Jiao Wu's expression darkened. "Marquis of Martial Arts, what is the meaning of this?"
The fact that he didn't curse out loud on the spot could be considered his self-restraint.
On his three-hundredth birthday, in front of a banquet full of guests, having his subordinates tie up a person and send him inside wasn't just rude. It was an undisguised provocation.
"Elder Jiao, please don't get angry." Xue Mingyi remained standing there, neither hurried nor slow. "There is no harm in seeing if my gift is appropriate."
No one dared to block their way. Four soldiers held the so-called "gift" and walked with resounding steps to the main table.
Jiang Wang didn't expect to see such a grand show at the birthday banquet he attended to get close to the Azure Cloud Pavilion. The treacherous waves of the Yong revolution seemed to be reflected in this birthday banquet.
Like all the other guests, he curiously glanced over and saw that the person bound was a middle-aged scholar with slightly frosty hair. There were traces of blood on his body. It was obvious that he had been tortured. As for more specific information, he couldn't analyze it.
The soldiers stood still and put down the middle-aged scholar. The man had probably been severely tortured. He couldn't stand steadily and slid down. It was the two soldiers in the back row who each extended a hand to prop him up.
Jiao Wu glanced at the man before turning back to Xue Mingyi. "This Marquis doesn't recognize this person. If he has committed a crime, he should be handed over to a judge. If he is rude to you, you can beat him to death on the spot. However, I don't know why you brought him to this Marquis' birthday banquet. "
The Marquis of Wei Ning obtained his peace through prestige. Once the Marquis of Wei Ning became angry, his accumulated prestige over the years was like a landslide or a tsunami. The onlookers felt their hearts grow heavy, almost unable to breathe.
However, Xue Mingyi remained calm and unruffled.
"Elder Jiao, please listen to my explanation."
He responded with a smile, speaking frankly and with assurance. "Elder Jiao is a pillar of the nation. You are of virtue and prestige and have enjoyed a great deal of grace and honor. The deceased Emperor Emeritus and the current Emperor Emeritus both have great trust in you. Jewels and treasures adorn your esteemed residence. Mountains of gold and silver can't add a single bit of splendor to you. This Xue has thought about it, but I don't know what gift to give. "
"Coincidentally, the general under my command captured this person in Shun 'an prefecture."
He slowly left his seat and walked in front of the dispirited middle-aged scholar. He casually grabbed his hair and raised his head so that Jiao Wu could clearly see his face.
"This person is a spy from the Reef Kingdom. He has infiltrated my Yong and is plotting against us! Come to think of it, what other congratulatory gift could make Elder Jiao truly happy? Only my state of Yong has been able to last a long period of peace and stability. The foreign tribes are docile, the four barbarians are subdued, and the conspiracies and machinations of other states are eradicated without a trace! "
Xue Mingyi looked at Jiao Wu. "Elder Jiao, don't you agree?"
Everyone was silent.
A spy was not a big deal. But the identity of this spy was too sensitive!
Everyone knew that Jiao Wu's father was a general of the Reef Nation.
During the reign of Emperor Yong Ming, Jiao Wu's father was captured by Han Zhou during a battle between the two armies. Afterwards, he submitted to the State of Yong. At that time, people were suspicious, but Han Zhou believed it and entrusted him with an important task. As expected, he was loyal to his duty and never had any ambition in his life. In Jiao Wu's generation, he was conferred the title of marquis through his meritorious service, rising to the highest echelons of the Yong Kingdom. The Jiao family had fought hard for the State of Yong for several generations, and their loyalty should not be doubted.
However, the name of the Reef Nation appearing at this time and place was too sensitive.
The war between Zhuang Yong and the State of Yong was soul-stirring. At one point, Yong was in danger of being destroyed. Apart from Zhuang Yong's main battlefield, the Luo State also sent out troops and allied with the Qingjiang Water Tribe to attack the Lan River. The Jing Country's Red Horse Guards went down south and sent their troops to Jingan Prefecture.
It could be said that a pack of wolves surrounded them, wanting to divide and devour them.
Although only the Jing and Luo States sent out troops, they were not the only ones who were tempted.
Yong's current territory was also won through battle after battle. It was the territory established during the reign of Emperor Yong Ming and Han Zhou.
The surrounding countries were also not what they were now. The map of the various countries had changed many times. During this time, how many were destroyed and how many were invaded?
The Reef Nation was one of the countries that was directly beaten to a pulp. Now, its land was barren and its population was few, and its court was barely maintained. After the war that year, it still had not recovered. Jiao Wu's father also submitted at that time.
Jiang Wang did not know the inside story. His understanding of Yong had not reached that level. He did not know why all the guests were silent when the Reef Nation spies were mentioned.
However, it did not stop him from thinking that Jiao Wu might have some relationship with the Reef Nation.
He silently stood behind Feng Ming, trying not to attract anyone's attention.
To the people of Yong present, the war that had just passed was a pain that they could not forget in a short period of time.
Xue Mingyi had sent the Reef spy to Marquis Wei Ning's residence and emphasized that the spy was captured in Shun 'an prefecture. This was a clear indication that the Reef Country was also on the verge of making a move during that war. They had even … begun to make contact with Jiao Wu!
In the entire country, how many people were in a situation similar to Marquis Wei Ning's, Jiao Wu's? Those who knew, those who did not know, whether in the light or in the dark … the huge shadow had already been here.
If not for Han Xu turning the tide and leading the Mohist Sect to stop the war, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Many guests looked at Jiao Wu with strange gazes.
Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
Jiao Wu clapped his hands, and the applause was crisp and loud.
"Marquis Xue's words are simple and righteous. They are to my liking!"
As he spoke, he clapped his hands and stood up.
He was not tall, but thin and small. However, when he stood up, he was like a towering mountain peak.
Lofty, majestic, and unshakable.
He left his seat and walked towards Xue Mingyi. He was obviously shorter than Xue Mingyi, but he was like a beast that had just woken up and was walking towards its prey.
The Marquis of Wugong, Xue Mingyi, was obviously not food. Therefore, he raised his eyebrows and his aura rose. He was high-spirited and sharp, and he was not at a disadvantage against Jiao Wu.
All the guests in the courtyard were on tenterhooks. They did not know what to do if the situation escalated.
On the other hand, Mo Jingyu remained seated, silently watching everything unfold in front of him without any action.
Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu were at loggerheads with each other. At this moment, when the two Marquises of Yong were at loggerheads with swords drawn, if he were to do anything, it would cross Han Xu's bottom line.
When that time came, the Yong Court would not tolerate him. The higher-ups of the Mohist Sect who supported Han Xu would also not tolerate him.
Would they fight?
Feng Ming's breathing became heavier. He clearly hoped that Jiao Wu, who had humiliated him, would be taught a lesson. Although Jiao Wu might not know who he was and had never paid attention to a junior like him.
However, Feng Yue's expression did not change. He even took a sip of wine.
Jiang Wang understood that Feng Yue's judgment was the same as his. No matter what, Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu would not fight on the spot.
However, he gripped his wine cup tightly and appeared to be very nervous. A qualified follower should be smart, but not overly smart.
Jiao Wu finally walked in front of Xue Mingyi and faced him.
Everyone's gazes and emotions were drawn to them.
Under everyone's gazes, Jiao Wu said to Xue Mingyi, "Let me interrogate him, how about it?"
Without waiting for Xue Mingyi's reply, he continued, "Please tell His Majesty. If Shi Heng has any intentions of overstepping his authority, although I am old, I am willing to lead the army and take his head in front of you! "
Shi Heng was the current Reef Lord!
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