"I heard that the Blood Demon Church has been causing trouble in Shangjing these days. Wang Chuan, with you in Shangjing, you were able to maintain the stability of Shangjing and suppress the Blood Demon Church. Most of the remaining members of the Blood Demon Church were eliminated. The cooperation with the Great Court was also very successful. The military was very satisfied. Not bad, not bad, you did not disappoint Us …"
In the Longevity Hall of the imperial palace, the Emperor of the Great Shang Kingdom looked at Beitang Wang Chuan and gave a rare compliment. He nodded lightly and said "not bad" twice.
Those who were familiar with His Majesty the Emperor knew that His Majesty normally did not show his emotions, and he very rarely praised others. To be able to praise Beitang Wang Chuan like this, it should be because he was very satisfied with Beitang Wang Chuan that he would say such a thing.
The Emperor of the Great Shang Kingdom was called Beitang Zhao. His face shape was somewhat similar to Beitang Wang Chuan's, but his brow bone was slightly higher. His eyebrows were long, and his sideburns were slightly gray. His eyes were like a bottomless abyss, and a cold star flashed in his dark eyes. They were unfathomable. Beitang Zhao's aura was like a dragon crouching and tiger crouching. At this moment, he was just sitting on the dragon throne, but he gave people the feeling that he was a tall mountain. The pressure made everyone in the hall feel suffocated. They could only carefully deal with him as if they were treading on thin ice.
"Yesterday, the Judgement Army just killed the Poison Demon. There are still three demons from the Blood Demon Church that have not been exposed. This son originally wanted to eliminate the remaining members of the Blood Demon Church before Father Emperor returned. Now, this son is ashamed that he did not succeed!"
Beitang Wang Chuan did not have a trace of pride on his face. Instead, he lowered his head and said humbly.
When he said this, for some reason, Beitang Wang Chuan thought of what Xia Pingan said to him when he saw Xia Pingan and Xia Pingan perform a dream divination at the Duke of Zhou Building. "Seeing the defeated army, the leader is ominous. This is a bad omen. But young master is burning in the defeated army. This is the sign of a noble person helping you …"
The arrival of the Five Demons of the Blood Demon Church in Shangjing City was an ominous sign, but two of the Five Demons had been killed by the Judgement Army because of Xia Pingan. If this was not the help of a noble, what was it? Not to mention anything else, just that time with Water Demon and the Peach Blossom Bridge, if Water Demon had succeeded at the Peach Blossom Bridge Dragon Boat Race and there would have been too many casualties in Shang Jing City, he, Beitang Wang Chuan, would have to take the blame. At this moment, the scene in Yan Nian Hall would probably be completely different.
That Xia Pingan was really his "benefactor" and "lucky general".
"Our contest with the Blood Demon Church is not a matter of eight or ten years. There is no need to rush. Among the Five Demons, the biggest threats to Shang Jing City are Water Demon, Poison Demon, and Shi Demon. You were able to exterminate them before Water Demon and Poison Demon caused a huge commotion. You don't have to be too harsh on them …" His Majesty the Emperor smiled slightly and even comforted Beitang Wang Chuan.
At this moment, another person in Yan Nian Hall spoke. The person who spoke was sitting beside Beitang Wang Chuan. He was wearing bright armor and his face shape was somewhat similar to Beitang Zhao and Beitang Wang Chuan. It was just that he seemed to be one or two years younger than Beitang Wang Chuan. His eyes were like the moon in the clouds. The light was restrained and there was always a feeling of concealment. That person smiled, "Father Emperor, Eldest Brother has done a meritorious deed in managing the country these days. You should reward him well!"
This person was Beitang Wang Chuan's half-brother, Beitang Wang Shan, Prince Jing of the Shang Dynasty.
"Hm …" Beitang Zhao muttered to himself.
Hearing Beitang Wang Shan say that he wanted His Majesty the Emperor to reward him, Beitang Wang Chuan felt as if a slippery poisonous snake had gotten close to him. The hair on his spine stood on end and he immediately became alert. Before Beitang Zhao could speak, he quickly said with a smile, "Sixth Brother's words are incorrect. As the crown prince, managing the country is my duty. As long as Shang Jing City and Da Shang Dynasty have good weather and the country is prosperous and the people are at peace, as long as Father Emperor can peacefully patrol the West, that would be the best reward for me. Why would I need Father Emperor to reward me again!"
