Zuo Desong was a little surprised. "You can't talk nonsense. Why would Princess Royal owe you money?"
Even though he said that, he was pondering in his heart. The other party probably wouldn't spout nonsense here.
Niu Youdao said, "Last year, when Princess Royal went to the Ice and Snow Pavilion in disguise, she owed it."
Hao Qingqing's trip this time around was a secret. Moreover, it was strictly kept confidential. It was impossible for her to announce it to the public. Once it was made public, one could imagine the danger it would bring. Therefore, Zuo Desong was completely unaware of this matter. However, he knew that it was possible. He asked, "How much money does she owe you for you to travel all the way from the Yan Kingdom to the Qi Kingdom?"
Niu Youdao stretched out two fingers. "Not much, two million gold coins!"
"…" Zuo Desong was speechless. If two million gold coins wasn't much, then how much was much?
Qian You also couldn't help but look at Zuo Desong's reaction.
"…" Linghu Qiu was also stunned. The Princess Royal of Qi owed this guy so much money? Was it possible?
When he heard Niu Youdao say that he didn't come for the warhorse, he naturally thought it was a tactful excuse. Now that he heard the debt, he was a little suspicious. This guy didn't seem to be in a hurry, and he didn't look like he was here for business. Could it be that he used the warhorse as an excuse to come to Qi to collect the debt with the help of the sects?
The reason why he was suspicious was because of the debt. Two million gold coins, could Shang Chaozong pay Niu Youdao? If Niu Youdao could get the money, would he still work for Shang Chaozong?
Zuo Desong came back to his senses and asked, "Why does Princess Royal owe you so much money?"
Niu Youdao said, "I can't tell you the reason in detail, so that Princess Royal won't be embarrassed. The Sorcerers of Princess Royal can testify to this. Lord Zuo, you can ask them."
Zuo Desong thought for a while, and his eyes flickered. "Do you have the IOU?"
Niu Youdao replied, "Ben wrote me a promissory note, but I returned it to Princess Royal because I believe that the royal family of the Kingdom of Qi are not despicable people who go back on their word."
Zuo Desong chuckled, "Two million gold coins is not a small sum. How can anyone believe you when you say that someone owes you money without any proof? If everyone behaved like this, wouldn't the world be in chaos? "
Niu Youdao: "Justice is in the hearts of the people. If Princess Royal doesn't want to return the money, I have nothing to say. So, I just want to ask Lord Zuo to inform Princess Royal that I'm here and that you can return the money you owe me now!"
Zuo Desong stroked his beard and shook his head. "I don't know if it's true or not. Even if the Princess Royal really owes you money, the Royal Family's business is the Royal Family's business. It's not something that we, an official, can meddle in. The West Courtyard is in charge of the affairs of the royal family. I suggest you go to the West Courtyard to make decisions … "
How could he intervene in such a matter? This was not a small sum of money. How could a dignified Prefect Grand Usher help an outsider to collect money from the Royal Family?
He had already given Niu Youdao enough face by sitting here and talking to him. Otherwise, with his status and identity, he would not have paid any attention to Niu Youdao. He only talked to him like this because of Niu Youdao's fame. He wanted to see what kind of person he was.
To a certain extent, fame was sometimes a good thing. It did not matter if the person under the fame was empty or not. It was more important to attract attention and bring other benefits. For example, Xuan Zichun took the risk to challenge Niu Youdao. Wasn't it for fame? Fame was often beneficial.
After that, he naturally wanted to send Niu Youdao away with the excuse that he still had official business.
Niu Youdao didn't insist on staying here. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. It would be embarrassing if he was chased out by others. He stood up to bid farewell and pleaded again, "Lord Zuo, it's only right and proper to repay debts. Since I've found Lord Zuo, I hope that Lord Zuo can befriend me and help me pass a message. This isn't a difficult matter for Lord Zuo!
Zuo Desong smiled. "I have already made it very clear. I am in charge of external affairs. The West Courtyard is in charge of the Royal Family's affairs. Qian You, see the guest out! "
"Please!" Qian You immediately extended his hand.
Niu Youdao raised his hand to stop him. "It's because Lord Zuo is in charge of external affairs that I found Lord Zuo."
Zuo Desong replied with an 'oh' and said with great interest, "I would like to hear more about it. Are you a secret envoy from some country?"
Niu Youdao explained, "It may not be easy for me to deal with the people in Qi. As for those who leave Qi, without the protection of the powerful forces in Qi, I can't guarantee what will happen to them. For example, your son Zuo Annian who is on a diplomatic mission to Zhao, and many of your subordinates who are outside. I think Lord Zuo doesn't want to see your subordinates getting into trouble outside!"
His words were full of Jianghu flavor.
Linghu Qiu was startled. She did not expect that Niu Youdao would suddenly say such arrogant words. She quickly pulled Niu Youdao's sleeve. "Be careful with your words!"
Zuo Desong's pupils suddenly shrank.
"How dare you!" Qian You suddenly shouted angrily.
Zuo Desong raised his hand to stop him. He smiled. "Niu Youdao, do you know what you are saying? Are you threatening me?"
