Chapter 1 The Beginning

“The fourth prince of Chu is ruling as regent, not having ascended the throne?”

“Yes, Your Highness. According to intelligence from Chu, this is indeed the case. The edict from Chu used by the Chu envoy is also signed by the Regent of Chu, not the Emperor of Chu.”

The Crown Prince smiled upon hearing this, turning to look at Ning Fang-sheng, Minister of Rites, beside him, and said:

“Elder Ning, what do you think the fourth prince of Chu is up to?”

He had clearly defeated the other princes vying for the throne and had the support of several noble families with pillar-of-state status in Chu, yet he hadn't taken the opportunity to ascend the throne but instead styled himself as regent.

In fact, valuing the opponent tactically while scorning them strategically has existed since ancient times.

Especially at the level of nations, regarding the other side as “motivated by fame and profit” is also a kind of political correctness.

Not to mention that Great Yan, although having failed once in the initial battle at Wangjiang, ultimately achieved the final victory. In recent years, it has repeatedly won major victories against foreign powers. Not only do the Yan people have an inflated sense of national pride, but even those who truly hold the reins of power in the court are also obviously confident and poised.

When commenting on the officials or princes and ministers of other countries, they naturally carry a kind of condescending inertia.

Of course, they still had to analyze the situation. While confident, they weren't naive enough to think the other side was truly a fool.

“Your Highness, in this old minister's opinion, perhaps the Qingluan Army of Chu is trapped in Jade Plate City, and our Great Yan's iron cavalry, after driving away the wildlings, unified the Three Jins, causing the fourth prince of Chu to lose the opportunity to calmly arrange things after seizing the throne.

“By not ascending the throne but first styling himself as regent, he is likely thinking of uniting and integrating the various forces within the country to first deal with the pressure from our Great Yan.”

The Crown Prince nodded, thinking the same.

Leaving the position vacant and not rushing to sit on it, is it because he doesn't want to? Definitely not.

As the Crown Prince of a nation, no one knows better than him how terrifying the attraction of that dragon throne is.

At this moment, Xu Guang-huai, Minister of Revenue, spoke up:

“Actually, not rushing to ascend the throne is likely because our Yan army's speed of advance and the victories achieved have exceeded his original expectations.

“Your Highness, Elder Ning, right now, we still need to finalize the details of these state letters and treaties as soon as possible.”

The state letter was sent by Chu.

Whether the fourth prince is the Emperor of Chu or the Regent, he cannot allow those forty thousand Qingluan troops to starve to death in Jade Plate City.

But clearly, he has no intention of sending a large army for another expedition but hopes to seek a more dignified conclusion through peace talks.

The conditions offered by Chu are quite generous. First, Zhennan Pass, originally in the hands of the Si Tu family, will be returned to Yan.

At the same time, Chu will recognize Great Yan's legitimacy over the rule of the Three Jins.

These are the first two clauses;

This is to give an explanation for the previous war.

Next, there are two more clauses.

One is that Yan and Chu will sign an alliance;

In the state letter, the Regent of Chu recalled that back then, the Ji family and the Xiong family, a Marquis of Yan and a Marquis of Chu, were both comrades-in-arms who expanded their territories under the order of the Great Xia Emperor, and they were originally one family.

Therefore, from now on, both sides will help each other. When Yan encounters threats from the barbarians, Chu will help; when Chu encounters threats from the Shanyue (mountain tribes), Yan will help.

This is nonsense.

Not to mention that for hundreds of years, Great Yan has beaten the barbarians into complete submission, just look at the Shanyue tribes on Chu's side, who have already been driven by the Chu people to the truly remote and barren lands, and are probably on the verge of extinction.

Both sides have no enemies, so what's the point of helping each other?

Just say that if the Shanyue suddenly rises one day, and the barbarians also rise, one is at the westernmost edge of Great Yan, and the other is at the southernmost edge of Chu. Will they be able to help each other in time?

Of course, the Yan people know this is nonsense, and the Chu people definitely know it too, so, according to diplomatic custom, there will definitely be something truly useful following the nonsense.

That is the second clause: Yan and Chu will become “brotherly countries.”

Because the Regent of Chu has not yet ascended the throne, he wants to remotely honor the late Emperor of Chu and the Emperor of Yan as “brothers.” Who is older or younger, whether based on age or national power, doesn't matter. They directly skipped this debate. In any case, the Regent of Chu can recognize the Emperor of Yan as his “uncle.”

