Zuo Wushang readily agreed and discussed the matter with Liang Xiao before taking Zhuo Xun out.
At this time, Zuo Wuji was in a secret chamber in Yue Manor, his face stern, sulking.
He had lived a comfortable life in Daliang, wealthy and influential, able to navigate all relationships smoothly. Everyone wanted to befriend him.
But with Liang Xiao's arrival, he felt like a defeated dog.
His eldest daughter had been charmed away by Liang Xiao, and Yue Wenxin, whom he had painstakingly cultivated, was now in peril!
However, he also knew that he had too few bargaining chips.
Liang Xiao dared to come to Daqian and openly covet Zuo Jing, which meant he wasn't afraid of his identity as the Heavenly General being exposed.
After all, the Emperor of Daliang had done everything possible to ensure Liang Xiao and his relatives' safety, making him feel secure.
And as the Zhenbei Marquis of Daliang, he wouldn't be foolish enough to offend Mu Cheng, who was his nominal master.
Facing the ascendant Liang Xiao, even someone as arrogant and overbearing as Yan Liu had to tread carefully, let alone him.
Just as Zuo Wuji was feeling dejected, the Yun Tian Guard urgently reported, "Master, Zuo Wushang requests an audience..."
Zuo Wuji frowned, suppressed his anger, and said, "Let him roll in!"
After the Yun Tian Guard left, Zuo Wuji went to the door, lifted his right foot, and prepared to kick Zuo Wushang over as soon as he opened the door.
"Crack!"
After a moment, the wooden door was violently kicked down.
Zuo Wuji's expression changed, and he retreated several steps, avoiding the falling door.
Into Zuo Wuji's angry eyes came Zuo Wushang's smiling face, and behind him, Zhuo Xun, who looked shocked.
"Father, what are you doing..."
"Reasonable talk is useless. Against scoundrels, one must use scoundrel tactics. If I had opened the door normally, your second uncle would have wanted to kick me to death too! Come, Xun'er, greet your second uncle," Zuo Wushang said with a smile.
Zhuo Xun was dumbfounded, "Second Uncle, hello..."
"Don't think I'll give you face just because you have your family with you! We've severed ties, how dare you shamelessly kick down my door?" Zuo Wuji felt a surge of anger about to erupt in his chest.
Zuo Wushang ignored Zuo Wuji's fury and asked, "Where is Xiao Jing? Did you hide her?"
Zuo Wuji finally remembered his bargaining chip and laughed in extreme anger, "She is my daughter, do I not have the right to discipline her?"
Zuo Wushang then said seriously, "She is merely a tool for your advancement. Only by Liang Xiao's side can she find herself. I know what you care about. Money, status. Liang Xiao can provide that, and I can compensate you with silver."
Zuo Wuji stared coldly at Zuo Wushang, "When Father was on his deathbed, he made us swear an oath to break arrows, that even if we abandoned the cause of restoring our kingdom, we would not serve as officials in Daqian. I risked helping you, and you also sacrificed my daughter. You are disloyal, unfilial, and unjust. What right do you have to negotiate terms with me?"
Zuo Wushang knew he was in the wrong and said, "That's why I said I can compensate you. As for serving in court, it was never my wish, but I must seek revenge against the barbarians and the Huichun Sect! Moreover, I have already accepted Liang Xiao's statement. We belong to this land, this nation. As long as the people can live well and no longer live in fear, who becomes emperor is the same."
Zuo Wuji snorted and sat aside, grinding his teeth.
"Talking to me about these grand principles is meaningless. The former princess has surrendered, and I am no longer a subject of Daheng, and I have promised not to expose the truth about the Heavenly General. I have done all I can. You have no right to disturb me further!"
"Therefore, I am here on behalf of Liang Xiao and myself to negotiate business with you. Even if we are enemies, it does not change the fact that we are blood relatives, separated only by a narrow strip of water," Zuo Wushang said calmly.
Zhuo Xun quietly observed Zuo Wuji, not daring to speak.
She could see that this second uncle was somewhat blustering but resolute.
