Chapter 814 Getting Heated

Shopkeeper Miao and Shopkeeper Lu were also standing in the crowd below at this time. As the soldiers and civilians cheered around them, they joined in.

At first, only Shopkeeper Lu was shouting. Shopkeeper Lu was from the Lu Kingdom and didn't have much attachment to his former country. After all, even in that area of small, fragmented states, the Lu Kingdom was still small.

Shopkeeper Miao had always carried a bit of the Qian people's aloofness. Kneeling to the Prince of the West in Yan was fine, but sincerely cheering for the Yan Kingdom's Prince? He wasn't too keen on that.

But when everyone around him started shouting, and gazes of suspicion were cast his way, Shopkeeper Miao had no choice but to join in the cheers.

While shouting, he tugged on Shopkeeper Lu's sleeve, signaling him to move back a bit with him.

"My, it's lively," Shopkeeper Miao muttered to Shopkeeper Lu. "Those commanding officers, they're all originally from the Jingnan Army, right?"

"What's up, going back to report?" Shopkeeper Lu glanced at Shopkeeper Miao.

They were both registered with their respective countries' spy agencies. Upon returning, they were expected to report on the local customs, traditions, and things they had seen and heard along their business routes.

The Marquis's residence in Fengxincheng was well aware of this, and their attitude was very open. As long as you didn't conspire, send messages, or bribe people in secret, there were no issues with reporting what you had heard and seen.

Moreover, the Marquis's residence sometimes needed these people to spread information for them.

"Just watching the fun," Shopkeeper Miao said nonchalantly.

"Heh," Shopkeeper Lu licked his lips and pulled Shopkeeper Miao to the outer edges again. After confirming that there was more space around them, he replied, "They're measuring each other up."

"Why are you dragging me into this?" Shopkeeper Miao was taken aback.

"Is your brain filled with lard?"

"Oh, oh, you mean, the Prince of the West and the Yan court are... at odds?"

"Of course! It's an obvious challenge. Everyone knew before that the Jingnan Prince's heir was being raised in the Marquis's residence, but the court never said anything about it.

"Now, it's clear. At first, I thought the Prince of the West was holding the Crown Prince on the stage and thought this Yan Kingdom's Prince was different, that even the heir apparent could be carried around like this.

"Now, I see I didn't understand Yan, didn't understand this Prince. He actually let the Crown Prince follow behind and carried the Jingnan Prince's heir.

"Look at the scene now, tsk tsk.

"Back when the Great Xia Dynasty was collapsing, a self-proclaimed king tried to hold the Emperor hostage to command the nobles."

"I know that. He tried to use the Great Xia Emperor to command Yan, Chu, and Jin, but so what? In the end, the three countries didn't pay him any attention at all. That guy was quickly destroyed by the surrounding lords. Even the remnants of the Great Xia Emperor disappeared in that war."

Some dark rumors said that the reason that "wishful thinker" was destroyed so quickly was because Yan, Chu, and Jin secretly signaled their own vassal lords to attack him. Under the tacit agreement of the great powers, that guy quickly fell.

"That guy brought it on himself, but you can't say that holding the Emperor hostage isn't a clever move. The key is whether you're qualified or not. You have to be strong yourself.

"The Prince of the West, based in Jinyang, has a hundred thousand iron cavalry under his command. His commerce is thriving, and his wealth is obvious.

"If someone else held the Jingnan Prince's heir, how could those proud and fierce generals left behind by the Jingnan Prince possibly care?

"But when the Prince of the West holds the heir, it's different. Suddenly, it becomes legitimate."

"What you're saying makes sense." Miao Lin couldn't help but nod.

"Heh, today is the enfeoffment ceremony, but I think the Prince of the West's ambitions are more than just a royal title.

"This action is undoubtedly a demonstration against the Yan court, using it to coerce the court into making greater concessions.

"Yan is about to fall into internal strife."

"That saying has been around since the Zhenbei and Jingnan Princes were still alive. I dare not believe it anymore."

"Those two princes are different from the Prince of the West. The Prince of the West came from humble beginnings, while the two princes were actually from aristocratic families.

"They were born as servants. Just like you and me, although we're shopkeepers, we still have to watch the master's face.

"The Prince of the West is his own master. The business may be small at first, but once it grows, it's different from us."

"Makes sense, makes sense."

"The spear and shield are out in the open. Next, this dragon and tiger fight will give the Yan people a headache, hehe."

"Why are you so happy?"

"If the Yan people really unify the world, our business won't be so smooth."

Ultimately, they were still doing business that was close to smuggling. Once the world was unified, who would need them? Wouldn't all the connections and routes they had built up over the years, even generations, be wasted?

