual Bridge realm.
With top resources and the guidance of famous teachers, it is not difficult to overcome the barriers to the magical power realm. Therefore, it is too late to achieve the magical power realm at the age of eighty.
But becoming a venerable, true god is different. Being a venerable involves understanding the origin of heaven and earth, and also draws gifts from the universe, realizes the cave heaven, and breeds vitality. It is a completely reborn change.
The true god wants to fuse the three souls and seven souls into the physical body, which is full of dangers.
Therefore, one hundred and twenty years to break through to the Supreme level is considered young. The Seventh Prince Ji Chen, who has been practicing for more than 400 years and has reached the peak of the Supreme, is actually a genius. After all, the prince will start his career after he reaches adulthood. Fu Jian Ya cannot be practiced wholeheartedly.
"It's still not comparable to Brother Shen. According to the Ministry of Household Affairs, I heard that Brother Shen is only twenty-two this year?" Ji Chen asked.
"Yes." Shen Zhui nodded.
"It's really rare to see." Ji Chen also sighed from the bottom of his heart. The 22-year-old fifth-level venerable, even if he does not count the acceleration of time in the cave, just counting his age in the world, he is a monster. .It is necessary to know that the time in the cave world accelerates cultivation and understands that the rules of heaven and earth are imperfect, so breakthroughs are usually made in the vast world.
After a pause, Ji Chen suddenly asked: "I wonder, Brother Shen, have you ever thought about where the feudal territory of the Hou Kingdom is located?"
"I have never thought about this." Shen Zhui said.
"Thousands of miles south of Yongzhou in the north, there is a treasure land, formerly known as Jiaodong. It borders the two regions of the North Sea and is backed by the Golden Snake Kingdom. It was discovered by the Northern Navy Regiment when it conquered the Northern Wilderness, but that was only part of the area. Because some sea monsters cause trouble from time to time. , so the area that was considered a birthplace and included in the territory of the imperial court was only as large as a princely state.
But the area around it is vast, as big as five princely states!"
"After Brother Shen comes out of Wuhou's secret realm, as usual, the Sixth Ministry will bring a list for Brother Shen to choose from. If you are interested, you can choose this place as the fiefdom of the Hou Kingdom."
"If Brother Shen has the ability to eliminate the sea monster in the future, this place may be used as the basis for becoming a king!"
Shen Zhui's brows twitched slightly, knowing that after chatting for so long, the highlight was finally here.
Yongzhou and Jiaodong in the north, backed by the Golden Snake Kingdom, were conquered by the Northern Navy Corps... No matter how stupid he was, he understood that this was a hint from the seventh prince.
Because the Golden Snake King is the grandfather of the Seventh Prince Ji Chen, and the Northern Navy Regiment is where the Seventh Prince has been, it also falls within the Golden Snake King's sphere of influence.
If you choose to seal Jiaodong, there is no doubt that you will receive great help!
Ji Chen even hinted to himself that if he cultivated Jiaodong and explored the surrounding areas, he could help use the strength of the Northern Sea Regiment to help him conquer the Northern Sea Monster, and even... he might even be able to achieve the title of king!
Hearing this, Shen Zhui's heart was beating fast.
It has to be said that although the Seventh Prince is at the pinnacle of venerable status, this kind of promise is definitely not groundless!
Even King Jianhuang can be invited by him as a lobbyist, and his grandfather is the King of Golden Snakes. If he agrees, he might really hope to be crowned king in the future!
You know... in today's Great Zhou Dynasty, what the king lacks is not only combat power, but also the opportunity to make meritorious deeds!
If you live inland, you will be safe, but it has little to do with military success. You have to wait for another opportunity, and you don't know how long you have to wait.
This point can be seen from the fact that Wu'anhou was granted the title of King of Zhao.
However, Shen Zhui did not agree immediately. It was not that he wanted to wait for the price, but it was full of variables.