These are the four major clauses;

Below, there are a lot of trivial details.

For example, Chu will compensate Yan with grain, wealth, and so on, to appease Yan's anger, and is willing to imitate the former Qian Kingdom and submit annual tribute to Yan.

The Chu envoy, whose surname is Jing and given name is Yang, is from the Chu noble family of Jing and is a confidant of the Regent of Chu. This agreement is entirely negotiated by him on behalf of the will of the Regent of Chu.

Based on the principle of equality, a person sent by a “nephew emperor” naturally has to be dealt with by the next generation, so the Emperor of Yan handed this matter over to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince is responsible for leading the relevant officials to negotiate, in order to obtain the best result for Yan.

Xu Guang-huai, as the Minister of Revenue, attaches great importance to this peace talk. Yan needs to recuperate and start anew with the people. If an alliance can be reached with Chu, regardless of whether this alliance is effective or not, it can at least maintain five years of peace, right?

If there is no war for five years, Yan can develop further, and Jin can also recover some of its vitality, and the finances will be more relaxed.

The Crown Prince put down the documents in his hand, reached out and rubbed his brow, and said:

“Lord Mao, do you think Great Yan can continue this war?”

Although the conditions offered by Chu are very generous, just letting those nearly forty thousand Qingluan troops return like this, not to mention the series of problems that may arise as a result, just standing from the perspective of personal preferences, feels a bit unsatisfying.

Minister of War Mao Ming-cai rose and replied:

“In response to Your Highness, now, the Jingnan King has mobilized all the troops of the Three Jins and is actually prepared for a full-scale war with Chu, but…”

The Crown Prince nodded and said:

“It's best not to fight if we can avoid it, right?”

“That is indeed what this minister means. The soldiers are exhausted. Continuing this war will be torment for both the country and the army.

“The Jingnan King's use of troops has always emphasized being as still as a mountain and as shocking as thunder when moving.

“Now, putting on such a posture to overwhelm people is actually not the Jingnan King's style of using troops. Presumably, the Jingnan King also knows that stopping here is the most beneficial outcome for our Great Yan.”

“I understand. Elder Ning, you still need to worry more about the specifications of the state letter and some other details. Don't let there be any mistakes in etiquette. Also, order the Honglu Temple to inform the Qian envoy that they are almost three years overdue on their tribute.”

Saying this, the Crown Prince looked at Minister of Revenue Xu Guang-huai again,

“Qian must not only make up for the tribute owed for the previous three years, but also revise the specific amount, at least not lower than that of the Chu people.

“Let's handle both matters together.”

“This minister obeys the order.”

“This minister obeys the order.”

Before the start of the Three Kingdoms War, the border between Yan and Qian was already very tense. Therefore, Qian did not send the tribute that year. After that, the war broke out, and the Yan army invaded Qian. Qian dealt with it in a panic. After that time, the two countries have actually been in a state of “war.”

Although the Qian people did not think of going north after the Yan people withdrew, the two countries quickly returned to their previous “peace,” but the state of “war” has never been lifted.

Now, taking advantage of the opportunity to negotiate peace with the Chu people, bring in Qian to talk together and sign the treaty again.

Great Yan needs to recuperate, so take this opportunity. In any case, it's the same to extort one or two. Free things should not be wasted.

This is not the Emperor of Yan's idea; this is the Crown Prince's idea. From this, it can be seen the Crown Prince's own courage and ability.

“By the way, Lord Xu, how has my sixth brother been doing in your Ministry of Revenue recently?”

His own sixth brother was sent by his father to observe the Ministry of Revenue, nominally to learn and understand the job.

But this job, coupled with his identity as a prince, is truly a big deal.

And the Ministry of Revenue is Xu Guang-huai's territory.

In the Crown Prince's view, this Minister of Revenue is not his own man, but there are quite a few tacit understandings between the two sides.

Especially in the matter of stopping the war and recuperating, the two have the same views.

Although forgetting war is dangerous, being warlike will inevitably lead to chaos. Great Yan's momentum has now been established, so it should be carefully managed to transform the momentum into reality, in order to be stable.

“In response to Your Highness, the Sixth Prince has been quite idle in the Ministry of Revenue these days, spending all day inviting his colleagues to drink and make merry.”