Lu Xiong patted Miao Lin's shoulder lightly and said, "I've said what I needed to say. When you go back to collect your reward, don't forget your brother's help."

"Just now, in the inn, who was it that said I, a Qian person, was this and that?"

"Didn't I pay the bill when I finished talking?"

"Yes."

"Then that's it. I'm eating and drinking yours, and you won't even let me say a few sarcastic remarks? What, is Shopkeeper Miao's face so precious?"

"True."

…

Among the crowd, there were indeed many people who had various thoughts after seeing this scene, but most of the residents of Fengxincheng, especially the registered households, were happy to see this kind of "excitement."

They couldn't wait for their own Prince to become stronger and stronger, to have more and more soldiers. Even, driven by this fervent thinking, they would go crazy with joy if the Prince were to declare himself Emperor one day.

The common people weren't stupid. Who wouldn't want the place where they lived to become the capital?

Who wouldn't want to spit at outsiders with pride as soon as they went out and say with a thumbs up, "See that? This is right under the Son of Heaven's feet."

On the high platform, and near the high platform, many of the officials from the imperial delegation were already drenched in cold sweat.

The legitimate Princess Consort, appointed by the late Emperor, was standing behind, while another woman was standing in front.

The Crown Prince was standing there, while the Jingnan Prince's heir was being held by the Prince of the West.

These commanding officers of the former Jingnan Army, who had come without an imperial edict to welcome the Jingnan Prince's heir, were clearly staging a military remonstrance, a show of force!

The deformed military-political system that Great Yan had created since the late Emperor's time had suppressed the bad omens under the joint efforts of the late Emperor and the two princes, venting the flames of war abroad.

But after the era of the iron triangle ended, the contradictions of this system finally revealed themselves.

Today,

Was the court enfeoffing the Prince of the West,

Or was the Prince of the West using his military power to enfeoff himself?

For the grandness of the enfeoffment ceremony, many officials had entered the imperial delegation this time. Those who could work in Yanjing City and had the qualifications to enter the delegation weren't stupid.

Everyone knew that since ancient times, the signs of internal strife were a sign of a country's decline.

Great Yan had only risen for a few years, and it was already going to decline from its peak?

The ministers weren't completely unaware of the deal between His Majesty and the Prince of the West. This kind of political tacit agreement wasn't explicitly stated, but at least it had to be tacitly understood, otherwise, how would the people below do things?

How dare the local administrative powers of the military leaders in various places be forcibly taken back?

But looking at this scene now,

Was the previous tacit agreement going to be torn up?

The Fifth Prince took a deep breath. He wasn't the chief envoy, so the pressure was less.

He wasn't the Emperor, so the pressure was even less.

Having worked on river projects for several years, his dark skin was still a little flushed at this time.

He had never thought of rebelling. He had long considered himself no match for his Sixth Brother. After his Sixth Brother became Emperor, he knew he had even less hope.

But just like the meeting on the Wangjiang River back then;

The Fifth Prince, who didn't want to rebel, didn't mind being used as a "legitimate" puppet when the Prince of the West needed him.

Even as a puppet, it was still a temptation to be the sovereign.

The Fifth Prince, who was obsessed with carpentry, knew that that was all he was good for.

It was like being asked to rob a hundred taels of silver. You wouldn't go, but if a hundred taels of silver appeared on the ground in front of you, would you pick it up?

With these thoughts, the Fifth Prince even raised his head, wanting to make eye contact with the Prince of the West.

Look at me,

Look at me,

Please look at me!

But who knew that the Prince of the West would simply put Tian Tian on the ground and sit with Tian Tian on the steps of the high platform, accepting the salute from the generals of the former Jingnan Army below.

Not far away, the Blind Man couldn't see, but he was enjoying the atmosphere.

His lord was blinded by the situation. Most of the time, his lord's political acumen was actually very high and had been honed long ago, but right now, his lord was probably enjoying the longing for his former brother and the pleasure of officially appearing with Tian Tian today.

It didn't matter.

Anyway, the Blind Man himself was already comfortable.

Today's scene would definitely be spread out, and coupled with the distance of mountains and rivers, even if ten Eunuch Huangs were shuttling back and forth between Jinyang and Yanjing non-stop, the sense of extension brought about by this distance would constantly tear apart the ties between the Prince of the West's residence and the court. From alliance to suspicion, it often only took an instant.

The Qian-Chu alliance could only be a turtle for now.

The Snow Plains had been castrated, and the barbarian royal court had been destroyed.

Most importantly,

The seven prophesied Demon Lords were now very likely just kids like Tian Tian.

It wasn't that there were no external threats, and long-term peace was even more out of the question. Perhaps in five or ten years, it would be a different story.

But it didn't matter.

