Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 184: Opening the Way of Powerful Officials, Absurd Rewards

Mu Ti Po's face turned pale, and she replied with trembling lips, "Perhaps there is something wrong with our secret spy organization in Zhou State. Only this Anu received our secret letter to assassinate Xie Zhen, and...this Yang Su, I suspect he has betrayed the covenant between him and my mother. This time, he did not follow my mother's arrangement, but only let Anu go alone to assassinate, and there was no guarantee of victory.

Mother, I have inquired about this person. It is said that he is a mean person who is only interested in profit. He will work for whoever can bring him greater benefits! "

Lu Lingxuan sneered and shouted, "Everyone in the world is here for profit. There's nothing wrong with being profit-driven! It just means that what you gave him is far from enough for him!"

Mu Ti Po said, "Mother, since His Majesty handed over the Cizhou Kiln in Pengcheng, Xuzhou to Lanling King Gao Changgong, our daily income has been reduced by more than half. We have to rely on bribes from some officials to maintain our relationship with these 'cooperative allies' and support those secret agents who only obey our orders. Therefore, we can't give those allies any more money!"

Hearing this, Lu Lingxuan's face turned increasingly pale, and she hit the pile of broken porcelain with her clenched fist again.

"After returning from the peace talks this time, Xie Zhen will definitely be valued by Gao Zhan. In this way, it is only a matter of time before he replaces us in Gao Zhan's heart!"

Mu Ti Po felt distressed and scared, and hurriedly advised: "Mother, how about we ask Han Changluan to send some more people to kill Xie Zhen before he comes back!"

"Kill? Haha... Have you ever succeeded in killing them? Not to mention the last time we came back from the Southern Dynasty, we were in the dark and had the upper hand, but we still couldn't kill Gao Changgong and Xiao Jinyu. Now everyone in Lanling Palace is wary of us like they would a tiger or a wolf. Do you think you can still assassinate them?"

"Then...what should we do?" Mutipo was a little panicked and had no idea what to do.

How to do?

Lu Lingxuan's eyes became gloomy again. After some inner consideration and struggle, she answered, "Since Xie Zhen has an inseparable relationship with Lanling King and Xiao Jinyu, killing them is only a last resort. It is better to break up their unbreakable relationship!"

"How to separate them?"

"Isn't Lanling Wang's biological mother the best chess piece? I haven't asked her to return the slap she gave me last time, so let Your Majesty punish her for me!"

……

In Zhaoyang Palace, after listening to Lu Lingxuan's words, Gao Zhan narrowed his eyes, as if recalling some unpleasant past.

"Chang Gong's biological mother, Princess Liyang, I remember she was once the most beautiful woman in Daliang, right?"

"Yes!"

Gao Zhan chuckled:

"The most beautiful woman in the world has never been mine. When I was young, I watched my eldest brother hug the most beautiful woman in Daliang and my second brother hug the most beautiful woman in Qi. They always showed off at banquets. I could only watch and deal with these brothers carefully. Now that my two brothers are dead, it would be a waste to keep these beauties. Why don't I keep them?"

After saying that, he pointed to the eunuch beside him and said, "Go and tell me to make Lanling Prince's biological mother Xiao the Lady of Liang. Let her come to the palace to receive the reward and express her gratitude!"

The eunuch looked a little embarrassed, but he still lowered his head and said, "Yes!"

When the imperial edict reached Prince Lanling's Mansion, Madam Wei was shocked and a little confused.

"What on earth is going on? What on earth does this ridiculous Majesty want to do? He even asked you, Princess, to go to the palace to receive the reward and express gratitude!"

When Madam Wei thought about the rumors about the Gao family, she felt sick!

"Princess, please don't go. What if you go and can't come back? Wouldn't that be a big joke?"

Ah Xiu also felt a little ashamed and anxious.