It was at least seven years since he came out of Wuhou's secret realm. Not to mention the fact that he wanted to marry Concubine Zixuan has not been known yet, so all the princes in the court made friends with him, the champion. There is little opposition.
But what if I stand on the opposite side of Left Prime Minister Fan Wenhan?
Then the result might be completely different.
"His Highness's kindness is appreciated by Shen Zhui. However, the matter of sealing the land is still seven years away. It is too early to say anything. Moreover, although the title has been decided, it has not been officially announced to the world. Shen Zhui should not consider the matter of sealing the land for the time being." Shen Zhui cupped his hands.
Ji Chen observed that Shen Zhui's face seemed to have something to hide, and immediately said: "If Brother Shen doesn't mind being rude, I want to get straight to the point."
"Your Highness, please speak." Shen Zhui said with a wry smile.
"Are you worried that they will make things difficult for you because of the Yang family's affairs?" Ji Chen asked. The title ban has already been determined. The only thing missing is the process of offering sacrifices to the sky. This is basically a certainty, but Shen Zhui seems worried. , so I just asked directly.
"If this is the case, you don't have to worry. Mrs. Yang is not that ignorant. There may be challenges from the younger generation, but it is the same as normal competition and there will be no other thoughts." Ji Chen said with a smile. "And Yang Wenguang, the right minister of the court, is my father-in-law. If you can't bear to worry about him, this is also a trivial matter."
This was already considered very sincere, but that was not what Shen Zhui was worried about at all.
The person he asked to marry was Princess Anle, and it was a major matter related to the South China Sea Islands. This was absolutely impossible for the seventh prince to decide with just one word.
Seeing that Shen Zhui still refused to let go, Ji Chen knew not to act too hastily even though he was confused. He immediately changed the subject and said with a smile: "...well, it's really too early to consider this now. I'll wait until you come out of Wuhou's secret realm." It’s never too late to tell you later.”
"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Zhui cupped his hands and said.
After chatting for a while, the seventh prince sent Shen Zhui away after the guards came in to remind him that it was getting late.
Watching the other party return to the fleet and go away, Ji Chen stood on Yu Linglong, staring into the distance, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Yinpu." Ji Chen suddenly looked at the guard next to him. "What do you think of Shen Chai?"
"The magnanimity is extraordinary. If his level were higher, he would be worthy of being named a champion." The guard replied. "However, His Highness is so polite, but he doesn't know what is good and what is bad, and he is a little arrogant."
Ji Chen did not comment, but asked: "I want to benefit from good wine and beautiful people. Can I get this person?"
The guard shook his head decisively and said: "The Ministry of War briefed that the champion Hou Zeng rejected Lan Ling Hou Yunkang's proposal of marriage. He does not seem to be tempted by beauty."
"What if we use magic weapons and treasures to benefit it?" Ji Chen asked again.
Yin Pu thought for a while and then said: "When I watched him sit down at the table, he looked at ease in front of a room full of famous utensils. I'm afraid money and silk can't move his heart."
Ji Chen smiled and said, "Then if you feel threatened, can you make him submit?"
This time Yinpu thought longer and finally shook his head: "He traveled at a pace that was neither urgent nor slow, and his responses in front of the palace were measured. Even when His Highness hinted that he would go to Yongzhou and Jiaodong, he did not show any joy. Obviously, He is a man who has seen a lot of things in the world. Moreover, he comes from the military and is used to seeing our enemies lurking and assassinating us. I am afraid he will not fall for this trick."
"That's it." Ji Chen relaxed his brows and said with a smile.
"Money and silk cannot move people's hearts, fame and wealth cannot hide from their gods, and coercion and inducements cannot shake their ambitions."
"It can be seen that only those who are like-minded can achieve unity."
"Although King Jianhuang built a bridge and used the Yang family's reconciliation as a bargaining chip, I am still a little too impatient this time. After all, this is only the first time we meet. If I were not worried about the other princes taking the lead, I would never talk so quickly. Come up here." Ji Chen shook his head.