A rare window of opportunity,

Wanna stir up some trouble?

Like,

Stage a small rebellion for fun?

The Blind Man never bothered to hide his preferences, and what was most rare was that his persistence in his preferences was always consistent.

In a good mood,

He touched his pocket again,

Still no oranges, a small regret.

Xue San smiled and whispered, "Why do I feel like the master and Xiao Liu Zi are a couple, and you're just trying to dig a hole in their relationship?"

"Wrong, it's not that I'm digging a hole, but that it's a problem left over from the previous generation. The court wants to subdue the Jingnan Army, and the military leaders of the Jingnan Army instinctively have resistance. That's where the root of the problem lies.

"I'm just using this problem to pry open some things."

"You're just a third party, no different from those fake besties. The Emperor is actually doing pretty well, even sending the Crown Prince here."

"Don't talk about feelings with the Emperor. Throughout history, people who talk about feelings with the Emperor basically don't have good endings."

"Alright, alright, just laugh, don't hold it in."

…

Below the steps,

A group of Jingnan Army military leaders knelt there, saluting Tian Tian.

Zheng Fan didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with them, but even though he was feeling puffed up, he didn't forget what day it was.

He turned his head,

Looking at Mao Mingcai standing there.

Huh,

He hadn't really noticed just now.

"Lord Mao."

"Your Highness."

"Announce the decree."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Mao Mingcai felt a little heavy in his heart. As an important minister of the country, he felt a sense of wandering like duckweed in the rain today.

The pillar of the country that he had once believed in was now visibly turning into the cause of Great Yan's internal strife. He felt a mixture of emotions in his heart.

If only he could die in battle...

Suddenly,

Mao Mingcai was startled by the thought in his heart!

But now that this idea had come out, it would never be an accident or coincidence, but his heart was already leaning towards it.

Perhaps,

This man in front of him,

Dying in battle abroad would be the best outcome for the future of Great Yan.

He had many thoughts in his heart,

But the things that needed to be done had to be done.

The imperial decree had long been in Mao Mingcai's hands, but it wasn't a scroll held in his hand, but a rectangular wooden box with the seals of the Inner Cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial.

The way different types of imperial decrees were announced was also different. For imperial decrees sent to the great generals on the border, the other party had to first confirm that the seals were correct.

Lord Mao handed the box to Zheng Fan,

Zheng Fan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to check it.

Lord Mao nodded, took a breath, and two officials from the Ministry of Rites opened the seals and opened the box.

But Lord Mao was surprised.

Inside the box,

There were actually three imperial decrees!

It wasn't a secret that the court was going to grant the title of Prince to the Marquis of the West.

Earlier in Yingdu, the officials there had already bowed to the Prince.

It could be said that the imperial delegation was just going through a formality, holding a grand ceremony, but why were there three imperial decrees?

If there was a need for appeasement or other decrees, they could be added separately, but there was no need to seal them together with the decree granting the title of Prince.

The meaning of sealing them together was very simple, it was to have himself announce them on the spot.

…

"The master is going to be enfeoffed as a Prince, so exciting." Xue San puffed out his chest.

The Blind Man closed his eyes, which were already blind.

…

Zheng Fan got up and stood facing Lord Mao. He didn't need to kneel, so he wouldn't kneel.

Mao Mingcai took out the imperial decree, unfolded it, and announced:

"By the decree of the Emperor, who has received the Mandate of Heaven: Zheng Fan, the Imperial Son-in-law, Great General of the State, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Marquis of the West, is loyal and devoted to the country..."

"Now, We are following the will of Heaven,

"Granting Marquis Zheng Fan of the West the title of Prince of the West of our Great Yan!"

After the chanting ended,

Below the high platform,

The soldiers and civilians cheered in unison:

"Long live the Prince!"

"Long live the Prince!"

Zheng Fan nodded and cupped his hands to the west,

Saying:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Immediately,

Zheng Fan planned to take Tian Tian down and introduce those uncles to Tian Tian.

"Your Highness..."

"Oh, right, please wait a moment, Lord Mao and Fifth Prince. I will host a banquet tonight to entertain you two."

"No, Your Highness, there's another decree."

"Oh?"

…

"Huh, it seems it's not over yet?" Xue San said.

The Blind Man opened his eyes that couldn't see anything.

…

"By the decree of the Emperor, who has received the Mandate of Heaven: The Yan woman, Feng, supported the Prince of the West in his humble beginnings, and followed the Prince of the West through numerous battles. She has contributed to the country and can be called a heroine, a model for the women of Great Yan!

"We are willing to fulfill their wishes and bestow upon Feng the title of Princess Consort of the West, equal in status to Xiong.