The Crown Prince shook his head upon hearing this and said:

“Sixth brother is young and has a carefree nature. As his older brother, I must ask Lord Xu to take care of him and give him guidance.”

Saying this,

The Crown Prince stood up and bowed to Xu Guang-huai;

Xu Guang-huai immediately stood up and knelt respectfully.

Minister of Rites Ning Fang-sheng stroked his long beard and smiled.

He is satisfied with the Crown Prince, who has the aura of an heir apparent and the appearance of a future ruler.

Mao Ming-cai remained as still as a mountain, silently reopening a document.

Is this truly deep brotherly love?

Of course not entirely.

The First Prince was defeated and will return, and there are rumors that he will marry a barbarian princess, thereby cutting off all possibilities;

The Third Prince enjoys the spring breeze in the lake pavilion, listens to thunder in the summer, watches the leaves in the autumn, and appreciates the snow in the winter;

His life is only left with a pavilion and the endless cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

With the decline of the Deng family, the Fourth Prince lost his greatest support. His Majesty reformed the military, sweeping away the military warlord structure. At this time, the Fourth Prince is already a kite with broken wings;

The Fifth Prince doesn't like to go out and prefers to stay at home doing carpentry work, and has been repeatedly punished by His Majesty for this, but still goes his own way;

The Seventh Prince is too young. Great Yan is not in a situation where the ruler is weak and the ministers are strong, so it is difficult for the Seventh Prince to touch that position.

After some calculation,

Apart from a recently emerging carefree Sixth Prince observing the Ministry of Revenue,

The Crown Prince has no rivals.

The struggle for the throne has never had a retreat. Even a little hint will be considered a great crime during the final reckoning.

Which of those who can sit in the position of a Minister is not a seasoned veteran who has fought his way up the officialdom?

Even Xu Guang-huai, the Minister of Revenue who was so moved that he knelt down to return the courtesy, how could he not understand the Crown Prince's intentions?

But, this is the pattern, this is the level;

If something is fake, playing with it a lot can turn it into something real.

The Crown Prince's introverted but unyielding feeling is most recognized by these old ministers.

With such a national foundation, it's truly very good.

At their level, there is really no need to rely on someone or be someone's dog. Apart from the Emperor of Yan, no one can handle them like this. Therefore, what everyone values more is the compatibility of their political views.

If your views are similar to mine, then I will support you.

And I will naturally stand by your side, echo you, and suppress your opponents.

The Crown Prince's “care” will naturally be understood by those who should understand.

After both sides were reseated,

Minister of Rites Ning Fang-sheng said:

“Your Highness, this minister heard that you held a banquet in the East Palace the other day to entertain the Jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination) of last year?”

The Crown Prince responded solemnly:

“In response to Elder Ning, that is indeed the case.”

The first imperial examination of Great Yan was organized by the Crown Prince when he was not yet the Crown Prince;

This year's spring examination will be presided over by the Crown Prince under the Emperor's edict.

For two years, Great Yan has been promoting the imperial examination. This heir to the nation will solidify his reputation as a master of scholars throughout the land. It can be said that he has been ordered to lift up the Dragon Gate, allowing the poor scholars to leap onto the imperial steps.

Last year's imperial examination was personally presided over by Ning Fang-sheng, with the Crown Prince assisting. He is already old, and being able to do more for the poor scholars of Great Yan in literary matters is his current wish.

Fortunately, this Crown Prince's thoughts in this regard are very compatible with his own.

“Elder Ning, now that Great Yan's national power is flourishing, it naturally needs these scholars to fill the halls of Great Yan and strengthen its foundations. This humble one only held a banquet to entertain them, just to ask about their recent situations and encourage them.”

The Emperor of Yan's magnanimity is there. He will not care about his Crown Prince making friends with civil officials and recruiting these young officials who have newly entered the court.

Therefore, the Crown Prince's banquet is held openly, and he is also calm when mentioning this matter.

If it were another emperor, his Crown Prince would definitely not be like this, nor would he dare to be like this.

After the gentry clans were crushed, there was a very serious “official shortage” in the Yan court. Although promoting officials from clerks alleviated some of the urgent needs, it was not a long-term solution after all.

And opening the imperial examination and recruiting poor scholars into office is the fundamental solution to eradicating the gentry.