"Eldest Brother said it very well. Open minded and ambitious. I want to learn more from Eldest Brother!" That young man wearing armor also smiled and paid his respects to Wang Chuan.
"Not at all, not at all. I heard that Sixth Brother had outstanding military achievements on the frontlines. Leading the army under your command, you killed hundreds of thousands of the One-eyed Clan. Sixth Brother being so brave is my Da Shang Dynasty's fortune!" Beitang Wang Chuan also praised that "Sixth Brother" loudly, "Father Emperor should reward Sixth Brother more!"
"How am I brave? It's all because of Father Emperor's wisdom and martial prowess. Only through strategizing did we have a great victory. I am only a small soldier under Father Emperor's command …" That young man also smiled and said modestly.
The two brothers praised each other here and declined each other's words modestly. It looked like they were really "brothers who were respectful to each other" and "happy and harmonious."
His Majesty the Emperor only narrowed his eyes slightly and raised his head. His gaze seemed to penetrate the room and looked at the sky. It was as if he completely did not notice that there was anything wrong with the "harmonious" atmosphere between the crown prince and Prince Jing.
Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor did not speak and seemed to be thinking about something, the crown prince and Prince Jing slowly closed their mouths and nodded to each other with a smile. Then, they sat upright and still.
"The opening of the Demon Gate this time is different from any of the previous times …" His Majesty the Emperor finally spoke, "The disturbance in the upper bound is getting greater and greater. The Golden Palace of Gods might open again. Da Shang Dynasty needs to make preparations early. I also need to make preparations. When the time is right, I will go to the upper bound to find an opportunity …"
The Golden Palace of Gods would open again?
This news was very shocking, and it was said by His Majesty the Emperor. It definitely could not be false.
Beitang Wang Chuan's heart shook. He looked at Beitang Wang Shan and found that Beitang Wang Shan was also looking at him. Both of their eyes shone brightly.
"Wang Chuan, from today onwards, Da Shang Dynasty will officially implement a type of resource control. Prepare to deal with the great changes that might occur. Go and make the arrangements!"
"Yes!" Beitang Wang Chuan suppressed the shock in his heart and stood up, bowing to accept the order.
"Wang Shan, the Demon Gate on the sea will be left to you. You will guard it!"
Beitang Wang Shan also stood up at once and bowed to accept the order, "Yes!"
"Alright, you may leave!" His Majesty the Emperor waved his hand lightly, "Let them in …"
Beitang Wang Chuan and Beitang Wang Shan left Yan Nian Hall. Following this, their brothers and sisters entered Yan Nian Hall one by one to pay their respects to His Majesty the Emperor.
There were more than 20 princesses and princes in Shangjing. Among these people, the most outstanding ones were Beitang Wang Chuan and Beitang Wan Shan. The other princes were powerless to compete with the two and had already given up on the idea, obediently remaining as wealthy princes. As for the princesses, there were only four that had yet to be married.
His Majesty the Emperor was touring Shangjing, and these princes and princesses all came to pay their respects.
When those princes and young masters finished paying their respects and left Yan Nian Hall, His Majesty the Emperor frowned slightly and asked his personal attendant with a rare expression of concern, "Where's Caocao, why did Caocao not come? Is she sick?"
"Princess was already notified earlier. Princess is still in the imperial kitchen and has not come out yet …" That personal attendant helplessly said.
"Imperial kitchen?" His Majesty the Emperor's expression immediately became joyful and gentle. There was no longer any sternness. It was as if he had heard something amusing, and he could not help but laugh, "She's already this old, yet she still likes to steal food from the imperial kitchen?"
"This … Princess has been in the imperial kitchen since last night and has not come out …"
"Oh, she was in the imperial kitchen yesterday. Let's go, We want to go to the imperial kitchen to take a look …"
The reason Beitang Wang You was called Wang You was because this name was personally given by Beitang Zhao. Beitang Wang You was innocent and naive from a young age. Every time he saw the smile on his daughter's face, Beitang Zhao felt as if he could forget all of his worries and troubles. Thus, he gave Caocao this name.
Among all the princesses and princes in Shangjing, the one that Beitang Zhao doted on the most was Caocao.