"And I'm afraid I still underestimated this champion. At the table just now, it seemed that he was still a bit embarrassed. It seemed that there was something big that even I, the seventh prince, couldn't accomplish."
"How could this happen?" Yinpu asked puzzled.
"Whether it's possible or not, we'll find out if we learn more about it." Ji Chen showed his white teeth. "Yinpu, let's go back to Beijing quickly and see who is embarrassing this champion!"
"yes."
…………
After bidding farewell to the Seventh Prince, Shen Zhui returned to the warship team.
To be honest, if you don't ask to marry the princess, it's not impossible to make friends with the seventh prince and cooperate with each other to seek a future together. But with this hidden secret, it is impossible for him to agree at present. Otherwise, once he is found out, he will be provoked Such a big trouble is the hidden danger of cooperation. Not only may the cooperation fail, but it may make Ji Chen feel that he is too unauthentic.
"Shen Zhui, you are doing the right thing. If the seventh prince knows that you have offended Prime Minister Fan and does not tell him in advance, then the seventh prince will not be welcome here."
"But you don't have to be regretful. There's no such thing as a one-time deal. If the Seventh Prince really wants to make friends with you, he won't come here just this once." Zen Xin said with relief.
"I know that." Shen Zhui nodded.
"Hey, if there is a seventh prince, more princes will come. The seventh prince is just a venerable, but there are some princes who are at the level of true gods. Maybe they can help you even more." Zen Xin said with a smile.
"It's not as simple as you think." Shen Zhui said angrily.
He is just an honorable man now. Although he is a champion, he is just a commander. He is honorable, but it cannot be said that he has great power. After all, the imperial court has not assigned him an official title, a feudal land, or a new princedom. Wuhou is only a fifth-level venerable. In the eyes of a true god-level prince, a Wuhou who has controlled the army for hundreds of years may not be useful.
Some Wuhou are even at the level of true gods themselves, but he, Shen Zhui, is only at the fifth level of the Venerable now. If he has potential, that will be in the future.
For the sake of possible future benefits, anyone would have to think carefully about offending the Fan family, which is now at its peak.
…………
After returning to the warship, Shen Zhui quickly put the matter aside and concentrated on his cultivation. Before he officially stood opposite the Fan family, his cultivation level was worth one point.
Don't look at the congratulations from many parties now, they are extremely respectful.
When the marriage proposal breaks out, there will be no room for maneuver. I am afraid that the number of people I have made friends with will also be greatly reduced. Only your own strength is the last word.
There were still two days left before he would go to Beijing, so Shen Zhui spent his time practicing and learning the rituals, occasionally meeting with King Zhao to receive advice.
Just when Shen Zhui was preparing to deal with the troubles after entering Beijing, the day before entering Beijing.
A sudden news caught Shen Zhui off guard.
"Old Kong, what did you say was so important that you came to me in such a hurry?" Shen Zhui looked at Kong Yangzhou with confusion as he rushed in.
He was practicing hard, but just now Kong Yangzhou frantically sent a message to him, sending eight communication requests in a row, and now he ran directly to his warship.
"Have you ever heard of the artifact Wanminjian built by the Ministry of Industry for the Ministry of Household Affairs?" Kong Yangzhou asked.
"I've heard a little bit about it." Shen Zhui nodded. "It's a magical tool that records the origins of people, so that civil servants can govern the place, and the people under the rule can read pictures and see the appearance."
"Then do you know that before the appointment of Marquis Wu, his family background will be carefully investigated, and his family must be clean to prevent spies from getting in."
"I know, what do you want to say..." Shen Zhui said impatiently. However, the next moment, his brows suddenly jumped, his face changed, and he stared at Kong Yangzhou. "You don't want to explain……"
"That's right." Kong Yangzhou nodded and said strangely. "Your biological father... was found by people from the Ministry of Household Affairs."