"Everyone, please rise." The old Emperor's voice was slightly hoarse as he raised his hand. All the officials in the court thanked him in unison and stood up respectfully. Lin Wanrong scrutinized the lady behind the curtains. She sat there quietly, neither smiling nor speaking. Her figure was extremely beautiful.
The Emperor looked around and nodded. "There are important matters to discuss with all the officials in the morning assembly today. This concerns the prosperity of China and I have specially granted Miss Xu Zhiqing permission to attend the assembly with the golden whip. Although Xu Zhiqing is a woman, she has personally fought against the barbarians at the frontlines in the north many times. She is indeed a hero among women. I have specially granted her permission to attend the assembly and she will be staying in the room next door. Does anyone have any objections? "
Calling a woman to the imperial court to discuss official business was not in accordance with the rules, but since the Emperor had spoken, plus this woman had rendered meritorious service and had status, plus she was in the side room next to the Hall of Literary Glory, everyone nodded and praised their Emperor's wisdom.
Gao Ping announced loudly, "Summon Xu Zhiqing to the side room of the assembly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." A lady's voice came from outside the hall. Lin Wanrong could hear it clearly. It was Xu Zhiqing. Although Miss Xu was full of talent and was a hundred times better than most of the people present, she didn't even have the right to enter the assembly hall. This was the difference between men and women. Although Lin Wanrong had suffered a setback at her hands today, he still felt indignant. Looking at the lady behind the curtains, she was treated much better than Xu Zhiqing. He wondered what her status was.
"Subject Xu, what are the important matters to be discussed today?" The old Emperor asked Xu Wei.
Xu Wei stepped out from the first seat on the right and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, there are three important matters to be discussed during the assembly today. Firstly, the Emperor of Japan sent someone to deliver a letter yesterday, stating that his second prince, Gong Wu Shu, has not returned for many days and has gone missing within the borders of China. Japan hopes that China will thoroughly investigate Wu Shu's whereabouts and must provide them with an explanation. "
Looking at Xu Wei's hesitant manner, the Emperor of Japan probably wouldn't be so polite. Old Xu was avoiding the important matters and dwelling on the trivial ones. Hearing this, the ministers looked at each other, but no one said anything.
No one was more aware of Jimiya Takeshu's whereabouts than Lin Wanrong. He wouldn't be so foolish as to invite trouble upon himself. He leaned against the pillar beside him and yawned lazily as he listened to their suggestions.
The old Emperor harrumphed and said in a low voice, "Regarding the disappearance of the Prince of Japan, what do you all think?"
Everyone looked at each other. They didn't know what the emperor meant, so they didn't dare to speak rashly. Standing first on the left, Cheng Wang gave a profound smile and carelessly glanced behind him.
A man stepped out from the ranks and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Japan and China are separated by a strip of water and are friendly neighbors. Prince Ji Gong Wu Shu was on a pilgrimage to our China, but he went missing on his way back. This has nothing to do with our China. This matter concerns the relationship between the two countries. If it is not handled well, it might lead to a diplomatic dispute. Furthermore, it concerns the reputation of the Celestial Empire, so we can't let our guard down. In this humble subject's humble opinion, on one hand, we can strengthen the investigation to find traces of Prince Ji Gong Wu Shu and strike at the criminal who has disrupted the relationship between the two countries. On the other hand, we can give some small favors and issue an edict to appease the two countries. "
Lin Wanrong was about to fall asleep. Hearing someone speak, he instantly became alert. The person who had stepped out was the long-awaited zhuangyuan, Su Mubai. When the envoys from the three countries came to the capital on a pilgrimage, it was Su Mubai who had been in charge of receiving them. When it came to diplomatic matters, he had some say.
The old Emperor nodded slightly and looked left and right. "Official Su's suggestion, what do my beloved officials think?"
Another person appeared on the left and said, "Official Su's suggestion is based on the bigger picture and is reasonable. This old subject agrees." Lin Wanrong also knew this person. He was his superior's superior, the Minister of Personnel Ye daren. They had met a few days ago at Cheng Wang Fu.
With Official Ye and Official Su taking the lead, the other officials all chimed in. The atmosphere was very lively. Only Xu Wei and Li Tai were silent.
"Where's Lin San? Where's Lin San?" The old Emperor looked left and right and suddenly shouted. There were dozens of people in the hall, but there was no sign of Lin San.
A civil official beside Lin Wanrong hurriedly pushed him and said anxiously, "Official Lin, wake up. His Majesty is calling for you!"