"No deal!" Zuo Wuji flatly refused.
Zuo Wushang was still persistent, "You promised your sister-in-law back then that you would treat Xiao Jing well. You also know that Xiao Jing is deeply devoted to Liang Xiao. Shouldn't you fulfill her wishes?"
"She is the only flesh and blood of me and Hong Yun!" Zuo Wuji said firmly.
"Increase the price, name your figure!" Zuo Wushang said impatiently.
Zuo Wuji pondered for a moment, and then spat out from between his teeth, "Ten billion taels of silver."
"Crash!"
The table was overturned by Zuo Wushang, and wine splashed all over Zuo Wuji.
"Father? Second Uncle?" Zhuo Xun looked bewildered.
"Children, don't interrupt!" Zuo Wuji rolled up his sleeves and rushed towards Zuo Wushang.
Zuo Wushang, worried about Zhuo Xun getting hurt, also moved to meet him...
At the Honglu Temple, Liang Xiao looked at the bruised and swollen Zuo Wushang and fell silent.
"My father and second uncle started fighting after only a few words. My second uncle is also disfigured. Their negotiation methods are so unique," Zhuo Xun mumbled.
Zuo Wushang sighed, "That fellow is as despicable as ever. I've been fighting with him since childhood, I know his nature too well. It's impossible to make him hand over Xiao Jing obediently. It seems we can only start with the Emperor of Daliang to force his hand!"
Liang Xiao said, "When you went to see him, I also asked Ye Chengxiu, the commander of the Xuan Wei. The Emperor of Daliang does not wish to see me alone at the moment, his intentions are unclear."
Luo Qingxue frowned, "He went to great lengths to invite you as an envoy to Daliang, but after you arrived, he only discussed state affairs with you in public and didn't talk much about his past with your father..."
"He must have a deeper reason, and he specifically asked me to find Yue Hongxiu and Jian Fuzi. But I heard that Yue Hongxiu is also at the chess hall and refuses to see me. I can only go to Jian Fuzi first to inquire about the situation. But the proud nineteen prefectures of Daliang are nearly half of Daqian..."
He Zizhang reminded him, "Marquis, the Shadow Guard just sent word that Jian Fuzi has been in the capital area for the past few years, but his whereabouts are uncertain. He is not currently in his old home in the capital."
Liang Xiao was delighted, "Have the Shadow Guard keep an eye on his home and gather information. As soon as there's news of him, inform me immediately. I am curious about his relationship with my father and the Emperor of Daliang, and why the Emperor of Daliang insists that I see him?"
After He Zizhang went to make arrangements, Qin Feng personally came to the Honglu Temple to pay his respects to Liang Xiao.
"His Majesty has instructed me to gather over three thousand scholars and officials. As soon as you give your approval, they can gather at the Zi Qing Terrace east of the city for a grand banquet. You can set a date."
Liang Xiao asked, "How about three days from now?"
Qin Feng gladly agreed.
Liang Xiao's mission to Daliang was now widely known throughout the country.
Many scholars had even traveled from various places to the capital, eager to meet this Daqian Anguo Marquis, renowned for his literary and military prowess.
Liang Xiao secretly sent people to search for Jian Fuzi and did not go to the chess hall.
Only Zhuo Xun, accompanied by Zuo Wushang, went to the chess hall daily to reminisce with Zhuo Yun.
"You absolutely must not ask your second sister to marry me again. A forced marriage is not sweet. She is pursuing the path of chess, let her do so. The Li family of Daliang allows Li Xin to remain unmarried for life. The Zhuo family, as descendants of the founding prime minister, should not fall behind in their vision."
With Liang Xiao's reminder, Zhuo Xun went to the chess hall again.
The day before the grand banquet began, the news that Liang Xiao was the son of the Northern King of Daliang also spread rapidly throughout Daqian via carrier pigeon.
Liang Xiao's relatives in the capital were all shocked.
Xiao Qing, who was presiding over the court session, and the civil and military officials exchanged bewildered glances.