Therefore, most of the Jinshi of last year who were sent to other places are local officials, and those who stayed in the capital are quickly rising in the Six Ministries.

Ability is one aspect, but the most important thing is to support them, which is in line with the current political trend.

Ning Fang-sheng smiled and nodded, saying:

“The Crown Prince is thoughtful.”

“Elder Ning, you are too kind. This is what this humble one should do.”

Saying this,

The Crown Prince flicked his wrist and instructed Li Ying-lian, who was beside him, to urge the imperial kitchen to prepare the late-night snack,

The matter of the alliance should be finalized as soon as possible, so it is inevitable to work all night.

It's tiring,

But there is also a sense of fulfillment in it.

The Crown Prince's gaze slightly swept around,

Sitting in this position,

As long as I don't make mistakes, what can you do to me?

In the Crown Prince's mind,

He still remembers that scene,

In that scene,

He and his eldest brother were kneeling on the ground, being reprimanded by their father,

While the young Sixth Brother was being held by his father, sitting on his lap;

That day, a sentence that his father said still felt like a thorn, deeply piercing the Crown Prince's heart:

“You, ah, you, well, fortunately, there is still a little Sixth who is like me.”

Ji Cheng-jue,

You have no chance,

None at all.

……

“Do you think you still have a chance?”

The Princess leaned against the steps of the pavilion, throwing pebbles into the pond while asking Ji Cheng-jue, who was standing in front of her.

“Sister, I just came in, shouldn't you offer me a cup of tea first? Asking such a heart-wrenching question right away is inappropriate, right?”

Ji Cheng-jue sat down on the steps opposite the Princess with a smile, deliberately not answering the question.

The Princess stretched out her leg,

And kicked Little Sixth,

She didn't hold back at all,

Little Sixth gasped.

“Stop pretending, you've already shown your true colors. Even if you keep pretending, it won't be as natural as before. I'm just curious, how could you suddenly give up pretending to be a useless prince after pretending for so many years?”

“What am I pretending?”

“Be honest with me. I haven't married your second brother yet, so we can still talk normally.”

“What, shouldn't you be closer after you become my sister-in-law?”

“Closer to you? Do you believe that on the second day after the wedding, I'll send the Zhenbei (North Suppressing) Army outside the city into your mansion to arrest you?”

“Sister, are you rebelling?”

“Are the means too extreme?”

“They are.”

“Okay, then after the wedding, I'll call you to the East Palace, and I'll say you were trying to molest me, and then have Seventh Uncle chop you down.”

Seventh Uncle happened to walk in and hand Ji Cheng-jue a cup of hot tea. Upon hearing this, he just smiled.

Ji Cheng-jue subconsciously reached out to touch his neck.

He knew that the woman in front of him looked beautiful and charming, but her heart could be really ruthless when she wanted to be.

The Zheng fellow still couldn't forget being almost thrown into the desert as fodder by this woman back then.

“Cheng-jue believes that he has always been respectful to his sister since he was a child, and the gifts have never been missing during festivals, so…”

The Princess chuckled,

“Father once said that you are the most like His Majesty.”

“……” Ji Cheng-jue.

“What's wrong? Isn't it the duty of a wife to help her husband eliminate a threat after I marry your second brother?”

Husband and wife are one,

If you threaten my husband's throne,

Then I'll just get rid of you.

Ji Cheng-jue nodded thoughtfully and said, “That makes a lot of sense.”

“Don't blame me for being unreasonable. Ever since the scouts of the Zhenbei Army discovered that you had arrangements outside my Marquis's mansion a few years ago, I knew you were different from Fifth Brother.

“If you had continued to pretend, it wouldn't have mattered. At most, I would have kept a closer eye on you in the future. Over the years, the tribute of so many rare things should be enough to buy you a life, right?

“But for some reason, the old people often say that being blinded by lard makes it easy to do stupid things;

“Oh,

“Isn't that right?

“After all, you married the daughter of a butcher, so you must have eaten a lot of lard.”

Ji Cheng-jue shook his head and smiled upon hearing this,

And said:

“It's not because of a woman.”

“Don't say the next sentence, it'll make me sick.”

“Um……”

Ji Cheng-jue was stunned for a moment, touched his nose, and nodded, saying:

“It really is because of a man.”

“It seems that Great Yan has conquered Jin, and the wind from Jin has really blown in.”