"Calling for me?" Lin Wanrong froze for a moment. Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, it seemed that this friend's words were true. He could only step out of the line and ask, "Your Majesty, you called for me?"
Seeing Lin Wanrong step out, the woman behind the curtain trembled slightly and her gaze fell on him.
Other than Lin San, there was no one else who dared to speak to the Emperor like this in the golden hall. The old Emperor didn't mind and smiled. "Lin San, are you satisfied with the position you're standing in?"
"Yes, there isn't a better position than this," Lin Wanrong replied with a smile.
The officials shook their heads and laughed lightly. A servant was a servant. To be able to have a place to stand in the corner of the court, that was the good fortune he had accumulated over several lifetimes.
The Emperor nodded faintly. "It's rare for you to have a calm heart for everything. Don't think that your position is unremarkable. In the past, when zhen turned sixteen and attended court for the first time, zhen stood at that spot. The previous Emperor said to zhen, do small things and achieve great benevolence. Lin San, you have to remember this well. "
When these words came out, the entire court was shocked. The Emperor had compared Lin San to him and had publicly lectured him in court. Lin San's meteoric rise was just around the corner. A cold light flashed through Cheng Wang's eyes. He closed his eyes slightly and didn't speak.
"Lin San, Prince Wu Shu has gone missing. Subject Su's suggestion is to give a small favor to the Japanese to appease them. What do you think?" The old Emperor smiled.
"Ah, Prince Wu Shu has gone missing?" Lin Wanrong was shocked. "Your Majesty, who did you hear this from? Could it be a trap? "
Hearing Lin San's rudeness, Su Mubai snorted. "This is a letter from the Emperor of Japan. This concerns the relationship between our two countries, how can it be fake?"
Lin Wanrong smiled. "According to Lord Su, since the Emperor of Japan personally wrote a letter, it can't be fake? A few decades ago, when our China was at its peak, the Emperor of Japan even wrote a letter of surrender, submitting to our China and accepting ten thousand bolts of silk and one hundred thousand taels of silver. Lord Su, learn to greet him. Is there such a thing? How much had he accumulated from beginning to end? This time, when Prince Wu Shu came to pay tribute, has the silver been cashed? "
This Lin San was truly a talent for sophistry. Su Mubai's expression changed, and his lips moved a few times. He mumbled, "Times have changed. Right now, we're talking about Prince Wu Shu. It has nothing to do with silver."
"Prince Wu Shu? That's simple. He came to our China to pay tribute, and our China treated him with good food and drinks. We can be considered to have done our duty as the host. He's not a three-year-old kid. If he's seduced by some prostitute, are you asking our China to bear the responsibility? If that's the case, Your Majesty, this lowly commoner has a request! "
A hint of a smile appeared on the Emperor's face. "Speak!"
Lin Wanrong smiled. "This lowly commoner would like to request Your Majesty to send Lord Su to Japan as a diplomatic envoy. At the same time, send two beautiful ladies to secretly abduct him back. After that, Your Majesty can send a letter to the Emperor of Japan, requesting him to hand over China's top scholar, Lord Su Mubai. "Otherwise, the relationship between our two countries will be affected. The consequences will be severe. Please give an explanation to the Emperor of Japan."
Everyone could not help but laugh when they heard this. It was clearly a sophistry, but this Lin San's words were filled with reason. Such a talent was truly rare!
Su Mubai's expression was ashen as he said angrily, "Lord Lin, this is a diplomatic matter. It's not something that can be solved by analogy. If we do things like this, how will the countries interact with each other? If this goes on, who can guarantee that the Japanese countries won't have ulterior motives? "
"Ulterior motives?" Lin Wanrong smiled in disdain. "Lord Su, I would like to ask something. If they don't fulfill their promises and don't pay tribute, when have the Japanese ever been on the same side as us?"
His words made Su Mubai speechless. After a long while, he said, "If you continue like this, which country will dare to interact with China?"
Lin Wanrong laughed coldly. "Lord Su, it's the Japanese who want him back from China. Since when did it become us who have ulterior motives? How dare they bully China like this? If we accept this humiliation, where will China's prestige be? Where will China's dignity be? If this is ulterior motives, then I hope that China will have ulterior motives for ten thousand years! "
"Lin San, well said!" Miss Xu's voice suddenly came from the side room. "This commoner, Xu Zhiqing, agrees with Lin San!"
Lin Wanrong's words were only a few sentences, but they were extremely provocative. His slogan of "Ulterior motives for ten thousand years" made everyone's blood boil.
"What a good 'Ulterior motives for ten thousand years'!" Xu Wei suddenly stepped out and said, "This old subject, Xu Wei, agrees with Lord Lin!"
