The emperor was hunched over in laughter, tears streaming from his eyes, and pointing at Fang Mingtong. He was laughing so hard he couldn't get his words out, "Hahaha... Hahahaha..."
"That's it... the emperor has gone mad," Fang Mingtong said like a child who had done something wrong, standing there humbly, "Your Majesty... are you okay?"
"Old Fang... you rascal! Ahahaha...Hahaha, is this the way… to give such news? Hahaha...Shouldn't you have… hahaha, told me gradually? Hahaha!" The emperor was still laughing hysterically.
After a long while, his laughter finally subsided. He drained the teacup on the table, then wiped away a tear from the corner of his eyes. But more tears... were streaming down his face.
"Old Fang?"
"Yes."
"Do you think... I am now a once-in-a-historical-warlord?"
"Well…"
"Now!"
"Yes!"
"Then would you say that we have achieved an unprecedented great accomplishment?"
"Yes!"
"How do you think the history books will describe me? Will they say: In the year of 1033 in Great Xia, under Chu Mo, who led over twelve thousand miners as soldiers, they schemed and defeated Great Qi's one million strong army?"
"Absolutely!"
"That sounds about right. Great Qi… huh, Great Qi... my old foe! My grandfather, my emperor father… there's not a single ancestor who didn't wish to conquer Great Qi! The animosity of our ancestors, I never dare forget. I've focused on development, striving for governance... but Great Qi, they are not far behind. Even their comprehensive national power is taller than ours!"
"Indeed... our Great Xia, had two emperors captured by them. They were humiliated and ended up committing suicide to preserve their honor. That grudge… has never been forgotten."
"Those were my two great grandfathers..." The emperor sighed softly then said: "This time, the two great grandfathers who died in humiliation, can finally rest in peace! Your descendant, has avenged you!"
Just then, a eunuch's sharp voice echoed from outside: "Your Majesty... The court officials outside the palace are so excited they can hardly control themselves. They want you to come out and give a speech! There are already more than a hundred thousand people gathered outside the palace... and the numbers are still growing!"
"Alright! I... I'll be right there!" The emperor said, looking at Fang Mingtong, then he took a deep breath: "Take a look at me, am I looking majestic enough right now?"
"Your Majesty, you always are the most majestic!" said Fang Mingtong.
"Who would have thought that you, Old Fang, would learn how to flatter in your old age!" The emperor laughed, "But, it's flattering that I... indeed find pleasing!"
Then, the emperor looked at Fang Mingtong and said: "Chu Mo... he's a national treasure!"
"Yes, indeed a national treasure!" Fang Mingtong wholeheartedly agreed.
"With Chu Mo... one man is worth a million-army!" The emperor looked at Fang Mingtong and asked: "Do you think that being the King of Chu is too lowly?"
Fang Mingtong was immediately taken aback, "Not at all... Your Majesty, how else do you want to reward him? If he were to go any higher..."
"The next rank is emperor..." the emperor said cryptically, "Do you think he would be content?"
At this moment, Fang Mingtong began to understand the emperor's concern. At the back of the jubilation, His Majesty was starting to be suspicious! After all, Chu Mo's contribution this time was simply too monumental!
So monumental that no one could simply ignore it. He shone so brightly it was blinding!
Fang Mingtong suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, in the battle report sent back by Chu Mo, he didn't mention himself. The commendation for the battle… was written for Zhang Rong."
"Oh?" The emperor gave a small start, then broke into a smile, "King Chu! He indeed is King Chu!"
Saying this, he strode off, striding briskly like a tiger heading out of the palace. The dream of being a once-in-a-historical-warlord... was right in front of him!
Fang Mingtong watched the emperor's retreating figure, breaking out in a cold sweat, but at the same time, he also praised in his heart: What a clever little fellow, not taking credits nor being arrogant at such a young age. His Majesty was right... he is indeed a national treasure!
....
Compared with the hustle and bustle in Yanhuang City, the sky above the capital of Great Qi... was filled with an oppressive, solemn atmosphere.