“The sister also knows that person, Zheng Fan.”

Upon hearing the name “Zheng Fan,” the Princess threw the pebble in her hand with a little force, skipping it across the water several times.

“I don't like this name. Every time I hear it, I feel a burning pain on my face.”

She was clearly the first to recognize Zheng Fan. Before he met her, Zheng Fan didn't even have an official title; he was just a conscripted laborer.

She once asked him if he wanted to be a servant in the Li family.

She originally thought that the kid didn't understand what it meant to be a servant in the Li family, a servant in the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, so he foolishly chose the temporary official position of escorting merchant caravans.

But judging from what this kid did later, he was definitely not stupid. In other words, he did it on purpose.

This actually didn't matter. Where would a dignified princess of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion spend so much patience on a laborer?

However, afterwards, as he rose step by step and was appreciated by the Jingnan Marquis, he became unstoppable. In just a few years, he had actually risen from a laborer to the position of general of Xuehai Pass, and His Majesty even conferred him the title of Earl of Pingye.

Therefore, it's not that he didn't know what it meant to be a servant in the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, it's just that he had high aspirations and didn't bother to use this identity with a bit of a slave nature to advance.

The more outstanding Zheng Fan is, the higher his official position, and the more military achievements he gains,

The more the Princess's “missing a talent” will be mentioned.

Especially since Zheng Fan is from Beifeng County and has become a general in the Jingnan Army, everyone will always ask: Why?

Then,

The Princess knew that she would be “whipped” again.

What women are ignorant and short-sighted, what blind to talent, in short, all kinds of accusations would be thrown at her.

What made her most depressed was that she couldn't argue or defend herself.

Back then, even her own father wanted this person and wanted to dig him out of the Jingnan Marquis's hands, but he still didn't succeed.

But at that time, she could have done it with just one sentence.

“That bastard is indeed a formidable character. I really misjudged him back then.”

Saying this,

The Princess looked at Ji Cheng-jue again and smiled:

“Everyone knows that he, Zheng Fan, is your man, Sixth Master, that you provided him. What's wrong… Oh, I understand.

“Seeing that the errand boy you once supported has now become a general, you're anxious, afraid that the chain will break if you keep pretending, right?”

“What chain? I didn't take him as a dog. He's a friend. Besides, with that kid's personality, why would he have rejected you back then if he really wanted to be a dog?

“That's what it's called, talented people naturally have tempers.

“As for this time, don't you know? The national treasury is about to run out, so Father remembered me, his long-forgotten son, and brought me out to get money and food to enrich the national treasury for him.”

“Come on, let's be frank. I don't believe it.”

“Alas, I really didn't expect you to value me so much, Sister.”

The Princess smiled upon hearing this and said:

“Ordinary women are like mothers-in-law to their husbands' younger brothers, but royal women can't wait for their husbands' younger brothers to die young.”

This was very taboo to say, but this was the West Garden, and with her status, even if these words reached the Emperor of Yan's ears, he would probably just laugh it off.

“Sister, you're wrong. There are many stories of a sister-in-law being like a mother, but in reality, there are many struggles and even life-and-death situations between sisters-in-law. This is the norm.”

“Alright, alright, what are you doing here?”

“I'm here to borrow something from you.”

“What thing?”

“A sword.”

The Princess looked at Seventh Uncle, who was attending to her.

Ji Cheng-jue immediately said:

“Not this one.”

There were two swords by the Princess's side at this time. One was Seventh Uncle, who had been protecting her since she was a child, and the other was in the camp outside the capital.

One of the four greatest swordsmen of the world… Li Liang-shen.

“That sword is not mine, let alone that it's not mine, I can't lend it out even if it was.”

Ji Cheng-jue stood up, patted his pants,

And said:

“So, I'm just here to tell you.”

The Princess immediately narrowed her eyes,

And said:

“Such arrogance.”

Ji Cheng-jue nodded, acknowledging it frankly, and then said:

“Sister, haven't you married my second brother yet? We're still friends, at least for now, right?”

“The war is over, and I'm about to get married.”

Ji Cheng-jue smacked his lips and nodded thoughtfully.

“Then I, Little Sixth, will take my leave?”

“I won't see you off.”

Ji Cheng-jue walked out of the West Garden and looked back at the plaque at the entrance of the West Garden.

