After a long while, Murong Taotao glanced at Emperor Ming, "Does Your Majesty mean to attack the Liang Kingdom?"
Before attacking the Chen Kingdom, the Yan Kingdom had gained immense benefits. It was likely that Emperor Ming's ambition was growing, aiming for unlimited expansion...
Emperor Ming smiled and said, "Directly attacking would seem impolite. Although the Great Liang Kingdom is barely surviving and in decline, it is actually very resilient. Otherwise, they wouldn't be fighting the barbarians head-on..."
Murong Taotao narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, "So what exactly does Your Majesty want to say?"
This was so annoying. He hated fighting the most, yet Emperor Ming was a warmonger. In just a few years, the Yan Kingdom's territory had rapidly expanded, like a greedy hyena...
"Taotao, I've found the Liang Kingdom displeasing for a long time. Wasn't the second prince Ming Feiche castrated by assassins before? I suspect the Liang Kingdom sent people to do it, so this time I will retaliate in kind, eye for an eye, and crush them!" Emperor Ming gritted his teeth.
Previously, the second prince of Yan, Ming Feiche, had a marriage engagement with Xiao Xinling. Relying on his country's power, he demanded that Xiao Xinling become his concubine...
Emperor Cheng could not stand it, so he had Yun Si Man handle the matter, and then Ming Feiche became a eunuch.
Murong Taotao was silent for a moment, walked to the fruit platter, picked up a hawthorn, and took a gentle bite, "My sister loved hawthorns the most before. I heard that the Great Liang Kingdom produces a lot of this, sour and sweet, it tastes really good!"
Emperor Ming: "..."
I'm talking about important matters, why are you mentioning hawthorns?
Besides, you don't even know where your sister is now. What's the use of constantly thinking about her?
"Your Majesty!" Murong Taotao casually threw the hawthorn pit away, clapped his hands, and said, "I think if you are determined to attack the Liang Kingdom, now is not the time..."
"Wh-why?" Emperor Ming blinked, looking confused.
Murong Taotao smiled faintly, "Currently, the Liang Kingdom and the barbarians are in a state of chaos. If Your Majesty makes a rash move, it will be openly opposing the barbarians. When the enemy and our forces clash, Your Majesty will suffer more losses than gains. I believe it would be better for Your Majesty to sit by and watch the tigers fight, and then strike when both the barbarians and the Liang Kingdom are weakened. It won't be too late then..."
Emperor Ming's eyes curved into slits upon hearing this.
He walked forward with a smile, wanting to embrace his precious National Preceptor, but fearing that the other party might dislike him, he suppressed his inner excitement and anticipation, coughed lightly, "Taotao is truly a little genius. With you helping me strategize, I have nothing to worry about..."
After speaking, Emperor Ming shouted outside the hall, "Someone, come in quickly!"
A moment later, a young eunuch walked in.
"A few days ago, the Zhao Kingdom sent tribute and gifted many precious silks. Go and pick a few carts of the finest materials and send them to the National Preceptor's mansion..." Emperor Ming ordered.
Before the young eunuch could respond, Murong Taotao waved his hand, looking indifferent, "Your Majesty need not do this. I am not interested in gold, silver, treasures, or fine fabrics!"
Emperor Ming's mouth twitched violently, appearing somewhat at a loss...
Alas, it's quite difficult to please this precious young National Preceptor.
No matter what Emperor Ming rewarded him with, the young National Preceptor refused it, always sitting behind the screen, tinkering with something...
"Taotao, haven't you always wanted to find your sister? I sent many people out a few days ago to visit various countries. I believe your sister will return soon!" Emperor Ming said with a smile.
Murong Taotao nodded slightly upon hearing this, "Then thank you, Your Majesty..."
This old man has finally done something decent.
"Right!" Emperor Ming suddenly remembered something and looked at Murong Taotao, "Taotao, the people I sent out a few days ago have returned and reported that the location of the treasure has been confirmed. I plan to send more people to the Liang Kingdom to dig out the treasure. What do you think, Taotao?"
Murong Taotao: "..."
Just be greedy.
That treasure was left by the King of Chen for Shangguan Fang'er. You insist on snatching it for yourself. One cannot be too selfish, or you will incur divine wrath...
"Recall the people!" Murong Taotao said expressionlessly.
Emperor Ming immediately panicked, "Wh-why recall them? Taotao, I heard that there is a rare jade in the Chen Kingdom that is found once in a hundred years. If I get my hands on it, I want to make a jade pendant for Taotao..."
"I don't need it. Quickly recall the people and do not steal their treasure!" Murong Taotao's small face darkened, his aura becoming imposing.
Emperor Ming shrunk his neck, feeling a little scared.
This brat is about to get angry again. If I don't agree, he will definitely not speak to me for ten days to half a month...
Helplessly, Emperor Ming had to summon the ministers of the Xingjian Department and order them to recall the assassins they had sent out, prohibiting them from touching the treasure in the future.
The assassins active in the Liang Kingdom were mainly managed by the Xingjian Department, but in front of the young National Preceptor, these people were all scum.
There was no other way, the Emperor cherished this young boy so much. He was exceptionally talented and adept at strategizing, unparalleled in both economic and political matters...
As long as he was here, the Great Yan Kingdom would prosper forever, for ten thousand generations!
Ten days later, outside the Pingyang Marquis Mansion in the capital.
A rough carriage arrived and slowly stopped in front of the Marquis Mansion...
Ren Du pulled himself out of the carriage and lifted the curtain, "Khan, Khatun, this is the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. Shall we go in now, or find an inn to rest first?"
Han Chi'er poked his head out and looked outside, "Hmph, daring to detain my daughter, this Pingyang Marquis doesn't want to live. Ren Du, you lie in ambush here, and when it gets dark, sneak into the Marquis Mansion to see if Jiaojiao and Yan'er are here..."
Si Ya Khatun felt something was amiss after hearing this, "I heard that this Marquis Mansion is full of masters and heavily guarded. What if the Pingyang Marquis discovers us? Will it be detrimental to Jiaojiao and Yan'er?"
When people are enraged, they can do anything...
"Si Ya, th-then what should we do? We've come all this way, we can't just do nothing, right?" Han Chi'er scratched his head anxiously.
"Useless good-for-nothing!" Si Ya Khatun glared at him and said impatiently, "Can a living person be suffocated by urine? You fall apart at critical moments!"
Han Chi'er: "..."
Old woman, why do you always scold me? I feel just as bad as you do that our daughter is not found.
"Ren Du, drive the carriage to the side. I'll go to the Marquis Mansion to inquire!"
After Si Ya Khatun finished speaking, she jumped out of the carriage, tidied her skirt, and slowly walked towards the Marquis Mansion...