"A set of phoenix coronet and robes, personally sewn by the Empress, is bestowed, along with matching accessories..."

…

"Oh ho!"

Xue San made a noise.

The Blind Man frowned slightly.

"Dig, dig, even the original wife has her methods, hehe." Third Master couldn't help but gloat.

"Heh, small favors."

Xiao Liu Zi knew Si Niang, after all, Si Niang followed Zheng Fan every time he entered the capital, and Si Niang had contacted He Sisi and the others long ago.

As a "brother," Xiao Liu Zi certainly knew which woman that Zheng was in love with.

In the early years, that Zheng had to rely on the identity of the Chu princess to gain prestige.

Now, that Zheng was already a Prince and could be more casual. Adding another Yan princess consort, which met Zheng's wishes while also meeting the needs of the Yan people.

In the past, they could brag about how the Chu slaves were this and that, and how their princess had been snatched by their Yan general to be his wife.

Now that the general was a pillar of the country, everyone would be more at ease if the main wife was a Yan person, wouldn't they? After all, charity begins at home.

Pingqi (平妻) means that the two principal wives are equal, which is a setting that violates etiquette. Only the Emperor and Empress Dowager are qualified to grant this in the name of "Heaven."

After reading the imperial decree, Lord Mao was a little dazed.

He looked up again, looking at Feng Si Niang standing behind the Prince of the West, and then, he looked behind him.

Where were the clothes?

Where were the clothes?

Where were the clothes!

The officials behind him were also dazed at first, and then they began to search. Soon, they found them.

The princess consort's clothes were here, and they were also brought up to the high platform, but they originally thought they were for the Chu princess, but they didn't expect they were for someone else.

And coincidentally,

This woman was actually standing in front of the princess today, and the princess was willingly standing behind her, clearly with the demeanor of a main wife.

The one that was originally for the princess was sent up by the officials behind.

Mao Mingcai handed the imperial decree to Feng Si Niang.

Feng Si Niang smiled sweetly,

Saluting,

Accepting the decree.

Zheng Fan "hehehe" laughed a few times.

At this time,

Lord Mao quickly took out the third imperial decree,

"That, Your Highness, there's another imperial decree."

"There's more?"

"Yes, this is the last one."

"Alright."

"By the decree of the Emperor, who has received the Mandate of Heaven:

"The Jingnan Prince has repeatedly rendered meritorious service to the country, and his achievements are unparalleled.

"The late Emperor once said: Without Jingnan, We have lost a pillar.

"We have received the teachings of the late Emperor and must not bury those who have contributed to the country. We also often instruct the Crown Prince to follow this example.

"Pillars of the country should support the country and revitalize Great Yan. The imperial family should treat them as brothers.

"Now, We adopt the Jingnan Prince's heir as Our adopted son,

"Ordering the Crown Prince to treat him as an elder brother.

"To proclaim this to all corners,

"Great Yan,

"Is not just the imperial family's Great Yan,

"But the Great Yan of all the people of Yan;

"The country,

"Is not just the Ji family's country,

"But the country of all the people under Heaven!

"The order of the universe,

"The Ji family and all the people under Heaven, shall stand together as brothers!"

Mao Mingcai finished reading the imperial decree,

Then,

He was shocked.

The Fifth Prince on the side was also shocked.

The officials behind him were also shocked.

The generals who had deserted their posts standing on and below the high platform were also shocked.

Perhaps because the late Emperor was too talented and ambitious, everyone felt that the new monarch who inherited the late Emperor's legacy was extraordinary, but they didn't have a real sense of it.

But today,

Everyone deeply felt the new monarch's methods and vision.

The imperial decree had seals, which meant that when the imperial decree was issued, the Emperor had already foreseen today's scene, and had foreseen how the Prince of the West, Zheng Fan, would react today.

The Emperor,

Was too familiar with and understood the Prince of the West too well.

The Crown Prince, Ji Chuanye, walked up to Lord Mao and tugged at Lord Mao's clothes.

"Cro... Crown Prince..."

"Lord Mao, the imperial decree."

"Oh, yes, the imperial decree."

Mao Mingcai handed the imperial decree to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince took the imperial decree, walked up to Tian Tian, stepped back half a step, and knelt down solemnly:

"Chuan Ye greets Elder Brother!"

Tian Tian smiled and walked over, helping the Crown Prince up:

"Younger Brother, get up."

…

Not far away,

Xue San wiggled his butt, bumping into the Blind Man's knee,

Smiling and saying:

"Blind Man, I want to eat oranges, I really want to eat oranges, eat oranges, eat oranges, do you want to eat oranges?"

The Blind Man shook his head,

Saying:

"No, I don't want to eat them, it's too heating (causes internal heat)."