It was as if the entire bustling capital... was shrouded in a deathly aura.
The ordinary citizens who knew nothing about the situation, all felt this aura, much to their confusion. They did not know what was happening. Why was such an oppressive atmosphere looming over this bustling city, which was otherwise peaceful?
Joyous energy can be infectious; oppressive energy likewise can spread quickly.
For a while, the entire Imperial Capital of Great Qi, from the streets to the alleyways, saw all the people's expressions becoming serious.
Some children, who were playing in the streets, were all taken home by adults. Some disobedient ones received a few slaps and helplessly cried as they were taken away.
In the royal palace of Great Qi.
Sitting on the dragon throne, the Emperor of Great Qi, Jiang Hengyu, wore an expressionless face. It seemed as though he was contemplating an issue.
Below him knelt a large group of civil and military officials, all bowing their heads in silence. No one dared to speak.
The atmosphere in the Golden Hall was far more oppressive than outside, a hundred times over!
"You all... Do none of you have anything to say?" After a long while, Jiang Hengyu murmured softly.
"Your Majesty... All the mistakes, all the wrongs are my fault. I bear full and inalienable responsibility for this situation." A white-haired old man with a robust aura slowly lifted his head, with two lines of turbid tears flowing from the corners of his eyes.
This old man was Kong Zhongda, the Great Marshal of the Great Qi's army!
His cultivation level was said to have almost reached the seventh layer of the Understanding Heart Realm.
Kong Zhongda had served two emperors successively, considered a veteran of two dynasties. He had been appointed the Great Marshal of Great Qi's army for many years. He was a noble official in Great Qi, deeply trusted by Emperor Jiang Hengyu.
The initial plan about the northern Prairie was proposed by him. But later when the royal family had picked the fruit of the plan, Chu Mo disrupted it entirely on the prairie, thereby completely destroying the plan and heavily hitting the face of the Great Qi's royal family.
This time, the plan to march a million soldiers over the Skybreaker Mountain range, was still introduced by Kong Zhongda!
The person who defected Crown Prince Xia Ying of Great Xia was, in fact, an agent planted by Kong Zhongda in Great Xia over thirty years ago!
That agent in the Crown Prince's Mansion was truly a close associate of Xia Ying, who had practically watched Xia Ying grow up. He was a confidant whom Xia Ying deeply trusted.
No one could have imagined that such a person would turn out to be a spy of Great Qi!
Therefore, as soon as trouble arose on Xia Ying's side, Kong Zhongda received the news. Moreover, he knew Xia Ying's mentality better than many others.
Based on this, the spy had several heart-to-heart conversations with Xia Ying and eventually persuaded him to defect. He still played the role of a middleman without exposing himself entirely.
He found an eye for Xia Ying and with the help of some magical medicine, helped Xia Ying recover his sight to some extent!
He then promised Xia Ying that once the mission was accomplished, he would surely give him two intact eyes, completely restoring his sight. Also, he would confer upon him the title of King Xia and grant him half of Great Xia's territory!
Without hesitation… Xia Ying agreed!
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I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry... My update is late.
I suddenly had a problem with my waist, I am in so much pain that I don't dare to move. Today I went to the hospital. The doctor said that my waist had already been problematic, the pain being due to severe strain in the waist muscles. Then suddenly yesterday... I don't know how I twisted it, resulting in further severity.
So, I only wrote three chapters yesterday…
Today I went to the hospital for acupuncture and massage, the doctor advised me not to sit down. I said that it's absolutely impossible, I can't lie down and type, besides I am already so fat... if I lie down, I would feel suffocated…
So, now I am sitting with a pain relief patch on, typing this.
However, I don't dare to sit for a long time.
I will strive to write as much as possible, alright?
Please be understanding, once my waist does not hurt that much, I will immediately burst with writing!
Yes, I will also exercise, to try and not be so weak…
Please vote to comfort me. (To be continued. If you like this work, I welcome you to qidian.com to vote and recommend, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile phone users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.