When His Majesty the Emperor arrived at the imperial kitchen, he saw the imperial chefs and the female officials in charge of the kitchen all standing outside with strange expressions. Caocao's voice also came from inside the imperial kitchen, "Cui Cui, fan the fire. You must pay attention to the heat. The soup is about to be ready. You can send it to Father Emperor and let Father Emperor taste my cooking. Hmph, hmph, Father Emperor will definitely be shocked …"
When the imperial chefs and the female officials saw Beitang Zhao, they were so scared that they wanted to salute him. However, Beitang Zhao made a hand gesture to stop them from moving. He then walked into the imperial kitchen with light steps.
When he heard Caocao's words, a smile appeared on Beitang Zhao's face as all of his worries disappeared.
Inside the imperial kitchen, Caocao was dressed in short sleeves and a miniskirt. She even had an apron tied around her waist. She looked like a female chef as she directed the maids beside her to fan the fire. She stood in front of the stove and stared intently at a clay pot on the stove. There was something stewing in the pot. It was bubbling and emitting a tempting aroma.
"Caocao, what are you doing!"
"Ah …" Caocao turned around and saw Beitang Zhao standing behind her with a smile. She immediately widened her eyes, "Father Emperor, why are you back?"
"Hahaha …" Seeing the slightly embarrassed look on Caocao's face, Beitang Zhao laughed heartily. He stretched out his hand and scratched Caocao's nose, "What? Shouldn't I be here?" "No, it's not that.
Why did you suddenly appear here? How could an emperor enter the imperial kitchen? You're shameless. I'm not done yet. Get out, get out. I'm boiling soup. I'll bring it to you when I'm done. You're not allowed to peek from the side at this time … "She stamped her feet and pouted coquettishly as she pushed Beitang Zhao, who was laughing loudly, out of the imperial kitchen.
… …
Two hours later, Beitang Zhao was in the imperial study drinking the soup that Caocao, who had dressed up again, brought over. Looking at Caocao's face that was filled with expectation and arrogance, Beitang Zhao smiled and put down the bowl, "Not bad, not bad. Caocao, the soup that you boiled is different from the ones made by the imperial chefs in the imperial kitchen. The taste is very unique. It's delicious, delicious. I'm going to eat more tonight …"
As the emperor of the Shang Dynasty, Beitang Zhao had eaten all kinds of dragon livers and phoenix gallbladders. It was because this soup was specially made for him by his daughter Caocao. She had put a lot of effort into it, so it was different from the rest. This made him feel very gratified.
Of course, this soup did seem a little different.
"Of course. This soup is called Buddha jumps over the wall. It needs to be boiled for half a day before it's done. It's very nutritious. You won't be able to eat it even if you travel all over the capital!" Caocao said happily.
"Caocao, you've grown up. You even know how to boil soup for me. Tell me, what do you want? I'll give it to you. How about I give you a piece of land …"
"I don't want it. I only want Imperial Father to finish the soup that I boiled for you. You can't waste it. I specially made this for you!" Caocao said seriously.
"Okay, okay, okay. I won't waste it. I will definitely finish it all …"
The time spent with Caocao was truly carefree and exceptionally happy. After finishing the soup from Caocao Castle, Beitang Zhao watched Caocao leave in satisfaction. Only then did Beitang Zhao put away the gentle expression on his face and once again revealed the majesty of an emperor.
"Clap, clap …" Beitang Zhao lightly clapped his hands. A cloud of black smoke appeared in front of him. The black smoke was in the shape of a human and was kneeling on one knee.
"Investigate where Caocao learned that soup from and who Caocao has been in contact with these days …"
"As you command …" The black smoke disappeared.
This time, the smile on Caocao's face was still pure and flawless. However, Caocao's eyes seemed to be hiding some hazy thoughts. Furthermore, Caocao seemed to like dressing up. The makeup on her face had also become more exquisite. Caocao who usually didn't wear earrings had actually started wearing earrings. These details didn't escape Beitang Zhao's eyes.
Beitang Zhao felt that his daughter seemed to have grown up a lot.
Only an hour later, a thick stack of information was placed in front of Beitang Zhao. It was a hasty record of who she had been in contact with these days, where she had been and what she had said. Not a single word was missing.
Among the information, there were also some hastily written letters to a certain person. There were many creases on those letters. She had probably written them before crumpling them into a ball and throwing them away. After that, she wrote them again before crumpling them into a ball and throwing them away again. Over and over again, the words and sentences on the paper were changed and scribbled here and there. It was filled with the worries and longing of a young girl …
Beitang Zhao saw a name the most in those messy scribbles and scribbles — — Xia Pingan!
… …
Today's second chapter will be slightly later!
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