It was the first time that a foreign cultivator dared to come to the Prefect Grand Usher's mansion to threaten him.
Niu Youdao said, "I mean well."
"Good intentions are always easily misunderstood." Zuo Desong put his hands behind his back and asked, "If you make me unhappy, I can't guarantee that you can leave here alive. You'd better say something to make me happy, or I'm afraid you won't be able to leave today. "
Niu Youdao also asked, "Is that so? Lord Zuo, why don't you ask Qian You how are the guards in the mansion compared to Zhuo Chao? If something happens to me in the Zuo Mansion, the consequences will be very serious! "
Qian You quickly looked outside the door, and his eyes suddenly filled with vigilance.
Zuo Desong narrowed his eyes and stared at him.
Niu Youdao continued to remind him, "Only a fierce dragon will not cross the river. Since I dare to come, I will not be unprepared!"
Zuo Desong said, "Don't forget that this is the capital of Qi State. No one can act recklessly here!"
What he meant was very simple. Even if he let you leave the Zuo Mansion, you will not be able to leave the capital of Qi State.
Niu Youdao tit for tat, "Lord Zuo, don't forget that the world seems to be governed by various countries, but in fact, it is controlled by cultivators, not by any imperial court!"
His words were sonorous and unquestionable, which made Zuo Desong's heart tremble.
The two of them stared at each other, and Zuo Desong suddenly waved his hand, "You two leave first."
Niu Youdao also nodded slightly to Linghu Qiu. Linghu Qiu and Qian You looked at each other, not knowing what the two of them were talking about that needed them to leave. They slowly turned around and left the main hall.
When there was no one else, Zuo Desong asked, "What's in it for me to help you pass the message?"
Niu Youdao said, "I like to make friends, and I always think that the more friends you have, the more options you have. I know that Lord Zuo is in a high position and may not be interested in a simple man like me, who fights and kills, and may not be willing to be friends with me. But I can say this today, if Lord Zuo needs anything in the future, please don't hesitate to tell me and I will do my best! I still have some influence with Commandery Prince Yan Yongping, and Lord Zuo may need my help one day. Lord Zuo may not believe my promise, but for Lord Zuo, you won't lose anything, so what's the harm in trying? "
Zuo Desong's eyes flickered, and he suddenly laughed and patted Niu Youdao's arm, "Young people are a bit interesting!"
Niu Youdao also smiled, "But what does Lord Zuo mean?"
"Young people are full of vigor and drive, I like it!" Zuo Desong pointed at his nose and nodded with a smile, "It's impossible for me to help you collect the debt, but I can help you remind the Palace about this. As for whether the Palace will pay you back, that's not something I can control."
Niu Youdao smiled from ear to ear, "Money is just a worldly possession, the most important thing is to be able to get to know Lord Zuo. If Lord Zuo says that you don't want to collect the debt, I will immediately treat it like dirt, and I promise not to mention the Princess Royal's debt again!"
"It's your business whether you want to collect the debt or not, but I don't have such a big mouth that I can easily let go of two million gold coins." Zuo Desong waved his hand and patted his arm, "In the future, if you want to visit the Zuo residence, you can come anytime. To outsiders, just come in the name of Commandery Prince Yongping!"
Niu Youdao understood what he meant. The residence of the Grand Usher of Qi was not a place that anyone could casually enter and exit. Not to mention coming here frequently, even if he came here occasionally, it would be easy for others to use him as an excuse.
It was different if he came in the name of Shang Chaozong. To a certain extent, Shang Chaozong's side could influence the situation of the Yan Kingdom. To come in the name of Shang Chaozong was equivalent to an envoy sent by Shang Chaozong's vassals in private. Moreover, Zuo Desong was in charge of the foreign relations of the Qi Kingdom, so it was natural for him to interact with them.
Of course, even if he came in the name of Shang Chaozong, he could not see him whenever he wanted. He said that he could come at any time, which was equivalent to agreeing to be friends with him. Whether it was perfunctory or not, only the other party knew in his heart whether it was a perfunctory or not.
"Alright, Lord Zuo is busy with official business, so I won't disturb you for too long. I will take my leave first!" Niu Youdao cupped his hands and bid farewell.
Zuo Desong shouted towards the outside, "See the guest out!"
Hearing this, Qian You hurried over and extended his hand to invite Niu Youdao to leave.
He met with Linghu Qiu outside. When they were about to leave, someone brushed past them. It was Chen Bie, a cultivator from the residence who had gone to the Waterfall Platform to watch the battle.
Chen Bie looked back every few steps, not knowing who Qian You was sending off. He quickly climbed the steps and came to Zuo Desong's side under the eaves. "Grandpa Zuo, who are these two people?"
Zuo Desong said, "Niu Youdao and Linghu Qiu. You should be familiar with these two names, right?"
"Niu Youdao?" Chen Bie was surprised. "Niu Youdao is here?"
He really did not expect that Niu Youdao did not go to the Waterfall Platform to accept the battle, but instead came to the Zuo Residence.
Zuo Desong asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"He sent a group of masters to the Waterfall Platform and killed that Xuan Zichun …" Chen Bie told him in detail what he saw at the Waterfall Platform.
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