"It's all my fault. I didn't help Madam, and I also let the prince's mother... Madam, please don't go, otherwise Madam will blame herself when she comes back. Besides, I have received a letter from Madam, saying that she will arrive in Yecheng in three days at most! Let's wait for her to come back and think of a solution!"

Princess Liyang shook her head and said, "When she comes back, Gao Zhan will set his sights on her again. Rather than that, I'd better face him first!"

"Princess, no!"

Madam Wei and Ah Xiu were so anxious that they quickly knelt down and begged, "Wait a little longer, use the illness to delay it for a few more days!"

Princess Liyang stood up and said with a wry smile, "The men of the Gao family are all so lewd and lustful. When I was young and ignorant, I was tricked into bed by Gao Cheng. Now his ninth brother is more direct.

When my father and grandfather gave me to Hou Jing, the word chastity was just a joke to me.

But if we can divert his attention and make him give up the idea of ​​coveting the princess, and protect Chang Gong's wife, it would be good!"

"Princess, think twice!"

Madam Wei wanted to persuade her, but when she saw Princess Liyang's expression darken, she whispered:

"You don't need to persuade me. I also want to know whether Gao Cheng's death was planned by Gao Yang or Gao Zhan? Also, was the death of my father and grandfather, and the demise of Liang State all part of his plan..."

After saying this, Princess Liyang stopped the people in the room from trying to dissuade her, walked out of the gate of Prince Lanling's mansion, and said to the eunuch, "Take me to the palace! However, as a daughter-in-law, I have to see the Queen Mother first!"

"Yes! Madam is still as charming as ever, still so beautiful and charming!"

After Princess Liyang left on the ox cart, Madam Wei and Ah Xiu became even more anxious. They paced back and forth in the mansion for a long time like ants on a hot pan. Suddenly, Ah Xiu had an idea and quickly wrote a letter to the princess!

……

When Xiao Jinyu received the letter by carrier pigeon, she was already very close to the post station in Yecheng. At that time, Xie Yuxuan was still talking to her incessantly about some things about the Zhou Kingdom.

"Don't worry, sister. I already have my own intelligence network in Zhou, and I helped His Majesty destroy several Qi spy bases. So there shouldn't be many spies left by Lu Lingxuan in Zhou, and they won't pose a threat to you, brother!"

"As for Yuwen Hui, although he is highly regarded by Yuwen Hu, his behavior of leading troops to kill envoys privately is shameful. I just need to spread this matter in the streets and alleys of Chang'an. No matter how angry Yuwen Hu is, he will not dare to make any trouble for the time being. After all, he still wants to welcome back his mother Yan Ji!"

"Moreover, Yuwen Hu's mother's return will be very useful to my fifth brother's plan, and even to His Majesty Zhou's plan! Therefore, they will definitely agree to my sister's request for peace talks!"

Hearing her say all this with such confidence, Xiao Jinyu couldn't help but smile.

As the night was getting darker and another day was about to pass, Xie Yuxuan sighed with some melancholy. Looking up, she saw a carrier pigeon flying over and landing on Xiao Jinyu's shoulder very obediently.

Xiao Jinyu took the note off the pigeon's foot. After reading the content on it, her smile faded and a trace of sadness appeared between her brows.

"what happened?"

Xie Yuxuan looked over curiously, and Xiao Jinyu handed the note to her without hesitation, asking, "Axuan, do you still remember the most beautiful little princess in Nanliang?"

"Are you talking about Princess Liyang?"

"Yes!" Xiao Jinyu replied, and looked at her again, and said in a serious tone, "She is Chang Gong's biological mother. She may be in trouble now. We must hurry up and rush back to Yecheng!"

"Ah? She... is actually the Duke's biological mother?"

Before she could finish her surprised cry, Xiao Jinyu said, "Ah Xuan, when I return to Yecheng this time, I need you to do me another favor?"

"What favor? Tell me. Why are you being so polite to me?" Xie Yuxuan replied generously.

Xiao Jinyu hesitated for a moment before answering:

"Pretending to be Princess Lanling!"