“Heh…”

The carriage prepared by Eunuch Zhang was outside, and Ji Cheng-jue got into the carriage.

As the carriage moved, the carriage swayed, and Ji Cheng-jue's body swayed along with it.

“She said that after she becomes my sister-in-law, she would kill me.”

Ji Cheng-jue shook his head helplessly,

And muttered to himself:

“No matter how smart you are, you're just a girl who's been spoiled by her family.”

To paraphrase something that Zheng used to say, the family environment is different.

“Tsk, tsk…”

Ji Cheng-jue tasted it,

And found that many of the things Zheng had said in the past, when he thought about them later, always had different flavors.

Eunuch Zhang, who was driving the carriage, said:

“Master, are we going directly there?”

“Go directly there. From now on, we'll be tough too.”

Eunuch Zhang immediately said:

“Master is joking. This servant can't be tough even if I want to be.”

“Hahaha.”

“Master, I heard that these days, His Highness the Crown Prince has been busy with the matter of the Chu envoy submitting the state letter, and has been very busy with the great lords.”

“Let him be busy.”

The carriage stopped in front of a restaurant.

This is a very upscale restaurant in the capital, called “Zhuangyuan Building” (Top Scholar Restaurant).

It opened six years ago,

But at that time,

Great Yan was still dominated by gentry clans, and there was no imperial examination, so naturally there was no top scholar.

So this Zhuangyuan Building was, in the eyes of the people of the capital, imitating the customs of the Qian people.

Normally, business has always been very average, and it can even be said to be losing money to attract customers.

But as Yan began to select officials through the imperial examination, and last year, Yan also had its own Zhuangyuan (top scholar), Bangyan (second place), and Tanhua (third place), this Zhuangyuan Building, which had been open for several years, suddenly became popular, with a constant stream of guests.

Ji Cheng-jue got out of the carriage and walked into it.

“Yo, guest, are you staying or dining?”

“My friend is upstairs. Alright, you can be busy, no need to attend to me.”

After dismissing the waiter, Ji Cheng-jue walked upstairs on his own.

Upstairs are all private rooms, three of which are located in the very center and have had signs hanging since the opening of Zhuangyuan Building, stating that only “Jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination)” are allowed to book them.

At that time, Zhuangyuan Building's business was not good, but this matter also spread, and many people said that the boss's mind was confused and he was just making jokes.

But after the imperial examination was opened and the first batch of new Jinshi were produced, these three private rooms in Zhuangyuan Building have basically never been empty.

In the two months after the list was released, these Jinshi lords often came here to open parties, and after that, other merchants or nobles who wanted to make friends with them would also specifically choose to open parties at Zhuangyuan Building.

Ji Cheng-jue walked to the entrance of a first-class private room and didn't rush to go in, but listened to the voices inside.

It seemed that because Ji Cheng-jue had been standing there for too long, a group of people who were likely servants standing in the corner of the second floor began to walk towards him.

Eunuch Zhang, who had been following Ji Cheng-jue, also took the initiative to walk towards them at this time, lowered his voice, and said:

“This old one wants to see which ignorant fool dares to spoil my master's mood.”

In this capital, what kind of people can use eunuchs?

These servants looked at each other and didn't dare to come over.

At this time, the people inside the private room had already started arguing.

“Hu Zheng-fang, didn't you send me a message saying that today is your thirtieth birthday and you invited me for a gathering?”

“It wasn't me. Besides, my thirtieth birthday passed two months ago. At that time, the war situation at the front line was unclear, how would I dare to arrange these things?

“I received a message from Liu Chu-cai saying that he had just taken a concubine the other day and invited me to a gathering.”

“You're the one who just took a concubine. How could my wife, the shrew from Hedong, let me take a concubine? I received a message from Old Qin saying that he had gotten some good wine and asked me to come over and try it together.”

Inside the room were all the Jinshi lords from last year.

Because they were the first imperial examination Jinshi of Yan, and most of them came from poor families, their relationship was very close.

Not to mention those who had been sent to other places, those of them who stayed in the capital and were scattered in various government offices would naturally instinctively band together.

The literati and gentry in Qian had already completed hundreds of years of this matter, but they here in Yan had only just begun. Especially now that they are still weak in the officialdom, they need to be united.

“So, what exactly is going on? It wasn't you, it wasn't you, it wasn't you, then who exactly invited us here?”