"This old subject, Li Tai, agrees with Lin San!"
…
"Ulterior motives for ten thousand years?!" The woman behind the curtain closed her eyes slightly, and two crystal clear tears rolled down her cheeks. She picked up the small regular script and moved her brush swiftly. A vigorous figure appeared on the paper.
The old Emperor narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly at Lin San. The voices of approval in the hall expressed the opinions of the officials. Everyone supported Lin San.
"Takahira, draft the decree!" The Emperor smiled and said, "Tell the King of Japan that your second son has completed his pilgrimage to the Celestial Empire and has yet to return. We do not know where he is and his temper is extremely stubborn. Tell him to guide him well and not let him offend him again. End! "
"Your Majesty is wise." Lin Wanrong chuckled and flattered the Emperor.
The first matter of the court discussion had already reached such a unanimous opinion. Xu Wei was greatly enlightened and seemed to have more confidence in the court discussion. "The second matter of today's court discussion is also related to Japan. According to the news from the southeast coast, Japan has gathered a hundred thousand soldiers and ten thousand ships. In the past two days, they have set sail and are heading for Goryeo. "
As soon as he said this, there was a commotion in the court. Japan was the main character in two matters in a row. There seemed to be a mystery behind this. The officials whispered to each other and started discussing.
As this matter concerned the military affairs of the country, Lin Wanrong did not reply. He returned to the position where the Emperor stood in the past and continued his sweet dreams.
"Subject Li, you are the Great General of the Celestial Empire. What do you think about this matter?" The Emperor asked Li Tai.
Li Tai nodded. "Your Majesty, Japan has chosen to attack Goryeo when our China's soldiers are about to go on an expedition. The timing is definitely not a coincidence. Goryeo and China are neighbors. If Japan attacks Goryeo and gains a foothold in the northeast, they will be able to form a triangle with the Hu people. This will cause our China to be attacked on two sides. From this old subject's point of view, we cannot ignore the matter of Goryeo. We must treat it with caution. "
These were the words of an experienced person. Everyone nodded when they heard this. The Emperor swept a glance at Cheng Wang. He smiled and asked, "What does Wang Xiong think?"
Cheng Wang raised his hands and said, "Old General Li's words are not false. This time, Japan is attacking Goryeo. If Goryeo falls, our China will be attacked on two sides. But there are two sides to a coin. Right now, the Tu Jue are invading and the north is in danger. If the Tu Jue open a gap and march in, our China will be in danger. Of the two evils, we have to choose the lesser. Goryeo is in trouble but our China is also in danger and we have no soldiers to mobilize. We can only consider the matter of the northeast after we have driven out the Hu people. Subject di has been rash. Your Majesty, please think carefully. "
Cheng Wang's words were reasonable. China was too busy worrying about itself, how could it have the energy to care about Goryeo?
"Your Majesty, you cannot!" A female voice came over. "Goryeo and our China are neighbors. The Japanese have wild ambitions. Once they attack Goryeo, they will have a land base. They can march in and take the northern hinterlands of our China. The Japanese saw that while our China is fighting the Tu Jue, we have no time to worry about the north so they took the risk to attack Goryeo. This can also be seen as the Japanese probing China. Once we give up Goryeo, they will be even more arrogant. Our China will be like a wolf in front of a door and will fall into the wolf's teeth at any time. In this common woman's opinion, our China should not only send soldiers to help, but also elite soldiers to cut off the wolf's claws and have them roll back to the sea. "
Xu Zhiqing did have good eyes, much better than most of the idiots standing in the hall. If it wasn't for the fact that she was a woman, she would have succeeded her father as the first person in court.
Xu Zhiqing's words were not without reason, but Cheng Wang was also thinking for China. How to choose, the Emperor was also troubled.
The woman behind the curtain suddenly shoved out a note. Gao Ping hurriedly took it and respectfully presented it. The Emperor scanned and suddenly called out: "Beloved Official Lin, Beloved Official Lin!"
"Daren, the Emperor is calling for you!" It was the civil official at the side who reminded. This time, his tone was respectful.
Beloved Official Lin? Why did this name sound so strange! Lin Wanrong smiled and stepped out of the ranks. "Your Majesty, don't ask me about fighting. I'm scared of blood!"
"It's not zhen who is asking you!" The Emperor smiled. He took the note and glanced at it. With a solemn expression, he asked: "Is it necessary to save Goryeo?"
Isn't it you who is asking? Lin Wanrong nodded. "It must be done!"
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