……

Just as Xiao Jinyu and his group of men were rushing towards Yecheng, there was also turmoil in Chang'an City of Zhou.

The news that Yuwen Hui secretly led his troops to Yubi City to rob and kill Lanling Wang, the envoy of Qi State in order to seek personal revenge spread like wildfire, and soon spread throughout the streets and alleys, and even flew into the Mansion of the Duke of Jin and the Imperial Palace.

At the same time, Yuwen Hui's body was delivered to the residence of Yuwen Hu, Duke of Jin, along with this "rumor".

Because the journey back to Chang'an was quite long, the corpse had already given off an extremely unpleasant stench when it was delivered to the Duke of Jin's mansion, making it even more difficult to distinguish its appearance.

"Is this my son Yuwen Hui? Do you think you can fool me by just finding a corpse?"

Yuwen Hu directly denied his identity and had the body carried out. He then ordered the soldiers who carried the body to be beaten to death with sticks. As soon as Yuwen Hui's body was sent away, Yuwen Hu could not help but shed a few tears.

The staff around him couldn't help but say, "Grand Chancellor, I'm afraid this body is real. Before Sanlang led his troops to Yubi City, he did leave a letter, saying that he would eliminate a powerful enemy for his father!"

"I know that, but I can't admit it at this moment. Otherwise, I will be caught and I will avenge my son's death later!"

After saying this, she wiped away her tears and asked again: "Has the letter that Wei Xiaokuan sent to the palace been intercepted? What is the outcome of the peace talks?"

"It has been intercepted. I have copied down the contents of the letter. It is this one!"

The aide handed a piece of white paper covered with words to Yuwen Hu. Yuwen Hu read it quickly and a sneer appeared on his face.

"This Wei Xiaokuan still likes to think of himself as the lord. He gave advice to Your Majesty with eloquent words, saying that the envoy of Qi State asked for two counties in exchange for my mother's return to the country, and he had already negotiated that only one county or 500 dan of grain and silk was needed!"

"What do you think, Grand Chancellor?"

"I need to ask, what does your Majesty think about this matter? Does he sincerely want to welcome my mother back?"

After saying this, Yuwen Hu changed into court robes and came to the hall where the Zhou court officials held meetings.

At this time, all the ministers were already in court robes in the hall, discussing the matter of exchanging Yuwen Hu's mother Yan Ji. Several ministers were arguing so hard that they almost smashed their heads against each other in the hall!

Under such powerful pressure from Yuwen Hu, there were still people in the court who dared to stand up and make a death-defying remonstration. Exchanging counties for an insignificant Yan Ji's return to the country was an act of losing power and humiliating the country. Such a transaction is shameful!

But when Yuwen Hu walked into the hall, many officials lowered their heads and dared not say a word. The only one who was indignant was the minister who had just spoken out against the emperor!

As soon as he saw Yuwen Hu walk in, Yuwen Yong, who was sitting on the dragon throne, immediately became timid and didn't even dare to look Yuwen Hu in the eye!

Of course, he was not really a coward. Instead, he perfectly played the role of a cowardly and incompetent puppet emperor, who was despised by court officials and bullied by Yuwen Hu and even his sons!

"How dare you be so rude to the Grand Chancellor? Take off his official uniform and drag him out!"

After sternly shouting at the loyal minister, Yuwen Yong said with "righteous words":

"I... I think that my Zhou country governs the world with filial piety, and it is right to exchange for the mother of the Duke of Jin and reunite the mother and son. As for the amount of food and silk, even if it is a county, it doesn't matter. What's more, the Grand Chancellor will ask Qi to take it all back in the future! Am I right?"

After saying this, he timidly looked at Yuwen Hu's stern and cold face, unable to avoid his gaze.

Yuwen Hu didn't say anything for a long time, and the court became silent for a while. After a long time, he asked: "I wonder who your majesty wants to send to Qi to exchange for my mother's envoy?"

