Chapter 387 - Quanrong’s Delegation (1/2)
Translator: StarReader
Editor: Elitecoder
At the crack of dawn in the Imperial Palace, the emperor sat dignified in his dragon throne. His servants at the side and the officials down below were split on two sides giving a shallow bow.
Prime Minister Zhuge Changfeng was head of policies while Marshal Dugu Zhantian was in charge of the military.
They all showed utmost respect, “May Your Majesty lead a long and prosperous life!”
“Present your petitions!” A servant shouted, glancing at the men below.
Dugu Zhantian flicked his sleeve and came forth with a bow, “Your Majesty, I have worked hard in tracking down High Priest’s murderer for ten days yet have found nothing. I ask that Your Majesty give me more men to conduct a more thorough search on the houses!”
“Granted!” The emperor spoke.
Dugu Zhantian bowed and withdrew. Zhuge Changfeng snickered inside. [The old marshal is quite serious in his search; dedicated to the monarch and nation. A shame he’s too honest, unable to grasp the cloak and daggers in the court and insists on carrying this matter on.]
[Be as thorough as you like. Looking in the wrong direction will still give you nothing.]
Zhuge Changfeng stepped forward, “Your Majesty, I have a request. The imperial capital has been sealed for ten days, driving fear into the people and the clans. For the sake of peace, I ask that Your Majesty opens the gates.”
“Humph, High Priest’s case is yet to be solved and you want to open the city? Is the Prime Minister so impatient because of his own matters perhaps?” Dugu Zhantian snorted and glared.
The emperor flicked his cold eyes on the Prime Minister, waiting for him to continue.
Zhuge Changfeng shook his head, “High Priest’s case is crucial, but so is the reputation of the empire. Your Majesty, you may disregard people’s livelihood but you should care about the rumors traveling outside the state.”
Zhuge Changfeng turned serious and bowed, presenting his petition, “Your Majesty, the Quanrong Kingdom knows of Your Majesty’s centennial jubilee and its emperor has dispatched a delegation with a gift. Please grant it entry, Your Majesty!”
“What?”
The emperor and Dugu Zhantian screamed at the same time, “Quanrong has sent a delegation?”
Zhuge Changfeng nodded, “This is an external affair. Letting the delegation see the imperial capital under lockdown will earn their ridicule.”
The emperor’s brow shook. He glared at the slightly mocking look of Zhuge Changfeng and hatred festered in his heart.
[Zhuge Changfeng has a response for everything. I didn’t respond when he asked that I release the seal on the capital in the name of the people.]
[So he used Quanrong’s delegation as an excuse, won’t agreeing now look like trying to salvage my name instead of looking out for the people?]
[His vaulting ambition is more than clear!]
Though the emperor was unable to grasp Zhuge Changfeng’s planning from his vague replies.
Zhuge Changfeng presented the petition while the emperor paused in thought.
Dugu Zhantian intervened, “Your Majesty, Quanrong and Tianyu have only ever expressed hostility, with numerous clashes each year. The delegation is sure to be part of some elaborate scheme. And with the imperial capital in troubled waters, it is all the more reason we should block any outside interference. I beg Your Majesty to refuse them, lest we bring wolves in our midst!”
“Old Marshal is mistaken. Because our two nations have been at odds in the past, we should use this chance to mend our relations and live in harmony!”
Zhuge Changfeng shook his head and reported with a sneer, “In addition, they come bearing gifts. Slamming the door in their face will put Tianyu to shame. The Quanrong will think of us as petty! It concerns His Majesty’s prestige and Tianyu’s name. How could you be so jumpy to lose all decorum when it counts?”
One official in red stepped forward with a bow, “Prime Minister’s words ring true. I second him!”
The emperor’s brow rose at the Grand Secretariat.
Another official shot forward, “Prime Minister speaks wisdom. Please allow it, Your Majesty!”
[Minister of War?]
Dugu Zhantian’s beard shook.
All officials soon stepped up, kneeling and shouting, “We all agree!”
Even the emperor gasped with an ashen face. He knew Zhuge Changfeng’s power had a long reach, but not this long, to include both civil and military officials. The man left nothing to chance.
Dugu Zhantian was overwhelmed. Those loyal officials that followed the emperor around, all but him, were in Zhuge Changfeng’s pocket!
Be it civil or military, all the emperor was left with were a scarce few.
Zhuge Changfeng held his head high, “Your Majesty, this is a matter of great importance for the nation. We, loyal subjects to the flag, ask Your Majesty to make a swift decision that I may reply to the Quanrong emperor at once!”
“Humph, Prime Minister, why the rush? You have so much care for the Quanrong. The last time I checked, you are our nation’s Prime Minister!”
The emperor said, looking at Zhuge Changfeng in mock and ridicule.