“Yeah, who exactly was it?”

Ji Cheng-jue, who had been standing at the door listening for a while, pushed open the door at this time and walked in.

Immediately, the gazes of more than a dozen Jinshi lords inside all fell on him.

Unsurprisingly, no one recognized him.

First, the Sixth Prince has always been absurd, neglecting politics and military affairs;

Second, he had been in Nanan County for more than half a year, and there was no place to show his face.

Ji Cheng-jue didn't treat himself as an outsider, pointed to the meal on the table, and said:

“The dishes are served, and the wine is warmed. What's wrong, aren't you using them?”

Ji Cheng-jue walked to the head seat, didn't rush to sit down, but reached out and gently patted the back of the chair.

“May I ask where Your Excellency comes from?”

“Did Your Excellency trick us into coming here?”

“Young Master, what exactly is the meaning of this?”

A barrage of questions came.

Everyone understood that it was clearly this young man in front of them who had tricked them into coming here.

They were not afraid, after all, everyone had an official position, and they had met some princes and nobles in the past.

Ji Cheng-jue didn't rush to answer,

But pointed to the tall and thin man standing opposite him,

And said:

“You are Liu Chu-cai, right? How is your wife's illness? That illness must be taken care of properly, and it must not be exposed to the cold, and must not be careless.

“Don't think that winter is over, but the time when winter and spring intersect is the easiest time to relapse.”

Liu Chu-cai was stunned for a moment, then widened his eyes, his face showing disbelief.

His wife's illness was left behind due to overwork in order to support him when he was studying. At that time, she almost died, and he didn't have money to buy medicine. He was planning to take some of the books in the house to sell them in exchange for some money to ask a doctor to grab some medicine when the owner of the bookstore didn't accept his books, but instead gave him a sum of money and helped him invite the best doctor in the county to treat his wife.

He had never mentioned this matter to anyone. When he returned home after passing the examination last year, he wanted to thank his benefactor in person, but he didn't expect that the bookstore had already closed and the owner was nowhere to be found.

Therefore, his friends usually laughed at him for being henpecked, but in reality, it was because he felt guilty towards his wife in his heart, and even though he was now prosperous, he was unwilling to take a concubine.

Ji Cheng-jue pointed to the slightly short and fat man again and said:

“Hu Zheng-fang, it's only been a few years, and you've actually gained so much weight. You were as skinny as a skeleton when you were falsely accused of being in prison, right?”

Hu Zheng-fang's face also showed shock.

“Qin Xiao-sheng, is your father still well? Has the local government stopped causing trouble? It's been several generations since you split up, and just because you have some injuries and some top-quality farmland, you're being targeted as a member of the Qin family clan. Those local governments are really eating people without spitting out bones.”

Qin Xiao-sheng's face also showed horror.

“You…”

“By the way, and you…”

“Ah, you are…”

“Hahaha, you kid, back then…”

Ji Cheng-jue pointed at them one by one, greeting them one by one, and saying things one by one.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became heavy.

No one dared to shout loudly, and no one dared to question him.

After saying a round,

Everyone was pointed out, and everything was said.

Ji Cheng-jue reached out and poured himself a cup of wine, taking a sip.

“I heard that the Crown Prince invited all the Jinshi who stayed in the capital from your class last year to the East Palace for a banquet the other day. How was it, was the wine in the East Palace delicious?”

No one dared to answer. First, because it involved the Crown Prince, and second, because everyone had not yet recovered from the shock.

“What's wrong? All of you are the elite of Great Yan, the future of Great Yan, the pillars of Great Yan, can write beautiful articles, but can't speak?”

At this time,

Liu Chu-cai licked his lips and cupped his hands to Ji Cheng-jue and said:

“May I… May I ask, Your Excellency, what exactly are you?”

Ji Cheng-jue pondered slightly,

Smiled,

While personally pouring himself another cup of wine, he slowly said:

“The current Emperor is a rare and enlightened ruler, suppressing the gentry clans, selecting talents for the country, and opening the path to promotion for the poor;

“What His Majesty wishes is that the talents of Great Yan can ignore their origins and not be constrained by bloodlines. Those who have talent should plan for the country in the court and shepherd the people with kindness in the locality.

“You are the first batch, and after the spring examination begins, there will be a second batch soon.

“You are the future of Great Yan.