Yuwen Yong looked at him and was undecided for a moment.

Yuwen Hu pointed at the official who had made the most vehement appeal and said, "I think it would be most appropriate to send him. In addition, Dugu Shan, the eldest son of the Gudu family, had been on a diplomatic mission to the State of Chen with my son before. If he were to go with me this time, he could also be with his half-brother Dugu Luo, who was also held hostage in the State of Qi, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the former almost suffocated to death, and Hu Duxin, whose son was mentioned, also turned pale, but after all, he was one of the Eight Pillars of the State, so his expression only changed slightly, and then he returned to normal, stepped out of the team and said: "I wish to let my eldest son accompany you!"

After a court meeting, Yuwen Yong returned to his bedroom and was so angry that he crushed a porcelain cup into pieces.

"I have been playing the role of a dog wagging its tail for mercy for too long. The court officials despise me and the people call me incompetent. When will I be able to take back the military and political power?"

Two young officials walked in from outside the curtain, and one of them said, "Your Majesty, please be patient. Once Yan Ji is brought back, we will have a chance!"

The person who spoke was Prince of Zhao, Yuwen Zhao.

The other one looked calmer. He pondered for a moment and said, "We may have to wait until the war between Qi and Zhou breaks out and Yuwen Hu's reputation is damaged. Then we can implement the previous plan! At that time, we will have to bring Wei Gongzhi along!"

This is Yang Jian!

Yuwen Yong patted the two men on the shoulders and suppressed his anger: "Okay, then I will do as you two say and be patient!"

"Then hurry up and write a letter to the King of Qi. Tomorrow, send an envoy to Yecheng, Qi!"

……

When Gao Zhan received the letter from the Zhou Kingdom, he was so happy that he went crazy. He quickly ordered people to hold a banquet in the Taiji Hall and summoned all the beautiful concubines in the palace to the Taiji Hall, where there was music and dancing!

“I originally thought that as long as Yuwen Hu could send someone to Qi to bring his mother back to the country and sign a ceasefire and peace treaty, the peace talks would be a win. I didn’t expect that Zhou would actually send 500 dan of grain and silk in exchange!

This Xie Zhen is indeed a genius, and he lives up to my expectations!"

"Yantong, what do you think I should reward him with?"

He Shikai smiled flatteringly and hadn't answered yet. Gao Zhan suddenly had an idea. He looked at the beauties in the hall and laughed, "I got it. I will definitely give Xie Qing a surprise!"

When Xiao Jinyu returned to Yecheng with the delegation, she heard the cheers of the people again. The streets of Yecheng were crowded with people again, and even the sisters-in-law threw handkerchiefs to her to express their admiration.

Xie Yuxuan was dressed in plain clothes and wore a veil to hide her true face, and followed Xiao Jinyu into the city.

As soon as he entered the city, Xiao Jinyu received an imperial edict, saying that His Majesty had already held a banquet in the Taiji Palace and ordered Minister Xie to go to the Taiji Palace as soon as possible to receive the reward!

Xiao Jinyu ordered Ling Ye to take Xie Yuxuan back to Prince Lanling's Mansion first, and asked Gao Yanzong to take his troops back to his Prince Ande's Mansion. Xiao Jinyu went to Taiji Hall with the cane that symbolized the envoy.

Gao Zhan was extremely excited when he saw her, and hurriedly pulled her into the hall. Maybe he had drunk too much, but his face was red, and he looked at her, who was still dressed as "Xie Zhen", with a dazed look in his eyes.

Almost suddenly, he embraced the beauty in the palace, reached inside her clothes... rubbed her, and pushed her to Xiao Jinyu, saying:

"Come, let me touch you too!"

"Thank you for your outstanding contribution in this peace negotiation. I have made my decision. You can choose my concubine at your discretion!"

After saying this, he seemed to get more and more excited the more he thought about it, and even added, "Of course, if Xie Qing is interested in my queen, my queen is also yours!"